The first rays of morning slipped through the cracks of the shutters, spilling pale gold light across the little house in the woods. Yoshiya stirred first, listening to the steady rhythm of the forest—birds calling, leaves whispering. Omina rolled onto her side and smiled faintly. For the first time in weeks, they'd slept in their own beds, surrounded by the familiar scent of pine and woodsmoke.
They rose quietly, washing up and strapping on their gear. Today, at last, they would see Bren's promised weapon. Both felt a faint, eager buzz beneath their calm; it was like being on the verge of something new.
They set off down the forest path toward Orleaf, the road soft underfoot from last night's rain. By the time they reached the village square, the air was thick with the smell of roasting meat.
"There it is again," Omina said, pointing to the little stall.
Yoshiya chuckled. "It's becoming a tradition."
They bought a generous cut of roasted pork for thirty copper and ate side by side on a low bench, steam rising from the meat in the cool morning air. Grease slicked Omina's fingers; Yoshiya licked his thumb clean and sighed in quiet satisfaction.
When they were done, they crossed to Bren's workshop. The forge's heat spilled out into the street, and sparks flared as Bren hammered something on the anvil. He looked up and grinned when he saw them.
"You're just in time," he said. He wiped his hands and disappeared into the back. When he returned, he was holding a short sword unlike any Omina had seen.
It gleamed yellow and white in the workshop's light, the hue of lightning caught in polished steel. About the same length as her current blade, it was noticeably lighter; she could lift it easily with one hand.
"It's beautiful," she breathed, running her thumb along the spine.
"Forged from the horn of that thunder boar you brought me," Bren said with a hint of pride. "Quick, light, and it'll bite harder than it looks. Comes with a little something extra, too."
He handed over a small, narrow-bladed knife. "Good for carving loot off monsters. Saves you from dulling your main blade."
Omina's grin widened. She strapped both swords at her waist, the new short sword on her right hip, her old one on the left. "Perfect."
They thanked Bren and stepped back into the street, the morning brighter now.
"Let's see what this can really do," Omina said, a glint in her eye.
They walked to the guild outpost. Lia was at the front desk, sorting papers. She looked up and waved when she saw them.
"Back already? And with new gear?" she asked. Her gaze lingered on the sword.
"From the thunder boar horn," Yoshiya said.
Lia's eyebrows rose. "Impressive."
They scanned the quest board. One notice caught their attention: Investigation of kobold and goblin activity in Oakwood Forest. Recent reports mentioned new signs of movement.
"Goblins again?" Omina muttered. "They were supposed to be cleared out last month."
"Apparently not," Yoshiya said. "We'll take it."
Lia stamped the paper and handed it over. "Be careful. And bring back proof."
They set off at once.
---
The forest was damp and green, shafts of sunlight cutting through the canopy. The first creature they encountered was a wild boar rooting near a fallen log.
"Perfect for a test," Omina whispered.
She drew the new short sword. The blade felt weightless, as though it wanted to move before she did. She slashed once; the boar squealed and bolted, a faint crackle of lightning rippling along the edge of the steel where it struck. Omina's eyes widened.
"It really does spark," she murmured, exhilarated.
They continued deeper, collecting broken crude weapons they found scattered on the ground—clubs, splintered spears, even a bent dagger. They copied symbols and graffiti carved into trees and stones. Two different kinds of markings. Two groups.
Near a cave entrance they found a crude altar decorated with flags of bone and feathers.
"This isn't just scavenging," Yoshiya said softly. "They're making territory."
They pressed on.
---
On the far side of the woods, they crouched behind a thicket and peered through the leaves. A small goblin camp sprawled across a clearing. Makeshift shelters of branches and animal pelts leaned together like crooked teeth. Smoke from a low fire curled upward.
Yoshiya counted under his breath. "Eight. Six armed."
"Small ones," Omina said. She rolled her shoulders. "We can handle this."
They agreed on a simple plan. Yoshiya moved first, stepping into the clearing with his shield raised. The goblins shrieked and scrambled for weapons. One hurled a jagged spear; it clanged harmlessly off his shield.
He surged forward and slammed the nearest goblin aside with a heavy bash. The creature tumbled into the dirt with a yelp. Another rushed him with a rusted blade; Yoshiya caught the swing on his shield and drove his shoulder forward, sending the goblin sprawling.
Omina darted in behind him, her new sword flashing. The blade cut through the first goblin's neck with a hiss and a flash of light. The smell of scorched flesh rose briefly in the air.
Another goblin lunged at her from the side. She pivoted, the short sword moving almost faster than she could think, slicing across its belly. It collapsed, shrieking. Sparks danced along the edge of her blade, fading as she drew back.
Three goblins tried to circle Yoshiya. He slammed his shield into one, knocking it off balance, then pivoted to catch another with the rim. The third managed to nick his arm but was too slow to dodge Omina's follow-up strike.
The fight turned into a rhythm—shield bash, flash of lightning steel, bodies hitting the ground. The goblins squealed and scattered but the clearing gave them no cover. Yoshiya plowed forward like a living wall; Omina darted in and out of openings, finishing off the stunned creatures.
The last goblin, shaking, tried to run for the trees. Omina flicked her wrist; the small knife Bren had given her spun end-over-end and buried itself in the goblin's back. It pitched forward into the dirt, dead.
Silence fell except for their breathing.
Yoshiya lowered his shield. "Not bad for a first test."
Omina wiped her blade and smiled. "I think I'm in love with this sword."
They moved through the camp quickly, taking ears and small trinkets as proof. Yoshiya marked both the kobold and goblin sites on their map.
---
By the time they returned to Orleaf, the sun was still high. Lia's eyes widened when she saw the loot and the copied symbols.
"This is serious," she said, her voice low. "I'll report it immediately."
Yoshiya and Omina handed over their proof and received their reward: three silver coins.
Omina tucked the coins into her pouch and glanced at Yoshiya. "Still daylight left."
He nodded. "Let's see about that mining quest."
They turned toward the nearest cave, their gear gleaming and their hearts steady. The day wasn't over yet.