The morning sun had barely begun its climb when Yoshiya and Omina left their small forest home near Orleaf. Birds chirped lazily in the canopy, and the scent of dew-damp earth lingered, mixing with the faint aroma of recently baked bread from the village below. Omina moved with a spring in her step, her new red-and-blue kobold scale armor catching dappled sunlight as she tested the flexibility of the plates. Every twist of her body, every swing of her arms, seemed to confirm what she already suspected: this armor wasn't just protective—it felt like an extension of herself.
"You know," she said, twirling lightly so the overlapping scales shimmered, "this might actually be… comfortable. And it moves with me. I think Brenn did a good job."
Yoshiya, balancing a few supplies and checking their map, cast her a wary glance. "Comfortable doesn't usually mean invincible. Just don't go punching anything bigger than a kobold without a plan, okay?"
"Pfft," she replied, letting her sword swing idly. "Since when has planning ever slowed us down?" She grinned, and for a moment, Yoshiya couldn't help but smile back.
They set out on the familiar dirt road toward Orleaf, the village just waking to the bustle of midday. Their steps were synchronized, a rhythm formed from months of adventuring together. Conversation naturally drifted to logistics—specifically, the backpack problem.
"I'm telling you," Yoshiya said, adjusting the pack of herbs and materials slung awkwardly across his back, "next time we carry this much loot, I want an actual backpack. One that doesn't need two people just to keep it from falling apart."
Omina laughed, looping an arm through his as they walked. "A backpack, huh? I like the idea. Maybe something enchanted to lighten the load, too."
"Exactly," Yoshiya said, warming to the idea. "Durable, spacious… maybe reinforced with monster hide, or something tougher than what we usually see in the shops."
"You mean… the Thunderboar hide," Omina said with a sly grin.
He froze mid-step. "Uh… yes. That was exactly what I meant. Totally not suggesting dangerous things at all."
Omina chuckled and patted his shoulder. "Relax, I'm just teasing. But yeah, Thunderboar would be perfect for a backpack. Thick hide, sturdy, can handle all your… strength training cargo."
By the time they reached Orleaf, the streets were alive with midday activity: merchants calling out their wares, children running between stalls, and adventurers preparing for errands or returning from morning hunts. They stopped first at Brenn's forge, where the blacksmith was wiping sweat from his brow after tending to a batch of weapons.
"So," Yoshiya began, setting down their collected herbs and loot, "we were thinking of crafting a backpack. Something strong, practical… maybe with a touch of enchantment if possible."
Brenn's eyebrows lifted. "Ah, now that's a sensible investment. You can craft backpacks from different materials, each with its own benefits. Goblin hide is cheap and light, good for short trips. Wolf or wild boar hide? Tougher, more durable. But if you want something truly sturdy for long-term adventuring… you'll need Taurox hide. Thick, resilient, almost impossible to tear. And the horns? They can be reforged into reinforcing frames. The organs—bring those to Mira, and she can make enhancements, maybe some magical infusion."
Omina's eyes glimmered. "So it's not just a pack. It's a mini-project all on its own."
Brenn chuckled, patting the edge of his anvil. "Exactly. Take the right materials, and you could carry twice the loot without worrying about the pack falling apart."
After gathering the information, the pair made their way to the guild outpost. Lia was stationed at the counter, reviewing quest logs as usual.
"Lia," Yoshiya called, "we wanted to ask about the Taurox. Where exactly do they appear?"
Lia leaned back in her chair, thoughtful. "The Taurox… they usually roam the foothills between Doom Forest and Oakwood Forest. Be warned—they're herd animals. Even one is strong, but several together? Dangerous. And the Doom Forest side isn't forgiving. Wolves, goblins, and who knows what else lurk there. You'll need to plan your approach carefully."
Omina's eyes flicked toward Yoshiya. "We'll be fine, right?"
Yoshiya swallowed. "Yes. We… will be fine." His confidence sounded a little shakier than he wanted, but he refused to let it show.
Lia nodded approvingly. "I know you two can handle it, but take my advice: don't underestimate the territory. Keep the high ground when possible, and never get trapped between the herd. If you see the first Taurox, observe before you engage. They're smart animals, not mindless monsters."
"Understood," Omina said, straightening her armor with a quick twist of her shoulders. "We'll bring back what we need… and maybe a horn or two for proof."
Yoshiya gave a nervous nod, double-checking the map, then sealed the quest acceptance at the board.
As they turned to leave, Yoshiya's eyes caught a familiar figure near the entrance: Seikaku, a 5-star adventurer. The aura of skill and confidence was unmistakable, but Yoshiya's attention sharpened as he noticed Seikaku's gaze fixed on a female merchant across the street—the same scene Yoshiya had glimpsed before, something from a memory that made his chest tighten with unease. Seikaku seemed unusually focused, almost predatory in his observation, though Yoshiya chose not to intervene. He filed the detail away, a mental note for the future.
With the quest accepted and warnings lodged in their minds, they set out from Orleaf toward the foothills near Doom Forest, aiming to reach the Taurox territory by midday. The path narrowed gradually, becoming a mix of well-trodden dirt and patches of undergrowth. Birds had quieted; the forest felt heavier somehow, as if anticipating their arrival.
Along the way, Yoshiya adjusted the straps on his pack, ensuring their gear was secure, while Omina scanned the forest edges for signs of wildlife. Soon, they spotted massive hoof prints pressed deep into the mud, some partially filled with rainwater. Omina knelt, tracing the edges with her fingers.
"Fresh," she said, standing and brushing the dirt from her palms. "Someone—or something—has passed through here recently."
Yoshiya frowned, noting the broken shrubs and stripped bark along the path. "This territory… it's marked. Definitely Taurox. We're in the right place."
They walked in silence for a few moments, the weight of the impending hunt settling in. Every snap of a twig or rustle of leaves made them pause, testing their reflexes. Then a gust of wind swept through the trees, carrying a faint rumble of heavy movement from deeper in the forest. Yoshiya tightened his grip on his staff.
"Looks like we're officially out of the beginner's zone," he muttered.
Omina's grin widened, teeth flashing in the sunlight. "Good. Let's earn that backpack."
By midday, they reached a small clearing at the base of the foothills, the canopy opening above to reveal jagged tree lines and rocky outcrops. The air carried the faint metallic scent of horned beasts, and the forest floor showed more signs of grazing and trampling. Here, at last, the hunt would begin.
The couple paused to adjust their gear. Omina's armor glinted, and Yoshiya secured the herbs, tools, and remaining supplies in anticipation of the fight. They exchanged a nod, a silent agreement: no matter what lay ahead in the shadow of Doom Forest, they would face it together.
And then, with the sun directly overhead and the forest stretching before them like a living maze, they stepped into the foothills, ready for the Taurox subjugation quest—the next step in proving themselves as true adventurers.