Chapter 13 – The First Mission
The light of dawn slipped timidly through the guild's windows, bathing the mission hall in golden hues. Lyra stood before her desk, reviewing documents and adjusting her adventurer's uniform. Her long blue hair shimmered like the reflection of the sea under the morning sun.
But despite the calm her figure conveyed, her furrowed brow revealed the storm inside.
(Why in the world do I have to be that guy's mentor? An F-rank! And on top of that, so arrogant!)
She sighed, grabbed her rune-engraved water spear, and strapped it to her back. Finally, she walked over to Kael, who was in a corner, silently sharpening his daggers.
—"I'm Lyra," she said firmly. "I'll be your mentor for this first mission. I'll limit myself to observing your performance and will only intervene if you're in danger."
Kael lifted his gaze for just a moment. His golden eyes gleamed with coldness.
—"Kael. Fine."
Nothing more.
That curt tone ignited a spark of frustration in Lyra. She clenched her teeth, wanting to shout at him, but held back.
(Argh! This boy is going to drive me insane!)
---
On the Way to the Forest
They walked in silence along a path covered in dry leaves. The only sound was the crunching of branches beneath their boots.
Lyra tried to break the ice.
—"You know, normally rookies listen to their mentors."
—"I listen to what's necessary," Kael replied without looking at her.
—"Ugh!" Lyra groaned, throwing her hands up. "Do you always have to be this… cold?"
Kael turned his head, raising a brow.
—"Would you rather I pretend to be nice?"
Lyra fell silent for a few seconds. Then, with a forced smile, she muttered:
—"I'd rather have someone with a little humanity."
Kael didn't answer. He simply kept walking calmly.
(How can someone be so irritating and so calm at the same time?!) Lyra thought.
The tension remained, though the scene carried a comical undertone: her fighting to get a reaction, him unshakable as a rock.
---
The First Encounter with Goblins
In the forest, Kael suddenly stopped. His golden eyes flashed.
—"Five goblins."
Lyra stared at him in surprise.
—"You already sensed them?"
He nodded, pointing to a clearing. The five goblins were gathered, grotesquely laughing as they sharpened their rusty weapons.
—"It's your first mission." Lyra crossed her arms. "I'll observe. If you can't handle it… I'll step in."
Kael said nothing. He simply advanced, his daggers gleaming—one radiating a vivid green aura like the wind, the other dark as shadow.
In a blink, the first fell with his throat slit. The second was stabbed straight in the heart. The third barely let out a scream before his head hit the ground. The last two tried to flee, but swift strikes silenced them forever.
It was all over in seconds.
Lyra's eyes widened, her jaw dropping.
—"I-Impossible! How… how did you do that?! That was—"
Before she could continue, Kael turned and placed a firm hand over her mouth.
—"Silence."
The contact caught her off guard. The warmth of his hand, the closeness of his face, those golden eyes locking onto hers… Lyra blushed instantly.
Kael, oblivious to her reaction, murmured:
—"Raise your voice and you'll draw in the entire goblin village. There are more than three hundred."
Lyra blinked, stunned.
—"T-Three hundred? How… how do you know?"
—"Wind magic. I track movement and breathing in the air."
A chill ran down Lyra's spine.
—"…Only high elves can do that."
Kael stared at her in silence, offering no further explanation.
---
The Battle Against the Goblin Village
Kael pointed ahead.
—"I'll go straight in. Use lightning to destabilize them."
—"What?! Are you insane? That's suicide! To wipe out a village like this, you'd need at least five A-rank adventurers. We have to turn back!"
Kael didn't wait.
—"Now."
He drew his daggers, their power surging: the green blade glowing with cutting wind, the dark one radiating a sinister aura.
He charged into the goblins.
Lyra yelled, both furious and anxious:
—"Idiot!"
With no choice, she conjured bolts of lightning that whipped down like electric lashes, clearing a path for Kael.
The battle was chaos—screams and blood everywhere. Kael moved like a shadow-born assassin, each strike precise, each kill a whisper. Lyra covered him, hurling spells and reinforcing her spear with water, sharpening it like crystal.
At one point, surrounded by enemies, Lyra leapt into the fray as well, striking goblins with grace. But amid the carnage, her gaze drifted toward Kael.
He didn't hesitate. He didn't fear. And worst of all… he was enjoying the slaughter.
(Who are you really, Kael?)
---
The Appearance of the Goblin King
Suddenly, silence fell. A crushing pressure swept through the forest.
Kael tensed. Lyra froze.
From between the trees emerged a colossal figure: a goblin over three meters tall, with massive muscles, greenish skin, and eyes burning red like embers. In its hand, it wielded a massive bone club.
—"A-A Goblin King…!" Lyra stammered, stepping back, her voice trembling. "That's… S-rank…"
The monster roared in fury, raising its weapon. Its gaze locked directly onto Lyra.
Her body went rigid, heart pounding.
Kael stepped forward, daggers ready.
The Goblin King charged.
—"Lyra, move!" Kael shouted.
The scene froze in suspense, the monster's roar echoing through the dark forest....