Two days passed in the blink of an eye, and today… was the day we'd been preparing for. The morning sun barely kissed the rooftops as we stepped out of the tavern, our boots crunching lightly against the stone path. A subtle tension lingered in the air—not fear, but that sharp stillness that always comes before a storm. Each of us carried our weapons, our gear, and our resolve like armor. Our destination was clear: the Adventurers' Guild.
From there, we would be transported directly to the Wasteland through a teleportation gate—an exclusive route reserved for only the highest-ranked missions. Since this was an official S-rank quest, the guild had authorized the use of the portal free of charge. Yet, even with that privilege, the atmosphere felt heavier than usual as we entered. Conversations dimmed. Adventurers turned to look our way, their eyes following us in silence—some with curiosity, others with quiet respect.
A young receptionist, dressed in the guild's blue-and-gold uniform, approached us with a clipboard in hand. Her steps were brisk, her eyes alert and focused. "Follow me, please," she said with a polite nod. "The teleportation portal is ready."
We followed her through a narrow hallway until she stopped beside a heavy oak door next to what the guild called the flesh-cutting hall—a grim nickname for the room where wounded adventurers were treated and broken gear was repaired. The air here was cooler, quieter, carrying a faint metallic scent. She pushed open the door, revealing a compact marble chamber, just large enough for ten people to stand shoulder to shoulder. At its center stood the teleportation portal—a circle of milky-white light that pulsed gently, alive, like a curtain of liquid moonlight. It shimmered softly, offering no glimpse of what lay beyond. Only light. Only mystery.
The receptionist stepped aside. "It's ready. Please proceed." The master gave her a curt nod, his expression as unreadable as ever. Without hesitation, he stepped into the portal, his figure dissolving into the pale mist. For a heartbeat, the room felt empty—hollow without his presence. Kylon followed next, then Krent. I looked to Aur, who stood calmly beside me, her fur faintly bristling with energy. She met my eyes and gave a small, confident nod, as if to say, 'Ready when you are.' Drawing in a deep breath, I stepped forward. The moment my foot touched the light, the world blinked—
and just like that, we were no longer in the guild.
We stood beneath a sky brushed in soft shades of blue, where scattered clouds drifted lazily like drowsy giants. A cool breeze swept through the tall grass, carrying the sweet scent of wildflowers. It was… peaceful. Nothing like what the name Wasteland suggested. I looked around in quiet disbelief, then turned toward Master. "This isn't what I imagined. It feels almost… normal."
He let out a quiet chuckle, the corner of his mouth curving into a faint grin. "It's called the Wasteland because no one can live here permanently. Not because of the land itself, but because of the creatures that inhabit it. The soil is rich, the air clean—but life here is impossible due to the countless beasts that roam this region." He gestured toward the wide stretch of grassland and the scattered trees swaying under the gentle wind. "This area is considered the safest part of the Wasteland. Even so, expect to encounter low-rank monsters at any time."
As if the world had decided to prove him right, the ground trembled faintly beneath our feet. A beast burst out from the nearby thicket, charging straight toward us. It moved with terrifying speed—six muscular legs tearing through the dirt, its fox-like face twisted in a snarl. Two long, serpentine tails whipped behind it, slicing through the air with sharp hisses. Before anyone else could react, Kylon moved. His sword flashed, catching the sunlight as he lunged forward, his strike so precise that the blade pierced straight through the creature's skull. The beast's body went limp mid-lunge and collapsed at his feet. Kylon wiped his sword clean in a single fluid motion, his face calm as ever.
"I think it's time we reintroduce ourselves—just to keep things clear," he said, sheathing his sword with a metallic click. "Kylon. S-rank adventurer. High-rank aura controller."
Krent stepped forward next, his voice firm and steady. "Krent. A-rank adventurer. High-rank aura controller as well."
Master crossed his arms, a smirk playing at the edge of his lips. "Agious. S-rank adventurer. High-rank aura controller. I also wield Fire and Lightning magic with moderate affinity."
I nodded and stepped forward. "Ray. A high-level aura controller… with affinity for all elemental magic."
Their gazes sharpened the moment I said it. Even though Master had allowed me to reveal my elemental affinities, he had warned me to keep my true aura control level and core strength hidden. Krent's eyes widened slightly before a low whistle escaped his lips. He smirked and muttered under his breath, "A freak in the making…"
The wind shifted again, rustling through the tall grass as if whispering a warning. The peaceful air now carried an uneasy tension, the kind that prickles against your skin before danger strikes. Kylon's eyes narrowed toward the distant tree line. "That was a D-rank beast… but it's strange to see one here. And more than that—" His voice dropped. "I can feel others. More of them. Watching."
Master stepped forward, his gaze sharpening. "Were they already here when you scouted this place last time?"
Kylon shook his head slowly. "No. It was calm then—nothing above E-rank. Something must've stirred them…"
Master frowned, placing a firm hand on my shoulder. "Stay alert. You won't get a warning before they attack. They'll use the terrain, the shadows—your hesitation."
"I understand," I said, nodding.
We resumed our march across the soft earth, every step deliberate, our senses tuned to the faintest sound. The gentle rustle of grass now felt heavier, the air thicker. Even the wind carried a weight of anticipation, as though the world itself was holding its breath.
After a few minutes of silent walking, Krent glanced at Kylon. "Hey… about that man from our last quest—the one who died. Why did his body vanish after we killed the demons?"
Master, who had been quietly scanning the horizon, turned sharply toward him. "What?"
Kylon exhaled and slowed his pace. "It was during the rescue mission we took part in last time."
And then, he began to explain.