The carriage rocked gently along the dirt road, its wheels clattering against stones and patches of uneven earth. The fading sunlight bathed the horizon in shades of crimson and gold, the warmth giving way to the chill of evening air. Inside, Rey sat with his head leaning against the wooden frame, exhaustion pulling him into slumber. A thin line of drool ran down the side of his mouth as the others chuckled quietly at the sight.
"Hey, kid. Wake up," Kyawey's voice broke through the haze of Rey's dreams. A large hand shook his shoulder lightly.
Rey stirred, blinking his eyes open. "H-huh…? Where are we?" His words slurred, half-asleep.
Kyawey grinned. "We've arrived at Senju Village. Time to stretch your legs. We'll rest here for the night before continuing tomorrow."
Rey rubbed his eyes, embarrassed to realize he'd been drooling. He quickly wiped his mouth. "Right… Got it."
Deep within the forest that surrounded Senju, a stillness hung heavy in the air. The trees swayed gently, their branches whispering in the breeze.
Then, a pair of yellow eyes opened in the dark.
The ground rumbled faintly as a massive beast stirred from slumber. Its fur was coarse like stone, its claws long enough to split trees with a swipe. The presence it radiated pressed down on the forest like a suffocating weight.
"…So… the presence has returned." Its voice was deep, ancient, carried on the wind like a low growl. "The chosen one has finally revealed himself… after so long…"
It lowered its massive head, breath stirring the leaves.
"If only I were not bound by age… I would have stood before him myself. But… perhaps my role is to wait. To watch. To see if he truly bears the strength of infinity."
The beast's eyes dimmed, closing once more as the forest fell silent.
Back in Senju Village, Kyawey's group and Flio disembarked from the carriage. They led Rey toward the largest building at the heart of the settlement: the Glitzebra Inn, a sturdy establishment with warm lights spilling from its windows. The scent of baked bread and roasted meat wafted out, mixing with the earthy smell of hay and soil.
Kyawey approached the counter. "How much for five people?"
The receptionist, a young woman with neatly tied hair and a professional smile, answered promptly. "Two silver coins per person."
Without hesitation, Kyawey pulled out a pouch and handed her the coins.
Rey frowned. "Mr. Kyawey, I can pay for myself. You don't have to cover me."
Kyawey waved him off. "What are you saying, kid? We're adults. It's our job to take care of the young ones."
Rey sighed but didn't argue.
The receptionist gestured upstairs. "This way. We've prepared your rooms. Please enjoy your stay at the Glitzebra Inn."
She stopped at the door to Rey's room. "This is yours, young man."
Rey nodded. "Thanks."
The bed was soft compared to the carriage's hard planks, and exhaustion dragged him down the moment he lay on it. Within seconds, Rey was asleep.
He found himself floating in a void—darkness stretching endlessly in every direction. His body felt weightless, like he was adrift in a sea with no surface and no bottom.
"What… is this place?" His voice echoed unnaturally, swallowed by the endless black.
And then, the ground beneath him trembled.
From the shadows emerged a colossal beast. It towered over Rey like a mountain, its jagged claws glowing faintly, its teeth sharp enough to shatter steel. Its yellow eyes fixed on him, unblinking and ancient.
"You…" The voice thundered, shaking the void itself. "You are the one who will save this world."
Rey staggered back, his body trembling. "Save… the world? Me?!"
The beast leaned closer, its breath hot, carrying the scent of ash and earth.
"That mark in your hand… the symbol of infinity. It is the key. The strength to devour despair, to swallow chaos itself. Use it… or let it consume you."
Rey lifted his arm instinctively, staring at the faint glow of the symbol that had haunted him since birth. "What do you mean? What am I supposed to—"
Before he could finish, the beast's voice grew faint, its form flickering like smoke.
"Seek… the truth… in the Abyss…"
Flash!
Rey's vision went white, and he woke with a sharp gasp.
---
The sun poured through the window, bright and warm. Rey sat on the bed, clutching his chest as his heart pounded. Sweat dripped down his brow.
"…What was that dream?" he muttered. The image of the beast's glowing yellow eyes refused to leave his mind.
He dressed quickly, pulling on the red coat Yuki had given him. Its white trim and golden buttons gleamed faintly in the morning light, a comforting reminder of the village he had left behind. With steadying breaths, he descended the stairs.
Kyawey, Akame, Shoko, and Noir were already seated around a table, murmuring quietly. Akame noticed him first and waved. "Rey! You're awake. Come sit with us."
He joined them, pulling out a chair. "What's the plan for today?"
Noir crossed his arms. "That's what we're discussing."
Kyawey leaned forward. "This quest isn't just an escort mission. It's also a gathering mission."
Rey tilted his head. "Gathering? That doesn't sound dangerous."
Shoko frowned. "We need to collect rare materials for Flio's shop in the capital. But those materials are found in the Forest of Senju, where monsters have numbers exceeding twenty-six thousand."
Her voice dropped. "It's no ordinary gathering job. It's deadly."
Rey's eyes narrowed with determination. "Then let me come with you."
"No." Noir's voice was firm. "You're too young. Too reckless."
Shoko nodded. "He's right. It's not safe."
"Please," Rey pressed. His fists tightened on the table.
Kyawey exhaled, rubbing his temples. "…Fine. But only if you stay behind Shoko and Akame at all times. Understood?"
Rey nodded quickly. "Understood."
Akame muttered under her breath, "That's why we always get into trouble…"
Kyawey shot her a look. "If it weren't for him, you'd already be a red wolf's dinner."
Akame blinked, then sighed. "…Fair point."
The sound of the inn's door creaking open cut their conversation short.
A tall man stepped inside, his presence chilling the room. His dark coat hung heavy over broad shoulders, and strapped to his back was a massive axe, its blade etched with scars from countless battles. The wooden floor creaked under his boots as he walked, the air itself seeming to darken around him.
Kyawey's eyes widened. His voice was barely a whisper. "The… Axe Reaper."
Rey tilted his head. "Axe Reaper?"
Kyawey leaned closer. "Adventurers earn titles through their feats. That man… he earned his by wielding an axe said to cut through anything. I've heard he once cleaved a wyvern in three swings."
Akame added quietly, "He's infamous. Ruthless. A monster in human skin."
Rey's gaze flicked instinctively to the man's number.
[150,000]
His breath caught. "…That high…"
The Axe Reaper's steps echoed as he passed by their table. For a brief moment, his yellow eyes flickered toward Rey, sharp and piercing, as if peeling away the layers of his soul.
Rey fought the urge to flinch, pretending not to notice. But his stomach twisted with unease.
Flio entered the inn at that moment, carrying a scroll. "Kyawey, good news! I've secured the list of materials we need, along with their locations."
Kyawey nodded, rising from his chair. "Perfect. Then we set out at once."
"Right," the party responded in unison.
As they prepared to leave, Rey could still feel it—
The Axe Reaper's gaze lingering on him like a predator watching prey.
He didn't turn back, but he knew one thing for certain.
That man had taken an interest in him.
And that was far more dangerous than any monster.