At noon, the Adventurer Guild buzzed with noise. Hunters bargained for quests, clerks stamped forms, and the scent of roasted meat filled the air.
Behind a desk sat Guild Master Roland, reading a report from the previous night. His eyebrow twitched slightly.
"Bruised, burned, soaked in water, and nearly buried under crates," he murmured. "All that… and he says the attacker was asleep?"
The guild hall fell quiet for a moment as his voice echoed.
Lyria stood beside him, arms crossed. "He's not lying, Master. I checked the scene this morning — something strange definitely happened."
Roland leaned back, deep in thought. "You mean to tell me… the boy really did nothing?"
Lyria sighed. "He was still asleep when I woke up. I don't think he even knows anything happened."
Roland tapped the report with his finger. "A mysterious boy who suddenly appears in town, from a clan two hundred kilometers away… arrives without using the teleportation array, and now invisible forces are attacking people who get close to him."
He looked up. "Lyria, this doesn't sound like coincidence."
Lyria hesitated. "You think he's dangerous?"
Roland smiled faintly. "Dangerous? No… not yet. But I think he's special — or cursed. Either way, I want him watched. Discreetly."
Lyria frowned. "He'll notice if we follow him."
The Guild Master chuckled. "Will he? From your report, he can barely wake up on time. I doubt he'll notice even if you sit on his roof."
Lyria sighed again. "You're not wrong…"
Meanwhile, back at the house, Pramit sat lazily at the table, munching on bread and looking half-asleep.
"I don't know why I'm so tired," he muttered. "Feels like I fought someone in my sleep."
Lyria glared at him from across the table. "That's because you did nothing all morning. At least go outside and breathe fresh air."
Pramit blinked. "Outside? Too bright."
She smacked her forehead. "You're impossible."
Back at the Guild, Roland placed the spy's damaged report on the table, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Pramit Chakma…" he whispered. "Let's see what kind of secret you're hiding."
Outside, a faint wind brushed the streets — and somewhere, the earth gave a small tremor, almost like a lazy yawn.
The peaceful afternoon shattered when the Guild's emergency bell rang through the town.Its deep clang echoed across every street — a sound that hadn't been heard in years.
Lyria's head snapped up. "That's… the emergency alarm!"
Pramit, half-asleep on the couch, cracked one eye open. "Huh…? Lunch time already?"
Before she could yell at him, the door burst open. A dust-covered scout hunter stumbled in, breathing hard."Reporting to Miss Lyria! A monster horde—coming from the north forest! At least a hundred strong!"
Lyria's face turned pale. "A hundred?! That area should be low-danger!"
The scout nodded. "That's what we thought! But something's forcing them out of the deeper woods! They're moving fast—goblins, dire wolves, maybe even an ogre leading them!"
Pramit rubbed his eyes lazily. "An ogre? Sounds noisy."
"Noisy?!" Lyria snapped. "That thing could flatten this whole town!"
Outside, bells kept ringing. Adventurers rushed through the streets, guards took positions, and the air grew heavy with fear.
At the Guild Hall, Guild Master Roland stood on the balcony, shouting orders."Form three defense lines! Evacuate civilians! I want all mages ready at the northern gate!"
The injured spy from last night limped in, pale. "Master! It's worse than we thought—the horde's moving unnaturally, like something's driving them!"
Roland's expression darkened. "A dark influence…?"
Meanwhile, Lyria hurried to pack her bow and arrows. "We have to help!"
Pramit sat up slowly, yawning. "Do we have to?"
She glared. "Yes, we do! Unless you want to be monster food!"
He tilted his head, thinking. "That sounds troublesome…"
Lyria nearly screamed. "You—! Fine! Stay here and die lazy! I'm going!"
She stormed out of the house, muttering angrily. Pramit sighed, scratched his head, and stood up anyway.
"Guess I should at least take a look… maybe it'll end fast."
He stepped outside, stretching, the faint glint of power flickering in his eyes for just a moment.
At the edge of town, the sound of roaring monsters echoed like thunder.Dust rose in the distance — and shadows filled the treeline.
The monster horde had arrived.