Shadows in the Outskirts

  Somewhere in the outskirts, a herd of beasts moved through the darkness, hunting livestock with methodical precision. In a blur of motion, they even dragged a struggling human into the woods, leaving only disturbed snow and silence in their wake.

  "Grandpa!" a voice shouted.

  "Yes... they're back," he muttered. "Relentless bastards."

  The Journey Back

  Goliath's beard caught the wind as Rhanes's group made their way along the snow-stricken path toward Bear Path, the aftermath of battle still fresh in their minds.

  "Here's your knife," Rhanes said, tossing the weapon to Kuro while keeping his eyes on the road ahead.

  Kuro caught it smoothly, examining the blade for any damage before giving a satisfied nod.

  "You did a good thing earlier," Rhanes began, his tone measured.

  "Hm?"

  "You know—not killing him. Not killing Daro."

  "Oh, yeah." Kuro turned the knife over in his hands. "I got a little heated."

  "A little?" Rhanes chuckled. "For someone who's lost their memories, you're quite brutal. Maybe you were a soldier before all this."

  At the mention of soldier, Kuro jerked slightly, though not enough to draw suspicion.

  "Or a warrior," Rhanes continued, watching the road. "Maybe even a noble. It'd be great if you were a noble—who knows?" He glanced at Kuro. "Tell me, does the battle jog any memories?"

  "No, I'm not sure." Kuro briefly recalled his true past—the memories he'd claimed to have lost as a convenient cover to navigate this unfamiliar world. "But why a noble?"

  "Oh, Being noble means you can use magic, and that helps you unlock the full potential of MOSVMORA. It's a magical weapon, you see."

  "But you can learn magic, right?"

  Rhanes's expression turned grim. "No. Don't do that. Take it as advice—or a warning. You know the severe implications behind learning magic, don't you?"

  Kuro took a moment before answering. "Yes." He changed the subject. "Anyway, those bastards—what punishment do they get?"

  "Well, they didn't kill anyone, so imprisonment for a year or two for theft. But Daro had and used a fire crystal, so double that."

  "Fire crystal? You mean that fire breath trick Daro pulled?"

  "Exactly. You probably don't know about them—they're common on the black market. By crushing them, you can use whatever element the crystal's based on and it's mostly a one-time thing."

  "And it's a crime to use them?"

  "Yes and no. They were weapon crystals, modified to force magic into humans. It worked, but it turned out to be toxic. That's why they're illegal now. Daro doped himself with black market poison just to reach A-rank. What a fraud."

  "I see." Kuro gazed out at the passing snow-covered landscape. There are so many things this world has to offer.

  Rhanes glanced in the rearview mirror. "Fenric, is your leg okay? Fenric?" He smiled when he saw the half-beast sound asleep in the back. "About Fenric—are you two a team? I remember him calling you partner."

  "Yeah, something like that. I just don't know what I'm going to do with him if he can't fight."

  "Oh, don't get him wrong. It's not that he can't fight—he simply won't fight. There's a difference."

  "Why?"

  "That's a question only he can answer. But be good to him. He'll be useful, I promise. And the laws aren't good for him, you know—"

  "I know, Senior. Don't worry."

  "Good." Rhanes smiled, then shifted his tone. "By the way, what's the verdict? I'm dying here."

  "Verdict? What?"

  "The sword—MOSVMORA. What do you think about it?"

  Kuro considered. "Well, one thing: I don't know if I can pronounce it. Second, I don't know much about swords to comment properly. But Senior, all I can say is that even with my untrained eyes, I can see it will cut. Cut the moon itself."

  "Wow. That's the best compliment I've ever gotten. Thanks."

  The rest of the trip passed smoothly, and they arrived at Bear Path just as the sun began its descent.

  Return to Bear Path

  At the guild, they were greeted by a worried Lovia, who was visibly relieved to see Kuro unharmed. She offered to treat Fenric's wound, but he refused. "It's mostly closed up. Don't worry."

  Rhanes sent them off satisfied but intrigued, his mind churning with questions. Who exactly is Kuro? The Ravmor blood on the horn, Ella's cryptic words, and today's display of agility and strength—the pieces were stacking up, one by one.

  As Kuro stepped into Fenric's home, his companion crashed onto the sofa and was asleep within seconds.

  "Wow, he must be really tired," Fenric muttered, beginning to treat his leg. Though mostly healed, the pain was still sharp. He took some homemade medicine, then set about his evening routine—cleaning, bathing, cooking. The night passed uneventfully.

  Morning Preparations

  When Fenric woke, Kuro was already up, swinging his new sword in practice. MOSVMORA made an unusual whistling sound as it cut through the air. He strapped the weapon to his belt, ready for his next adventure.

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  "Where are you going so early in the morning?" Fenric asked.

  "Where else? My first quest. Don't you remember? I want to reach A-rank as soon as possible."

  "Hmm, yeah, but did you already choose the quest?"

  "Yes." Kuro showed Fenric a quest poster:

  HELP NEEDED: Adventurers required. A group of Korgul has been sabotaging our fields and killed our neighbor in Tuskber Village. Reward: 10 gold coins.

  Fenric studied it skeptically. "Are you sure about this?"

  "Why? Are they dangerous?"

  "They're one of the boar families—vicious, but only a little. The village is far, though, and the reward is low as my status in this world."

  "So they're easy kills?"

  "Easy to kill in the sense they're not tough, but the process is a fucking pain. They're slippery as hell."

  "I don't care. I have to reach the second city as soon as possible, so I don't care if the rewards are low—I've already chosen it. The poster says Tuskber, and you're leading the way."

  "I know your destination is Euneim, but you seem to be in more of a hurry than before. Did something happen?"

  "...No."

  Hmm, yeah, as usual I can't read his dead, beady eyes.

  Fenric let out a deep sigh. "Why are Korguls even attacking humans in the first place? They can be vicious, but they mostly avoid us." He sighed again, longer this time.

  "That's a pretty long sigh for our first quest as a team. Maybe we're not a team after all?" Kuro raised an eyebrow.

  "No, no, no! Of course we're a team. Hehehe, just give me a minute to get ready. I'll meet you outside."

  Journey to Tuskber

  Kuro and Fenric traveled to Tuskber on Fenric's beloved Beretta. Of course, Fenric didn't let Kuro sit on his back—Kuro had to settle for the uncomfortable sidecar.

  "Beast, I thought we were a team now," Kuro said dryly.

  "Yes, what about it?" Fenric smiled genuinely.

  That smile irritated Kuro. "Nothing. Tell me about the job. The information says they're sabotaging fields, but it's winter."

  "Yeah, what about it?" Fenric seemed confused by the question.

  Kuro didn't respond, thinking to himself, Do some kind of plants grow in this harsh winter here?

  The snow-ridden roads and harsh tracks slowed their progress, but they reached the village by afternoon.

  Tuskber was small—ten to fifteen houses scattered across the landscape like a hamlet, with considerable distance between each dwelling. Fields surrounded the homes, growing some kind of winter wheat or fruit. Unlike his own world, this place seemed to cultivate a type of winter rice in the harsh cold. Looking closer, Kuro noticed that most of the fields had been trampled and destroyed.

  Fenric eyed the surroundings warily. "Hm."

  "Nothing. Just thinking." He stopped at one house. "This is the one who posted the job."

  The Evandrous Household

  Fenric knocked. The door opened to reveal a teenage girl with a sharp tongue and ruder undertones. "What do you want?"

  "That's not how you greet someone, kid. Try 'How can I help you?' I'm older than you, by the way."

  She paid him no attention.

  "You." She pointed at Kuro. "What do you want?"

  "Hey, I'm talking to you! Can't you see me, kid? Is this how your father—"

  "Enough. We're running late." Kuro brushed past her, pushing the door wider. "Is anybody home?"

  "Wait! Who do you think you are? This is my house! Hey, tall bastard, do you want me to shove a poker up your—"

  Kuro turned and looked at her. She went silent immediately.

  "Who's there?" A soft, aged voice called from within.

  Kuro headed straight toward it.

  As Fenric moved to enter, the terrified girl found her courage. "What do you think you're doing, you ugly beast? You dare enter my house?"

  Fenric froze, pulling his leg back. Now she looks at me. He felt anger rising—not at the girl, but at his own foolishness. Traveling with Kuro, he'd forgotten the norms of this land. Thinking about the laws, his grip tightened. Even the kids follow them.

  Kuro stopped and looked back, witnessing the dynamic between the human girl and the half-beast.

  "Kuro, I'll stay out here. You can discuss the job. I'll wait."

  The girl made a brave front, though her voice wavered. "Wha-what? Yo-you don't scare me!"

  An elderly man emerged from the hall. "Nina, is something wrong?"

  "No, Grandpa. Nothing's wrong except a ruffian barged into our house."

  Kuro showed the poster to the old man. "We came for this."

  The elderly man took the poster and held it nearly against his face. "Sorry, my eyes are a bit dull."

  A bit?

  "Ohhh!" His face lit up. "Yes, yes, the boar problem! By the Elves' grace, thank you! We'd almost given up—no one seemed eager to take the job. I can't believe I'm leaving you standing out here. Come in, come in!"

  "What about my partner?"

  "Partner? Of course he can come in too."

  "Are you sure? He's a half-beast."

  "So?"

  Kuro stared at him in surprise.

  From the gate, Fenric called out, "Hi, I'm Fenric. Uhm, Mr...?"

  "Evandrous."

  "Evandrous..." Fenric waited.

  "Just Evandrous. I forgot my given name. Hoho."

  "No worries. Well, Mr. Evandrous, I don't think you heard clearly, but I'm a half-beast. HALF. BEAST. You hear?"

  "Yes, loud and clear. Only my eyes got worse, not my hearing, beast boy. What's so surprising? You two keep—Nina!" His voice turned rough.

  Nina jolted. "Yes, Grandpa?"

  "Are you being rude to the beast boy?"

  "No, Grandpa, never! I just told him to wipe his feet before entering, that's all."

  "Wow, she lies like breathing," Fenric muttered.

  "Hrmm, are you sure? You know I dislike that kind of behavior."

  "Yes, sir."

  "There seems to be some misunderstanding. Nina's a sweet child—she wouldn't harm an ant. Just like her mother."

  "Of course. Sweetest," Kuro and Fenric chorused sarcastically.

  The Meeting

  Inside, all three sat drinking tea that Nina had brought—except Fenric, who was certain it was poisoned.

  Nina stood beside her grandfather. "Come on, drink it, beast sir. I made it extra special just for you."

  "Oh, good girl! She's apologizing for the earlier misunderstanding. Come on, beast boy, drink it clean."

  "Uhm, I appreciate the hospitality, sir, but you see, I'm allergic to tea."

  "Oh, really? My bad for not asking your preference. How about coffee?" Nina countered.

  "I'm allergic to coffee too. In fact, I'm allergic to most drinks you have." He smiled tightly.

  "I see. How sad. How about water? You can't be allergic to water, right?"

  Evandrous sniffed, wiping his eyes. "Look how grown-up my granddaughter has become."

  Kuro sipped his tea, thinking, What is this, a comedy episode?

  Fenric's ears flattened in anger and irritation. He stood suddenly. "I think I heard something. Probably the Korgul waiting to attack. Excuse me, I'll see what's going on." He ran out, tail swinging.

  A devious smile formed on Nina's face. That's right. Know your place. I won.

  Kuro thought, Little devil. I wonder who she'll grow up to be.

  "He's a good guy, always ready for action," Evandrous said. "And you—you're quiet and mysterious. What kind of story are you hiding? One day I'll find out, but now's not the time. Soon the boars will attack. For some reason, they only begin when the sun starts to set. But seeing you two, I'm sure you'll emerge victorious."

  "Mr. Evandrous, in the poster you mentioned the boars killed your neighbor. Can you tell me more about it?"

  "Oh, yes. Not only my neighbor Frenve—my krags, hicroosts, and bellows too. They came and took them all. We couldn't stop them. Poor Frenve."

  "Took them?" Kuro pondered. "Do you know where the boars' home is?"

  "Why? You want to take the fight to their turf? I mean, they're just Korgul, not Hrungnir, but it's still dangerous. Are you sure?"

  "Yes. I'm cleaning them out. None left alive."

  "Oh, you're a good man! You don't want us caught in the crossfire, so you're moving the battlefield."

  "No, it's nothing noble like that. I just don't want any hindrance in my way. And who will pay if you die?"

  Nina's face reddened with anger. "You—how dare you speak to my Grandpa like that! Who do you think you are?"

  "Nina, stop." Evandrous's voice was firm.

  "But Grandpa—"

  "Shush."

  She fell silent.

  "Being honest is good. Straight to the point—I like you! You're a real man, alright. Just go straight east. You'll find them."

  "Thanks." Kuro stood. "And Nina?"

  She glared at him. "Hm?"

  "The tea sucks, by the way."

  "You little—"

  Evandrous laughed harder than he had in years. "Hahahaha!"

  "Grandpa!" Nina scowled.

  Into the Woods

  Outside, Fenric met Kuro and laughed. "Thanks. That brat deserved it. So what's the plan?"

  "We're raiding their home."

  "Yeah, I heard. But I don't know if that's a good plan. Look, it's too quiet—no birds chirping or anything."

  "We can decide on the way. Let's go. I'll catch you a bird if you're hungry."

  "I'm not hungry. Well, I'm kind of hungry, but that's not it. I really don't have a good feeling about this."

  "Like always."

  The two set off eastward, into the quiet woods where the Korgul waited.