The fading sunlight bathed the grasslands in a golden glow, stretching the shadows of Belle and Kai as they made their way back to Dawnstead. The pouch at Belle's waist was slightly heavier now, filled with the proof of their successful hunt—horned rabbit trophies.
It had been a simple quest. Almost too simple.
Belle glanced at Kai, who had his hands behind his head, with a disbelieved expression on his face.
"Alright, I gotta ask," Belle said, breaking the comfortable silence. "How much of that hunt did you actually see?"
Kai smirked. "Define 'see.'"
Belle exhaled through her nose. "I knew it."
"Look, one second you were getting ready to fight, and the next—" Kai made a whoosh motion with his hand. "You blinked out of existence, and suddenly the rabbits were all neatly lined up, incapacitated. I mean, I saw the result, just not… the part in between."
Belle crossed her arms. "So basically, you blinked and missed everything."
"Pretty much. Fastest rabbit hunt I've ever been a part of." He gave her a sideways glance. "Seriously, how fast are you?"
Belle hesitated. It wasn't like she had been trying to move at such speed—her body just reacted naturally.
"Fast enough," she said vaguely.
Kai gave a dramatic sigh. "Mysterious and vague. Great. You and Alina should compare notes."
Belle rolled her eyes but didn't argue.
The trip back continued at a steady pace, the only sounds being the rustling of the grass and the distant calls of birds. It was… peaceful. Too peaceful.
Belle frowned.
Something was off.
Kai must have noticed her change in expression. "What?"
She slowed her steps. "Do you hear that?"
Kai's face scrunched in confusion. "Hear what?"
Belle realized that was the problem.
She had gotten used to the constant chirping of birds, the distant rustling of small creatures in the grass. But now—silence.
The wind still moved. The grass still swayed. But everything else… had gone unnaturally still.
Kai's hand instinctively moved toward his katana. "Yeah, okay. I don't like that."
Belle turned her head slightly, her ears straining. The wind still moved. The leaves still swayed. But it was as if every living creature had vanished.
Her Aura Sense flickered.
A ripple in the air. Something was here.
Belle exhaled, focusing. Her senses stretched outward like invisible threads, searching for the disturbance. Then—a faint pulse.
Something—no, someone—was nearby.
And they weren't alone.
Belle tensed.
Kai's grip on his sword tightened. "Talk to me."
"I'm picking up something ahead," Belle murmured. Her silver eyes flicked toward the trees on the right.
Then—the wind shifted.
And the smell hit her.
Blood.
Her stomach tightened. It wasn't overwhelming, but fresh—like a wound recently opened.
Kai caught the change in her expression. "What is it?"
Belle hesitated. "…Blood."
Kai's eyes darkened. "Monster attack?"
"I don't know. But whatever happened, it wasn't long ago."
The two stood still, listening. The tension in the air thickened, a heavy anticipation pressing against them. Belle's Aura Sense pulsed again, locking onto a faint presence just beyond the treeline.
Then—rustling.
Both of them snapped toward the sound.
A bush just a few meters away trembled.
Belle's body tensed, ready to react. Kai subtly shifted his stance, prepared to draw his katana in an instant.
Another rustle. Something was moving.
The silence stretched, long and suffocating.
Then, a soft exhale.
A breath—human.
Belle's eyes widened slightly. "There's someone there."
Kai didn't look away from the bush. "Injured?"
"Possibly."
The rustling grew fainter, as if whatever—or whoever—was there was trying to stay hidden.
Kai glanced at Belle. "We checking it out?"
Belle took a slow breath, steeling herself. "…Yeah."
Together, they stepped forward.
The rustling stopped.
For a brief moment, only the whisper of the wind filled the air. Belle and Kai halted their steps and stood motionless, their gazes locked onto the trembling bush just a few meters away.
Then—a ragged breath.
Belle's pulse quickened.
Another rustle, slower this time. The bush parted slightly, and a man staggered into view.
He was young, probably in his mid-twenties, with short, dirtied brown hair and a tattered cloak. His body was hunched, his chest rising and falling in uneven gasps. Deep claw marks ran across his right arm, and blood seeped through the shredded fabric of his tunic.
Belle's eyes immediately snapped to his injuries. "You're hurt—"
But before she could step forward, the man snapped his head up.
His intense eyes locked onto her, wild with urgency. His lips barely moved, but his voice came out in a harsh whisper—
"Run."
Belle's breath hitched.
Kai's entire body tensed. "...What?"
The man staggered, gripping his wounded arm. "It's still… here."
Belle's Aura Sense flared—danger.
A shadow moved behind the trees.
She turned sharply. The first thing she noticed was the low growl.
Then—the eyes.
Glowing amber orbs stared at her from the darkness of the underbrush. Cold. Calculating. Unwavering. The bush rustled again as something massive began to emerge.
Kai muttered, "Oh, that's not good."
A giant wolf stepped into the dimming light, its dark fur bristling, its fangs glistening with fresh blood.
Direfang Wolf.
It was nearly twice the size of an ordinary wolf, its body sleek but muscular, built for both speed and power. Scarlet streaks ran along its jet-black fur, pulsating with eerie energy. Its claws dug into the dirt as it took a slow, predatory step forward.
The injured man's breathing turned erratic. "It already wiped out my entire party…" His voice trembled. "D-Rank... at least…"
Belle quickly glanced at Kai. His usual cocky demeanor was gone—his eyes were sharp, focused. "Great. An actual problem."
The Direfang's growl deepened. Its breath came out in visible puffs of heat, nostrils flaring as it took in their scents.
Belle's muscles coiled, ready to react.
The wolf's ears flicked. Then—in the blink of an eye, it lunged.
Its massive form cutting through the air like a streak of fire.
Then—flames erupted.
A fiery aura surged around its body as it shot toward Kai, its fangs bared in a lethal snarl.
Kai reacted on pure instinct.
CLANG!
His katana met the beast's strike in a fierce clash, sparks flying as the heat singed the air around them. His feet dug into the dirt, trying to hold his ground—
But the sheer force was overwhelming.
His balance broke.
"Tch—!"
The next second, Kai was airborne.
The Direfang's explosive power sent him hurtling backward, his body slamming into a tree with a dull thud.
Dust and leaves rained down around him.
Kai groaned, blinking rapidly as his vision spun. He tried to push himself up, his body protesting in pain.
The Direfang had already locked onto its next target.
Belle.
The beast's muscles coiled like a spring, its fiery breath steaming against the cold air.
It charged.
Faster than before, a streak of fire raced toward her.
Kai's heart jumped to his throat.
"Belle! Dodge!—"
Too late.
Or rather—too fast.
In the blink of an eye, the Direfang was already down.
Its massive form lay motionless several meters away, its body skidding across the dirt before coming to a complete stop.
Belle stood where she was, untouched. Her posture was relaxed, her silver hair barely swaying from the motion. She hadn't even drawn a weapon.
For a moment, everything was silent.
Kai's soul left his body.
He gawked at the fallen Direfang, then at Belle, then back at the Direfang. His mouth opened, closed, then opened again.
Finally, he managed. "What the hell just happened?!"
Belle blinked, looking at him with mild confusion. "Huh?"
Kai's brain short-circuited. He scrambled to his feet, pointing wildly. "I—I blinked, and it was over! What did you even do this time?!"
Belle glanced at the beast, then back at Kai. "I just… moved first."
Kai's eye twitched. "THAT—NO—THAT'S NOT AN EXPLANATION!"
Belle exhaled, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "It was going to hit me, so I reacted." Her voice was calm, as if that explained everything.
Kai dragged a hand down his face. "You're telling me that thing—a D-Rank monster—charged you at full speed, and you just… 'reacted'?"
Belle tilted her head. "Would you rather I let it hit me?"
Kai opened his mouth—paused—then groaned, defeated. "I swear, you're gonna give me a heart attack one of these days."
Belle gave him a small smirk. "That's your problem."
Kai pointed at her aggressively. "No, that's YOUR problem because I'm the only one here who's gonna cover for your freakish abilities!"
Belle simply rolled her shoulders, stepping toward the fallen Direfang. "Well, if no one saw anything, it never happened."
Kai sputtered. "That is NOT how this works—"
A weak cough interrupted them.
The injured adventurer, who had been watching everything unfold, finally snapped out of his daze. His face was pale, his body trembling—not just from pain, but from pure disbelief.
His lips parted, voice barely a whisper.
"…Are you a human?"
Kai, still recovering from his own internal crisis, threw up his hands. "THANK YOU. FINALLY, SOMEONE ELSE SEES IT."
Belle sighed. "Oh, come on."
Ignoring Kai's meltdown, she turned to the adventurer. "Can you walk?"
The man hesitated, still eyeing her like she might one-shot him next, but eventually nodded weakly. "I… think so."
Belle helped him up, steady but careful. Kai exhaled, rubbing his temples. "I really need a drink…"
Belle glanced at him. "You don't even drink."
Kai scowled. "I'M ABOUT TO START."
And with that, they made their way back to Dawnstead—completely unaware of the chaos that awaited them at the guild.
The heavy wooden doors of the Dawnstead Adventurer's Guild creaked open as Belle and Kai stepped inside. The warm glow of lanterns bathed the interior, casting flickering shadows on the walls. The guild hall was bustling with activity—adventurers clustered around tables, recounting their quests over drinks, some studying the quest board for their next mission, while others laughed boisterously over exaggerated war stories.
Belle moved toward the front counter with calm, measured steps, her pouch of horned rabbit trophies secured at her waist.
Alina, standing behind the counter, immediately took notice of their arrival. She offered a welcoming smile. "Back already?" She glanced at Belle. "So, how was your first quest?"
Belle nodded confidently. "Everything went well."
Before she could ask for details, Kai let out a low chuckle, crossing his arms with a smug expression.
"Oh, everything's beyond good."
Belle's brows twitched.
In an instant, she swung her elbow sideways, striking Kai lightly in the ribs without even glancing at him.
"Gah—!" Kai staggered slightly, rubbing his side with a dramatic wince. He leaned in, lowering his voice. "Was that necessary?"
Belle, still facing forward, replied smoothly, "Yes."
Kai muttered under his breath, "Geez. Violent much?"
Alina, unaware of their silent exchange of blows, nodded approvingly. "Good to hear. Let's see the proof."
Belle reached into her pouch and placed three cleanly severed horned rabbit horns onto the counter. Alina quickly examined them, ensuring their authenticity.
"Everything checks out," she confirmed before sliding over a small pouch of silver coins. "Congratulations on completing your first quest, Belle."
Belle accepted the reward with a polite nod. "Thank you."
Kai stretched, cracking his neck. "That was easier than I expected. Quick trip, decent reward." He smirked, nudging Belle slightly. "Not bad for a rookie, huh?"
Belle shot him a sideways glance but said nothing.
Just as they turned to leave—BANG!
The guild doors slammed open, nearly shaking on their hinges.
A heavily panting adventurer stumbled inside, his clothes torn, dirt and sweat clinging to his face. His chest rose and fell rapidly, his breath coming in gasps.
The entire guild turned toward him, conversations dying down instantly.
"A Direfang Wolf!" he gasped, struggling to catch his breath. "We found a dead Direfang Wolf near the southern outskirts!"
A heavy silence fell over the guild.
Then, chaos erupted.
"A Direfang?! This close to town?!" someone blurted.
"That's a D-Rank monster!" another adventurer exclaimed, rising from his seat.
"That thing should be deep in the wilds, not lurking near Dawnstead!"
The once-lively guild descended into a frenzy, adventurers standing from their seats, theorizing about what could have driven such a powerful creature so close to town. A Direfang wasn't something an E-Rank or even D-Rank adventurer could handle alone—let alone take down.
Dawnstead was a modest yet lively town, its streets bustling with merchants, blacksmiths, and townsfolk going about their daily routines. Unlike the grand cities where powerful adventurers gathered, Dawnstead primarily catered to those still finding their footing in the world of adventuring. The guild housed a mix of fresh recruits and seasoned fighters, though the majority of its active members ranged from F-Rank to D-Rank.
Higher-ranked adventurers—those of C-Rank and above—seldom stayed for long. With more dangerous and lucrative quests calling them to distant lands, they were constantly on the move, leaving Dawnstead's protection and exploration largely in the hands of its lower-ranked members. This balance meant that while the town was relatively peaceful, it was not without its dangers—especially when something outside the norm appeared on its outskirts.
Belle remained silent, watching the scene unfold with her usual calm demeanor. Meanwhile, Kai stood beside her with his arms behind his head, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips.
A wave of chaos swept through the guild, voices overlapping as adventurers scrambled for answers.
"A D-Rank threat lurking near Dawnstead?"
"Who fought it?"
"When did this happen?"
"Why hadn't anyone noticed sooner?"
"Who took down the monster? There is currently no party capable of fighting a D-Rank monster at town at the moment."
Series of questions were raised all over the guild hall. But there were no answers.
At the far end of the guild, the injured adventurer—the one Belle had saved earlier—sat at a table, his arm being treated with healing magic by a guild healer. His face was still pale, exhaustion clear in his features.
As the voices rose around him, he looked up, his expression darkened by the memory of what had happened.
Then, slowly—he raised a trembling hand and pointed directly at Belle.
The guild fell into absolute silence.
Dozens of eyes snapped to Belle at once.
Kai blinked. Then he let out a long, exaggerated sigh, rubbing his forehead.
"Welp. There it is."
Belle, still expressionless, exhaled softly.
"…I should've hit you harder."
Kai snorted. "Hey, I didn't say anything this time. You exposed yourself."
The surrounding adventurers stared in disbelief, eyes darting between Belle and the injured man.
One of the senior adventurers, a burly man with a greatsword strapped to his back, stepped forward. "Wait, hold on. Are you saying she's the one who took it down?"
The injured adventurer swallowed. "I… I saw it with my own eyes. The Direfang—it was about to kill me. Then she appeared and—"
He stopped, his face twisting as if struggling to process what he witnessed.
"She… she just ended it. In the blink of an eye."
The tension in the room thickened.
"Bullshit," another adventurer muttered. "No way a newbie F-Rank took down a Direfang alone."
"She didn't even take a high-rank quest. She was only supposed to be hunting rabbits," someone else added.
"I swear on my life," the injured man insisted. "I was there. She saved me."
Kai grinned, rocking back on his heels. "Man, I love this part."
Belle shot him a look. "You love being in the middle of unnecessary attention?"
"No, no," Kai chuckled. "I love watching people's faces when they realize what you're capable of."
Belle exhaled, already feeling the weight of too many eyes on her.
The guildmaster's office door creaked open, and a commanding voice cut through the murmurs.
"Belle."
The crowd parted as the guildmaster of Dawnstead stepped forward.
A tall, battle-worn man with sharp, discerning eyes. His presence alone was enough to quiet the entire hall.
He studied Belle for a moment before speaking.
"Come with me."
Kai whistled under his breath. "Oho. Someone's getting fast-tracked."
The guildmaster then turned to Alina. "And Alina, you too."
Belle gave him a pointed stare before sighing and stepping forward, following the guildmaster toward his office.
As she passed, she could hear adventurers whispering—
"Who the hell is she?"
"An F-Rank took down a Direfang…?"
"Is she even human?"
Belle ignored them. She had a feeling things were about to get complicated again.
End of Chapter 13