Somewhere in the Great Demon Forest…
Dorfrum Wyrun, youngest son of the noble Wyrun house, marched forward with a shield on his back and ambition burning in his chest. As the last in line of succession, he had no inheritance waiting for him—only the path he carved with his own sword.
I can't afford to fail. If I return home empty-handed, I'll be nothing more than a forgotten son. This party… this is my chance to prove the Wyrun name still matters.
The Wyrun Party.
Dorfrum Wyrun – knight, leader, and shield of the group. Tilda Lokh – elven hunter, sharp-eyed tracker, beautiful but short-tempered. Hagli Aenli – dwarf warrior, axe-wielding muscle, loud and proud. Elisa Lola – sixteen-year-old healer, elegant and demure, gifted in light magic.
Together, they ventured into the Great Demon Forest—a vast, dangerous land bordering dozens of realms. Mana stones, the lifeblood of kingdoms, could only be harvested from monsters here.
"Found the nest," Tilda whispered, crouching low. "Ten… maybe fifteen goblins. Hobgoblins too."
Dorfrum's eyes gleamed. "Finally. We'll camp here tonight. At dawn, we strike."
"About time!" Hagli grinned, hefting his axe. "I'm itching for battle!"
"Calm down, musclehead," Tilda snapped. "Help me set up camp before you swing that thing around."
Their target was the Goblin Queen. Left unchecked, her brood would multiply and threaten nearby villages. The guild had ordered her extermination.
By morning, the party stood before the nest.
"Tilda," Dorfrum said, tightening his grip on his sword. "Take out the hobgoblin. Hagli, cut down the stragglers once I draw their attention. Elisa, keep your healing on me. Ready?"
"Yes," Elisa replied softly.
"Aye!" Hagli roared.
Dorfrum raised his shield, unsheathed his blade, and charged with a battle cry that shook the forest.
This is it. My moment. If I falter, they'll all pay the price. I must be the shield that never breaks.
Arrows whistled past him, piercing the hobgoblin's chest. The goblins faltered, their commander slain.
"[Taunt]!" Dorfrum bellowed, his skill forcing the goblins to swarm him. Their crude weapons clashed against his armor, useless.
Elisa's hands trembled as she cast her spell.
Dorfrum… you act so fearless, but I can see the weight you carry. I'll keep you standing, no matter what. Even if my magic isn't enough… I'll give everything I have.
Her gentle light wrapped around him—her [Heal] ensuring no wound would linger.
Hagli's axe cleaved through goblins distracted by Dorfrum's shield, while Tilda's arrows struck down those attempting to flank.
The battle ended swiftly. Only the Goblin Queen remained.
Moments later, her shriek was silenced, and her mana stone pried from her chest.
"Let's detour to the river," Dorfrum ordered. "Wash the blood off before heading home. It'll attract monsters."
"Finally," Tilda sighed. "I hate the smell of blood."
"Bah!" Hagli laughed. "Blood is glory! Wear it proudly!"
"Glory or not, you're impossible to understand," Tilda muttered.
Their banter continued until they reached the river.
Elisa followed quietly, clutching her robe.
I'm still just sixteen… surrounded by warriors who laugh at blood and scars. But if I want to stay by Dorfrum's side, I can't be weak. I'll prove I belong here.
Then—
A thunderous boom echoed across the forest.
The four froze. A massive fireball descended from the heavens, trailing smoke from beyond the clouds.
"This… this isn't normal magic," Dorfrum whispered. His heart pounded. "No mage, no monster we know of could cast something like that."
The only explanation chilled them to the bone.
A legendary monster had awakened.
If this is true… then our petty quest was nothing more than a warm-up. Can I protect them against something that could destroy a kingdom?
"Pack up!" Dorfrum barked. "We report this to the guild immediately!"
"What about the loot?" Hagli protested.
"Leave it! A monster stampede is coming. Use stamina potions if you must—we run without rest!"
Elisa's eyes widened, fear gripping her chest.
Legendary monster… if Dorfrum faces it, will my healing be enough? Or will I just watch him fall?
The Wyrun Party obeyed. They fled the forest, abandoning treasure for survival. Behind them, other adventurers who hesitated were swallowed by the tide of monsters.
The forest had changed.
And the legend was real.