The train screeched to a halt, its brakes wailing one last cry before falling into silence. Passengers poured out, each heading off in different directions with purpose in their steps.
"Busan," Nara said, stretching with a bit of excitement in his tone as the trio stepped onto the platform.
"From here, we go on foot to Hersh," Hina said, already walking ahead. Code and Nara followed closely behind her.
As they exited the station, the scenery shifted drastically. Mountains rolled in the distance, towering trees lined the hills, and birds soared overhead, their cries echoing faintly through the open air.
Code took a deep breath. The air was crisp, clean—so different from the crowded haze of Azura.
"It's so quiet and peaceful…" he muttered, almost in disbelief.
"That's Busan for you," Hina replied. "Unlike Wistal where it's chaos from dawn to dusk, some parts of Easton are quiet like this."
"Yeah," Nara added, "no horns blaring at 2 AM or guys yelling about traffic like they're at war."
Code just hummed in reply as a cool breeze swept past them, scattering flower petals in its wake.
"Let's get moving," Hina said. "Hersh is still a long walk."
"At this pace, we should reach by nightfall," Nara added.
"Which means... demonhunt under the moonlight," Hina muttered.
The afternoon sun cast a warm light over the land as they made their way through a long stretch of road. At one point, they crossed under a large stone arch where water flowed freely beneath, the sun's reflection dancing on the surface.
They paused for a moment, admiring the view. It was beautiful—tranquil, even.
Then came the marshland.
Vines hung from massive trees, and the ground was soft with wet moss. They had to leap across patches of muddy terrain, balancing on roots like they were walking a tightrope.
After making it through, a stroke of luck hit—they hitched a ride from a kind farmer headed toward Hersh.
By the time the sun began to dip low in the sky, painting everything in soft orange hues, they arrived.
Hersh Village was different. No hills, no thick grasslands. Just a wide, flat plain.
"The terrain's changed?" Code said, glancing behind him as they hopped off the farmer's tractor.
"Yeah," Hina nodded. "We're finally at Hersh."
She gave a quiet "thanks" to the farmer. He tipped his hat and drove off, his wheels kicking up a trail of dust.
"Phew! Didn't think we'd get lucky with a ride," Nara said, cracking his back.
"Thanks to that, we made it before sunset," Hina replied, eyeing the slowly dimming sky.
"Looks like fighting the demon at night's inevitable," Nara sighed.
"We could wait till morning, right?" Code asked, hopeful.
"Nah," Nara shook his head. "It's an upper-class demon, no time to stall."
"Yeah. Who knows how many lives could be lost if we don't act fast," Hina added. "A stitch in time saves nine."
Code clapped his hands once. "Alright then—let's go!"
They passed through the village gate, flashing their green pass to the guards. Beyond the gate, the town was just as quiet as the outskirts. Small houses and roadside traders dotted either side of the road. Everyone seemed to mind their business—until they didn't.
As they walked by, the villagers turned to stare at them intently.
"Why're they looking at us like that?" Code whispered to Nara.
"Probably me," Nara said with a smirk. "Fame's a curse, ya know."
Code rolled his eyes and kept walking.
Just then—
"H-Hina!" Nara suddenly cried out, pointing at a building in the distance.
"What?!" Hina and Code both turned, following his finger.
Then Hina froze.
At a few metres away from them was a building, on which a worn signboard was dangling slightly to one side. On it, the inscription: "Dragon's Breath" was written.
"D-Dragon's Breath?!" Hina and Nara gasped in unison, their eyes sparkling like they'd just seen a divine revelation.
Passersby paused, clearly disturbed by their reaction.
"Wait…" Code blinked. The memory clicked. "Wasn't that the same spicy noodles she loved?"
"I can't believe it!" Hina practically screamed. "They serve it here?!"
"The smell…" Nara sniffed. "It's calling to me…"
Without another word, the two of them dashed into the restaurant like hungry wolves. Code followed, way less enthusiastic, dragging his feet.
Soon after, the food arrived.
Dragon's Breath noodles—just as dangerous as the name. Fiery red, steaming hot, and absolutely drenched in a thick, spicy sauce. The air around the plate alone burned his nose.
"Ssssshhhhh…" Hina and Nara blew on theirs dramatically—then dove right in.
The moment they took the first bite, they froze.
Hina grabbed her cheeks. "Woooooah! This is insane! The spices, the heat, the peppercones—it's all exploding in my mouth!"
Nara's face turned red. "This… this is magnificent!"
Code just watched. "What's so special about some spicy noodles…?"
Then came the death stare. Hina and Nara slowly turned their heads toward his plate, eyes glowing like demons.
"Let us do justice to that," they said in perfect sync, voices low and demonic.
"Eek!" Code yelped and took a desperate bite. Instantly, heat shot through him like a tidal wave. His forehead broke into sweat, and his mouth tingled with intensity.
"W-Woah… this is actually good!" he exclaimed, already going for another bite.
"Told ya," Hina snorted.
After devouring every last strand of noodle, they stepped back out into the cool evening. The moon had started to rise.
"Phew, that hit the spot," Nara said, hands behind his head.
"Nothing like a good meal before risking your life," Hina added with a grin.
The trio made their way toward the rear gate.
They walked through quiet alleys, winding turns, and long shadows—until suddenly, a scream rang out.
"Uh… was that…?" Code stopped mid-step.
"Let me go!" a kid's voice yelled.
"Shut it!" another voice barked—older, deeper.
The trio crept forward. In the alley ahead, two guards in black armor stood with large shields. In front of them, a boy was yelling, slamming his fists against the shields.
"My mom's out there! Let me go!"
"Your mother's dead!" one of the guards snapped. "She ain't coming back!"
"No! She's alive! I know she is!"
The boy shoved one of the shields aside and tried to push through.
"You little—!"
The guard raised a hand to strike—but it never landed.
Code had moved, his hand now gripping the guard's wrist mid-air.
"Don't hit the kid," he said, voice cold.
"Who the hell are you?!" the second guard growled, stepping forward.
Hina and Nara stepped into the moonlight.
"There's more of them?" the first muttered.
"We're sorcerers," Hina said calmly, showing the green pass.
"…That's a green pass," one of the guards whispered.
Code released his grip. The guard stepped back, nervous.
"We're here for a demonhunt," Hina added.
"D-Demonhunt?" The guards looked at each other.
Meanwhile, Code knelt by the boy. "Why're you trying to leave so badly?"
"My mom went out yesterday to get food… but she hasn't come back," he sobbed.
"…I see."
"Why would anyone go into that forest?" Code thought. But he pushed the doubt aside.
"I'll bring her back," he said.
The boy looked up, eyes wide. "Really? I heard there's a very strong demon outside"
"Don't worry, you have my word," Code said, smiling.
The boy slowly smiled back. "I'll take your word for it."
"Code! You done?" Nara called.
The gate creaked open.
Code turned to go, but the boy called again. "Mister… bring her back, please!"
"You bet," Code replied, waving as he walked towards Hina and Nara.
"Here we go..." Nara muttered, his voice low, but there was a fire of excitement behind it.
Code clenched his fist, eyes sharp. "I have to bring her back… no matter what."
Without another word, the trio stepped beyond the village walls. The heavy wooden gates creaked behind them, groaning shut as they entered the edge of the dark forest.
The light from the village dimmed with each step they took forward. The wind was colder here, the trees taller—looming like silent sentinels.
From behind the gates, one of the guards let out a tired sigh.
"They won't come back either," he muttered, arms folded.
"They never do," the second one replied. "Sorcerers stronger than them went out there. I haven't seen a single one return."
He glanced at the fading silhouettes of the trio disappearing into the shadows of the forest.
"They're just kids… what can they even do?"
With that, the gate shut completely, leaving only silence behind.
***
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TBC