The morning sun spilled across the guild courtyard, streaks of gold cutting through the fog.Kuro adjusted the strap on his satchel, glancing at Mika, who stood near the stables tightening the reins of a chestnut-colored horse. Lucien was nearby, looking disgustingly calm, sipping tea as if this were a casual picnic rather than a dangerous mission.
The guild master's words echoed in Kuro's head:
"Investigate the ruins north of Hollow Path. A high-ranked beast's aura has been reported — but details are scarce. Bring back proof of what you find. And come back alive."
"Sounds simple enough," Mika had said when they first received the order.But now, staring at the map and the misty forest that awaited them, even he looked slightly tense.
["Simple enough," he says. Right. Because nothing says 'easy job' like mysterious ruins and probable death.]
{Elvastia, for once, can you not make it sound worse?}
[No promises, Kuro. I'm emotionally invested in our survival — which, statistically speaking, is questionable.]
Kuro sighed quietly. "You two ready?" he asked, adjusting the strap of his pack.
Lucien nodded with that practiced grace of his. "Of course. Lead the way, Mika."
Mika shot him a sideways glance. "Don't tell me what to do."
Lucien smirked faintly. "Wasn't planning to."
Kuro could already feel the tension thickening like fog.
The journey toward Hollow Path was long and silent at first — the forest seemed alive, whispering with the sound of insects and distant rustling. Every so often, Kuro caught a glimpse of strange symbols carved into trees, glowing faintly.
"What are those?" Kuro asked.
Mika crouched down beside one, brushing moss away from the carvings. "Old warding runes. Elf-made."
Lucien looked over his shoulder. "Protection sigils?"
"Or warnings," Mika said. "Depends on who wrote them."
[Fantastic. Elf death graffiti. Love that for us.]
{...You're not helping.}
[Hey, just saying — if we die, I'm haunting the next elf who walks into these woods.]
{You're already haunting me.}
[Touché.]
Kuro smiled faintly at the exchange, though his chest still felt tight.The air was growing heavier with every step.
Then the silence shattered.
A roar — deep, echoing, and guttural — rolled through the forest like thunder. The ground trembled. Birds scattered into the sky.
Lucien's hand went to his rapier. "That's not a wolf."
Mika's eyes narrowed. "It's the beast. It's close."
The three of them ran forward, branches snapping underfoot until they burst into a clearing — and froze.
The creature was massive, cloaked in black fur that shimmered like oil under the sunlight. Its eyes glowed crimson, saliva dripping from its jagged maw. It was half-beast, half-shadow — a manifestation of corrupted mana.
"Voidfang," Mika muttered. "C-rank… maybe higher."
Lucien tilted his head. "Lovely."
[Oh great. Just what we needed. A demonic mutt from the void. Fantastic job, everyone.]
{Elvastia. Please. Shut up.}
The monster lunged before they could plan. Mika met it head-on, blade flashing in a clean arc. Sparks flew as metal struck corrupted flesh. Lucien moved like water, slicing at its flank while Kuro backed away, gathering mana.
He felt it — that dark pulse inside him, the same power that had terrified him the first time it surfaced.But Mika's voice cut through the chaos.
"Kuro — focus. Don't let it control you. You control it."
Something inside him clicked. Kuro thrust his palm forward, a surge of shadowy energy bursting outward, striking the Voidfang square in the chest. It staggered, howling in fury.
Lucien darted in, his rapier glowing with light. "Now!"
Mika didn't hesitate. One clean, downward strike — and the beast fell.
Silence followed, broken only by Kuro's ragged breathing. The air smelled of burnt ozone and decay.
Lucien wiped his blade clean with an almost casual motion. "Impressive teamwork."
Mika shot him a glare. "Don't get comfortable."
Lucien chuckled. "Wouldn't dream of it."
Kuro looked down at the dead creature, his expression unreadable. "So… that's it?"
"For now," Mika said, sliding his sword back into its sheath. "But if there's one, there's more. We'll need to report this fast."
[You mean you'll report it. I'm just gonna sit here and process how we didn't die.]
{...Thanks, Elvastia.}
[For what? Not dying? You're welcome.]
Mika gave a small huff that could almost be mistaken for a laugh. "You're getting better at controlling it," he said quietly, not quite meeting Kuro's eyes.
Kuro smiled faintly. "Because you told me to."
Lucien rolled his eyes. "And here I thought I'd have to heal one of you again."
[Oh, the jealousy is palpable. Someone's ego's gonna explode any minute now.]
Mika's eye twitched slightly. "What did you just say?"
Kuro blinked, confused. "I didn't say anything."
[Oh, he heard me. Awkward.]
Mika turned away quickly. "Let's move."
Kuro hesitated for a moment — but followed, clutching his satchel tighter.Lucien glanced between them, an amused smile flickering on his lips.
The tension was back. But under it — something else was forming.Something that even Elvastia went quiet for.