Michi adjusted the straps of his sword sheath as he stepped into the dense forest. The quest scroll in his hand was simple but dangerous: "Eliminate the Green Tigers lurking near the Western Woods." With a quiet smirk, he muttered, "Another day, another hunt," and pressed forward alone.
The forest was eerily silent except for the rustle of leaves. Michi soon spotted the glimmering green stripes of his targets between the trees. Just as he prepared to strike, a shadowy figure leaped out from the foliage, landing between him and the tigers.
The stranger's blade flashed like lightning. "What the—?!" Michi barely blocked the sudden knife attack with his sword, sparks flying. With swift reflexes, he twisted and grabbed the attacker's wrist, unmasking him in a single motion.
The young man revealed a confident grin. "That was great, Michi-sempai! I've heard a lot about you."
Michi's brows furrowed. "Sempai? Who are you?"
"My name is Roze Apocalypse. I'm a student… and a trainee assassin," Roze said, bowing slightly. "Sorry for the test. I wanted to see your strength."
Michi hesitated but then nodded. "Don't do that again."
(So this is the first specimen of the creator…?) Roze thought, eyeing Michi curiously.
Before Michi could ask anything further, the growls of the Green Tigers reminded them of their task. "Need help?" Roze asked, twirling his blade.
"Fine. Let's do this," Michi replied.
The two moved like a storm. Blades slashed, green fur flew, and moments later, the forest fell silent again. Roze sheathed his weapon, smiling. "Thanks, Michi-sempai. I'm leaving now. We will meet again… I'm sure of it."
Michi watched him vanish into the shadows, puzzled. Collecting the tiger teeth, he began his trek back to the guild, unaware of the storm of fate he had just walked into.