Author's Note: I apologize for some problems that made me late. Please rate my novel and give your opinion on the chapter in a comment, please, to encourage me to continue.🙏
Chapter Seven: A New Day
Rion woke as usual… as if in a dream that never ended.
He rose at once, stepped out of his room, went to the bathroom, washed his face, returned to his room, dressed, took his sword, and made his way toward the kitchen.
He found the family preparing breakfast, everyone already awake. He sat with them and, in his morning voice, said good morning.
They replied with their usual warm smiles, good morning.
One of them asked if he was ready for his first mission… one he'd have to fight in.
He answered with deep hesitation, yes… I'm excited, and nervous.
And in his mind, in a voice no one else could hear, he added, anxious… about what? I don't know.
Chloe's mother smiled kindly, no matter, nerves are natural. Life is like that… a chain of new experiences.
Chloe, with a cold, dry humor, added, no problem… you'll just die.
Her mother gave her a light slap on the shoulder and said firmly, that's not something to joke about, Chloe.
Chloe responded with a touch of shyness, yes, sorry.
They all laughed softly, then finished breakfast.
Rion and Chloe left the house, heading for the guild… the sun was bright, but clouds were beginning to gather in the sky.
On the way, Chloe said, the heat's starting to drop… looks like the rainy season is almost here.
Rion asked, are there any restrictions on hunting without a license?
Chloe kept her eyes ahead, I'll teach you… let's split it into three points. First: the benefits of the license. Without it, there's no official business between you and the companies that buy or use monster parts. Some people sell parts without a license, but first, that's only for rare and powerful monsters, and second, it's not officially recognized.
Second: the restrictions… there aren't really any, but you'll be considered an unlicensed hunter, selling in an unreliable way.
Rion quickly said, oh…
Chloe continued, as for the requirements to get one, they vary by time and place—there's no single rule. The last time I got mine, it was by hunting monsters. Ah, and I forgot… the license also gives you compensation in case of damage caused during their missions.
Rion was puzzled, but… if the license has all these benefits, why would anyone avoid it?
Chloe answered plainly, first, money… they might pay more without it. And second, they don't like being tied down. Most of the time, a hunter is arrogant, looking only for themselves.
They walked in silence until they reached the guild. Entering together, they called out for Penilla, who greeted them as always.
Chloe immediately asked her about the conditions for getting a hunting license.
Penilla replied calmly, five small monsters… you have to bring back parts from them.
Chloe smiled, nice, thanks.
They said goodbye to Penilla and headed into the forest.
Rion tried to steady his nerves. Chloe was readying her arrows as they entered the first part of the forest — the weakest and safest area.
Rion began applying what he'd learned in training. At first, he was tense, but soon he relaxed a little.
He started hearing sounds and ran toward them… climbing, leaping, sprinting… dodging branches quickly. But he wasn't faster than Chloe, who moved like a breath of wind. He didn't focus on her presence; he just ran… as if the air itself was running with him.
He felt a flicker of comfort. Then… he choked.
The first monster appeared — a small goblin, slightly shorter than Rion. It held a rusty sickle, its green skin bare save for a scrap of cloth.
Its body was small yet disturbingly sculpted. Chloe signaled him to reveal himself.
And when he did… he saw the scene.
He wanted to vomit.
The goblin was holding a human foot, gnawing at it with its teeth. Its triangular face was smeared with blood, its mouth full of flesh, its dull eyes staring, the foot's entrails dangling, dripping bit by bit…
Rion froze where he stood.
He didn't move, didn't hear Chloe's shout, saw nothing but the nightmare.
The goblin noticed him… and charged.
Chloe crouched, drew her bow, nocked an arrow, set her stance, the arrowhead bursting into searing flame… she released.
The shot pierced the goblin's shoulder from behind, blood spraying across Rion's face.
At that moment… he rose.
He gripped his sword, summoning what strength remained in him — and perhaps, what spirit remained as well.
He ran, swung the blade — the first strike: a wound. The second strike: in his eyes, not just a blow, but vengeance.
He severed its head.
Chloe, having descended from the tree, stepped to his side.
He stared at the human foot… then fell to his knees and began to retch.
Chloe knelt, placed her hand on his shoulder, and said, no matter… maybe a girl from a nearby village, or just a doll.
He replied faintly, bitterly, a doll… filled with entrails dripping blood? Very convincing…
He stood, took the foot, dug a small hole, buried it, then returned to her.
He asked, what parts of a goblin are valuable?
She answered, the teeth… and the skin.
He went to the dead goblin, took its head, and tore out the teeth without mercy. Then, from under the head, he slid his blade in, hollowing it out. His hands worked as if they didn't belong to him. Finished with the head, he turned to the body.
Chloe stopped him, holding his hand, there's another way…
His voice was calm, chilling, I want to know it.
She explained how to skin it: a straight cut from top to bottom, then separating the hide with the arrowhead, piece by piece, patiently.
They gathered the monster parts. She then asked, are you alright?
He gave an empty smile, better than ever.
She said brightly, oh… that's good!
They kept hunting until sunset, killing four monsters.
Chloe said, enough for today, let's head back.
Rion answered, but there's only one left…
She said, tomorrow will be better.
He agreed, and they walked together until they reached the city gates.
At that moment, Rion bumped into a man in a gray coat. The man quickly apologized and left.
Rion looked after him, but noticed nothing.
He kept walking.
When they reached home, the family welcomed them. They asked about his first day of fighting… Chloe's mother had prepared a delicious meal and rich desserts.
They sat together at the table, laughing, talking, living in the moment.
When everyone began feeling drowsy, Rion rose, went to his room, rubbing his eyes in fatigue.
He entered, lay down on the bed immediately, too tired to even take off his clothes.
It was quiet, as it was every day, every moment… but he still didn't understand…
Would any of this help?
Who was he?
Who could he be?
This time, he didn't care.
He was growing tired… yet still holding on, still hoping fate would set him back on course.
He stayed like that until drowsiness took him… then a doze… then sleep…
And he drifted into the realm of dreams, where he waited…
For a new day.
End of Chapter.