The guild was louder than usual that morning.
Kael pushed the wooden door open and stepped inside, the familiar mix of voices, mugs clinking, and boots dragging across the floor greeting him like background noise he was starting to get used to. Sunlight came through the tall windows, cutting lines across the tables and the quest board.
Lyria was already there.
She sat at one of the side tables, swinging her legs slightly, a cup of watered-down juice in front of her. When she saw him, she raised her hand.
"You're late."
Kael blinked. "I'm not late. You're early."
"That still makes you late," she said with a small grin.
He walked over and sat across from her. "You're here every day now?"
"I work here sometimes," she answered. "Part-time. Cleaning, organizing papers, delivering messages. The guild master says I'm 'efficient.'"
Kael nodded slowly. "That's good."
"You just don't want to say you're impressed."
"I am impressed."
She smiled, satisfied. "Good."
Kael looked around the room. A group of armored adventurers laughed loudly near the counter. Another pair argued over a map. A man with a large axe was asleep on a table.
"It's noisy today," Kael said.
"It's always noisy. You just notice it more now."
He leaned back slightly. "Maybe."
Lyria leaned forward. "So. Another quest?"
"Yeah."
"Solo again?"
"Yes."
She sighed. "You're stubborn."
"I'm careful."
"That's not the same thing."
Kael shrugged. "It works."
They both stood and walked toward the quest board. The board had been refreshed; new parchments replaced the older ones. Some were already missing.
Lyria crossed her arms. "Try not to pick something dangerous again."
"I didn't pick something dangerous last time."
"You picked wolves."
"They were small wolves."
"They still had teeth."
Kael scanned the list quietly.
"Here," he muttered, pointing. "This one."
Lyria leaned closer and read it aloud.
"**Investigate abandoned watchtower near the western road. Reports of strange noises at night. Reward: 12 silver. Rank: E.**"
She looked at him. "E-rank already?"
"It's just investigation."
"That's what they always say before something goes wrong."
Kael smirked slightly. "You're dramatic."
"I'm realistic."
He pulled the parchment down anyway.
Lyria groaned softly. "You didn't even hesitate."
"I did. For half a second."
"That doesn't count."
They approached the counter together. The clerk, the same middle-aged man from before, adjusted his glasses when he saw Kael.
"Back again?"
"Yes," Kael replied, placing the parchment down.
The clerk skimmed it. "Watchtower investigation. Western road. Two days allowed. Bring proof of completion or report details. Understand?"
Kael nodded. "Yes."
The clerk stamped the paper. "Be careful. It's not confirmed what's there."
"Understood."
As they stepped away, Lyria tapped Kael's arm. "You know what 'not confirmed' means, right?"
"It means they don't know."
"It means it could be anything."
Kael smiled lightly. "That's fine."
She stared at him. "You say 'that's fine' too easily."
"And you worry too easily."
"Someone has to."
They walked outside again. The morning air was cooler, carrying the scent of bread from a nearby stall. People moved through the streets, some glancing at Kael's sword.
Lyria walked beside him quietly for a few seconds before speaking again.
"Where exactly is this tower?"
"Western road. About half a day's walk."
"That's far."
"I'll reach it before sunset."
"And if it's really dangerous?"
"I'll leave."
"You promise?"
"Yes."
She narrowed her eyes. "Say it properly."
Kael exhaled. "I promise I'll leave if it's really dangerous."
"Better."
They reached the split in the road where their paths would separate.
Lyria hesitated. "I wish I could go with you."
"You don't have to."
"I know. I want to."
Kael looked at her for a moment, then shook his head gently. "Next time."
She nodded, though she still looked reluctant. "Next time."
He turned and started down the western road.
---
The walk was long but quiet. Fields stretched on either side of the path, golden grass moving with the wind. The further he went, the fewer travelers he saw. By midday, it was mostly empty road and distant hills.
Kael talked to himself sometimes when it got too quiet.
"Investigation," he muttered. "Probably animals."
He adjusted the strap of his small bag. "Or bandits."
He paused. "Or nothing."
A bird flew overhead. He followed it with his eyes for a second, then continued walking.
By late afternoon, the watchtower came into view.
It stood on a small rise beside the road, old stone darkened by time. Part of the top was broken, and vines crept along the sides. The wooden door hung slightly open.
Kael stopped several meters away.
"Alright," he murmured. "Let's see."
He approached slowly, listening.
Wind. Leaves. A faint creak.
No voices. No footsteps.
He pushed the door open carefully. It groaned loudly.
"Too loud," he whispered.
Inside, dust covered the floor. Old crates lay stacked in a corner, broken weapons scattered near the wall. The spiral stairs leading up were still intact.
Kael walked in fully, his hand resting near his sword.
"Hello?" he called softly.
No answer.
He moved to the stairs and started climbing. Each step creaked under his weight.
Halfway up, he heard it.
A low scratching sound.
He froze.
"Not wind," he muttered.
The sound came again—closer this time.
Kael drew his sword slowly.
At the top of the stairs, he pushed the door open and stepped onto the upper platform. The view stretched far across the fields.
Then something moved behind the broken wall.
A small creature leapt out with a hiss.
Kael stepped back instinctively. "A goblin?"
The creature was thin, green-skinned, and clutching a rusty dagger. Its eyes were sharp but nervous.
Another one peeked out.
Then another.
Kael exhaled. "Three."
The first goblin rushed him.
Kael sidestepped and tapped it with the flat of his blade, knocking it off balance. It fell with a squeak.
The second swung wildly. Kael blocked, pushed forward, and it stumbled back.
The third just watched.
Kael frowned. "You're living here?"
The goblins hissed, but none attacked again immediately.
He lowered his sword slightly. "You're not attacking travelers… are you?"
Silence.
One goblin picked up a piece of dried bread from the floor and bit into it cautiously.
Kael blinked. "You're just… hiding."
He sheathed his sword halfway. "This isn't a monster nest. It's just shelter."
The goblins watched him, tense.
"I'm not here to kill you," Kael said quietly. "Just checking the tower."
They didn't understand his words, but they seemed to sense the tone. Slowly, they backed away into the shadows.
Kael looked around the platform. No signs of ambushes. No traps. Just signs of living—small fires, scraps of food, worn cloth.
He sighed. "So that's the strange noises."
He stepped back toward the stairs. "You're lucky it was me."
One goblin tilted its head.
Kael gave a small nod. "Stay quiet. Don't attack anyone."
He descended the stairs and left the tower as the sun dipped low.
---
When Kael returned to the guild the next day, Lyria spotted him immediately.
"You're back!"
"Yes."
She hurried over. "What was it? Bandits? Monsters? Ghosts?"
"Goblins."
Her eyes widened. "Goblins?!"
"Small ones. Just hiding."
"You're okay though?"
"I'm okay."
She exhaled deeply. "You keep saying things so casually."
Kael smiled faintly. "It wasn't a fight."
They approached the counter together.
The clerk looked up. "Report?"
"Three goblins using the tower as shelter," Kael said. "Not hostile unless provoked."
The clerk raised a brow. "You didn't eliminate them?"
"No need."
The clerk studied him for a second, then nodded. "Fair assessment. Here's your reward."
Twelve silver coins clinked into Kael's hand.
As they stepped away, Lyria nudged him. "You could've made more money if you fought."
"I'm not fighting everything I see."
She smiled softly. "That's… actually nice."
Kael looked at the coins, then at the bustling guild hall around him.
Another day. Another step.
"Next quest?" Lyria asked.
Kael slipped the coins into his pouch. "Next quest."
---
GIVE ME SOME POWERSTONES