The next day, Kaele and his new party members headed toward the Adventurers' Guild for their first quest together—his first true test under Roman's command.
As Kaele stepped inside the guild, he immediately felt the difference. This was nothing like the Vasto guild he was used to. The air itself felt heavier, sharper. Strong, battle-hardened adventurers stood in groups, their weapons worn and scarred from countless fights. At the same time, nervous newcomers lingered near the walls, eyes filled with hope and fear as they searched for a party willing to accept them.
The guild hall was vast. Four counters lined the front wall, each busy with adventurers submitting reports or collecting rewards. Two massive quest boards stood to the side, crowded with parchment notices of varying danger levels. Above, a second floor overlooked the hall, where veteran adventurers gathered around wooden tables, discussing strategies, routes, and monster behavior in low, serious voices.
Kaele felt a sense of excitement standing beside such a strong party—but deep within his chest, the fire of hatred and revenge still burned, quiet yet relentless.
Roman crossed his arms and looked at him."Kaele, go choose the quest."
Kaele blinked. "M-me?"
"Yes," Roman replied calmly. "This will be your test. I want to see your strength, your judgment, and what you've learned from your battles and losses."
Kaele inhaled deeply. "Alright, leader."
He stepped toward the quest boards, eyes scanning parchment after parchment. Most of them felt the same—kill monsters, escort caravans, suppress beasts."Everything looks the same… monsters," Kaele muttered. "But I guess that's fine."
Then his gaze froze.
Subjugation Request: Rampaging Goblins and Hobgoblins – Gold Rank.
Fear flickered in his eyes. Memories of blood, screams, and Tarin's death surged through his mind. Fear and revenge collided violently within him. He was terrified—yet a part of him burned to face them again, to grow stronger, to never be helpless again.
With trembling hands, Kaele tore the quest from the board and handed it to Roman.
Roman studied the parchment carefully. "Are you sure about this?"
Kaele nodded. "Yes."
The hatred born from his fallen comrade burned brighter than his fear, pushing him forward.
Roman's lips curved slightly. "Looks like you've made your resolve."
Lara stepped closer, her voice gentle but firm."Kaele, that look in your eyes can be dangerous. Hatred and revenge won't make you stronger forever. If you let them guide you, you'll fall off your path halfway."
Kaele bowed his head. "Thank you for the advice. I'll keep it in mind."
Roman turned. "Let's move."
They boarded a wagon and departed toward the village under attack.
As the wagon passed through the gates of Lester City, Kaele stared silently at the retreating walls. Memories resurfaced—the day he had left with Tarin.Please… let it not end the same way, he prayed.
The quest was scheduled to last three days. They were to remain in the village until every goblin threatening it was eliminated.
After half a day's journey, the wagon slowed.
Blood stained the dirt road. Crimson streaks marked the trunks of nearby trees.
John frowned. "Looks like the villagers are already dead."
Elina glanced around. "What makes you think that?"
John pointed. "The houses… the fountain… all soaked in blood. That doesn't happen without a massacre."
Kaele clenched his fists. The sight ignited his hatred anew, reminding him of Tarin's final moments. But this time, he forced himself to breathe, refusing to lose control.
"If everyone's dead," Kaele said slowly, "then who posted the quest? It appeared on the board today."
Nito's eyes narrowed. "That means there are survivors."
"Most likely," Kaele replied.
Roman nodded. "Everyone, spread out. Search the houses. If you find survivors, report back. No shouting—don't alert the goblins."
They searched every home. Broken doors. Blood-soaked floors. Silence.
They regrouped near the ruined fountain.
"Anything?" Roman asked.
One by one, they shook their heads.
"Then either they fled… or they're all dead," Roman said grimly.
Suddenly—
"Help! Someone help me!"
The desperate scream echoed from the forest.
Without hesitation, they rushed toward the sound.
Kaele sprinted ahead, sword drawn.This time… let me be in time.
But when they arrived, the screams had stopped.
A man lay dead on the ground. One hand still clutched a wooden staff. The other was inside a goblin's mouth.
A pack of goblins surrounded the corpse, daggers dripping with blood as they devoured human flesh.
Kaele's body froze.
His hands trembled violently. His legs refused to move.
"Advance!" Roman roared. "Don't let a single goblin escape!"
The party charged—everyone except Kaele.
Fear swallowed him whole.
"Move!" Roman shouted. "Is this why you joined us? To stand still and die?!"
Lara cried out, "Don't you want to become stronger?!"
"Kaele!" Elina, John, and Nito shouted together.
Kaele's thoughts screamed.Everyone is risking their lives… and I'm frozen. Is my resolve this weak? Was everything meaningless?
A goblin lunged at him.
Live… Kaele.
Tarin's voice echoed in his mind.
"Kaele!" everyone shouted.
He moved.
Kaele gripped his sword and met the goblin's eyes."I am your death," he whispered. "Come."
He swung first. The long sword cleaved through the goblin before it could reach him.
Relief washed over the party.
Kaele didn't stop. He drew the goblins out of the forest, knowing cramped spaces favored them.
Roman's party eliminated goblins effortlessly, their experience evident.
Two goblins cornered Kaele.
He attacked recklessly—leaving an opening.
One goblin missed its strike, colliding with the other.
Kaele seized the moment.
His blade flashed.
One strike. Two heads fell.
Silence followed.
Roman clapped. "Impressive. You still have room to grow—but those eyes… they don't belong to a child."
Kaele exhaled. "Did I pass?"
Lara smiled faintly. "Barely. But welcome to the party."
The forest that lay between Vasto and Lester was silent.
Not the peaceful silence of nature, but a heavy, suffocating stillness—as if the trees themselves were holding their breath. Moonlight filtered weakly through the dense canopy, casting long, distorted shadows across the uneven ground.
This was the same forest.
The same place where Tarin had died.
Deep within the woods, three figures stood in a small clearing. Each of them wore a dark robe that concealed their bodies completely, and upon their faces were masks carved smooth and cold. At the center of every mask was the same symbol—a single blood-red eye, glowing faintly as if alive.
One of the men broke the silence.
"How is his progress?"
His voice was calm, controlled, carrying no emotion. It was the tone of someone who observed rather than participated—someone accustomed to watching lives unfold from the shadows.
The second man stepped forward slightly and lowered his head.
"He has joined a new party," he reported. "Stronger than his previous one. Their leader is experienced, and the members are capable."
The red eye on his mask reflected the moonlight as he continued.
"The boy has suffered losses. Pain has shaped him well. His hatred runs deep… just as expected."
A low chuckle echoed through the clearing.
The third man tilted his head, his posture relaxed, almost amused.
"He will try to grow stronger," he said. "Revenge burns inside him. Fear and rage—both clashing within his heart. It's beautiful."
There was delight in his voice. Genuine enjoyment.
The first man remained silent for a moment, as if considering the report. Then he spoke again.
"Good. Let him walk this path."
He turned slightly, facing the deeper shadows of the forest.
"Pain sharpens resolve. Loss fuels ambition. If he continues like this, he will become exactly what we need."
The second man hesitated before asking, "Shall we intervene?"
"No," the first replied immediately. "Not yet."
He raised his hand slowly.
The second man glanced toward an object wrapped in cloth near the fire. The shape beneath it was unmistakable.
"So… what should we do with this head?" he asked.
The first man's eyes narrowed behind the mask.
"We wait for instructions from the higher-ups."
At those words, even the third man straightened slightly. The atmosphere grew heavier, darker—as if the forest itself reacted to the mention of that unseen authority.
The third man laughed softly, the sound disturbing in the quiet night.
"More blood will be spilled," he said eagerly. "More despair. The people of Aetherion won't even realize what's happening until it's too late."
The three figures began to fade into the shadows, their forms dissolving into the darkness as if they had never been there at all.
The forest returned to silence.
Unaware of the eyes watching him…
Unaware of the fate slowly tightening around his soul…
Kaele continued walking forward.
And the people of Aetherion had no idea what was coming.