Chapter 1 : The Beginning
It was dark.
Clouds drifted across the moon, dimming its silver glow. The soft hum of crickets filled the stillness in the shadows. The air felt heavy, something smelled like… ashes?
Between the faint glowing lanterns, a dark figure was prowling—hunting its next prey.
The calmness of the still water shattered with a scream.
“It's coming—!!”
Breathless, he darted behind a large tree.
He dared to glance back—
The dark figure swirled around a villager. Every cell turned into ashes—only a skeleton left as the remains.
His face paled; his throat dried.
Their eyes met briefly and he squeaked in despair.
It lunged.
He stumbled back, clenching his chest with trembling fingers.
“No… I don't want to die…” he muttered, helplessly.
And then—
A huge rock hammer—crashed it to the ground, with a tremendous force.
A man hopped from the shadows—his cloak fluttered with an emblem and he reached the collapsed figure.
“It was knocked out with a single blow.” He said, crouching beside it.
“It must be a weak one or just formed.”
He stepped back a few paces. With practiced skill, he traced a round sigil—bright green shimmering along his fingers. His green eyes and the sigil mark embedded on his right forearm glowed as gems.
The sigil floated around the dark figure; binding it.
After, he stretched his hand as a pointed rock floated towards him and he caught it. Without hesitation, he sprinted and drove it into its heart.
A loud howl echoed as it burned into thin air.
“Another cursed spirit disclosed…” he said.
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His eyes held something heavy, as he watched it vanish.
Within split seconds, he disappeared into the shadows again.
Few villagers witnessed it—eyes filled with a mix of gratitude and horror…
_ _ _
Slash!
A giant spider's head plopped on the ground with a soft thud.
Its whole body degenerated, leaving shiny mineral rock behind.
“It's bigger than the last one…” he mumbled, crunching to pick them up.
“I wonder how much these will sell for?”
Suddenly - rustle!
Before he could turn—
Woosh!
Something sharp slashed through the air.
He dodged it, rolling to the side—
Bump!
His head smacked with a rock.
Something sticky trickled down on his forehead.
“What was that!?” He hissed, clutching the wound.
He staggered up, vision spinning.
Then froze, eyes widened.
“It's a mid-rank beast!” He stumbled back.
“There’s no way I can defeat that… it's huge!”
[ MANTIS : Mid-rank beast. Known for its metallic body and bladed arms. ]
The creature raised its arm, sunlight flashing along its blade, striking him again—
Clash!
He blocked just in time with his old dagger, metal screeching against metal.
The force pushed him back; his hands trembled from the impact.
Gritting teeth, he grabbed his right wrist.
“My old injury… it's still not yet healed.” he winced.
“I should tighten it…”
He adjusted the cloth band, breathing hard.
The mantis lunged again, its red eyes were like burning coal.
He jumped, dagger raising high, aiming for its head—
Cling!
The blade bounced off, leaving only a faint scratch.
“Oh no… Its head’s like a stone!”
He thought in panic.
The mantis jerked violently, throwing him to the ground.
“Ah—!”
“It's impossible!” he hissed.
“I need to run—now!”
Grabbing the bundle of wood he collected, bolted out to the forest edge. Each step pounded in his ears.
When he finally burst through the trees, gasping for the air, he mumbled,
“I should be… more careful… next time…”
He glanced down at his dagger—the edges dull and chipped, sighing low.
“Well… guess it's time to sharpen it again..”
_ _ _
He reached home.
A small figure ran towards him.
“Big brother Aspen! What happened to your face?!!”
Aspen knelt,
“It's nothing, Elis. I slipped and hit a rock.”
“Does it hurt?” he asked, reaching for his bandaged wound.
Aspen shook his head,
“No,” he said, patting his head with a smile,
“It doesn't hurt much.”
He glanced around.
“Where’s Mia?”
“She’s with father at the inn!” Elis replied.
“Oh! I see…” he stood,
“Alright, I will chop some wood in the yard.”
_ _ _
Thump. Thump.
Aspen’s axe chopped the wood rhythmically but his thoughts drifted elsewhere.
“Big brother!!” A voice chirped.
He paused—mid swing and turned.
“Big brother! Look! I made this!”
A little girl beamed holding up a weird figure, high above her head.
“Ah! Mia,” he smiled, gently taking that figure.
“Are you wasting the dough again?”
“I didn't waste it!” She pouted.
“The Chef gave it to me. It's a cat! And it meows!”
“So it's a cat, huh?” He chuckled, patting her head.
“It's cute—just like you.”
“Meow~” she giggled, proudly.
“ASPEN!!?” A hard voice cuts through the air.
As Aspen jogged towards it. Thinking-
“It's a good thing that our home is at the back side of the inn—less walking.”
“What is it, father?” he asked.
His father gazed at his bandaged head, raising an eyebrow.
“You fell again?”
“It was an accident!” Aspen grinned sheepishly, rubbing his neck.
He let out a sigh, “You always say that. Be careful next time.”
Aspen nodded.
“Alright, go help with customers.” he ordered.
“Yes, father!”
Aspen took his place at the counter.
“Oh Mr. Everards!” The neighbor called. “Your order has arrived! Please handle it.”
“Yes. I’m coming.”
He placed his hand on Aspen's shoulder, “I will be out for a bit. Look after the rest.”
“Got it.”
Aspen watched him leave, then turned to the guests.
Time passed.
A group of travellers arrived, loud and laughing.
Looking at them Aspen thought—
“They don't look like travellers...
I suppose they're hunters or something like that…”
At the counter, one of them registered, while the others chatted excitedly -
“Did you see that wielder? He was incredible!!”
“Yeah! He took down the cursed spirit with one blow!”
“Well, he’s an elite rank wielder. It's pretty normal for him."
Aspen listened to them quietly, curiosity sparkling in his eyes.
“Who are these… wielders? And what do they mean by… cursed spirits?”
*****
Chapter 2 : Questions Unanswered
