The sun dipped low over Bastrelheim, dyeing the streets with hues of orange and rose. The capital city, always bustling, seemed to shine brighter under this twilight, its countless shops, food stalls, and vibrant park life glowing with the warmth of a day well-lived.
Seven young elves strolled down the cobblestone path, arms laden with goods and pouches heavy with coin. Their bags swayed with every step, some heavier than others, particularly one pink-haired girl gleaming with satisfaction.
"I got smoked jerky, sweet lotus bun, fried mushroom dumplings, oh! And that double-spiced meat skewers, extra spicy!" Sakura grinned, her cheeks puffed like a squirrel's, arms wrapped tightly around her bulging food bag.
"I think we got enough food to last until next winter," Adiw muttered, trailing behind with two oversized bundles slung over each shoulder. "Pretty sure I just got demoted to mule."
"You're not demoted," Fahleena chimed, turning around to beam with pride. "You're promoted to Pack Mule Commander. That's a very noble position in the order of destiny."
Jessica bit her lip, trying not to laugh as she kept hold of Fahleena's hand. She'd learned her lesson after the third time the girl wandered off to sketch someone's dog without notice.
Gabyola, calm as ever, negotiated prices earlier with grace, saving the group a small fortune. "It's good we stocked up. The road ahead isn't a walk in the flower fields."
Yuuna walked beside her, expression unreadable as always, her magic bag slung precisely over one shoulder. "We'll need to check the southern route tonight. There might be detours around the mist forest."
"Still sounds like a side quest in an RPG," Fahleena whispered, twirling a drawn jellyfish pawn from her sketchbook.
As they entered the town square park, a familiar golden braid bobbed in their direction.
"Everyone!!" Orchid waved both arms energetically, a large food box in hand. "Perfect timing! Try my newest invention, chocolate and mushroom sandwich!"
Sakura's pupils shrank. "You combined what?"
"Chocolate and mushroom!" Orchid declared, proud as a chef revealing a signature dish.
Gabyola quickly stepped forward with practiced grace. "Thank you, Orchid, but we're quite full from the market. Perhaps another time."
"Ehh...? But I made extra," Orchid pouted, lowering the box sadly.
"Where's Kyle and Sinryo?" Jessica asked.
"Oh, they ran off after I offered them some." Orchid beamed. "And Gigih burned the other sandwich into charcoal. I think he liked it!"
Adiw crossed his arms. "Yeah. I'm sure they loved it. Probably sprinted to avoid crying from joy."
"They'll be back," Yuuna said flatly.
---
Back at the inn's common room, calm returned. The boys' room was quiet, the girls' room tidier than usual, mostly thanks to Yetsan's nagging about "hygienic space optimization."
Fuhiken unrolled a map across the table, flicking crumbs off its surface. "Here's the Etheria region... and over here, the coast."
Yuuna nodded, kneeling beside him. "From Machinia to the south coast, there's a stretch of forest, locals call it the Mist Forest. Visibility drops, and navigation becomes difficult."
"And monsters?" Fuhiken asked.
"Unknown, but possible. We need a guide," she replied, tapping the forest outline with her wand.
Fuhiken stood, approaching the inn owner polishing glasses behind the counter. "Do you know anything about the route to the coast?"
The middle-aged woman looked up. "Might wanna ask the thief guild. They know these parts better than anyone. Adventurer or mercenary guild might help, too, but they'll charge double for a guide."
Yuuna scribbled notes. "Thief guild, huh…"
---
Meanwhile, somewhere in the dim alleys of Bastrelheim, two stomachs growled in protest. The alleyways twisted like a web, shadowed under creaking signs and dangling lanterns that barely held their flame. The late evening brought a cooler breeze, rustling old parchment notices nailed to wooden posts and kicking up dust along the stone-paved path. Kyle and Sinryo moved with cautious steps, their senses alert from years of shared mischief, but hunger gnawed away at their usual energy.
The fading scent of roasted meats and baked bread teased them at every turn, each closed tavern or shuttered stall deepening their disappointment. Their last escape from Orchid's culinary ambush had been a triumph of reflex, but the cost was clear, now they wandered with empty bellies and growing desperation, hoping Bastrelheim still held a miracle behind one of its creaky doors.
Kyle folded the Cloak of Blurr neatly and stuffed it back into his magic bag. "Tell me again why we ran without food?"
"You didn't see Orchid's eyes," Sinryo whispered, looking both ways before they stepped out into the lantern-lit street. "That was the look of someone ready to force-feed us doom."
Their noses led them past a bakery and two closed taverns, until they stumbled across a low wooden sign: "Vincent's: Food & Spirits."
"Finally!" Kyle cheered. "Let's go!"
Inside, the bar was quiet. Dimly lit with orange lanterns and a faint haze of spice and oil in the air. A few patrons sat at tables, heads low, shoulders broad. The man behind the bar, a tall, slick-haired gentleman in a crisp vest, welcomed them with a nod.
"Evening. Welcome to Vincent's. You paying customers?"
"As long as the food's not explosive," Kyle replied.
"Then take a seat."
They did, both settling onto bar stools, the wooden seats creaking beneath their light frames. Sinryo leaned forward, scanning the chalkboard menu hung behind the bar. His finger traced the handwritten items, grilled boar ribs, mushroom stew, roasted river eel, each more enticing than the last. Meanwhile, Kyle didn't even glance up.
"Two dragon steaks, please," Kyle declared with absolute confidence, resting his elbows on the counter like a noble placing a royal decree.
Vincent blinked, then burst into a short laugh, wiping his hands with a cloth. "Dragon steak? That's a myth on this menu, kid. Outta your league and outta my pantry."
Sinryo sighed, dragging a palm down his face. "He didn't even look..."
"Try the cockatrice omelet instead," Vincent offered with a smirk. "Forty copper a plate. Tastes like chicken, if chicken looked at you funny before you ate it."
Kyle shrugged. "Sounds deadly. We'll take two."
Vincent gave a nod and disappeared through a swinging door behind the bar, leaving only the clatter of pans and a rising aroma of seared meat and herbs. Within minutes, he returned, placing two steaming plates before them. Each held a cockatrice omelet nearly the size of a dinner platter, golden brown, slightly crisp at the edges, and stuffed with fragrant vegetables and thick cuts of white meat.
Kyle and Sinryo didn't hesitate. With a synchronized attack honed by years of shared meals and midnight raids on rations, they tore into the food like hungry lions. Forks clinked, bites were barely chewed, and within seconds, the first quarter of each omelet had vanished.
As the chaos of chewing settled into satisfied munching, Vincent leaned forward, folding his arms across the bar with an amused grin. "So. You two elves from the forest?"
"Yep," Sinryo said through a mouthful, swallowing quickly before continuing. "Headed south. Want to see the sea."
Vincent raised an eyebrow. "Then you'll hit the Mist Forest. Not a walk in the park."
"You know anyone who can guide us through?"
The man smirked and gestured beside Kyle.
The elf blinked. "Wha, ?!"
Next to him sat a petite black-haired girl, already halfway through her bowl of noodles. Her cat-like ears twitched as she turned.
"Nyah~ You didn't notice me? I was here first."
Kyle nearly fell off his stool. "Wha, How long were you there?!"
"Long enough to hear you want a guide," she said, licking soy sauce off her thumb.
"This is Viqce," Vincent introduced. "She's the best scout in town. Works with the guild."
Viqce gave a casual wave, her black cat-like ears twitching as she swallowed the last bite of her meal. "Yup, Viqce's the name, licensed scout under Bastrelheim's thief guild, and part-time tracker-for-hire. I specialize in forest traversal, hidden trails, and avoiding monsters you don't wanna meet. I've guided merchants, smugglers, and the occasional lost noble kid. If there's a path through Mist Forest, I know it, nyan~"
"Scout, huh?" Sinryo said, glancing her up and down. "Where's the gear?"
Viqce smiled, pulling a tiny pouch from her hip. "Magic pocket. My gear's inside. And yes, I'm in the thief guild, but not the bad kind, nyan~"
Kyle leaned in. "So… you'll guide us?"
Viqce slurped her noodles, then nodded. "Sure. I don't work for free, though. But you two look like nice kids. Let's meet your party first."
Kyle placed a silver coin on the counter. "Thanks for the meal!"
Vincent picked up the coin and blinked. It was far more than 40 copper.
He chuckled. "Good kids. Hope the cat doesn't fleece them too hard."
---
Back at the inn, the lounge was softly lit, a welcome contrast to Bastrelheim's chaotic streets. The room's center table held scattered teacups and a half-unrolled map, its edges curling with use. Adiw leaned back with his arms crossed, one foot tapping against the floor impatiently. Fuhiken sat at the table, tracing paths on the map with practiced focus, while Gabyola sipped tea beside him in her usual composed manner. Yuuna stood near the wall, flipping through her notes, eyes scanning for details on the Mist Forest.
Yetsan and Gigih had only just returned, brushing dust from their clothes. Yetsan looked slightly irritated, wiping down his armor as if the city itself had offended him.
"I had to jump into a barrel of laundry water," he muttered. "Twice. All because of that sandwich."
Gigih grumbled, settling beside a shelf. "I used Fire I on it. It still lived. I had to burn the second one too, just to be sure."
Adiw snorted. "Survivor stories from the frontlines of Orchid's kitchen."
Yuuna didn't look up. "You're lucky she didn't pack a third."
The group shared a brief laugh, just as the front door creaked open.
Kyle stepped in first, waving casually. "We're baaaack! And we brought someone important!"
Sinryo followed with his usual sly grin, and between them walked a small figure, Viqce, her cat-like ears twitching and her posture relaxed, though alert.
"Hello, nyan~" she said cheerfully. "I'm Viqce. Scout, tracker, and your potential guide through the Mist Forest."
Adiw was already eyeing her suspiciously. "Thief guild?"
Viqce gave a peace sign. "Mhm. But not the bad kind, nyan~ We sell info and run escort or guide jobs. Actual thieving is a different department."
Gabyola nodded once. "She's not lying. Bastrelheim's thief guild is more... structured. Their scouts are reliable."
Kyle leaned toward Adiw with a smug look. "Wait for it..."
Adiw raised a brow. "You think she's fluffy, Gabyola?"
"I absolutely do not, !" Gabyola snapped, already moving toward Viqce and instinctively wrapping an arm around her, cheeks brushing. "I was inspecting the guide. Objectively."
Viqce's tail fluffed in surprise. "S-soft ambush! Nyaaa~!"
Gigih covered a laugh while Yetsan shook his head. "Unbelievable."
Fuhiken glanced around. "She seems capable. If she knows the Mist Forest well, we take her. We leave tomorrow morning."
Everyone nodded.
As Viqce sat cross-legged on a cushion, tail swaying lazily, the lounge settled into quiet. The flicker of lamplight danced on the walls as evening deepened, ending the day with the sound of soft purring.
"Tomorrow's gonna be fun, nyan~"
---