the gates of Brunhild, a bustling city surrounded by stone walls and watchtowers. The air buzzed with life.
Children giggled and chased each other near the city fountain, merchants shouted about their wares with dramatic flair, adventurers clanked by in armor, and guards stood tall at every post. Carriages rolled along the cobblestone roads, pulled by well-groomed horses.
Feran stood frozen just inside the gate, hiding behind Raizo's back. Her ears twitched uneasily, and her tail drooped low.
Raizo looked back. "Feran, there's nothing to be afraid of."
She growled softly. "I… I don't know. I don't trust any of them."
Raizo glanced at the passing crowd. There were humans, yes—but also beastkin, dwarves, elves, and others. "Look closely. Kids, women, even elders like you. And they're not afraid of humans either."
Feran hesitated. "But still…"
Raizo let out a small sigh. "Then—" He held out his hand. "I'll hold your hand so you don't get lost. Deal?"
Feran's eyes widened. "W-What?" A blush quickly rose to her cheeks. "Fine…"
She gently reached out and took his hand.
Warm. Steady. Safe.
Together, they walked into the city.
---
They made their way toward the city fountain. Raizo paused as he noticed a large, detailed map mounted beside it. The map labeled each district—Food Market, Tailor's Lane, Guild Hall, Magic Quarter, and the Weapon District.
"Wow… This place is huge," Raizo said, scanning it. "If we want gear, we should head to the Weapon District."
Feran nodded, still clinging slightly to his side as they started walking again.
---
Suddenly, Raizo stopped in his tracks.
Everything around him turned black.
The sounds of the city faded.
He was… floating in a vast void.
Before him, a strange sword hovered—long, dark, with crimson accents. Its blade shimmered with menace. Jagged and segmented, it looked alive… almost as if it pulsed with hunger.
His breath caught.
Then—
"Raizo?" Feran's voice echoed faintly in the darkness. "Are you okay?"
Raizo blinked hard. The world snapped back into focus. The bright sky, the crowd, Feran gripping his hand.
He shook his head lightly and answered, "Yeah… I'm fine."
But as they continued walking, Raizo couldn't shake the image of that sword from his mind.
What was that blade?
And why… did it feel like it was calling to him?
As Raizo and Feran walked through the lively Weapon District of Brunhild, they passed rows of stalls lined with swords, spears, axes, and armor. Despite the impressive collection, Raizo felt... disconnected.
He examined blades and hilts, tested their weight in his hands—but none of them felt right.
"These weapons," he muttered, "they weren't made for me."
Then Feran tugged on his cloak.
"Raizo, look."
Her violet eyes were fixed on a display case. Inside, encased in glass, was a beautifully crafted gauntlet—made of layered purple scales outlined with gold, tapering to a narrow band bearing a crimson gem in its center.
The merchant, a heavy-set man with a proud grin, leaned forward. "You've got a keen eye, young lady. That's made from the hide of a Venomous Giant Viper, a monster found only in the jungles of Northernveil—the most dangerous wildlands in the world. That gem? It's forged from the venom stone in the viper's skull. Rare, powerful, and deadly."
Feran's eyes sparkled. "It's… beautiful," she whispered, before glancing down. "But… it's too expensive."
The merchant stroked his beard. "Tell you what. For you two? I'll cut it down to five gold coins."
Raizo opened his pouch. Just enough.
"I'll take it."
Feran's eyes lit up. "Raizo… thank you!"
She slipped the gauntlet onto her arm. Power surged through her, her body tingling from the sudden rise in stats. She turned to show Raizo—but he suddenly staggered, clutching his chest.
His knees hit the ground.
"R-Raizo?!" she cried.
Raizo's breathing turned ragged. His body shook. His Gluttony ability flared wildly, overwhelming his core. His brown eyes flashed crimson. Saliva dripped from his mouth as magic twisted around him.
A mage in the crowd attempted healing magic, but nothing worked.
Then, just as quickly as it began—the pain stopped.
Raizo stood slowly. "I'm fine," he said hoarsely.
Feran didn't believe him—but she said nothing. She simply walked beside him as they moved on.
They wandered through the city until they reached a quiet, worn-down shop tucked between towering buildings. The sign above it was faded. Its windows dusty.
"This place feels… weird," Feran muttered, ears drooping.
"I know," Raizo said. "Let's take a look."
As they stepped inside, a soft bell rang. A kind-looking demi-human rabbit girl greeted them. "Welcome, travelers. Feel free to look around."
"Thank you," Raizo replied.
While Feran browsed near the counter, Raizo wandered through the shelves—until a glint of sunlight caught his eye.
There, atop a high shelf, lay a cloth-wrapped weapon. Something pulled at him, like a whisper in his soul.
He climbed the ladder and carefully brought it down.
"I found something," Raizo said.
Feran turned. "Are you sure about that one?"
Raizo nodded firmly.
The rabbit girl's ears perked up—and her face went pale.
That sword… no way. Not even my grandfather could lift it.
Trying to remain calm, she said, "That one's free."
Both Raizo and Feran stared in surprise. "Free?" they echoed.
"Yes," the shopkeeper nodded. "It's been there for 20 years. No one's been able to draw it or awaken it. If you feel connected to it… it's yours."
Raizo nodded slowly. "Thank you."
"Go ahead," she added. "Unwrap it."
Raizo removed the cloth.
The blade was long and elegant, with a dark gray base streaked with glowing crimson markings. The moment the steel touched air, a violent crimson aura exploded outward.
"Raizo!" Feran shouted, shielding her eyes.
Even the rabbit girl turned away.
Raizo felt the power coursing into him. His clothes burned away, replaced by a long black coat with red accents, a bold red insignia on his chest. His pants and boots turned jet-black. His right eye gleamed—crimson red.
The light faded.
He stood there, transformed.
Feran stared, stunned. "Raizo… are you okay?"
He nodded. "Yeah. I'm okay."
Feran tilted her head. "Your eye… it's red."
Raizo raised a hand and quickly covered it. "It's nothing."
He turned to the rabbit girl. "You're sure it's free?"
She smiled nervously. "Absolutely. That sword chose you."
"Thank you," Raizo said once more.
And with that, he and Feran stepped out of the strange little shop—Raizo now changed, with a blade that pulsed with ancient, sleeping power.
And a destiny that had just begun to awaken.
As Raizo and Fenra made their way back through the bustling streets of Brunhild, the city center lit with life, neither of them noticed the demi-human rabbit still standing at the door of the rundown shop. She watched them with a knowing smirk.
"I guess… you've finally found someone who can truly wield you… Devoure," she whispered to herself, her eyes glinting.
---
Back on the cobbled streets, Fenra glanced sideways at Raizo.
"Raizo… can I ask something?"
"Yeah?" he replied, walking calmly through the crowd.
"What exactly is your ability?"
Raizo stopped in his tracks, then looked around before sighing deeply. "Promise me you'll never tell anyone."
Fenra nodded without hesitation. "I swear."
He met her eyes and spoke. "My ability is called Gluttony."
"Gluttony?" Fenra tilted her head.
Raizo nodded again. "Yes. It lets me steal stats and abilities from both humans and monsters."
Fenra's steps slowed. Her violet eyes widened. "Wait… you mean—you steal them? How?"
Raizo's voice turned cold. "By killing."
She gasped, stunned. "That… that's terrifying."
"I know," he said quietly. "It's a cursed power. But I didn't choose it to be feared—I chose it to survive."
A silence passed between them until Raizo glanced down at the sword on his back.
"I think I'll name this sword… Voidbringer."
Fenra chuckled softly. "You're naming your sword now?"
"It's said weapons grow stronger when named," Raizo replied. "And harder to break."
"Okay, okay," she said, amused. "Voidbringer it is."
---
They soon arrived at the grand entrance of the Adventurer's Guild. Raizo pushed the large wooden door open, and the warmth of chatter, clanking armor, and flickering lights greeted them.
Fenra's ears twitched. Her claws extended slightly in tension.
"Easy," Raizo said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You don't need to be afraid. Look."
She followed his gaze around the guild hall. Among the adventurers were demi-humans, beastkin, and even therianthropes like herself—laughing, talking, exchanging stories.
"They're like… me?" she asked.
Raizo smiled. "Yes. You're not alone."
Fenra exhaled and slowly retracted her claws.
They approached the front desk. The receptionist—a young woman with a kind smile—greeted them cheerfully. "Next in line, please! Hello, adventurers. How may I help you today?"
"I'd like to register my companion as an adventurer," Raizo said.
"Of course!" the receptionist pulled out a registration form and a glowing crystal orb. "Let's get started. Please fill this out, and then place your hand on the crystal to determine your stats and magic."
Fenra hesitated, looking nervously at Raizo.
He gave her a gentle nod. "Go on."
Fenra nodded and placed her hand on the orb. It glowed with a brilliant purple light as numbers and text shimmered inside.
Fenra's Stats:
ATK: 102
DEF: 98
STA: 150
Mana: 130
Magic: Wind, Fighting magic
Ability: Beast Transformation
The glow faded.
The receptionist blinked in surprise. "Impressive stats for a new adventurer. Do you need help writing them down?"
Fenra narrowed her eyes. "I don't need anyone to write for me."
Raizo quickly stepped in. "Sorry! She's… new to human customs."
The receptionist chuckled. "It's alright."
Fenra filled out the form on her own, carefully writing each stat. The receptionist took it back and raised her hand in a spellcasting gesture.
"O radiant light, I am here to lock these records. Water Magic: Sealed."
A translucent bracelet of water coiled around the paper and shimmered before fading.
"Now your records are locked and will automatically update as you grow stronger," the receptionist explained.
She disappeared briefly into the back room, and after a moment returned with a small silver card.
"Here's your Guild Membership Card. Welcome to the Adventurer's Guild, Fenra. You're starting at G-Rank, our beginner level."
Fenra took the card, her eyes wide with pride.
"You can take quests starting from G-Rank, and even some F-Rank missions—but be warned," the receptionist added. "Failing or ignoring quests for over a month can lead to demotion."
"I understand," Fenra said, nodding.
Raizo sat at a nearby table, sipping a warm drink as he waited. Fenra walked over and stood proudly in front of him.
"I did it!" she beamed. "I'm an adventurer now!"
Raizo looked up and smiled. "Congratulations, Fenra."
She sat down beside him, holding her card like it was a treasure.
And in that quiet moment—amid the noise of adventurers, merchants, and missions—their journey as official companions began.