After a quiet 30-minute walk through lush trees and well-worn roads, Raizo and Fenra finally reached the outskirts of Greenhaven Village. The air smelled of fresh soil and distant flowers, and children could be heard laughing deeper within the village.
They walked through the cobblestone path until they spotted a middle-aged man pulling a cart.
"Excuse us, sir," Raizo called out politely. "Do you know where Greenhaven Farm is?"
The man paused and pointed left. "Just down that road, then keep straight until you see a wooden sign marked Greenhaven Farm. Can't miss it."
"Thank you, sir," Raizo nodded.
"Let's go, Fenra."
"Mhmm," she replied, following closely behind him, ears twitching as she scanned the unfamiliar surroundings.
Eventually, they reached the carved wooden sign bearing the farm's name. Just past the sign, they took a right, walking through a small trail surrounded by tall wheat fields.
"Can I help you?" a soft voice startled them.
Raizo flinched slightly and turned to see a teenage girl with sandy brown hair and green eyes, standing in front of the farmhouse porch.
"Oh—sorry," Raizo said. "We didn't see you there. We're here for this quest." He held out the quest slip.
The girl looked it over and smiled. "I see. So, you're the adventurers who accepted the job. Please, follow me. I'll show you where the boars have been causing trouble."
As they began walking, the girl introduced herself. "I'm Nathalie. This is my family's farm."
"I'm Raizo, and this is Fenra."
Nathalie tilted her head slightly. "Raizo… I think I've heard that name before."
They reached the edge of the field, where a fence had been torn down and several crops were flattened.
"Right here," Nathalie said, pointing. "Five wild boars keep attacking our crops. Some villagers tried scaring them off, but it didn't work. We didn't want violence, but… it's been getting worse. So we had no choice but to put up that quest."
Raizo looked over the trampled soil. "Understood. Leave it to us."
"But…" Nathalie hesitated, then smiled. "Before you go rushing off, you must be tired. Why don't you come in and have something to drink first? I can make some herbal tea."
Raizo looked to Fenra. She gave a small nod.
"Alright, thank you," Raizo said.
Nathalie opened the farmhouse door. "You can sit on the couch. I'll prepare something."
As they stepped inside the cozy home, Raizo's eyes wandered—until they landed on a glass-covered display on the wall. His body froze.
Inside it hung a familiar shield. Polished silver, dented slightly at the edge, and adorned with a blue gem at its center.
Nathalie noticed his reaction. "That shield belonged to my older brother, Nathan."
Raizo turned sharply. "Nathan…?"
She nodded. "Nathan was a C-rank adventurer. He traveled with his party—Brightstar."
Raizo's eyes widened. "I knew him… I knew all of them. Rjay, Latina, Cid, Freya… they were like my second family."
Nathalie's lips trembled. "So… you're the boy my brother talked about? The one who helped them survive those giant boars…?"
Raizo nodded solemnly. "Yes. I was with them until… the demons attacked. I—" His voice caught. "I wasn't strong enough to save them. But I swear, I'll avenge them. I'll find the demon responsible and make him pay."
Nathalie sat down slowly, tears welling in her eyes. "Thank you, Raizo…"
Behind them, Fenra stood in silence. Her purple eyes dimmed, her ears lowering slightly. She clenched her hands, watching as Raizo and Nathalie shared a painful, emotional connection. She looked away, her chest tightening.
Nathalie noticed. She quietly walked to Fenra's side and whispered in her ear, "Don't worry. I'm not trying to take him from you."
Fenra's eyes widened, her cheeks heating. "W-What are you talking about?"
Nathalie giggled. "He's yours, isn't he?"
"I—It's not like that!" Fenra whispered, flustered, her tail puffing slightly.
Raizo, unaware of their exchange, turned. "What are you two whispering about?"
"N-Nothing!" Fenra blurted, turning away with a red face.
Nathalie grinned. "Yep. Nothing at all."
Raizo looked at them suspiciously, but decided to let it go.
After a few minutes, they finished their tea, and Nathalie walked them out. "The boars usually come around dusk. Be careful, okay?"
Raizo nodded. "We will."
Fenra, now more composed, walked beside him, her tail swaying nervously.
As they returned to the fields, Raizo quietly glanced at her.
"You okay?" he asked.
Fenra looked at him, then turned away. "Y-Yeah. Just thinking."
Raizo didn't press further. The bond between them was still new—but strong.
They both readied their weapons. The sun was slowly dipping toward the horizon, casting orange hues over the field. The wind carried a scent—earthy, wild… and animalistic.
Raizo gripped Voidbringer, his newly claimed sword, while Fenra flexed her fingers inside the venom gauntlet.
"Get ready," Raizo muttered. "They're coming."
And from the edge of the forest, the first of the five wild boars appeared—its eyes red, tusks sharp, and hunger burning in its breath.
Their first true battle together was about to begin.
Just as the sun dipped behind the treetops, ten wild boars erupted from the underbrush—bigger, more aggressive than expected. Snorting, growling, and charging in with fury, the herd split, some young, others full-grown adults with tusks sharpened from years of battle in the wild.
Raizo drew Voidbringer, its crimson aura flickering to life. Fenra took her stance, her new venom gauntlet shimmering in the sunlight. The air thickened with tension.
"They're faster than I thought," Raizo muttered, lowering his stance.
"Ready?" Fenra asked.
"Let's go!"
With a deafening roar, the clash began.
Fenra leapt toward two boars barreling at her. Her claws gleamed with magic as she whispered an incantation:
> "Wind's fury, concentrate and fire, aerial barrage, unleash and acquire!
Wind Magic: Wind Bullets!"
Dozens of compressed air projectiles blasted forward, slamming into the charging boars. The force sent the smaller ones flying, crashing into trees and rolling to a stop.
Meanwhile, Raizo soared into the air. His eyes burned red as he chanted:
> "Flare's essence, arrow's might, ignite and strike with blazing light!
Fire Magic: Fire Arrow!"
A brilliant arrow of fire burst forth, streaking through the air and colliding with a trio of wild boars. Flames erupted on impact, forcing the animals to collapse with scorched hide and twitching limbs.
Another boar lunged toward Raizo's blind spot.
"Raizo, get out of there!" Fenra shouted.
He trusted her instantly. Raizo dashed back as Fenra called out:
> "Wind's edge, slice and divide, storm's blade, cut with pride!
Wind Magic: Wind Cutter!"
A crescent-shaped wave of air sliced through the charging boar. It collapsed with a groan, motionless.
After a furious battle of dodging, slashing, and casting, the dust settled. Ten boars lay defeated.
[Quest Complete!]
Raizo's body pulsed with energy. A wave of heat surged through his veins, and suddenly:
---
[Status Updated]
ATK: 295
DEF: 200
STA: 310
MANA: 260
Ability Unlocked: Rampage
Skills Gained: Wild Defense, Brutal Tackle, Feral Strength
---
Breathing heavily, Raizo sheathed Voidbringer.
"You okay?" he asked Fenra.
She wiped some dirt from her cheek. "Yeah… That was intense, but fun."
They returned to Nathalie's home, hauling a few of the boars behind them.
"You actually did it!" Nathalie gasped. "That's incredible."
Raizo handed over the signed quest form. Nathalie scribbled her signature. "There—quest complete."
She insisted on preparing a meal. Soon the rich smell of sizzling boar meat filled the house.
The three of them sat down to eat, laughter and light conversation filling the air. After dinner, Nathalie offered, "You two can sleep here. We've got two rooms—one each for you."
Raizo nodded. "Thanks. One for Fenra and me, right?"
Nathalie chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. Separate beds, don't worry."
Fenra glanced at Nathalie warily, then turned away blushing. "Tch…"
Later that night, as the moonlight poured through the windows, Raizo stood before the glass-covered shield again.
Nathan's shield.
He pressed his palm against the glass. Memories of training, of laughter, of battles with the Brightstar Party played behind his eyes. A pang hit his heart.
He whispered, "I won't let your memories fade."
That night, Raizo drifted into a deep sleep.
---
Dream Realm
Raizo floated again—in that familiar white void. His body tense.
"Not again," he whispered. "Another vision? Another tragedy?"
But instead of flames or screams… a soft white glow surrounded him.
From that light… they appeared.
Nathan. Rjay. Cid. Freya. Latina.
His friends. His mentors. His family.
"Yo, Raizo!" Rjay grinned. "We're okay, alright? Stop blaming yourself."
Nathan nodded. "You did everything you could. And now, you carry our will."
Cid placed a hand on Raizo's shoulder. "Be strong, kid. Grow. Evolve."
Freya smiled sweetly. "Yeah. And keep that smile."
Latina's voice echoed warmly. "Surpass us, Raizo. Become the legend we knew you could be."
Raizo's eyes welled up with tears. "I… I'll never forget you all."
---
Morning sunlight peeked through the curtains.
Raizo sat up suddenly, blinking.
He walked to the window and opened it, breathing in the cool air.
Looking at the sky, he whispered, "I promise. I will grow stronger—strong enough to protect anyone… and surpass those who stand in my way."
Fenra entered the room, stretching. "Ready to head out?"
Raizo turned and smiled. "Yeah. Let's go."
Together, they left Greenhaven Village, heading back to Brunhild.
---
At the Adventurers' Guild, they turned in their completed quest.
The receptionist smiled. "Here's your reward. 20 silver coins. And… congratulations."
Raizo accepted the payment. "Thank you."
Fenra looked up at him, tail flicking. "So… what's next?"
Raizo looked at the sword on his back, the faint crimson glow of Voidbringer shimmering faintly.
He smiled.
"Whatever's next… we face it together."