The Day Before...
Emberlyn stepped into the guild, her arrival announced only by the creak of ancient oak doors. Immediately, all attention turned toward her—conversations faltering mid-sentence, eyes widening with recognition, whispers rippling through the hall like wind through autumn leaves.
She moved with practiced grace, her crimson hair cascading down her back like liquid fire, her crimson eyes scanning the room with quiet intensity. The legendary S-class hunter rarely graced the guild with her presence, making this an occasion worth noting.
People wondered what kind of mission would draw someone of Emberlyn Scarlet's caliber from her solitude. Her reputation preceded her—the flame wielder who worked alone, who had single-handedly completed missions that had claimed entire parties of skilled hunters.
Her gaze drifted methodically across the S-class mission board until she stopped at one specific notice. The reason was immediately apparent: the word "URGENT" blazed across the parchment in crimson ink that seemed to pulse with desperation.
That meant more than priority—it meant lives hung in the balance.
Without hesitation, Emberlyn plucked the paper from the board.
"Killer Monster"
The sparse title belied the gravity of the situation. With purposeful strides, Emberlyn approached the guild counter, seeking clarity about the task she was about to undertake.
"Lina," she addressed the receptionist, her voice soft yet commanding, "can you tell me what this job entails?"
Lina's eyes widened, her hands fluttering nervously at the sight of the guild's most formidable hunter. "Yes, of course, Miss Emberlyn!" she replied, smoothing her apron with trembling fingers.
According to the intelligence they had gathered, the "killer monster" was no ordinary beast—it was a basilisk. Ancient and terrible, it had awakened after decades of dormancy in the Eldervale Mountains.
"Three hunter parties have already failed," Lina explained, her voice dropping to a whisper as if the words themselves were dangerous. "The last group... there was only one survivor. He said the basilisk seemed to grow stronger with each attack they landed."
Emberlyn's expression remained impassive, but her eyes narrowed slightly—the only indication that the news troubled her.
"Even for an S-class hunter like yourself, Miss Emberlyn," Lina continued, wringing her hands, "the guild strongly advises against taking this mission alone."
"This village could be decimated if that basilisk isn't stopped soon," Emberlyn countered, her voice resonating with quiet conviction. "How many more will die while we wait for reinforcements?"
"I understand your concern," Lina responded earnestly. "That's why we've sent an urgent dispatch to the city guild requesting additional hunters!"
"And when do you expect them to arrive?" Emberlyn asked, a rare edge creeping into her tone. "By the time they mobilize, the village might be nothing but ashes. I've seen the city's response time before, Lina. I don't trust their sense of urgency anymore."
"We understand that, Miss Emberlyn! But what alternatives do we have? Our humble town has only two S-class hunters!"
Emberlyn's jaw tightened, the only visible sign of the frustration simmering beneath her composed exterior. She couldn't reconcile herself to standing idle while innocent lives hung in the balance.
"DOOSH!"
The heavy guild doors burst open with theatrical force, followed by a booming voice that filled the cavernous hall.
"Good morning, everyone! Another glorious day for hunting, wouldn't you agree?"
Lucas Mitchell strode into the guild with the confidence of a man who believed the world was his stage. His azure cloak billowed dramatically behind him despite the absence of wind, and his smile gleamed as brightly as the polished silver of his ornate sword.
He was the second most powerful individual in the guild, behind only Emberlyn herself. Together, they were the only two hunters to hold the coveted S-class title in Eldervale.
Unlike Emberlyn, Lucas never traveled alone. He led a party of four A-class hunters who followed him now, their expressions ranging from amused tolerance to outright adoration of their charismatic leader.
As Lucas surveyed the guild hall, his eyes immediately locked onto Emberlyn's distinctive figure by the counter.
"Well, well! What a rare and delightful surprise," he exclaimed, making his way toward her with theatrical enthusiasm. "Emberlyn Scarlet graces us with her presence! The day just became infinitely more interesting."
Emberlyn's shoulders tensed almost imperceptibly. Lucas was the only person in Eldervale who knew about her relationship with Ethan, having discovered it by accident months ago. Since then, he had kept her secret, which she reluctantly appreciated—but his other qualities tested her patience severely.
Despite knowing of her committed relationship, Lucas had confessed his feelings for her multiple times. Each rejection seemed only to fuel his determination rather than diminish it. His persistent pursuit combined with his flamboyant arrogance made every encounter an exercise in restraint for Emberlyn.
Lucas's eyes fell upon the mission notice on the counter. Without invitation, he leaned over to read it.
"Hmmm, 'Killer Monster'!" he announced with intrigue, as if discovering buried treasure.
Emberlyn swiftly covered the paper, but it was too late.
"Isn't that the job that's claimed three hunter parties already?" Lucas asked, his tone suddenly serious, the showmanship momentarily suspended. "The basilisk of Eldervale Mountains?"
"This isn't your concern," Emberlyn stated flatly. "I'm handling it."
"Alone?" Lucas raised an eyebrow, feigned worry flashing across his features before being masked by his usual confidence. "Even you might find that challenging, Emberlyn."
"How about Miss Emberlyn and Mister Lucas work together?" Lina suggested hopefully. "With both our S-class hunters and Mister Lucas's team, surely—"
"Absolutely not," Emberlyn interrupted with finality. "I work alone. Always have."
Lucas studied her for a moment, his usual bravado giving way to something more calculated. "Emberlyn," he said, his voice uncharacteristically serious, "I know we have our differences, but this isn't about us. The reports say this basilisk grows stronger with each battle. Even A-class parties couldn't scratch it. What about the villagers at the mountain's base? Are your personal feelings toward me worth risking their lives?"
The words struck Emberlyn like a physical blow. She bit her lip, unable to formulate a retort because, despite her distrust of Lucas, she knew the villagers' safety was paramount. Her responsibility as an S-class hunter transcended personal preferences.
Lucas, sensing her wavering resolve, pressed his advantage. "Listen," he said, lowering his voice, "I'm not asking for friendship. I'm proposing a temporary alliance for one mission. My team is skilled, and together, we stand a better chance than either of us would alone."
Emberlyn sighed deeply, feeling the weight of her duty press down upon her. "Fine," she conceded reluctantly, the word almost painful to speak. "But understand this—we're colleagues, nothing more. This is for the villagers, not for you."
Lucas nodded solemnly, though a hint of his characteristic smile returned. "As you wish, Miss Scarlet."
The uneasy allies spent the next several hours strategizing, reviewing maps of the mountain terrain, and preparing their equipment. Emberlyn's natural leadership gradually took precedence, with even Lucas appearing to defer to her greater experience with solo missions.
By midday, they departed the guild, setting out toward the Eldervale Mountains with a sense of grim determination.
Lucas's party consisted of four A-class hunters, each with specialized skills: Vance, a tactical shield specialist whose defensive magic could create barriers capable of withstanding tremendous force; Mira, a precision archer whose arrows could be imbued with elemental effects; Kell, a master of healing magic who could mend wounds and counter debilitating status effects; and Darek, an illusion mage who specialized in deception tactics that could confuse even the most intelligent enemies.
They approached cautiously, moving through the dense forest that carpeted the lower slopes of the mountain range. Each step was measured, each sound minimized to avoid alerting their quarry prematurely.
"According to the survivor's report," Lucas murmured as they climbed a steep ridge, "the basilisk's lair is in a massive cave near the summit. We should reach it by nightfall."
Emberlyn nodded, her senses alert for any sign of danger. "What else did the survivor mention? Any weaknesses we can exploit?"
Vance, the shield bearer, spoke up from behind them. "He said the basilisk's scales are nearly impenetrable—like trying to cut through steel plate with a butter knife. But there might be a vulnerability beneath its neck where the scales are thinner."
"Then that's what we aim for," Emberlyn decided. "Lucas, your team will create diversions while I attempt to target the weak point. My flames burn hot enough to pierce those scales if I can concentrate the heat in one area."
As if summoned by her words, a distant hiss echoed through the mountains, causing birds to take flight in panic and small animals to scatter for cover.
"It knows we're here," Mira whispered, nocking an arrow to her bowstring.
"Good," Emberlyn replied, her eyes hardening with resolve. "Then we don't have to waste time searching."
They continued their ascent with greater urgency, the terrain becoming increasingly treacherous as they climbed. By late afternoon, they reached a plateau that offered their first view of the basilisk's lair—a massive cave entrance carved into the mountainside, its mouth wide enough to accommodate the creature's enormous bulk.
"Remember," Emberlyn cautioned as they prepared for the final approach, "according to the reports, this basilisk somehow grows stronger as the battle progresses. We need to strike decisively and end this quickly."
Lucas nodded, his professional focus betraying a hint of apprehension that only Emberlyn noticed. "My team will follow your lead, Emberlyn."
They advanced toward the cave entrance with weapons drawn. Emberlyn's hands began to glow with a soft amber light, flames dancing between her fingers as she channeled her innate power. With a swift motion, she drew the Pyroblade from its sheath at her waist—a legendary weapon that resonated with her flame abilities, amplifying and focusing her power into devastating attacks.
The interior of the cave was surprisingly warm, with an unnatural light emanating from deeper within. The team moved forward cautiously, their shadows stretching long and distorted against the rough stone walls.
The passage opened suddenly into an enormous chamber, its ceiling lost in darkness high above. Scattered across the floor were the charred and petrified remains of previous hunting parties—a grim testament to the danger that awaited them.
And there, coiled upon a mound of petrified victims and scattered treasures, lay their target.
The basilisk was massive beyond description—at least forty feet from snout to tail, its colossal serpentine body thicker than the trunk of an ancient oak. Its scales gleamed like obsidian armor in the dim light, with ominous emerald veins pulsing beneath the surface as if its very blood were liquid venom. Ancient eyes, burning with malevolent intelligence, fixed upon the intruders who dared to enter its domain.
"What in the—" breathed Darek, his illusion magic momentarily forgotten in the face of such primordial terror.