The road home smelled of cooled ash and smoke.
The horizon no longer glowed red; the volcano slept again.
By the time the four hunters reached the outskirts of Korvan Village, dusk had begun to fall. The air was cooler here — cleaner, filled with the faint sound of hammers and distant chatter. When the villagers saw them emerge from the western ridge, coated in soot and half-burned armor, they froze in disbelief.
Then the shouts came.
"They're alive!"
"Hunters! They made it back!"
Dozens of people rushed forward. Maerin pushed through the crowd, her cloak sweeping the dust. The chief's expression flickered between relief and scolding anger.
"I thought you four were dead!" she burst out, voice cracking. "You were gone for two days — what in the gods' name happened out there?"
Kael stepped forward first, his light bowgun slung loosely across his shoulder. "The Vulcarion Basal won't be troubling anyone anymore," he said, voice level.
The moment the words sank in, the square erupted.
Cheers exploded from every corner — laughter, crying, clapping hands on shoulders. Children ran between them, shouting "The mountain's dead!" while others hugged their families. The whole village trembled with the release of fear they'd been holding for weeks.
Maerin stood still for a heartbeat, processing the words. Her hand lifted slowly to her mouth. "You… you killed it?"
Seren smiled faintly despite the exhaustion pulling at her body. "Yes, Chief. It's over."
Maerin's eyes glistened as she reached out, placing both hands on Seren's shoulders. "Are you hurt?"
"Just tired," Seren said softly, smiling wider. "But alive."
The older woman blinked away moisture in her eyes, whispering, "Your father would've been proud, girl."
---
That evening, the four hunters sat inside the longhouse. The air was thick with the smell of stew and woodsmoke, the walls lined with weapons and old trophies. Villagers crowded outside, still celebrating; but here, things were quiet.
Maerin sat across from them, her face serious now. "The Guild will hear of this," she said. "And they'll come asking. A monster like Vulcarion Basal… they'll want names, details — especially who dealt the killing blow."
Hunnt sat in silence for a moment, then spoke evenly. "Tell them four hunters slayed it. One died in battle. The other three — Kael, Alder, and Seren — struck the final blow together."
Seren blinked, confused. "Wait, what? No one died."
Alder frowned. "Hunnt, what are you—?"
Kael stayed quiet, watching Hunnt closely, already understanding where this was going.
Maerin narrowed her eyes. "You're excluding yourself?"
Hunnt nodded. "It's safer that way."
Seren's voice rose, incredulous. "Safer? For who? You were there, Hunnt! You fought harder than any of us — you killed those lesser monsters alone!"
Kael finally spoke, his tone calm but cutting. "Seren. Think carefully." He leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "What was Hunnt using during that fight? The techniques we all used — the movements that no Guild hunter should even know exist. You saw it."
Seren's mouth opened, then closed. Her memory flickered — the blur of movement, the way Hunnt vanished, the way his fists turned black as iron. None of it looked human.
Kael continued, quieter now. "If the Guild finds out about him… about how he fights, they'll never leave him alone. They'll spy, question, control — maybe even erase him. They'll call it research."
Seren went silent.
Alder exhaled heavily, nodding in grim agreement. "He's right. I've seen how the Guild treats power they don't understand. The Four N's — 'No Quest, No Reward, No Recognition, No Volunteers.' They'd bury his name before they ever let him live free."
Hunnt simply said, "Exactly."
Maerin looked between them, her expression unreadable. Then she sighed, the edge of command softening into respect. "Very well. The official report will list three hunters. You'll have your recognition."
Hunnt gave a faint, grateful nod. "And I'll have my peace."
---
Later that night, when the village had gone quiet and the celebrations faded to murmurs, Kael stood outside beneath the lanterns. The moonlight gleamed on the brim of his hat as he looked toward the sleeping forge.
"Seren," he called quietly.
The young lancer stepped out from the shadows of the longhouse, her armor cleaned but still scratched. "You wanted to see me?"
Kael nodded, motioning for her to walk with him. They moved past the forge, into the quiet edge of the woods where fireflies hovered between the trees.
"I wanted to speak about your trials," Kael said at last.
Seren blinked. "Trials?"
Kael's eyes softened. "Three of them. You already passed them without knowing."
He stopped beside a fallen log and faced her. "First — loyalty and selflessness in the field. You helped strangers without expecting anything back. Second — fighting not for glory, or gold, but to defend others. You risked your life when no one would have blamed you for running."
Seren's breath caught. "And the third?"
Kael smiled faintly. "The willingness to die for the sake of others. You showed that when you stood before Vulcarion Basal, knowing it could crush you — and you did it anyway."
She looked down, realizing what he meant. "That was a trial?"
Kael nodded slowly. "Not of my making. The Path reveals itself through action."
He reached into his coat and pulled out a small metal insignia — black with a faint triangle and clenched fist etched within. The Eternal Mark. It gleamed under the moonlight.
"This is the mark of the Eternal Wanderer," he said. "A path for those who fight for others when the world looks away. If you accept it, you walk it for life."
Seren hesitated, staring at the symbol — then at Kael. "You mean… me?"
Kael smiled. "You've already proven yourself, Drifter."
She took a deep breath, then reached out and pressed her palm over the insignia. "Then I accept."
Kael handed her the mark and nodded solemnly. "Then say the words."
Seren closed her eyes and whispered the Drifter's Oath:
> "I walk the path unseen.
I fight not for glory, nor for gold, but for those who cannot fight for themselves.
I stand with the Eternal Wanderer — silent, steadfast, unbroken.
The world is wide, the hunt endless, yet my resolve knows no master.
In shadow I move, in light I protect.
I am a Drifter."
The night wind stirred as if carrying her words away.
Kael smiled faintly, pride hidden behind his calm tone. "Welcome to the Eternal Wanderer, Seren of Korvan."
She exhaled, smiling through the quiet awe in her voice. "A Drifter…"
Kael turned toward the village lights below. "Rest now. Tomorrow, the Path begins again."