POV: Yoshiya / Omina
The forest path to Orleaf stretched quietly before us, bathed in the late afternoon sun. Leaves whispered in the wind, carrying the scent of pine and distant smoke. For once, there were no monsters, no sudden ambushes — only the rhythmic sound of our footsteps and the soft grunt of the boars walking beside us.
But even in the calm, my mind wasn't still. The image of that massive kobold camp lingered — tents arranged in formation, patrol routes woven with precision. It wasn't just a gathering. It was a military encampment.
Omina walked ahead, fingers brushing the hilt of her sword. "We should report this as soon as we get back," she said without looking back.
"Yeah," I replied. "This isn't just another nest. If the guild doesn't act fast, Korvath's northern path could fall."
Our pace quickened.
---
By the time we reached Orleaf, the sun hung low, painting the town's stone walls in warm amber light. We went straight to Brenn's workshop, where the rhythmic clang of hammer on metal welcomed us like an old heartbeat.
Brenn looked up from his forge as we entered, a grin spreading beneath his thick beard. "Perfect timing. I've just finished something special for you."
He gestured toward a stand near the wall, where Omina's new armor gleamed — dark taurox hide reinforced with layered plates, accented with subtle engravings that resembled bull horns. It looked light but sturdy, built for mobility without sacrificing defense.
Omina's eyes widened. "This… is incredible," she breathed.
"Try it on," Brenn urged, folding his arms.
She did. The armor fit flawlessly, as if it had been forged around her body itself. Brenn circled her, nodding with satisfaction. "Exactly as I pictured. That hide's got a spirit of its own. Strong and stubborn."
He stepped back and smirked. "It comes with a little bonus, too. Bull's Strength — the armor's enchanted to boost your physical strikes. You'll feel it once the battle starts."
Omina punched the air experimentally. "I can already tell," she said with a small grin.
Brenn then rummaged through a chest near the forge. "I've got a bit of taurox hide left. Enough for a pair of boots each — light, sturdy, good for travel. I'll have them ready by tomorrow if you want them."
Omina glanced at me. I nodded without hesitation. "Do it."
"Four silver," Brenn said.
I handed over the coins. Brenn tucked them away and gave a curt nod. "Good. Come back tomorrow afternoon, they'll be waiting."
---
After leaving the workshop, we made our way to the guild outpost. As soon as we pushed open the doors, we were met with a wall of noise. Adventurers crowded around mission boards, reception desks, and tables. The usual relaxed atmosphere was gone, replaced by tense urgency.
Groups whispered over hastily drawn maps. Messengers ran between offices. Even the seasoned veterans had their gear ready, blades sharpened, expressions grim.
We approached the counter where a new receptionist, a sharp-eyed woman with tied-back hair, was handling a long line with efficiency that bordered on military precision. Her nameplate read Naomi Junjo.
When our turn came, Naomi gave a polite but hurried smile. "Welcome back. Are you here to report, or to register?"
"Both," I said. "We scouted west of Korvath earlier today. Found a kobold camp. Big one."
Her hands froze mid-writing. "How big?"
Omina leaned forward slightly. "Bigger than anything we've seen so far. It wasn't a ragtag group — they had patrols, barricades, organized movement. There's something going on there."
Naomi's expression hardened. "I'll make sure the guildmaster sees this immediately." She pulled out a blank form and began writing quickly, asking for our coordinates and every detail. We described the camp layout, the estimated number of kobolds, the symbols we saw carved into trees and tents — signs of coordination that went beyond normal tribal behavior.
She nodded sharply once finished. "Thank you. This is valuable information. It lines up with the scout reports we received earlier today."
Omina tilted her head. "Scout reports?"
Naomi lowered her voice. "An army of kobolds has been sighted in northern Korvath. There are signs… of a Kobold King."
The words sent a chill through the air. Even the nearby adventurers turned their heads.
"The guild is organizing a mass raid," Naomi continued. "We're calling every available adventurer to assemble before nightfall tomorrow. We'll brief everyone on-site. If you're willing to participate, sign here."
She slid a parchment toward us.
For a heartbeat, neither of us spoke. The weight of what she'd said pressed down hard. A Kobold King wasn't just another boss. It meant war.
Then Omina took the quill and signed her name without hesitation. I followed.
Naomi gave a short, firm nod. "Be ready. The north will need every sword it can get."
---
We stepped out of the guild as the sky deepened into twilight. The town's lamps flickered to life, their soft glow casting long shadows across the streets. For a moment, neither of us spoke. The air carried a quiet heaviness — the calm before a storm.
"This is it," I murmured.
Omina's hand tightened on her new armor's strap. "Yeah. This won't be like anything we've faced before."
> The coming battle would be unlike any quest we'd taken before… and deep down, we both knew — this was only the beginning.