The morning sun had just begun to climb above the trees as Yoshiya and Omina adjusted the straps on their saddlebags, the two boars trotting obediently beside them. The air was crisp, filled with the scent of pine and earth, as the adventurer column of Orleaf prepared to march north toward Korvath. About forty strong, the group was a mix of ranks, ages, and temperaments, each adventurer eager to prove themselves.
The early hours brought a surprising lightness to the march. Yoshiya glanced at Omina as she smirked at a young recruit who had stumbled over the exaggeratedly heavy pack strapped to his back. "You'd think the guild was paying him in stones instead of silver," she quipped. Yoshiya chuckled, shaking his head. "And yet he'll survive just fine. Or at least, I hope he does."
Nearby, a beast tamer's wolf barked furiously at a passing flock of birds, prompting another recruit to holler, "Quiet, you overgrown furball!" The wolf ignored him entirely. "I swear these animals have better discipline than some of our recruits," Omina muttered, earning a dry laugh from Yoshiya.
They passed a few merchants hauling carts of goods through the forest path, shouting about fruits, dried meats, and oddly shaped trinkets. One merchant nearly toppled over his own cart when a mule sneezed, sending Yoshiya and Omina exchanging an amused glance. "Marching to war through a circus," Yoshiya muttered, "how comforting."
As the morning wore on, familiar faces emerged along the road. Kenji Katsuragi strode ahead, his grin broad and unmistakable. Yoshiya waved, and Kenji's face lit up. "Yoshiya! Omina! Thought I'd finally see you outside of Orleaf's training yard!"
Omina offered a small nod. "You seem more confident than last we met," she remarked, noting his poised gait.
"I'm ready to be a hero!" Kenji declared with unbridled enthusiasm, drawing a few chuckles from the adventurers nearby. He introduced his companions as the group merged with Yoshiya and Omina: Kuroba Rykeri, a male dual-dagger user in black-gray armor with a glint of mischief in his eyes; Hanah Kyouka, a calm female healer in flowing white robes clutching her blue staff; and Ryuji Rei, a quiet black mage in crimson robes, small black wand in hand, her gaze calculating and intense.
"These three are all Rank 3 adventurers," Kenji added proudly, "and they're ready to save the day—or at least not die trying."
In the distance, near the vanguard, Yoshiya spotted Seikaku Enteki, the Rank 5 sniper they had heard so much about. His presence drew quiet whispers from several nearby adventurers, admiration clear in their expressions. Kenji noticed Yoshiya's gaze lingering. "One day," he said with a grin, "I'll be as strong as Seikaku. Just watch."
Yoshiya smirked faintly. "Aim for survival first," he replied under his breath, glancing toward the distant figure.
By midday, the column had only covered half the distance toward Korvath when the forest path ahead grew unnaturally quiet. Yoshiya's instincts pricked. Scouts signaled with tense gestures, and a murmur spread through the group. Then, from the dense foliage, a Goblin army emerged, led by a snarling Goblin Chieftain and flanked by at least ten imposing Hobgoblins. The creatures had clearly been waiting.
The adventurers' morale spiked instantly, tension lacing the air. Omina unsheathed her sword, the sunlight glinting off its edge, while Yoshiya adjusted his gloves, gripping the hilt of his staff tightly. Beside them, the boars bristled, ears twitching at the sudden commotion.
Kenji barked orders to his companions, positioning them strategically as the goblins advanced. Kuroba's dual daggers flashed, Hanah's staff radiated a faint blue light, and Ryuji began chanting under her breath, weaving a minor spell to soften the first wave of attackers.
The first skirmish was swift, brutal, and chaotic. Goblins lunged and scrambled with surprising coordination, but the adventurers' combined skills allowed them to hold the line. Omina's strikes were precise, each swing cleaving a path through multiple goblins, while Yoshiya used his staff to parry and disrupt their movements, relying on timing and strategy rather than brute force.
A Hobgoblin leapt toward Omina, but with a swift sidestep and a blade flick, she neutralized it midair. Yoshiya blocked a Goblin Chieftain's spear, feeling the force reverberate through his arms. "Careful!" he called, though Omina had already spun away, slicing down another attacker.
Despite the intensity, brief flashes of humor broke through. A goblin attempted to flee, only to trip over the tail of one of the boars, rolling into a mud puddle with a squeal that earned an amused grunt from Omina. Yoshiya shook his head, trying not to laugh while maintaining focus.
Minutes later, the goblin army began to falter under the adventurers' relentless pressure. Yoshiya and Omina worked seamlessly, anticipating each other's movements. Their combined experience, the boars' surprising agility, and the clever coordination of Kenji's team gradually pushed the goblins into retreat.
By the time the last goblin fell, the adventurers were breathing heavily, but victorious. Omina wiped sweat from her brow and let out a low whistle. "That's… satisfying," she admitted. Yoshiya only nodded, scanning the treeline for any remaining threats.
Up ahead, scouts reported something more troubling. Beyond the clearing, the outline of a massive kobold camp loomed, smoke rising from several tents. The sheer scale suggested this was no ordinary band—it could be a staging ground for an even larger force.
Yoshiya and Omina exchanged glances, knowing that the fight ahead would be far more dangerous. The adventurers rallied, weapons ready, hearts steeling for what awaited.
The march continued, but now the sense of urgency was palpable. Each step carried them closer to Korvath—and the growing shadow of war.