The morning air over Brisden carried the smell of rain-soaked cobblestone and fresh bread from the market. Kaito strolled through the streets with Elenya beside him, her bow slung over her shoulder — a little too big for her, but she held it with pride.
They stopped in front of the Adventurers' Guild, the large oak doors creaking open to reveal the bustle inside. Hunters, mages, and warriors of every shape and size filled the hall, boasting about bounties and bartering for equipment.
Kaito gave a low whistle. "Well, kiddo, looks like the whole dang kingdom came out to play today."
Elenya giggled, her bright eyes darting across the room. "There are so many people, Dad!"
He tipped his hat back. "Yep. And we're about to join the chaos."
---
At the counter, a young clerk with auburn hair and tired eyes greeted them. "Welcome back, Mister Mercer, Miss Elenya. What can I do for you today?"
Kaito leaned an elbow on the counter, scanning the quest board. "Somethin' small to start. Maybe a clean-up job, earn us a bit of coin. What's this one—'Goblin Encampment, Southern Ridge'? Sounds manageable."
The clerk's friendly smile faltered. "Ah… I wouldn't recommend that one for just the two of you. Goblins are weak, yes, but they swarm. Our scouts report unusual coordination lately — signs of a Goblin Sovereign."
Kaito raised a brow. "Goblin Sovereign? Sounds fancy for a green critter."
"It's… different," she said. "Not like the usual rabble. Tall as a man, controls mana, and can rally dozens of goblins with near-human tactics. Entire caravans have vanished in those woods."
Kaito whistled low. "Well, that's a helluva way to say 'proceed with caution.'"
The clerk folded her hands. "Please, find a proper party before accepting this. I'd rather not have to file another casualty report."
---
Before Kaito could respond, a clear, confident voice spoke from nearby.
"Then maybe you shouldn't go alone."
Kaito turned. An elf stood a few feet away — tall, elegant, and barely older than him, with silver-blonde hair tied back and eyes like polished jade. A faint glow of mana lingered around her fingertips, even when she wasn't casting.
"I'm Talia Veyne," she said with a slight smile. "Mage, specializing in elemental control. I overheard your conversation. If you're taking that quest, I'd like to come."
Before Kaito could answer, a deep, rumbling laugh shook the air. "Count me in too, lass."
A dwarf stepped forward, his braided beard streaked with iron-gray, and his hammer slung across his back. "Name's Darrun Blackforge. Been a while since I've smashed a goblin skull. Could use the exercise."
And then, almost shyly, a human girl stepped up from behind them. She looked about sixteen, with shoulder-length brown hair and soft hazel eyes that held a quiet determination. "I'm Marin Alcott. A healer. If you're forming a team, you'll need someone to keep you all alive."
Kaito blinked, then chuckled. "Well, ain't that somethin'. Ask for one quest, and I get a whole lineup."
Elenya grinned up at him. "Can we, Dad? Please?"
He sighed, scratching his neck. "Alright, alright. But if this turns sideways, I'm blamin' y'all."
Talia smirked. "I'll take that risk."
---
The group departed the next morning, the forest thick with mist and birdsong. The deeper they went, the quieter it became. Signs of goblin activity littered the trail — crude traps, half-eaten carcasses, and claw marks on the trees.
"Stay sharp," Kaito muttered. "They're close."
Elenya crouched low, drawing her bow. She had practiced for weeks, and now she moved with surprising discipline — calm breaths, steady hands.
When the ambush came, it was fast. Dozens of goblins burst from the underbrush, shrieking, blades flashing.
"Hold the line!" Kaito shouted, drawing his sword.
Darrun roared and slammed his hammer into the ground, shattering a wave of them with a shock of earth. Talia's spells blazed — fire and wind cutting through their ranks with precision. Marin's healing light swept across the battlefield, patching wounds before they could slow anyone down.
Elenya's arrows sang through the trees — one after another, clean and true.
"Nice shootin', kid!" Kaito called out, cutting down another.
When the last goblin fell, silence hung heavy. The forest reeked of iron and smoke. In the clearing ahead, they found the Goblin Sovereign's banner — but not the creature itself.
"Looks like he cleared out before we got here," Talia said, wiping her blade. "We'll have to report that."
Kaito sheathed his sword and nodded. "Yeah, but we handled ourselves pretty damn well, all things considered."
---
That night, they made camp under the stars. The fire crackled between them, the warmth of victory softening the air.
Talia stirred the pot of stew and spoke first. "We worked well together. I think we should make it official."
Kaito raised a brow. "Official?"
"A registered party," she said with a faint smile. "We could take higher-ranked quests, split rewards, and—"
"—argue over who's leader?" Kaito interrupted.
"Exactly," she replied, amused. "And I vote for you."
"Seconded!" Marin chirped.
"Aye, thirded," Darrun added with a grin.
Elenya raised her hand proudly. "Me too! Dad's the best!"
Kaito stared around the circle, deadpan. "I didn't even get a say, huh?"
Talia smiled, tilting her head. "Welcome to democracy."
He sighed. "Fine. But I'm namin' the party, since y'all railroaded me into this."
They leaned in curiously as he poked the fire with a stick. "We'll call it… Elysium. Sounds peaceful. Maybe someday, it'll be just that."
---
By the time they made it back to Brisden, the guild was closing for the night. After turning in the quest and collecting their reward, Kaito booked rooms at a new inn nearby.
Everyone went to their own — except for one small elf girl, who refused to let go of his arm.
"Elenya," Kaito sighed, trying not to smile, "you got your own room for a reason."
"I don't like being alone," she said softly. "Please, Dad?"
He relented with a chuckle. "Alright, fine. But no jumpin' on the beds this time."
"I make no promises," she said, grinning.
He smiled tiredly, glancing down the hall where Talia, Darrun, and Marin disappeared into their rooms. For the first time since arriving in this world, he didn't feel like an outsider.
He locked the door, set his hat on the nightstand, and murmured to himself,
"Guess I've got myself a team now."
---