The morning sun had just greeted Pixa City when Party Noiver stepped into the adventurer's guild building. Without wasting time sorting through trivial missions, they went straight to the request board and snatched a Rank C mission scroll, an escort mission.
Their task this time was quite specific: to escort a large merchant group heading to Verna City. That city was the center of commerce and activity in the Amsavedra region, a prosperous territory ruled by an influential noble, Duke Hectorize Daviz Amsavedra.
After the administrative matters were settled, they immediately moved toward the meeting point in the open area near the east gate of Pixa City.
There, the bustle of preparation for departure was already palpable. Apparently, they weren't the only ones hired. Two other adventurer parties had also taken the same escort contract: Party Howl and Party Hubert.
Party Howl was led by Frank, a burly man built like a bear who carried a massive shield on his back. A true tank.
Meanwhile, Party Hubert had a more unique formation with six members. They were led by Hellena, a graceful female healer with long brown hair.
The name "Hubert" itself was taken from the initials of its six members: Hellena the leader, Usra the massive tank, Billy the scout who looked about Keyzier's age and wielded a dagger, Erma the short-haired tomboy mage, Rush the dual-sword user, and Triaz the archer who was also skilled in arrow magic.
When Party Howl and Party Hubert saw the arrival of the Noiver trio, the expressions on their faces instantly brightened. The tension regarding the long journey ahead evaporated in seconds. There wasn't an adventurer who didn't know Party Noiver.
Ever since the rank advancement test some time ago, their reputation as a "Rank C Party with monster-like strength" had been a hot topic within the guild. This was especially true after Keyzier caused a frenzy in the guild using his ice magic and unleashing his killing aura.
"Wow, we're safe now." Frank whispered to his teammate. "Being escorted by those three feels like bringing a walking fortress along."
However, that awe was soon mixed with confusion as one of the members of Party Hubert noticed the appearance of Keyzier, Donovan, and Novalia. They looked too relaxed, carrying no significant burdens.
"So... where are your weapons and equipment?" asked Billy, perplexed. "You guys didn't bring any supply bags?"
Keyzier smiled broadly, answering in a casual tone as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Oh, my stuff is inside my storage dimension. As for those two, their things are inside those magic bags!" He pointed to the small waist pouches hanging from Donovan and Novalia's belts.
The eyes of the Party Hubert and Party Howl members went wide. Magic bags were luxury items with sky-high prices.
"So, both of them use magic bags? That must be nice..." muttered Erma, the tomboy mage, with a tone of envy.
Keyzier furrowed his brow, confused by their exaggerated reaction. Innocently, he asked, "Wait, you guys don't have magic bags? Even though in my village, people who can't use inventory magic are required to own a magic bag, you know! It's already a basic standard there!"
Silence...
The atmosphere at the east gate suddenly turned dead silent. Everyone stared at Keyzier with their mouths slightly agape. For ordinary adventurers, a magic bag was a lifelong dream, but for this young man, it was a mandatory 'basic standard'.
"Key..." Donovan massaged his temples, his voice sounding tired and frustrated. "I am asking you, please, never compare our village with people outside of our village ever again!"
"Huh? Why is that, Novan?" Keyzier asked innocently.
"You're actually asking why?!" Donovan's voice rose, his patience running thin. "It is already clear that our village is weird! It is not normal for people who aren't from our place! Just this once you speak like that. And don't you ever say it again! NE-VER!"
Keyzier pouted, his lips protruding like a child being scolded by his mother. "Fine, fine, I won't talk like that again! But do you always have to spell it out like that? Hey Novan, I'm not a little kid!"
"Ever since we were kids, you've always been the type of person who needs to be told how to spell something in order to understand it!" Donovan retorted flatly and sharply.
"Novaaaaannnnn.....!!!!"
Laughter broke out among the merchant group and the adventurers. Their silly behavior momentarily made everyone forget that they were the strongest Rank S party.
The members of Party Howl and Hubert could only shake their heads while laughing, growing even more curious about what the village of these "monsters" looked like to have such insane standards of living.
Of course, they didn't know one thing. Keyzier and Donovan were still holding onto a major secret regarding Novalia. To the public, the three of them were friends from the same village. But in reality, Novalia's background was far more complicated.
Only Wilson, the Mayor of Pixa, knew the truth, and Donovan had already asked the mayor to keep the secret for Novalia's safety.
"Everyone, climb into the wagons! We are leaving now!"
The shout from the merchant leader cut off their chatter. The wooden wheels began to turn, leaving Pixa's gate and heading toward the path that cut through the forest.
The journey was smooth at first. However, as the sky began to dim approaching late afternoon, the weather changed drastically. Black clouds rolled in thick, followed by rain that poured as if dumped from the sky. The dirt road turned into thick mud, making it difficult for the draft horses to take a step.
"We stop here! It's too dangerous to force the horses in this mud!" ordered the caravan leader.
The adventurers worked quickly to pitch tents for shelter and rest until the next day. The rain fell even harder, creating a curtain of water that limited visibility.
Amidst the roar of the rain that afternoon, Billy from Party Hubert, acting as the scout, was straining to see through the mist. However, long before Billy's senses caught anything, Keyzier was already standing tall. His eyes stared sharply at a single point in the darkness of the forest.
"Someone is coming!" Keyzier murmured calmly, yet his voice was clearly heard by his teammates.
Hearing his words, the members of Party Howl and Hubert immediately entered combat readiness. Frank raised his massive shield, while the others drew their weapons. Unlike them, Party Noiver remained calm, but their aura of vigilance was far sharper and more focused.
From behind the heavy curtain of rain, a figure walked limpingly toward the campsite. The steps were heavy, dragging through the mud.
As the distance closed within the cast of the campfire light, a faint voice was heard, barely audible, nearly swallowed by the sound of the storm.
"Help... me..."
Suddenly, the figure lost balance and collapsed.
However, the body never touched the muddy ground.
Whoosh!
A high-speed shadow flashed through the rain. The speed was so great that Billy and Frank only saw a blurred streak.
That blurred streak was Keyzier.
With extraordinary reflexes, Keyzier had already caught the figure's body right before the face slammed into the puddle. He turned the body over carefully.
The other adventurers rushed over, but their steps halted in shock when they saw who was in Keyzier's arms.
A female Elf.
Her green hair looked matted and mixed with mud, and her entire body was covered in horrifying slash wounds. Fresh blood continued to seep out, washing away with the flow of rainwater.
Everyone held their breath. The Elf race was incredibly rare, both in the Kingdom of Altoria and Fellims. Their figures almost never appeared to the public, making their existence feel like a myth. Many nobles were willing to pay astronomical prices just to see one or to own one.
Seeing the critical condition, Keyzier raced against time. Under the pouring rain, he immediately placed his palm on the Elf's chest.
Instantly, a golden-green light radiated brightly from Keyzier's hand.
Hellena, the healer from Party Hubert who had just arrived beside them, froze instantly. Her mouth was shut tight, her eyes wide with disbelief.
She watched as the gaping wounds on the Elf's body knit together and closed with unreasonable speed. Torn flesh reunited, and pale skin slowly regained its color.
Without a magic staff? Without chanting a spell?
Witnessing high-level healing magic performed instantly, Hellena, who had spent her life studying the art of healing, felt dwarfed. She could only stand stiffly, amazed yet feeling inferior seeing a young swordsman and magic user perform a healing technique that far surpassed her own abilities.
I had heard the rumors after the rank advancement test. Hellena thought. But seeing it with my own eyes... my healing magic is nothing compared to his.
After the Elf's breathing sounded regular, the light in Keyzier's hand dimmed. He lifted the Elf's light body with ease, then looked at his teammates.
"Help me prepare a place!" Keyzier ordered briefly as he stepped toward the tents. "We will interrogate her once she wakes up."