The day was nearing its end, and the heavy storm clouds overhead continued to rumble ominously. Rain had not yet started to fall again, but it was clear that they didn't have long before the skies opened up. The trio, having just taken the new contract from the guild, hurriedly left the warm comfort of the Adventurer’s Guild and began making their way south toward the village where the night beasts had been wreaking havoc.

"Night beasts sound cool!" Kalsei chimed, his voice cutting through the gloom of the late afternoon. "I mean, they’re beasts, and they come out at night. Can’t get more straightforward than that."

Steph, walking just behind him, gave a soft sigh. "I don’t know what you’re so excited about. We’re literally walking toward the thing everyone else is running away from."

Kalsei turned to walk backward, giving Steph a cheeky grin. "Well, that’s the adventurer’s way, isn’t it? We’re the ones who run toward the danger, save the day, and get paid for it. Plus, if we’re lucky, we might find something shiny or fun out there."

Steph raised an eyebrow. "I’m not holding my breath."

Seikan, walking with his usual calm demeanor, added, "The night beasts are likely to be more dangerous than goblins, even if they are our rank. The villagers wouldn’t have requested help if they could handle the problem themselves."

Kalsei spun back around, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Yeah, yeah. I know. It’s just... I don’t know, I like fighting. It’s like playing tag but with monsters."

Steph rolled her eyes, though there was a faint smile on her lips. "Only you could turn fighting into a game."

The trio pressed on as the capital’s towering gates disappeared behind them, the rolling hills and dense forests of Velcyne spreading out before them. The rain started up again soon after, light at first, then heavier, forcing them to pull their hoods tighter against the wind and moisture.

As they trekked through the muddy path, Kalsei’s golden eyes flicked over to Steph, curiosity piqued. "So, Steph, you said your old party didn’t make adventuring look fun. What happened?"

Steph glanced at him, her expression still unreadable beneath her wet hair. "They weren’t as fun as you two, that’s for sure. Mostly they just bickered, made bad decisions, and got themselves into trouble. I spent more time keeping them alive than actually adventuring."

Kalsei smirked, though his tone softened. "Sounds rough. I promise we’ll try not to make your life too difficult."

Steph shrugged. "You’re already a pain, but at least it’s interesting this time."

Seikan’s sharp gaze cut through the conversation as he led them deeper into the forest. "Focus. We’re getting close."

The wind picked up again, howling through the trees and sending a shiver down all of their spines. The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a murky twilight across the forest. The rain fell in heavy drops, creating a symphony of pattering as it hit the leaves above them. It was dark, and visibility was poor—prime conditions for a night beast ambush.

Suddenly, a system window appeared before them, glowing faintly in the darkness:

Night Beasts Detected Level: 6 Health: 800 each

Abilities:

Shadow Leap (Lvl 3): Teleports through the shadows to strike from unexpected angles.

Corrupting Howl (Lvl 2): Releases a disorienting screech that drains morale and causes minor confusion.

Feral Rend (Lvl 4): A savage strike that causes heavy bleeding damage over time.

Kalsei grinned, gripping the Shattering Blade tightly. "Looks like we’ve got company!"

Just as he spoke, a low growl echoed through the trees, followed by the faint rustling of leaves. The first night beast emerged from the shadows, its black fur slick with rain, its glowing red eyes locked onto them with a predatory hunger. It was massive, twice the size of an ordinary wolf, with sharp fangs glistening in the dim light.

Two more night beasts emerged from the darkness, circling the group with calculated movements. Their bodies seemed to flicker in and out of the shadows as they moved, making it difficult to track their positions.

Kalsei’s grin widened. "Alright, time to play tag!"

He darted forward with incredible speed, his high agility allowing him to close the distance between him and the nearest night beast in an instant. With a quick flick of his wrist, he activated Blink Strike, teleporting behind the creature and delivering a powerful slash with the Shattering Blade. The sword connected with a satisfying thud, sending a shockwave through the beast’s body.

But the night beast wasn’t down. It howled in pain, then vanished into the shadows, reappearing just behind Kalsei with a feral snarl.

"Kalsei, behind you!" Steph called out, her voice tense but steady.

Kalsei ducked just in time, the beast’s claws swiping through the air where his head had been only moments before. He rolled to the side, activating Reality Blink to momentarily distort the space around him, disorienting the night beast and giving him a chance to regroup.

Seikan, standing at the edge of the clearing, was already tracing runes in the air with swift precision. His fingers glowed with dark energy as he activated Shadow Infusion, sending tendrils of shadow snaking across the ground to bind one of the other night beasts. The dark tendrils coiled around its legs, immobilizing it and sapping its strength.

The third night beast lunged at Seikan, its massive jaws open wide, but before it could reach him, Steph stepped forward, her staff glowing with a faint green light. She cast Void Shield, creating a shimmering barrier of dark energy that absorbed the impact of the beast’s attack.

"Stop showing off," Steph muttered dryly, though there was a flicker of pride in her voice.

Kalsei, now fully back on his feet, charged forward again, activating Rift Strike and sending a pulse of distorted energy toward the night beast still circling him. The shockwave knocked the creature off balance, giving him the opening he needed. He lunged forward, delivering a swift, fatal strike to its throat.

The beast collapsed with a final growl, its body dissolving into dark mist.

Night Beast defeated! 800 experience points earned

Meanwhile, Seikan’s tendrils continued to tighten around the second night beast, draining its energy. He activated Rune of Decay, causing dark energy to spread across the ground beneath the beast, sapping its strength even further. The creature howled in agony as its body began to wither, its fur falling away in patches.

Steph, watching from the sidelines, raised her staff again, casting Revitalizing Aura to heal any minor injuries her companions might have sustained during the fight. Her dark eyes flicked toward Seikan, who was still fully focused on finishing off the night beast in his grasp.

"Don’t overdo it, Seikan," she muttered, though her voice lacked its usual sarcasm.

Seikan didn’t respond, his gaze cold and calculated as he delivered the final blow. With a flick of his wrist, the night beast’s body crumbled to dust, the system window flashing before them:

Night Beast defeated! 800 experience points earned

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The last remaining night beast snarled, its red eyes blazing with fury as it circled Steph, its massive claws scraping against the wet earth. Steph stood her ground, her staff raised, ready for the beast to strike.

But before it could make its move, Kalsei darted forward, his high agility allowing him to close the distance in an instant. He activated Blink Strike again, teleporting behind the beast and delivering a powerful slash to its hind legs. The creature let out a pained howl, collapsing to the ground as its legs gave out.

Seikan moved in quickly, activating Adaptive Shackles to bind the beast in place. Dark chains erupted from the ground, wrapping around the creature’s body and holding it down.

Kalsei delivered the finishing blow, his blade slicing cleanly through the beast’s throat. The night beast let out one final whimper before dissolving into mist.

Night Beast defeated! 800 experiene points earned

The trio stood in the clearing, breathing heavily as the system window flashed before them:

Night Beasts defeated! 2400 experience points earned

Item Drop: Night Beast Claws (Monster Material)

Item Drop: Shadow Fang (Weapon - Dagger)

Kalsei sheathed his sword with a satisfied grin, glancing at the system window. "Not bad, not bad at all."

Steph rolled her eyes but didn’t argue. "I’m just glad that’s over. These things give me the creeps."

Seikan carefully examined the items they had collected. "These claws will fetch a decent price back in the capital. And this dagger might come in handy for future encounters." He handed the Shadow Fang dagger to Steph, who accepted it with a faint nod.

"Thanks," she muttered, inspecting the weapon with mild interest. "At least it’s not another useless cloak."

Shadow Fang Dagger

Type: Weapon (Dagger)

Class: Uncommon

Effect: Grants +5 Agility and +3 Intelligence.

Has a 10% chance to apply "Shadow Poison" on hit, dealing continuous damage over time to the target for 10 seconds. Shadow Poison can stack up to 3 times. Additionally, the dagger can grant the weilder the spell 'Shadow Fang', casting a dark bolt of energy at a single target.

The rain had finally begun to ease as they made their way back toward the capital, the storm clouds still lingering overhead but no longer as threatening. Kalsei, as usual, led the way, his golden eyes gleaming with excitement despite the day’s exhausting events.

"So, what’s next?" Kalsei asked, glancing back at Seikan and Steph with his usual grin. "We've handled the night beasts. Are we going to take on more contracts?"

Steph let out a small groan, rolling her eyes as she adjusted the hood of her cloak. "I vote for relaxing. We’ve been running around in this rain for hours. I’m soaked, and my hair is a mess."

Kalsei chuckled, bouncing on his heels. "Aw, come on, Steph! What’s a little rain? It’s refreshing! Besides, we’re adventurers. We can’t just relax while there’s more stuff to be done."

Seikan shook his head, his eyes remaining on the path they were walking. "Kalsei’s right. While we did complete the contract, the night beasts may not have been the only threat in the area. We should stay vigilant until we return to the guild and confirm everything."

Steph gave Seikan a look of mild exasperation. "You two are relentless."

Kalsei flashed her a mischievous grin, twirling the Shattering Blade in his hand as he turned to walk backward. "Hey, you chose to stick with us! No backing out now, Steph. We’re in this together."

Steph sighed but didn’t argue. "Yeah, yeah. Let’s just head back and get this over with."

As they continued along the path, the rain continued to fall lightly, the once-heavy downpour now reduced to a drizzle. The air was cool and refreshing, though the sky remained overcast, casting a grayish hue over the landscape. The trio walked in relative silence for a time, the only sounds being the soft patter of rain and the squelch of their boots in the mud.

After a few minutes, Steph spoke up again, her voice softer this time. "So... do you guys ever wonder how long we’ll be stuck here? In Velcyne, I mean?"

Kalsei slowed his pace, his usual cheerful expression faltering for a moment. "Hmm... I’ve thought about it, yeah. I mean, I don’t mind it here. It’s kind of fun, in a way. But I do wonder sometimes—will we ever get back? Or is this just... our new life? Not that I mind, though. The only thing I had on earth was Seikan and he is here with me."

Seikan remained silent for a few seconds, his eyes staying fixed on the path ahead. When he finally spoke, his voice was calm and measured. "There’s no point in dwelling on the past. What matters is that we survive in the present. Whether we return to our world or not, we have to focus on adapting to this one."

Steph glanced between them, her dark eyes reflecting a hint of uncertainty. "I guess... but still. It’s hard not to think about what we left behind. Family, friends... normal life."

Kalsei quickly regained his usual grin. "Hey, we’re adventurers now! That’s gotta be worth something, right? We get to fight monsters, go on quests, and explore new places. It’s like living in an anime or a video game!"

Steph raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, but without the save points. And when you die, you’re dead."

Kalsei laughed, shrugging. "Minor details."

Seikan spoke up again. "We’ll find answers eventually. For now, we need to keep moving forward. There’s still a lot we don’t know about this world."

The sky began to darken once more as they drew closer to the capital, signaling that the storm might return in full force. They quickened their pace, eager to reach the city before the rain started again.

Eventually, the towering gates of the capital came into view, and the trio breathed a collective sigh of relief. The guards at the gate nodded as they passed, recognizing them as adventurers. The streets were still bustling with activity, despite the dreary weather, as merchants hurried to pack up their goods before the next downpour.

Kalsei stretched his arms above his head, his grin returning full force. "Home sweet home! Well, for now, at least. Let’s head back to the guild and claim our reward."

Steph, though clearly exhausted, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, and maybe find a place to dry off. I swear, if I have to walk around in these wet clothes for another minute..."

Seikan led the way back to the Adventurer’s Guild, his mind already turning toward their next move. He couldn’t shake the feeling that the night beast contract had been too easy, even if it was just a Copper-level quest. Something about the ease of the fight didn’t sit well with him.

Once they reached the guild hall, they were greeted by the same cheerful receptionist as before. Her smile brightened when she saw them enter, and she immediately waved them over to the counter.

"Welcome back! How did it go?" she asked, her voice full of warmth and curiosity.

Kalsei grinned as he pulled the night beast claws from his inventory, placing them on the counter with a flourish. "All done! Can we take the platinum one now?"

Seikan and Steph both responded firmly at the same time. "No."

The receptionist inspected the claws, nodding in approval. "Well done! It seems you handled the night beasts with ease. I’ll update your adventurer cards to reflect the completion of the contract."

A system window appeared before them, confirming the completion of the quest:

Quest Complete: Night Beast Elimination

2000 experience points earned

1000 Gold earned

Item Drop: Night Beast Claws (Monster Material)

Kalsei pumped his fist in the air, clearly pleased with their progress. "Sweet! We’re getting stronger already."

Steph sighed softly. "Yeah, but we’re still Copper-ranked. We’ve got a long way to go."

The receptionist handed back their updated adventurer cards, smiling brightly. "You’re officially Copper-ranked adventurers now, which means you can take on more challenging contracts. Keep up the good work, and you’ll climb the ranks in no time."

Seikan pocketed his card, his expression unreadable. "We’ll be careful about which contracts we take. No point in rushing into something we’re not ready for."

Kalsei, on the other hand, was already scanning the contract board again, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Hey, look at this one! It’s a contract to explore a nearby dungeon. Says it’s Copper rank, but it’s supposed to have some decent loot inside."

Steph groaned, rubbing her temples. "Kalsei, can’t we take a break? We just got back."

Kalsei shrugged, his grin never fading. "Come on, Steph! Think of it as practice. Plus, I’m sure we could use the extra gold. And who knows? Maybe we’ll find something useful in there."

Seikan stepped forward to examine the contract. "We’ll take it. But only after we’ve rested and prepared properly. Dungeon exploration isn’t something we should take lightly."

Steph sighed but nodded. "Fine. As long as we don’t get ourselves killed in the process."

The receptionist smiled as they looked over the contracts. "Good luck, and stay safe out there."

The trio left the guild hall and made their way to a nearby inn, eager for a warm meal and some much-needed rest. The storm outside continued to rage, but for now, they were safe within the capital’s walls, preparing for whatever challenges lay ahead.

As they sat around a table in the inn, Kalsei leaned back in his chair, his golden eyes gleaming with excitement. "This is gonna be great. We’re officially adventurers now, and we’ve got a dungeon to explore. What could possibly go wrong?"

Steph shot him a look. "You just had to say it, didn’t you?"

Kalsei chuckled. "Hey, it’s all part of the fun!"

Seikan, sipping his drink, remained quiet, his mind still racing with thoughts of the relic they had recovered. There was something about it—something he couldn’t quite place. He knew it was important, but for now, he would keep his curiosity to himself.