The cold morning air caresses my skin as I make my way to the gate. The sun, a burgeoning beacon on the horizon, casts an enchanting tapestry of colors across dew-kissed foliage. There's a unique serenity in having time to oneself amidst such natural beauty. The walk to the gate becomes a ritual, a time to awaken fully and mentally brace for the day ahead.

Goblins, our targets for the day, aren't the most fearsome adversaries, but they are known for their tenacity. These pack hunters can be relentless, especially when caught alone and vulnerable. However, in a group, they lack the tactical prowess and magical prowess of other creatures. Their fighting style is predictable, honed over countless encounters. I've been battling them for a long time, and their patterns have become second nature to me.

"Shane!"

Kacy's voice snaps me out of my reverie. She approaches me with a friendly wave, her enthusiasm infectious.

"I knew you'd come! I really appreciate it!" She halts before me, and I return her warmth with a half-hearted smile.

"Copper is a good motivator, Kacy. Mom's medicine doesn't come cheap. Let's just get this over with." I adjust my pack, joining the other two members—Elowan and Lirael Firebrand—at the gate. The Firebrand twins, renowned for their proficiency in magic and combat, have already reached level 2, setting them apart from the rest of the group. It's only been three weeks since we began accepting official requests.

"Shane." Lirael approaches me. "My sister and I are grateful you've accepted our offer."

"Having someone with your experience will be a valuable addition to the team," Elowan adds, offering a warm smile. "We look forward to working with you."

I laugh nervously. "Glad to be here, I suppose. Should we get going?" I turn to Kacy. "Have the path marked out? I need to see the map to plan our approach. As the vanguard, it's crucial."

She seems momentarily flustered. "Oh, right! Here, I almost forgot." She hands me the map, covered in notes and marked areas of suspected goblin activity. "Trey was supposed to pinpoint their location or send word, but we haven't heard from him yet. I'm sure he's okay—no way he'd do something as reckless as confronting them alone."

Despite my reservations, I offer some reassuring words. "It's odd that you haven't heard anything from him. He's one of the best scouts among this year's adventurers. Usually, people who go missing are never found due to the dangers lurking in the wild. Perhaps he's holed up somewhere safe."

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Kacy's expression falls, and I'm tempted to say more, but there's little comfort to offer. "We'll find him," I assert confidently. "Let's not waste any time."

"The location he scouted is about four miles northeast. If we maintain a steady pace, we'll get there quickly," Lirael informs me.

Elowan adds a reassuring touch, placing her hand on Kacy's shoulder. "Let's get going."

With our belongings gathered, we leave the town behind, heading northeast toward our objective. The road we follow bears the marks of countless wagons traveling between towns for trade and other endeavors. We march in silence for a while until Elowan breaks the quiet.

"Here's the spot where Trey separated from us to scout. We need to enter the wooded area."

I inspect our surroundings—a dense forest with occasional rays of sunlight breaking through the canopy. "Alright, let's keep our priorities straight. Finding Trey is our main goal, dealing with goblins comes next." I set my pack down and prepare for the forest trek. "So, what's our inventory like? I've got two healing potions."

"We have the same," Lirael responds. "Two healing and one mana potion between us. Elowan also carries a small stamina potion."

Kacy contributes, "I have two mana potions, but I can take care of my own healing. I also packed rations and bandages, so we're well-equipped for at least three days."

"Good, let's get our gear together and move out," I say as I shoulder my bag.

Kacy then asks me, "Is it true that you never get tired?"

I chuckle and start forward. "To some extent. I think it's because of my regenerative ability. It restores my body as I exert myself, so I rarely feel fatigue. I do eat more than most, though I never seem to gain weight."

Kacy responds with a light laugh, and it's evident she's trying to keep her worries at bay. "Must be nice."

"Expensive," I reply, alluding to the cost of maintaining such a body. After some time, we reach an abandoned campsite, bearing the signs of a hasty departure. The logs around the campfire are scattered, but there's no evidence of a struggle or bloodshed.

Lirael comments, "I don't see any indication that Trey was here, aside from the campfire."

Elowan adds, "It's as though he tried to conceal the camp's existence. No signs of a struggle is a positive sign, Kacy."

Kacy's spirits lift as she says, "I'm sure he's alright. We'll find him, and then he'll regret making me worry so much."

I examine the area, focusing on a set of tracks leading away from the campsite. "There's a trail here, as if something was dragged—toward or away from here." I follow the groove in the earth for a few steps. "Let's follow these tracks and see where they lead."

The others nod, and we embark following the grooves.