She formed a sign, “…”

“…”

Grunting as she grabbed the weapons she just dropped. Sheathed them. In a blink of an eye, her eyes returned to normal.

*Gasp*

*Pant *Pant

‘Wh-What the hell?’

‘Did I just…’

‘Passed out?’

“Hey, guard. Are you done yet?”

The other guard in charge of transport return alongside the man she was just talking with. Siola slowly and calmly reach towards her dagger.

“No, sir. Not yet.”

“Well, leave that for now. Captain Oklam wants to see you.”

Looking intensely at the man she was talking before, but he seems to be clueless.

“At once.”

Slamming a table, “Goddamn it!” Oklam shouted.

“…”

“One day. Just one more day, and it had to show up now of all times!”

Siola can’t help but to asks, “This seems to be a matter of grave importance, will tomorrow’s expedition be suspended, sir?”

“No, it’s… damn it. No.”

“I may have to transfer some of the participants to handle this matter, but your participation will remain. As for this one… shit, what a mess.”

Nervously, she says, “That symbol from the wall, how the corpse was placed so intricately…”

“Surprised to see you’re fine after seeing that. Even after seeing the corpse myself.” Shaking his head in disbelief.

“I don’t know who did it, if it was just a madman or do, we have real a bloodthirsty killer on our hands. Or maybe both.”

“I’ve seen it once when I was serving in the capital, but even then.”

“…”

Glancing at the troubled caption, she ponders, ‘Should I tell him about the doppelganger?’

‘No, what if he is one too?’

‘There’s no way I could tell, and if I tell him, the whole place will be on alert. He might even cancel the expedition.’

‘I need that citizenship no matter what.’

“What’s wrong, miss Siola?”

“Huh?”

“You look pale. You sure you’re alright?”

“Y-Yes sir, I’m fine.”

“Just rest for the day. You’ll be needed tomorrow, so I need you to be ready yesterday.”

“Yes sir.”

Leaving the man to his own devices. Siola left rushing towards the blacksmith. Disrupting the dwarf while he’s napping.

“Dwarf! Where’s my weapon?!”

“Hurnh? Oh, it’s you, lass.”

“The weapon!”

“Ah, here. What got you so—”

She takes it, “Later. Be safe, dwarf.”

Waving goodbye, “You too… and I have a name, you know.”

Siola went back home in a hurry. She sees someone is trading with Vanya.

“Ah, Siola. You’re back so early.”

“Y-Yeah.”

“What’s going on? You look tired.”

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“No time to explain. Sorry, Madam Vanya, but I will have to sleep outside today.”

“Huh? Wait!”

Siola hurries to get her backpack and leave.

“Siola, tell me what’s… goodness, that girl.”

The hooded customer laid some gold coins on the counter as she shifts her head. Sharp eyes, dark skinned, and muscular.

Siola went to buy provisions with all the money she had left, and then, disappear from everyone’s sight until night passes.

Come dawn, when the sun lighting up the dark, Siola walks as her fatigued relief by the potion she drank. Her eyes twitching.

{Siola Mithra – Level 18}

{HP: Rank F | MP: Rank D | SP: Rank E}

{Class: Priest | Ability: [Illuminate], [Restore Vitality], [Heal], [Turn Undead], [Sacred Flame], [Mage Shift], [Shock Lash], [Glimmer Veil], [Ignis Shard] | Passive: [Dark Protection]}

{STR: Rank D | DEX: Rank B | FTH: Rank S | INT: Rank S}

“Siola, not a moment too soon, eh.”

“Colon?”

“Mm, I’ll be leading the party today.”

“Though, I didn’t expect our forces gets cut by two thirds.”

“Anyway, how have you been holding up?”

“Me?”

“Yeah. Captain told me you weren’t feeling so well after what happened yesterday.”

“…” shaking her head, “No I’m fine, but…”

“Did he find anything?”

“No, not as far as I’m aware of.”

“But he’ll be busy for a while. Let’s hope he can handle it by the time we get back.”

‘Mad freak who paint walls with corpses? I don’t mind, but a damn doppelganger? I wouldn’t think much of it if this was a game, but I don’t wanna live in a damn horror movie.’

“All right, gear up, people! We’re heading out!”

“Ou!”

They head out. Siola looks at the safe haven she desperately tries to be in one last time. From dawn to morning to noon. Siola, struggling to keep up with the others but still within range.

“!” Colon notices it.

“Alright, let’s rest here.”

Four out of 6 soldiers instantly dropped their backpack.

“Unload, catch your breath and eat. Pent, come with me.”

“Yes, sir.”

Siola drank a massive amount of water from her bag. Even the other soldiers started paying attention to it.

“Hey, you should save some. In case you need it later on.”

“…”

“Right. You’re right.”

The other asks, “Where did Colon go?”

“Scouting, probably.”

“Uhuh.”

“Hey, why’d you join up?”

“You mean, being a soldier or…”

“That too.”

“Well, my parents wanted me to go and make a name for myself. Thought the expedition would be the fastest way.”

“I get you. My parents couldn’t shut up about it too. But I’ve always wanted to be a soldier myself. Being in the front line, you know.”

“Ahh. Well, I myself don’t got a parent, but serving the empire has always been my dream.”

“…”

“And what about you?”

Siola munching on the bread she brought, glancing to the man.

“You’re the only girl in the whole barrack far as I’ve seen.”

“Yeah, what made you join?”

“Citizenship.”

“Sir Oklam said I would get one after completing this expedition.”

“Oh, you’re not from around here?”

“No, I don’t really remember where I’m from either.”

“Ooo, that sucks.”

“But I heard you doing well though. Killing three most wanted criminals in town, it’s not all bad, don’t you think?”

“Oh wait, really? She’s the one who did it?”

“I mean there’s no one else who’s a girl in the barracks, are there?”

A conversation in the woods on their way towards the unknown. It felt familiar, a flash of scenery of which both of her hands are sitting beside a campfire, all laughter and smiles.

“That’s amazing.”

“Yeah, when I heard that our party gets reduced, I thought we’re doomed, but it’s kind of relieving to know that you’re with us now.”

“…” she nods, “Well, I’m glad to have all of you too.”

Colon returns with the other soldier, “Alright, y’all. We’re safe for now, so let’s hope that last. How’re you guys doing?”

“Not bad, Colon.”

“So, you gonna tell us what this all about?”

“Yeah, where we heading?”

“I’ll tell you all soon enough. For now, let’s just…” sitting down, “Ahh, focus on recovering.”

The men shrugs but Siola eyed Colon with suspicion.

Continuing on their journey, it is not long before night came. But they keep on marching against the cold wind while slashing through the thick skin of wolves.

*Slice *Slice

“Pent! Backside!”

The wolf lunges only to be stopped midair when CRUNCH, its head punctured by an iron bolt.

“Siola!”

Pulling the string back, she takes aim towards another wolf and fire.

*Crunch*

A bullseye.

“Together! Watch each other’s backs!”

Siola rejoins them, mace wielded.

Night to morn, they continue on walking. Colon and Pent, carrying Siola until she wakes up.

She finds herself close to a campfire.

“Urgh, what happened?”

The man called Pent comes rummaging her backpack, “You fainted.”

“Huh… Really now…”

He found the water flask and gives it to Siola.

*Gulp *Gulp

“Ahh… my goodness! Are we there yet?”

“Colon said it’s just a day left from here.”

“A day left to what?”

“Dungeon.”

Her eyes widened, “Hunh.”

“A dungeon?”

“Yes. Colon says we’re out to find a new dungeon. Setting up an encampment so that it can flourish and support Clearwater he said.”

Nodding, “Right. Well, you shouldn’t be cutting a search party for that.”

“Heheh, definitely, yeah.”

“…”

“Hey, thanks for saving me back there.”

“No worries.”

“Thank God, we have you. Those wolves were relentless.”

“Heheh, not me. This thing.”

“The crossbow?”

“Mhm, I got it from the dwarf back in town.”

“Oh, that place. Haven’t heard good things about him, but I never seen his crafts in action. Not until now anyway, he should expect a visit when we get back.”

“Heheh, he should indeed. I heard your name is Pent. Mine is Siola.”

“Pleasure to meet you, miss Siola.” Gesturing her to follow, “Come on, the boys got a boar. We eating fresh meat today.”

“Please tell me you all have salts.”

They chatter all night long while feasting on a whole boar. When the sun is up, they continue on their journey. Fighting harsh weather and monsters. Hard stopping after two days.

Colon, eyes nervously looking at the scroll he’s reading.

“Hey hey hey, I thought we should’ve arrived by now.”

“No, we should’ve already be heading back home.”

“Where is this dungeon?”

“Colon,” Siola approaches, “You alright?”

He quickly closes the scroll, but Siola ignores it. Closely, she holds Colon’s eyes, twitching on every single movement he made.

“No, it’s…”

Colon knows that Siola is looking at him differently. Her eyes are investigating him.

Brows squeezed. He hands over Siola the scroll.

There, Siola can see the entirety of the mission details and the destination. Something’s amiss, it is true that they are set out to find a dungeon and set encampment. But the exact whereabouts of the dungeon is based on rumors.

“This is the first expedition on this.”