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LOCATION: ROSAK FOREST, NORTHWESTERN REGION OF THE SILVERIA EMPIRE
Wind rustled through the thick canopy of Rosak Forest, carrying with it the earthy scent of moss and damp soil. Sunlight filtered in slender beams through towering trees, yet despite the natural beauty surrounding them, unease clung stubbornly to Sid's chest.
"Hey… are you sure we're in the right place? Something about this area doesn't feel right to me."
His voice wavered slightly, earning a snort from the broad‑shouldered adventurer marching confidently ahead of the group.
"Heh. Don't tell me you're getting cold feet already? Relax! You've got seasoned adventurers backing you up." The man puffed out his chest. "And since this is your first team commission, rest assured—your amazing leader will guide you every step of the way!"
"Don't be so tense, Sid!" another chimed in cheerfully. "You just got promoted to C‑rank. Time you experience missions with more bite!"
Sid forced a smile that did little to hide the nervous knot twisting in his stomach. He couldn't even argue with these self‑proclaimed veterans. The moment he'd been promoted, they had swooped in like vultures, insisting—no, demanding—that he join their party for this commission. Before he knew it, he was part of their formation, carried along by their enthusiasm and overwhelming personalities.
He still didn't know how he'd been roped into this.
But now wasn't the time to dwell on it. Becoming a C‑rank adventurer felt like a stroke of luck he didn't fully deserve, and he had promised himself he would approach every opportunity—good or bad—as another stepping stone. Another test, just like when he was still a wide‑eyed newbie.
A year ago, he had arrived in the Silveria Empire with nothing but the clothes on his back and a hope for a fresh start. He came from another empire—one he chose not to speak of—and certain circumstances had forced him to leave and rebuild his life elsewhere.
The Adventurer Guild in the Capital had been the most welcoming place he could find. With no prior credentials or proof of combat experience, he had started at the bottom, an E‑rank nobody among countless seasoned professionals. Yet, the guild wasn't unkind. He met other adventurers who shared tips, warned him about dangerous creatures, and occasionally partnered with him for simple gathering or escort missions.
He worked hard. He survived. And eventually, he rose through the ranks.
Now, proudly holding a C‑rank (Copper) Adventurer Card, Sid finally had the qualifications to join subjugation missions and participate in dangerous hunts—missions he once only heard about from across the guild hall. But such missions must be taken with a party, as decreed by the Adventurer Guild's longstanding regulations.
And with good reason.
Too many fresh adventurers had rushed into danger, chasing glory or coin, only to return gravely injured—or not at all. The guild's rules existed to prevent unnecessary deaths. No mission could be taken unless its difficulty aligned with the adventurer's rank, and even high‑rank adventurers were forbidden from challenging extreme threats alone.
Before every dangerous mission, adventurers had to sign a guild agreement. A declaration stating they understood the risks and accepted responsibility for their actions—particularly important for lower ranks blinded by desperation.
Every official guild member carried their own Adventurer Card, a magically reinforced identification that could not be forged, protected by the guild's unique seals and enchantments. Each card was colored according to rank:
E‑rank – Green, D‑rank – Purple, C‑rank – Copper, B‑rank – White, A‑rank – Gray, S‑rank – Silver, SS‑rank – Gold, and SSS‑rank – Black
Black—the rarest of them all. A rank that existed only in legend.
Sid sighed softly. He still had a long way to go before he even reached B‑rank. Still, he wondered—
"Is it true…?"
He had spoken without realizing it, earning puzzled looks from his companions. Heat rushed to his cheeks.
"W‑well," he stammered, scratching at his cheek, "it's just—"
He never finished his sentence.
A crushing wave of pressure descended upon the forest, thick and suffocating like a palpable force. The air trembled. Birds exploded from the treetops in frantic flight.
Every veteran's expression snapped from easygoing confidence to deadly focus.
"What was that?!"
"Stay sharp! Something's coming!"
"Just what in the—?!"
Sid's heart leapt to his throat as a massive shadow fell over them. He slowly lifted his gaze—only for the breath to be ripped from his lungs.
Something enormous towered above the treeline, its presence so overwhelming that the forest itself seemed to shrink beneath it. Blue crystal scales shimmered under the scant sunlight, and fiery crimson eyes glowed like embers set ablaze.
ROOOOAAAAARRRRR!
The earth vibrated beneath the deafening roar.
Sid staggered back, shouting in disbelief, "A d‑d‑dragon?! What's a dragon doing here?!"
His fellow adventurers paled at the sight, all staring up at the creature with expressions torn between horror and awe.
"That—that shouldn't be possible!" one of them choked out. "Dragons aren't native to this region! They're supposed to be isolated, reclusive—far away from the wild!"
It was common knowledge. Dragons were mythical, extremely prideful beings who rarely left their sacred territories. For one to appear here—in a forest this close to human settlements—made no sense.
But then another adventurer spoke quickly, eyes narrowing in observation.
"No! Look closely! That's not a true dragon! It's a hybrid beast—one that just looks like the dragons from legend!"
All eyes focused on the towering creature. Now that Sid looked more carefully, he noticed the differences. The proportions weren't quite right. Its wings were smaller, its scales more crystalline than metallic, and its posture lacked the regal poise associated with true dragons.
Sid exhaled shakily. "You're right… it's not a dragon. But that doesn't mean we can let our guard down."
The hybrid's massive frame crouched low, powerful legs coiling as though preparing to sprint forward. A deep growl reverberated through the ground.
"Brace yourselves!" their leader shouted. "It's charging!"
The party immediately sprang into position. Their designated shield‑bearer rushed forward, metal shield unfolding with a clang as he prepared to tank the incoming attack.
"H‑HEY! WATCH IT!" Sid yelled, though he wasn't even sure what he was warning about—the beast's speed or the recklessness of his teammate.
The hybrid roared again, muscles bunching beneath its crystalline scales.
Then it charged.
It moved faster than anything that size should logically be able to move, tearing through underbrush and uprooting small trees as it barreled straight toward them.
The shield‑bearer slammed his feet into the dirt, bracing for impact. "I've got this! HOLD THE LINE!"
The other adventurers readied their weapons—swords drawn, spells prepared, bows notched. Sid's own hand shook as he gripped the hilt of his blade. His mind raced. His senses sharpened with instinctive fear.
This is bad. This is really, really bad.
The hybrid beast let out another thunderous roar as it closed the distance—each quake of the ground echoing louder, closer, and more violent.
The forest itself seemed to hold its breath.
And all Sid could do was stand behind his comrades, heart pounding, as the first true battle of his C‑rank career exploded before him.
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