How was that even possible, especially at this hour?
My eyes narrowed, tracking the direction of the wind as it brushed relentlessly against my armor.
This small town is already sitting on the edge of the map. There is nothing more past this mountain peak but a strip of flat land where the bandits resided, and the vast expanse of the ocean.
Which meant, natural causes couldn't possibly explain this phenomenon.
Somehow this small oddity had dropped me into a loop of many speculation.
Keeping my brain occupied while my body froze on the spot.
...
But why?
That single question brought my thoughts to a grinding halt.
'Is it really that interesting, or was I just getting bored?'
Scratching the back of my head. The two possibilities drift to the surface until they crowd out everything else.
Silence followed me, backdropped only by the sound of rustling grass.
My eyes broke contact as I let out a small sigh,
I really dislike not knowing what I was getting myself into. Not to mention, all this thinking was quite useless if I just ended up doing nothing.
This lingering possibility ends up driving me to pick an answer.
I couldn't say for sure, but the second option seemed more believable. I haven't had any spark of interest in a long while. Although that comes as the consequences of my own actions.
Still, it wouldn't hurt to check, if I'm really planning to live the rest of my normal mundane life like this, a little treat is exactly what I need to keep myself in check.
With my mind made up, I left everything on me behind.
The rusted spear, the heavy armor, all of it.
The last thing I want to happen is getting caught with heavy equipment. At least this way, I could run when needed too.
And off I went to feed off my curiosity and boredom.
'I certainly didn't expect much, coming out this far.'
My exact thoughts while walking through the moonlit field.
The warmth was surprisingly soothing for what supposed to be a chilly night. Thanks to that, my journey became far less tedious.
'...Maybe the bandits are up to something, or perhaps a supernatural phenomenon is happening.'
But what I didn't expect. Is something that would completely change my world as it is.
After somewhat of a long journey, I reach the flat land on the other side of the mountain.
Surprisingly this place is more forested than I thought.
I mean... I never bother to come this far, since my job only requires me to be in the town vicinity.
'But isn't it weird?'
My back against a tree as I wait for any present of movement.
Sound of breathing, talking, twig snapping, leaf crunching, anything.
Half an hour had passed, still I didn't move from my spot.
Waiting and waiting until I decided to just stand and walk.
I have been keeping an eye for some time, yet... I gotten myself this far and haven't encountered any of the bandits.
From my own knowledge the bandits here are quite sizable.
No way they do not have anyone patrolling at night even if there is a slight chance they are not worried about being caught.
A cold sweat forms on my forehead.
Instinctively, I raise my arm to wipe. At the same moment I realised my breath had become faster and shallower.
The heat is certainly rising, which means I'm heading in the right direction. Whatever it is, may it be correlated the two or not, I am about to find out soon enough.
As I pushed past the forest clearing, I finally caught a glimpse of a bandit settlement.
Well, more of an aftermath of something.
"What could possibly cause all of this" I say, taking a step forward across the smoldering ash and ruin, catching the sight of my surroundings.
This is it? I came this far just for this.
At the top of my head, I felt a strong urge to reject the situation.
"No... this is nothing. Even if it an incident cause by someone mistake, a fire hazard of this size couldn't possible-"
The word was cut out of my tongue even before I managed to finish it.
Walking past the initial ruin, my eyes caught on a bigger sight.
The blistering heat grazing my skin, the choking stench of ash, the thick black smoke blotting out the moon.
And last but not least, the crimson flame that engulfed everything.
Cough, cough.
The pure intensity alone had left me baffled for a second.
"This is more like it" I said, putting my arm up just to be able to stand the fierce heat wave coming from the burning buildings. This is the kind of situation I would imagine to cause all the change.
'Can this even be called an incident at this point? A disastrous is more like it.'
Even through the heat, I make my way to inspect further.
I think I knew why I haven't encountered any of the bandits yet...because they were all here and dead.
But it seems like the flame isn't the only cause of all of this.
Watching the bodies laying around, some of their wounds can only be inflicted by a cut. A very sharp and precise one.
'huh? Not bandit scheming, not a mysterious phenomenon, or accidental hazard... But just the work of someone?'
Didn't expect such revelation to come.
I felt a bit disappointed.
I sigh internally.
All of this, just for a work of someon-
As I thought of that, my eyes turned toward the blazing fire.
And for a moment I felt the world turn silent on me. I didn't pay the flame much attention before but looking at it very closely I felt something different.
Sure, the flame doesn't flash the usual colour.... but, has my sense dull that much since last time?
How come I didn't realise this much, much earlier.
Remember when I say, the countless mysteries of this world had nothing to do with me.
Yeah, that one exception is exactly what I am eyeing.
Almost at the same time a building near me collapses, I duck taking cover as the collapsing, throw burning debris everywhere.
"That a close one"
But I didn't run. I kneel in front a piece of wood that had just been flung. It still being consumed by the crimson flame.
This fire is different in nature. It is chaotic, passionate and powerful.
I watch it very, very closely.
'fascinating'
It's been a while, but I still remember everything about it. Everything.
I spoke in almost silence.
"Cursed... The person who caused this fire is cursed"
Almost at the same time, I could feel a faint smile crept onto my face. I feel like I want to laugh, to fondle the crimson flame in my arm.
but then a distant commotion drew my attention.
Snapping me back to reality.
Standing back up, I ran as fast as I could toward the commotion. Leaving behind the burning ruin, I enter another woods, this time there is something beaming on the other end.
I'm not sure why I'm in such a rush. Yet I run like my life depends on it.
Nearing the other end, my steps gradually slowed and I hid myself behind one of the trees.
This time I was not alone.
Moving my head to the left, I catch a scene happening in front of me.
The sound of wave crushing. The collapsing building, consumed by the curse flame lights the place like a lantern.
The sea breeze rustles the grass they step upon.
A lone figure in black hood stood surrounded by a group of bandits.
Even though I was quite far away from them. The bandits were clearly in fear.
Their bodies are shaking, and their skin is pale.
Watching closely, my ears pick upon their conversation.
"We know nothing about the kidnapped child!"
One of the bandits shouted.
The hooded figure stayed silent for a moment before finally speaking.
"..... My clues have led me here! Don't test my patience anymore. Speak or be eradicated."
A woman?
Her voice caught me completely off guard.
The depth in her voice was filled with sharp, murderous intent and hate.
I know I'm not the only one who felt that, the bandit suffered the same too.
As time passes none of them dare to speak. Or it's more of, they can't. Not in front of her.
And it seems her patient had run out.
Crimson flame began leaking from the tip of her finger as she pointed it at them.
I close my eyes and tuck away my head.
Soon after only the sound of screaming is in the air.
It didn't last long.
When the scream settled down , I turned my head to the side again.
This time, I got a good glimpse of her.
The hood she was wearing got caught in her attack, as the hood burned away, it also slowly revealing her whole figure.
And my eyes stand widen.
She had a long black hair with streaks of white in the front and back. Her skin is as pale skin as the moon above. Wearing a black suit, it was decorated with hints of red and gold accessories.
But the most noticeable thing was her crimson compass-like mark in her black pupils.
Dimply glowing and pulsing.
She didn't stay long, taking off her burn hood, she began to walk away as if her business here was done.
Yet I can feel a hint of anger left behind.
And I was left alone, again. This time, I was unsure of what to do.
How do I process all of this? The curse flame, the bandit, the hooded figure.
but one thing is certain, I feel something stirring inside of me.
"This feeling" I wondered.
...
After regaining my composure, I make my way back to the small town.
Arriving just as the first sunlight hit the stone wall.
I might look fine but in my head I am all mess up. Still contemplating.
On one hand, I had all of this. This job, this place where I had been persistent to stay with.
I work hard to find myself a place where I wouldn't be bothered by the world.
But...
On the other, I found myself a purpose again.
I couldn't pick, yet the choice is still on mine.
Taking my armor and spear back, I headed for the wooden gates.
Since morning had arrived the gate had been open and when the guard saw me, a lot of questions were asked.
Where was I? Am I doing alright? Had I encountered a monster or something?
But instead I had made up my mind.
And I answer with only two words.
"I resign."