The dawn in Vailor felt colder than usual.
The city was already awake when we left the mansion. Guards walked through the streets in larger groups than usual while merchants set up their stalls early in the morning. Some people still tried to maintain their normal routines, but it was impossible to hide the strange atmosphere that was beginning to dominate the kingdom.
The news about the demonic movements had already spread.
Even those who weren't soldiers or adventurers could tell that something major was approaching.
I walked through the streets alongside Scarlett, Liriel, Elara, Vespera, Lyannis, and Rai'kanna. The entire group was with me this time. Some adventurers passing by glanced discreetly in our direction.
The rumors about the Kingdom of the Giants had probably already spread throughout the city.
When we approached the guild, I noticed it was busier than usual.
The large wooden doors remained open as adventurers came and went carrying equipment, maps, and weapons. Several tables were already full early in the morning.
As soon as we entered, many eyes turned toward us.
I heard whispers spreading throughout the hall.
"The Hero's party."
"They're back."
"I heard they practically cleared the Kingdom of the Giants by themselves."
I ignored the comments and continued walking normally toward the main counter.
The receptionist looked surprised to see us.
"Lord Takumi. You're here early today."
"We need some missions."
She nodded quickly.
"I understand. The Guild Master is in his office."
We climbed to the second floor while the noise from the hall continued echoing below. As soon as we reached the main office door, I knocked twice before entering.
The Guild Master was already sitting behind his desk organizing several documents.
As soon as he saw us, he gave a small, tired smile.
"I figured you'd show up early."
"We're looking for work."
He let out a small laugh.
"You're probably the only Rank S adventurer who looks for missions as if he's running late for something."
Scarlett pulled out a chair and sat down calmly.
"He's been obsessed with training lately."
"It's not an obsession."
"Sure it isn't."
I ignored her comment as I approached the desk.
The Guild Master then became a little more serious.
"Actually, your timing is good. The situation has started getting worse over the past few days."
"In what way?"
He pulled out several papers and placed them on the desk.
"The number of monsters has increased significantly."
Lyannis adjusted her glasses slightly.
"That was already expected because of the demonic mana."
"Yes. But that's not all."
He pointed to one of the reports.
"Some creatures are evolving in strange ways."
I frowned slightly.
"Evolving?"
"Ordinary monsters are appearing at ranks far above what's normal."
Elara crossed her arms.
"The Demon King's mana is altering nearby creatures."
"Probably."
The Guild Master sighed.
"We've received reports of Rank A goblins and even Rank S goblins."
For a few seconds, I thought I had heard him wrong.
"Rank S goblins?"
"Exactly."
Rai'kanna looked surprised.
"That shouldn't even be possible."
"Normally, it isn't."
I picked up one of the reports and began reading it quickly.
Villages destroyed.
Small groups of adventurers killed.
Unstable dungeons.
Abnormal mana.
Things were really getting worse.
Vespera rested her elbow on the desk.
"So even weak creatures have begun mutating."
"Yes."
I looked back at the Guild Master.
"What missions do you have available?"
He pulled out two separate scrolls.
"The first is a newly formed dungeon in the western mountains."
He placed the scroll on the desk.
"A colony of high-rank goblins has taken over the area. The report says there's a Goblin King leading the monsters."
Scarlett smiled faintly.
"Finally, something interesting."
I picked up the scroll and kept reading.
Crimson Dungeon.
Rank S.
High risk.
Possible demonic contamination.
I handed the scroll to Lyannis to examine while the Guild Master pulled out another document.
"The second mission is much simpler."
"What is it?"
"Capturing bandits on the southern roads."
Scarlett immediately let out a small laugh.
"That sounds ridiculously easy compared to the first one."
"Maybe."
The Guild Master crossed his arms.
"But the reports say they're using magic."
That caught my attention.
"Bandits using magic?"
"Yes. And apparently someone is financing the group."
Lyannis finished reading the first scroll.
"The dungeon should be our priority."
I nodded.
"I agree."
Elara rested one hand on her hip.
"I want to examine that demonic mana up close."
Liriel looked at me.
"Do you think these mutations will continue increasing?"
"Probably."
I took a deep breath.
"The advance of the demonic army must be affecting the flow of mana across the entire continent."
The Guild Master nodded slowly.
"That's exactly what we thought."
Rai'kanna picked up the second scroll and quickly examined it.
"These bandits are operating near the main trade routes."
"That's starting to worry the kingdom."
Vespera gave a slight smile.
"Then let's solve both problems."
Scarlett immediately looked at her.
"Whoever gets the most kills in the dungeon wins."
"You really turn everything into a competition."
"Because it works."
I couldn't help laughing a little at that.
Even with all the tension around us, they could still act naturally.
Maybe that was exactly what had kept our group strong until now.
Lyannis then unfolded a map on the desk.
"The dungeon entrance is located near an ancient mountain range."
She pointed to a region marked in red.
"The terrain should favor ambushes."
"Are the goblins organized?" I asked.
"Most likely."
The Guild Master nodded.
"The few adventurers who survived said they're using improvised armor and traps."
Scarlett seemed excited.
"So they really have evolved."
"That's not a good thing," Liriel replied.
"I know."
I took both scrolls and secured them to my belt.
"We'll deal with the dungeon first."
Rai'kanna smiled faintly.
"It's been a long time since we entered a large dungeon."
Elara looked at me.
"Are you going to split us into groups?"
"Probably."
Lyannis already seemed to be thinking strategically.
"If the Goblin King truly is Rank S, then we should avoid concentrating too many people in narrow corridors."
Vespera nodded.
"And intelligent monsters love encirclements."
The Guild Master watched all of us for a few moments before speaking again.
"Be careful."
I looked at him.
"You're worried?"
"More than usual."
He sighed quietly.
"Ever since the First General started moving, everything feels worse."
Silence filled the room for several seconds.
Even Scarlett became serious at that moment.
The Guild Master then continued.
"Something big is coming. I can feel it."
I nodded slowly.
"We all can."
After that, we stood up from the table.
We went back down to the guild's main hall while several adventurers continued discreetly watching our group.
As soon as we stepped outside, the cold morning wind swept through the city.
I looked at all of them.
"We're heading straight to the dungeon."
Scarlett smiled eagerly.
"Finally."
Liriel adjusted her light-colored hair as she walked beside me.
"I hope it isn't worse than it looks."
"It probably will be."
Rai'kanna placed her hands behind her head as she walked calmly.
"If goblins have really reached Rank S, then the world is becoming even more troublesome than I imagined."
"This is only the beginning," Vespera replied calmly.
Lyannis then looked at me.
"You're thinking about that war again."
"Yes."
"Then use it."
I looked at her.
"What do you mean?"
"If the First General really is at that level, then we need to take advantage of every opportunity to grow stronger."
I nodded slowly.
She was right.
Every battle mattered now.
Every mission.
Every training session.
Every bit of experience.
Everything would be necessary for the war that was drawing closer.
We continued walking through the city streets until we reached Vailor's main gates.
The guards immediately opened the way as soon as they recognized us.
When I crossed the gates and looked toward the distant mountains on the horizon, I felt that strange pressure in my chest once again.
The world was changing far too quickly.
And at the center of it all... the demons continued advancing silently.
Scarlett then rested her hand on the hilt of the sword strapped to her back.
"Let's put an end to this already."
I looked ahead as the road stretched toward the reddish mountains in the west.
The Crimson Dungeon was already waiting for us.