The bronze pocket watch ticked steadily in Noah's gloved hand, its cover snapping shut with a soft clink. He stood just outside the guild hall, the morning breeze brushing past his dark coat. The sky was painted in the soft golds and pale blues of early spring. Despite the hour, the city of Asterwall was already alive—merchants setting up stalls, kids chasing each other around fountains, and guards beginning their shift changes at the gates.
'Seven fifty-three,' he muttered. 'They leave at eight.'
Kagetsume rested at his side, sheathed neatly against his waist, its familiar weight grounding him. He took one last breath of crisp air before stepping through the guild's large wooden doors.
Inside, the receptionist glanced up with a knowing smirk.
"Ready, sword boy?"
Noah said nothing. He simply handed her the parchment she'd given him the day before—his acceptance notice for the escort job.
"Right this way," she said, motioning toward a side exit that led to the staging yard. "The noble's getting cranky already."
As he stepped outside, Noah's gaze settled on the caravan: three covered wagons, one pompously decorated, and a few others still being loaded by workers. Near the front, his new team was already gathered.
'Here we go.'
Noah walked with steady steps, his black boots echoing softly against the stone tiles of the courtyard. At his side, Kagetsume rested at his waist, the weight familiar, comforting. Every movement was deliberate, his breathing controlled.
A few meters ahead, four figures stood in a loose semi-circle near the waiting carriages, engaged in low conversation.
The first person to catch his attention was a girl. Shorter than him—maybe around 1.60 meters. She wore a wide-brimmed hat that concealed most of her face, but her eyes were impossible to ignore: deep navy blue, like the ocean at night. She was dressed in a short brown cloak and dark trousers—simple, but practical.
'A mage or maybe even an assassin. Her posture is too relaxed… more like she's observing than participating.'
Next to her, a man in his thirties grunted with arms crossed. His head was completely bald, but a well-groomed, light brown mustache framed his square face. He wore light plate armor, and a massive axe rested on his back, its blade covered by a leather sheath.
Then there was the last member—a woman also in her thirties, with chestnut hair tied into a loose side braid. She wore earth-toned robes reinforced with magical stitching, a silver brooch shaped like a leaf glinting at her collar.
Noah approached and gave a polite nod. "Good morning. My name's Noah. Pleased to meet you. My specia—"
The bald man immediately cut him off. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't slow us down if you want your pay, kid."
A vein twitched at Noah's temple, but he said nothing.
'There's always one annoying bastard in every group…'
The chestnut-haired woman glanced at him coolly before speaking. "My name's Serra. I'm a dual-affinity mage—Gaia and Aqua."
'Dual affinity. Not bad. That gives us nature and water magic. Pretty versatile.'
The girl with the hat spoke next, her voice soft but clear. "Fire."
'...Just fire, huh? Well, with good dealers and a tank, we're only missing a healer. Could be worse.'
Noah exhaled quietly, his gaze drifting toward the noble's covered carriage.
'Let's hope this stays as boring as it looks… though I doubt it.'
The sound of hooves and wheels echoed down the stone path as the noble's carriage rolled into the courtyard. Two guards sat at the front, armored in polished bronze gear that clinked with each movement. Behind them, the carriage—lavishly carved and painted in royal blue with gold accents—came to a halt.
The door opened with a creak.
Out stepped a portly man in his early fifties. He wore a velvet overcoat far too tight around the middle, his blonde hair greased back in waves that failed to hide his thinning crown. Several rings sparkled on his fingers as he adjusted his sleeves, and a thick golden chain bounced slightly with every step.
"Ah, there you are," he huffed, looking over the group with little interest. His voice was high-pitched and nasally. "You're the escorts, I take it?"
He didn't wait for a reply.
"I am Baron Revin of House Thornevale. I expect efficiency and respect. We'll be transporting sensitive goods, and I expect no delays. If you do your jobs properly, you'll get paid. If not…" His eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "Let's just say I know how to report incompetence."
He gestured at the back of the carriage, where several heavy crates had already been loaded. Two more were being pushed into place by sweating servants.
"Protect the cargo. That's all I ask," the Baron said. "My people and I will ride ahead. Keep close."
Noah gave a short nod and stepped forward, handing over the sealed note the receptionist had given him. "Here. My acceptance form."
The Baron took it without looking and handed it to a nearby steward. Then, with a wave of his hand, he turned and waddled back into the carriage.
Noah exhaled slowly as the door shut behind the noble.
'Great. One of those types.'
The rest of the group silently moved into position—Serra walked toward the rear to inspect the cargo, the fire mage adjusted her belt, and the bald axe-user cracked his neck.
'Just a few days. Get the job done, get paid. With some spare money I can go to the academy just fine.'
The caravan rolled out shortly after eight.
The wheels crunched over gravel as the morning sun rose higher in the sky, casting a golden hue over the winding forest road ahead. Birds chirped lazily from the trees, and a soft breeze rustled the leaves above.
Noah walked on the left flank of the carriage, hand resting on the hilt of Kagetsume, which now hung securely at his hip. The blade felt heavy—but familiar. It was strange how quickly his body responded to the weight of it, like muscle memory carved into his bones.
To his right walked, the dual affinity mage, humming softly to herself and occasionally tossing a pebble into the air and using Gaia magic to hit it. She seemed carefree, almost too relaxed.
Up ahead, the bald man—still unnamed—strode with confidence, his large axe resting across one shoulder. His gait was deliberate, like someone used to keeping pace on long journeys.
And then there was the girl in the wide hat.
She walked at the rear, eyes scanning everything. Trees. Shadows. The occasional branch that snapped underfoot. She hadn't spoken once since they left. Her expression was unreadable beneath the shadow of her hat, but Noah caught glints of those deep navy-blue eyes watching, always watching.
He narrowed his gaze.
'You've been silent this whole time… and looking around a lot. I've seen this before. Hmm… it's like you're waiting for something. And I think I know what.'
The tension in his gut returned, light but persistent.
He didn't trust this job. He remembered something about this mission—something going sideways. But he couldn't recall the specifics. Just the feeling.
'It was an early game mission, but because its efficiency people almost never took it.'
So he stayed alert. Every noise in the brush. Every twitch of a hand near a weapon. Every second of silence from the girl in the back.
Noah's fingers flexed slightly on Kagetsume's grip.
'Let's see how long this peace lasts.'
The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows through the trees. A small fire crackled in the center of the clearing, throwing flickering light onto the faces of the group.
They had set up camp just off the road, the carriage parked nearby and the horses tied to a low-hanging branch. The noble and his guards were already asleep inside the reinforced wagon, but the four hired escorts remained awake, seated around the flames.
The bald man was in his element now.
He leaned forward with a wide grin, one hand gesturing wildly as he told yet another story from his so-called "glory days."
"…and just as the ogre lifted its club, I ducked under it, rolled between its legs, and—bam!—buried my axe right into its spine!" He slammed his fist into his palm for emphasis, laughing thunderously. "The beast howled like a dying bear and collapsed like a sack of bricks!"
Noah raised an eyebrow, trying not to smirk. "And you lived to tell the tale?"
"Damn right I did!" the man bellowed proudly. "Name's Harlan, by the way. Harlan Beck. Veteran adventurer, ten years of service to the Guild. These days, I just pick the jobs that pay well and keep me out of a hospital bed."
Noah nodded. "Noah. First year in the field."
"Ha! No kidding?" Harlan slapped his knee. "Well, you've got guts, I'll give you that. Most kids your age wouldn't sign up for a noble's escort job. Too many unknowns."
Noah gave a small shrug, keeping his expression calm. "I like to learn fast."
Harlan pointed at him, grinning. "That's the spirit!"
Across the fire, the brown-haired mage—Serra—sat with her arms crossed, gaze fixed on the flames. She didn't laugh or join in. Just listened.
As for the girl in the wide hat… she hadn't moved. Still seated slightly apart from the group, her head tilted ever so slightly toward Harlan's story, but her eyes hidden beneath the shadow of her brim. She might've been asleep. Or watching. It was impossible to tell.
But Harlan didn't seem to care. He was just happy someone was listening.
"Let me tell you another one," he began, launching into a tale involving a cursed ruin, a talking frog, and a very confused cleric. It was exaggerated. Clearly embellished. But entertaining.
And Noah… actually didn't mind.
He leaned back, arms resting on his knees, eyes half-lidded from the heat of the fire. A small, tired smile pulled at the corner of his mouth.
For a moment, just a moment, it felt… normal.
'Not bad. I could use a few more nights like this…'
The fire had dimmed into glowing embers, casting a soft orange hue on the sleeping forms around it.
Harlan snored lightly beside the dying flame, his axe still within reach. Serra had eventually curled up in her bedroll, her back turned to the others. The noble's carriage remained closed, silent except for the faint rustling of fabric and the low murmurs of guards inside.
Noah remained awake.
He sat a little apart from the others, arms wrapped loosely around his knees. His eyes were half-closed, but his mind was sharp. He hadn't let his guard down.
Not entirely.
Across from him, just beyond the light of the fire, the girl with the wide hat remained exactly where she'd been for the past hour. Perfectly still.
Her posture hadn't relaxed. Her breathing was controlled. And while her face remained hidden, Noah noticed the way her head would shift slightly every time someone moved.
She was watching them.
'You've been silent the entire trip… and always scanning the perimeter,' he thought, narrowing his eyes. 'I've seen that before. You're waiting. Anticipating something… and I think I know what.'
Noah quietly stood, brushing dirt from his trousers as he turned to retrieve his bedroll near the carriage. He didn't want to make her suspicious—not yet. He passed close to Harlan and gave him a quick glance.
Still sleeping.
He crouched to unroll his blanket, but his mind was racing. Every instinct in his body buzzed with tension, the same tension he had felt years ago before an ambush. He didn't have proof, but he didn't need it.
Something was going to happen.
Tonight? Maybe tomorrow.
And the girl wasn't just quiet—she was prepared.
Noah lay down slowly, eyes still on her.
He let his breathing deepen and his body grow still, pretending to drift into sleep.
But his right hand moved silently, sliding beneath his cloak, fingers resting on the grip of Kagetsume.
Just in case.
'Being cautious doesn't hurt no one, right?'
The morning sun had just begun to rise, painting the sky in soft hues of orange and pink. A light mist clung to the forest floor, weaving between the trees as the group broke camp in silence.
Noah walked at the rear, eyes flicking between his companions. The quiet girl remained at the front, close to the noble's carriage. Harlan trudged beside it, axe slung over his back and grumbling about breakfast. Rena, for once, walked just ahead of Noah—too calm.
Too composed.
And then it happened.
The air shifted.
A sudden, unnatural gust of wind swept through the trees. The carriage horses neighed wildly, rearing up in panic. Before anyone could react, the ground beneath them erupted with thick vines and jagged ice spikes—forcing the group into a tight circle as the terrain turned hostile.
Noah's eyes widened.
'Gaia and Aqua. Nature and ice...'
A shrill whistle cut through the air.
Dozens of figures emerged from the treeline—bandits clad in ragged cloaks, some wielding crude weapons, others bearing crossbows or enchanted blades. They moved with precision, like predators closing in on cornered prey.
The noble's guards shouted in panic, scrambling to form a defensive perimeter.
That's when Serra moved.
She stepped forward, calmly, confidently, turning her back on the group and facing the advancing bandits. Her hands glowed with magic—one wrapped in a swirling mass of vines, the other shimmering with icy mist.
"About time," she said coldly, not bothering to look back. "You took longer than expected."
Harlan froze. "Wait—what?"
Rena smiled over her shoulder, gaze falling on Noah. "Sorry, little swordsman. You were decent company, I'll admit. But I have my orders."
Noah didn't move. His hand was already on the hilt of Kagetsume.
'Oh c'mon, I knew someone would betray us, but you?, I was imagining the Blue-eyed girl man... Just didn't expect her to make it this easy.'
The noble stumbled from the carriage, red-faced and trembling. "Protect me! My goods—my crates—don't let them take them!"
His voice cracked, high and desperate.
The girl with the hat didn't speak. She only stepped back, keeping her eyes on Rena and the enemies. She looked calm—dangerously so.
Harlan, in contrast, roared and reached for his axe.
Noah took a step forward, his voice low and cold. "You picked the wrong group to stab in the back."
Rena just laughed.
"We'll see."
From behind her, the bandits charged.
And chaos erupted.
Flames surged across the clearing as the Enchanter among the bandits stepped forward. Clad in burnt-red robes and lined with fire-glyphs, he raised both hands and chanted. A glowing crimson ring formed in the air above him—magic sigils spinning outward like clockwork gears.
From that circle, a torrent of flame shot toward Noah's group in a wide arc, searing the air with a roaring hiss.
"Scatter!" Harlan bellowed, pushing the noble behind the carriage.
An Enchanter,' Noah thought as fire gathered around the enemy's hands. 'They unleash magic externally and on a wide scale, capable of casting powerful area-based effects like flame chains or explosive fireballs. High output, low mobility and because of that the are weak up close…'
The enemy mage began weaving a second spell, fire trailing like whips between his fingers. Noah moved.
Without a word, he lowered his stance—legs bent, sword gripped loosely—and surged forward with a burst of mana-enhanced speed.
The world blurred.
"Crescent Fang."
He cut diagonally from low to high, limbs reinforced with tight mana bursts. His wrist flicked with unnatural fluidity, and his leading leg exploded with force, propelling him into the mage's range before the second incantation could complete.
A pale arc of moon-shaped light shimmered behind his blade like a glowing claw.
The Enchanter didn't even have time to scream.
Noah's katana grazed the man's chest in a single smooth stroke—fast, shallow, and perfectly placed to knock him off-balance. Blood sprayed. The spell shattered mid-cast, magic spiraling wildly as the man crumpled backward with a choked gasp.
One down.
Another bandit lunged toward him from the side—but Noah didn't stop. He stepped past the collapsing mage, pivoted on one foot, and raised Kagetsume in a reverse grip.
"You picked the wrong fight," he muttered, then kicked the new attacker straight in the ribs.
Behind him, the girl with the navy eyes unleashed a curtain of flames toward a group of enemies, her magic burning in a tighter, more controlled fashion than the traitorous Serra's. Meanwhile, Harlan fought like a bear—his axe cleaving bodies, his roars echoing across the battlefield.
The noble, of course, screamed behind a crate.
"Protect me! My wine! My spices! Save the crates!"
Noah didn't even glance at him.
'Priorities, huh?'