Nariku leaned against the wall of the command building, arms crossed, eyes watching the bustling players reinforcing the village. His spear rested by his side, and a faint breeze rustled his clothes as he exhaled slowly.
He glanced toward the door Rin had disappeared through.
"What's going on in there…?"
Rin had told him to stay outside for a bit—nothing unusual, but lately, Nariku had been feeling… off. Ever since they left the forest, there was something in the air, and that strange notification Rin mentioned only added to it. A mission involving a hero? The word itself carried too much weight, and the way Rin said it—it was like he was testing something.
Nariku frowned.
"Could Rin be hiding something from me?"
He shook the thought off quickly. "No… well, maybe. But he's saved me more than once. That should count for something, right?"
His grip tightened on the shaft of his spear.
Still, the village was different now. People were building more barriers. Whispering. Watching.
He wasn't stupid. Something was happening behind the scenes. He just didn't know where he stood in all of it.
Nariku kicked a small rock near his foot and looked up at the clouded sky.
"Guess I'll just keep watching Rin for now. If anything feels wrong… I'll decide what to do then."
He stayed there silently, waiting, the tension under his calm exterior hidden from all but himself.
From a distance, Tyuri's sharp eyes caught sight of Nariku standing alone outside the command building. With a nod, he motioned quietly to Aiko and Nori nearby.
"Hey, Aiko, Nori. Go talk with Nariku. See what he's up to."
The two girls exchanged a glance but quickly agreed, approaching Nariku with calm steps.
Tyuri stayed back, watching closely as they neared.
Aiko, with her quiet demeanor, gave Nariku a small smile as she spoke first.
"Hey, Nariku. You look a bit out of place standing here all alone. Everything okay?"
Nori, protective as ever, folded her arms and added with a half-smile,
"We thought you might want some company."
Nariku blinked, a little surprised but welcoming the break from his thoughts.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just waiting on Rin. You know how it is."
Aiko nodded gently, "It's been tense lately. Everyone's on edge."
Nori glanced around before leaning in slightly.
"If you need anything or have questions, don't hesitate to ask."
Nariku appreciated their approach. It wasn't often that he felt included in conversations with others, especially those so close to the leadership.
He smiled back.
"Thanks. I'll keep that in mind."
After a few minutes, Tyuri decided to approach as well. His footsteps were light, but his presence grounded. He stood beside Aiko and Nori, his eyes on Nariku with a curious glint.
"So, Nariku," he began casually, "you're always with Rin, huh? Is he your brother or something?"
Nariku looked up at Tyuri, slightly puzzled at the question. He shook his head.
"No, not related. Just... ended up with him early on. He's got a good head on his shoulders. I guess we just stuck together."
Aiko tilted her head slightly, observing Nariku's expression.
Nori narrowed her eyes playfully. "You sure? You follow him around like a lost puppy."
Nariku gave a half-laugh, scratching the back of his neck. "Maybe. I just trust him, that's all."
Tyuri watched him for a moment longer, unreadable. Then he nodded.
"Well, keep an eye on him too. Trust is good, but the world we're in now isn't."
Nariku's smile faded just a little, and he gave a short nod.
"I know."
Tyuri crossed his arms, voice dropping just slightly in volume.
"Anyway… there's a rumor going around," he said, glancing around before leaning in a little closer. "Something about a new quest. Hero and villain. Pretty vague, but… that's all we've caught wind of so far."
Nariku furrowed his brows. "Hero and villain…?"
Tyuri nodded. "Yeah. No idea who started it, but people are talking. Be careful."
Before Nariku could respond, the scene cuts—
---
Western Gate, Village Outskirts
A boy leaned against the inside wall of a makeshift tower, sweat dripping down his face. He rubbed his temples, pacing back and forth, breathing unevenly.
"Damn it… how the hell did that leak?!" he muttered, voice hushed but frantic. "It's a secret mission. A secret mission. Who the hell's been talking?!"
He looked around, scanning the other players stationed nearby. No one was paying him much attention, but that didn't calm the storm in his head. His hands clenched into fists. "If this gets traced back to me…"
His eyes darted toward the forest, then to the village center.
"…I'm screwed."
---
Back at the Command Building – Nariku's POV
Nariku leaned against the wooden post, still outside the command building. The words Tyuri had spoken lingered in his mind.
A hero… and a villain…?
He glanced at the command building's door, where Rin had gone in not long ago. He closed his eyes for a second.
What kind of quest is this? Why now…?
He didn't know the answer. But something about it made his chest feel heavier than before.
The door to the command building creaked open, and Rin stepped out with Hairu. Just outside, Nariku stood waiting—and with him were Tyuri, Aiko, and Nori. The scout squad must've moved from the medbay area while Rin was inside.
Rin blinked in mild surprise.
"Didn't you guys just get back? Why are the scouts here?"
Nariku was about to speak, but Tyuri cut in smoothly, stepping forward.
"We came to report directly to Hairu. We found something serious during our last recon."
Rin tilted his head.
"And now you're just loitering outside?"
Tyuri shrugged.
"Finished the report. Just happened to spot Nariku here and figured we'd talk a bit while waiting."
Nori gave a casual wave, and Aiko nodded quietly from behind Tyuri. Rin glanced at Nariku, who simply offered a calm smile.
Hairu glanced between them.
"Good timing, actually. If anything else comes up about that orc, I'll need updates fast. We can't afford to slack."
Tyuri gave a two-finger salute.
"Got it, boss. We'll be back on the move soon."
Rin exhaled quietly, then muttered to Nariku.
"This village is starting to feel like a pressure cooker."
Nariku didn't answer, but the look in his eyes said he agreed.
As the group exchanged a few more words with Hairu and Rin, Tyuri gave a small wave and gestured to his squad.
"Alright, let's get moving. We've got patrol rotations to handle."
Aiko and Nori followed behind him as they left the command building area, heading toward the eastern trail that looped around the village.
Once they were out of earshot, Tyuri broke the silence.
"What do you two think about Rin?"
Aiko just gave a small nod, her expression unreadable as always.
Nori chimed in with a grin.
"He seems like a kindhearted guy. Polite, even. You don't meet many people like that in a situation like this."
Tyuri hummed thoughtfully.
"I think he's a good guy. Maybe… too good."
Nori laughed and gave Tyuri a light punch on the arm.
"You're just being paranoid again."
Tyuri smirked and rubbed his shoulder.
"Yeah… maybe."
The three of them walked on, the trees rustling softly in the wind as they disappeared down the path.