A monster stood before me — humanoid in shape, but nothing about it felt human.
Its skin glowed like burning embers, cracks of molten red pulsing beneath charred flesh.
Two twisted horns curved from its skull, sharp enough to pierce bone without effort.
I couldn't move. I was already on my knees, my entire body trembling.
It stepped closer, slow and deliberate, towering over me like death itself.
Then — it raised one arm to match the height of my head… and opened its hand wide.
Fingers outstretched, it covered my entire face.
And then—
Agony.
I was burning.
My skin blistered. My flesh felt like it was being cooked alive.
I screamed.
I screamed until my throat tore open—
And just like that—
I was back in my room.
Drenched in sweat.
Breathing heavily.
It was all a dream.
But the pain… it still lingered.
Panting, I whispered, "It was just a dream,"
After I got myself back together, I stood from my bed and got ready to head out. I stopped by a local tavern for a quick breakfast. The place was already alive with early morning chatter—adventurers, travelers, and townsfolk exchanging gossip and plans.
After eating, I made my way to the guild.
I entered, walked past the groups of adventurers gathered around tables, and headed straight for the request board. I looked at the papers until one caught my attention: Drake Hunt. I pulled the slip from the board and walked over to the front desk.
"Good morning, Ms. Ciel," I said, handing her the request form.
"Morning, Ms. Holt. Taking another Drake, I see?" she replied with a small smile.
"I could really use some drake scale," I said casually.
She nodded and gave me the quest details—location, terrain, and last known sighting of the creature. It had been spotted near the cliffs southeast of the Mountains.
"Well, take care of yourself out there," she added warmly.
I turned to leave, but just as I reached the door, Ms. Ciel called out to me again.
I stopped and walked back to the counter.
"Also, Ms. Holt… be careful," she said, her tone now serious. "There are rumors spreading that a Pyrevok was seen by multiple merchants."
I paused, her words sinking in.
"Pyrevok…"
Pyrevoks — elite-ranked beings of the Everborn race. They dwell in the underworld.
Fourteen years ago, a quiet farm village on the western side of the Kirishitara Kingdom met its demise.
Without warning, the sky above darkened — sunlight swallowed by a veil of ominous clouds.
Then came the rupture: a massive rift, the size of a castle, tore open the fabric of the sky. From it emerged a figure cloaked in ash and flame — the King of the Underworld himself: Urzan.
What followed was chaos.
Beings from the underworld poured onto the surface, engulfing the land in terror.
And just as suddenly as it appeared… The rift closed.
Urzan vanished.
And the world was left scarred for years to come.
I never witnessed the event.
I was only an infant when it unfolded — but from what my brother told me, after Urzan vanished, he was sent to investigate the farm village.
He's a knight for the kingdom.
But when he arrived… there was nothing left.
Just ashes.
And the burnt remains of a house that once held a family.
As I dwell on the past, my feet carry me to my destination.
I ascend a narrow mountain path when a roar pierces the air — sharp and vicious.
Instinct kicks in. I rush toward the sound.
When I arrive, blood stains the rocky trail like spilled wine.
Three bodies lie crumpled on the ground — torn and still.
One, somehow, is still breathing… barely fighting for his life.
Without hesitation, I draw my magic.
I picture a rock — reshape it in my mind into a sharp cone.
Then I lace it with wind magic, forcing it to spin faster and faster like a drill.
With a shout, I release it.
The spell slams into the drake's left eye —
A screech of pain erupts. The beast reels back, blinded.
"Run!" I shouted.
The wounded adventurer didn't hesitate. He scrambled to his feet and fled toward me.
Together, we raced down the mountain path.
Ahead, a small cave yawned open. We both dove inside and took cover. Panting, we caught our breath in the dim shelter.
I turned to the young, injured adventurer. "Are you okay?" I asked, voice low but urgent.
He swallowed hard, eyes wide with fear and shock. "I-I'm alright," he stammered.
"What happened to the rest of your party?" I pressed.
"They… they were eaten," he whispered. "The three bodies up there—they tried to save me, but that beast crushed them. I—I'm such a coward. I just stood there, and froze.
I nodded slowly, understanding the weight of his words. "What's your name?"
"…Clark," he replied quietly. "It's Clark."
"What rank was your party?" I asked.
"Our party includes four gold-ranked adventurers—including me. The three bodies up there… they were diamond-ranked."
I blinked. "That's impossible," I said. "A party like that should've been enough to take down a drake."
"What happened?"
"I—I don't know," he said, voice trembling. "We've taken out a few drakes before. But this one… it's different. It's irregular. Smarter. It didn't fall for our usual tactics, and its hide—way tougher than normal."
He looked up at me, eyes wide with a mix of awe and desperation.
"That birthmark on your right arm… could you be—T-The Platinum-ranked Luna Holt? The genius magician?"