The sun filtered through the leaves in golden streaks as Kai and Zac made their way toward the edge of the forest just beyond the city walls.
This was their very first quest as adventurers: gathering herbs for a local apothecary. Simple. Safe. Boring.
Kai, holding a small pouch filled with picked herbs, let out a long sigh. "This is so boring."
Zac chuckled, crouching near a shrub to pluck a few more green-tipped flowers. "Don't complain. It's an easy job. Let's just get it done and head back.
I heard Al at the inn is making steak and potatoes tonight."
Kai's eyes lit up. "Steak and potatoes?! Say less." He picked up the pace. "Alright, let's finish this up!"
Fifteen minutes later, Zac tied up their full satchels. "We hit the quota. Let's head back."
Kai nodded eagerly, his mind already wandering to that hot plate of food.
But halfway through their return trail, Kai suddenly stopped. His body stiffened.
Zac raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong—?"
Kai yanked him back just in time.
A black blur slashed past them, a claw raking the air where Zac had been standing. A near miss.
"Damn!" Zac shouted, regaining his balance. "What the hell was that?!"
From the shadows of the trees emerged a creature wrapped in sleek black fur, its eyes glowing a dim, menacing crimson.
It looked like a large wolf, but longer, leaner—its limbs disproportionately muscular with claws the size of daggers and teeth that looked like they could snap bone.
Zac's face paled. "A Razor…" Kai narrowed his eyes. "What the hell is a Razor?"
Zac muttered quickly, "I read about it in the bestiary—C-rank monster, known for speed and precision attacks.
But if they move in packs, their threat level jumps to B-rank. This one's solo… I think."
The Razor growled, saliva dripping from its maw.
It was clearly hungry. Kai pulled out his dagger and dropped into a low stance.
"Weaknesses?"
"None specific, just don't let it get close. They're pure offense—claws, fangs, and brutal speed.
But if we can stop its movement, I can hit it with a stun shot. Aim for the neck after."
Kai nodded.
"Got it. I'll draw its attention. Be ready."
The two locked eyes.
Kai dashed forward.
The Razor moved like lightning. One moment it was crouched—the next, it was already swiping at Kai from the side.
Kai barely dodged, the claws grazing his side and slicing through his shirt. Blood splattered across the leaves.
He didn't slow down. He stepped around the beast, jabbing when he could, trying to find an opening.
The Razor spun and kicked him back, claws gleaming with malice. But Kai kept his distance, staying defensive as Zac had advised.
Each second was a dance with death. The Razor would lunge. Kai would dodge. Its claws ripped into bark and earth, sending up sprays of dirt.
Kai landed a nick on its shoulder—only to earn three deep scratches across his ribs in return.
Zac waited, hands trembling over his magic pistol.
"Just one chance…" Then, it happened.
The Razor lunged too wide on a swipe. Its foot slipped—barely.
"Now!" Zac yelled and fired.
The stun bullet flew fast and true—but the Razor's reflexes were faster. It twisted its head and dodged.
"Kai, behind you!" Too late.
The beast slammed its paw into Kai's back, sending him flying.
"KA—!" Zac caught him just in time, both of them tumbling to the ground. Kai groaned, covered in cuts, barely holding onto his dagger.
The Razor raised its claw. One slash would finish them both.
But it never landed.
CLANG!
A massive metal shield slammed into the Razor's arm mid-swipe, knocking it aside. A tall boy with dark skin and armor stood between them, his shield held high.
Sparks flew as the Razor's claws ground against reinforced steel. "Get behind me!" the boy shouted.
The Razor stumbled back—and screamed.
Its back leg had been severed clean off.
Blood spurted violently from the stump as a dual-wielding warrior stepped from the trees, his twin battle axes dripping red.
"Told you I had the backline," the axe-wielder said casually, spinning his weapons.
Behind them, a woman with flowing black locks stepped forward. Her eyes glowed faintly as she opened a leather-bound grimoire.
"[Restorative Wave]." A circle of soft emerald light enveloped Kai. His cuts sealed shut. His ribs aligned. The pain ebbed like melting snow.
Kai blinked. "Wh… What…?"
"You're safe now," the healer said with a calm smile. "Our team's got this."
The Razor backed away, but it was already too late.
A roar came from above.
"Hey! Don't leave me out of the fun!!" Everyone looked up.
A blonde-haired teenager dropped from the sky, his sword gleaming like sunlight.
He landed with a thunderous impact, sword raised overhead.
The Razor looked up too late.
SLASH!
A wave of golden steel cleaved through the beast. Blood erupted like a geyser. The Razor split in two, its body collapsing in a spray of crimson mist.
The blonde swordsman spun in the air and landed lightly, using his cloak to block the blood.
"Seriously," the healer sighed. "You're always so reckless, Leo."
Leo grinned. "Come on, Elle . Let me have my moment."
Kai stared, wide-eyed. "That… was insane."
Leo sheathed his sword and walked over, hand extended.
"Name's Leo. Nice to meet you."
Zac took his hand, still trying to process everything. "Zac. That's my brother, Kai."
Leo nodded at the others. "Shield-boy's Jax.
Axe-man's jr. And our lovely healer is Elle."
Kai stood, fully healed now, and bowed.
"Thanks for saving us. That thing would've killed us."
"No problem," Leo said with a smile.
"Everyone needs a hand sometimes."
Jr grinned. "Besides, watching that fight? You held your own pretty well.
Most newbies would've frozen or died. You two've got guts."
Jax added, "And decent reflexes. Not bad for your first quest."
Kai scratched the back of his head, a little embarrassed. "Guess we got lucky…"
Elle gave a soft laugh. "Or maybe you've got more potential than you realize."
As the Razor's blood seeped into the forest floor, Leo's party began cleaning up.
Elle removed the core from the monster's remains—valuable for crafting and enchantments.
"Still," Leo said, glancing back at Kai, "If you're planning to keep adventuring, you'll want better gear.
That dagger won't cut it for long." Kai nodded. "We'll work on it." In his mind I didn't bring my twin dagger I got from Al old adventure friend Dax because all we was doing was gathering herbs next time I be ready.
Zac asked, "Why were you guys out here?"
Leo smirked. "Same reason as you, technically.
But our quest was to hunt monsters, not herbs. We just got lucky showing up in time."
With the sun beginning to set, the group began walking back toward the city.
The road was long, but the air felt lighter now.
As they reached the gates, Leo looked over his shoulder.
"You guys ever want to spar or train, swing by the guild's second floor. That's where we hang."
Kai smiled. "We'll take you up on that."
And so, with bruises fading and lessons learned, the brothers completed their first quest—not with ease, but with fire in their hearts and a spark of destiny glowing brighter than before.