Jack let go of her embrace slowly, wiping his face.
Any son would act like that after seeing their mother, right…
Her warm voice echoed in the room once again.
"Go on, wait at the table. I'll bring something right out."
The mother stared at Ray once again too.
"You too, Ray. Go on, sit."
Ray stared, a little startled for a couple of seconds, staring at Jack in shock. He spoke nervously.
"Oh… Yes."
Jack and Ray both sat at the table nearby. Jack regained composure and spoke to Ray, who was still staring at him with wide eyes. Jack spoke.
"What?"
Ray stuttered.
"Since when are you so…"
Jack raised an eyebrow.
"So?"
Ray stared, now a bit more focused.
"Well… emotional? Normally you wouldn't even compliment me for my hunting."
Jack stood, taken aback.
"So… less emotional?"
Jack placed his hand in front of him, rubbing Ray's hair.
"Well… I decided to change a bit."
Ray's cheeks turned slightly red, and he stared down.
Jack's mind resounded.
Yes, that's good… acting.
For now… I am…
Winter Val.
Their mother approached the round table with a cake made of chocolate. A chocolate sauce covered the top, with three beautiful cherries placed over it. Their mother cut two pieces—one for her eldest, and another for Ray. After both of their plates were served, she served herself one as well. Jack stared at it with a smile.
The inside was made of many layers, one with frosting, the other with more chocolate. Ray stared at the cake excitedly, yet his eyes opened wide. Ray spoke as their mother took the first bite.
"Mom… isn't this quite… expensive?"
Their mother smiled at Jack while eating. Finally finishing it all, she spoke softly.
"Our neighbor brought me some good ingredients.
And for a good price as well."
Ray gulped and took a bite slowly. Jack followed him next. The sweetness of the chocolate filled their mouths.
Chocolate…
It's just like Maya made it that time…
Soo good.
Jack and Ray hurriedly took their next bites. The mother smirked and let out a giggle, both of them eating at the same speed.
"You are my kids alright."
Jack's eyes widened as those words came out of her mouth.
Act… Act.
His mouth curled upward. His eyes full of fondness.
"It's delicious… Thank you, Mom."
The three of them ate together. Jack spent some time talking, trying to gather some information about where he was, but he decided not to ask directly about their whereabouts and waited for a good opportunity to learn. Val worked as a porter for hunts. Apparently, he was teaching Ray how to catch animals, and that's why they were in the forest previously.
Their mom told them both to sleep. Jack and Ray shared a wide bed. They both covered themselves with a coat. Jack felt the warm embrace and sank into the bed, letting himself rest. Before sleeping, his mind resounded.
Act…
Act…
Jack woke up slowly. Ray's feet were almost on his face, his snoring echoed in the room.
Jack pushed Ray's feet slowly and rose from the bed. He looked at Ray, and a smile formed on his lips. He stood up and grabbed a new change of clothes.
Mom said something about me needing to wake up early…
And to go to my job…?
He began changing into his clothes, switching the old ones for a new pair.
Jack's body was slender and muscular. He placed a white shirt over himself—a bit old-fashioned… as everything else seemed in the village.
He grabbed his bag, leaving the scroll behind on a wooden table where his change of clothes had laid before. Suddenly, the scroll shook and opened itself, shining in runes. Ray was still sleeping, unaware of anything. The scroll revealed new words in the middle:
[Trial Mission: Don't lose yourself.]
Jack walked in the middle of the road. Merchants lined up on his side. Jack approached a man nervously—old and rugged. He was cleaning a bag of potatoes with a bucket of water. Jack spoke, stuttering slightly.
"Excuse me?"
The old man turned to him gently.
"Yes, young man?"
He raised one eyebrow slightly.
"Do you happen to want to buy one?"
Jack raised his hands in front, shaking them slightly.
"No no… I just would like to know if you know where the Hentan association is?"
The old man pointed his finger down the road.
"It's about a mile over from here, then towards the right."
Jack bowed nervously and kept going on his way.
Hentan group… What do I do exactly?
What does… Val do?
Suddenly behind him, a voice resounded louder than the crowd.
"Hey, Val!"
The feminine voice approached closer.
"Think fast!"
A dark-haired woman threw a big bag at him that landed in his hands.
Her eyes were scarlet red, her clothes simple and black—meant for battle. She stepped forward indifferently, a few meters ahead of Jack.
Her voice relaxed and commanding.
"Don't drop anything, bag boy."
Another man appeared right behind Jack—bald and with a stern demeanor. His armor was heavy, and strapped to his back was a wooden shield. His eyes dark, his voice strong.
"Sorry about her, Val, she's not normally like that.
Kyle told us to meet at the Hentan building.
Him and Indra are waiting there.
Today's going to be a long day."
The man patted his back reassuringly.
"Keep up."
The man kept walking, keeping pace with the red-eyed woman. Jack's eyes widened at the sudden interaction. He looked confused and kept walking slightly hesitantly. His voice nervous.
"Oh… Yes sir!"
Jack placed the bag behind his shoulder and walked behind them. They approached a big house filled with people outside. Brick-layered walls stood tall. People outside wore outdated armor, weapons sheathed, having casual conversations. The three of them entered the place through a big wooden door with round silver handles. Inside was also filled with similarly dressed people—all looking like they were preparing for something. And that they were. Hunting.
As both of the others sped ahead of him, Jack noticed a paper pinned onto a pillar.
Hentan Association
Welcome to the Tavern of Hunters!
We discard of animals as well as tasks for anyone to place.
Leaders in charge of Daunters' assassinations!
Backed by government law.
Jack's mind resounded.
Daunters?
The raven-haired woman raised her voice from further inside the place.
"Hey, bag boy, come here!"
Jack froze, quickly regained composure, and approached them at a table. Sitting on it were both the bald man and the scarlet-eyed woman, and another two.
One, a brown long-haired man with dazzling hazel eyes, wore shiny silver armor of high quality. From his back, a sword hilt peeked, made from high-quality leather.
The other, a black-haired woman with gray eyes, held a big wand with a blue emerald tied at the tip.
The brown-haired man glanced at Jack with a smile. His voice serene.
"Hello Val, you ready for today?"
Jack stuttered.
"Yes sir!"
The hazel-haired man giggled.
The woman holding the wand looked at him and nodded politely.
The scarlet-eyed woman stared at Jack with fierce eyes.
"Are you going to stand there, or are you taking out our map?"
Jack quickly searched inside the bag she had given him earlier.
The gray-eyed woman spoke.
"Phes… I told you to stop talking like that to Val."
She shrugged indifferently.
"Like I care…"
Jack took out a rolled-up piece of paper and laid it on the table, rolling it out.
The hazel-eyed man spoke, placing his hands on the table strongly.
"Alright everyone… listen.
Today's mission is quite important.
We are ready to take on the quest listed as number five in the charts.
These quests that are high, as we all know, are the most dangerous."
Jack puzzled.
Dangerous? What are we going to do?
He turned his head quickly, facing Jack.
"I assume you are also aware.
Don't worry, we will pay you accordingly, Val."
Jack nervously nodded, his mind echoing once again.
Is he the leader?
All of the others were paying close attention as he pointed at the map. It was a vast land, drawn precisely.
"I made this map in accordance with the north.
The mountain we're going to is slightly to the east.
Known as the Daunters' refuge—Dontenslav."
They all looked at the map, nodding.
"We need to head there and slay one who is going on a rampage in the forest, impeding hunting and raising the price of livestock.
So if we manage to defeat it, it will be a great pay for us."
He raised his head, determined.
"So as always, beware of the dangers and be ready for the worst.
We can all die here."
Leaving a second of silence in the room.
Breaking the ice, Phes, the red-eyed woman, nodded.
"Aye aye, Captain Kyle!"
The hazel-eyed man sighed. His voice commanding yet calm. A smirk found itself on his mouth confidently.
"Alright then, let's depart."