Chapter 9 First Quest Together

Chapter 9

First Quest Together

Nya stayed at the mansion for two more days. During that time, Scarlett taught her many things about noble life. How to walk properly in a dress. How to eat at fancy dinners. How to speak politely to important people.

Nya tried her best to learn, but she kept making mistakes. She tripped over her dress at least five times. She used the wrong fork at dinner. She accidentally called a duke 'mister' instead of 'your grace.'

Scarlett found it all very funny. "You're hopeless!" she would say, laughing. But she said it kindly.

The two girls became friends quickly. Despite looking the same, they were very different. Scarlett loved books and quiet. Nya loved action and adventure. But somehow, they got along perfectly.

On the third day, Kenji finally found them. He had been searching the whole city. When the guards told him where Nya was, he was both relieved and angry.

"You can't just disappear like that!" he scolded when he saw her. "I thought you were kidnapped!"

"I kind of was," Nya admitted. "But it all worked out!"

She explained everything that happened. About being mistaken for Scarlett. About learning she had noble blood. About being related to the Red Fox Clan.

Kenji listened carefully. When she finished, he sighed. "Your life is too complicated."

"Tell me about it," Nya said.

That afternoon, Scarlett's father gave Nya a gift before she left. It was a small bag of gold coins.

"For your journey," he said. "Use it to buy better equipment. And please, come back to visit. You're family now."

"I will," Nya promised. She hugged Scarlett goodbye. "Thank you for everything."

"Stay safe, cousin," Scarlett said. "And write to me! I want to hear about your adventures!"

"I will!" Nya said.

Nya changed back into her adventurer clothes. The dress was beautiful, but it wasn't practical for fighting monsters. She was happy to wear pants again.

Kenji, Nya, and Owl left the mansion and headed back to the Sleeping Dragon inn. It was late afternoon. The sun painted the sky orange and pink.

"Tomorrow, we'll take a quest," Kenji said. "A real one. Are you both ready?"

"Yes!" Nya said excitedly.

"I believe so," Owl said calmly.

That night, Nya couldn't sleep. She was too excited. Tomorrow would be her first real quest as an official adventurer!

The next morning, they went to the guild bright and early. The quest board was crowded with adventurers looking for work. Nya squeezed through the crowd to read the papers pinned to the board.

There were many quests. Some were too hard. 'Hunt the Mountain Bear - C Rank.' That was way too dangerous. Some were too boring. 'Deliver Letter to Next Town - F Rank.' That wouldn't teach them anything.

Finally, Kenji pointed at one quest. "This one is perfect."

Nya read it out loud. "'Herb Gathering in Moonlight Forest. Collect 20 Moonlight Flowers. Reward: 30 silver coins. Rank: F. Warning: Weak monsters may appear.'"

"Moonlight Flowers are used in healing potions," Owl explained. "They only bloom at night. That's why they're called Moonlight Flowers."

"So we have to go into the forest at night?" Nya asked.

"Yes," Kenji said. "It will test your ability to stay alert in the dark. It will also test how you handle monsters. The monsters in that forest are weak, perfect for beginners."

They took the quest paper to the receptionist. She stamped it with their names. "Good luck!" she said cheerfully. "Come back safely!"

They spent the day preparing. Kenji took them to a shop that sold adventurer equipment. Using the gold coins from Scarlett's father, Nya bought new leather armor. It was light but strong. She also bought a small dagger for self-defense.

"I thought Sentinels don't fight directly," Nya said.

"They don't usually," Kenji agreed. "But you should know how to protect yourself anyway. Just in case."

Owl bought some new magical scrolls. These scrolls had spells written on them. If he read the words on the scroll, the spell would activate immediately. It was useful for emergencies.

When evening came, they left the city through the eastern gate. Moonlight Forest was about an hour's walk from Virtue City. The forest got its name because special flowers there glowed in the moonlight.

As they walked, the sun set completely. Darkness covered the land. The moon rose, big and bright in the sky.

When they reached the forest entrance, Nya felt nervous. The trees looked scary in the dark. Strange sounds came from inside. Owls hooting. Insects chirping. Branches creaking.

"Stay close," Kenji said. "Nya, use your Threat Sense. Tell us if you feel any danger."

"Okay," Nya said. She focused her mind. She could feel the awareness spreading around her, like invisible strings connecting her to everything nearby.

They walked into the forest. Kenji led the way with a torch. The torch light pushed back the darkness, but only a little. Long shadows danced between the trees.

After walking for about ten minutes, Owl stopped. "Look," he said, pointing.

There, growing near a tree, was a beautiful flower. It was white with blue edges. The petals glowed softly in the moonlight, like a little star on the ground.

"A Moonlight Flower!" Nya said happily.

Owl carefully picked the flower and put it in his bag. "Nineteen more to go."

They continued searching. They found flowers here and there. Sometimes they were easy to spot. Sometimes they were hidden under bushes. Slowly, their bag filled up.

They had collected fifteen flowers when Nya felt it.

A pull in her chest. A warning.

"Danger!" she shouted. "Something is coming!"

Kenji and Owl immediately got ready. Kenji drew his sword. Owl raised his staff.

From the darkness, glowing eyes appeared. Then more eyes. And more.

"Forest Wolves," Kenji said. "About seven of them. They're weak individually, but dangerous in packs. Nya, keep watching for any that try to flank us. Owl, use fire magic to scare them. I'll protect you both."

The wolves stepped into the torch light. They were smaller than normal wolves. Their fur was dark green, like moss. They growled, showing sharp teeth.

Nya's heart pounded. She was scared. But she remembered her training. Fear was okay. Freezing was not.

"Left side!" Nya shouted. "Two wolves are trying to circle around!"

Kenji immediately turned and slashed at the sneaking wolves. They yelped and backed away.

"Fireball!" Owl shouted. A ball of fire shot from his staff and hit the ground in front of the main pack. The wolves jumped back, scared of the flames.

"Behind!" Nya warned. "One more!"

Kenji spun and kicked the wolf that was trying to attack from behind. The wolf flew back and hit a tree.

The wolves realized these humans were strong. They started to back away.

"They're retreating!" Owl said.

But Nya felt something else. Something bigger. Something watching from deeper in the forest.

"Wait!" she said. "There's something else! Something stronger!"

A howl echoed through the forest. It was deep and powerful. Not like the small wolves at all.

The Forest Wolves scattered and ran away in fear.

From the shadows emerged a huge wolf. It was three times the size of the Forest Wolves. Its fur was silver and black. Its eyes glowed red. Scars covered its body, proof of many battles.

"Alpha Wolf," Kenji said quietly. "This is bad. That's a D-rank monster. Too strong for you two."

The Alpha Wolf stared at them. It growled, low and threatening.

"Run," Kenji commanded. "Both of you. I'll hold it off."

"We're not leaving you!" Nya said.

"This isn't a discussion!" Kenji said firmly. "You're not strong enough yet! Run!"

The Alpha Wolf lunged.

Kenji met it head-on. His sword clashed against the wolf's claws. Sparks flew. The force of the impact made Kenji slide back.

"GO!" he roared.

Owl grabbed Nya's arm. "We have to trust him!"

Nya's eyes filled with tears. She didn't want to run. She didn't want to abandon Kenji. But Owl was right. They would only get in the way.

They ran.

Behind them, they heard the sounds of battle. Metal clashing. The wolf snarling. Trees breaking.

Nya and Owl ran until they reached a small clearing. They stopped to catch their breath.

"We have to go back," Nya said between gasps. "We have to help him!"

"How?" Owl asked. "We're not strong enough to fight that monster!"

"Then we use our brains!" Nya said. "You're a mage! Can't you use magic to help from a distance?"

Owl thought for a moment. "Maybe... If I can create a distraction, Kenji might get an opening to attack."

"Then let's do it!" Nya said.

They ran back toward the battle. When they got close, they hid behind trees. They watched the fight.

Kenji was holding his own, but barely. The Alpha Wolf was incredibly fast and strong. Kenji had several scratch wounds. His breathing was heavy.

"Nya," Owl whispered. "Use your Call of Warning. When I create the distraction, tell Kenji where to strike. Your skill will help him see the opening."

"Okay," Nya said, nervous but determined.

Owl began chanting. He aimed at the ground near the wolf. "Earth Bind!"

Magical roots burst from the ground and grabbed the Alpha Wolf's legs. The wolf snarled and struggled, but the roots held it for a few seconds.

"Now!" Nya shouted. "Kenji! Its throat! Left side!"

Her voice rang out clear and sharp. The Call of Warning skill activated. Kenji's eyes seemed to sharpen. He saw the opening Nya described as if it was highlighted in his vision.

"Rising Slash!" Kenji roared. His sword glowed with energy. He swung upward with all his strength.

The blade cut across the Alpha Wolf's throat.

The wolf let out one final howl. Then it collapsed.

Silence fell over the forest.

Kenji stood there, breathing hard. Blood dripped from his sword. He was wounded but alive.

Nya and Owl ran to him.

"Kenji!" Nya cried. "Are you okay?"

Kenji looked at them. For a moment, Nya thought he would be angry that they came back.

But instead, he smiled. A small, tired smile. "Good call," he said. "Your warning helped me win."

"Really?" Nya said, surprised.

"Really," Kenji confirmed. He ruffled her hair. "You disobeyed my order. But you made the right choice. Sometimes, adventurers have to make hard decisions. You chose to trust your abilities and help. That took courage."

Nya felt warm inside. "Thank you."

Owl healed Kenji's wounds using a healing scroll. Then they continued collecting Moonlight Flowers. The forest seemed safer now that the Alpha Wolf was gone.

They found the last five flowers easily. Quest complete.

As they walked back to the city, Kenji spoke. "Nya, your Sentinel abilities are developing faster than I expected. That Call of Warning was perfectly timed."

"I'm getting better at feeling danger," Nya said. "It's like... I can feel bad things before they happen. Like a tingle in my chest."

"That's your Threat Sense growing stronger," Kenji explained. "Keep training it. One day, you'll be able to protect entire groups of adventurers."

Nya smiled. She liked that idea. Protecting people. Keeping them safe. That felt right.

When they returned to the guild, they turned in the flowers. The receptionist counted them. "Twenty Moonlight Flowers! Perfect! Here is your reward. Thirty silver coins!"

She also stamped their guild cards. "Quest completed successfully. Your progress has been recorded!"

Nya looked at her card. Under her name, it now said: QUESTS COMPLETED: 1.

It was just one quest. But it was a start.

"I'm proud of you both," Kenji said as they left the guild. "You handled yourselves well."

"Thanks to you," Owl said.

"No," Kenji said. "Thanks to your own skills and courage. I just pointed you in the right direction."

That night, they celebrated at the inn. They ordered extra food and dessert. Nya ate until her stomach was full. She felt happy. Tired, but happy.

As she lay in bed later, she thought about everything that happened. She had found family. She had completed her first quest. She was getting stronger.

But she still had not found her mother or Brownie. That pain was still there, deep in her heart.

"I will find you," she whispered into the dark. "I promise. No matter how long it takes."

Outside her window, the moon shone bright. Tomorrow would bring new challenges. New adventures. New chances to grow stronger.

Nya closed her eyes and smiled. She was ready.