The next day arrived faster than I expected.
After finishing my morning routine, I spent a bit of time in the inn's kitchen, carefully preparing food for the investigation ahead. Thankfully, the owner had no issues letting me use the space.
"That should do it," I said as I wrapped the last sandwich. "Thank you, Sir Gar."
"Nah, don't mention it," Gar replied with a casual wave. "You paid for the ingredients anyway."
I smiled slightly. Gar and his family had been nothing but kind since I started staying here, and that small sense of familiarity helped steady my nerves.
Once I finished, I changed into my combat gear, making sure everything fit properly before heading out.
"Equipment status optimal," Travy noted. "Physical and magical readiness within acceptable range."
"Good," I muttered. "Because I have a feeling today won't be easy."
When I arrived at the Adventurer's Guild, the atmosphere felt heavier than usual.
"Good morning, Sir Artorius," Sistina greeted.
"Good morning. Am I early?"
"Not at all. The investigation members are arriving one by one."
I glanced around the hall. Groups of adventurers stood together, some checking their gear, others speaking in hushed tones. The usual noise of the guild was still there, but there was an undercurrent of tension running through it.
Then, the mood shifted.
A group entered, and murmurs spread almost instantly.
"Hey… that's the Sunbane Party, right?"
"Yeah… B-rank, if I remember correctly."
"If they're here, then this isn't just a simple investigation…"
I followed their gaze.
Five adventurers walked in with calm confidence, their presence alone enough to quiet the room slightly.
"They're strong," I whispered.
"Confirmed," Travy replied. "Their mana signatures are significantly above average."
The leader stepped forward toward the counter.
"Welcome, Sir Rube," Sistina said politely. "All adventurers assigned to the investigation are present."
Rube gave a short nod.
"Understood. I'll begin the briefing in ten minutes."
Short, efficient, and straight to the point.
Sistina then guided them toward the Guild Master's office, likely to finalize the details.
I used the time to check my supplies once more. Food, potions, equipment… everything was in order.
Soon, the Sunbane Party returned.
Rube stepped forward, his voice steady and clear.
"We'll begin the briefing. Listen carefully."
The room fell silent.
"We will assess the monster density across each sector of the forest, up to the end of the E-rank zone. A specialist from the Mage's Guild will accompany us to analyze the mana flow. Their safety is a priority."
He paused briefly.
"Groups will consist of six members each. There are five groups in total. Check the assignment board."
The crowd moved quickly.
I found my name… and froze for a second.
"…I'm with them?"
"Affirmative," Travy confirmed.
I approached the group.
"Excuse me. I'm Artorius. F-rank adventurer."
Rube looked at me, studying me for a moment before nodding.
"Rube. Vanguard and leader of Sunbane."
"My name is Bronks," a large man said with a grin. "Tank."
"Elise… mage," a quiet girl added softly.
"Heya~ Lain here~ Archer~," she said with a playful smile. "Nice to meet you, Arty~"
"…Funfer," a man in dark clothing said briefly. "Scout."
"Pleasure to meet all of you," I replied.
Rube crossed his arms.
"What are your capabilities?"
"I can use swordsmanship and magic," I answered. "I also have Detection Magic with a range of about twenty-five meters."
That seemed to catch his attention.
"…Versatile," he muttered.
After a moment, he nodded.
"You'll support both front and rear depending on the situation. Stay flexible."
"Understood."
"Good. We move now."
The entire investigation group departed soon after.
The walk toward the forest took longer than usual due to the large formation, but eventually, we reached the entrance.
The moment we stepped inside, I activated my Detection Magic. Releasing pulses frequently
"…Four presences ahead," I said quietly. "Unknown type."
"So soon?" Bronks muttered.
It didn't take long before the enemies appeared.
Forest Goblins.
"Water Slash."
Two clean arcs of water cut through the air, taking down two instantly.
Rube moved immediately, finishing the rest with precise strikes.
"Efficient," Funfer remarked.
"…Thank you."
"Stay alert," Rube ordered. "Artorius, move to the vanguard."
I stepped forward.
Five minutes later—
Pulse.
"…Six enemies. Four ahead, two on the flank."
"Positions!" Rube commanded instantly.
Bronks braced himself as the front attackers rushed in. Funfer disappeared into the trees, reappearing behind the flank attackers with deadly precision, while Lain's arrows struck with perfect timing.
I moved alongside Bronks, supporting him while eliminating threats that slipped through.
The coordination was seamless.
"…This is completely different from solo fighting," I thought.
"Team efficiency increases combat success rate," Travy noted.
"…Yeah. I can see that."
As we moved deeper, the situation worsened.
More monsters, better coordination, more aggressive.
"This… wasn't how it was when I first reported it," I said.
Elise glanced at me.
"…You were the one who reported it?"
"Yes. But not like this."
Rube's expression hardened slightly.
"…This is escalating faster than expected."
We pressed on. I released pulses more frequently.
"…Multiple signatures ahead… and more beyond my range."
The deeper we went, the more unnatural it felt.
Eventually, the Mage's Guild specialist raised a hand.
"We should stop here. I need to analyze the mana flow."
Rube nodded.
"Understood. Take position. Maintain vigilance."
Funfer was sent ahead for reconnaissance, vanishing into the trees.
While we waited, I took out one of the sandwiches I prepared earlier.
"…This is actually good," I murmured after taking a bite.
"Cooking efficiency acknowledged," Travy commented.
"…You don't need to analyze everything, you know."
"Analysis is my function."
"…Fair enough."
Even while eating, my thoughts drifted to the countdown.
"…It's getting worse."
"Confirmed. Time until event continues to decrease."
After some time, the specialist finished.
"…This is bad," they said quietly.
"How bad?" Rube asked.
"…Mana density is over ten times the normal level. A stampede is guaranteed… in about four days."
Silence fell.
Then—
Rustle.
Funfer returned.
"The situation ahead is worse," he said immediately. "Hobgoblins. Dire Wolves. Goblin mages. Around a thousand, maybe more."
A chill ran down my spine.
"…A thousand?"
"And they're working together," he continued. "Wolves used as mounts. Organized movement."
"…That means a leader," I whispered.
"Likely multiple," Travy added.
Rube exhaled slowly.
"…We're done here. We return immediately."
No one argued.
We moved out.
This time, our group took the rear.
Pulse.
"…Enemies behind us. Fast."
"Prepare!" Rube shouted.
The attackers emerged.
Hobgoblins riding Dire Wolves.
"Water Slash!"
I aimed low, severing the wolves' legs and disrupting their charge.
"Nice!" Lain called out.
Bronks and Rube moved in instantly, finishing the now-disoriented enemies.
"…More on the flank!" I warned.
The battle erupted again, but thanks to coordination, it ended quickly.
Afterward, I moved to heal the injured.
"Heal."
A soft glow enveloped their wounds, closing them steadily.
"Mana at half," I noted quietly.
"Acceptable levels," Travy confirmed.
As we continued, Rube glanced at me.
"You did well."
"I just did what I could."
"No," he said. "You adapted fast."
"…Thanks."
"You've got potential."
I didn't know how to respond to that, so I just smiled faintly.
Eventually, we exited the forest.
Only then did the tension ease slightly.
I took out another sandwich.
"Ooh~ that looks good," Lain said. "Can I try?"
"Sure."
The others accepted as well.
The moment they tasted it, their reactions were immediate.
"…This is good," Bronks said, clearly impressed.
"Right?" Lain grinned. "Arty's full of surprises~"
"…Glad you like it."
We returned to the guild and received our payment.
Fifty copper coins.
Simple.
But the information we brought back…
That was far more valuable.
As I stepped outside, I checked the timer.
97 hours remaining.
"…It's really happening."
"Yes," Travy replied calmly. "Preparation is no longer optional."
I looked up at the sky.
Clear. Peaceful.
"…Let's see if it stays that way."
Because deep inside, I already knew—
It wouldn't.