Yrion stood near the table, arms folded, his expression serious.
"Listen carefully," he began.
"There's a small ruin site in the eastern forest of Lagunica. It's an old structure — mostly collapsed. The area has a lower density of demonic corrosion, so the monsters dwelling there are usually weak. Slimes. Low-level minions. Nothing serious."
He paused.
"But according to the latest guild report, around fifty minions have gathered near those ruins."
Silver stiffened slightly.
"They've split into two groups," Yrion continued. "Twenty-five guarding the ruins directly. The other twenty-five roaming through the forest."
"The guild has already posted a warning," he added. "E-rank adventurers are forbidden from entering the eastern forest for now."
Silver swallowed quietly.
"As higher-rank adventurers, it's our responsibility to handle threats like this," Yrion said calmly. "However… I was only able to secure five extermination slips."
Asiel tilted his head. "Meaning?"
"We'll only be paid for twenty-five confirmed kills," Yrion replied. "The rest will likely be handled by other high-rank teams. We'll probably cross paths with them."
He unfolded a rough map and placed it on the table.
"I plan to take down the group stationed near the ruins."
"Why that group?" Asiel asked.
"Minions don't gather without a reason," Yrion said. "If twenty-five are guarding that structure, something is there. Food source. Nest. Or something worse."
The room fell silent for a moment.
Silver adjusted his glasses. "If they've nested in ruins, their numbers could grow fast."
"That's why we're moving before dusk," Yrion replied. "We strike before they fortify further."
Asiel nodded slowly. His expression was calm, but determined.
"Alright," he said. "Let's get ready to leave for the eastern forest."
Yrion gave a sharp nod.
Silver stood up as well, gripping his staff tighter than before.
Outside, the river continued its quiet flow — unaware that by nightfall, the forest to the east would echo with battle.
Silver straightened suddenly. "I'll help you both. I don't need payment."
Yrion looked at him. "You're sure?"
Silver nodded firmly. "I'm D-rank. I'm permitted to enter the forest. And I can use up to Grade 3 wind magic. I won't slow you down."
Asiel gave a small nod of approval before walking to the other side of the room. Without a word, he removed his shirt and reached for a folded piece of armor.
Metal links shimmered faintly as he slipped on a chain mail vest, adjusting it carefully over his torso. It fit snugly — light enough not to restrict movement, but sturdy enough to absorb shallow strikes.
While Asiel tightened the straps, Yrion quietly pulled Silver aside.
"Hey," Yrion muttered under his breath. "I'm not a mage, so I don't know much about magic grades."
Silver blinked. "What is it?"
"Stone spikes," Yrion said carefully. "What grade would that fall under?"
Silver froze.
"Stone… spikes?" he whispered. "You mean raising multiple sharp rock pillars from the ground?"
"Yes."
Silver's eyes widened. "That's at least Grade 5 magic."
Yrion stayed silent.
"To perform Grade 5," Silver continued, lowering his voice instinctively, "you need an extremely high level of connection. And the mental strain is enormous. It takes incredible focus and resilience. If someone uses it repeatedly, the backlash can break their mind."
He stared at Yrion. "Who did that?"
Yrion's expression hardened slightly. "Keep your voice down. Asiel might hear you."
Silver swallowed.
"He can use that level of magic," Yrion said quietly. "We'll talk about it later at the guild. After this quest."
Silver glanced toward Asiel, who was calmly fastening his gauntlets as if nothing unusual existed about him.
"…Understood," Silver replied softly.
Asiel turned back toward them, fully armored now.
"Ready?"
Yrion gave a confident nod.
"Let's move."
The three stepped out of the house, unaware that the eastern forest wasn't the only place hiding secrets