Lance caught up with his companions, who had been waiting for him. The moment Shane's eyes fell on him, he spoke with a tone of reproach.
"Where have you been, Lance? You've been gone too long."
Lance raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Was I really late? I thought I arrived on time."
Thanatos cut them off sharply. "Enough chatter. We don't have time for this nonsense."
Chris, who had been silently observing, finally stepped in and said decisively, "That's enough. The tavern is waiting… let's get some rest."
They soon settled around a wooden table in a corner of the tavern, quickly devouring the hot food before them. Amid the clatter of dishes and the murmur of voices, Shane wiped his mouth and asked, "So… what's the plan for tomorrow?"
Lowering his voice, Thanatos replied, "I've heard the king is preparing a special mission. The reward is enormous, but there's a catch—they require a team of ten, and we're only four."
Chris added cautiously, "You know the gold of kings is always paid in blood. Palace missions are never without danger."
But Shane pressed on. "But the reward, Chris… it's enough to keep us from working for months!"
Thanatos turned to Lance. "What do you think?"
Lance fell silent for a moment, turning the thought over in his mind, then said calmly, "The risk is inevitable. But what reassures me is that we won't be facing the unknown alone."
In the end, they agreed to take the risk.
"Then it's settled," said Thanatos. "Shane and I will go register our names with the king's envoy. You and Chris secure rooms for the night."
Thanatos and Shane headed toward the palace, while Chris rose to speak with the tavern keeper. Lance remained behind, watching the lively scene around him. The air was thick with the scent of tobacco and drink.
Then, suddenly, his gaze froze on a quiet corner.
Two figures sat there—strange, unfamiliar. Their features were human-like, yet their long pointed ears and flowing white hair, like threads of silver, revealed their inhuman nature. Lance focused on them more closely —a man and a woman, surrounded by an air of solemn mystery.
At that moment, Chris returned and placed a hand on Lance's shoulder. Noticing his fixation, he chuckled softly.
"Looks like you've spotted something valuable… do you know who they really are?"
Startled, Lance exhaled sharply. "Since when were you here?"
Chris didn't smile this time. His eyes remained fixed on the distant corner. "That doesn't matter. What matters is what you're looking at… they're not human, Lance."
Lance whispered, intrigued, "Then… what are they?"
"Innately superior beings," Chris said quietly. "Elves. They surpass humans in both form and nature. They possess natural combat skill, magic flowing through their veins, and senses and strength far beyond ours."
Lance's eyes widened. "How many kinds of creatures like them exist in this world?"
Chris shrugged. "More than you can imagine. But elves in particular… I know them well. And they don't appear in human taverns without reason."
Meanwhile, at the palace gates…
Thanatos and Shane stood before the towering entrance when an armed guard stopped them.
"What is your business?"
Thanatos stepped forward calmly. "We heard of the king's special mission. We've come to offer our blades."
The guard examined them. "Just the two of you?"
Shane quickly intervened. "We're a team of four. We're here on behalf of the others."
The guard nodded and told them to wait. After a heavy silence, he returned.
"The king has accepted your request. Be here at dawn tomorrow for details and to meet the rest of the team."
Shane tried to probe further. "And who are our companions?"
"You'll know in time," the guard replied curtly. "Now leave."
Back at the tavern…
The group reunited. Chris asked immediately, "Were we accepted?"
Thanatos sat down, clearly tired. "Yes… but they revealed nothing."
Shane shrugged. "Doesn't matter who they are or what we'll do. What matters now is rest."
As they headed toward their rooms, Lance suddenly stopped.
"There's something strange… don't you see it?"
Thanatos frowned. "What do you mean?"
"That a king would accept adventurers he's never even seen… that's not generosity—it's urgency. And the secrecy around the mission is suspicious."
Chris nodded seriously. "He's right. It's not just the danger—it's the way this is being handled."
Thanatos ended the discussion. "Worry won't help now. Let's rest. Tomorrow will reveal what the night hides."
In the silence of his room…
Before sleep claimed him, Lance raised his hand in the darkness.
A black, viscous substance suddenly seeped from his palm, writhing like serpents before slowly merging with his old sword—the one he had found in the abandoned building. He felt its pulse change, as though the darkness had given it a new, terrifying life.
Quickly, he concealed the magic, closed his eyes, and prepared himself to face the unknown.
The next morning…
They awoke at dawn, eating in cautious silence until Thanatos spoke.
"Finish up. The king doesn't like to be kept waiting."
After preparing, they made their way to the palace. Guards led them through cold marble halls into the throne room.
There, the king sat upon a golden throne, his presence overwhelming, his gaze cold as it examined them.
"So… you are the volunteers?" he asked.
Thanatos stepped forward respectfully. "Yes, Your Majesty. We've come to answer your call."
The king nodded. "Excellent. The number is now complete."
At his signal, the massive doors creaked open.
Six strangers entered.
At their front were the two elves Lance had seen in the tavern. Behind them came four massive beings unlike anything he had ever seen.
Shane froze, his face paling. "Damn it… we're working with Centurians!"
Thanatos looked confused. "And who are they?"
"A savage race," Shane whispered. "Creatures that live only for battle. Their strength can crush stone… they know no law, no mercy."
Chris tried to remain calm. "So what? They're allies."
Shane shook his head. "That's the problem—they're mad. Their betrayal comes before their loyalty. They could tear us apart at any moment."
The king's booming voice silenced them.
"Now that all ten are present, I will explain the mission. It may seem simple, but it requires endurance. Your destination… is the deep land of the ghouls."
One of the Centurians growled, "Why long? Is it farther than it seems?"
The king gestured to an old map. "The journey is arduous. And your task is not merely to fight common ghouls, but to deal with rebel leaders imprisoned there—leaders who now threaten the stability of my kingdom."
One of the elves examined the map. "Is this accurate enough to guide us?"
"It is the finest we possess," the king replied. "As for your reward… it will match the danger you face."
The ten exchanged silent glances—a strange mix of wary humans, enigmatic elves, and bloodthirsty Centurians.
Without another word, they departed through the city gates… leaving safety behind, and heading toward the land of ghouls—where only the sound of blades would reign.