The weight of the decision stayed with Ayan long after they left the guild, settling quietly in his mind as he and Aelira walked toward the outskirts of the city once more, the familiar path now carrying a different meaning than before. This time, he wasn't stepping into uncertainty by chance or circumstance, he had chosen this, fully aware that what awaited him would not be as simple as gathering herbs or dealing with scattered goblins. The request was clear, ten kobolds, or at least drive them away from the nearby village routes, and the reward reflected that, five silver coins, enough to matter, enough to justify the risk.
As they walked, Ayan glanced slightly toward Aelira, breaking the silence in a more natural tone than before as he said, "These kobolds… they're stronger than goblins, right?" Aelira nodded lightly, her gaze forward as she answered, "They are faster, and they fight in groups more effectively. But they are still weak." Ayan let out a faint breath, a small, almost amused expression crossing his face. "Everything sounds weak when you say it." Aelira tilted her head slightly, as if confused by that statement, before replying, "Because compared to me… they are."
Ayan couldn't argue with that.
He had seen it.
"…Still," he continued, adjusting the sword at his side slightly, "for me, they're not."
Aelira's gaze shifted toward him briefly, her expression softening just slightly as she said, "Then I will make sure they don't become a problem."
Ayan shook his head lightly, not rejecting her words, but grounding them. "Help me if it gets bad… but don't end everything instantly." Aelira paused for a moment, as if considering that, before giving a small nod. "…Alright."
That alone felt like progress.
When they reached the forest, the atmosphere felt heavier than before, not as unfamiliar, but still far from comfortable. Ayan slowed his steps, his eyes scanning the surroundings as he spoke again, "We shouldn't rush in." Aelira stopped beside him, her attention fully on him now as he continued, "If they move in groups, then charging in blindly isn't a good idea."
Aelira listened.
Quietly.
Then asked, "What will you do?"
Ayan crouched slightly, examining the ground, the faint traces of movement, footprints, disturbances, and after a brief moment, he pointed slightly ahead. "They've been moving through here. We follow, but carefully." Aelira watched him for a moment longer before nodding again, her gaze returning forward.
They moved slowly after that, their steps controlled, their presence quieter, and it didn't take long before they found them.
Kobolds.
More than before.
At least eight.
Maybe more hidden.
Their smaller frames moved quickly, their bodies lean but tense, their eyes sharp and alert, and unlike goblins, there was something more coordinated in the way they positioned themselves.
Ayan's grip tightened slightly.
"…Alright."
He exhaled slowly.
Then spoke, quieter this time, "I'll take the front. If one gets too close… you step in."
Aelira didn't question it.
She simply nodded.
The first move came from him.
Ayan stepped forward.
And attacked.
The nearest kobold reacted immediately, dodging to the side with surprising speed before lunging forward, its blade aiming directly for his side. Ayan twisted his body just in time, the strike grazing past him as he countered, his sword cutting across its chest, not cleanly enough to kill, but enough to stagger it.
"…Faster than goblins."
The realization hit immediately.
Another kobold came from behind.
Too fast.
Ayan barely reacted, raising his sword to block, the impact sending a sharp vibration through his arm, forcing him back a step as he adjusted his footing.
"Left."
Aelira's voice came calmly.
Before he could react—
The kobold behind him froze.
Then—
Collapsed.
Dead.
No movement.
No visible strike.
Ayan didn't question it.
He couldn't.
The next kobold came directly at him, its movements sharper, more aggressive, and this time, Ayan didn't hesitate. He stepped forward instead of back, his blade meeting theirs mid-motion before sliding past and cutting cleanly across its neck.
One.
Another rushed him immediately after, forcing him into a defensive stance as he blocked, shifted, and countered, his movements still imperfect, still slightly delayed, but no longer chaotic.
Two.
A third tried to flank him.
But—
It never reached him.
It dropped mid-step.
Aelira.
Still standing where she was.
Not moving.
Just watching.
"…Focus."
Her voice came again.
Ayan tightened his grip.
And moved.
The fight stretched longer than before, each kobold requiring more effort, more attention, more control. His breathing grew heavier, his muscles strained, but he didn't stop. He adjusted. Learned. Reacted.
By the time the last one fell—
Silence returned.
Ayan stood still for a moment, his chest rising and falling steadily as he looked at the bodies.
"…Eight."
Not ten.
But enough.
The remaining ones had fled.
Driven away.
Ayan exhaled slowly.
"…That counts."
Aelira stepped closer, her gaze moving briefly over him, checking without touching.
"You're slower than them."
She said it simply.
Ayan let out a small breath.
"…I know."
"But you didn't fall behind."
Ayan paused.
Then glanced at her slightly.
"…Thanks."
They began collecting the materials after that, the process slower than the fight itself, carefully taking what could be sold, storing it in the bags they carried. The weight added up quickly, but it was manageable.
By the time they returned to the guild, the sun had already begun to lower slightly, the building still as busy as before. Ayan stepped up to the counter, placing the collected proof down as he explained, "We cleared most of them. The rest fled."
The receptionist examined the materials briefly before nodding.
"That will be counted as completion."
Five silver coins.
Plus additional payment for materials.
Ayan took the coins, feeling their weight settle in his hand.
He didn't smile.
But—
"…This works."
It was better.
Not enough.
But better.
As they stepped outside once more, the city stretching out before them, Ayan's thoughts moved again, already planning, already calculating.
Because now—
He understood something clearly.
This wasn't just survival anymore.
This was progression.
And he had only just begun.