Chapter 7 - Chapter 7: Hunt of Steel and Flame

The next morning, Ren and Elyra Noctis got ready early and left their room without wasting time.

"We need to earn as much as possible today," Ren said while walking through the streets of Aetherion.

Elyra nodded. "Then let's move quickly."

On the way to the Adventurer Guild, Ren suddenly stopped in front of a weapon shop.

Elyra looked at him. "What happened?"

"You can't keep fighting without proper gear," Ren replied. "Come."

🛡️ Preparation Before Battle

Inside the shop, Ren carefully examined different weapons and armors.

After some time, he picked a lightweight magic-compatible sword for Elyra.

"This will match your speed," he said.

Elyra held the sword and swung it lightly. "It feels… good."

Ren then chose a flexible but strong armor.

"This will protect you without slowing you down."

Elyra looked at him quietly. "You're spending a lot."

Ren smiled slightly. "It's necessary."

🏹 Promotion Surprise

After that, they reached the Adventurer Guild.

As soon as Ren stepped inside, the receptionist greeted him.

"Ren, your rank has been updated."

"…Updated?" Ren asked in surprise.

"You are now an E-Rank Adventurer."

Ren frowned. "But I haven't even completed many quests yet."

The receptionist explained:

"The herbs you submitted were extremely pure and high quality."

"Guild Master Orion Valcrest personally approved your promotion."

Ren was surprised. "…Guild Master himself?"

She nodded.

"And there's more. Since your party has an A-Rank adventurer, you've been given a Special Pass."

"What does that mean?" Ren asked.

"You can now take monster-related quests along with herb quests."

Elyra smiled. "That's good."

Ren grinned. "Now we can earn more."

⚔️ Choosing the Missions

They selected two quests:

Eliminate evolved goblins outside the city

Collect blood from a Stone Dragon in the mountain

With their quests confirmed, they left the guild.

🚗 A Familiar Helper

On the way, they met a familiar man.

It was Takumi Renshiro, the carriage driver Ren had saved earlier.

"Oh! It's you two," he said with a smile. "I can drop you outside the city."

"Thank you," Ren replied.

They got on the carriage and soon reached the outskirts.

🐺 First Target

After walking a short distance, they spotted a goblin drinking water near a river.

Elyra stepped forward, ready to attack—

But Ren quickly stopped her.

"Wait."

She looked at him. "Why?"

"If we attack now, it might call the others," Ren explained.

"We don't even know how many there are."

"So we follow it," Elyra said.

Ren nodded. "Exactly."

🧠 Smart Plan

As they followed the goblin silently, Elyra whispered:

"You're really smart, Ren…"

"…That's why I like you."

Ren suddenly froze.

"…W-What do you mean by like?!"

Elyra immediately looked away, slightly embarrassed.

"…Forget it."

"Look, it's moving."

Ren scratched his head awkwardly and continued following.

⚠️ Surrounded

They reached the goblin hideout.

But before they could react—

The goblins had already noticed them.

They were surrounded from all sides.

Ren sighed slightly. "Looks like we're surrounded."

Elyra smirked. "So?"

Ren's eyes sharpened. "Attack."

⚔️ Goblin Battle

Elyra raised her hand.

"Wind Magic: Dust Veil!"

Dust filled the air, reducing visibility.

Ren dashed forward.

"Sword Skill: Flash Strike!"

One goblin fell instantly.

Elyra followed with fire magic.

"Fire Magic: Flame Burst!"

The goblins burned and scattered.

Together, they defeated all of them quickly.

🪓 Aftermath

Ren looked around.

"I didn't think goblins could be this smart."

He turned to Elyra.

"Cut their ears for proof. And don't forget the cores."

"I'll check the surroundings."

Elyra nodded. "Come back quickly."

🐉 Toward the Mountain

After regrouping, they headed toward the mountain.

Soon, they reached it.

The area was filled with rare herbs.

Elyra asked, "How are these growing here?"

Ren replied, "Probably due to the dragon's excess mana."

"Collect them quickly."

They gathered everything.

😨 The Stone Dragon

As they moved forward, they saw it—

A massive Stone Dragon, sleeping.

Both of them felt its overwhelming presence.

Ren whispered, "Normal attacks won't work on this."

"We need a plan."

Elyra said, "I'll use my demon power."

Ren hesitated. "Are you sure you'll be fine?"

"Yes."

🔥 The Battle Begins

Suddenly—

The dragon woke up and roared.

The ground shook violently.

Elyra attacked first.

"Demon Art: Black Flame!"

But it barely affected the dragon.

Ren rushed forward.

"Sword Skill: Piercing Slash!"

He managed to cut its leg slightly.

"…This sword is stronger than I thought."

⚡ Breaking the Defense

The dragon attacked with its tail—

Ren was thrown back.

Elyra immediately used:

"Black Flame: Corrosion!"

The dragon's stone armor weakened.

"Ren, now!"

Ren charged forward.

"Sword Skill: Armor Break!"

The shield cracked.

Elyra followed with:

"Ice Magic: Frost Pierce!"

The attack went through its body.

⚔️ Final Strike

As the dragon weakened—

Ren gathered all his strength.

"Ultimate Sword Skill: Crimson Slash!"

He struck its neck—

And the dragon fell.

💰 Rewards Collection

Quickly, they:

Collected dragon blood in glass bottles

Extracted the magic core

Took stone armor fragments

Ren said, "We'll use this core later."

Elyra nodded.

🏆 Back to Guild

They returned to the guild and submitted:

2 bottles of dragon blood

Goblin ears

Rewards:

Goblins → 2 Gold, 4 Silver

Dragon Blood → 8 Gold, 5 Silver

Goblin cores → 4 Gold

😏 Smart Move

Outside, Elyra asked:

"Why only 2 bottles?"

Ren smiled.

"That's what the quest required."

"The rest are ours."

"We can sell them or use them for healing potions."

Elyra nodded.

"You're right."

🍽️ Ending Scene

Elyra said softly,

"I'll always protect you."

Ren smiled.

"Let's go eat first. I'm starving."

Suddenly—

Grrrr…

Elyra looked down.

Ren laughed.

"Hurry, or the dragon inside you will come out."

Elyra turned away, slightly embarrassed.

"…Not funny."

Both of them started laughing as they walked back.

Ren and Elyra Noctis headed toward a nearby restaurant.

The streets of Aetherion were still lively, filled with people enjoying the evening. Warm lights shone from the shops, and the smell of delicious food filled the air.

Ren stretched slightly and smiled.

"Let's eat something good today."

Elyra looked at him curiously.

"Something special?"

Ren nodded.

"Yeah. Today we celebrate."

"Celebrate?" she asked.

"Our first mission together," Ren said with a grin. "We completed it successfully. So today… we party a little."

Elyra's eyes widened slightly, and then a soft smile appeared on her face.

"…Alright."

Both of them entered the restaurant and took a seat near the window.

A waiter approached them, and Ren quickly ordered several dishes.

"Order whatever you want," Ren said. "Don't hold back."

Elyra looked at the menu for a moment, then quietly pointed at a few items.

Soon, the food arrived.

🍽️ A Rare Moment of Happiness

For a while, they simply enjoyed the food.

Ren was eating happily, while Elyra tasted each dish slowly, as if she wasn't used to such moments.

"This is good…" she said softly.

Ren smiled.

"Right? Food always makes things better."

For the first time in a long while, both of them looked truly relaxed.

They laughed, talked, and enjoyed the moment without thinking about battles, danger, or the future.

But—

Not far from them…

A figure stood silently in the shadows.

The person was completely covered in a black cloak, their face hidden.

Their eyes were fixed on Ren and Elyra.

Watching.

Observing.

Without making a sound.

For a few moments, the mysterious figure continued to stare at them.

Then—

In the blink of an eye…

They disappeared.

As if they were never there.

Ren and Elyra had no idea that someone had been watching them.

🌙 Back to the Room

After finishing their meal, the two returned to their inn.

"Today was a good day," Ren said while walking upstairs.

Elyra nodded.

"…Yes."

They separated and went to their respective rooms.

Inside his room, Ren sat down and took out the herbs they had collected from the mountain.

"…Time to get to work."

🧪 Secret Potions

Ren carefully started preparing potions.

He crushed the herbs, mixed them with liquids, and controlled the temperature with precision.

"These should work…"

He created:

Healing Potions

Magic Restore Potions

While working, he muttered softly,

"Mom really taught me everything…"

Just then—

The door suddenly opened.

Ren turned around immediately.

"…Hey!"

It was Elyra.

Ren frowned slightly.

"Don't you have any manners? You should knock before entering."

Then he added,

"And what are you doing here this late? You have your own room, don't you?"

Elyra stood there quietly for a moment.

Then she spoke softly,

"I… feel scared when I'm alone."

Ren blinked.

"I get bad dreams… so I came here."

For a second, Ren didn't say anything.

Then he sighed lightly.

"…Fine."

But Elyra's eyes shifted toward the table.

"What are you making this late at night?"

Ren looked back at his work.

"These are potions," he said. "From the herbs we collected."

"Healing potions… and magic restore potions."

Elyra tilted her head slightly.

"I know healing potions…"

"But magic restore potions… I've never heard of them."

Ren paused for a moment.

Then he said quietly,

"That's because… it's my mom's secret."

"She created it using her own knowledge."

Elyra listened carefully.

Ren continued,

"When someone uses too much magic in battle and runs out…"

"This potion helps restore it."

Elyra's eyes widened slightly.

"…That's incredible."

Ren shook his head.

"But if anyone finds out about this…"

"It could cause a lot of trouble."

"That's why my mom kept it hidden."

"And when I was a child… she taught me everything."

Elyra stayed silent.

Then she said slowly,

"But… you can't use magic."

"Then why are you making this?"

Ren gave a small smile.

"For emergencies."

"If we ever need it… I can use it on you."

For a moment—

Elyra looked at him quietly.

A faint smile appeared on her face.

"…I see."

But deep inside—

She felt something else.

A slight sadness.

She thought silently:

"How hard must it have been for him…"

"…to live like this for so long…"

🌌 A Quiet Ending

Ren stretched slightly and stood up.

"Alright, I'm done."

Then he looked at her.

"Now go to sleep."

He lay down on the bed.

Elyra hesitated for a moment.

Then, just like the previous night—

She quietly moved closer and lay down beside him.

Neither of them said anything.

The room became silent.

Outside, the night grew deeper.

And inside—

Two lives, slowly changing…

Without even realizing it.