The Role of the Reaper

Shin emerged from the dungeon, the cool night air a welcome change from the oppressive gloom of the underground. He strode through the deserted sewers, his thoughts lingering on his encounter with the Dungeon Merchant and the treasures he had acquired. The streets of the town came into view as he climbed out of the hidden sewer exit. It was late, and the faint glow of streetlights gave the cobblestone roads a soft luminescence.

By the time he reached the inn where he was staying, the bustling town had quieted down. Shin entered his room, closing the door behind him. Immediately, a small blur of white and black fur darted toward him.

"Kuro!" Shin said, smiling as the tiny tiger leapt into his arms.

The miniature tiger purred loudly, nuzzling into Shin's chest. Despite its small size, Kuro was a ferocious little creature when needed, but with Shin, it was as playful as a kitten.

A voice called out from the corner of the room. "You're back! Took you long enough."

Shin turned to see Miko, the boy he had saved and taken under his wing. Miko had been waiting for him, sitting cross-legged on the floor while polishing his wooden training sword.

"Yeah, I had a few things to deal with," Shin said, setting Kuro down. The little tiger pranced around his feet, clearly happy to see him.

"What'd you find in the dungeon?" Miko asked eagerly, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Shin smirked. "Let's just say it was worth the trip." He opened his bag slightly, giving Miko a glimpse of the shimmering Invisibility Cloak and the Dragon Armor.

Miko's jaw dropped. "No way! Is that... real dragon armor?!"

Shin shrugged casually. "Of course. You didn't think I'd come back empty-handed, did you?"

Miko laughed. "Showoff."

After some light banter, Shin changed into more casual attire. He looked at Miko and Kuro. "Let's head out. We've been cooped up long enough."

The Streets of Astaria

The trio strolled through the vibrant streets of the town, which had come alive despite the late hour. Lanterns hung between buildings, their warm light illuminating the cobblestone roads. Merchants called out to passersby, offering everything from exotic trinkets to freshly cooked delicacies.

Shin's gaze landed on a food stall selling skewered meat sizzling over an open flame. The aroma was irresistible. He handed a few coins to the vendor and received three skewers, handing one to Miko and holding another out to Kuro.

The miniature tiger sniffed it curiously before taking a careful bite. Kuro's eyes widened with delight, and it devoured the rest in seconds.

"Looks like he approves," Miko said, laughing.

They wandered further, sampling pastries filled with sweet cream, freshly baked bread, and even a spicy soup that made Miko's face turn red. Shin couldn't help but enjoy the moment—these small slices of normalcy were rare amidst the chaos of his life.

The Guild

As they walked, Miko tugged at Shin's sleeve. "Hey, let's check the guild. There was that quest you mentioned before, right?"

Shin nodded. The guild hall was a large, imposing building near the center of town. Its double doors swung open to reveal a bustling interior filled with adventurers of all kinds. The smell of ale and roasted meat filled the air, and the hum of chatter created an energetic atmosphere.

The quest board stood near the back of the hall, covered with parchment notices detailing missions of varying difficulty. Miko pointed excitedly at one particular quest that stood out.

A Village in Peril: People and Animals Mysteriously Disappearing

Difficulty: High

Reward: 500,000 Astari

Miko read aloud, "A nearby village has reported the mysterious disappearance of its people and animals. Adventurers are requested to investigate and eliminate any threats."

Shin stared at the notice, his expression unreadable. "A high-difficulty quest with that kind of reward... It won't be easy."

Miko tilted his head. "Are we going to take it?"

Shin didn't answer immediately. Instead, he took the notice from the board and folded it neatly. "We'll decide tomorrow. For now, let's head back."

Back at the Inn

The walk back to the inn was quiet, the streets now deserted as the town began to settle for the night. Once inside their room, Shin set the quest notice on the small wooden desk by the window.

Miko flopped onto his bed, exhausted from the day's adventures. Kuro curled up on the edge of Shin's bed, purring softly as it drifted off to sleep.

Shin sat by the window, gazing out at the moonlit town. His thoughts wandered to the quest. Disappearances weren't uncommon in this world, but something about this case felt off. He would need to prepare carefully if he decided to take it on.

After a while, he stretched and climbed into bed. Miko's soft snores filled the room, and Kuro's rhythmic purring was oddly comforting.

As Shin closed his eyes, he made a mental note to visit the village the next day. Whatever was happening there, he would uncover the truth—and, if necessary, put an end to it.