The pale light of the morning sun filtered through the curtains of Yuki’s room at the inn, casting gentle streaks of gold across the wooden floor. The warmth of the bed still clung to her skin, but there was no time to linger. Yuki stirred from her slumber, her mind sharp and focused, as always. The events of the previous day had been a reminder of how much power she had within her grasp—and how dangerous it could be if she wasn’t careful. She had completed the quest and received her reward, but she knew that her journey was far from over.

  She rose from the bed, her movements fluid and deliberate, as if every action had been pnned ahead of time. The room was sparse, a simple bed, a dresser, and a small table by the window where she had left her gear. Yuki dressed quickly, donning her cloak and securing her sword to her side. The cold morning air nipped at her skin as she stepped outside, her boots making soft thuds against the cobbled streets of the town.

  The inn was quiet at this early hour, but the smells of fresh bread and sizzling meat wafted from the kitchen, coaxing Yuki’s stomach to remind her that food was in order. She made her way down to the common room, where a small group of early risers sat hunched over their breakfasts. The innkeeper, a stout woman with a friendly smile, greeted her as she entered.

  "Good morning, dear," the innkeeper said, her voice warm and welcoming. "What can I get you?"

  Yuki gave a polite nod, her thoughts momentarily drifting. She hadn’t realized how much she had missed the simple comforts of a meal, a warm pce to rest. The world she had been thrust into was harsh and unforgiving, but it was also a world full of small pleasures—like the comforting taste of hot food in the morning.

  "I’ll have whatever’s fresh," Yuki replied, her voice soft but firm. "Some bread, eggs, and a drink, if you have it."

  "Coming right up," the innkeeper said, bustling into the kitchen.

  Yuki took a seat by the window, her fingers absently tracing the edge of her cup. Her mind wandered for a moment, reflecting on the journey ahead. Yesterday’s quest had been a straightforward task—eliminating a group of monsters in a cave—but today, she felt the stirring of something more significant. She had been given a taste of what her powers could accomplish, but that was just the beginning. She couldn’t afford to get compcent. Every fight, every quest, would shape her into the person she needed to be—stronger, faster, more capable.

  The innkeeper returned with a tray of food, setting it down in front of her with a smile. The meal was simple but hearty, the eggs cooked perfectly, the bread warm and soft, and the drink—a rich, herbal tea—was a welcome addition. Yuki ate quickly, savoring each bite, but her mind was already moving forward.

  Once she finished, she stood, leaving a few coins on the table as payment. The morning was still young, and she had a task to complete.

  Yuki made her way to the Adventurer’s Guild, the building standing tall in the center of the town square. The guild hall was bustling even at this early hour, adventurers coming and going, discussing their quests, and preparing for the challenges ahead. As Yuki entered, she was greeted by the familiar noise of activity—cttering armor, voices raised in conversation, and the occasional ugh or shout.

  She walked toward the quest board, her eyes scanning the numerous quests pinned there. Some were simple tasks—gathering herbs or delivering goods—while others were more dangerous. It didn’t take long for her to find her next mission.

  "Clear out the bandit group," she muttered under her breath, reading the details. A group of bandits had been terrorizing the local trade routes, ambushing travelers and merchants alike. The guild was offering a significant reward for anyone brave enough to deal with the threat. Yuki felt a slight twinge of excitement in her chest. This would be different from her st mission. She could feel it.

  She made her way to the counter, where a receptionist was busy sorting through papers. The young woman looked up when she saw Yuki approach.

  "Ah, you’re back," she said, recognizing the dark-haired adventurer from the previous day. "Have you come for another quest?"

  Yuki nodded. "I’ll take the bandit job."

  The receptionist smiled and quickly pulled up the details. "This one’s a bit more challenging than the st," she warned. "The bandits are entrenched in a small camp to the north. It’s not just one or two—it’s a whole group. You’ll need to be prepared."

  Yuki gnced at the transtion gsses she had taken from the guild, their smooth surface reflecting the light. They were a surprisingly useful tool, making it easy for her to read the worlds nguage. She had quickly learned to appreciate them. The gsses allowed her to read any text, any inscription, with ease, transting nguages and symbols into her native tongue. It had saved her time and frustration, allowing her to focus more on the tasks at hand rather than worrying about nguage barriers.

  She adjusted the gsses slightly, the lenses catching the light as they turned to the receptionist. "I’m ready."

  The receptionist gave a small nod and handed her a sealed envelope. "Alright done. I have registered the quest as taken goodluck on your hunt." They said with a smile.

  [System Notice: Quest Accepted – “Bandit Camp”][System Notice: Reward; 40 silvers and 45 unallocated stat points]

  With the quest now officially in her hands, Yuki stepped out of the guild, the early morning air cool and crisp against her skin. She took a deep breath and began making her way toward the north, her thoughts focused on the task ahead.

  The journey to the bandit camp was not long, but the terrain grew increasingly rugged as Yuki traveled. The trees became denser, and the air grew heavier with the scent of pine and damp earth. The path was winding and narrow, the ground beneath her feet uneven, but Yuki moved with practiced ease, her mind alert to every sound, every shift in the environment.

  As she neared the camp, the sounds of movement reached her ears—low voices, the clink of metal, the rustling of leaves. She crouched low, blending into the shadows as she surveyed the scene. The bandit camp was situated in a small clearing, surrounded by thick underbrush. Several men and women were gathered around a fire, their weapons within reach. A few kept watch on the perimeter, but most seemed rexed, unaware of the danger approaching.

  Yuki's hand instinctively went to the hilt of her sword, her grip firm and steady. She assessed the situation. It was clear that the bandits were well-organized, but there was a degree of compcency in their posture. They hadn’t yet realized the threat they were about to face.

  The tension in the air was palpable, and Yuki felt her heart rate steady as she prepared herself. This would be her first true test in combat—an actual battle, with real stakes. She had faced monsters before, but this was different. These were people, and they were not going to go down easily.

  Yuki's Void Resonance thrummed beneath her skin, a familiar hum that filled her chest with a sense of power and purpose. Her tendrils, always ready, began to extend from her back, the void energy swirling around them, dark and potent. She activated the Elemental Coat: Necrotic once again, feeling the surge of necrotic energy coat the tendrils, giving them a deadly edge.

  With a sudden, fluid movement, Yuki sprang from her hiding pce, her tendrils shing out with speed and precision. The first bandit never saw it coming. The tendrils wrapped around his neck, the necrotic energy draining his life force before he could even scream. He crumpled to the ground in a heap, his body twitching as the life drained from him.

  The remaining bandits reacted quickly, drawing their weapons and charging toward her. Yuki moved with grace, her bde fshing through the air as she sliced through one bandit’s arm, sending him stumbling backward in pain. The tendrils wrapped around another, pulling him in close as Yuki’s bde pierced his heart. The necrotic energy surged, draining the life from the bandit as he fell lifeless at her feet.

  The st two bandits, seeing the overwhelming power Yuki wielded, hesitated for only a moment before attacking in unison. Yuki’s eyes flickered with cold determination as she sidestepped their strikes, her tendrils grabbing one by the legs and pulling him off his feet. She sshed at the other, her sword cutting through his side, and then finished the job with a swift decapitation.

  The clearing fell silent once again, the only sound the crackling of the fire. Yuki stood amidst the bodies, her breathing steady, the thrill of combat settling into her bones. She had done it—clean, efficient, ruthless. There was no time for mercy, no time for hesitation.

  As she began collecting the spoils, her mind lingered on the fight. This battle had been a test—one that she had passed, but it had raised questions. How far could she push herself? What was the true extent of her powers? And, more importantly, what did the future hold for her in this world?

  With a grim satisfaction, Yuki left the bandit camp, her thoughts already shifting toward the next challenge. The quest had been completed, but her journey was far from over.

  Kiera_Yanagi