The door creaked open, revealing the stooped figure of old Betidor accompanied by two other men.

  On his right, a bald man with prominent muscles and an impassive expression; on his left, a man of imposing stature, dressed in robes reminiscent of nobility, his presence as overwhelming as his physique.

  "So you've brought friends," commented Betidor. "That's good, the more people the better."

  The old man's sharp eyes swept the room, and disguisedly, Colin slipped the analysis ring on his finger.

  Name: Noretu

  Age: 32.

  Primary tree: Flame. Level: 04.

  Secondary tree: Earth. Level: 00.

  Secondary tree: Pelago. Level: 00.

  HP: 2600. MP: 1800.

  Skills:

  Strength: 18.

  Dexterity: 12.

  Agility: 12.

  Intelligence: 34.

  Stamina: 58.

  "Flame, earth and pelago... he's got a huge MP, and because his skills are low, I'd say he should be a mage, not a fighter."

  Name: Kylone.

  Age: 27.

  Primary tree: Pujance. Level: 04.

  Secondary tree: Sky. Level: 00.

  Secondary tree: Chaos. Level: Blocked.

  HP: 3600.

  MP: 580.

  Skills:

  Strength: 56.

  Dexterity: 38.

  Agility: 38.

  Intelligence: 34.

  Stamina: 58.

  "Allow me to introduce myself," began the old man in a voice that, although weak, carried a tone of unquestionable authority. "This is Noretu and Kylone. They arrived yesterday, just like you, offering their help in our cause. They are also mercenaries."

  Colin, whose distrust was as palpable as the sword at his side, nodded, extending a hand in greeting.

  "Colin. I'm the leader of this expedition."

  Noretu, the burly man, accepted the greeting with a firm handshake, his eyes quickly scanning the group before settling on Safira, assessing her in a way that made the atmosphere in the room tense.

  Kylone, for his part, struggled for a smile which, amid the scars that adorned his face, looked more like a grimace.

  "Nice to meet you," he said, his gentle voice an unexpected counterpoint to his intimidating appearance.

  "Well, I explained the situation to them yesterday. Mr. Colin, they're going to help you capture the fairy, I hope that's not a problem."

  Colin stared at the old man, suspicious.

  "Noertu and Kylone have skills that will be invaluable in the search for the fairy and the eventual fight against the witches. I hope they do well, and one more thing, here!"

  Betidor handed Colin a folded map.

  "A complete map of the region, it's all there."

  As Colin unfolded the map on the nearest table, Noretu kept his inquisitive gaze on Safira, who, visibly uncomfortable, tried to disguise her discomfort.

  "As I said, the lair is near the lake. There may be a dense fog. Witches often use this to disguise themselves. Questions?" asked the old man. No one said anything. "Good then, good luck to the five of you."

  With nothing else to discuss, they went down the stairs of the inn. The girl from reception was standing next to her father. Disguisedly, she waved goodbye to Colin, who smiled in return.

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  "Tsk... mercenaries..." said the girl's father. "Our taxes had better be worth something since we're spending them on these bastards!"

  Colin and his group had finally left the inn.

  "You should be patient, my friend. Staying here and waiting is the best decision, don't you agree, girl?"

  "I-I? I don't know, sir... but I hope they make it back..."

  "Come back? I'd have all those vermin beheaded!" replied her father.

  The old man reached into his overcoat and pulled out a cigarette, lighting it with magic, a flame coming out of his index finger.

  "Your hatred is limiting your vision, my friend. I see more than mere mercenaries, don't you agree, girl?"

  "Well... I've got work to do in the kitchen, if you'll excuse me..." she retorted.

  "They're all the same to me. It's because of bastards who will do anything for a few coins that this continent continues to drown in disgrace." The man wiped his hands on his apron and walked to the back. "I should have sent them straight to the devil instead of this fairy tale that we don't even know is real."

  Betidor stood alone.

  "If they can't kill a few witches," he muttered. "Then you'll never kill a demon."

  [...]

  As the sun set, hiding behind thick, heavy clouds that promised a storm, the group of mercenaries made their way along a desolate road.

  Colin, mounted on a sturdy horse, and Safira, sitting just behind him, clung to his waist.

  Renovich followed alongside, his own horse reflecting the seriousness of its rider, while Kylone and Noretu kept close behind, each on their own horse.

  It was Noretu who broke the silence, galloping a little further ahead to match Colin's pace.

  "It's a curious sight," he began. "A Dark Elf like you, far from the shadows of your land, and accompanied by such a lovely lady. Where do you come from, if I may be so curious?"

  Colin frowned, uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation, but recognizing the opportunity to learn more about his questioner.

  "My origin doesn't define my path, Noretu. But I must admit, your presence here also intrigues me. How does someone of such... corpulent stature become a mercenary?"

  Noretu let out a low laugh, barely audible above the sound of hooves pounding against the dirt path.

  "Magic is the most sublime form of power in this world. It transcends mere physical strength, speed or dexterity. Those who rely on the body alone will never understand the true extent of what is possible."

  His gaze was lost in the distance, as if he could see beyond the stormy clouds.

  "Don't you speak?"

  "..."

  "Not if she doesn't want to," said Colin.

  "A protective type is rare these days. Kylone and I have been further west. The girls there are beautiful too, they'll do anything to get a bite to eat. I met a girl, she had two younger brothers. She slept with me for a few coins. A few months later I heard that she was pregnant and didn't survive the birth."

  Stuffing his hand into his overcoat, Noretu pulled out a small flask that held whisky, then drank.

  "I wondered if that girl was expecting my child, but I don't think so. She was a whore, the way desperate she was, she must have had sex with hundreds of guys after me."

  He told it all casually, without a hint of remorse.

  "You're lucky, miss," he said, staring at Safira. "Men like our Colin here are rare. I admit, I couldn't stay so close to a beautiful girl for so long and do nothing."

  Colin felt Safira's arms around his waist. It wasn't just her who noticed, but also Renovich, who was on the other side listening to Noretu speak.

  That man was dangerous.

  Colin looked at the dagger at his waist, then his eyes swept the area.

  As Colin rested his hand on the dagger, Noretu opened his palm towards the false Elf, concentrating his flame magic.

  "Get down!" said Noretu.

  Colin ducked, and the fireball exploded in the face of a troll who came out of the undergrowth wielding his club.

  Boom!

  Suddenly, from the thicket of trees that lined the path, huge, hideous creatures emerged, with thick skins that looked like stone and eyes injected with fury.

  Trolls, almost three meters tall, advanced with heavy, menacing steps towards the group.

  "We're under attack!"

  Colin didn't hesitate. With one fluid, precise movement, he leapt from his horse, helping Safira down with him.

  In perfect synchronicity, they both drew their swords.

  "Can you keep up with me?" asked Colin.

  "I can, sir!" replied Safira.

  Noretu, watching the trolls advance from a safe distance, got off his horse with a mighty leap. He raised his hands to the gray sky, and balls of fire began to form in his palms, growing and pulsating with an intense light, ready to be launched at the monsters.

  Kylone, for his part, drew his sword with a metallic sound that cut through the air. With a battle cry, he launched himself at the trolls.

  Woosh!

  Colin and Safira faced their adversary with perfect harmony, circling the creature with agile and precise movements.

  Colin, in an audacious leap, climbed onto the troll's back, landing a deadly blow to the creature's neck, while Safira, taking advantage of the distraction, struck its legs, causing it to topple over with a deafening thud.

  Bam!

  Noretu, with a theatrical gesture, launched the spheres of fire towards the nearest troll.

  Boom!

  The flames exploded against the creature's body, enveloping it in a fiery inferno. The troll, roaring with pain and rage, staggered backwards before falling, defeated, its body still engulfed in the flames that consumed it.

  Kylone, facing his own enemy, demonstrated impressive strength and agility. In a fierce duel, he exchanged quick and precise blows with the troll.

  In a final, desperate move, the troll raised its huge arm to crush Kylone, but the warrior, with surprising dexterity, dodged and drove his sword through the heart of the beast, which emitted a final roar before collapsing to the ground.

  When the last of the trolls fell, silence returned to the path. Colin, Safira, Noretu and Kylone, breathing heavily.

  Renovich, aware of the fight, just watched. If it were up to him, he would wait for Noretu and Kylone to kill all the trolls, just to test them.

  "Trolls..." said Noretu, walking up to them. "It's a sign that we're close to the lair. It's easy to tell when trolls are near, but it was a surprise attack."

  "The horses got away," said Kylone.

  "We won't need them," replied Noretu. "They'll just slow us down."

  With a wicked grin, he stared at Colin.

  , Colin thought.

  "You have a good skill with the sword, Mr. Colin, and the girl, it seems, is not as helpless a lady as I thought," he sneered. "That puts my mind at ease. Let's get going."

  Safira crossed eyes with Colin and, even without saying anything, he understood everything. They couldn't let their guard down.

  And as the first drops of rain began to fall, signaling the start of the storm, the group continued their journey.