Spring 83, X008

  I arrived at our meeting place, but it seems I was a bit too early. No one is here yet, just me.

  It’s a strange spot to meet, right in front of this grandiose-looking gate. The walls are made of brick and rise as tall as two grown men standing on each other's shoulders.

  Beyond the gate, a building looms even larger, far more impressive than the gate itself. It looks like a mansion fit for royalty. I’m at a loss for words to describe it—it's just magnificent. Am I even allowed to stand here?

  Looking around, the village is bustling with activity—people bartering, trading goods, and going about their business. The buildings are something else; each one has its own unique style. It’s hard to explain in detail, but I can see how they differ—some are wide and sturdy, while others are tall and slender.

  But I can't shake the feeling like lingering in front of this grandiose-looking gate isn’t the best idea. Maybe I should try to find Marge’s house and wait there instead. Then again, the road leading to the houses is so crowded, and I’m worried I might cause trouble or draw unwanted attention if I start loitering around.

  Seriously, how long am I going to wait for them_

  I didn’t notice Marge was sneaking behind me as I was writing a while ago. I almost soiled my pants when she placed both of her hands on both my shoulders.

  To think Marge is such an affluent person as she came at me from the other side of the gate.

  She asked what I was doing, and I answered I was writing a diary. With a cheeky grin, she extended her right hand to me, motioning to give my diary to her.

  I hesitated at first, but then she said, “To enter this gate, one must pay a toll.”

  Reluctantly, I handed it to her. She flipped it open, skimming through the pages, and then clicked her tongue in disapproval. “Perverts,” she muttered before handing it back. I got feeling like she just looked for keywords like her name and didn’t really read any other part.

  She opened the gate and motioned for me to step inside. I froze for a moment, caught off guard by the beauty that lay before me.

  The vibrant colors of the flowers popped against the deep green of the grass, creating a perfect contrast. Tall trees framing the space like natural sentinels. A small stone path wound its way through the garden, leading the eye to a charming little fountain. It was truly a breathtaking view, that I was out of it and Marge had to snap her fingers to bring me back.

  When we reached the building, she opened the heavy wooden doors, revealing a grand foyer adorned with gilded mirrors and intricate tapestries. I was in awe at how luxurious her house was that she had to snap her fingers again right in front of my face for me to get back to reality.

  She guided me towards a room where I felt like my neck was snapping at how much I was looking around while walking with her. She gestured her hand at the door, implying that the door leads to the room where I should wait by, and said she would go back and wait for the others.

  I opened the door to reveal a sunlit room filled with elegant furniture and stunning artwork. The walls were draped in rich fabrics; everything just exudes richness.

  Just like how Haley is also exuding the same atmosphere as she is sipping on a porcelain teacup while her eyes are close, as she is savoring the tea. A soft smile graces her lips, reflecting her quiet appreciation for that moment; each sip is like a tranquil pause in the world around her. She lets out a soft, satisfied sigh, almost a whisper, as if indulging in a secret.

  When she opened her eyes and noticed me, she blushed embarrassed. As someone which is me was staring at her while she was indulging in her tea.

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Ah, that was somewhat awkward for me too.

  So, with a single nod, as if we agreed to not talk about this moment. She then offered me tea, almost like it was a silent contract to forget what had just transpired, and once I drink it, it feels like the contract will be fully sealed. Which I did drank the tea, she gave me a cheeky smile, clearly pleased with my full cooperation.

  Marge’s house is something else entirely—it radiates elegance and beauty, yet there’s this emptiness to it. I could count the number of servants I saw on one hand, and it seems like her parents aren’t around at all. But, honestly, it feels like it’s better not to dwell on it.

  Well, that’s all for now. There’s nothing to write now that we are waiting for Daelan and Hank. I’ll continue once everything is done.

  I couldn’t believe how weak my stomach was. The sensation of the wolf’s flesh giving way under my blade was unsettling enough, but the real breaking point came when I pulled the blade free, and a gush of warm blood sprayed over my entire upper body. That was it—I doubled over and vomited into the dirt.

  Shame twisted in my gut, heavier than the nausea. How could I ever hope to be an adventurer if I couldn’t even handle this?

  Daelan and Hank’s laughter rang out, their voices teasing but not unkind. Marge frowned and told them to cut it out, while Haley knelt beside me, her hand warm and steady on my shoulder. I couldn’t meet her eyes.

  After a moment, Daelan said with an encouraging grin, “Hey, at least now you know what it feels like. It’s rough at first, but you’ll get used to it. Trust me.”

  Hank followed with a slap on my back that nearly knocked me over. “You’ll be fine,” he said, flashing a thumbs up. His confidence was almost contagious.

  Despite the mess I’d made of myself, their words sank in. Maybe they were right. Maybe I just needed time. Their belief in me sparked something I hadn’t felt before—a quiet determination. I wasn’t ready to give up. Not yet. If they could see potential in me, maybe I could, too.

  Ah, right, the context.

  When Daelan and Hank arrived, they were just like me, their eyes darting around, taking in the surroundings. Marge motioned for them to take a seat and then, with a determined look, pushed a table into place in front of us. She refused any offers of help, stubbornly handling it on her own.

  Unfolding a map onto the table, she pointed decisively. “Here’s where we are,” she said, her finger tapping a spot, “and here’s where we’re headed. It’s a field with a good number of monsters—mostly slimes. There shouldn’t be anything else to worry about.”

  Daelan raised his hand, ever the curious one. “How do you know this place?” he asked.

  “I’ve been training there,” Marge replied with a shrug, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

  Daelan nodded, muttering a subdued “Oh” in a disheartened tone before falling silent once more.

  Marge kept going, her focus sharp. “If we’re on foot, it should take about thirty minutes under ideal conditions. If things slow us down, we’ll still make it in less than an hour.”

  We set out towards that place.

  The way there was peaceful; as we left the village, we reached an open grassy field with a strong breeze that carried the fresh scent of earth, and grass filled the air.

  We reached the place; it was a forest. The forest is filled with tall trees and the sounds of chirping birds. In the middle is our true destination; there’s an open space and multiple slimes lurking around.

  We began the attack, and it quickly became a one-sided massacre. Marge was the clear standout, using the opportunity to showcase her skills with an impressive display of magic. While her spells took time to cast, their devastating effectiveness in wiping out the slimes left no doubt about her prowess.

  It made the three of us look downright ridiculous in comparison. Our job was straightforward—just hit the slime’s core, and it was over: bash, and poof, gone. The whole process felt crude, like cavemen smashing things with clubs.

  Meanwhile, Haley quietly worked in the background, casting a support spell to strengthen our bodies. Her magic gave us a noticeable edge, even if it couldn’t make our clunky attacks look any less primitive.

  That’s when a wolf, likely drawn by the noise of our attack, came charging toward us. It locked its sights on Marge and lunged at her, but Hank, who was closest, intercepted it with his shield, halting the attack.

  The wolf, now entirely focused on Hank, didn’t notice Daelan moving into position behind it. With a swift strike, Daelan plunged his blade into the wolf’s side. But the beast was relentless. It thrashed violently, shaking Daelan off and leaving his weapon embedded in its body.

  Wounded but undeterred, the wolf turned its sights on Haley. It lunged with feral intensity, but she reacted swiftly, casting a barrier on herself that brought its charge to an abrupt halt.

  Then the wolf finally turned its attention to me and lunged with all its might. I barely had time to react, gripping my dagger tightly as it closed the distance. The sheer force of its charge knocked me off my feet, but in the chaos, I instinctively angled my dagger, driving it deep into the wolf's neck and killing it.

  When I pulled the blade free, a torrent of blood gushed out, drenching my face and upper body. That, of course, was the moment Daelan and Hank burst out laughing.

  And that's how the whole incident unfolded.

  End of the day.