Cassian returned to Lucia and Lena, who were waiting near the Guild entrance. The building wasn’t very crowded—just a few adventurers here and there, chatting quietly or checking the bulletin boards.
“So?” Lena asked. “How’d it go?”
“I’m D-rank, apparently.” Cassian shrugged. “Is that normal?”
Lucia nodded. “Totally. Those who can already use mana are immediately promoted to D-rank. F and E ranks are for complete beginners without mana.”
“They evaluated my level,” Cassian continued. “Then they said I need to complete a quest of my rank to officially confirm it.”
“That’s standard,” Lena confirmed. “You need to succeed in one solo quest or three group quests. The important thing is to see if the adventurer knows their own limits and capabilities.”
Cassian thought for a moment. “I’ll do a solo quest. It’ll be much faster.”
The three headed toward the quest bulletin board—a large wooden panel covered with pinned parchments.
Cassian frowned. “There are no quests above D-rank?”
“They’re in another section,” Lucia explained. “For professional adventurers and up. This board is for beginners to confirm.”
Cassian started reading the available quests.
And blinked.
[Quest – E Rank]
Name: My dog is cheating on me
Description: He always comes back smelling like the neighbor’s dog. I want to know the truth.
Reward: 15 gold coins
What the…
[Quest – E Rank]
Name: A goblin is stealing my underwear
Description: I’m not kidding. It always targets the same ones.
Reward: 20 gold coins
You’ve got to be kidding me.
[Quest – D Rank]
Name: My husband might be a doppelganger
Description: He forgot our cat’s name.
Reward: 50 gold coins
WHAT.
[Quest – D Rank]
Name: I’m fed up
Description: IF NO ONE TAKES THIS QUEST, I’LL BURN DOWN MY BARN.
Reward: 80 gold coins
Cassian stared at the board, mouth open. “This… this is serious?”
Lena laughed. “These are people who pay to have them posted and get their problems solved.” She shrugged. “At least, in higher ranks, this kind of quest disappears.”
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“I’ve seen some,” Lucia countered. “As long as someone pays enough, the Guild will post anything.”
Cassian kept scanning the board. Fortunately, there were normal quests too. Deliver a package to the neighboring town. Guard a warehouse. Escort a merchant.
Then her eyes stopped on a particular quest.
[Quest – D Rank]
Name: Night watch of a grave
Description: Grave robbers are targeting my grandfather’s grave. Every morning, the soil is more disturbed. I need someone to watch for one night.
Reward: 114 gold coins
114 coins. That’s way more than the others.
And it’s just watching. No fighting monsters. Just… watching.
“I’ve chosen,” Cassian announced, pointing to the quest.
Lena read over her shoulder. “114 coins? People are really willing to pay a lot.”
Grave robbers are probably humans.
Better to face people than monsters. People, I can handle.
---
The house was small but well-kept, located a bit outside Leefside. Cassian knocked on the door, which opened quickly.
A woman appeared. Young—maybe twenty-five. Chestnut hair falling in soft curls. Bright green eyes. A face that could be in a fashion magazine.
Wow. Okay. She’s…
“You’re the adventurer?” The woman smiled with relief. “Thank you for taking the quest. Come in, please.”
Cassian followed her inside. The house was modest but warm—simple wooden furniture, crackling fireplace, framed photos on the walls.
“I lived with my grandfather,” the woman explained as she prepared tea. “He passed away recently.” Her voice cracked slightly. “He wanted to be buried at the foot of a certain tree. A tree he loved very much.”
“I’m sorry for your loss,” Cassian said, though she didn’t feel much.
The woman smiled sadly. “Thank you. Come, I’ll show you the place.”
They went outside, walking along a dirt path. The air was cool, the sun already declining toward the horizon.
The tree was impossible to miss.
Massive. Ancient. Its branches spread like welcoming arms, its deep green leaves shining in the light. It stood alone in a small clearing, immediately drawing the eye.
Beautiful, Cassian admitted despite herself.
The woman stopped in front of a freshly dug grave—a simple headstone with an engraved name.
“My grandfather was buried deeply,” she explained. “That’s prevented the robbers from reaching him directly. But every morning, I find the soil disturbed. Someone’s trying.”
She turned to Cassian, frowning slightly. “You… you don’t have armor? Or a weapon?”
Cassian glanced at her oversized black outfit. Yeah. I know I look like a homeless person, not an adventurer.
“Weak-looking people often hide great strength,” the woman reassured herself. “You must be very powerful.”
That's one way of looking at it.
The woman couldn’t help staring at Cassian. “It’s… it’s the first time I’ve seen an elf. You’re really…”
Cassian stared back openly. Just because I’m a girl now doesn’t mean girls don’t do it for me anymore.
The woman felt something in Cassian’s piercing gaze. A shiver ran through her. No. Just my imagination.
“My grandfather wasn’t buried with any valuables,” she continued quickly. “I don’t know why robbers would be interested in his grave. Or maybe they’re just evil people who want to desecrate it.”
She bowed slightly. “Thank you for accepting. I’ll head home now. Good luck.”
She left, leaving Cassian alone with the tree and the grave.
---
Cassian decided to scout the area. She explored the surroundings—open fields, a few groves, a stream.
A movement caught her eye.
A wolf. Gray fur, yellow eyes, easily the size of a large dog.
They stared at each other.
The wolf seemed… surprised?
Then it got scared and ran off.
Cassian blinked. It was afraid of ME?
If Hiro were here, he’d chase that wolf for training.
---
Night fell.
Cassian hid behind a thick bush, watching the grave. The moon shone in the sky, providing just enough light to see.
Movement in the distance.
A creature appeared. Walking on all fours. Massive body covered in brown fur. Long tail dragging behind. And on its head—a natural helmet of thick bone.
What is that thing?
The wolf from earlier reappeared, circling the creature cautiously.
The creature ignored the wolf, calmly grazing the grass.
The wolf approached, snapping its jaws near a leg.
The creature lost patience.
It reared up on its hind legs—revealing it was easily two meters tall—fur bristling.
WHOOSH.
Its tail whipped, hitting the wolf square in the side.
WHAM.
The wolf was sent flying, landing heavily.
The creature charged, head lowered.
BAM.
It rammed the wolf like a battering ram, sending it rolling several meters.
The wolf fled, tail between its legs.
The creature pursued on hind legs, running surprisingly fast, trying more headbutts.
That’s… entertaining.
Cassian shook her head. Poor wolf. Not his day.
---
Later, another movement.
A boar. Smaller than the previous creature, but still massive. It approached cautiously, sniffing the ground.
Then it headed straight for the grave.
And started digging.
Ah.
AH.
These weren’t robbers. It was just a BOAR.
Cassian stepped out of hiding, an arrogant smile on her face.
Just a boar. Nothing to fear.
Might as well kill it quick and get my reward.
Pretty coins. Gold pieces. The good money. The cash.
The boar looked up, seeing her. It panicked, trying to flee left and right.
Then, stressed, it charged straight at Cassian.
Cassian laughed. Arrogant. It doesn’t realize it’s already dead.
She spread her legs, planting her feet firmly in the ground. She opened her arms, ready to absorb the impact.
Perfect stance to take a charge.
“COME ON! I’M WAITING!”
The boar charged.
The next instant, it wasn’t the boar that stopped.
It was Cassian who flew.
Her body literally lifted off the ground, thrown backward with a force that completely emptied her lungs.
WHAT THE…
She hit the ground hard, rolling several meters before stopping against a tree.
“…Ouch.”
The boar turned, pawing the ground with its hooves.
And charged again.
Since when are boars this strong?
