The wind moves gently through the leaves. Not strong enough to bend the trees—only enough to make them whisper to one another. Somewhere in the distance, birds chirped, careless and free.
Warm sunlight slipped through the narrow opening of the tent, brushing against his face.
At first, he only felt it.
Then came the sound.
Then the slow, heavy rise and fall of his own breathing.
His body ached. Not sharply—but deep, as if every muscle remembered what his mind wished to forget
His eyes opened.
Above him was not the sky, but the full canvas of the tent ceiling, faintly glowing under the morning sun. Shadows of moving leaves danced across the fabric, swaying gently with the wind.
For a moment, he didn't move.
The world outside was peaceful.
Too peaceful.
And somehow.... He was still alive.
From outside, a slow yet heavy sound of steel getting closer. And then, a soldier came in.
"Ah, so you've already regained consciousness."
At the moment, he tried to sit up but his muscles are still too damaged.
"Aah, don't move mate. Your ankle is twisted pretty bad. But don't worry, our medic has already wrapped it with bandages."
The soldier then stopped, and took a chair for him to sit beside the bed.
"I am captain George Von Juna. The leader of seventh garrison of the southern border, and so. Who are you? And, how did you end up here in the great southern mountains?"
"Great southern mountains? Shit."
He then take a long breath and says.
"Okay. Greetings captain, my name is Ryuu Zi Holmes. An adventurer from oakhaven."
"Holmes? So you are from the far north I believe. And, if you're from Oakhaven. How could you ended in here?"
Ryuu then looked back to his gear, before continuing.
"I was from my mission to escort a caravan when suddenly in my way back home, I was attacked by a pack of boar. My horses was startled, and I fell as my horses running away."
He then let out a heavy sigh.
"More than that, my compass is thrown and was destroyed by those boar heavy feet. And, when I was running away from them, I have no choice but to jump into a river that let me into a forest far from the main path. When I realize, my map is nowhere to be found, and so I decide to keep moving. But then, I stumbled to this mountains and end up getting chased by bandits..."
"Ah, I see. That's indeed very bad luck for you, but hey. Now that you're already safe, you're still alive. But, there are some conditions I must say to you."
Confused, Ryuu then asked.
"What is it captain?"
The captain then lifted the blanket near his ankle, and revealed it was wrapped with bandages.
"These bandages are limited since the kingdom was in crisis because of fire that erupted on the capital from two days ago. And, i have no choice than asking you to compensate for it."
Ryuu was shocked, and then he turned to the captain again.
"But sir, i have no money in my pocket right now."
"I know it, that's why I want to give you a quest instead. Okay?"
"A quest?"
He then thought about it before continue.
"Okay then, i'll try my best."
"Great, so. There are a small village about an hour walks from here, and there you need to investigate The cause of the disappearance of villagers' food stock. And, eliminate it."
"Investigate? Does the cause is unknown?"
"Yes... "
The captain then let out a sigh.
"I've already sent some soldier there. But, they didn't find anything or anyone that makes the food stock disappear."
Ryuu then looked down to his legs, as if he trying to figure out how to accomplish this mission with his ankle.
"Don't worry, you're going to move tomorrow. Our medic is also a mage, so he was able to make your ankle bone reset and going to be normal tomorrow too. Also, i am going to give you 15 silver coins as there are no information I could gave to you."
"15 silver coin, then I want it be turned into a new shield for me."
"Hmm? Ah. I see, i'll give a new shield tomorrow. Now, take a rest."
"Thank you." Ryuu said in gratitude.
The captain then stood up, and moved toward the tent flap. As he was about to go outside, he stopped for a while.
"Yes, about your food. My soldier will come here to give it for you." The captain said.
"Ah, thank you sir."
The captain then went out, merged with the sounds of laughter, birds, and steel.
A day passed, and now a new day arrive. This time, Ryuu was already standing outside. Practicing his swordsmanship, and enjoying the birds' song.
As the sun started to rise in the horizon, he has done the training, and start to wipe the sweat off his body.
Then, the captain came.
"Waking up early, and practicing swords. Such a good adventurer."
"Yeah, the recent life and death situation makes me realize that i need to improve my skills."
"Yes, you're right. Learning from experience is good."
Ryuu then sheathed his sword before continue.
"I'll go and wash up, then I'll come back here."
"Okay, I'll going to take your shield then."
Ryuu then walk, passing several soldiers who is just awake. As he stroll, he saw them sharpening their sword, cooking their breakfast, and laugh all over the tent.
Not long after, he has done washing his face and return to the last spot. At first, the captain seemed to be late. And as Ryuu was about to search for him, he stop when he saw the captain running to him with a shield in his hand.
"Huft, huft, huft. Sorry Ryuu, this shield has the kingdom banner in it. So, I tried to remove it by painting it with white paint. But, it's much harder than I thought."
"Ah, no worries sir. I also just come recently."
"Okay. So, you just need to go through this path right here. Continue to the north, and you when you reach three junctions to north, west, and east. Take the east branch, and keep on track for that path."
The captain take another breath before continue.
"Then, once you keep on that path for around 20-40 minutes, the pamenfla village signpost will appear and right behind that sign, was the village itself."
"I see."
"Oh yeah."
The captain then took a scroll from his pocket and handed it to Ryuu.
"Here. Take this scroll, and if you'll going to need help. Just put it in the ground, and read the spell."
"Uh, i can only read first level scroll sir."
"Ah, don't worry. This is only flare scroll, so you can read it."
"Ah, I see."
"Once you read the scroll and shoot the flare. A group of soldiers for around 25 troops in a post just 5 minutes from the village will come to help for you."
"Thank you sir. I'll go now." Ryuu said as he donned his helmet and preparation.
"Yes, may God always be with you."
So, he started his new journey to pay off his debt. And so, the journey of a recently near–death adventurer has just begun.