[A Few Hours Earlier]
A blue-skinned draconian man was walking along a cliffside path by the sea with a black-haired human woman. Both were dressed like adventurers; one carried a greatsword on his back, while the other had a dagger and a whip.
"When will we reach Sivanto Village? We've been walking for hours," the draconian complained, letting out a long sigh.
"Mm, according to the map we got, it should be close by," the woman replied while checking the map in her hands.
…
Not long after…
"Look!" the woman exclaid.
"Oh! You're right! But it looks fine, doesn't it?" the draconian said in surprise.
They saw several houses in the distance near the shoreline.
"Yes, unlike the last village, which was completely wiped out," the black-haired woman replied.
"That's why we're here—to investigate. Let's go!" the draconian responded.
The two continued on their way.
[One Hour Later]
The houses that had once looked small from afar now lood large and clear. The sound of waves crashing and the salty aroma of seawater filled the air as they neared the settlent. But from a hundred ters away from Sivanto Village, the stench of blood and decay beca unmistakably strong.
"Key, stop!" the draconian whispered.
"What is it, Xel?" Key asked.
"Look, sothing's wrong with this village," Axxel said, pointing toward it.
"What do you an?" Key frowned, glancing into the distance.
…
"Ah! There's no one on the streets!" Key exclaid.
"Ssshhh! Quiet!" Axxel signaled for silence. "We don't know what happened here, so let's move carefully."
Key nodded.
"Try using your 'search' skill," Axxel suggested.
Key closed her eyes for a mont…
"Ah, this is bad!" she whispered, her face turning pale.
"You found sothing?" Axxel asked.
"Yes! I know why this village feels off," Key replied.
"What is it?"
"I just detected lots of monsters ahead. That ans monsters attacked the village, and there are tons of them," Key said, her face worried.
"Monsters? What kind?" Axxel asked in shock.
"They look like fish, but with arms and legs like humans. What's strange is that they crawl and slither on the ground," Key explained.
"Crawlers?! Why are they here?" Axxel muttered, breathing heavily.
"You know about these monsters?" Key asked.
"Yes. You've never fought them before, have you?" Axxel replied.
"No, never. Why? Are they dangerous?" Key asked.
"They're not dangerous to us… but they're level 200 monsters—not sothing ordinary villagers can handle. Even powerful adventurers might not be able to defeat just one of them," Axxel said grimly.
…
"So what do we do?" Key asked.
"We should head back and report to the Adventurers' Guild. Since they always attack in swarms, I doubt anyone from Sivanto survived," Axxel replied.
"Mm… but I detected a survivor," Key said with a bitter smile.
"What did you say?!" Axxel almost shouted before quickly covering his mouth. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure. I sensed a silhouette different from the others, resembling a human. But smaller than an ordinary adult," Key said, puzzled.
"A child! A child survived?" Axxel exclaid. "Then we must rescue them."
"Where?"
"In one of the houses southwest of here," Key replied.
"Good! Let's move carefully. Keep using your 'search' skill to track the Crawlers. We'll take them out silently," Axxel ordered firmly.
"Okay!"
…
The two moved cautiously, circling through the forest and bushes near the village. Their steps were slow but steady. Near one of the houses, they slipped inside to hide.
The sight inside was horrifying. Blood splatters covered the floors, walls, and even the bed. Claw marks were everywhere.
"Ugh, this place is awful," Key muttered, covering her mouth to hold back nausea.
"There are traces of blood and scratches, but no bodies… maybe they were taken—or worse, eaten," Axxel said.
…
Suddenly, Key signaled for silence. Footsteps approached, accompanied by hissing and the stench of rot.
PLOP PLOP PLOP.
A Crawler passed by.
"What now? Retreat or strike?" Key asked.
"…We'll kill it quietly," Axxel decided.
"I'll do it. Watch for others," Axxel added.
"Alright."
They slipped out, crept up, and when the mont was right—
STAB!
Axxel drove his sword into the monster's head, silencing it instantly. After storing the corpse in his spatial inventory, they continued.
…
After eliminating several Crawlers, they finally reached the house.
"Here?" Axxel asked.
"Yes, I sense it here," Key confird.
She carefully opened a trapdoor leading underground. The basent looked like a fisherman's storage room, filled with nets and boats.
In the corner, a small girl was crying. She had long black hair, wore a white dress and a blue knitted sweater, and looked around seven or eight years old.
"It's okay… I'm not a monster. I'm human. I ca to help you," Key said gently.
"So this is the child…" Axxel muttered behind her.
The girl relaxed slightly upon seeing Key, but paled again at Axxel.
"Xel! Don't scare her!" Key hissed.
"But I didn't do anything…" Axxel said, confused.
"It's your scary face. Leave her to . Guard the door," Key whispered.
"Tch, fine. She's yours," Axxel grumbled, stepping aside.
…
"Hey, what's your na? I'm Key," she said softly.
The girl peeked out. "Dai…sy," she whispered.
"Daisy? What a lovely na," Key smiled. "I have sothing for you."
She pulled out a piece of candy.
"Do you like candy?"
Daisy nodded.
Key unwrapped it and handed it over. Daisy hesitated only briefly before taking it and eating.
"Is it good?"
"Yes," Daisy whispered with a nod.
For a while, the room grew warm and calm. Key chatted gently with Daisy. But soon Axxel broke the peace.
"Key, we should go. Crawlers are coming."
"…Daisy, we have to leave," Key said.
The girl shook her head, tears welling. "Mm… Mama… Papa…"
"I promise, after we get out, I'll help you find them. Okay?" Key said softly.
After hesitation, Daisy reached for Key's hand. Key hugged her close.
…
They snuck out, Axxel leading. Step by step, they edged toward the exit. But just ters from the village gate—
CRACK!
Axxel stepped on a branch.
The noise drew a swarm of Crawlers.
"RUN!" Axxel shouted.
He swung his sword—WHOOSH! SPLAT!—sending blood and bodies flying. Then he bolted after Key.
But more Crawlers surged in from behind.
The ground shook, the sea erupted, and from the waves a massive green fish-man, five ters tall, erged. Seaweed clung to its body, gills flaring, a rusted anchor in one hand and a dead fish in the other.
"Damn…" Axxel muttered.
"Axxel… what now?" Key whispered.
"I'll hold it off. You run with the girl."
"But—"
"No buts! Keep her safe!"
Just then, the Crawlers sward closer. The giant roared, raising its anchor, while the Crawlers leapt with their hooks.
They were trapped—when suddenly, a golden magic circle lit up beneath their feet.
"Protective Shield!" soone chanted.
A radiant barrier rose, blocking the attacks.
"Are you alright?"
Startled, Axxel and Key looked up.
Above them floated a silver-haired woman in a purple gown, smiling gently, with a flaming winged horse by her side.
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