Only one day had passed since Takemochi met Sylryk.
And yet, that memory had already etched itself deep inside him.
Not because of anything they said—there were barely any words—but because of the silence.
That guy had a heavy presence... not arrogant, but a quiet intensity that left ripples behind him.
That morning, the market buzzed like always.
Bakers yelling prices, adventurers with bloodstained weapons on their backs, kids swinging wooden swords through the dust.
Takemochi strolled casually through it all, biting into a half-burnt loaf of bread and munching on a bruised apple.
Then he saw him.
There he stood, like a statue carved from stone—Sylryk—frozen before the guild's mission board.
He didn't move. Didn't speak.
Just stared at a single poster with an unsettling kind of focus.
—Hey! You again! —Takemochi called out with a crooked grin, brushing crumbs from his mouth—. You like reading in silence or something?
Sylryk didn't turn. He just raised his arm and pointed at one specific poster.
> "⚠ Urgent Elimination: Unknown creature sighted in Kal-Hora Swamp.
Two caravans missing. Reward: 480 silver coins.
Suggested level: Intermediate–High."
Takemochi raised an eyebrow.
—Kal-Hora Swamp, huh? Nasty place. Mud up to your knees, bugs that chew on your soul, and a smell that'll haunt your dreams.
Sylryk spoke, calm and flat:
—Someone said the pay was good. That's enough.
Takemochi clicked his tongue, clearly unimpressed.
—Right... well, you gotta register first. No guild approval means no reward.
And if you get eaten out there, no one's coming to find your bones.
Sylryk finally turned his face slightly. His eyes were cold—grey and heavy like steel.
—You don't look like someone who follows the rules.
Takemochi scratched the back of his head and laughed weakly.
—I don't. But if we die, at least let the guild know where to send the regrets.
Sylryk paused. Then muttered:
—Just take me there. I'll do the rest.
—"I'll do the rest," huh? —Takemochi sighed dramatically—. Fine, I'll guide you. But don't come crying if the swamp chews you up.
They made their way to the registration desk just outside the guild.
The clerk was half-asleep, face hidden under a dumb-looking straw hat.
He only stirred when Takemochi slapped the mission flyer on the counter.
—Swamp job. Kal-Hora. Names are Takemochi and Sylryk. First time teaming up.
—Mmm... logged. —The clerk scribbled lazily—. Good luck. You'll need it.
Not long after, they passed through the city's south gate.
The road ahead was dry and winding, with only a few travelers on the horizon.
And beyond that, the outline of twisted trees and thick mist: the edge of Kal-Hora Swamp.
Takemochi glanced at Sylryk as they walked.
—So? You got some reason for all this, or you just like hunting monsters?
—I want to measure their strength —Sylryk replied flatly.
—Ooooh, "measure strength." —Takemochi wiggled his fingers in the air—. One of those types. Chasing something bigger than themselves.
Well, I came too, y'know. I'm not just some guide. I can fight.
I just happen to prefer staying alive.
Sylryk nodded once. Nothing more.
And just like that, without promises, without speeches, the two vanished into the trees—
toward a mission that looked simple…