MTLNOVEL Chapter 12: A New Beginning
Chapter 11: A New Beginning
The following morning, Veydris was already alive with the usual sounds of merchants calling out their wares, adventurers preparing for quests, and the distant clang of a blacksmith's hammer shaping steel.
Renji made his way toward the Guild Hall, his mind set on his next move.
He had spent the night thinking.
Fighting alone had worked so far, but eventually, he'd hit a limit. Stronger monsters, more difficult dungeons, and large-scale battles—those weren't things he could handle alone forever.
He needed to test working with others.
And there was only one option that made sense.
The unnamed newbie party.
Renji stepped into the Guild's tavern area, where the Party Recruitment Board was pinned to the back wall. His eyes quickly found the F-Rank recruitment flyer from yesterday.
[New Party Forming: All Roles Welcome]
There was a small handwritten note beneath it.
"If interested, ask for Kiera."
Renji turned toward the bar, where a few adventurers were gathered. He approached the bartender—an older man polishing a glass.
"Hey," Renji said. "I'm looking for someone named Kiera."
The bartender nodded toward a corner table near the window.
"She's over there. Just a heads-up—she's got some bite."
Renji smirked slightly. That's fine by me.
As he approached, he got a better look at the girl sitting alone at the table.
Kiera.
She was young—probably around his age—but definitely not human.
Her sharp golden eyes flicked up as soon as she sensed him approaching. Her ears—pointed and covered in dark fur—twitched slightly, and her long, sleek tail curled lazily around the leg of her chair.
A beast-woman.
She had short, messy black hair, a confident smirk, and a relaxed posture, but her muscles were lean and well-defined. She looked like someone who had been fighting for a long time despite her rank.
Kiera tilted her head. "You looking for me?"
Renji pulled out the party recruitment flyer, holding it up.
"You the one who put this up?"
Kiera's ears perked slightly. "Huh. Wasn't expecting anyone to actually show up." She leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. "You're an adventurer?"
Renji sat down across from her. "Yeah. Rank E. Just ranked up recently."
Kiera blinked. "Wait—you're already E-Rank? And you're looking to join a new party?"
Renji shrugged. "I thought I'd see if it's worth trying. You still looking for members?"
Kiera studied him for a moment before smirking. "Alright, mystery guy. You got a name?"
"Renji."
She extended a hand. "Kiera Wildclaw."
Renji shook it. Her grip was strong, firm.
"Guess that makes us party members," she said, her sharp canines flashing slightly as she grinned.
After grabbing some food, the two of them made their way toward the Guild's quest board.
Kiera scanned the postings with her tail flicking back and forth. "Alright, since we're a new party, we should start with something simple but rewarding."
Renji glanced at her. "What's your specialty, anyway?"
She grinned. "Fast combat, close-range. I use dual daggers, and my beast-kin senses let me track things better than most."
A close-range speed fighter, huh?
Renji nodded. "That works. I fight with a sword, but I focus on speed and adaptability."
Kiera smirked. "You and me? We're gonna slaughter anything that gets in our way."
Renji chuckled. "We'll see."
His eyes landed on a quest that fit their skill set.
[Quest: Eliminate the Goblin Raiders]
- Location: Hills south of Veydris
- Difficulty: E-Rank
- Reward: 20 Silver Coins
- Notes: A group of goblins has been attacking trade wagons along the southern routes. Investigate their hideout and eliminate the threat.
"Goblins?" Renji muttered. "Not exactly exciting."
Kiera snorted. "Trust me, goblins in groups are annoying. Fast, tricky, and mean as hell. But if we wipe them out, it's easy money."
Renji pulled the quest from the board. "Fine. Let's do it."
They took the request to Selise at the front desk.
She raised an eyebrow. "Oh? So you're teaming up now?"
Renji handed over the quest. "For now."
Kiera shot him a playful grin. "For now, huh? Guess I'll have to make sure you stick around."
Selise stamped the approval. "Alright. Be careful. Goblins may be weak alone, but they always travel in packs."
Kiera stretched. "That just means more bodies to drop."
Renji smirked. This is gonna be interesting.
The southbound road was wide and well-traveled, but as Renji and Kiera moved further from the city, the landscape shifted into rolling hills and dense patches of trees.
Kiera moved with natural ease, her beast-kin traits giving her an advantage in navigating rough terrain. Renji followed closely, his own instincts sharpened from battle experience.
"So," Kiera said after a while. "You always been a solo guy?"
Renji shrugged. "So far, yeah. Haven't needed a team yet."
Kiera smirked. "Not much of a people person?"
Renji gave a half-smile. "Something like that."
She tilted her head. "Well, you're in a party now. At least try to enjoy it."
Renji glanced at her. "We'll see how it goes."
Kiera laughed. "Damn, you really are all business."
Renji smirked. "And you talk a lot."
Kiera grinned. "Hey, somebody's gotta make this trip interesting."
Renji chuckled slightly. He had to admit—she was different from the usual adventurers he'd met. More energetic. More natural.
And for the first time since coming to this world…
He didn't hate the company.
As they neared the hills, Kiera's ears twitched.
"Hold up," she muttered. "Something's close."
Renji focused his Bloodhound Senses—and immediately caught the scent of something foul.
Rot. Filth. Goblins.
He exhaled. "Yeah. I smell them."
Kiera's tail flicked. "Damn. You're good."
Renji drew his sword. "How many?"
Kiera crouched low, her golden eyes scanning the shadows. "At least four nearby. Probably more deeper in."
Renji rolled his shoulders. "Then let's start the party."
Kiera grinned, drawing her daggers. "Now you're talking."
The hunt was on.