A sharp whistle pierced the air as hot steam hissed from the locomotive, signaling the end of the journey. The rumble of iron wheels grinding against the rails began to fade, accompanied by a long blast from the conductor's whistle.
"Hey! Wake up, this is the final stop. Where's your ticket?" a raspy voice from a train worker snapped Hiori out of her thoughts.
"Huh? Oh, right..." Still a bit groggy, she reached into her pocket and handed over her worn-out ticket. The worker gave a curt nod before walking off, busy with his next task.
As Hiori descended the train steps, the air of the city of Hulu hit her immediately. She took a deep breath—the atmosphere here was different from the smoke-choked city of Ortkli. There was a faint scent of wet wood mixed with the earthy smell of freshly rained soil.
"Good grief…" she murmured, stretching her limbs as the tension in her muscles slowly began to ease after the long journey. Her eyes scanned the view of the city that lay ahead.
The city of Hulu was a major transit hub, nestled along one of the main trade routes. Its buildings were made of a sturdy mix of wood and stone, creating an architecture that felt both solid and traditional. Many houses had steep, pointed roofs and foggy glass windows—clear signs of the cooler climate in this region.
In the distance, a wide river split the city in two, bridged by elegant arched stone crossings that connected both sides. This river was the lifeblood of Hulu, carrying small trade boats that drifted lazily by, transporting goods from other towns and cities.
The noise of the bustling marketplace echoed faintly—vendors shouting out prices, the clink of coins exchanging hands, and the laughter of children weaving through the crowd. Hiori saw all kinds of people here—flashy merchants in extravagant clothing, laborers hauling heavy crates, and a few dark-robed figures who walked briskly, as if avoiding curious eyes.
"So this is Hulu, huh?" she muttered with a faint smirk. This place was clearly nothing like Ortkli. There were no plumes of black smoke clouding the skies, but that didn't mean it was any more peaceful. Hulu was a busy city, full of people chasing their own goals.
Hiori shoved her hands into the pockets of her coat and began walking. Her steps were light, but her mind stayed sharp. In a city this big, anyone could be a friend… or an enemy.
"Yeah... I'm only passing through," Hiori whispered, her sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.
She took a deep breath, letting Hulu's cool air fill her lungs before continuing on. Her boots clacked against the cobbled streets as she weaved through narrow alleys teeming with people. In the distance, merchants' cries still echoed, blending with the clatter of hooves and the squeak of wooden cart wheels.
But Hiori had no intention of lingering. Her destination was clear.
As she approached the city gates, the afternoon breeze stirred her cloak. Tall guard towers flanked the gates, with armed soldiers standing watch, spears in hand, eyes trained on everyone passing through.
Crossing beneath the great stone archway, Hiori glanced briefly over her shoulder. Hulu, with all its noise and life, might have held many secrets. But it wasn't her final stop.
"This world's too big... I can't afford to stay in one place for too long," she muttered before stepping firmly onto the dirt path that stretched ahead, leaving the city behind.
Hiori exhaled slowly, her gaze fixed on the road before her. Thick trees lined both sides of the trail, their leaves rustling softly in the late afternoon breeze. It was a soothing sound—but she knew this journey was far from peaceful.
"Is it far, I wonder?" she muttered, tightening her coat. "Hopefully not more than five kilometers… If it is, I'm gonna suffer for real."
Her steps were steady as she walked along the slightly uphill cobbled path. Birds chirped in the distance, accompanied by the soft murmur of a nearby stream. The scent of damp earth mixed with the fragrance of fresh leaves helped clear her mind, still clouded with memories of Ortkli.
But this peace—she knew—was only temporary. The world wouldn't let her walk in tranquility for long.
Hiori continued along the trail, which gradually led deeper into the forest. The trees around her stood tall, their trunks rough and moss-covered, while thick foliage formed a canopy overhead, allowing only scattered rays of sunlight to filter through. The air grew cooler, rich with the smell of damp soil and wildflowers growing between twisted roots.
Now and then, the rustle of leaves or a snap of twigs came from the bushes, sharpening her senses. She knew forests like this were often hiding places for wild animals—or worse.
"Pretty quiet… but still gives me the creeps," she murmured, tuning in to every sound.
In the distance, the flow of water grew louder. As she approached, she found a clear stream running between large mossy stones. Tiny fish darted through the water, while brightly colored birds occasionally perched on branches that dipped low over the current.
Not far from the stream stood an old wooden bridge, clearly neglected. Its planks looked weathered, some of them warped and unstable, as if the whole thing might collapse with a wrong step. Hiori tapped one of the boards with her foot.
"Can this thing still hold?" she wondered.
But before she could make a decision, a low growl echoed from the forest. Hiori instinctively turned, her eyes narrowing. From between the trees, the silhouette of a large figure began to emerge, accompanied by the sound of heavy breathing.
"Hah… I was hoping this trip wouldn't be boring, but this is a bit too soon," she muttered, bracing herself for whatever was lurking in the shadows.
"Come out…" Her voice was cold, almost like a whisper carried by the wind through the silent woods. Her piercing gaze fixed on the darkness beyond the trees.
Silence.
Only the rustling of leaves in the breeze, mixed with the distant roar of the river. But Hiori stood firm, not showing a hint of fear. She knew something was watching her—something more than just a wild animal.
"Are you just going to hide like a coward?" she called out again, her tone dropping, edged with mockery. "If you're afraid, then leave. Don't waste my time, you brainless beast…"
Suddenly, a guttural snarl echoed through the trees—a hoarse, restrained growl. From the darkness, two glowing red eyes lit up, staring at her with raw hatred. A massive creature covered in pitch-black fur emerged from the underbrush, its long claws digging into the ground, and its jaw lined with jagged, needle-like teeth. Its breath came in ragged bursts, each exhale releasing a faint mist of heat.
Hiori smirked slightly, her fingers brushing the hilt of her sword.
"Ah… there you are. I knew you weren't just some ordinary animal." She lowered her stance, preparing for the fight. "So then, let's see which of us truly has a mind of their own…"
The beast lunged forward, all four limbs propelling it like a shadow thirsty for blood. Its breath came in harsh, foggy gasps as its maw opened wide, revealing rows of teeth ready to tear through anything in its path.
However, Hiori didn't move. She stood firm, her eyes sharp like a hawk zeroing in on its prey.
Just as the creature lunged, she smirked.
"That's a terrible way to attack..."
With a single swift motion, Hiori lifted her leg and delivered a powerful kick to the side of the beast.
THUD!
The creature was sent flying through the air, its massive body tumbling like a ragdoll before crashing into the river with a resounding SPLASH! Water erupted in every direction, swallowing the black-furred monster into the rushing current.
Hiori let out a quiet breath, then casually brushed the tip of her boot, now slightly dirtied from the brief contact.
"Pathetic. At least try to make me take this seriously." She twirled her sword effortlessly in her hand, waiting to see if the beast still had the will to fight—or if it would simply be swept away by the river's flow.
Her gaze remained locked on the creature in the distance, now groaning weakly at the riverbank. Its body trembled, soaked to the bone, and the wild fire in its eyes had dimmed, no longer able to meet her stare.
Hiori narrowed her eyes. "Tch… Pitiful."
With light but confident steps, she turned and crossed the old wooden bridge, which creaked slightly under her weight. Below, the river surged, as if trying to carry away the remnants of that brief encounter.
"Well… at least it was some entertainment, even if short-lived," she muttered lazily, hands tucked into her coat pockets. The evening wind blew gently, rustling her hair and carrying the scent of damp earth and fallen leaves.
Her footsteps faded into the distance, but the cold, sharp aura she left behind still lingered in the air—like a silent warning: Don't ever cross my path unless you're ready to face the consequences.
Four hours had passed, yet Hiori's footsteps seemed to bring her no closer to her goal. The scenery remained unchanged—towering trees with roots bursting from the ground, branches stretched skyward like hands grasping for the heavens, and a thin mist veiling the path like secrets too afraid to be spoken.
"What is this… Why is the forest so damn big?" she muttered, her voice a mix of exhaustion and suspicion. "Am I lost? But I followed Master Gamiel's directions exactly..."
She sighed, but kept walking, brushing aside bushes and dry branches, until her eyes landed on an old man in the distance—a silver-haired figure diligently chopping wood with a large axe, as if the entire world consisted only of him and the trees he needed to bring down.
Hiori's eyes widened. "Finally… a human!" Without a second thought, she quickened her pace, her black coat fluttering in the damp forest wind. "If I'm lucky, he might know the way out… or at least somewhere to rest."
Once she got close enough, she took a shallow breath and spoke with a polite tone—though still carrying her usual chill.
"Excuse me… may I ask you something?"
The old man paused mid-swing, turning to look Hiori up and down with a deeply suspicious gaze—though somehow, it resembled more of a confused old cat than a threatening stare.
"Wait, wait, wait… Who are you? Why are you just barging in like this?" he asked, raising one eyebrow as if trying to decide whether Hiori was a ghost, a scammer, or a door-to-door pan salesman.
"Oh, right… Sorry. My full name is Hiori Ashley Mahardika. But just call me Hiori—it'll save you from running out of breath. I just want to ask for directions… Do you know the way to Winak Village?" she said, giving a small polite bow, though her expression remained as blank and coldly courteous as ever.
The old man stroked his long white beard, which looked like a bird's nest that had seen better days.
"Ah… Winak Village, huh? Hmm… If you keep walking to the right, you'll eventually run into…"
He suddenly stopped mid-sentence, his expression turning oddly mysterious.
"Run into what?" Hiori asked, her voice still flat but tinged with a quiet curiosity.
Instead, the old man narrowed his eyes and asked again,
"Who are you, exactly?"
"Hah!? Didn't I just tell you a second ago!? Hiori. Ashley. Mahardika. If that's too much, just call me H.A.M!" she snapped, mildly annoyed.
The old man nodded slowly, then suddenly broke into a wide grin.
"Ohhh… Hiori! Why didn't you say so earlier?"
Hiori let out a long sigh, staring at the old man with the expression of someone who had fully given up.
"I… literally did say that earlier. But fine, whatever. So—right side, and then I'll run into what?"
"You'll come across a crossroads. If you turn left there, then keep walking until you see a big rock shaped like a chicken—then from there, just head in the direction of the sun at five in the evening."
Hiori froze. "The sun… at five… in the evening… Why does this feel like a geography lesson wrapped in a riddle?" she muttered, smacking her forehead.
"Ahahaha, just to make the journey more fun," the old man replied cheerfully, then went back to chopping wood.
Hiori could only let out a dry chuckle, then continued walking, mumbling to herself, "That chicken rock better really look like a chicken..."
"Thanks, Grandpa," she said, giving a small wave before heading down the path scattered with fallen leaves and the earthy scent of damp soil.
But just a few steps later—
"WAIT!!" the old man suddenly yelled, his voice shrill yet thunderous, like he'd just remembered something incredibly important. Hiori stopped dead in her tracks, slowly turning around like an anime character who had just lost the will to live.
"What now, Grandpa?" she asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and mild emotional trauma.
The old man squinted at her from a distance, eyes narrowed like he was trying to make sense of an abstract painting that defied all human logic. Then, with the innocence of a child, he asked,
"Who are you again?"
Silence. A breeze whispered through the trees. A lone crow flew overhead, as if to add dramatic effect.
Hiori looked up at the sky, as though begging angels to descend and grant her patience. "Dear God… Please let Abundantia protect me from this test..."
She slowly turned back around and half-yelled in despair,
"My name is Hiori! Hiori Ashley Mahardika!! That's the THIRD time I've said it!! Want me to hand you a business card too!?"
The old man fell silent for a moment, then smiled warmly, like he'd just reunited with a long-lost grandchild.
"Ooohhh, Hiori… Why didn't you say so earlier?"
Hiori let out a long sigh, as if her lungs had just submitted their resignation. "I think I'll need more than just an Essence Core to survive in this world…"
She resumed walking, muttering under her breath, "If I run into that chicken-shaped rock, I hope it doesn't ask for my name too…"
Step by step, she walked with growing hope. Dry leaves crunched beneath her boots as she followed the path laid out by the cryptic old man. The sounds of the forest began to fade, sunlight slipped through the thinning canopy, and the breeze carried the faint scent of open fields—signs that life was near.
A few minutes later, Hiori emerged from the dense woods… and right before her stood a massive stone with intricate carvings in the shape of a proud rooster.
"…Huh?" Hiori blinked twice, cautiously stepping closer. "It actually is shaped like a chicken…" she muttered, eyeing the statue from its claws all the way up to its comb.
The statue had a fierce gaze and an elegantly arched tail carved with remarkable detail—like it was ready to crow at dawn… or demand you pay your taxes. Beneath it, an inscription read:
"Guardian of Winak, the Sacred Rooster. If you pass without permission, be ready to face fate."
Hiori narrowed her eyes. "Sacred… rooster? Seriously? Is this a village or a mythological amusement park?"
But before she could snark any further, her gaze drifted past the statue—an open landscape now stretched ahead. In the distance, small thatched-roof homes stood neatly aligned, smoke rising from chimneys into the blue sky, and the faint sound of children's laughter echoed, accompanied by the gentle chime of bells hanging from cows wandering near the fields.
"So this is… Winak Village," Hiori whispered.
She stood there for a moment, taking in the view like a traveler who'd finally found an oasis in the middle of an illusionary desert. The golden hue of the setting sun bathed the village in warmth, as if to signal: Here begins a new chapter.
"…Let's just hope there's no sacred duck statue next," she murmured, stepping past the rooster, which now somehow felt… judgmental.
Hiori made her way onto the main road of Winak Village. The soft crunch of pebbles echoed under her boots as the fresh scent of grass and woodsmoke filled the air. A light breeze rustled her hair, carrying with it the laughter of children playing by the roadside and the faint chiming of bells hanging on cottage doors.
"So this is Winak Village, huh…" Hiori murmured, her eyes scanning the wooden houses lined with wildflower fences and small birds perched on the rooftops. "Peaceful… quiet… No explosions, no monsters… Feels like paradise after yesterday's smoke-filled industrial nightmare."
She exhaled deeply, savoring the rare moment of calm.
Suddenly, a village chicken strutted casually across Hiori's path, pausing just long enough to shoot her a sharp glare and let out a proud cock-a-doodle-doo—as if to say, "Welcome, outsider… try not to cause trouble."
Hiori raised an eyebrow. "Even the chickens here have charisma… impressive."
She patted her coat pockets, pulling out the folded note from Gamiel once again. Her eyes narrowed, serious and determined.
"Alright… Barnard Barnes. Supposedly, you can help me. Whoever you are, please don't be another forgetful grandpa."
Her steps grew more purposeful. Her eyes scanned her surroundings. The scent of fresh bread wafted from a nearby bakery, but her stomach had to wait—mission first. Time to find a man named Barnard Barnes… or at least someone who knew him.
"Hopefully the people here are friendly—and don't start giving me riddle-chickens again," she muttered, starting down the village road, ready to ask anyone who didn't look like they were talking to a goat.
Hiori strolled slowly between the neatly arranged homes of Winak Village, each with straw roofs and small yards blooming with wildflowers. The wind carried the soft chiming of wind bells from porches, blending with the ambient sounds of village life.
"Barnard Barnes…" she murmured, her gaze sweeping the area. "Even his name sounds important… But what he looks like? No clue whatsoever."
She passed a wood workshop, where a blacksmith hammered glowing metal with steady rhythm. Hiori gave a quick glance, but no one there matched the image in her head. Ahead, an old woman hung laundry to dry, pausing to give Hiori a kind smile. She returned the gesture with a polite nod, keeping her focus.
"If he was important enough for Gamiel to mention, then he must stand out… or he's hiding in plain sight." Her voice was quiet, nearly swallowed by the passing breeze.
Her feet stopped at a small intersection. There stood an old wooden house, darkened with age, different from the others. No decorative plants—just a small eagle statue above the door, and an eerie stillness surrounding it.
Hiori narrowed her eyes. "Something about that place… feels different."
She stood frozen for a moment at the doorstep of the workshop. The air inside was warm, filled with the faint scent of burning metal and old timber. Racks lined the walls, holding various forging tools, blades, and odd pieces of metal that seemed to carry untold stories.
Her eyes landed on a crooked wooden sign above the workbench:
"Barnard's Forge."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Really…? A name that big carved into rotting wood," she muttered, then stepped inside. "Excuse me…"
An elderly man with long gray hair tied back stepped out from behind a fabric curtain, still holding a large hammer in one hand. His eyes were sharp, yet there was an unusual calmness about him.
"Oh, yes… Welcome to my shop. Can I help you with something?" he said politely, though his face remained expressionless.
Hiori hesitated for a moment, slightly taken aback by the man's aura.
"Uh… No—I mean, yes. I'm here because my teacher sent me. He said y—"
Before she could finish, the old man raised his hand to cut her off.
"Sorry, but I refuse. I've been retired for a long time."
Hiori sighed heavily. "You didn't even hear what I was going to say…"
She stared at Barnard with steely eyes. The atmosphere tensed, thick with unspoken weight.
Barnard set his hammer down and gazed into the small forge fire, as if lost in old memories.
"Back then… when the Celestial War broke out…"
Hiori narrowed her eyes. "The Celestial War? You mean… when the Saviors fought against the Great Darkness?"
Barnard gave a slow nod. "Yes. That was long ago… The world nearly ended, and I… I became the greatest blacksmith of my time. Not because I wanted to be—but because there was no other choice."
He turned to face Hiori. His face looked older now, worn by burdens no one could see.
"I forged weapons for legends… But the price I paid wasn't just my broken body—it was a shattered heart. The world called us heroes… but all we knew was loss."
Hiori clenched the fabric of her coat tightly, then took a single step forward.
"Then help me. Not to become a legend—but to stop the next darkness from coming."
Barnard stared at her for a long moment before letting out a slow sigh. The forge fire crackled, as if responding to the doubt in his heart.
"…You have the eyes of a fighter. Very well, Hiori Ashley Mahardika. Let's see… if the legacy of the past still has its use."