A few days later, the duo stood in front of the guild's request board.
Elora, arms crossed, scanned the parchment listings with all the seriousness of a war general. Adonis, on the other hand, stared at her sideways, already regretting the decision.
"I'm telling you, this one sounds perfect." Elora jabbed a finger at a notice. "Monster nest subjugation near the northern woods. Easy coin. Minimal risk."
Adonis squinted at the quest.
C-Rank Mission: Eliminate the Stoneback Boars NestReward: 8 silver coins. Objective: Clear out at least 5 Stoneback boars and bring back tusks as proof.Warning: Extremely aggressive. Boars may reach up to 400 kg.
"Minimal risk?" he raised an eyebrow. "They're the size of carriages and made of living rock."
"Pfft. So dramatic." Elora flicked her hair. "They're just pigs with armor. Leave the magic ones to me."
That didn't comfort him.
Still, he nodded. "Fine. But if you run away like with the mantises, I'm leaving you."
"No you won't," she grinned. "You like me too much."
He glared at her. She winked.
By late afternoon, they reached the edge of the northern woods. The trees here were taller, denser, the sun filtering through the thick canopy like rays of gold dust. The ground trembled faintly — a reminder of the beasts that roamed these parts.
Adonis drew a golden sword and held it in the air. Elora, finally looking serious, closed her eyes and chanted softly.
A glowing circle appeared beneath her feet — complex symbols rotating slowly — and five orbs of light floated behind her.
"That your support magic?" Adonis asked, impressed.
"No," she said, deadpan. "That's my mosquito repellent."
He narrowed his eyes.
She giggled. "Yes, it's my support-type pre-buff array. Wind shield, mana pulse, detection pulse, agility boost, and one spare."
Just then, a rustle came from the left.
Then a crash.
Then a roar.
Three Stoneback Boars burst through the undergrowth, tusks sharp as daggers, eyes blood-red, armored backs gleaming like granite.
"Three at once?" Adonis muttered. "Tough luck."
"Correction." Elora snapped her fingers. "Seven."
Four more thundered in from the opposite side.
Adonis didn't flinch.
Five golden swords shimmered into the air around him, forming a defensive orbit.
"Watch the flank," he said calmly.
"You watch your flank," Elora replied, suddenly serious.
The first boar charged.
Adonis dodged left, just barely, and swung — one of his golden swords piercing the beast's eye, shattering the socket and causing the creature to topple mid-charge.
Another came from behind — Elora raised both hands and shouted, "Speed debuff!"
A glowing dome of energy snapped around the second boar, halting its momentum mid-run like a bug hitting a net.
The third leapt into the air.
Adonis turned, all five swords spinning forward — slicing its belly open mid-air before it crashed behind him in a pile of blood and dust.
Elora spun, launching a gust of wind to blow back the fourth and fifth, then pulled out a wand from her thigh strap.
"Arcbolt!" she called out, lightning crackling along the wand.
ZAP.
One of the boars fried on the spot.
"…Not bad," Adonis muttered.
"I know," Elora said, smirking.
With the last two coming from the sides, Adonis lowered himself, gathering mana — "Killing Circle!"
All five swords moved like petals in a storm, slicing, tearing, and dancing. The boars collapsed with brutal elegance.
When the dust settled, seven Stoneback boars lay motionless on the ground. Elora panted slightly, wiping sweat off her forehead. Adonis stood straight, dispelling his swords with a thought.
"Seven tusks. Eight silver coins." Elora grinned, "Not bad for a first mission."
Adonis turned to her.
"You are not bad."
She mock-bowed. "Thank you, thank you. I'm brave when I'm well-fed."
He shook his head but chuckled despite himself.
"Let's get the tusks and head back."
Elora looked around. "So… you carve them out."
"What?"
"I'm a mage. I don't do gore."
"You're the one who wanted dessert."
"…Touché. Still your job."
Adonis groaned.
"Damn loli hag."