Ren sighed, tucked the charm into his pocket, and left the bustling marketplace.
He had hoped for more… a name, a location, or at least a clear lead.
But the only thing he obtained was vague words and an old drawing.
His feet carried him unconsciously along the lively street, passing by stalls and NPCs busy with their daily routines.
He felt lost amidst the crowd, as if this search was nothing more than a never-ending cycle.
Before he knew it, he was standing in front of the smithy from this morning.
The forge fire still blazed, casting a red glow through the window, staining the cobblestone street with flickering gold.
The rhythmic, powerful sound of hammering metal pulled Ren out of his drifting thoughts.
Perhaps speaking with someone real could help him refocus. He pushed the door open, and the scent of hot metal and burning coal flooded his senses.
As Ren stepped into the smithy, the heat rushed against his face, carrying the distinct smell of charred coal and heated iron.
Before he could even take in his surroundings, the heavy clang of a hammer echoed through the space, each strike drowning out all other noise.
In front of the forge, a burly man raised a hefty iron hammer and brought it down on a glowing-hot blade resting on the anvil.
Sparks burst into the air, reflecting off his sharp-featured face.
Ren froze for a moment, it was the captain of the town guards, the one who had saved him last night.
But now, instead of wearing his imposing armor, the man only wore a rough linen shirt, sleeves rolled up to reveal solid, muscular arms. His calloused hands gripped the hammer firmly.
Noticing Ren's gaze, the man paused, lifting his head. One brow arched slightly, and his sharp eyes scanned Ren.
"The lost kid from last night, huh?" His voice was deep and slightly amused. "Didn't expect to see you here."
Ren was still caught off guard. "You… work here?"
The captain let out a short huff, setting his hammer down and using a large pair of tongs to lift the glowing blade from the anvil.
"I don't just work here." He turned his wrist slightly, letting the firelight glint off the heated steel. "This place is my home. And the old man you're looking for… is my father."
Ren blinked, too surprised to speak.
He had come here hoping to find a clue about the mysterious deity, but instead, he stumbled upon an unexpected truth.
The captain set the newly forged blade aside, then wiped a layer of soot from his face using the coarse cloth wrapped around his wrist.
He studied Ren for a moment, as if weighing his thoughts, then spoke.
"Kid, you came here looking for my old man, but I have something to ask of you instead."
Ren hesitated briefly before nodding. "What is it?"
The captain crossed his arms, his voice lowering slightly. "It's about the wolf from last night."
With just that single sentence, the air in the smithy seemed to grow heavier.
Ren clenched his hand involuntarily as the memory resurfaced, of the beast emerging from the darkness, its piercing eyes fixated on him, as if it meant to consume him whole.
"There's something off about it," the captain continued. "Elite Dire Wolf packs… they don't wander close to the grasslands. And a Giant Elite Dire Wolf attacking a player alone, in this area? That's unheard of."
Ren was taken aback. "You mean… it wasn't supposed to be there?"
"Exactly." The captain nodded. "The grasslands aren't their hunting grounds. Even the strongest among them rarely leave the deep forests.
But that wolf showed up right at the edge of town, as if it was deliberately hunting you."
A chill ran down Ren's spine.
Last night, he had thought it was a random pursuit, a predator spotting weaker prey and striking on instinct. But if it wasn't supposed to be there in the first place, then…
"Can you do me a favor?" The captain's voice pulled Ren from his thoughts.
Ren looked up. "What is it?"
"Search for any traces of it. Go back to that area and see if anything seems unusual."
His gaze was steady, firm.
"If that wolf really strayed from its territory, then this isn't just an ordinary hunt."
Ren pressed his lips together, fingers tightening around the old wooden charm in his hand. Go back to the grasslands… the place where that monster had nearly killed him?
He could refuse. Just say, "I can't," and the captain surely wouldn't force him.
But still, something about the man's serious expression made Ren feel like this wasn't just a mission, it was something bigger.
A lone wolf shouldn't have left its territory.
So why did it appear near town? Why did it attack his group last night?
Ren took a deep breath, pushing down the fear still lingering in his mind. If this was truly a sign of something… he needed to know the truth.
But… he also couldn't risk his life recklessly. The lesson from yesterday was still fresh in his memory.
The captain nodded, as if he already knew the answer Ren would give.
"Don't be so quick to refuse, kid. I'm not asking you to do this for free."
Reward: 1,500 Cor, 5 high-quality wolf pelts, 50 reputation points with the Town Guard.
Ren hesitated.
He couldn't forget the feeling of death breathing down his neck when he had faced that massive wolf—the rapid gasps for air, the pounding heartbeat, the sheer terror that had gripped his body and made every step feel like dragging iron chains.
Going back there? Alone?
He wasn't sure if he could face it again. Survival was the most important thing, he couldn't just throw himself into danger without preparation.
But then, his eyes flicked toward the quest board.
1,500 Cor… that was a huge amount. How many Dire Wolves would he have to hunt to earn that much?
With enough savings, he could start working toward buying a small house in town. He could afford more healing items.
High-quality wolf pelts… he could either sell them or reinforce his armor.
Most importantly, the 50 reputation points with the Town Guard… that could be the key to securing a more stable position in this town.
Ren pressed his lips together, tapping his fingers lightly against the quest board. He was still unsure. But if he wanted to survive, he couldn't keep running forever.
"…This job is just for investigation, right?" he asked, his voice laced with hesitation.
The captain nodded. "That's right. Just find any signs and report back. No need to fight."
Ren was silent for a long moment, then slowly nodded.
"...Alright. I'll try."
The commander nodded in satisfaction. "Good. We need to know what's going on before it's too late."
Ren took the quest scroll, but hesitation still lingered in his heart.
He couldn't shake off the memory of the wolf's blazing red eyes from last night, the suffocating pressure it exuded, haunting him like a lingering shadow.
It was unlike any ordinary monster he had ever seen on a quest board... as if it wasn't just a wild beast, but something older, something far more dangerous.
Pressing his lips together, he tightened his grip on the quest scroll.
There were no signs that it was still lurking near the grasslands, but what if it hadn't left? What if it was still out there, stalking another prey?
Ren suddenly realized he had been standing still for too long. The commander seemed to notice his hesitation and lowered his voice slightly.
"You don't have to go alone. If you want, you can find someone to go with you."
Ren snapped out of his thoughts and looked up. "I can ask someone for help?"
"As long as you complete the quest. Whatever works."
The man patted his shoulder lightly before walking away, leaving Ren standing alone in the forge, conflicted.
Find someone to go with him? He didn't know anyone here well enough to ask for help. Klein and his group had already left town, and the rest were strangers.
Going back there alone was still a crazy idea. But if he could find clues about the wolf, he could at least prepare in case it returned.
Ren let out a slow breath.
He had to decide.
Taking the quest scroll, he stored it in the Quest tab, and a new task appeared in his system.
Even with his lingering hesitation, he knew he couldn't just stand there forever.
'For the house...'
He left the forge, walking slowly down the cobblestone path, his mind constantly weighing his options.
Could he ask someone for help?
That question circled in his thoughts, but no names came to mind. The people he knew had either left or weren't reliable.
Going alone, then?
The thought made his chest tighten. His mind flashed back to last night, the massive figure moving through the grasslands, its crimson eyes reflecting the moonlight.
A heavy, invisible weight pressed down on him, as if just remembering it was enough to make him feel its smoldering rage.
No. It was too dangerous alone.
But then his gaze fell on the reward listed on the quest scroll, the numbers engraved clearly on the board.
Gold. A substantial amount.
He was used to scraping by, counting every coin to survive. To repair his weapon. To stay standing in this world.
That money would be enough to equip himself with something better. It could make up for the fortune he had spent buying a sword for Klein. It would ensure that if something like last night happened again, he wouldn't just be able to run away.
Was it worth the risk?
Ren stopped in his tracks. His fists clenched as he wrestled between caution and necessity.
Safety or opportunity?
A quiet sigh slipped from his lips. In the end, he already knew what his choice would be.
Like it or not, he would have to return there.
'I want to buy a house...'