Solryn folded his arms. "Like I said, Hibana — you're a lunatic for trying this."
Hibana nodded. "I know. But I need to do this for the good of the settlement. We can't survive without steady resources — water, medicine, information — and Stonewatch is the only path to getting them."
Solryn's eyes flicked toward the kobolds, then back to Hibana. "And what happens if someone recognizes you? You remember what happened last time."
Hibana exhaled slowly. "I'm aware... but I don't have a choice. The settlement needs me, and I won't let it die because I was too afraid to act."
Solryn sighed. "Fine... but I still say this is a terrible idea. Always have."
Hibana gave a small smile as he turned away. "Noted. I'll be back."
Hibana transformed into a human when he reached the outskirts of the Fey wilds. and he put on his simple traveling attire made for him by Solryn. Though now, he also had on a Green cloak made of a simple fabric. it really made his orange hair stand out.
The road to Stonewatch was mercifully quiet. Hibana walked alone, the path dry and cracked beneath his boots. It had been a while since this village had seen rain. He passed familiar landmarks — the tavern's weathered sign swaying gently in the breeze, the blacksmith hammering away at a stubborn door hinge. Each strike rang out with a dull clang, rhythmic and steady — a small, familiar sound in a place that no longer felt welcoming.
Then Hibana saw it — the adventurers' guild.
The building was larger than the others, sturdy and imposing. Its door was tall and thick, painted a dull red — like dried blood. Something about that color lingered in his mind longer than it should have. Not a sign of pride or strength — it felt like a warning.
For a moment, Hibana stood there, staring at the door. His hand hovered just above the iron handle.
"I could turn back now," a small voice in his mind whispered. "This is a mistake."
But he pushed the thought aside. The settlement needed him — and this was the only path forward.
He grabbed the handle, braced himself, and stepped inside.
The air hit him like a wave — warm, thick, and loud. The tavern-like space was crowded with adventurers of all kinds — men and women clad in leather, chainmail, and steel. Some were gathered at tables, trading stories and boasting of their exploits. Others leaned against the walls, nursing mugs of ale and muttering in low voices. The clatter of dice mixed with bursts of laughter, and the faint scent of sweat and stale beer clung to the air.
No one paid him much attention. A few glanced his way — a fleeting look of disinterest — then returned to their conversations.
"They don't even care that I'm here." Hibana exhaled softly. "Good."
He squared his shoulders and started toward the counter. He saw a female receptionist leaning on the counter. She looked bored. Her thousand-yard stare told him she was definitely daydreaming about being anywhere else but here at this very moment.
"Ahem." Hibana cleared his throat loudly to signal the receptionist, who then looked in his direction.
"I am here to sign up as an adventurer."
She stared at him for a moment — eyes dull, unimpressed — and then lazily began casting the familiar appraisal spell. The faint glow reflected off her face as her gaze drifted down his body.
Her expression shifted. First, a flicker of confusion — then sharp, shrill laughter burst out of her mouth. She leaned heavily on the counter, wiping a tear from her eye as her laughter turned to breathless snorts.
"You... you want to be an adventurer?" she scoffed, shaking her head. "You're an F-tier. You'll be killed out there."
Hibana forced himself to nod, swallowing the sharp sting in his chest. He couldn't let his temper get the better of him — not here, not now. They didn't know what he was capable of.
"I can take care of myself," he said steadily. "I assure you, I'm stronger than I appear."
The receptionist snorted again, barely stifling another chuckle. Behind him, Hibana felt a few adventurers shift in their seats, whispering among themselves. Quiet remarks, muffled laughter — he knew they were mocking him. He ignored them.
"Since you're likely destitute," the receptionist sneered, "you'll have to cover the cost of your own gear. Looks like you have that covered... don't know where some lowly F-tier managed to get ahold of a sword." Her gaze narrowed slightly. "But in any case, just sign this form."
Hibana accepted the paper — a contract that felt heavier than it should. His eyes scanned the details. At the bottom, in clear, bold text, the guild claimed three-quarters of all bounty payments for new initiates.
"I can deal with that," he thought. He signed his name and handed it back.
"Hibana, huh?" The receptionist looked at the paper, arching a brow. "Strange name for a man. Where do you come from?"
Hibana blinked, looking up for a moment. "Oh... just a small village in the mountains south of here."
The receptionist's expression darkened with suspicion. "Oh? And what is this village's name?" Her gaze sharpened. "Because this is Stonewatch... the village furthest south of Solarsa."
Hibana's stomach twisted. His mind raced. He needed a name — something simple, believable...
"Hearthflame," he said at last. The word spilled from his mouth before he had even finished thinking about it. He'd have to run that by Solryn, Tsu, and the kobolds later.
The receptionist's gaze lingered a moment longer, her expression cold and calculating. Then, her face softened just slightly.
"Hearthflame, huh?" Her voice lacked the usual sneer. "Got a very simple, homey feel to it." Then her lips curled — not quite a smile, but something colder.
"Well, alright, Hibana from Hearthflame." Her tone dripped with forced cheer. "It just so happens we have a quest that's perfect for you."
She handed him a slip of parchment.
Adventurers' Guild Job Notice
Job Title:Lizardfolk Infestation in the Ruins of Kael'Thar
Description:
A group of Lizardfolk has claimed the Ruins of Kael'Thar, located south of Stonewatch. Their presence has disrupted merchant travel, posing a threat to supply routes and nearby settlements. These ruins are rumored to contain dangerous traps and unstable structures.
Objective: Eliminate the Lizardfolk and secure the ruins. Proof of completion (e.g., scales, personal effects, or heads) must be provided to receive payment.
Reward: 20 Gold Coins
Additional Notes:
Travelers missing: Three merchants last seen near the ruins have not returned. Confirmed Threats: Reports suggest the Lizardfolk are unusually organized and may be using the ruins' defensive layout to their advantage. Survival Not Guaranteed: Adventurers are reminded that failure to return is their own responsibility. The guild is not liable for injury, death, or loss of equipment.
Note from the Guildmaster:"Someone's gotta clear them out. Whether you're smart or suicidal is your own business."
Hibana looked to the receptionist and nodded. "Consider it done."
He turned and began to leave.
"There goes my hero!" one adventurer shouted, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"I give him five minutes!" another barked. "Ten if they don't enjoy the smell of him when he pisses himself! Gha ha ha ha!"
The room erupted with laughter — harsh and cruel, but casual, like they were mocking a dead man who hadn't realized his time was up.
Hibana kept walking, letting their jeers roll off him like rain on stone. They don't know me... he told himself. They don't know what I've been through... or what I can do.
But their laughter lingered — louder than it should have been.
I can't let this get to me. I can't...
His fingers curled tightly at his sides, nails digging into his palms. His muscles burned with the faint ache of memories — the long, hungry nights with the goblins... the endless failures training with Tsu... the lives he'd already seen slip away.
I'll prove them wrong.
Just before he reached the door, something clattered to the floor near his feet — a half-empty mug, its contents splashing across the stone. Laughter swelled again.
"Dead man walking," someone muttered from the crowd.
"Yeah," another snickered. "Hope the lizards like their meat bitter."
The guild roared once more.
Hibana paused at the doorway. For a moment, the thought flickered through his mind — to turn back, to shout something, to make them see that he wasn't some pathetic coward marching to his death.
Instead, he exhaled slowly, shoulders rising and falling. His breath steadied. They'll see soon enough...
He pushed the door open and stepped outside.
The wind caught him, carrying with it the dry scent of the dirt roads and the faint sting of forge smoke.
As Hibana walked south along the path toward the ruins, a flash of movement caught his eye. A deer-like creature bounded gracefully through the trees, its slender legs barely disturbing the fallen leaves.
What a deceptively peaceful life that creature leads, Hibana thought. No one calls it a monster... no one hunts it down just because it's different. His gaze lingered on the animal as it vanished into the brush. I wonder if there will ever be a day where people don't fear the real me.
The dull ache building in his chest reminded him that his time as a human was running out. He exhaled slowly, feeling the strain of his fading transformation. His steps faltered slightly.
I've probably got an hour left... He clenched his fists. I should've transformed closer to town — would've saved some strength. Nothing to be done about that now... His eyes drifted to the shade of a nearby tree. I should change back and rest before—
THUNK.
A crude wooden spear struck the dirt just inches from his feet.
Hibana's thoughts froze. His eyes shot up, locking onto a figure in the trees.
A Lizardman.
The creature's scaly form emerged from the undergrowth, muscles coiling beneath its rough hide. Cold yellow eyes stared down at him — wary, unblinking. The Lizardman's clawed fingers flexed around the shaft of a second spear, poised and ready.
"Think Hibana, think fast. He hasn't thrown that second spear yet for a reason....perhaps I can try to speak to him."
Hibana faced the Lizard man and crossed his arms. "Hold your weapon. I am not here to do battle with you!"
The Lizardman cocked his head. "Filthy Human! Leave here! Thiss iss not your plassse!"
Hibana couldn't help but smile. Lizardfolk… The best monsters of them all. He thought back to his old apartment — hours spent playing RPGs on his laptop, sketching Lizardmen in his notebook. He'd always imagined what meeting one in real life would be like. Now here was a real one — flesh and blood, scales and spears — standing right in front of him.
If there's one creature in this world I intend to save, it shall be you.
That thought sparked an idea — a ridiculous one, but maybe just ridiculous enough to work.
"My tail is longer than yours!" Hibana blurted out, smiling wide.
The Lizardman froze, blinking in confusion. Slowly, his spear lowered just a few inches as he glanced over his shoulder. "What iss you talking about?! You be human! You hass no tail!"
"Oh, sure I do!" Hibana said, grinning wider. "And my horns are bigger too!"
The Lizardman's eyes narrowed. "You think me fool?! You has no hornsss either!"
"Oh, they're just hidden right now," Hibana shot back, tapping his head. "See? I keep them small so I don't intimidate the locals."
The Lizardman's grip on his spear loosened slightly. "Pfft... you are stupid." He gave a sharp snort that sounded suspiciously like a chuckle. "Iss no wonder you gonna die out here."
"Die?" Hibana gasped with mock horror. "Me? With my magnificent tail and glorious horns? Impossible!" He struck a dramatic pose, placing one hand on his hip and gesturing grandly with the other. "I am Hibana the Magnificent! Fearless dragon! Lover of fine meat! Champion of the Faeries!"
The Lizardman suddenly lowers his spear. "Champion of Faeries? What you mean?"
Hibana put his hands on his sides. "I see that caught your attention." Hibana pulled his sword out, slowly and set it down on the ground. and he raised his hands. "I know you have absolutely no reason to believe a human. But everything i have told you about me is the truth. If you ware willing to let me step behind that tree over there. I promise you that I will answer all of your questions."
The lizard man's face was easier to read than even other humans for some reason. Perhaps it was because the lizard man looked so much like a humanoid dragon. But he could see the look of confusion in the Lizard man's face as plain as day. "Why you need to step behind the tree?"
"If you promise not to spear me in the back, I will show you."
The Lizard man growled. "Only filthy humans stab in the back!"
Hibana smiled at him again. "I couldn't agree more. Would you allow me to do this?"
The lizard man looked to the side for a moment and then looked back at Hibana. "Fine, but no tricks!"
Hibana nodded and walked behind the tree, and began to take his clothing off. He let the transformation back into a dragon happen, and then stepped out from behind the tree.
The lizard man made an alien gasping sound.
Hibana walked out in the open and flapped his wings a couple of times. he then sat down and wagged his tail.
"See?" Hibana said, wagging his tail with smug satisfaction. "Longer, stronger, and far more magnificent."