Note: forgot to say this, the oc receive some and vague memories of Ginko.
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i also insert some original side characters that i can use later in the future chapters to build some depth in growth of the oc .
let me know if you have some suggestions or request on the future chapters to happen (Normal stuff)
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The Cozy Mantle's modest warmth had offered Cecilia a quiet place to gather her thoughts.
Yet, for all the body's strength and skill in combat, it was the social dynamic of this new world that truly unsettled her.
She had no choice but to rely on strangers—adventurers she didn't know or trust.
The townsfolk had been pleasant enough, but pleasantries were a far cry from the sharp-edged alliances forged in Ginko's wars.
When she approached the Adventurer's Guild that morning, she hesitated briefly outside the heavy wooden doors.
Inside, the sounds of boisterous laughter and clinking tankards spilled out, mingling with the faint smell of roasted meat and ale. Cecilia's golden eyes narrowed as she pushed the door open, her guarded instincts kicking in.
The hall was bustling as ever, adventurers of all shapes and sizes gathered in groups, sharing tales of quests and arguments over loot. It wasn't the first time Cecilia had seen a scene like this—Ginko's memories carried echoes of taverns filled with mercenaries, loud with bravado and posturing.
Back then, alliances had been formed with words as sharp as any blade, trust earned through spilled blood and countless battles.
Now, however, Cecilia was the outsider, her striking appearance and quiet demeanor drawing more than a few curious glances.
The scars marking her arms and the katana at her side painted her as a fighter, but she knew all too well that appearances could deceive. Trust wasn't earned with a glance; it was earned in battle.
She approached the receptionist's desk with measured steps, her senses on high alert.
The auburn-haired woman, cheerful and professional as ever, greeted her warmly.
"Good morning! You're becoming a regular here," the receptionist said, her smile bright.
"Luna, right?" Cecilia asked, keeping her tone even.
"That's right," Luna replied with a nod. "Here for another round of quests?"
"Something like that," Cecilia said. She hesitated, then added,
"I'm not sure about working alone. What do you think of the adventurers here?"
Luna's smile softened, her demeanor shifting into something more thoughtful. "Most of them are good people.
They may be a bit rough around the edges, but they're reliable when it counts.
Of course, it's wise to be cautious but trust takes time."
The guild hall was alive with activity as Cecilia made her way toward the quest board.
Her golden eyes scanned the available tasks, seeking something more challenging than hunting frogs or gathering herbs.
She needed to test her strength against something formidable, not just for herself but to prove the worth of the legendary body she carried.
As her gaze settled on one quest, her lips curved into a faint smirk. "Eliminate Goblins and Their Leader" the board read.
The description detailed a goblin nest discovered near the edge of a forest, where the creatures had begun raiding supply wagons and harassing travelers. The reward was substantial, but what intrigued Cecilia was the mention of their leader—a hobgoblin, much larger and stronger than the others.
"Now this," Cecilia murmured, "is more like it."
"Taking on goblins, huh?" a deep voice interrupted her thoughts.
Cecilia turned to see a broad-shouldered man standing behind her, his armor gleaming dully in the light.
His expression was calm but confident, the kind of composure that came from experience.
"I'm Loran," he said, his tone steady. "Tank and leader of our party. We're short a swordsman for this quest. You interested?"
Cecilia regarded him warily, her instincts sharpened by caution. His demeanor didn't suggest ill intent, but trust was something she would give sparingly. "Who else is in your party?" she asked.
Loran gestured toward a nearby table, where three adventurers sat discussing their plans. A lithe woman with a bow across her back chatted animatedly with a man whose robes and staff marked him as a mage. Beside them sat a quiet figure, her hands glowing faintly with supportive magic.
"Melina's our archer," Loran explained. "Quick and precise. Dax handles offensive magic. And Saria keeps us alive with healing and buffs." His eyes flicked to Cecilia's katana. "You'd be our sword."
Cecilia crossed her arms, her golden gaze unwavering. "Why me?"
"Because you don't carry yourself like a rookie," Loran replied evenly. "And we need someone who can fight up close."
Cecilia studied him for a moment longer before nodding. "Fine. I'll join you."
Preparing for the Hunt
Introductions were brief but efficient. Melina greeted Cecilia with a wide grin, her dark eyes sparkling with excitement.
Dax was less animated, offering only a curt nod before returning to his preparations. Saria's soft-spoken demeanor added a sense of calm to the group, her every movement deliberate and purposeful.
As they geared up, Loran explained the plan.
"Goblins are tricky, but they're not smart. We'll draw them out, split their ranks, and take them down methodically.
The hobgoblin, though—that's where we'll need to be careful. It's stronger and better organized than its underlings."
"Understood," Cecilia said, her voice steady.
Her katana gleamed in the sunlight as she checked its edge.
The weapon felt alive in her hands, a part of her rather than a tool. She could feel the weight of Ginko's experience guiding her movements, the memories of countless battles etched into her body.
The Encounter
The forest was dense and dark, the canopy above casting shadows that seemed to dance with the breeze.
The group moved in formation, Loran at the front with his shield raised high.
Melina and Dax flanked the sides, while Saria stayed close to the center, her glowing hands ready to heal or strengthen as needed. Cecilia took up the rear, her senses sharp and her katana unsheathed.
The goblins appeared quickly, their guttural shrieks breaking the eerie silence.
They came in small groups, their crude weapons glinting in the dim light.
Loran raised his shield, blocking their initial charge, while Melina's arrows flew swift and true, felling two goblins before they reached the group.
Cecilia stepped forward, her movements fluid and precise.
Her katana sliced through the air, meeting its mark with deadly efficiency.
Each strike was calculated, her body moving as though guided by instinct.
Goblins fell one by one, their screeches fading into the forest.
Dax muttered incantations under his breath, sending bursts of fire and ice toward the goblins, while Saria's buffs kept the group steady and protected.
The teamwork was seamless, and Cecilia couldn't help but admire their coordination.
But the true challenge came moments later, as a deafening roar shook the forest.
The hobgoblin emerged from the shadows, its massive form towering over the smaller creatures.
Its dark green skin glistened with sweat, and its eyes burned with malicious intelligence.
"Stay sharp!" Loran shouted, tightening his grip on his shield. "It's strong and fast—don't let it divide us!"
Cecilia's grip on her katana tightened as she stepped forward, her golden eyes locked onto the hobgoblin.
The creature roared again, charging toward her with terrifying speed.
Cecilia moved like a shadow, her body responding instinctively.
She sidestepped the charge, her katana flashing as it sliced across the hobgoblin's side. The creature howled in pain, but it wasn't deterred, wheeling around for another attack.
Loran intercepted its next charge, his shield absorbing the impact with a resounding clang.
Melina's arrows struck the hobgoblin's vulnerable spots, while Dax's fire spells burned across its thick hide.
Saria's glowing magic kept the group steady, her buffs enhancing their strength and speed.
Cecilia darted forward again, her movements a blur as she delivered strike after strike.
The hobgoblin roared in fury, its massive arms swinging wildly, but Cecilia was relentless.
Her katana met its mark with every swing, her body moving like a finely tuned machine.
The battle was fierce and chaotic, but the group's coordination proved unmatched.
With a final, devastating blow from Cecilia's katana, the hobgoblin collapsed, its roar fading into a gurgling whimper.
Victory and Reflection
The group stood in silence for a moment, their breaths heavy. The goblin nest had been cleared, and the hobgoblin lay defeated. Loran turned to Cecilia, his expression one of genuine respect.
"You've got skill," he said simply. "We couldn't have done that without you."
Cecilia nodded, her golden gaze steady. "You're a strong team."
Melina grinned, her excitement undiminished. "And you're one hell of a swordswoman."
As they made their way back to Axel, Cecilia couldn't help but feel a faint sense of satisfaction.
Her caution toward the group hadn't faded entirely, but their teamwork and resilience had earned her respect.
For the first time since arriving in this world, she felt a flicker of hope—perhaps she wouldn't have to face this journey alone.