The morning sun painted the village in gold as Rei and his guildmates gathered in front of the academy's quest board. The smell of fresh bread from a nearby bakery mixed with the chatter of early risers.
Kajala, as energetic as ever, scanned the available quests with wide eyes. "Alright! First official mission of Bound Fate! Let's pick something exciting."
Regulus folded his arms. "Something worthy of warriors."
Eryan sighed. "Something that won't get us killed."
Rika smirked. "Something that pays well."
Kajala's eyes landed on a notice pinned to the board. He tore it off and read aloud, "'Capture the Rampaging Goat of Redhill Farm. Reward: 15 silver.'"
Silence.
"…A goat?" Rei said flatly.
Kajala nodded. "A strong goat."
Regulus squinted at the parchment. "How strong are we talking?"
"The farmer says it's been causing chaos, breaking fences, scaring off workers, and headbutting anything in sight," Kajala continued. "Sounds like a challenge to me."
Eryan sighed but gave a small nod. "Fine. It's simple enough."
With the quest decided, the group set off towards Redhill Farm. The walk was peaceful at first, the dirt path leading them past rolling fields and grazing animals. But as they neared their destination, distant shouts and the sound of splintering wood reached their ears.
"This must be the place," Rika said dryly.
A panicked farmer ran up to them, panting. "Are you the guild sent to deal with the goat? Thank you God! It's a menace! It—" He was cut off as something barreled through a wooden fence behind him, sending planks flying.
The goat stood there, muscles rippling under its shaggy fur. Its eyes glowed with an unsettling determination.
Rei took a step back. "That's not a goat. That's a monster."
The goat snorted and pawed the ground.
Regulus grinned. "Finally, a worthy opponent."
The goat charged.
What followed was a spectacle of chaos. Regulus tried to grapple the beast but was flung into a haystack. Kajala attempted to block its path, only to get knocked off his feet. Rika leapt onto its back, holding on for dear life as it bucked wildly.
"Someone do something!" she shouted.
Eryan chanted under her breath, casting a quick spell. Vines shot up from the ground, wrapping around the goat's legs. It bleated angrily, thrashing against the restraints.
Seeing his chance, Rei grabbed a rope and rushed forward, looping it around the goat's neck. "Hold it still!" he yelled.
Regulus recovered and tackled the beast from the side, pinning it down just long enough for Rei to tighten the rope. The goat let out one final defiant bleat before slumping in defeat.
The farmer stood in stunned silence before breaking into applause. "You actually did it! Here, your reward!" He handed over a pouch of silver.
Rei wiped sweat from his brow. "Please tell me our next quest isn't catching another animal."
Kajala checked the board again. "Oh, don't worry. Next up—slimes!"
The group groaned as they trudged back toward the village, already bracing themselves for whatever disaster awaited them next.