The sun had just begun to warm the forest as Kaito and Serena walked along the dirt path outside Losthill.

  “So… what kind of adventurer are you?” Serena asked, tilting her head curiously. “Are you support, frontliner, or magic caster?”

  Kaito smiled faintly. “I’m a magic caster… I can use Fire, Water, and Earth magic.”

  Serena’s eyes widened. “Three attributes… even two attributes are rare here. You… that’s incredible.”

  Kaito shrugged, trying to hide his pride. “We’re both beginners. Don’t think too much about it.”

  The two of them continued into the forest, the quiet morning only broken by birds and rustling leaves. Soon, the thicket ahead stirred—three Fang Rabbits hopped into view, snarling with small fangs glinting in the sunlight.

  “Serena!” Kaito shouted. “They’re charging!”

  Serena’s hands gripped her staff. She murmured a quick incantation and fired Water Bullets toward the rabbits. She thrust her staff to guide the water blasts, injuring all three.

  “Got them!” she called.

  Kaito stepped forward, chanting quickly. A Fireball formed in his palm, which he flung at the wounded rabbits. They screeched and collapsed, charred by the flames.

  “Nice one!” Serena said, slightly out of breath.

  Just as they caught their breath, a rustling sound came from behind. Two more Fang Rabbits leapt at them, surprising both adventurers.

  Kaito reacted instantly, his spear piercing one of the rabbits cleanly. Serena nocked an ice arrow and fired, hitting the last rabbit squarely in the chest.

  The forest fell silent again.

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  They counted their kills. “Five,” Kaito muttered. “One more than the quest requires.”

  Serena tilted her head. “We need to carry four back to the guild.”

  Kaito smiled and reached for his Item Box. “Don’t worry, I’ll store them in here.”

  Serena froze, eyes sparkling in disbelief. “You… you can do that? It’s rare to meet person who has item box!”

  Kaito chuckled softly. “Just a little trick I have. Don’t worry about it.”

  With the extra rabbit stored safely, they walking to return to the town until the sun began to dip low.

  “We should make camp tonight,” Kaito suggested. “It’s already evening.”

  Serena nodded, and together they built a small tent from branches and leaves. Kaito set up a small campfire, and they began cooking.

  Kaito carefully took the extra rabbit from his Item Box, along with the fish he had caught earlier, and started preparing rabbit-and-fish soup while also grilling some rabbit meat.

  Serena helped chop herbs and stir the soup. When she took her first bite, her eyes widened. “This… is amazing! Kaito, you’re incredible!”

  Kaito’s cheeks tinged pink. “Please… don’t flatter me,” he muttered with a small smile.

  The two of them ate in silence under the darkening sky, the crackling fire warming them. After finishing, Kaito leaned back, gazing at the stars.

  “Why are you living in an inn? Aren’t you from this town?” he asked.

  Serena looked up at the sky, voice soft. “I’ve been at the orphanage for sixteen years. I don’t even know what my parents look like. Becoming an adventurer… it’s my way of living on my own.”

  Kaito nodded, silent for a moment. The forest felt peaceful, and yet he sensed how much Serena had endured.

  The next morning, they returned to Losthill and handed in the four Fang Rabbits. Each received two silver coins for their work.

  Just as they were about to leave, the receptionist called out:

  “I have an urgent quest. A Large Boar has appeared near the forest. Reward: 8 silver coins. If both of you succeed, you’ll be promoted to E-rank. Are you interested?”

  Serena glanced at Kaito, determination in her sparkling blue eyes. “We’ll take it.”

  Kaito nodded, a small smile on his face. “It’ll be interesting.”

  Afterward, Serena led Kaito to a nearby inn and helped him rent a room for three days with three meals included—for only 1 silver and 2 copper coins.

  While eating lunch, the two discussed their plan for hunting the Large Boar. Serena offered to teach Kaito some of her magic techniques, and he replied with a little smile, “It would be my pleasure.”

  Outside, the sun shone brightly over Losthill, but neither of them noticed the shadows gathering in the nearby forest. Tomorrow, their first real hunt as partners would begin.

  The Large Boar awaited…