Max awoke to children giggling. Both Clammy and Max exited the small hut to find Reep with a group of kids. The kids had been following her around ever since she played with them in the mud, but she didn’t seem to mind. Max watched the kids run and play with each other; it was a good sight in this shit world.

The group found their way to the building the villagers had called “town hall”. Max did not understand why Leafhall was considered a village. If anything, it was a small town. Leafhall had a population of 120 people, give or take. Max always imagined “village” as no more than 20 or 30.

Too many western movies. Max grumbled to himself. The town hall building was by far the largest in the area. It was nothing special, just large, probably designed to house the entire population during meetings. They were quickly greeted by the village chief, who introduced himself properly.

“I am Jon Fiztop. Mayor of Leafhall. Let me thank you again for all you did last night.” he said, bowing.

Fiztop is a squirrel Beastkin. This was Max’s first time meeting a Beastkin. He had seen them from afar in Lesterwood, but he had never been introduced to one before. Beastkin were humans crossed with a “beast”. They take on characteristics of the animal they are related to. Fiztop, for example, has a long bushy squirrel tail, small furry ears, and large front teeth. Some Beastkin have more pronounced features, while others can be much more subtle. Outward appearances are not the only thing that is different to humans, instincts and senses are also enhanced.

“It is no problem, sir. We are happy to help.” Reep said, giving him her best team leader charm.

“Regardless, thank you. The fire was started by a Flame Dire Wolf. I take it the bounty is why you are all the way out here?”

“Correct, we are the Humble Titans, a wood ranked adventuring team. At your service.” The three team members all stood straighter when Reep mentioned the team’s name. This was the debut of Humble Titans, after all.

“Well, I think the posting asked for a five member team, but after seeing your display with the fire, I have faith.” Fiztop said.

“Thank you, sir. What can you tell us about the wolf?”

“It all started a few --”

Fiztop began to tell the team about the local ruins. Apparently, this village was founded as a base of operations for a research team 40 years ago. The research team only stayed for 2 years, declaring the ruins were just old brick. Nothing special, nothing of note. The Flame Wolf took over the ruins, killing any and all nearby wildlife. The local game has severely dropped, and the mayor thinks the wolf is getting hungry. The attack last night was one of three, the first two had casualties. He sent the request, via mana message, directly after the first but it had only gotten worse.

The village had plenty of crops to sustain itself, but it would eventually fall. The wolf needed to be taken care of, and the team could see that. The mayor pointed them in the direction of the ruins. He told them he could get them a map, but they declined. Max’s mini map should be enough to find the ruins. The team took off after breakfast. Reep was their best tracker, having hunted for Denny and Tyr before, so she took point. On their way towards the ruins, Reep pointed out scratches on trees, signifying wolf territory.

The mayor couldn't give them the exact number of wolves, but knowing wolves, he had guessed a pack of 5 or 6. Only the alpha had ever been spotted, he explained. Flame Dire Wolves got their names from their deep red colored coat, and fire magic capabilities. The mayor also said that it was a big one, being bigger than an average human.

Max eventually spotted the beginning of the ruins on his mini map. Small clusters of rock and brick started showing up, as they went further, more and more appeared. Trees slowly started to become further and further apart, eventually opening to a small clearing. They came upon the ruins proper. There was a carcass of an old structure, weathered and broken, it still stood, however. The group hid behind a small, crumbled wall to discuss.

“Something is wrong.” Clammy said first.

“Agreed.” Max and Reep said at the same time.

“Where are the wolves? I haven’t seen any evidence of wolves since the trees.” Reep said.

“We have to investigate right? We can’t just go back and say we didn’t find anything.” Max said.

The other two nodded in agreement. They started discussing a plan. It was decided that Clammy would levitate herself high, trying to spot anything of note. She went up, a few moments later she came back down disturbed.

“I spotted people, in the middle. There was a pile of bodies. I couldn't tell if they all were human, but they were all humanoid. There was a large red wolf, sleeping next to the group. Maybe a familiar? I didn’t see anyone on watch.” Clammy said.

“This just got more complicated.” Max muttered.

“If that wolf is the one who attacked the village, it needs to be put down along with its master. How many were there?” Reep said.

“Six. and the wolf.”

“Did they have gear? Swords, armor? What were they doing?”

“Yes, to both. Four of them were sitting around a fire pit. There must be a spell cast on it, there was no smoke. One was skinning something a few meters past the pit. The last was firing a bow at a target.”

“Okay, that's good. Now we know at least one of them is a mage. Smokeless fire is a [Fire Mage] utility spell, also the wolf is probably his. One is an archer, that is also good to know.” Reep said.

Max was surprised about how serious Reep is taking her leadership role. From talking to the mayor, to trying to formulate a plan. Max was proud of her.

“There are two ways I can see we do this. Firstly, you and Max make as much of a distraction as possible, while I fire arrows from afar. It will be a lot of noise, and dangerous. Secondly, we take the stealth route. That means Clammy, you will have to drop your armor. It just makes too much noise. We sneak up the broken ruins and try to get to a vantage point. Then we would take it from there.” Reep said.

“I think the second choice will be--”

Suddenly the group could hear shouting. Clammy quickly took off from the ground. She came back down.

“There was a seventh guy I missed. He alerted them of us. They are coming. Sorry.”

“Don’t worry. New plan! Spread out and find cover. Let's set a trap for them.” Reep quickly told them the rest of her plan. The others agreed, separating to different crumbled ruins.

Max took his position. His job was simple. Hit them hard. He started pulling water from the air. Instead of forming it into a ball, he let it fall to the ground. A group of six, plus a wolf, came running towards them. They had 2 warrior types, heavy armor, and big weapons. 2 of them wore leather armor, one held two daggers, the other a short sword. The last two looked to be mages. They wore normal clothes, but both held staff.

The wolf stayed by one of them. Max spotted the archer taking position high ontop of the ruin. Suddenly an arrow originating from the shadows ripped through the archer's neck. He tried to remain standing, but the shock and momentum the arrow gave him caused him to fall from his perch. He landed on his head and neck; a sickening crunch sounded out. The other six turned to look at the fallen comrade.

Clammy took her shot while they were distracted. The presumed [Fire Mage] tried to react fast enough, but his flame shield was too late. A rock slammed into his abdomen, forcing him off his feet. The others quickly dispersed, finding cover where they could. A second rock finished the mage.

Max enacted his part of the plan. He was the bait. Max had by far the best defensive capabilities of the team. Center of Water, Max’s water sphere domain spell, paired with normal Water Shield provided Max with very strong defensives. Reep anticipated the enemies spreading out after the initial volley. Max would be used to draw the other into positions where Clammy or Reep could hit them.

Max felt confident about the plan. After all, they had taken out two of them, without any retaliation. Max lifted the water that had been pooling on the ground. The water formed around him, similar to putting on a sock. Max flowed the water, and himself, to the center of the battlefield.

The wolf, with its master dead, had no one to command it. It charged at Max, fire forming in its mouth. Suddenly an arrow drilled deep into the flank of the wolf. The fresh wound did not cause it to slow in the slightest. A small rock hit, tearing through its fur and muscle. The wolf was enraged, it kept charging. All of a sudden, the wolf lit aflame. Max started forming a spout within his sphere.

More arrows and rock hit, now causing noticeable damage. The wolf was slowing down. Max was “running” in a circle, easily kiting the great beast. Max fired his completed spout, the 3-meter-tall vertical vortex of water, slammed into the wolf. The initial hit put out the fire and inhaled in the wolf. The spout ended, leaving the remains of a dead Flame Dire Wolf. Max geared up his next spell, a Water Bolt, when he heard:

“WE SURRENDER!” sounds of clanking metal hitting rock radiated from different spots in the battlefield.

“Come on out then! We won’t kill you!” Reep yelled back.

Heads poked out from cover, making sure it was actually safe. Slowly they made their way out, towards the center. The 5 remaining people looked afraid. None of them were human. The two warriors were Orcs. One male one female. Orcs were a prideful and honorable race, opting to follow strength. Orcs usually stayed within their tribes and were rarely seen in cities. The two Orc’s had a slight green tint to their skin, and small tusks shown past their bottom lips. Other than that, they looked like very muscular humans.

The dagger welding rouge is a halfling. He was about half the size of Max. He wore simple leather armor. He looked the most frightened out of the lot. The swordsman was human. He had dark skin, and black hair. He had a scabbard on his right hip, signifying he was left-handed. He had a relieved look. Lastly, the other mage. She was an elf. Her ears were the pointiest Max has ever seen. He had to force himself not to stare. She had autumn colored hair, and deep green eyes. She was beautiful, but then again, Max hadn't met an ugly elf.

Max inspected them all.

Orc [Warrior]

Orc [Warrior]

Halfling [Dual Dagger]

Elf [Flower Mage]

Human [Swift Blade]

Reep and Clammy walked over, each taking a post on one side of Max, who was still in the water domain.

“Well? What's going on here?” Reep asked.

“Uhm. Is he going to get out of that?” Asked the swordsman.

Reep looked from him to Max. “No.” She answered. Max could hear him muting something about drowning.

The female orc spoke up next, “We are slaves. He is the last slave owner.” She pointed at the halfling.

Reep’s eyes narrowed. “Release them, and I will take you to the guard. If not I will kill you where you stand.” Her voice caused the halfling to pee himself. The others took a few steps away.

“What about the rest of you?” Reep asked.

“All slaves. Only me and mine are the remaining [Fire Mage]’s slaves. The other one died.” She gestured at the archer.

All three members of the Humble Titans cringed. They had killed a slave. They all felt bad about it, and would probably lose sleep, but they had to deal with the current situation. Max glanced over at Reep; she was taking it the hardest. After a few seconds, Clammy spoke up.

“Well, Halfling? What is it going to be?”

He bit his thumb, causing a little blood to pool. He lifted his shirt with shaky hands. There was a tattoo, surrounding his belly button. The halfling was so focused on his task, that he didn't notice the demeanor of the three in front of him change. He slid his thumb over the tattoo, causing the connection to the slaves to break. The two remaining slaves sighed in relief, tearing up.

Reep stomped forward, grabbing the halfling by the arm. Lifting him up, she checked his tattoo. She visibly relaxed after she declared the tattoo was not Vast Empire’s. She dropped him and turned to the others, shaking her head. She found her place next to Max.

“Elf. Can you confirm what the Orc said was true?” Reep announced, regaining her composure.

The Elf flinched, not expecting to be talked to. Between sobs, she confirmed that the Halfling and the [Fire Mage] were their owners.

Max dropped his domain, causing the Halfling to shriek in alarm. Max walked forward, materializing a length of rope, and tossing it at the swordsman.

“Tie him.” Max commanded.

“Tie him? I should be killing him! He kept me as a SLAVE!” The man yelled back.

“Tie him.” Reep said, her voice cold. The man tied him.

“What were you doing in the ruins? With the bodies?” Reep asked, directed at the Halfling.

“They were sacrificing them. Made us kidnap villagers on the way here, then a few more from that one nearby. They needed a few more bodies before they could start.” The Elf answered for the Halfling.

The Halfling paled, sweat started pouring off him. “We… Me and the [Fire Mage], that is, were hired. They gave us- us slaves, and money. Told us to come here and s-oak the ground in blood. We- I have the in-structions in my pack.” He pointed back to the ruins.

“Who hired you?” Reep asked.

“I-I don’t know. He wore a cl-oak!”

The group made their way into the ruins. The pile of bodies was off far in the back. Max wanted to go through their possessions and find things to return to their families. The issue was they were naked. Max shook his head.

This world sucks, he thought. The halfling brought them to his pack. Max pushed forward, stopping the Reep before she could pick it up.

“Let me! Trust me, things like this happened all the time back home. It's better to not touch any evidence and for use to give it to the proper authorities.” Max channeled his inner CSI.

Reep nodded. Max touched the edge of a strap, depositing the pack in his inventory.

“Alright listen up! Everyone grab everything you can and put it in a pile. We have an inventory, so there is no real limit. Carry anything you want personally. When we get back to town, we will sell everything, and you all will spit the money. Max, could you and Mrs. Elf start a pyre?”

They both nodded, walking to the bodies together.

“[Flower Mage] huh? Can you make a lot of stems for fuel?”

“I can! Let me see what I can do.” She spoke.

She closed her eyes, focusing on the pile of bodies. The ground rumbled slightly, eventually breaking. Small stems started to pour out of the cracks, weaving into larger structures. The larger roots wove around the bodies, lifting them to allow better air flow. By the end of it the elf was breathing harshly.

“I’m Max by the way.”

“Celenia.” She said with a smile.

Max held his hand under a few roots while Create Flame was active. After lighting a few spots, the pyre fully ignited, turning into a raging inferno. Max and Celenia went back to the main group. Reep was missing, but Clammy told him she was giving a proper burial to the slave archer that she killed.

She came back a few minutes before they were ready to depart. Her eyes were red, and she was sniffling. After sending everything of importance to his inventory, they were ready to go.

The Humble Titans had completed their first mission. Now all they had to do was return to the village with proof. Reep had the swordsman cut off the wolf's head. The group, 4 recently freed slaves, three adventurers, and one prisoner, left the ruins. The journey back to Leafhall was quick, only taking a few hours. Max checked his notifications.

Congratulations your team has killed a level 17 Flame Dire Wolf (familiar)

Your share of the Experience is 130.

Congratulations, Waterspout has become level 8!

Congratulations, Center of Water has become level 4!

Max honestly wasn’t surprised at the wolf's level. After all it shrugged off arrows and Rock Bullets, like they were spitballs. Max didn’t want to think about how strong the [Fire Mage] was if he had a level 19 familiar. Max didn’t receive any experience for the kill on the archer or mage since he dealt no damage.

The group trudged onwards.

The way back to Leafhall was uneventful. They found out some more information. The halfling’s name is Fido. He and the [Fire Mage], are originally from the capital Salae. They were hired, 500 gold for successfully completing the ritual. Half when they took the job, the other half when they returned. They had traveled through Yepu’s planes, hitting every village on the way. They would stay for a week or so, kidnapping and suffocating their sacrifices. Fido confirmed that they only need 2 more bodies. They had no idea what the ritual did, or why someone wanted it to happen. It was decided that the freed slaves would take what was left of the 250 gold to find passage back to their homes.

They arrived at the village when the day was just starting to break. They had only been gone for half a day, but the village was practically fixed. Clammy explained that [Carpenters] gain a bonus for creating new structures from burned down ones. Max thought that was really interesting, he wanted to learn more about crafting classes. His idea was that, maybe there is some crazy bonus that could positively affect his mage class. His idea was quickly shot down. Clammy told him that all crafting classes have been heavily researched, nothing like what he was thinking existed.

The villagers were surprised to find the Humble Titans return with people. They gathered in the town hall. Most of the village followed them to it. Mayor Fiztop made an announcement that only two from each household will be allowed in. The crowd quickly dispersed. Only 40 or so remained, including all of the freed slaves and Max’s team.

Reep told the mayor what happened quietly, hoping that if the news came from him, it would limit the outrage. She was wrong. The mayor relayed the news, a call for Fido death was instantly declared. As tensions grew, Max started gathering water. If he had to, he would put a wall around Fido.

The villagers that were more composed after noticed water forming behind Max. Max had fido sit in a corner, he put water on the floor around him. This created a pseudo prison, as well as a defensive measure. After a few minutes the meeting came back into control by the mayor.

“Alright people.” The squirrel Beastkin said, “The Humble Titans have killed the Flame Wolf and his kin. The full gold amount will be given. All in agreement say aye.”

“Aye!” said the room in unison.

“I will alert the Guild of them saving the village from Fire and their deeds in dealing with a human factor we did not know about. The rank of the quest will be raised. All in favor?”

“Aye!” the room said again.

“All in favor of adding 10 gold to their bounty?”

“Aye” said most of the room.

“This next part is not up for discussion. The Halfling will be sent back to Lesterwood with the others.”

“NO way! He killed two of our own!” some kind of canine Beastkin spoke.

“Yeah! We will hold a trial here!” said a second villager, this one an Elf.

“No.” Reep said, cutting off everyone who was about to talk “He might have information of a terrorist group. He needs to go to Lesterwood and be interrogated. Trust me. He will serve his penance.”

The room went silent. One brave soul stood, she asked, “Terrorist group? Are we in danger?”

“We don’t know. But a group wanted people to be sacrificed at the ruins. We don’t know who or why. But if they really wanted it to be done, there will be others.” She could see the worry. “Do not worry. We will be asking the guard captain to have a unit sent here. They will hopefully be a long-term unit. At the very least, they will send people to fully destroy the ruins.”

The discussions went on for a few more hours. When it was all said and done, the mayor gave them their 35 gold.

“I will send a mana message briefly explaining the situation. I will ask for an escort to meet you halfway, but no promises. I will also recommend the Guild to give you the highest-ranking points as they can give. You all did this village a great favor. Thank you.” He bowed.

“Just doing our job sir!” Reep said with a grin.

When they went to bed, they had a watch system put in place to guard Fido. They would switch a few times during the night, starting with Max, ending with Reep. Nothing happened that night.

At dawn, the party set out to Lesterwood. The whole village came to see them off. It was finally hitting Max. He helped these people. He saved a village from a threat that was taking the lives of its people. He felt good. He remembered the horrors he saw; nothing would make that go away. But he was glad. If it meant others could live safely, Max would take on any horror.

With one final wave, the group left. Back into the forest, back towards Lesterwood.

Somewhere, a meeting was taking place. Two men and one woman sat. They were not really together; they were using magical devices to project their image to a small table and chairs.

The man wearing a large hat spoke first.

“The dumb duo failed. They were killed by a wood ranked adventure team.”

The man, shrouded by darkness leaned forward, revealing a dark-skinned elf.

“Typical. How are we ever going to proceed if we can’t even get proper help.”

“We will just have to do it ourselves. Or make use of those we know are loyal.” the first man said.

“Do we send more to finish the ritual?”

“No. It was a long shot anyways. No need to waste more resources on something that might not bear fruit.”

“If that all, then let's proceed to the next phase?”

“Agreed.”

The two turned to the woman. She wore a long elegant red dress. In her hand was a chalice that she sipped from. She gave a subtle nod.

“If that is everything. I shall be going” The man with the large hat said.

The woman raised her hand.

“What is the name of the adventuring team?” she asked.

“The humble Titans.” he replied.

She said nothing, but her wicked smile said everything. She left, cutting her connection without saying another word. She giggled to herself, the sound echoing off the high ceiling of her castle.