In the same night, in the Capital of Verencia, Dragonford. After finishing many of their small scheduled jobs for the day, a party of five takes up their last quest of helping a shopkeeper living in Appleton town; a job of collecting mystical scarlet flowers to create healing potions and other healing benefits, a flower named winerose. Within the group, is a father who had carried his teenage son on his first day of doing quests, under the gleaming moonlight inside the forest, coupled with a waterfall that soothes its way into their heads.

"You know son, I used to bring girls out here when I was your age," The father tells him, grinning at his fun memories.

"Oh my god, dad," The son whines. "I don't wanna hear who you got down on, that's gross. I'm just hoping it's not someone in our area either....man that would be awkward"

"Well..." The father shrugs, not answering.

"Ugh...is there actually someone??"

"Never mind that, son. Tell your pops a secret...is they're a girl you've been eyeing of recent?"

"Well...yeah," He says, picking up a winerose. "Her hair is as red as these flowers, and she's kind...I just think...she's very pretty"

"Red hair? Red hair...?" The father tries to remember. "Ah! Vanessa?"

"What-No! and who the hell is Vanessa??"

"Hmmm, then I wonder who it could be"

"Dad...it's Dahl-"

"Shh," The leader goes, with his pointy elven ears twitching to a sound he hears.

"What is it?" The father asks.

The member conjures up a ball of light to increase the surrounding visibility, waving it pass trees as he tries to pick up the noise again. He disperses the light, easing down as he does not hear anything any more.

"It was probably nothing, but let's just hurry up and deal with this," The leader says. "This place is starting to give me the creeps"

"See? we shouldn't have come here in the night," The son says, picking the flowers faster.

"Don't say that, boy. Look at this scenery, where are in the safer parts of Verencia" The father looks up at the sky, patting the back of his son. "When you get the chance, try your luck. Bring her here, and enjoy yourself under the sky. It will be worth the pleasure, trust me"

"We...alright, dad," The son says, not minding what was said.

They finish up their collection, following the same path to lead themselves out. And through it, a murder of crows follow the group with their sequence of a subsong, hidden within the foliage. The leader stops them again, his face becoming more concerned.

"Don't you guys hear that??" He questions, hearing the large thumps on the ground from all over.

"Now that you say it..." The Female member says.

A heavy thump behind them follows, then a disturbing noise of bones cracking develops, having them swallow bitterness as they turn around. A creature of red fur, almost as big as the tree beside it, with orange eyes to use as it feast on one of their members, and now they comprehend that their numbers were cut down to four, in what seems like an instant without hearing any noise of it before. Their bodies freeze as if they were cast in ice, skins becoming itchy from the buzzing sounds of blood popping out of the dead member's half-eaten face.

"It's a r-red hog??" The father sounds, holding onto his son.

"B-But how did it end all the way here from the south???" The female member asks.

"Stay quiet, back up slowly, and it won't charge at us," The leader says.

They do as told, backing up quietly yet as fast as they can, watching for any movements from the creature, forcing themselves to watch their fallen member get his flesh torn apart and eaten. The father tells his son not to look as they back up, as the boy's eyes widen to the sight blood and death. And in their goal to survive, the female member fails with dropping her basket of flowers on the ground. They all stop in their tracks, as the red hog stops its feasting and glares at them, mouth still chomping meat, trampling over the corpse. The son begins feeling out of breath, however, his father rubs his shoulders to calm him down, telling him this is the best time for him to stay calm. And with the staredown, the red hog squeals, sprinting to catch more preys.

"Run, boy!!" The father shouts.

They all begin racing against the wind, dropping their wineroses in sacrifice for their lives. And in quick acceleration, another red hog appears through the foliage, rushing their leader in front, carried off into the bushes to meet to his death as his yells fade into the trees. The son runs to pick up his father as he too was almost caught, left with a bruised leg. The female member reacts with a blood-curdling scream, seeing her members die quickly, squatting as she holds her head in panic. She dashes off without a second thought, leaving the two of them behind. The son springs with assisting his father with all his strength, as the father tries to ignore as much pain as possible to keep up. But they drop, his father groaning to the heavy bruising.

"We're almost there dad, we can make it, please!!" The son says in desperation, heart beating like mad.

"Go, son. Leave your old man. I'll catch up, I promise," The father answers.

"Cut the bullshit!! get up! we have to go back to mom!!"

The son becomes lightheaded, eyes blurring to the loss of air. The father tries to calm him down, rubbing his back as he pulls out his inhaler. He gives it to him, having the boy shaking it, inhaling as much as he can, slowing down to the sight of a red hog in front of them. The boy locks his eyes as his father hugs him, deeming it's their last moment. But to their surprise, the red hog's hot breath heats their faces, but they do not feel its teeth against their skins, slowly opening their eyes to a figure above them. Standing seven foot tall, dressed in gear of fur with a bronze war hammer mounted on his back, having the creature held in place with his bare hands; an orc.

"Get behind me," The Orc calmly orders. "There's an ointment in my bag, rub it onto his bruise. That will ease the pain by a good amount"

They follow his order, watching the creature struggle in the grasp of his grip. And with an uppercut, he lifts half the red hog's body in the air, and in anger, the creature drops, receiving a fist to the ground that cracks the earth beneath, going unconscious.

"Go," The orc orders.

They speed walk as they almost reach the opening of the exit, but more troubles come from behind, chasing them down with seeing their fallen colleague defeated in shame. The Orc turns around, unmounting his war hammer off his back, taking a stance for them to get closer. In a mighty swing, he strikes the earth, creating shakes, which comes to an erosion of rocks that creates a wall, separating them from their threats.

"Insane," The boy goes. "Who are you, sir??"

The Orc mounts back his war hammer, his raided hair flowing in the wind, turning to them as he clears his throat.

"Kraydor, my name is Kraydor"

***

The morning comes, and everybody who took part in the beast quest is all about vibing at a pub in Ironkeep, with Arnaldo playing the guitar, all except for Ezek. After that night, when Nahshon's wallet was stolen, Ezek found him sitting at the streets, rubbing his head out of worry, and so, today Nahshon sulk in depressing thoughts as he fills himself with fruit drinks.

"Nahshon!" Bjørn hails. "Don't be sulky. Here, try some roast corn"

"Thanks. I'm just hoping the person hasn't spent all of it...that's all," Nahshon chuckles nervously, pressing the hot corn against his thin lips, startled by the burning sensation.

"Aww, looks like your mind is out of place too," He realizes. "Where is Ezek, by the way?"

"Oh, he said he wanted to take care of some things," Nahshon explains, thanking Ezek for lending him money in these troubled times.

"Tsk, tsk. One of the MVPs got robbed, and the other's busy with his day already. Come on now, try not to have it bother you. When in pressuring times, a person's mind should be clear of worries, because it only makes it worse, so cheer up!" Bjørn pats him on the back.

"Hmm, yeah...you're right," Nahshon accepts, eating his delicious corn. "Mmm, this is good"

"See?" Bjørn says, proud at his recommendation.

"Lad!" Gunnar comes, along with Nora and Vernon. "How was yesterday's time for ya?"

"He got his money stolen?" Bjørn informs them.

"What?!" Gunnar replies.

"...Sorry," Nahshon awkwardly turns his head.

"Really? what happened??" Nora asks.

"I don't know who it was, but someone stole from me when I...was walking around the city"

"Hmm? you have anybody you're suspecting?"

"Well, yeah. But I feel that's wrong to do though," Nahshon tells them, Vernon telling him it's alright. "There are three people I came in contact with; a shaved-headed drunk soldier, an elven woman, and a demi-human cat girl"

"Hmm...they are a lot of people in this city with those descriptions you've given," Vernon says, as some waitresses bring more to drink.

"Yeah...I'm just glad Ezek was the one to collect the payment," Nahshon says.

"Demi-hum- wait, describe her some more for me," Nora orders.

"She had black hair, a black tail, red eyes, and she was wearing a hoodie with a black panther on the back...why?"

"It's..." Nora goes, slapping the table. "It's Ayame!! that bi...ugh!"

"What...? wait, why would she be all the way down here?? she lives in Highgarden," Bjørn laughs, slowly stopping as he sees Nora slowly becoming like an angered bunny.

"He's right," Gunnar says. "She has done some bad stuff, but it is far-fetched to say she would come all the way here"

"But who else where's that hoodie??" Nora adds.

"Nora's right, but I feel it's right we question the other suspects, don't you think so?" Vernon tells Nora.

"Ugh...I guess you're right, Commander. And Nahshon, how did this even happen? where were you?" Nora questions, Nahshon choking on his drink from that question.

"I..." Nahshon looks at Gunnar, the dwarf clearing his throat then taking a sip of his beer. "I was just walking around when it happened, around where I saw a play going on"

"Ugh...! I'm gonna go cool my head before it overheats," Nora gets up, going over to Arnaldo's table.

"I'll take care of it myself, it's my fault anyway," Nahshon tells them, as Nora takes a stealthy chance of pushing out her lips to sip some beer, stopped by a waitress who reminds her that she's an underage child, and she's a priestess.

"Are you sure, lad?" Gunnar asks, Nahshon nodding as confirmation.

Nahshon tells them bye, taking one last bite of corn and drink from his cup, exiting into the morning city. As his first mission, he journeys back to the red district to find the elven woman. On his way, Ezek comes out of a store and sees him. Ezek eagers to hail to him, not doing it as he thinks its a waste with this big crowd all over the street. Once again, he's back in this area, but it gives off a different vibe from the nighttime; No drunken men nor showing of provocative things, just a quiet street with barely anyone present. Nahshon enters into one of the brothels, going up to the receptionist with eyes averting hers, in a challenge with himself to just run away.

"...Hello, how may I help you?" The lady asks.

"Uh...I'm looking for someone," He answers. "She has blue eyes, dark hair, and she's about my height"

"Hmm?" She goes, searching for someone on her computer for that description. "Oh! Aya!"

"That's her name?"

"Yes," She answers. "It seems she's off for the day, so you might have to come back tomorrow"

"Ah...can't I have her nu...I guess wouldn't able to get that either"

"I'm sorry, sir. You'll have to meet her some other time"

And on the right timing, she comes in, dressed in her black dress and hat. She comes in with putting her hand on Nahshon's back, smiling as she rubs it.

"We meet again," She says. "What brings you here so early in the day?"

"Ah...well," Nahshon scratches his head.

"He said he needs to talk to you about something," The receptionist answers.

"Oh, well, I guess I could now. I've left something in my room, so I've come back for it," Aya tells her. "May I have the key, please?"

"Thank you," She obtains her key, wrapping her hands around Nahshon's arm. "Come, it seems we have important matters to speak of"

Following behind her, through the hallways and up the stairs, already, muffled moans and creaking beds Nahshon hears from some of the rooms he passes, awkwardly laughing as Aya turns to him with a dangerous smile, weakening the legs of the boy as he was looking at the beauty she holds even behind, her long black hair and elegant body. By the room they reach, Aya unlocking the door and inviting him inside, welcoming him with a multitude of stuffed animals on her bed, along with a colourful room, and the scent of her fragrance all over. In there she sits him down on the couch, grabbing what she left as well, going to the fridge to pour him some ice-tea as the boy sits in silence.

"May I have your name?" She asks for, sitting beside him as she puts down his drink.

"...Nahshon," He answers, looking around at the room.

"So, Mr.Nahshon, what would you like to talk to me about?"

"Uh, yeah..last night something happened to my wallet, it got stolen," He tells. "I was just wondering...if you saw it by any chance?"

"Ahh...in other words, you're asking if I've stolen it"

"No, no. I'm just asking," He waves, awkwardly smiling.

"I guess even a boy like you know how some women are around here, I don't blame you," She says, putting her hand on his leg. "But I promise I didn't steal it. Not all of us are like that, you know"

"Ah...really...? So it wasn't you then," He says, taking a sip of his drink.

"Is this all you came for...? nothing else in particular? "

"Hmm," He slowly nods, freezing up as he then begins to stare into her eyes, fighting her bewitch.

"Hm...aww, and to think things would get interesting," She says, as she begins brushing and squeezing onto his leg.

"I guess I should be sorry I disappointed you, huh"

"It's alright, it's my day off, after all. You could always come back"

"Hmm...I'll think about it," He says, cracking his fingers in the moment of his nervous self.

"I guess it's time to go now. How about walking me out as your apology?"

"Sure, yeah," Nahshon accepts, and from there they leave the room, Aya telling receptionist goodbye, once again clinging onto his arm as they begin their walk onto the streets.

"You know, after doing this job for a while, I've been thinking of quitting," She tells him.

"Why? you don't like it?" Nahshon asks.

"Of course I do, I'm most fond of what I do. I get to meet many different men and women of all kind, each with their own stories, their own worries. To them, I am like a container they can whisper all their secrets into, whenever they're lonely"

"I see"

"And how about you?"

"Hmm?"

"I wonder what your worries are. It feels like you've lived with many secrets your whole life, alone in this world," She tells him, putting her hand on his face. "I can see it"

"Oh...we all have our secrets, don't we?" Nahshon tells her, passing a couple of dwarfs challenging each other to hand wrestling.

"Yes, perhaps we all do," She says, both stopping at an intersection. "...Would you take responsibility?"

"...For what?" Nahshon questions.

"For if I quit. I'd like someone I could talk to...maybe someone like you, someone I could tell my worries to...and maybe I could teach some new 'tricks' to," She whispers, clinging more to his arm, her breast hugging against his arm, soft as she presses on, wrecking the boy's heart as he folds his lips upon his shyness, exhaling as he looks to the ground while she laughs as she taps his belly, feeling joy from teasing his introverted personality.

"You really are humbly adorable," She laughs, getting the boy into a blush, both of them smiling at the end of it, with the mood interrupted by a whistle they hear, Nahshon's tongue clicking to who he sees.

"Howdy," Ezek hails, leaning on a wall as he smirks. "Nahshon, uh, what have you been up to lately, partner?"

"E-Ezek...?" Nahshon says, taking turns to look at both of them.

"Well, it seems your friend has come to pick you up. I guess this is goodbye for now"

"Y-Yeah, I guess so"

"May I have your number before I go, hmm?"

"Oh yeah, I don't have a phone yet"

"Hmm, no worries," She says, pulling a piece of paper out her bag, writing her number on it. "Here you go. Call me when you get one. You can talk about your worries to me anytime you're ready"

"I'll try to," He nods. "You too"

She hugs him, leaving with a gesture of goodbye. Nahshon presently looks at Ezek, awkward eyes with clapping of pants.

"Hey, a man's gotta do what he's gotta do," Ezek taunts.

"You mean...you saw everything??" Nahshon questions, hoping he didn't see him going into the district.

"Yup," He nods, Nahshon rolling his eyes as to show he has been defeated again.

"Please, Ezek," Nahshon goes, placing his hands on his shoulders. "I know you love to joke around with taunts and stuff...but please, keep this a secret just between us...I'm begging you"

"Huh?! what do you think I am? I never planned to tell anyone. As I said, a man's gotta do what he's gotta do"

"Y-Yeah.."

"You found your wallet yet?"

"No, but there another person I need to talk to"

"Alright then, where to now?"

"To Higharden, up north"

"Then it's settled, let's go," Ezek says, both beginning their journey to the province of Highgarden.