TextTime races forward relentlessly.
Half a year passes in an instant.
As days slip by, Betty's belly grows ever larger.
Paul spends his days by his wife's side, playfully engaging with their child.
Their simple life flows with ease and comfort.
Yet a storm looms.
This tranquil existence shatters abruptly.
At noon today, chaos erupts.
A hunter unwittingly discovers a high-level Manabeast lair in the woodlands east of Oakleaf Village—the den of a Firemaw Tiger.
News spreads swiftly, plunging Oakleaf Village into dread.
Indeed, the threat is real.
On Elyria Continent, tales of Manabeasts razing villages are all too common.
Everyone fears the Firemaw Tiger will charge into the village, preying on its people.
This wave of panic cripples Oakleaf Village's daily operations and livelihood.
"This matter must be resolved quickly."
Paul, grasping the situation, makes a firm decision.
If this high-level Manabeast, now settled near Oakleaf Village, isn't stopped, danger looms.
Oakleaf Village faces the constant threat of a Manabeast attack.
Without safety, no one prospers.
Merchants will avoid trading here.
Villagers will flee in droves.
Paul refuses to let his hard-earned family domain fall to ruin because of this Manabeast.
His only option is to eliminate the Firemaw Tiger.
He aims to minimize the crisis's impact.
However, the task is daunting.
Killing the Firemaw Tiger is no simple feat.
As a fire-attuned high-level Manabeast, the Firemaw Tiger wields powerful flame magic and boasts formidable physical strength.
Its combat prowess is unmatched.
A mature Firemaw Tiger rivals the strength of Elite Knights [Tier 7].
With Paul's Tier 6 abilities, even his mastery of a devastating five-star battle technique makes defeating the Firemaw Tiger alone nearly impossible.
Even if he prevails, victory would likely come at a grievous cost to both sides.
"It seems I'll need allies."
Paul's eyes spark with resolve, and he springs into action.
He sends his steward to the Adventurers' Guild to post a mission.
To ensure swift acceptance, he offers a hefty bounty of five thousand gold coins for the hunt.
The promise of reward stirs ambition.
The strategy proves effective.
Within two days, a team named Starbloom takes the mission.
Hearing this, Paul promptly meets the adventurers at his estate.
Brown Manor, the meeting hall.
"Greetings, Lord Baron!"
As Paul enters, every member of the Starbloom team rises.
Their skills are impressive.
Yet, as commoners, they show due respect to nobility.
"No need for formalities."
Paul waves dismissively.
After brief pleasantries, he gains a clear understanding of the team.
The leader, a spirited female half-elf named Frayna, is Tier 6, a mystic archer.
The deputy leader, a muscular woman named Aida, is also Tier 6, a shieldbearer.
The other three members are women.
One is a fighter, another a healer, and the last a scout, all Tier 5.
This all-female adventuring team boasts remarkable strength.
Their roles—scouting, frontline, melee, ranged, and healing—are perfectly balanced.
With such a capable team, Paul feels confident about defeating the Firemaw Tiger.
He finalizes mission details with the adventurers.
Paul instructs his steward to escort them to rest.
The hour grows late.
The sun nears the horizon.
Venturing into the shadowed woods now is too perilous.
In dim light, visibility falters dangerously.
It's wiser to set out tomorrow morning to hunt the Firemaw Tiger.
After settling the travel-weary adventurers, Paul retires to his room.
Meanwhile, in the guest quarters Paul arranged, Frayna and her team discuss the day's events.
"Lord Paul joins us tomorrow to hunt the Firemaw Tiger—I hope his skills don't hold us back."
Kara, the female fighter, speaks up.
"Lord Paul looks refined, likely accustomed to comfort—his strength may be lacking."
Aida, the deputy leader, states bluntly.
"Prepare yourselves."
"When we face the Firemaw Tiger tomorrow, ensure our employer's safety."
Frayna, the team leader, speaks calmly.
Accepting payment means fulfilling the client's needs.
She's already steeled herself for the task.
After reaching an agreement, the five women plan how to protect their employer.
Then, they retire to their rooms for the night.
…
The next day dawns.
At first light, Paul and the Starbloom team prepare.
Fully equipped, they stand ready.
Guided by the hunter who found the Firemaw Tiger's lair, Paul and the Starbloom team head toward the woodlands east of Oakleaf Village.
Entering the shadowed woods, tension grips them.
The Starbloom team instantly forms a battle formation.
Aida, the shieldbearer deputy, leads with her towering shield.
The scout and healer stay in the center.
Frayna, the ranged-attacker captain, and the fighter walk with Paul at the rear.
After twenty minutes, ten kilometers into the shadowed woods, Paul and the team spot signs of the Firemaw Tiger.
Trees lie charred to ash.
Fiery fur scatters across the ground, glowing like embers.
Every sign points to the Firemaw Tiger's active territory ahead.
The guiding hunter confirms this.
The Firemaw Tiger's lair sits in a gorge ahead.
"Stay ready for combat at all times."
Entering the Firemaw Tiger's territory, Frayna grips her bow, alerting the group.
This is no ordinary Manabeast.
Its power is formidable.
A single misstep could cost lives.
She doesn't want her paying employer killed by a Manabeast.
Nor does she want her close-knit team to lose a member.
"Understood!"
Heeding Frayna's caution, everyone heightens their vigilance.
They grip their weapons tightly, never letting them drop.
They brace for a sudden attack from the Firemaw Tiger.
Another kilometer passes.
Paul, walking silently, suddenly twitches his ear.
He senses something.
His expression shifts.
His left arm swiftly pulls the half-elf Frayna back.
His body retreats in a flash.
His right hand draws his greatsword, unleashing a battle technique.
Windblade Technique—Storm Slash!