Maya had told Zara and me to wait in the training center's rest area while she cleaned up after her routine. We sat down, and a few minutes later, she returned: fresh and in her usual outfit, but without her armor.

—"Wow, I thought you wore that pile of steel even to sleep," Zara remarked.

—"What did you say? Want to end up like that straw dummy?" Maya retorted, grinding her teeth.

—"Hey, hey! No fighting—we didn’t come here for that," I intervened. —"Maya, I need your help with something. I bought a house, but it has a... issue..."

—"A house? What’s the issue?"

—"Well, more like a mansion. It was a steal... but the thing is, after being vacant so long, it got infested with ghosts."

—"You bought a HAUNTED MANSION?! BAHAHAHA!"

Maya burst into laughter like I’d never heard before. I glanced at Zara, who was hiding her face with a giggle.

—"Don’t laugh! That house is totally worth it. I figured the specters wouldn’t be a problem if I could ask you two for help."

—"Fine," Maya said, wiping tears of laughter. —"I’ll help. I was getting bored anyway, and this sounds fun."

—"Thanks so much."

—"By the way, where’s this mansion located?"

—"On the outskirts of Lumis. In the eastern forest."

Maya suddenly turned serious.

—"You’re sure it’s there?"

—"Y-Yeah, that’s what they told me. They mentioned something about monsters in the area. Is it bad?"

Maya sighed.

—"The eastern forest’s had a weird surge in monsters lately. Civilians avoid it now, and adventurers who try exploring it always end up unconscious at Lumis’s gates with no memory of what happened."

—"Right, I heard something like that..."

—"Hmm, that’d explain the ghosts and the low price," Zara mused.

I lowered my head, discouraged.

—"Not a problem for us!" Maya cheered. —"We’re an S-Rank party. Some forest monsters and ghosts won’t stop us, right?"

—"Yeah, you’re right. Shouldn’t be an issue."

Zara smiled, seeing us all in good spirits.

—"Good. If we’re exorcising ghosts, we should go now while it’s still daytime. Spirits grow stronger at night."

—"Perfect. Thanks, both of you."

We geared up and headed to Lumis’s eastern gate: a massive entrance guarded by two knights.

—"Good day, adventurers... Oh! You’re the newly registered S-Rank party. Planning to explore the eastern forest?"

Word about our party spreads fast.

—"Afternoon, yes, something like that," I said.

—"Fantastic, go right ahead. Might be unnecessary to warn S-Ranks, but do be careful."

—"Of course, we will. Thanks."

—"Whatever’s out there won’t stand a chance against us!" Maya declared.

—"Excuse me, any intel on the rumored creature?" Zara asked.

—"Smart move asking, Zara!" I agreed.

—"Ah, yes! Not much info, since no adventurer remembers much after entering. Some mention a fast, silent creature. Others vaguely recall something green—maybe its fur or skin. That’s all we know."

—"I see..." Zara fell into thought.

—"It’s likely powerful, but it’s never killed anyone. Unconscious adventurers always reappear at the city gates. Solving this mystery would help all of Lumis."

—"We’ll investigate if we can," I promised.

—"Thank you! Safe travels!"

The three of us nodded and ventured into the woods.

As Ren’s party advanced, something stirred in the bushes. A slender figure with green, furry tails watched them briefly before vanishing.