'It's been nine hundred and eighty-five years since the world began its evolution. During this process humans began losing the ability to control magic. It led to monsters taking the upper hand, overpowering the mortal races. Countless towns and countries were overrun leaving them in ashes and ruins. For centuries humans hid in the shadows to survive to the point the population dropped sixty percent. At some point humans found the strength and courage to fight back and slowly started emerging from the shadows. They started banding together, forming settlements in areas where the monsters were few and easier to fight. After a few centuries they had built new cities and started to advance on technology once again. People formed guilds and started fighting to retake the land humans once ruled over. I've watched over this world all these years since before it even started. In all the years, the most interesting development was the rise of “Players”. They're an interesting bunch who have two main objectives. The first is to explore and reclaim the lands lost to us since the monsters appeared. The second is to protect the towns, civilizations, and landmarks the humans reside in and cherish in the current era. I have developed a keen interest in these “Players” and will be sure to keep watching them and see their growth. After all, more and more exciting individuals keep appearing in the world that continue to amuse me.' 

  

     The town of Larken was a small quiet town in the southern part of the continent of Salerem. The guild that settled here had a huge impact on the development of the town and constantly helped with the towns growth and development. Inside the guild were tons of players who sat around and partied when they weren't on quests or involved in their personal lives. This was where they came to relax and partake in some nice comradery with their fellow guildmates. The quest board was usually half full which led to consistent work for the members without being overloaded. Currently, two players were accepting a quest while everyone else talked and played games.   

    'So the goal of this quest is to go help clear out monsters around the town of Lero Southwest of here. It's a three hour walk away from here on foot. One hour by carriage. Lately they've been having a lot of monster attacks and have requested our help. The town doesn't have a guild of their own so the people have trained themselves to fight in order to try to survive. So this mission will take some time so they're willing to give you free lodging while you're there. If there isn't any questions then go ahead and head out.'  

    The two took the paper and started to leave when the quest giver called out to them.  

    'One more thing.' She said as they turned to look at her. 

    The school bell rang in the town of Lero. In one class a teacher walked in while some students were fooling around.  

    'Tatsuke! Class has started, would you mind quieting down so we can begin please?' 

Tatsuke looked over to him disgruntled and annoyed.  

    'I was waiting for you to show up. Shouldn't you be here before the bell?' He asked with a smart tone of voice. 

    'If you must know, we had a faculty meeting before school started concerning the safety of all the students with all the monster attacks we've had lately. That's why I was here right after the bell. Now please turn your books to page one eighty seven so we can begin. ' 

    'I thought you had already figured out the solution to the monster attacks. That's why you requested help from the guild in Larken right?'  

    'That's only part of the solution Shinso. We still need backup plans in case there's an attack before they get here. Even when they are here, we still need to make sure the safety of our students is our top priority. We don't even know how skilled the players they send over will be. Regardless, we need to start class. Keitaro, can you please tell us where we left off with Friday?'  

    'Oh, yea.... we were discussing---' 

    'Can you please speak up. It's like we're listening to a mouse over here.' Tatsuke interrupted.  

    'Oh..... my bad. I'll try.' 

    'Pfft. We'll see.' Tatsuke scoffed with an indifferent look.  

    'Tatsuke, what have we told you about respecting your peers? Do you need to go to the office?'  

    'I can't help it. I'm here to learn but I can't even hear what I'm supposed to be learning.'  

    'Well if you would open your textbook you wouldn't have to rely on listening to him and could read for yourself. Now Keitaro please continue.' 

    Keitaro just stood there in silence as everyone looked at him. After a brief moment he sat down and buried his face to hide his embarrassment.  

    'Tatsuke, make sure to see me after school today. 

 We will now begin the class. Nagatan Nagatashi. That's who the focus of the class shall be moving foward. He is the man responsible for the way the world is today. He single handedly changed the world... and nearly brought humanity to extinction. He was a scientist and a-' 

    'Gaming creator and enthusiast. He made a parralel world that ended up merging with reality blah blah blah. We've heard the story countless times growing up. Humans lost magic for whatever reason and started getting slaughtered by monsters. This is a waste of time teach.'  

    'Tatsuke Tsumehara was it? You may know the general idea but you don't know all the events that transpired afterwards. Like the extensive search missions to try and find him and take him in for questioning or the historic events such as the stand at Elkareha that lasted 7 days and 6 nights before being overun by monsters and abandoned. Also, we know why humanity lost their magic. So now that you know these lessons will introduce new information why don't you get your feet off your desk, sit up, take notes, and not interrupt my class again.'  

    Tatsuke Begrudgingly obliged after a small stare down with a huff. He looked a few seats over to see another student staring at him awkwardly. The student had silver had that covered half his face and wore a simple white shirt with black pants.  

    'What are you looking at Keitaro?' 

    'N-nothing sorry Tatsuke.' He answered turning away quickly to focus on the lesson.  

    'Tatsuke what's your deal today man? You're acting more aggressive than usual. Figured I'd catch you after class and ask what's up man.' 

    'I'm just bored Shinko. It's been so quiet lately. I wish we'd get some excitement around here.' 

    'Careful what you wish for Tatsuke. One of these days that attitude of yours is gonna get you killed.'  

    'Pfft. As if I'd let some dumb monsters ever get the better of me.'  

    Another student chimed in at this point with a tone showing he was annoyed hearing the conversation.  

    'Mankind nearly went extinct due to the monsters than overrun the world. Even some of the best fighters in our history fell to monsters. Unless you're stronger than the lords and guardians of our time you should keep that ego in check.'  

    Before Tatsuke could respond the town alarm started sounding off signaling the presence of monsters approaching the village.  

    'Finally some action. Just watch, I'll show you these monsters aren't a problem.' 

    'Enough chatter, students get to the shelter point immediately and take defensive actions. Volunteers go report to the town guard and help with the defensive effort.'  

    Within minutes the town had taken action upon hearing the alarm. The streets were empty with homes locked up and windows covered as the citizens hid inside. The students had all gathered in the gym along with the staff and other citizens coming to check on their kids. Guards waited at the entrances to fight off any monsters that happened to stumble in. Outside, the volunteers had geared up and arrived at the guard post to report. The guards had already met the monsters in battle outside the gates struggling to keep from losing ground. The monsters were bull goat hybrids with pincers on their head. Their two tails had barbed ends on them to lacerate their enemies who get to close. These were called Bushkashuma. 

    'Alright listen up volunteers, you're job is to aid the fighters from the back lines. Do NOT engage in combat if you do not have to. I want you to simply assist and get the wounded out of the combat line. Do I make myself clear?'  

    'Sir yes sir!!'  

    'Good now go help our fighters the best you can.' The guard captain stated as he ran off to join the battle. 

    There were two Bushkashuma and a couple dozen wolves that the guards were fighting. Tatsuke and Shinso arrived to one of the groups fighting as they killed two of the wolves. There were still one wolf in the immediate vicinity and one of the Bushkashuma. Outside the town was a huge field which worked in the towns favor when spotting monsters approaching and fighting with the space needed to surround the monsters on all sides. The downside to this is the fighting gets spread thin and it gets hard to support each other when sproud out too far. The volunteers were people who joined to help the efforts and act as support and messengers to help combat this problem.   

    'Thanks for the help, can you help the two fighting the two wolves over there real quick? Then help surround the Bushkashuma.'  

    'Finally some action. Been waiting for this chance.' Tatsuke stated with a grin as he ran towards the wolves brandishing his mace.  

    Tatsuke arrived catching the wolf off guard slamming his mace into its skull where a cracking sound could be heard as the impact knocked the wolf to the ground. Shinso immediately used his sword to stab through its side to finish it off.  

    'What the hell Shinso I had that kill.' Tatsuke stated as he gave Shinso a push on the shoulder.  

    As he did, a cry could be heard from the other guard fighting the second wolf as it latched onto his arm with its fangs.  

    'You idiot. You're supposed to be supporting us not bickering.' The other guard shouted as he swiftly moved in and cut off the wolfs head.  

    'Some support you are. report back to the captain and await further orders.' The guard stated as he started helping the other walk to the rear to get help.  

    'Support? I'm just a support? Even tho I saved him from the first wolf? I'll show him.' Tatsuke declared furiously running towards the Bushkashuma nearby. 

    Shinso looked towards Tatsuke and back to the two guards walking back and ran to help them get to safety and help remove the wolf head still stuck on the guard's arm.  

    The fight had drug on for an hour at this point and the fighters numbers were dwindling fast. They had less than half their fighters still active in the fight and only a handful of volunteers remained. All but a couple wolves were dead and two of the three Bushkashuma remained. The remaining volunteers were getting the wounded and dead back to the safe area for treatment and safe keeping so the dead could be properly buried after the fighting was over.  

    'How are these wolves still alive? They're just wolves.' Tatsuke asked infuriated as he used his shield to blocked an attack.  

    'It's because they're intelligent variants. Haven't you learned anything in school.' A guard shouted as he fended off the other one.  

    'They've learned and adapted as they've fought and witnessed their brethren die to our tactics. So they're avoiding the same tricks in order to survive.'  

    'So another words, we just have to kill them in a different way than we already have. Should be easy.' Tatsuke stated running in to attack.  

    'You idiot it's not that simple.' He stated as he saved Tatsuke from the other wolf that lunged at him from his blind spot managing to cut off its front legs. 

    He continued after finishing it off with a stab through the head, 'They don't just watch for the same attack. They study our tactics and use them against us. They become more cautious and wary of all future attacks. You would've just died to our own tactic if I hadn't been there.  

    Cries could be heard from the guards as the Bushkashuma gained the upper hand. Tatsuke looked over as one of the monsters tore off one of the guards heads and the other wrapped its barbed tails around two others necks slicing them open as it pulled away. He then looked around seeing everything as if it were slow motion. The last wolf was pouncing on the guard that just saved his life and he just sat there unable to move.  

    'Is this really the extent of my abilities? Am I really this useless?'  

    As he sat there unable to move he saw a hooded figure leap in front of the guard. They quickly pulled a twirling kick slamming it straight down into the ground beneath them before immediately stabbing it to finish it off with their dagger. He started to come back to his senses as another person joined them and they ran towards the last two monsters. The second figure brandished a one handed long sword and used it to cut off the first ones tails while the other stabbed through its skull. They then leaped towards the second figure who extended their arm and launched them towards the last monster. The monster was focused on them after seeing its ally die and prepared for the attack. The figure rolled through the air to dodge its tails and flipped over its head sticking their daggers in its neck as they use the momentum to cut off its head as they landed behind it. The remaining guards and volunteers stood in shock as they saw the two monsters fall simultaneously with such ease. The two figures had already started to check on the wounded when everyone snapped out of their shock. The captain of the guard was the first one to make a move. 

    'Excuse me, I'd like to thank you for saving us and dealing with those monsters. Can I presume that you're part of the group coming from Larken to help us?'  

    The two removed their hoods in response to his question.  

    'You're partly right, I'm Shira and this is Ikano. We're here in response to your request. Sorry we couldn't make it sooner.' She stated brandishing the paper serving as proof of their quest acceptance.