CHAPTER 53: CONFLICT

Astrael, the hooded girl, and Tavric made their way to the guild’s mission board a massive wooden structure covered in parchment scrolls, notices, and official seals. Lantern light flickered over the neatly scripted text and colored stamps indicating quest rank, rewards, and expiration dates.

Each quest was colour-coded by rank—green for F-rank, blue for E, and so on. There were even a few black scrolls sealed with red wax, far above his current qualification.

A few older adventurers loitered nearby, discussing choices in low voices. One mentioned avoiding night missions in the desert, while another flipped through a parchment about a cave full of ore-rich crystals.

He scanned the green sheets carefully, eyes focused.

Most F-rank tasks were typical: herb gathering, pest clearing, delivery escorts, or simple reconnaissance outside town borders. Not challenging, but mind-numbingly slow.

He also saw side quests for tracking missing livestock, guarding trade wagons, and exterminating packs of forest wolves.

But then, one quest caught his attention.

....

[F-RANK QUEST: HERBAL SAMPLE COLLECTION]

Location: Elderwood Forest - Outermost Ring

Objective: Collect three bundles of "Grey Moss" and "Bloomroot" from the outer perimeter of the Elderwood Forest.

Warning: Hostile creatures may appear. Stay along marked trails.

Reward: 500 silver + 2 merit points.

Time Limit: 3 days

Issuer: Ernhard’s Apothecary

...

Astrael exhaled slowly.

"Grey Moss and Bloomroot, huh..."

It wasn’t much, but it was exactly what he needed. Just an excuse.

Astrael didn’t care about herbs. What he wanted was access.

The Elderwood Forest.

What he knows is that it’s unpredictable terrain, ferocious wildlife that spells doom.

But it also birthed rare creatures, unique flora, and untold opportunities.

The kind of place where survival wasn’t just a test—but a reward.

And more importantly, it was far enough from Ravenastra territory.

He plucked the quest paper from the board and walked it to the receptionist.

The same woman from before gave him a small nod.

"You’re taking this one?" she asked, glancing at the paper.

"Yes."

She eyed him for a second, as if gauging whether he understood the risk. "You’ll be confined to the outer perimeter of the forest. It’s not in the deeper area. And this path requires a guild escort unless you’re joining the scheduled caravan."

"When is the next?"

She flipped open a logbook beside her. "Tomorrow morning at the first ray of sunrise. Leaves from the southern gate checkpoint. One silver for commoners."

"What I remember only C-rank and above are allowed in that region." Her gaze lingered on him a second longer. "You’re F-rank. Why the forest?"

Astrael paused, then smiled faintly. "I just want to do my mission."

"Hmph." She sighed, stamping the parchment with the official seal. "It’s your death wish, not mine. Just don’t go wandering off the trail."

"Understood."

She handed the stamped paper back to him. "Bring the moss and root back within three days. And... return alive."

Being a noble, all Astrael had to do was flash the Ravenastra insignia, and he could have a private ride arranged, even get a hunting permit into the forest’s inner zones.

But that would defeat the point.

He didn’t want guards or privilege. What he needed was experience.

Astrael stepped outside the guild building. The sun was already dipping beyond the rooftops, casting the cobbled streets in hues of gold and rose.

But before Astrael could take a step forward, a voice called out behind him.

"Hey, Lord Astrael!" Tavric jogged up, waving casually. "What kind of quest did you take? Wanna do it together? It’d be fun."

Astrael paused, giving him a side glance.

"Just a herb-gathering quest. Some forest outskirts," he said plainly.

Tavric’s grin widened. "Sounds peaceful! We can work together, split the reward, watch each other’s backs—"

"I like to work alone," Astrael cut him off, his voice still polite but firm. "So, excuse me."

He turned away without waiting for a reply and headed straight toward the exit, leaving Tavric blinking behind him with his hand half-raised.

"...Ah. Right." Tavric muttered, scratching his head. "Cold."

...

The next day, as the first rays of sun painted the sky in soft gold, Astrael had already risen, bathed, dressed, and prepared his gear. After a quiet breakfast and checking over his items once more, he set off.

The receptionist had told him at the southern gate checkpoint north of the city, where a rented carriage would be waiting to take adventurers toward the outer edge of the Elderwood’s southern stretch.

He moved swiftly through the misty streets, the early morning breeze brushing past his robe. The city was quiet at this hour, most shops still shuttered, and only a few vendors setting up for the day.

He soon reached the location—a small clearing near the edge of town where a few carriages were stationed, their drivers yawning and stretching as the day began.

But just as he approached, he heard some loud noise.

"Oi! What’s a fancy peacock like you doing takin’ our spot, huh?"

"Yeah, glitter-boy, this ain’t your private area!"

Astrael’s brow furrowed as he turned the corner. His eyes landed on a familiar figure.

Tavric Elmoor.

He stood near a modest carriage, hands raised slightly in surrender, still dressed in one of his showy red and gold travel outfits—less obnoxious than the previous day, but still clearly expensive.

Facing him were three rough-looking men—clearly thugs. Their armour was mismatched and worn, and one held a rusted sword in hand, tapping it lightly against the carriage door.

"Come on, don’t be like that, gentlemen," Tavric said with a nervous smile. "We’re all on the same side here. I paid for the service, and I was told this carriage was booked for me."

"Liar. Ain’t no way someone like you rides solo," the bigger thug sneered, stepping closer. "You think you’re better than us just ’cause you’re dressed like a royal whore?"

The others laughed. Tavric’s smile began to crack slightly, but he held his ground. "Now, now, there’s no need for insults."

The thug raised a hand as if to grab him by the collar.

Then—

Astrael stepped fully into view while hands in his pockets, expression calm, his silver eyes glinting in the morning light.

The moment his presence registered, the air shifted. The temperature dropped a few degrees.

All three men paused, feeling goosebumps all over their bodies. Astrael didn’t speak; he simply looked at them. His eyes were cold and detached.

The kind of look that made people forget how to breathe.

The big thug froze, hand still half-raised. The other two took an unconscious step back, their instincts screaming something their brains hadn’t caught up to yet.

Astrael finally spoke.

"I’d suggest," he said softly, "you remove your hand before you lose it."

The thugs blinked their eyes, automatically lowering their hands. Tavric stared between them, blinking in surprise.

One of the smaller thugs cleared his throat. "T-this ain’t worth it," he mumbled, tugging at the big one’s shoulder. "Let’s go."

Then, without another word, the three turned and shuffled off quickly, casting one last glance over their shoulders at Astrael as they vanished around the corner.

Astrael exhaled slowly, his face returning to neutral.

Tavric let out a loud breath. "Gods above," he muttered. "You’ve got some presence. I thought I was going to have to buy my way out

Astrael said nothing at first, then gave him a mild look.

"You talk too much."

Tavric chuckled awkwardly. "I get that a lot."

It’s not like he wanted to interfere or anything, but watching the thugs and Tavric made him remember some of the old memories he didn’t like.

Astrael turned toward the carriage, opening the door. "You coming or not?"

Tavric blinked, surprised. "Wait—are we going together?"

"I never said yes yesterday," Astrael said without turning, "but I’m not wasting time waiting for another ride. You’re already here. Get in."

Tavric didn’t need to be told twice. He climbed in quickly, still grinning. "You know, you’re not as cold as you act."

Astrael didn’t reply.

Tavric rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Thanks, by the way. I didn’t think they’d back off so fast. You’ve got some serious presence."

"I didn’t do it for you," Astrael said plainly.

"Oh," Tavric said, then grinned. "Right. You just happened to show up. Total coincidence."

Astrael gave him a look.

Tavric raised his hands, still smiling. "Alright, alright. I’ll shut up."

The carriage door shut with a soft click.

The driver glanced over his shoulder. "Destination?"

"Southern edge of Elderwood," Astrael said. "Go."

The carriage jerked slightly as it began to move. Inside, Astrael leaned against the carriage wall, arms crossed, eyes half-closed.

He remembered again his own childhood. The days he was powerless, the laughter of boys older than him and the silence of the adults around him. The way his fists clenched then, just like now.

Astrael shook his head slightly.

That was the past. He wasn’t that boy anymore.

He had strength now.

And he’d keep getting stronger.

Not to be a hero. Not to save others.

But so no one could ever put him in that place again.