Party members

The carriage rumbled along the uneven road, its creaks and groans harmonizing with the rustling of leaves and the chatter within. Luke sat inside, watching the landscape blur past the window. The quest he had accepted led them beyond the capital's confines to a rural village besieged by a marauding horde of green goblins.

Sharing the carriage with him were three other adventurers that had accepted the same quest and had become his party members: Caleb, Dion, and Delia.

Caleb and Dion, seemingly close friends, occupied the seats opposite him. Caleb's infectious energy seemed to fill every nook and cranny of the carriage. He was a [Brawler] by class, and his boisterous nature hinted at a propensity for action. Dion, quieter and [Magician] by class, appeared to be the reserved counterpart to Caleb's exuberance.

On the opposite side of the carriage sat Delia, an [Alchemist] apprentice. Her demeanor was less than amiable; she lounged in her seat with a clear air of displeasure, her expression one of impatience and disdain.

Their eyes met momentarily, and Delia's irritation seemed to intensify. She snapped, "Stop gawking, will you? It's not like you've never seen a pretty girl before. Ah I swear if it wasn't for Madam Isabella, I wouldn't have been here with three smelly boys!"

Raising an eyebrow at her rudeness, Luke was about to reply when Caleb, offended by her comment, exclaimed, "Hey, I'll have you know I'm not smelly! I took a bath yesterday!"

Delia cast him a look of pure disgust. "Boys, honestly."

Dion, attempting to mediate, stammered softly, "H-hello, I'm Dion, and this is Caleb. W-w-we're b-both D-rank a-adventurers."

Caleb leaned forward, his enthusiasm palpable. "That's right! We're here to take care of those pesky goblins! I am a brawler and he is a magician!"

Dion nodded shyly, stuttering slightly. "Y-yeah, they w-won't know w-what h-hit them."

Their resolve was evident, and despite their differences, Luke found himself smiling at their camaraderie. He introduced himself, "I'm Luke, also a D-rank adventurer, and I am a shadowmancer"

Caleb's eyes sparkled with playful mockery. "Shadowmancer, huh? Sounds like you're not gonna be much help."

Dion shot Caleb a reproving look, his cheeks tinted with pink. "C-come on, Caleb."

Caleb's grin only grew wider, seemingly unfazed. However, before he could respond, Delia interjected with a condescending tone, "yeah, no help at all."

Luke continued, undeterred, "And this is Delia, an E-rank adventurer with the [Alchemist] class."

Delia's glare deepened, and she retorted, "I didn't ask for your help with my introduction. Keep your opinions to yourself."

Caleb leaned toward Delia, his grin unwavering as he teased, "Oh, don't worry. I can't wait to taste your amazing potions."

Delia's comeback was swift and sharp, and the carriage quickly became an arena of bickering and jesting. Luke leaned back, observing the interactions with a mixture of amusement and disbelief. It seemed that Delia and Caleb were locked in an eternal struggle of wits and words.

As the carriage continued on its way to the village and the awaiting goblin horde, Luke couldn't help but find a strange sense of camaraderie with his fellow adventurers. Their differences notwithstanding, they were united in their goal to overcome challenges. The laughter, the quarrels, and the shared moments within the carriage served as a reminder that even in the face of danger, the bonds formed between adventurers were as resilient as the armor they wore.

And so, with each passing mile, Luke readied himself for the battles that lay ahead – not only against the green-skinned goblins but also against the playful teasing and bickering that had become an unexpected yet oddly endearing aspect of this journey.

…....

Their carriage rolled into the quaint village of Oakridge, the rhythmic clatter of hooves on cobblestone signaling their arrival. As the carriage came to a stop, the village chief himself approached, a mix of gratitude and concern etched on his weathered face. The chief's eyes flicked from one adventurer to another, sizing them up with a mixture of hope and uncertainty.

"Welcome, brave adventurers," the chief's voice held a touch of emotion as he spoke. "I can't express how thankful we are that you've taken up our request to deal with those goblins plaguing our farmlands."

Caleb, his brawler's confidence exuding from every pore, quickly stepped forward with a grin. "Don't you worry, Chief. We're gonna clear those pesky goblins out of your hair in no time!"

Dion, standing just behind Caleb, gave a shy nod of agreement. "Y-Yes, we'll make sure to help as best as we can."

Leaning casually against the carriage's window, Delia rolled her eyes and let out a small, impatient sigh. "Seriously, let's just get this over with already."

As the group disembarked from the carriage, Luke took a few steps toward the village chief, his demeanor respectful and genuinely curious. "Chief, before we proceed, could you provide us with any information that might give us an edge when confronting these goblins?"

The chief's expression shifted from gratitude to a more somber tone. "The behavior of these goblins has been unusual, adventurers. They've always been a nuisance, but recently, their movements have become more coordinated, more... organized."

Luke's brows furrowed as he processed the information. "Organized? That's quite unusual for goblins. It's possible there might be a higher-ranking goblin, like a hobgoblin, leading them."

Caleb, displaying his usual bravado, waved his hand dismissively. "Hobgoblin or not, it doesn't matter. I'll take down that bigger goblin just as easily."

A small, appreciative smile tugged at the corner of Luke's lips as he acknowledged Caleb's unwavering confidence. "I appreciate your enthusiasm, Caleb. But still, we need to be careful"

Turning back to the village chief, Luke nodded. "Thank you for the information. Could you lead us to the area where these goblins are coming from?"

The chief nodded in agreement and turned, leading the way with a mixture of determination and concern etched across his face. As the group walked through the village, the villagers who crossed their path sent thankful glances their way—a silent acknowledgment of the hope they represented.

The surroundings shifted gradually from the neatly aligned cottages to the sprawling farmlands that stretched out toward the forest's edge. The chief gestured toward the line of trees. "The goblins usually come from that direction, where the forest begins."

With a nod of gratitude, Luke signaled for his companions to prepare for what lay ahead. "Alright, everyone, stay alert and on guard. We're heading into the forest."

As they ventured into the forest's shadowy depths, a sense of unease settled over them. The air was thick with the scent of earth and the rustle of leaves, creating an eerie symphony. Luke's fingers tightened around the hilt of his ice fang dagger, its cold touch a constant reminder of the battles he had faced and the challenges that still lay ahead.

Guided by the village chief's directions, they navigated deeper into the forest, the sounds of nature forming a subtle backdrop to their journey. Luke's senses remained sharp, his gaze shifting between the verdant undergrowth and the canopy above. The presence of the goblins was palpable, an unsettling tension that seemed to infuse the very air they breathed.