Terror in the Forest

As Creed and Shiiyo entered the adventurers' guild, they found themselves amid a rather intriguing scene. Kyru was at the reception desk, attempting to engage in a playful and flirty conversation with Lila, the guild's receptionist.

Kyru, with his trademark charm, had begun, "Hey, Lila, when your shift is over, can we have a dat-"

However, before Kyru could make his bold move, a swift, light whack on the head disrupted his sentence. Creed was quick to intervene, his stern tone making it clear what he thought of Kyru's advances. "Knock it off, Kyru."

Kyru, taken aback by the sudden tap on his head, turned to Creed and couldn't help but notice his disapproving expression. He chuckled nervously, recognizing his mistake. "Hehe... Sorry, Cap." He then promptly backed off, his playful demeanor replaced with a sheepish grin, and he offered Lila an apology for his behavior. "Sorry, Lila. I got carried away."

Lila, who had encountered Kyru's playful advances before, smiled and waved it off. She knew that Kyru never meant any harm. "No worries, Kyru. You're a handful, but it's all in good fun."

With the playful distraction put to rest, Creed took the opportunity to inquire about their next quest. "Is there a quest for us today?" he asked Lila. Lila responded with a cheerful demeanor, "Yes! Certainly, let me check for a moment while you guys wait."

While they waited for Lila to find a suitable quest, Shiiyo couldn't help but bring up something he had observed on his way back to the guild. With a teasing smile, he decided to share the interesting sight he had witnessed.

Shiiyo's voice held a hint of mischief as he addressed Kyru, "Hey, Kyru, guess what I saw while I was walking back?" Kyru, intrigued and curious, turned his attention to Shiiyo. "What did you see, Shiiyo?" he inquired.

With sly grins, Shiiyo and Kyru exchanged knowing looks and then both directed their teasing expressions at Creed. Shiiyo continued with his playful tone, "I saw our fearless leader taking a nice stroll with a certain princess."

Kyru joined in the good-natured teasing, his sly grin matching Shiiyo's, "Yeah, Capt., what's going on there?" They couldn't resist the chance to have a little fun with their fellow Leader.

Creed, the subject of their light-hearted mockery, listened to their teasing with a calm and composed demeanor. Underneath his helmet, a faint smile hinted at the humor he found in the situation. He took a moment before responding, deliberately drawing out the suspense.

"Nothing much," Creed replied, his tone casual. "Just a friendly conversation." He knew his team was merely having fun, and he wasn't one to easily give in to their teasing. The ambiguity in his response only fueled the curiosity of his companions.

Before the playful conversation could continue, Lila approached with a quest in hand, interrupting the banter. "I've got something for you," she announced with a smile, handing over a parchment detailing a new quest. "This one seems right up your alley."

As they received the quest details, the trio prepared to embark on their new adventure, the playful banter about the princess momentarily set aside in favor of their professional duties. The mysteries and adventures of the day awaited them.

As Lila presented the quest to the trio, she described the task: of exploring a new dungeon in the forest adjacent to a nearby village.

Shiiyo, intrigued by the prospect of exploring a dungeon, immediately expressed his interest. "A dungeon, you say?" he remarked thoughtfully. He knew this task required preparation, and he began mentally planning their approach.

Kyru, with his usual excitement, chimed in, "It's just a scouting mission, right? We'll be fine!" His enthusiasm didn't wane; instead, he was eager to delve into the unknown.

Creed, always cautious, remained focused on the importance of being prepared. "We should take precautions and not underestimate the situation," he advised, emphasizing the need for thorough preparation.

The trio accepted the quest, knowing that even a scouting mission could hold surprises. They proceeded to make the necessary preparations before departing for the forest and the unknown challenges that awaited them in the dungeon.

As the trio arrived at the village near the dungeon, they quickly got to work. Shiiyo took on the task of gathering information from the villagers. He approached the village chief, a wise and experienced man who had lived there for decades.

Shiiyo engaged in a conversation with the village chief about the nearby dungeon, asking about its history and any potential dangers. The chief shared tales of adventurers who had ventured into the dungeon, recounting their experiences and the challenges they had faced. He also mentioned rumors of a wyvern occasionally appearing in the area, causing distress for the village.

After gathering the valuable information, Shiiyo rejoined Creed and Kyru, who had been scouting the surroundings. He couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in his role as the team's intelligence officer, and he adjusted his glasses with a satisfied smile.

Kyru, always impressed by Shiiyo's ability to gather valuable intel, couldn't resist offering his admiration. "You're like our own walking database, Shiiyo," he said with a grin, acknowledging Shiiyo's vital role.

Creed also expressed his appreciation for Shiiyo's efforts. "Great work, Shiiyo. This information will help us navigate the dungeon and stay alert for any potential threats," he said, understanding the significance of being well-informed.

With the newfound knowledge, the trio felt more prepared as they headed toward the dungeon, ready to face the challenges that lay ahead.

The trio made their way deeper into the forest, skillfully dealing with the continuous onslaught of monsters. Kyru, with his agile movements and sharpshooting, made quick work of the creatures, while Creed's sturdy shield provided a reliable defense, allowing the team to maintain their formation. Shiiyo, the team's spellcaster, added magical support to their efforts, making the battles more manageable.

As they continued to progress, Kyru couldn't help but comment on the relentless stream of enemies. "It seems like there is no end to this, they keep coming," he remarked, his usual grin not fading in the face of adversity.

Creed, displaying his determination and adapting his gaming knowledge to the situation, responded confidently. "Good, just like in video games, if there are enemies, we're heading in the right direction."

With Creed's shield in the frontline, blocking every incoming enemy attack, Kyru leaped from tree to tree, providing cover fire with his rifle. Shiiyo, strategically casting spells and using his submachine gun, worked together with the team to decimate the approaching monsters. Their coordination and teamwork allowed them to plow through the horde deep in the forest.

After a long and grueling battle, the trio decided to set up camp for the night. Shiiyo explained their plans for the next day. "Okay, it looks like this side of the map seems clear. We can head down this narrow path and avoid most encounters with monsters."

Creed nodded in agreement. "Hmm. Let's follow Shiiyo's plan for now. Kyru, when we head out, I want you to scout ahead and use your camouflage skills to avoid detection."

Kyru responded with enthusiasm, ready to tackle the challenges ahead. "Roger that, Captain!"

With their strategy in place, the trio rested for the night, knowing that they would need their strength for the trials that awaited them in the forest.

The next day, the trio decided to venture even deeper into the forest. Shiiyo suggested they check their remaining ammo, always mindful of potential threats, but to their surprise, there were no signs of enemies in the vicinity.

"This is strange," Shiiyo remarked with a concerned tone. "There should be more monsters in this area, and yet there's none."

Kyru, who had just finished scouting ahead, confirmed the odd situation. "Yeah, it seems odd. No enemies ahead, and the path looks almost clear."

Creed, maintaining his leadership, advised caution. "Stay frosty, soldiers, and keep your eyes open. We still don't know what lies ahead."

As they cautiously approached what appeared to be the end of their path, Shiiyo stumbled slightly, catching his balance on something. He looked down and saw a large, reptilian footprint. His eyes widened as he realized the implications of the discovery, and he quickly called out to the others to be on guard.

But it was too late. A colossal Basilisk erupted from the surrounding woods, catching Creed and Kyru off guard. The two men swiftly stepped back, narrowly avoiding the creature's massive strike. Kyru couldn't help but exclaim in shock, "What the fu—"

Creed, ever the vigilant leader, interrupted him with a firm command. "Prepare for a big fight, everyone! This one's going to be a nasty challenge."

With their backs against the wall and a formidable foe before them, the trio readied their weapons and magic, poised for a battle like none they had faced before.