Chapter 1 : the work begins .

Meticulously, Bryan profiles himself as a young man of 25, sporting semi-long, deep black hair. His gaze is captivating, his piercing silver eyes reveal a mysterious story, accentuated by a scratch scar marking his left eye , Bryan, on his majestic white horse, advances slowly through the forest. Her black hair contrasts with the dazzling whiteness of her frame, creating a striking image in the heart of green nature. Its silver eyes scan every corner with keen attention, searching for the slightest trace of movement or mystery among the ancient trees. The horse's rhythmic gallop resonates in the silent echo of the forest, revealing a symbiosis between the rider and his noble steed, ready to decipher the secrets buried in the mystical groves. 

Suddenly, a keen intuition seized Bryan, urging him to dismount from his white mount with natural grace. Immobile, he waits, his gaze fixed on the surroundings, ready to face the unknown. After a few tense seconds of silence, a misshapen creature emerges from the shadows, its long, decayed body exuding an aura of menace. Sharp claws, three centimeters long, sprout from its frightening limbs.

With astonishing agility, Bryan skillfully dodges the creature's attack, displaying exceptional mastery in the art of defense. The synchronized movements of the rider and his mount reveal perfect harmony, while Bryan prepares to fight back, determined to unravel the mystery of this unexpected encounter in the depths of the forest.

Bryan, quick and calculating, draws his sword with remarkable precision. He positions the front of the blade against his right arm, creating a defensive barrier. His movements are fluid, changing positions with agility to avoid unnecessary injury. The misshapen creature, claws menacing, attacks relentlessly.

Bryan dances with martial grace, anticipating his opponent's every move while maintaining a dignified posture. His rapid and calculated responses demonstrate expertise forged in the mysteries of combat. The forest becomes the scene of a confrontation between the grace of the mercenary and the savagery of the creature, a duel where each movement can be the key to victory. 

The creature, determined, rushes forward with powerful steps, attacking Bryan from the air with its sharp claws. With a fluid movement, Bryan pivots his body to the left with impressive agility, avoiding the aerial assault. Simultaneously, he shifts the position of his sword and delivers a side strike to the creature's ribs. The sharp steel cuts through the decayed flesh, leaving a large gaping wound bleeding profusely.

Despite the pain inflicted, the creature persists in its attempted attack, revealing an unexpected resilience. Bryan, aware of the need to act quickly, adjusts his posture and prepares for the next maneuver, while the forest resounds with the echoes of their fierce fight. 

The creature, filled with rage, sees its sharp claws ignite a bright red, speckled with dark hues. A deafening scream pierces the forest air, marking his bout of unleashed fury. The scarlet glow of its claws lends a sinister aura to this moving menace, amplifying the intensity of the fight , In resolute calm, Bryan points his sword at the creature, defying the fury that burns in its eyes. His posture remains unwavering, the gleaming blade determined to meet the glowing threat. A tense silence settles, broken only by the rustling of leaves and the breath of the enraged creature. 

The creature, charging towards Bryan with murderous vehemence, collides with the pointed blade of the mercenary's sword. A meter away, Bryan makes a sudden move, skillfully striking the creature's claws to destabilize it. In a masterful dance, he spins around, expertly positioning himself behind the bewildered creature's back. With surgical precision, Bryan's sword sinks into the creature's back, leaving a gaping wound. Maintaining his grip, Bryan clings to the creature, exerting a relentless grip on its neck , With cool mastery, Bryan snaps the creature's neck with a deft gesture, bringing the intense fight to a brutal end. The creature's limp body lies at his feet, a silent end to the fury that animated him. In the calm of the forest, Bryan, sword still in hand, contemplates the defeated creature, leaving behind an aura of mixed resolution and triumph. The murmur of the leaves and the calming breath of the wind bear witness to the return of tranquility, but the echoes of the fight still resonate in the depths of the forest, silent witnesses of the confrontation between the mercenary and the unleashed creature. 

The sounds of footsteps invade the surroundings, making the leaves and branches crack under the weight of numerous entities. Bryan, alert, quickly makes a decision. With a quick movement, he cuts off a finger of the dead creature and projects his claws in a specific direction. The blades whistle through the air and narrowly miss killing a man standing there, the claw striking the tree just inches above his head. The man, struck by sudden fear and astonishment, raises his hands in surrender, asking Bryan not to kill him. Suddenly, several men arrive, dressed in simple peasant outfits. Most of them hold spears, blunt swords, and crude slings. Their appearance creates a contrasting scene between the rusticity of their weapons and the warrior aura of Bryan, still standing with his sword in his hand, witness to the recent fight , 

One of them, a man of medium height with short, greasy hair, cried out: "By god, look at this man, he single-handedly brought down the spear of death." Astonishment and respect tinged his voice, reflecting surprise at Bryan's prowess.

The murmurs and whispers of the peasants circulate, mixing fascination and concern. The gaze of the man who spoke oscillates between admiration and distrust, captivated by the mercenary who stood against the unleashed creature. A new chapter opens in the clearing, as the peasants assess Bryan with curiosity tinged with uncertainty. 

The same man asks: "But young man, who are you really? A warrior? A legendary being?" His gaze oscillates between fascination and perplexity, seeking to unravel the mystery that surrounds Bryan.

Bryan, sword in hand and scar testifying to his past battles, contemplates the group of peasants with measured reserve. The forest holds its breath, hanging on the words that could reveal the identity of this enigmatic character, mixing the shadow of the mercenary with the light of the emerging legends. Bryan takes out a piece of white cloth, cleans his sword carefully, then declares: "My name is Bryan." His frank gaze meets that of the peasants, revealing a multifaceted enigma. He continues: "Besides, why are you pursuing this creature?" 

A man with long orange hair and an imposing build approaches Bryan and explains: "This creature has caused a lot of deaths in our village. We wanted to put an end to it today." His words carry the burden of sorrow, revealing the reasons for the hunt in which this community of peasants joined , 

Bryan lets out a smirk, followed by a slight mocking laugh, and says, "You were planning to kill a creature of this size with spears, slings and crummy swords?" His teasing tone echoes through the clearing, emphasizing the absurdity of the situation. 

Another man of medium height, with black hair and a spear, cried out: "Even though the creature is so ferocious that most of us could have lost our lives in this confrontation, the creature would also have succumbed. We will do everything to protect our village." His voice carries an unwavering determination, reflecting the community's will to defend itself against this persistent threat. 

Bryan finishes cleaning his sword while examining it carefully for any traces of blood. Meanwhile, he comments: "It's good to want to play brave, but it's even better to face reality before you try something so stupid." His tone remains frank and direct, emphasizing the need for caution in the face of adversity.

Then, changing the subject, he asks a crucial question: "Besides, are there any men left in your village at the moment?" The villagers' eyes meet, revealing the concerns that hover over the fate of their community. 

The villagers remain silent, lowering their eyes in recognition of reality. Bryan continues in a calm but incisive tone: "That's what I was telling myself. You made the decision to confront the creature while leaving your village at the mercy of anyone." His remark points out the duality of their choice, highlighting the sacrifices that sometimes accompany the desire to defend 

The youngest of them cried out: "We tracked the creature, the spear of death, to this clearing to finish it off and then return to the village." His tone revealed a mixture of determination and hope, seeking to justify their presence in the forest

Bryan points his sword, now all cleaned, towards the group and declares in a serious tone: "First of all, this creature is not called the spear of death, but an orchoid, a very cunning creature capable of confusing its not to deceive her pursuers. She could easily send you in the wrong direction, decimate your village at will, or wait for you here to slaughter all of you, before feasting on your village."

His warning, marked with raw realism, envelopes the clearing in a heavy silence. The truth about the threat that awaits them weighs heavily on the villagers' shoulders, while Bryan, sword drawn, embodies the toughness necessary to face this unforgiving reality. 

One of them replies: "We are numerous and armed to the teeth. She will have no chance of coming out of this fight alive. Certainly, some will perish, but the others will kill her." The confidence in his voice reveals the villager's confidence in the strength of their group 

Bryan puts away his sword and says in a biting tone: "Armed to the teeth, you say?" He lets out a slight mocking laugh. "Your weapons each have a weakness. Already, two of your weapons are very effective at long distance but useless in close combat. Then, your swords are not well sharpened and will hardly be able to hurt the creature. Even your ranged weapons are Of little use, if not completely ineffective, they are toys. And despite your number, it will only take a few seconds for the creature to pulverize you all, before going to start dinner."

His keen analysis highlights potential gaps in the villagers' strategy, highlighting the challenges that await them in their hunt for the orchoid. 

The tall, sturdy man with orange hair thanks Bryan: "I want to thank you for your help, for avenging our fallen and showing us kindness, Bryan." His expression reflects gratitude mixed with deep appreciation for the mercenary who stood against the threat to their community. 

Bryan deadpans, "Oh, but it wasn't an act of kindness or service. I don't care if your life ended. I did it because it's my job. You must pay me now, young men. Nothing is free in life. Save your thanks for words and thank me with gold."

His pragmatism reveals Bryan's mercenary nature, emphasizing that his commitment is not guided by altruism. The demand for payment highlights the stark reality of this medieval fantasy world, where every action has a price, even those that seem motivated by necessity.

The sturdy man said: "We have some gold coins. We will provide them to you and also add to that some provisions for your journey. Is that enough?" Bryan nods in agreement

The medium-sized man with black hair said, "My name is Zakhar from the Ourmn family. And you, Bryan? Which family do you belong to?" 

Bryan says, "My name is Bryan the Twilightwing ."

Zakhar reacts: " The Twilightwing , you say?"

The sturdy man asks, "Does that mean anything to you, Zakhar?"

Zakhar replies: "No, but there is only one organization which has a bird as its emblem, at least only one known which bears the name of an eaglus . It is the organization of the mercenaries of Aigluous."

The others murmur in whispers, "So he's a mercenary, oh." A revelation that sheds new light on the identity of Bryan, linked to a mysterious mercenary organization. The clearing holds its breath, everyone's secrets intertwined in this unexpected encounter in the heart of the forest. 

Zakhar says, "Okay, let's stop talking and thank you in the best way possible. Follow us over here, Twilightwing Bryan." 

Bryan rides on his white horse and follows the villagers towards their village, ready to collect the promised reward