Chapter 9 — The Moonroot Cave Quest

The streets of Shadowveil were still crowded as Mina and Nyxhen walked away from the Adventurer's Guild.

Mina held the quest paper in both hands.

Her crimson witch hat bounced slightly with every step.

“Moonroot Cave!”

She sounded incredibly excited.

“Ten Moonleaf Herbs!”

She raised one finger.

“Three hundred copper lumens!”

She raised another.

“And two adventurers!”

She pointed at herself.

“Me!”

Then she pointed at Nyxhen.

“And you!”

Nyxhen walked beside her with his hands in his pockets.

“Yes.”

Mina smiled.

“We're officially a party.”

“No.”

Mina stopped walking.

“What?”

Nyxhen continued walking.

“I said we're doing a quest together.”

“That's a party.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

Mina hurried after him.

“Why are you so stubborn?”

Nyxhen glanced at her.

“You're the one who started this argument.”

“I didn't.”

“You did.”

“I was simply making a statement.”

“You said we're a party.”

“Because we are.”

“We're temporary quest partners.”

“That sounds like a party.”

“It isn't.”

“It is.”

Nyxhen sighed.

“You're exhausting.”

Mina smiled.

“Thank you.”

“That wasn't a compliment.”

“I know.”

The Road to Moonroot Cave

After walking through several streets, Nyxhen led Mina toward the western side of Shadowveil.

The buildings slowly became less crowded.

Eventually, the city walls came into view.

Mina looked around.

“So we're leaving the city?”

“Yes.”

“Already?”

“You wanted to do the quest.”

“I did.”

“Then we need to leave the city.”

Mina nodded.

“That makes sense.”

They continued toward the gate.

A guard checked their guild cards.

“F-rank adventurers?”

“Yes,” Nyxhen answered.

“Moonroot Cave?”

“Yes.”

The guard looked at Mina.

Then Nyxhen.

Then back at Mina.

“Be careful.”

Mina smiled.

“We will!”

Nyxhen nodded.

The guard stepped aside.

They passed through the gate.

For the first time since arriving in Shadowveil, Mina found herself walking beyond the enormous city walls.

The scenery changed quickly.

The busy streets disappeared behind them.

Tall grass covered the ground.

Trees stretched across the horizon.

A cool breeze passed through the area.

Mina took a deep breath.

“Ah…”

She smiled.

“This feels more like an adventure.”

Nyxhen looked at her.

“You've barely left the city.”

“That's why.”

“You've been an adventurer for a few hours.”

“Exactly.”

Nyxhen shook his head.

Mina continued walking.

“So, how far is Moonroot Cave?”

“About an hour.”

“An hour?!”

“Yes.”

Mina frowned.

“That's far.”

Nyxhen stopped.

“You were just complaining that the city wasn't adventurous enough.”

“I changed my mind.”

“Already?”

“Yes.”

Nyxhen sighed.

“You're impossible.”

A Very Important Question

They continued walking.

For several minutes, neither spoke.

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Then Mina suddenly turned toward Nyxhen.

“Nyxhen.”

“What?”

“I have a question.”

“What?”

“Why were you gambling?”

Nyxhen's expression immediately became tired.

“We already talked about this.”

“I know.”

“Then why ask again?”

“Because I'm curious.”

“I was bored.”

Mina blinked.

“You gambled because you were bored?”

“Yes.”

“That is the worst reason I've ever heard.”

“You don't need to understand.”

“I understand.”

Nyxhen looked at her.

“You do?”

“Yes.”

“What?”

“You're an idiot.”

Nyxhen stopped walking.

Mina continued ahead.

He stared at her back.

“...Why did I agree to this?”

Mina turned around.

“Did you say something?”

“No.”

“You look angry.”

“I'm fine.”

“You don't look fine.”

“I'm perfectly fine.”

“You're making that face.”

“What face?”

“That face.”

Nyxhen touched his own face.

“What face?”

“The annoyed face.”

“I always look like this.”

Mina stared.

“That's unfortunate.”

Nyxhen sighed.

Something in the Forest

The path eventually became narrower.

Trees surrounded them.

Mina looked around carefully.

“Is this part of the forest?”

“Yes.”

“Are there monsters?”

“Yes.”

Mina's eyes sparkled.

“Really?”

Nyxhen looked at her.

“Why are you excited?”

“Because we're adventurers!”

“You're excited about monsters?”

“Of course!”

“What happens if one attacks you?”

“I'll fight it.”

“And if it's stronger than you?”

Mina paused.

“...I'll think of something.”

Nyxhen shook his head.

“That isn't a plan.”

“It becomes a plan when I need one.”

“That isn't how planning works.”

Mina shrugged.

Suddenly—

Rustle.

Both stopped.

The bushes nearby moved.

Mina slowly reached toward her hand.

Nyxhen's chains shifted slightly.

“Something's there,” Mina whispered.

The bushes moved again.

Rustle...

Mina stared.

Nyxhen stared.

Something jumped out.

“AAAAAH!”

Mina jumped backward.

Nyxhen immediately raised his arm.

Then—

A small rabbit landed in the grass.

Silence.

Mina stared.

The rabbit stared back.

Nyxhen slowly lowered his arm.

Mina pointed at the rabbit.

“...Monster?”

“No.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

The rabbit hopped away.

Mina watched it disappear.

“...It was fast.”

Nyxhen looked at her.

“You screamed because of a rabbit.”

“I was surprised!”

“You screamed.”

“I was surprised loudly!”

Nyxhen sighed.

“Right.”

Mina crossed her arms.

“Don't laugh.”

“I wasn't.”

“You were thinking about it.”

“I was.”

“See?!”

Moonroot Cave

After another thirty minutes of walking, Nyxhen finally stopped.

“There.”

Mina looked ahead.

Between the trees was a large rocky hill.

A dark cave entrance was visible at its base.

Mina's eyes widened.

“That's Moonroot Cave?”

“Yes.”

She pulled out the quest paper.

“Moonleaf Herbs grow inside?”

“Usually near the deeper sections.”

“How deep?”

“Not too deep.”

Mina looked at the dark entrance.

“Define 'not too deep.'”

Nyxhen stared at her.

“Deep enough.”

“That doesn't help!”

He sighed.

“We only need ten herbs.”

Mina nodded.

“Okay.”

She adjusted her hat.

“Let's go.”

Nyxhen stopped her.

“Wait.”

“What?”

“Torches.”

Mina blinked.

“Oh.”

She looked through her bag.

“I have a lamp.”

“Good.”

She pulled it out.

Nyxhen looked at it.

“Is that the same lamp you've been carrying around?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because it works.”

Nyxhen stared at the lamp.

“Fair enough.”

Mina lit it.

The warm light illuminated the cave entrance.

She stepped inside.

Nyxhen followed.

Inside Moonroot Cave

The cave was cold.

Water dripped from the ceiling.

Drip...

Drip...

Mina looked around.

Glowing plants grew along the walls.

Small crystals reflected the light from her lamp.

“Whoa…”

She stepped closer to one.

“Are these magic crystals?”

“Probably.”

“Probably?”

“I don't know.”

Mina looked at him.

“You don't know?”

“No.”

“You've been here before?”

“Yes.”

“And you don't know?”

“I didn't come here to study rocks.”

Mina nodded.

“Fair.”

They continued deeper.

Mina searched the walls.

“Moonleaf…”

She looked under a rock.

Nothing.

Behind another stone.

Nothing.

Near a patch of moss.

Nothing.

She sighed.

“Where are these herbs?”

“They're usually near areas with moonlight.”

Mina looked upward.

“We're inside a cave.”

“Yes.”

“So there isn't any moonlight.”

Nyxhen pointed toward the ceiling.

Mina looked.

There was a crack in the cave roof.

Moonlight streamed through it.

“Oh.”

“Exactly.”

Mina walked toward the illuminated area.

Then she saw something.

Small silver-green leaves were growing beside a rock.

Her eyes widened.

“Found one!”

She quickly crouched.

“Moonleaf Herb!”

She carefully picked it.

“One!”

She placed it into her bag.

Nyxhen nodded.

“Good.”

Mina looked proud.

“I'm doing great.”

“We've collected one.”

“Exactly.”

“We need ten.”

“Exactly.”

“That's ten percent.”

Mina smiled.

“See?”

Nyxhen stared.

“You're celebrating ten percent?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because it's progress.”

Nyxhen sighed.

“Fine.”

Something Else Is Here

They continued searching.

Two herbs.

Three.

Four.

Mina became increasingly excited.

“Five!”

She raised the herb into the air.

“We're halfway there!”

Nyxhen nodded.

“Good.”

Mina looked around.

“It's surprisingly peaceful.”

Nyxhen immediately frowned.

“Don't say that.”

“Why?”

“Because every time someone says that in a cave, something usually happens.”

Mina stared at him.

“That's just a story.”

Nyxhen looked ahead.

“I hope so.”

Then—

SCRAAAAATCH.

Both froze.

Mina slowly lowered her hand.

“...What was that?”

Nyxhen's chains moved.

“I don't know.”

Another sound echoed through the cave.

SCRATCH... SCRATCH...

Mina whispered.

“Something is coming.”

Nyxhen nodded.

“Stay behind me.”

Mina frowned.

“Why?”

“Because I said so.”

“You're not my boss.”

“Mina.”

“What?”

“Please.”

Mina blinked.

Nyxhen looked genuinely tired.

“Just this once.”

Mina sighed.

“Fine.”

She stepped behind him.

A shadow moved at the end of the tunnel.

Nyxhen raised one hand.

His chains began moving.

Mina watched carefully.

The shadow came closer.

Closer.

Closer.

Then—

A small creature stepped into the light.

It was covered in gray fur.

It had large ears.

And it was holding one of their Moonleaf Herbs.

Mina stared.

“...”

Nyxhen stared.

The creature stared back.

Mina pointed.

“That's my herb.”

The creature immediately ran.

“HEY!”

Mina chased it.

Nyxhen's eyes widened.

“Mina!”

She disappeared around the corner.

Nyxhen closed his eyes.

“...She lasted about five seconds.”

He ran after her.

The Great Herb Chase

“MINE!”

Mina chased the creature through the cave.

The creature ran faster.

“GIVE IT BACK!”

It squeaked.

“THAT'S MY QUEST!”

The creature continued running.

Mina sprinted after it.

“STOP!”

Nyxhen followed behind.

“Mina! Don't run deeper into the cave!”

“I'M BUSY!”

“You're chasing a monster!”

“IT STOLE MY HERB!”

“It's one herb!”

“IT'S PART OF THE TEN!”

Nyxhen stopped for a moment.

He stared at her.

“...I hate that your logic makes sense.”

Mina turned around while running.

“SEE?!”

“TURN AROUND!”

“What?”

“YOU'RE RUNNING BACKWARD!”

Mina looked forward.

She immediately screamed.

“AAAAAH!”

She almost crashed into a rock.

Nyxhen grabbed her by the back of her cloak and pulled her away.

Mina stumbled.

“Hey!”

“You almost hit the wall!”

“I had it under control!”

“You absolutely did not.”

“I was turning!”

“You were running backward.”

“Same thing!”

“No!”

“Yes!”

“No!”

“Yes!”

Nyxhen released her.

The creature had already disappeared.

Mina looked around.

“...Where did it go?”

Nyxhen stared at her.

“Exactly.”

Mina frowned.

“This is your fault.”

“My fault?”

“Yes.”

“How?”

“You distracted me.”

“I was telling you not to run into a wall.”

“Exactly.”

Nyxhen stared at her.

“I need patience.”

Mina smiled.

“You'll get used to me.”

“That is what I'm afraid of.”

The Last Five

After searching the cave again, they found the rest of the herbs.

Six.

Seven.

Eight.

Nine.

And finally—

Ten.

Mina held up the final Moonleaf Herb.

“WE DID IT!”

Her voice echoed throughout the cave.

Nyxhen covered one ear.

“You don't need to shout.”

Mina looked around.

“Oh.”

Her voice echoed again.

“We did it…”

Nyxhen nodded.

“Much better.”

Mina placed the tenth herb carefully into her bag.

She smiled.

“Our first quest.”

Nyxhen looked at the bag.

“Successful.”

Mina grinned.

“And nobody died.”

Nyxhen looked at her.

“That is a strangely specific thing to celebrate.”

Mina shrugged.

“It's good.”

“I suppose.”

They began walking back toward the entrance.

Mina smiled.

“Three hundred copper lumens…”

Nyxhen nodded.

“Correct.”

“What should I spend mine on?”

“Food?”

Mina gasped.

“That's a good idea.”

“Or save it.”

Mina's expression immediately became serious.

“Saving is also good.”

Nyxhen looked at her.

“Why are you suddenly serious?”

“Because I have rent.”

Nyxhen nodded.

“Ah.”

“And food.”

“Yes.”

“And equipment.”

“Yes.”

“And maybe books.”

“Maybe.”

“And—”

“Stop.”

Mina blinked.

“What?”

“You're already spending money you haven't received.”

Mina looked away.

“...Maybe.”

Nyxhen sighed.

“You're hopeless.”

Mina smiled.

“But successful.”

“Unfortunately.”

They finally reached the cave entrance.

The sunlight outside was bright after the darkness of the cave.

Mina stepped outside and stretched.

“Ahhh…”

She took a deep breath.

“Quest complete!”

Nyxhen followed.

“Let's return to the guild.”

Mina nodded.

“Yep!”

She took a few steps.

Then stopped.

“Wait.”

Nyxhen looked at her.

“What?”

Mina pointed toward the forest.

“Do you hear that?”

Nyxhen listened.

At first—

Nothing.

Then—

Rustle.

Mina's eyes narrowed.

“Something's there.”

Nyxhen's chains shifted.

“Stay close.”

Mina nodded.

The bushes moved.

Something was watching them.

Neither Mina nor Nyxhen could see what it was.

The two adventurers stood silently.

Then—

A small rabbit jumped out.

Mina stared.

Nyxhen stared.

The rabbit stared back.

Mina slowly pointed.

“...That's the same rabbit.”

Nyxhen sighed.

“It followed us.”

Mina crouched.

“Are you our companion now?”

The rabbit hopped away.

Mina stood.

“...It rejected me.”

Nyxhen turned toward the road.

“Come on.”

Mina followed.

“Wait!”

“What?”

“Do you think we should name it?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because we're not keeping the rabbit.”

“But—”

“No.”

“You didn't even think about it.”

“I don't need to.”

“That's unfair.”

“Life is unfair.”

Mina puffed her cheeks.

“You're mean.”

Nyxhen kept walking.

“And you're loud.”

“I'm not loud!”

Her voice echoed through the forest.

Nyxhen looked back.

Mina froze.

“...Okay, maybe a little.”

Nyxhen shook his head.

And the two F-rank adventurers began their journey back toward Shadowveil.

Their first quest had been completed.

Ten Moonleaf Herbs.

Three hundred copper lumens.

No serious trouble.

No major injuries.

Just one stolen herb, one very determined witch, and one increasingly annoyed chained adventurer.

For their first quest together—

It could have gone much worse.

Neither of them knew that their little adventure was only the beginning.

Because soon—

Mina's journey through Eternia would bring her into contact with people far stranger than a gambler who got chased for being too lucky.

And Nyxhen?

He was beginning to realize that traveling with Mina might be the most exhausting decision he had ever made.

But for now—

They were simply two F-rank adventurers walking back toward Shadowveil.

Together.