Chapter 26: Hetin Town

Chapter 26: Chapter 26: Hetin Town

The mayor walked toward the window and looked down at the streets of Hetin Town.

"The town has several experienced adventurers. I can also request assistance from the Adventurer’s Guild."

He turned back toward Kyle.

"But before that, I need every piece of information you possess."

Kyle immediately nodded.

"I’ll tell you everything."

"Good."

As Kyle described the last moments of the two hunters who had stayed behind, the mayor’s expression became increasingly serious.

----

The Golden Hearth Inn was one of the busiest establishments in Hetin Town, especially during the evening when adventurers returned from their expeditions and merchants gathered to drink away the exhaustion of the day.

The first floor was filled with the sounds of laughter, clattering dishes, and conversations about monsters, dungeons, and recent hunting grounds. The smell of roasted meat and freshly baked bread filled the air, while several waitresses moved between the tables carrying large trays of food and drinks.

At one of the largest tables near the center of the dining hall, a group of adventurers occupied nearly the entire section.

They were easily recognizable as one of the strongest adventurer groups in Hetin Town.

Their equipment alone made that obvious.

Several members wore high-quality leather armor reinforced with metal plates, while others wore specialized combat gear designed for different roles.

Their weapons were well-maintained, with several swords and spears resting against the table or leaning against the nearby wall. Even the bows carried by the two archers looked considerably more expensive than anything an ordinary hunter could afford.

At the center of the group sat their leader.

His name was Darian, a broad-shouldered man in his early thirties with short, dark-brown hair and a calm pair of gray eyes. A long sword rested against the side of his chair, its black scabbard showing several scratches from years of use.

Unlike many adventurers who enjoyed displaying their strength through expensive equipment, Darian wore relatively simple armor, although anyone experienced enough could immediately tell that every piece had been carefully maintained and reinforced.

He was currently tearing a piece of roasted meat from a bone while listening to the conversation around him.

"So you’re telling me that beast was really that large?"

One of the younger adventurers asked. The man sitting across from him laughed.

"Large? It was enormous. Its head alone was almost as big as your entire body."

"You’re exaggerating."

"I’m not."

"You always exaggerate."

The table erupted into laughter. Darian merely shook his head with a faint smile.

"You two have been arguing about that beast for three days."

"Because he’s lying, Leader."

"I’m not lying!"

Darian picked up his cup and took a drink.

"Whether the beast was as big as a house or merely the size of a horse, you still killed it. That’s what matters."

The younger adventurer grinned.

"See? Leader understands."

"I didn’t say I believed you."

The entire table burst into laughter again.

For a moment, everything was peaceful.

The adventurers had spent the better part of the day outside the town hunting monsters, and after returning safely, they had decided to celebrate with a large meal.

For ordinary adventurers, an evening like this would have been nothing special, but for Darian’s group, it had become something of a routine.

They were known as Ironfang, the strongest adventurer group currently operating in Hetin Town.

Their reputation had not come from empty boasting.

Ironfang had completed countless dangerous hunting requests, cleared several monster nests, escorted merchant caravans through dangerous territories, and even participated in the subjugation of a monster that had threatened several nearby villages.

Because of their achievements, the group had earned the trust of the town’s Adventurer’s Guild.

They weren’t the strongest adventurers in the entire kingdom, but within Hetin Town, very few groups could stand against them.

Darian leaned back in his chair.

"Eat properly. We’re leaving early tomorrow."

A woman sitting beside him raised an eyebrow.

"Another hunting request?"

"Yes."

"Where?"

"The eastern forest."

The woman sighed.

"Again?"

Darian nodded.

"There have been reports of monsters appearing farther from their usual territory. The guild wants us to investigate."

One of the men immediately groaned.

"Couldn’t they send another group?"

Darian glanced at him.

"You want someone else to take the money?"

The man’s expression immediately changed.

"...I suddenly feel very motivated."

Everyone laughed.

Before Darian could respond, however, the large doors of the Golden Hearth Inn suddenly opened.

Several adventurers near the entrance turned their heads.

A town guard stepped inside.

The guard wore the dark-blue uniform of Hetin Town and carried a short sword at his waist. His expression was serious, and the moment he entered, his eyes quickly scanned the dining hall.

Several people began whispering.

"What happened?"

"Why is a guard here?"

"Did something happen in town?"

The guard ignored the curious gazes.

His eyes eventually landed on Darian and the members of Ironfang.

He walked directly toward them.

The conversations around the dining hall gradually became quieter as people realized that the guard wasn’t here for ordinary business.

Darian noticed him approaching and placed his cup on the table.

"Can I help you?"

The guard stopped beside their table and gave a respectful bow.

"Sir Darian."

Darian raised an eyebrow.

"Yes?"

The guard straightened.

"Forgive me for interrupting your meal, but I have come with a message from the mayor."

The members of Ironfang exchanged glances.

Darian’s expression became slightly more serious.

"The mayor?"

"Yes, sir."

"What does Mayor Cedric want with us?"

The guard shook his head.

"I wasn’t given permission to discuss the details."

Darian stared at him for a moment before leaning back.

"So the mayor personally wants to see me?"

"Yes."

The guard nodded.

"He requests that you and your group visit the mayor’s residence as soon as possible."

One of the adventurers immediately looked toward Darian.

"Leader, that sounds important."

Another member lowered his voice.

"I heard something happened earlier today."

Darian looked at him.

"What did you hear?"

The adventurer glanced around before speaking.

"Rumors."

"That’s not an answer."