The last manifestation

After finishing her little masterpiece, the clerk held the paper up like a treasured artifact dug from the earth. She studied it critically for a moment, then handed the map to the young man.

Ace examined the paper for several moments, impressed by the detail. But as he looked up at the clerk, he noticed her expression had changed. She was staring at the worn-out request slip in front of her. When he asked if something was wrong, she replied softly, with a hint of hesitation:

"Well… it's a bit odd. The farm's location and the type of monsters attacking it don't quite match."

"What do you mean?"

"The town, the farm, and the entire surrounding region are located on the kingdom's outskirts, where it's freezing this time of year. Demonic rabbits don't live in such areas—they always prefer warmer, temperate climates. So, their presence here doesn't make much sense."

"Could it be a form of mass migration?"

"Perhaps…" she said cautiously, before adding, "But I've never heard of anything like that before."

Her expression revealed skepticism, as though her professional instincts were telling her this went beyond a natural migration—perhaps something larger, something hidden in the shadows. For a moment, silence fell between them again. Then, as if trying to ease the tension she had unintentionally caused, she spoke gently, her tone polite and reassuring despite the uncertainty:

"In any case, it doesn't change how easy the task should be. Oh, and one more important detail—you need to collect the rabbits' ears after killing them. They'll serve as proof that you completed the mission and earned your reward. If they're damaged in the fight or somehow lost, a signed slip from the requestor confirming the job was done will also be accepted as verification. With that said, I wish you the best of luck."

After she spoke, a warm smile spread across Ais's face. He thanked her for all the information she had provided. And at the sight of that gentle expression, the clerk felt a subtle warmth rise to her cheeks. She tried to conceal her nervousness by organizing the papers on her desk, but her hands lacked their usual steadiness.

As Ace prepared to leave, whispers and soft giggles rippled through the other clerks. It wasn't hard for them to grasp what was going on—the eyes often reveal what the heart tries to hide. Slightly flustered, the clerk turned to her colleagues and asked with a mix of embarrassment and frustration:

"W-What? Why are you all looking at me like that?"

They replied in unison with playful delight:

"Nothiiiiiing." Then they exchanged amused glances and added in teasing tones:

"Riiiiiight?"

Her face flushed crimson as she begged them in a trembling voice to get back to work.

After leaving, Ace headed back to the grandmother's small shop, where through the window he caught sight of Emilia finishing a sale. She handed a folded set of clothes in a small paper bag to a customer with a bright smile, bowing slightly as they left while offering words of thanks and encouraging a return visit.

As soon as the customer exited, Ace stepped in behind them. The young girl greeted him, initially mistaking him for another customer, but her joy increased the moment she realized it was him. He held the map drawn by the guild employee. Emilia took it from him and began listening carefully to the mission details. Her expression tightened slightly as she processed the information. Then, while looking at the map, she said:

"The distance isn't short. It will take you half a day on foot to reach the farm, maybe longer if the terrain is rough."

Despite the warning, her tone lacked objection. After a moment of silence, she suggested:

"Hiring a cart would be less tiring." She paused, placing her hand thoughtfully on her chin as she weighed the options. "But renting a cart might be expensive. You could end up paying half the reward—or more."

Her reaction, and everything she said, was the opposite of what he expected. For someone who only accepted worthwhile deals, she didn't seem bothered by the small reward, which hardly justified the effort. Surprised and half-joking, he asked:

"I thought you'd refuse to give me the mission because the reward's too small."

That snapped Emilia out of her contemplation. She looked up at him with a faintly sad smile and said:

"Honestly, I probably would have. There are plenty of better missions than this one. But I know the old couple. I've seen them several times. They come to town now and then to sell their crops at the market. Their produce is always fresh and fairly priced. I've bought from them many times. I'm certain they're the same ones who posted the request—they're the only ones with a farm east of town, as far as I know."

She fell silent briefly, then added:

"It's unfortunate they're going through this. I can't really complain about the low pay. And to be honest, I truly hope you can help them if you're able."

Her expression softened into a pleading look. She even offered to cover the cost of the cart herself. But Ace, smiling confidently, waved it off and replied:

"No need. I'll go on foot. I may be back tonight or tomorrow morning."

Although she wasn't thrilled about how long it would take for his first mission, she couldn't argue with the confidence in his eyes. She sighed, urging him to be careful, all while feeling a growing admiration. She sensed that feeling she'd had since they first met—that he was different. Someone who'd put in effort not for money, but out of a sincere desire to help others.

Before leaving, he went upstairs. She found this odd, but he soon came back down carrying a very small bag strapped to his lower back. He asked for her leave and stepped outside, leaving her behind whispering a prayer for his safe return.

Upon leaving, he went straight to the town gate, where he saw the twin brothers seated, deeply engrossed in their heavy books. Their eyes scanned the pages with such focus that their features appeared tense and drawn. But the moment they looked up and saw him approaching, everything changed. Broad smiles spread across their faces, and their expressions relaxed as if they were greeting an old friend. One of them waved excitedly and called out:

"Oh! It's our traveling brother!" The other chuckled and added warmly:

"How are you, brother?"

Their welcome was unexpectedly warm. As he drew closer, their delight grew even more when they noticed his outfit and the adventurer's pendant around his neck. One of them raised his eyebrows in surprise and exclaimed:

"What's this, brother? You've become an adventurer? And here I was wondering how you were doing in town!"

His tone was a blend of astonishment and admiration, as though seeing someone he knew become an adventurer was something worthy of respect. The other quickly chimed in:

"Being an adventurer is great, but housing is always the issue. You'll need to rent a place at a reasonable price. If you need help, we can point you to some affordable spots."

Ace felt a warmth in their words—it was clear they held adventurers in high regard. He hesitated to tell them the full truth. He didn't want to reveal that he was living with the young girl. That fact seemed odd and inappropriate to mention and might lead to a long conversation he wasn't ready for. So, he chose silence—the wisest refuge—offering a modest smile as he replied:

"Thank you both for wanting to help. I've already found a place to stay, and I'm heading out now on my first mission."

The conversation quickly shifted to the mission details. Ace tried to glean any useful information from the guards, whose eyes sparkled with interest as they listened, weighing his words with experience. When he finished, one leaned his head slightly as if evaluating the matter from another angle, then said warningly:

"Don't underestimate those rabbits, brother. They may seem easy to kill when alone, but they become a real problem when they swarm you."

The other added more sharply, as if his words carried the weight of personal experience:

"Exactly! If you want my advice, keep moving at all times. Don't let them surround you and take control of the situation."

Their advice came from experience, not just casual warning. Ace thanked them sincerely, then left the town, while the two guards watched him until his figure faded into the horizon.