The trip back to Greenwood Village was much quieter than the journey to the cave.
The rescued farmer rode in a cart borrowed from a nearby farm, wrapped in a blanket while the guild's healer checked his injuries one last time.
The goblin ears, along with the hobgoblin's axe, had been collected as proof that the subjugation quest had been completed.
Kael walked near the back of the group.
His sword was back in its scabbard.
Although his body was tired, his mind kept replaying the fight with the hobgoblin.
*"I still hesitated on my first strike."*
*"If the Guild Master hadn't created that opening..."*
*"I wouldn't have landed the finishing blow."*
Instead of feeling proud, Kael was thinking about his mistakes.
The Guild Master noticed.
"You've been quiet."
Kael looked up.
"I was thinking about the fight."
"What about it?"
"My first attack wasn't good enough."
The Guild Master smiled.
"You're disappointed?"
"A little."
"You expected to kill it with one strike?"
Kael shook his head.
"No."
"I expected my sword to go deeper."
The Guild Master laughed.
"You're seventeen."
"That was your first hobgoblin."
"You shouldn't expect perfection."
Kael scratched his cheek.
"I guess."
The older man looked ahead as they continued walking.
"A good adventurer doesn't think he has nothing left to learn."
"But..."
"He also knows when to acknowledge his own progress."
Kael silently nodded.
He would remember those words.
---
By the time they reached Greenwood Village, the afternoon sun hung high above the rooftops.
Several villagers immediately noticed the group returning.
"They're back!"
"The guild returned!"
"The quest is finished!"
People began gathering near the guild entrance.
The rescued farmer's family rushed forward the moment they saw him.
"Father!"
"Dad!"
The old man smiled weakly as his daughter hugged him tightly.
"I told you..."
"I'd come home."
His wife turned toward the adventurers, tears in her eyes.
"Thank you."
"Thank you all."
The Guild Master simply nodded.
"You can thank the young man later."
He pointed toward Kael.
"He was the one who discovered the goblin nest."
The family immediately looked at Kael.
The old farmer slowly walked over despite his injuries.
He bowed deeply.
"You saved my life."
Kael quickly shook his head.
"Please don't."
"I only did what anyone else would."
The old man smiled.
"No."
"Not everyone would."
Kael didn't know how to respond.
He simply smiled awkwardly.
---
Inside the guild...
The atmosphere was completely different from that morning.
The hall was filled with adventurers.
Many had already heard rumors about the subjugation party.
As soon as Kael entered...
Someone shouted,
"They're back!"
Another adventurer noticed the hobgoblin's axe.
"...Wait."
"Is that..."
"A hobgoblin?"
Conversations immediately erupted across the room.
"They actually found one?"
"I thought it was only goblins."
"Who killed it?"
Lyria quickly walked out from behind the counter.
Her eyes immediately searched the room until they landed on Kael.
She let out a relieved sigh.
"...You're alright."
Kael smiled.
"I promised."
She crossed her arms.
"You did."
Then she looked at the Guild Master.
"Everything went well?"
He nodded.
"The nest has been destroyed."
"No casualties."
Relief spread across Lyria's face.
"That's good."
The Guild Master placed the hobgoblin's axe on the counter.
"And here's the proof."
Lyria's eyes widened.
"You really fought one..."
She looked at Kael.
"...Were you hurt?"
"Just a few bruises."
She sighed.
"I'll take bruises."
The Guild Master chuckled.
"He listened to orders."
"He stayed behind."
"He observed."
Lyria looked surprised.
"Really?"
Kael smiled.
"I can follow instructions."
"Sometimes."
She rolled her eyes.
"Don't push your luck."
---
The Guild receptionist carefully counted the goblin ears and compared them to the quest request.
"Eleven goblins..."
She looked at the report.
"One hobgoblin."
She blinked twice before looking toward the Guild Master.
"...Is this correct?"
"It is."
The receptionist looked back at Kael.
Her expression was filled with disbelief.
"You..."
"Were part of the party?"
Kael nodded.
"Yes."
"And..."
She hesitated.
"The final blow?"
The Guild Master answered instead.
"He landed it."
The entire guild became quiet.
A veteran adventurer nearby nearly dropped his mug.
"...You're kidding."
"He's only been registered for..."
Someone quickly answered.
"Six days."
"What?"
"No way."
"I've been Bronze Rank for two years!"
Another adventurer laughed.
"Looks like we've got a monster rookie."
Kael immediately shook his head.
"It wasn't just me."
"The Guild Master and everyone else weakened it first."
The Guild Master nodded with approval.
"Good answer."
"He understands teamwork."
---
The receptionist disappeared into a room behind the counter.
Several minutes later...
She returned carrying a small wooden box.
Everyone inside the guild grew quiet.
Lyria smiled.
"I was wondering how long it would take."
The receptionist stood before Kael.
"Adventurer Kael Grey."
"Based on your completed quests, conduct, recommendations from the Guild Master, and your contribution during the goblin subjugation..."
She smiled warmly.
"...Congratulations."
"You are hereby promoted from **Iron Rank** to **Bronze Rank**."
The guild erupted into applause.
Several adventurers clapped.
Others whistled.
One older adventurer laughed loudly.
"The kid did it!"
The receptionist opened the wooden box.
Inside was a new bronze-colored adventurer's plate.
She handed it to Kael.
"Please replace your old guild tag."
Kael looked at the bronze plate for a few seconds before carefully taking it.
"...Thank you."
The receptionist smiled.
"You've also broken a record."
Kael blinked.
"A record?"
"The fastest promotion from Iron Rank to Bronze Rank in Greenwood Guild history."
The room became noisy again.
"No kidding?"
"Six days?"
"I needed almost eight months!"
"Same!"
One veteran adventurer laughed.
"I almost quit before getting promoted."
Lyria leaned on the counter with a grin.
"I told you."
"People have started talking about you."
Kael smiled awkwardly.
"I wasn't trying to break any records."
"I know."
She laughed softly.
"That's probably why you did."
---
Later that evening...
Most of the adventurers had already returned to their own tables.
Kael sat quietly near the window eating dinner.
Lyria approached carrying another bowl.
"You need more than that."
She placed it in front of him.
Kael looked up.
"...Again?"
"What?"
"You keep giving me free food."
She shrugged.
"You earned it."
Kael smiled.
"Thanks."
For a few moments, they simply ate in comfortable silence.
Finally Lyria spoke.
"You know..."
"What?"
"I don't think Bronze Rank will be your last promotion."
Kael looked down at the bronze plate hanging around his neck.
"I've still got a long way to go."
She nodded.
"You do."
"But..."
She smiled.
"I think you'll get there."
Kael chuckled.
"I hope so."
Outside the guild, the evening breeze carried the sounds of the lively village.
For the first time since leaving the orphanage, Kael felt that he had taken a genuine step forward.
He still had no magic.
He still had no aura.
His mysterious power remained asleep.
But through discipline, careful thinking, and years of training, he had earned the respect of the people around him.
It wasn't the end of his journey.
It was only the first milestone.
Far beyond Greenwood Village, however, the owner of the shattered black pendant received news of the goblin nest's destruction.
The hooded figure slowly lowered the letter and whispered,
"So... Kael Grey."
"We'll meet sooner than I expected."
A faint smile appeared beneath the hood as the fire in the room flickered.
The peaceful days in Greenwood were slowly coming to an end.