Tsuyoshi Mukohda's journey continued peacefully. After finishing a job and traversing a lush forest accompanied by Fel, Sui, and Dora-chan, the group sensed a faint magical presence among the trees.
Upon approaching, they found an unconscious person lying on the grass. There were no visible wounds, but the enormous amount of magical power emanating from their body was impossible to ignore, even for Fel. No one knew who they were, where they came from, or what had happened to them.
Unable to abandon them, Mukohda decided to take them with him until they woke up. He prepared a comfortable spot by the camp, cooked something warm in case they regained consciousness, and as the group continued their journey, everyone remained alert, waiting for the moment when that mysterious person would finally open their eyes. The story begins in the port city of Berléand, a major harbor known for its abundant fishing and active maritime trade. Tsuyoshi Mukohda, accompanied by Fel, Sui, and Dora-chan, has just arrived after their journey and decides to spend a few days in the city before embarking toward their next destination.
However, the atmosphere in Berléand is not the usual one. Fishermen are worried because a huge sea monster has left the sea practically empty, affecting the fishing and the livelihood of the city. While Mukohda enjoys the local cuisine and accepts some guild commissions, destiny is about to cross his path with that of a mysterious person, starting a new adventure. The morning sun illuminated the calm waters surrounding the port city of Berléand. The constant flow of merchant ships, fishermen, and adventurers filled the port with life, although the atmosphere was far from usual. For several days, fishermen had been returning with nearly empty nets, and rumors about a huge sea monster inhabiting the nearby waters had spread throughout the city. In the taverns, sailors argued about the alleged kraken; some claimed to have seen its massive tentacles, while others preferred to believe they were just stories to justify the poor catch.
Far from worrying about the rumors, Tsuyoshi Mukohda walked calmly through the streets of Berléand accompanied by Fel, Sui, and Dora-chan. His main goal had remained the same since he arrived in this world: to eat well, travel without rush, and avoid trouble whenever possible.
—"Is it time to eat yet?" asked Fel with evident impatience as he sniffed the air.
—"Master, Sui is hungry too~" added Sui, bouncing happily next to Mukohda.
—"Me too! After that, we can go find a strong monster!" exclaimed Dora-chan, fluttering above their heads.
Mukohda let out a resigned smile.
—"We just had breakfast... How can you be hungry again so quickly?"
Fel snorted with pride.
—"That is because the food you prepare is never enough."
As the group walked through the market, the aroma of fresh fish, spices, and freshly baked bread filled the air. Merchants announced their products with enthusiasm, although many showed concern when speaking about the state of the sea. Some adventurers discussed the mission to eliminate the sea monster in front of the guild, while others preferred to wait for someone else to accept such a dangerous task.
In a secluded corner of the port, several sailors pointed toward the horizon with tense expressions.
—"If that monster stays there, no one will be able to go out fishing..."
—"The losses are growing higher and higher..."
—"They say even some high-ranking adventurers have turned down the commission."
Fel barely paid attention to those conversations.
—"If there really is a strong monster, it would be a waste of time to ignore it."
Mukohda sighed, knowing perfectly well where that conversation would eventually lead them.
However, destiny had another surprise in store.
While the sea breeze moved through the port and seagulls flew over the clear sky, a strange event began to unfold near the docks. Several people stopped their activities and turned their gaze toward the sea, where something seemed to be approaching slowly, pushed by the tide.
No one knew what it was yet, but that unexpected appearance was about to change the peaceful journey of Mukohda and his companions.
