The road stretched wide before them, a dirt path snaking around the outskirts of the capital. In the distance, the once-proud kingdom of Cavon lay in ruin—a husk of its former self. Crumbling walls and hollowed homes stood in stark contrast to the towering, fortified grandeur of Carnifex. Overhead, the sky hung a dull gray even in the golden hour before sundown, as if mourning what had been lost. Everything is destroyed.

  Stick flexed his left hand, inspecting the aftermath of the goblin shaman’s acid attack. The burn had mostly healed, thanks to the strange herb Gawain had given him. Only a rough patch of calloused skin remained, but it was leagues better than before.

  “Hey.” Hirohiro tugged Stick to the side, lowering his voice. He gestured subtly toward Gawain, who marched behind them, ever watchful. “You check his Status yet?”

  Stick hesitated, then opened his menu. A name appeared clearly: Gawain Moore. His breath hitched. Moore.

  “As in Shadis Moore?”

  Hirohiro met his gaze, reading his reaction. “Looks like he’s related.”

  Stick swallowed hard. “We keep this to ourselves.”

  “Obviously.”

  Gawain didn’t even turn around. “You two. Eyes forward.”

  They exchanged glances but complied, falling back into step. Despite his self-righteous air, Gawain was still just a squire—not yet knighted. And yet, as they moved deeper into the ruined outskirts of Cavon, something odd happened.

  The goblins stayed away.

  At first, Stick thought it was just luck. But as they pressed on, not a single goblin so much as glanced their way.

  “Are they scared of you?” Stick asked, half-joking.

  Gawain scoffed. “Why, certainly.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Hirohiro muttered. “Goblins don’t feel fear. They’re just programmed to avoid high-leveled players.”

  Gawain grunted but didn’t argue. Whether it was fear or some unseen game mechanic, the result was the same—the goblins kept their distance.

  Eventually, they arrived at a homestead, the only structure in the countryside that hadn’t fallen into disrepair. A wooden house, roof intact, stood firm against the surrounding wreckage.

  “Here,” Gawain said. “We rest.”

  Inside, the warmth of a burning hearth embraced them. Moving with practiced ease, Gawain gathered ingredients and prepared a meal, his eyes never leaving the group. Stick hadn’t even realized how hungry he was until the scent of roasted meat filled the room.

  His stomach growled. “I don’t think we’ve eaten all day.”

  “Then sit and eat,” Gawain said, setting down plates before them. The meal was simple but hearty—grilled meat, roasted tubers, and dense bread that had to be soaked in broth to be chewable. It was the best thing Stick had tasted in days.

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  As they ate, Gawain finally spoke. “I was not meant to be here.”

  Stick looked up. “What do you mean?”

  Gawain exhaled sharply. “I was to be knighted. To stand at Lord Blitz’s side as his sworn sword. And in time—” He straightened his posture. “Perhaps, even to wed his daughter, Lady Cassandra.”

  Stick choked on his food. “You what?”

  Big Man lowered his spoon. Hirohiro didn’t speak.

  Gawain tilted his chin up, his voice taking on a measured, noble tone. “A knight of House Blitz should wed a lady of House Blitz. And who, I ask you, would be more fitting than I?”

  Stick clenched his jaw. You have no idea, do you?

  “I was given the armor of my uncle.” Gawain’s gaze lingered on Big Man for a moment. “And I fled the slave camp alongside Lady Cassandra.”

  Stick’s grip on his spoon tightened. What?

  “And where is Cass—” He caught himself. “Lady Cassandra now?”

  “We were separated at the southern border.” Gawain’s expression darkened. “I fought off those Carnifex hounds with all my might so she could escape. There was nothing more I could do. I am but a mere squire after all.”

  Stick sat forward. “So she did escape Carnifex?”

  Gawain allowed himself a small, knowing smile. “Yes. And now I am here, in Cavon, to purge this land of filth.” He curled his fingers around his sword hilt. “The goblins fester like a disease. But I will cut them down.” His voice dropped, heavy with conviction. “Yet no matter how many I slay, more rise to take their place. A curse upon this kingdom.”

  Stick considered his words. Even as a LVL 24 [Knight], Gawain couldn’t do this alone.

  “Sounds like an inefficient grind,” Nakamura muttered.

  Gawain arched a brow. “Grind?”

  “It’s a waste of time,” Stick translated. “You’ll be here forever if you try to wipe them out alone.”

  Gawain huffed. “Then what do you suggest? Allow goblins to overrun what remains of Cavon? To let them defile the very soil where our kings once walked?”

  Before Stick could answer, a notification flickered into view.

  [Secret Quest Triggered: The First Step to Becoming a Sir]

  Stick blinked. “Huh?”

  Gawain’s smirk widened. “You were enslaved in the same camp as the Lords. As the Big Man. As me.” He leaned forward, his voice a low, commanding whisper. “Do you not think it fitting to avenge King Cavon? To reclaim the honor of House Blitz?”

  Stick skimmed the quest description. It stated that [Squire Moore] tasked him with eliminating three goblin camps in the northern [Goblin Steppes].

  “I can handle most of what they throw at me here around Cavon, but so many more are outside of my reach,” Gawain explained. “I can’t move too far away from here or this house will get demolished too. You, however, you’re capable of fighting.”

  “So we could help you clean up a bit?” Stick asked.

  Hirohiro frowned. “Wait, wait, wait. No way. You’re not seriously entertaining this, are you?”

  Stick pointed to the notification in front of him and Hirohiro leaned in.

  “What the—?” Hirohiro sounded bewildered. “Secret? This can’t be. Nonono…”

  It was clear that he had never seen this quest before. The rewards promised a [LVL-appropriate Armor piece] and a huge EXP reward. This was different. This was a real opportunity. A secret quest where no quest-givers remained.

  Gawain tapped his sword against the ground, as if marking the moment. “Aid me in purging the goblins in the North Strip, and I shall make you a Page of House Blitz.”

  Stick’s heart pounded. A Page. A step toward knighthood. A step towards being a hero!

  “What do you say?” he asked Hirohiro.

  “No. No way. We don’t know what this is.” Hirohiro groaned, rubbing his temples. “Besides, north? We can’t.”

  “Why not?”

  Big Man, who had been silent until now, folded his arms, chains jingling. “We’re not allowed to go to the North Strip.”

  “Says who?” Stick challenged.

  “Because it’s dangerous. And we don’t have time for this.” Hirohiro shut him down.

  “But wouldn’t it be faster than grinding goblins for weeks just to get stronger?” Stick countered. “We need to become stronger to survive the game. This is my chance.”

  Gawain, arms crossed, watched them bicker with amused patience. Finally, he spoke.

  “Well?” He extended his hand toward Stick, a smirk on his lips. “What say you, Page Stick?”

  Nakamura pinched the bridge of his nose. “This is a terrible idea.”

  But Stick was serious. The fire in his eyes didn’t waver.

  He took the first step toward becoming a knight the very next day.

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