The Chronicles Of Rhaxtyx

*Fwoom!*

A Firebolt exploded at the head of a bear. It fell over with a scream and twitched for a final time. This was Maned Bear. Like the name suggests, this specific magical beast was born from bears and they had a mane. The color changed according to the climate these beasts live. This particular one had a black mane and its fur was brown. It's a tough beast and even a group of 15 adventurers had trouble dealing with it. But a frail looking youth with brown hair and black eyes came out of the nearby bushes and heaved a sigh.

"Today's hunt is finished already. Oi! Little Bastard! Help drag this bear back to the city!"

*Scree*

"Stop complaining and grab it! It is a quest with a nice reward!"

*Grr!*

"Oh, shut up! Baring your teeth at me will solve nothing. You want to eat nice food, right? If so grab it and help me drag it to the city! Or we cannot even afford to stay anywhere tonight!"

*Chomp*

"Ow! You bastard! Why the hell did you bite me for!?"

He argued with an animal that looked like a skunk. But it was not as small as one and this wild animal looked much more intelligent than any other. Boy kept yelling at it while dragging the Maned Bear towards the nearby city.

This city was called Leilo and it was a more military oriented place. It was one of the cities where Herron Kingdom's military was trained. There was a big forest near with a high number of magical beasts and it was near the border with what the people of the kingdom called Dynasties. Kingdom was about to go into war with this country and that's why tension was high all over the kingdom, especially in this city.

The boy dragged the bear through the city gate under the questioning gazes of the guards but he was already used to these kinds of gazes. The children here were curious and pointed towards him but their mothers would grab them and drag them elsewhere. Boy was a newcomer to this city and he recently registered as an adventurer. This Maned Bear was a target of a quest with a fairly good reward.

He dragged the bear inside the adventurer guild and gathered the gazes of other adventurers. He did not mind them and approached the front desk where there was a receptionist stationed. He dropped the beasts head to the ground, which resulted with a loud thud, and knocked on the desk to draw the attention of the receptionist.

"Hello miss receptionist. I'm here to turn in a quest."

"Good day sir, right away. What is your name?"

"Rax."

"Let's see... Aha. The Maned Bear subjugation. And by the looks of it, it is safe to assume that it was successful. The reward is... 5 silver pieces. Here you go."

"I wish to sell the materials as well."

"I see. Then come again tomorrow and ask about it using this paper. A price will be estimated by noon."

"Thank you."

He exited the guild while folding the paper he received from the receptionist and put it in his pocket. Afterwards he went towards the tavern he was staying at. It was a 2-story building and generally one of the 3 drinking places in the whole city. He pushed the door and walked towards the bar. The innkeeper was attending another customer. He saw Rax and indicated for him to wait with his finger.

This was the first tavern Rax came in this city and decided to stay here since he liked the atmosphere here. Of course, there were hotels in the city or other places he could stay but he liked to drink as well so he wanted to be close to his bed just in case. Shortly after he sat on one of the stools the innkeeper turned to him. He was nearly 70 but he had the energy that of 20-year old's could have in his body. He was hyper active and despite his old body he continued to act young.

"Oh welcome back son. How's yer day?"

"Not bad actually old man. Subjugated another one of those damned magical beasts. Seriously don't know why but their numbers started to increase lately."

"Yeah 'eard it too. Now ye be careful when yer out there. Ye never know what'll happen when."

"Sure thing old man."

"So, the usual?"

"You know it."

"How 'bout this little fella?"

"Just leave him. That bastard ate almost everything we hunted today. Almost ate the magical beast too."

"That's one hungry creature and aggressive too. Hope it won't die."

"Looking forward to it."

With a laugh the innkeeper went towards the back section and told the order. Then he poured a root beer for Rax. While Rax drank his beer, he talked to the other people here. Most were just soldiers that finished their shifts but there were adventurers too. There was a bard playing her lute and singing a song about the gods of this world, telling the story of their biggest battle in history.

Soon after his meal came too. He enjoyed his food whilst talking and singing. He had fun until sky turned dark. He was drunk because of all the beer he drank so one of the waiters helped him to his room. This waiter was one of the people that helped Rax when he arrived Leilo. That's why Rax thought of this person as family rather than friend.

As they entered Rax's room they heard a thud coming from the next room. That person was always like that. Rax inquired about them but all he could learn was that that person was a he. His neighbor was clouded in mystery and this made Rax more curious. With the courage that alcohol gave he decided it was time they talked. Not only because Rax was curious about him no. It was also because his neighbor was loud at night as well. Yelling and hitting the walls. Rax had it enough but as he moved towards, he was stopped by his helper.

"No, Rax. You should not mess with that person."

"Why the hell not? Huh? He's going to *hick* kill me or somethngnf."

"You can't even speak properly and you want to meet him? You should go to bed."

"SH*T! Not again!" (Neighbor)

"ENOufh. I mm goin tu..." (Enough. I am going to...)

"Yes. Enough indeed. You ought to go to bed this instant."

Thus, Rax was carried to his bed. Waiter tucked him to bed and left the room. Rax woke up nearly at noon. He had a hangover and his throat was as dry as a desert. He was fortunate to find a glass of water with a note underneath that read: Do not drink too much next time. It is already hard to take care of you when you are sober.

It was from the waiter that took care of him the night before. Rax have a wry smile and drank the water in one gulp. He then proceeded to wash his face and going downstairs to have a late breakfast. Innkeeper was there smoking his pipe while some waiters wiped the floor and some tables. When they saw Rax they all greeted him and continued their work.

Innkeeper yelled to the kitchen to prepare breakfast and brewed a cup of coffee to Rax.

"Ye don't look good kid. Drank too much? Hahaha!"

"Yeah you keep laughing old man. You're not the one who's going to have trouble today."

"Drink. It'll reduce the hangover. 'Eard dear Sam tucked ye in. Felt good?"

"You know I don't see her like that! Plus she's sort of out of my league anyway."

"Oh ye poor soul. Breakfast's on the way."

"Thanks."

After he ate his breakfast, Rax started to stroll around the city. Town criers told people various news. Like how Dynasties pushed on into the border and about the demon that kingdom still searched. He did not forget that he had to go to the guild by noon so he went to the market and window shopped his morning. He visited various stalls and played some games like find the pebble. Of course lady luck was not on his side.

He unknowingly came in front of the guild around noon. He was surprised by this but he usually thought about doing something too much that his body unconsciously did it. This was one of those times. Without thinking about it he entered the guild and went towards the front desk. There was a young man there and there was also a line.

Waiting for ten or so minutes, his turn has finally come. He took the paper he was given the previous day and approached the receptionist.

"Greetings. I'm here for my request from yesterday. I subjugated a Maned Bear and requested that it's materials to be sold. This paper was given."

"Good day sir. Let me check real quick. Mr. Rax... Let's see."

"I was said a price would be estimated by this time?"

"Yes. And it looks like it is already done. A buyer was found pretty quickly. They requested the core and the fur as well as its organs. Another requested its tendons and bones. This would come up to the price of 15 silver pieces after fees. Here you go sir."

"15!? That was a Maned Bear for god's sake! Even veterans have a hard time against it. How come it went for that low of a price!?"

"Sir I'm sorry but the guild has no say in this matter. The buyer bids and after the allocated time, guild accepts the highest price."

"I know I know. My words are not for you. Sheesh! These ungrateful bastards. They really don't care about our feelings, right?"

"I'm not the one to know that sir. Here's your 15 silver pieces."

"Thanks. Have a nice day."

"Thank you sir. You too."

Rax left with frustration. While he walked through the streets, he had nothing to do so he was bored. Therefore, he went around the city a couple of times. While he was passing by an alley at afternoon, his eyes caught something suspicious. A shadow passed by. Losing to his curiosity, he followed that shadow. He followed until he entered a dead end. While scratching his head and wondering what was that, he felt something cold on his back. After one or two seconds, something warm began to spread on his back and on his c.h.e.s.t. When he looked, he saw a silver blade poking out of where his heart would be.

The owner of the blade took it out and Rax fell to the ground. The last thing he saw was his killer's foot going away. And with that, his world turned into darkness.