A sunbeam, piercing through the dusty windowpane, slid across the wooden floor of Kyle's room, tracing a lazy amber path. Dust motes, like tiny fireflies, danced in its light, a reminder of the boisterous night before, echoing somewhere below in the heart of the "Merry Goblin."

  Kyle himself lay motionless on his narrow cot, covered by a well-worn, patched blanket. His tousled chestnut hair was scattered across the pillow, and his gray eyes were open, staring blankly at the ceiling. For him, dawn brought no awakening, only a change of scenery in the endless flow of timelessness.

  The lingering scent of yesterday's ale and roasted meat, still hanging in the air, mingled with the aroma of cheap soap and old wood. From below came the muffled sounds of the day beginning: the clinking of dishes, someone's hoarse voices, the lazy purring of the tavern cat.

  On the rickety bedside table lay a few copper coins, dropped there yesterday after completing a quest, and a worn map of the surrounding area, covered in notes from other adventurers. His simple clothes hung carelessly over the back of a chair, ready to once again conceal his true nature beneath the guise of an ordinary traveler.

  Suddenly, a louder sound reached his ears – heavy footsteps on the stairs and a grumbling murmur. "That Gimli again, up early..." Kyle thought, a wry smile playing on his lips. The dwarf was probably already demanding his morning mug of strong ale.

  Descending the creaking stairs of the "Merry Goblin," Kyle saw Gimli still sitting at the bar, gloomily staring into a mug with the dregs of ale. Dex and the others were not yet visible.

  "Good morning, Gimli," Kyle greeted, trying to sound sleepy.

  The dwarf grunted in response, not taking his eyes off his mug. "Good morning, if it can even be called good."

  "Something happen?" Kyle inquired, sitting down on the adjacent stool.

  "Dex gave orders," Gimli grumbled, finally turning his disgruntled face to Kyle. "Told me to go see Borin. Says after yesterday's bloodbath, it wouldn't hurt to replenish the stock of healing potions and other such nonsense."

  Kyle nodded, pretending to understand Dex's concern. Yesterday's fight had indeed been intense, although he personally had no need for any potions.

  "So," Gimli continued, letting out a heavy sigh, "I'll have to drag myself to that 'Odds and Ends' shop. You're just lazing around anyway, so you go. Stretch your skinny legs while you're at it."

  Kyle feigned slight bewilderment. "Me? Why not someone else?"

  "Because Dex is probably already playing the hero in front of Ellariel, and Zara... Zara is probably still snoozing or already sniffing out trouble somewhere. So go on, nothing to sit around here for." There was an unwavering certainty in Gimli's voice that Kyle was the one who should carry out this errand.

  Sighing, Kyle stood up. "Alright, alright. I'll go see this Borin of yours."

  Leaving the "Merry Goblin," Kyle strolled leisurely towards the Trade Quarter. The morning sun bathed the streets of Acreon in a warm light, and the city was gradually waking up. Merchants with carts laden with goods bustled past, vendors called out the names of fresh pastries and fruits.

  The smell of freshly baked bread hit his nose, mingling with the aroma of roasted meat and sweet pies. At one of the stalls, decorated with bunches of fragrant herbs, a rosy-cheeked woman was briskly trading. Savory meat and vegetable pies steamed invitingly on her counter.

  Kyle stopped, drawn by the aroma. "One with meat, please," he asked, holding out a few copper coins.

  The woman smiled and handed him a hot pie wrapped in a sheet of parchment. Kyle pretended to inhale the aroma with delight and took a small bite, feigning pleasure.

  "Mmm, smells truly delicious," he thought, feeling the warmth of the pastry in his hands. "It's almost a shame I don't need this at all. Although, on the other hand, no problems with digestion or finding food. There are definitely advantages to that."

  Finishing the pie, he thanked the vendor and continued on his way. The bustling Trade Quarter greeted him with a colorful crowd and a variety of goods. Here, one could find anything from exotic fabrics and glittering jewels to rough camping gear and magical amulets. Borin's "Odds and Ends" shop turned out to be a small but cozy establishment, filled with shelves crammed with all sorts of items. Behind the counter stood a good-natured man with a thick, graying beard – Borin Stonehand.

  "Good morning, Borin," Kyle greeted, stepping inside.

  "Ah, Kyle! Haven't seen you in a while. What brings you to my humble abode?" the merchant replied, wiping some ancient compass with a cloth.

  "Dex asked me to stop by, we need to replenish some supplies after yesterday's outing..."

  "Ah, I see," Borin drawled, nodding. "After an encounter with a horned one, there's always something to heal. What exactly do you need?"

  "Dex asked for three minor healing potions," Kyle replied, trying to recall Gimli's instructions.

  Borin deftly retrieved three small vials filled with a greenish liquid from a shelf. "Five silver each. A classic."

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  "One potion of enhancement," Kyle continued. "That'll probably come in handy for Dex too, to carry his armor better or flex his muscles."

  Borin chuckled, taking out a vial of golden liquid. "Good stuff, gives you vigor and strength for a while. That'll be eight silver."

  Kyle nodded. "And also, I'll take five pouches of concentrated blood. You never know what might happen in battle." He knew these pouches could be useful for creating the appearance of wounds if the situation got out of hand and he needed to feign weakness more convincingly.

  Borin grunted understandingly. "Wise words, adventurer. Safety first." He took out small leather pouches filled with a dark, thick liquid. "Three copper each."

  Then Kyle glanced at the shelves with various useful trinkets. His gaze fell on a small, dimly glowing stone. "And I'll also take a night vision stone. You never know when you might have to descend into dark caves."

  Borin picked up the stone. "Good choice. Five copper."

  He put all the purchases into a pouch. "So, fifteen silver for the healing potions, eight for the enhancement, fifteen copper for the blood, and five copper for the stone. That comes to twenty-three silver and twenty copper."

  Kyle paid, took the pouch, and said goodbye to Borin. Leaving the shop, he headed back towards the Guild. Buying the pouches of blood was a sensible precaution. In his position, it was better to have the means to convincingly simulate injuries on hand than to rely on chance.

  With these thoughts, Kyle quickened his pace, heading towards the Guild, where his companions awaited him.

  When Kyle returned to the Guild, the others were already waiting for him. Dex was pacing the hall, tapping his fingers on the hilt of his sword, Ellariel was thoughtfully studying a map on the wall, and Gimli was sitting on a bench, looking disgruntledly at the door. Zara, as usual, was chatting animatedly with some other adventurer, but, noticing Kyle, she approached the others.

  "Well, finally, the mailman!" Dex quipped. "What happened at Borin's, did the whole shop burn down while you were gone?"

  Kyle ignored his jab, holding out the pouch. "Here, everything you asked for."

  Before Dex could even peek inside, the Guild's portly female secretary rushed towards them, out of breath and holding a parchment scroll. Her usually rosy face was flustered.

  "Adventurers! Urgent matter!" she blurted out, addressing the whole group. "The village of Old Mill, a couple of hours' ride from the city, has been attacked by goblins! A large-scale attack, the residents are panicking, there are wounded!"

  She caught her breath and continued, "All experienced squads are already on other assignments. You're the only ones currently free and able to set out immediately! The Guild Master has ordered you to deal with this problem as soon as possible!"

  The secretary handed the scroll to Dex. "Here are the details. The residents report a large number of goblins and even some kind of leader among them. The reward for completing the task is two hundred gold and the gratitude of the villagers."

  Dex smirked smugly, taking the scroll. "Excellent! This is our chance to show what we're made of! Goblins are no Minotaur, of course, but still a good warm-up for true heroes!" He glanced at the others. "We're leaving immediately!"

  Zara rubbed her hands together with anticipation. "Goblins... hopefully there will be something to loot."

  Ellariel nodded with a serious expression. "We need to hurry. If there are wounded, every minute counts."

  Gimli grunted, getting up from the bench. "Goblins, eh... well, at least I'll get to swing my axe."

  All eyes involuntarily turned to Kyle. He stood slightly apart, as usual, trying not to attract attention.

  "Kyle, you alright?" Ellariel asked, noticing his silence.

  Kyle feigned slight anxiety. "Goblins... is it dangerous?" he asked in a timid voice, trying to appear uncertain.

  Dex snorted. "Dangerous? Of course, it's dangerous! But for heroes like us, it's just a little adventure! Just don't fall behind and stick to our backs!"

  Kyle nodded guiltily. "Alright, Dex."

  Inside, however, Kyle felt absolute calm. Goblins... another obstacle on the path to preserving his secret. But at the same time – an opportunity to observe his companions in battle and perhaps even "help" a little without revealing his true strength.

  Preparations were quick. Each adventurer knew their role. Dex checked the sharpness of his sword, Zara counted her daggers, Ellariel strung her bow, and Gimli lovingly examined his battle-axe. Kyle merely adjusted his worn bag, trying not to get in the way of the others.

  Soon, the group left noisy Acreon through the north gate. The road to Old Mill led through picturesque fields and groves. Dex, as usual, walked ahead, recounting his past "heroic" battles (embellished, of course). Zara teased him, Ellariel maintained a calm expression, Gimli grumbled about the heat, and Kyle silently followed them, observing the surrounding world.

  After about an hour and a half of travel, smoke appeared in the distance. The closer they got, the clearer the sounds became: shrill cries, the clanging of metal, and desperate wails. The smell of burning grew stronger.

  When the group reached the edge of the forest, a horrifying scene unfolded before them. The village of Old Mill was ablaze. Several wooden houses had already turned into raging bonfires, flames greedily licking the blackened walls. Terrified residents darted through the streets, trying to escape the hordes of vile green-skinned goblins who were looting and setting fire to everything in their path. Some goblins were dragging screaming peasants behind them.

  In the center of the village, near the dilapidated mill, stood a larger figure. The goblin was taller and stronger than his kin, dressed in a semblance of leather armor adorned with bones, and he clutched a crooked, bloodied sword in his hands. His malicious red eyes burned with triumph.

  "There he is, the leader!" Dex growled, tightening his grip on his sword hilt. "Forward! Let's show these vermin what real heroes are made of!"

  The group rushed forward, ready to engage in battle. Ellariel had already drawn an arrow, Zara had unsheathed her daggers, Gimli swung his axe with a battle cry. Kyle followed them, trying to stay in the shadow of his more conspicuous companions.

  But suddenly, before they could close in on the goblins, the ground beneath Kyle's feet trembled. From under the earth, tearing through the paving stones, bony hands began to emerge. Dozens, hundreds of skeletons in tattered clothes rose from the graves, surrounding the village and cutting off the adventurers' path of retreat. Their empty eye sockets glowed ominously in the flickering firelight.

  The goblin leader let out a piercing shriek, pointing his crooked sword at the newly arrived undead army. The goblins seemed just as stunned as the adventurers.

  A sinister figure in a black robe appeared above the skeletons. No face was visible, only two glowing red dots within the hood. In his raised hand, he held a staff topped with a skull.

  "What the hell?!" Dex muttered, staring in horror at the rising undead. "Where did they come from?!"

  Ellariel lowered her bow, her usually calm face showing extreme concern. "That's... a necromancer!"

  Gimli cursed, gripping his axe tighter. "This is more than just goblins..."

  Zara took a step back, her usually cocky grin gone. "We're in deep trouble."

  Kyle stood frozen, his gray eyes widening in surprise. A strange feeling welled up inside him... not fear, but rather... recognition? Something about this sinister figure seemed vaguely familiar to him.

  The necromancer raised his staff, and with a guttural scraping sound, the skeletons moved towards the adventurers and the remaining living villagers.