Halochassis

“Why did you have to invite me on your honeymoon?”

Those were the very first words Croft blurted out the moment she spotted Lireina and Shin waiting in front of the teleportation circles at the bustling city center. Even from a distance, the pair looked every bit like a newlywed couple heading off on a romantic getaway, making Croft wrinkle her nose in mock disgust.

Lireina wore a flowing white summer dress that danced gently in the warm breeze. A wide-brimmed white hat shaded her face from the golden sunlight, while ribbons fluttered softly behind her with every movement. Beside her stood Shin, dressed in an expensive tropical beach shirt patterned with bright blue flowers and a pair of neatly pressed shorts. His polished sandals and relaxed smile completed the picture, making the two look as though they had stepped straight out of a travel brochure.

“Jeez, I told you before, Croft.” Lireina let out an exasperated sigh, though an amused smile tugged at her lips. “It’s not a honeymoon. It’s a vacation.”

“Lena told me you’ve been overworking yourself for the past week,” Shin said gently. He stepped closer until only Croft could hear him and lowered his voice to a whisper. “Honestly... she’s really worried about you. We both are. Even if it’s just for three days, you deserve a break.”

Croft looked away without answering immediately.

Ever since her father died, she had practically locked herself inside her office, leaving only when absolute necessity demanded it. Day after day, she buried herself beneath towering stacks of reports, maps, witness statements, and intelligence files, often working sixteen hours straight beneath the dim glow of oil lamps until her eyes stung from exhaustion. Coffee had long replaced proper meals, and sleep had become little more than an inconvenience she reluctantly tolerated.

She had made a promise to herself beside her father’s grave. She would dedicate the rest of her life to hunting down the Iron Bandits. Whether it meant recovering the stolen Halochassis or dragging every last murderer responsible for her father’s death before the law, she refused to stop until justice had been served. Every lead, no matter how insignificant, became something she pursued relentlessly.

Unfortunately, determination alone could not create evidence.

After days of investigation, all she had managed to uncover was a single frustrating fact: the Iron Bandits were believed to have established a headquarters somewhere within the sprawling slums of Luminous City. Beyond that vague clue, every trail had gone cold, disappearing into a maze of false identities, bribed informants, and carefully erased records. The lack of progress gnawed at her patience more than she cared to admit.

Croft released a slow, weary sigh that seemed to carry the weight of the past several weeks. She dropped her travel bag onto the stone pavement with a dull thud before rubbing the bridge of her nose.

“Fine. Fine,” she muttered. “I can be your chaperone... or your third wheel, you damn lovebirds.”

“That’s great, Croft!” Lireina exclaimed, clapping her hands together with genuine excitement. Her bright smile practically glowed beneath the afternoon sun. “Come on! Let’s get going before the beach gets crowded.”

The three of them picked up their luggage and made their way toward one of the enormous white circles embedded into the polished stone plaza. Intricate silver runes shimmered faintly across its surface, pulsing like a heartbeat as streams of magical energy flowed beneath the engraved patterns. The air around the platform hummed softly with arcane power, and every few moments another flash of light signaled the arrival or departure of travelers.

These teleportation circles connected the major villages of Empyrea, allowing adventurers to cross hundreds of kilometers in the blink of an eye.

Since Shin was not an adventurer and lacked the ability to synchronize with the teleportation network on his own, Lireina reached over and intertwined her fingers with his. He squeezed her hand instinctively, smiling as she gave him a reassuring nod.

“Destination: West Cape Village,” Lireina announced.

The runes blazed brilliantly.

A wave of radiant white light surged upward, swallowing their figures whole. The familiar sensation washed over them—a brief feeling of weightlessness, as though the ground had vanished beneath their feet, followed by a strange tug that seemed to stretch both body and soul through space itself. The sounds of the city faded into silence before everything dissolved into pure white.

An instant later, the light disappeared.

The three opened their eyes to find themselves standing within another teleportation circle beneath the shadow of West Cape Village’s towering clock tower. The salty scent of the nearby ocean immediately greeted them, mingling with the aroma of freshly baked bread drifting from nearby bakeries. A cool sea breeze brushed against their faces, carrying the distant cries of gulls and the rhythmic crashing of waves somewhere beyond the village.

Unlike the towering architecture of the capital, West Cape Village felt warm and welcoming. Most of its brick buildings stood only two or three stories tall, their terracotta roofs glowing beneath the afternoon sun. Colorful flower boxes decorated open windows, while narrow cobblestone streets wound between lively shops, cafés, and inns built to accommodate passing adventurers.

The village square buzzed with life.

Merchants from neighboring nations spread vibrant blankets across the ground, displaying handcrafted jewelry, polished weapons, exotic spices, seashell ornaments, and freshly harvested fruits. Customers haggled cheerfully over prices while children darted through the crowd laughing. Adventurers in leather armor and gleaming breastplates gathered around quest boards or finished last-minute preparations before heading toward the wilderness. The constant chatter of dozens of conversations blended with the clatter of wagon wheels and the ringing of the clock tower bells overhead, creating an atmosphere that felt energetic yet strangely comforting.

Shin unfolded a detailed map and carefully studied it. Knowing Lireina’s tendency to rely on instinct more than actual directions, he also pulled out a brass compass from his pocket before orienting himself.

“The West Cape Beach is about one and a half kilometers from here,” Shin said after checking both the map and compass. “I read that there’s a carriage service that can take us there in just a few minutes.”

Lireina shook her head almost immediately.

“I’d rather walk,” she said, smiling as another cool ocean breeze lifted the brim of her hat. 

She took a deep breath, savoring the fresh salt air filling her lungs before looking down the sunlit road leading toward the coast.

“I want to enjoy the scenery and savor the moment.” She turned toward Croft with a playful smile. “How about you?”

“I’m fine either way,” Croft replied with a slight shrug, her voice carrying the same detached indifference she had worn since the trip began. Whether they walked beneath the sun or rode comfortably in a carriage seemed to make little difference to her. Her attention wandered elsewhere, lost among thoughts she refused to share.

“Walk it is, then,” Shin said with a cheerful nod.

Leaving the village behind, the three followed the wide main road that stretched toward the distant coastline. The path was alive with activity. Horse-drawn carriages rumbled past every few minutes, their wooden wheels creaking over the packed earth while horses snorted and flicked their tails against the occasional fly. Most travelers, however, chose to walk. Adventurers carrying polished swords, heavy backpacks, and colorful cloaks chatted excitedly as they made their way to quests along the coast, their laughter blending with the rhythmic crunch of boots against the road.

Unlike Croft, who walked quietly at the rear of the group, Shin and Lireina eagerly took in every new sight around them.

Rows of banana trees lined portions of the road, their enormous emerald leaves swaying lazily beneath the gentle morning breeze. Mango trees stood proudly beside them, their thick branches heavy with clusters of ripening fruit that filled the air with a faint, sweet fragrance. Birds perched among the branches, filling the countryside with cheerful songs that echoed across the open fields.

As they traveled farther from the village, the scenery gradually transformed.

Tall coconut palms replaced the fruit trees, their slender trunks bending gracefully toward the sea as their leaves rustled overhead. The road itself changed beneath their feet. The dark grassy soil slowly gave way to pale yellow coral sediment that crunched softly with every step, its sunlit surface reflecting a warm golden glow. The air grew lighter and cooler, carrying with it the unmistakable scent of saltwater.

Moments later, a refreshing sea breeze washed over them.

It brushed gently across their faces and carried the distant sound of rolling waves breaking against the shore. Lireina closed her eyes for a moment, breathing deeply before a bright grin spread across her face. Unable to contain her excitement, she suddenly sprinted ahead, laughing like a carefree child finally released from school.

“Hey, hey, Shin!” she called, pointing excitedly toward one of the towering coconut trees growing beside the road. “Should we get one of those coconuts? I can shoot it down!”

Shin followed her finger before letting out a nervous chuckle.

“I think that’s... probably a bad idea.”

“Wrong answer!” Lireina declared triumphantly. “I can shoot it!”

Before either of them could stop her, she smoothly drew her pistol from its holster. The polished firearm gleamed beneath the morning sun as she aimed upward with practiced precision. A sharp crack shattered the peaceful air, sending startled birds fluttering into the sky.

The bullet struck the coconut’s stem cleanly.

The fruit dropped from the tree with a heavy thud, bouncing once across the sandy roadside before coming to rest. Lireina hurried over, retrieved it, and pulled out her distinctive elven hunting knife. With a few swift, practiced cuts, she sliced away the top of the shell until a small opening appeared. Crystal-clear coconut water shimmered inside, cool droplets clinging to the freshly cut edge.

She lifted it to her lips and took a long drink.

The sweet, chilled liquid washed away the heat of the walk, and she released a satisfied sigh that sounded almost musical.

“Ahh... that’s so refreshing!” she said with sparkling eyes. She extended the coconut toward Croft with an encouraging smile. “Here, you should try it.”

Croft barely glanced at it before shaking her head.

“I’m not really thirsty, Lena. Sorry.”

Her response came in the same flat, emotionless tone as before.

Lireina’s smile faded ever so slightly.

For just a brief moment, disappointment crossed her face before she looked toward Shin instead.

“How about you?” she asked, offering him the coconut.

“Thank you,” Shin replied gratefully as he accepted it. “I was actually starting to get thirsty after walking this far.”

He took several generous gulps, the cool sweetness immediately easing the dryness in his throat.

“This is really good,” he said with a smile, handing it back.

Lireina smiled again, though a small part of her attention remained fixed on Croft, whose distant expression had not changed in the slightest.

They continued walking together until the road finally opened onto the coastline.

Before them stretched a breathtaking expanse of brilliant white sand that sparkled beneath the morning sunlight like crushed pearls. The turquoise sea shimmered endlessly beneath the cloudless blue sky, while gentle waves rolled lazily onto the shore with a soothing, rhythmic whisper. Seagulls circled overhead, their cries mingling with the sound of the surf, and the salty breeze carried the refreshing scent of the open ocean.

Only a handful of visitors occupied the beach at this early hour. A few families strolled along the shoreline while several adventurers relaxed beneath rented umbrellas after returning from nearby quests. The peaceful atmosphere contrasted sharply with what the beach would become later in the day. Being a weekend, everyone knew the shoreline would eventually fill with vacationers, children building sandcastles, and travelers escaping the summer heat.

Lireina suddenly slipped her arm around Croft’s and flashed Shin a mischievous wink.

“We’re going to change into our swimsuits,” she teased. “Don’t even think about peeking, or I’ll kick your face~”

“Alright, alright,” Shin replied with an embarrassed laugh, scratching the back of his head. “I’ll stay right here.”

“Come on, Croft.”

Before Croft could protest, Lireina gently pulled her toward a nearby wooden hut designated as the women’s changing room.

Inside, the cool shade provided welcome relief from the growing heat outside. Sunlight filtered through narrow wooden slats in the walls, painting soft golden stripes across the floorboards. The faint scent of seawater mixed with fresh soap and sunscreen lingered in the air as several women quietly changed into colorful swimsuits while chatting among themselves.

There were only a handful of people inside, making the room pleasantly calm.

Lireina began changing without hesitation, neatly folding each piece of clothing before setting it aside. Seeing no reason to delay, Croft quietly followed suit, removing her travel clothes with the same mechanical efficiency she seemed to apply to everything else.

As Lireina unclasped her bra and reached for her swimsuit, she glanced sideways at Croft.

“Are you not enjoying yourself, Croft?” she asked softly, genuine concern replacing her usual playful tone.

“Huh? I...” Croft hesitated, lowering her gaze to the wooden floor. Her shoulders slumped as though the weight she had been carrying since her father’s death had suddenly become too heavy to hide. “It’s... hard to enjoy myself after everything that’s happened.” She let out a quiet breath before offering a faint, apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, Lena.”

“I understand,” Lireina replied with a bittersweet smile. Her cheerful expression softened, revealing a sadness she had carefully concealed throughout the journey. “Honestly... I’m finding it hard to enjoy this too.”

The confession lingered in the quiet changing room.

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke. Outside, the muffled laughter of children drifted in through the wooden walls, accompanied by the rhythmic crashing of waves against the shore and the distant cries of seagulls circling overhead. The carefree sounds of the beach felt strangely distant, as though they belonged to another world entirely.

Croft’s suspicions were confirmed.

From the moment they had left the capital, she had suspected Lireina’s endless smiles and playful antics were little more than a carefully maintained facade. Every laugh had sounded just a little too forced, every joke delivered with just a hint of desperation. Now, with Shin waiting outside and no longer watching her, the mask finally slipped.

Croft noticed Lireina’s hands trembling.

The shaking was subtle at first—barely noticeable—but it gradually became more pronounced as Lireina wrapped her arms around herself, trying unsuccessfully to steady her breathing. Even though the room was comfortably warm, she looked as though an invisible chill had settled deep within her.

Croft understood why.

Anyone who had witnessed what Lireina had endured would understand.

Three of Lireina’s closest friends had been slaughtered by the Halochassis. Their deaths had not been quick or merciful but horrifyingly brutal, leaving scars that no amount of time could easily erase. Those memories haunted every quiet moment, returning uninvited whenever the laughter stopped and silence crept in.

And worse still...

The nightmare was far from over.

The Halochassis were still out there.

The Iron Bandits were still operating in the shadows.

Every passing day carried the possibility that another attack could happen without warning.

Lireina knew it. Croft knew it.

No matter how brightly the sun shone outside or how beautiful the beach appeared, that fear lingered beneath every smile.

Lireina hugged herself tighter, her fingers digging into her arms as she struggled to steady the trembling.

“I...” Her voice quivered before she managed to continue. “I just wanted to enjoy today... even if it’s only for a little while.” She swallowed hard, blinking away the tears threatening to form. “I’ve been so scared... I keep thinking about what those Halochassis might do next.”

She looked down at the floor, unable to meet Croft’s eyes.

“It’s not just me anymore,” she whispered. “You... and Shin... you’re both in danger too. Every time I think about it, I wonder if they’ll come after us next.”

“Lena...”

Croft stepped closer.

Though she wasn’t particularly good at comforting people, she couldn’t simply stand there and watch her friend silently fall apart. She gently reached out and placed a reassuring hand over Lireina’s trembling one. Her touch was firm, warm, and steady—the complete opposite of the fear coursing through Lireina’s body.

Croft managed a small smile. It wasn’t the confident grin of someone who had all the answers, but the quiet smile of someone making a promise she intended to keep.

“I’ll get to the bottom of this,” she said, her voice calm but unwavering. “No matter how long it takes.”

Her eyes hardened with quiet determination.

“I’ll uncover the truth behind everything. I’ll find every member of the Iron Bandits responsible for this... and I’ll make sure the Halochassis never hurt anyone again.”

The conviction in her voice left no room for doubt.

“They’ll pay.”