Chapter 12: "Into the Wilds"

The guild was buzzing with activity when Makoto and Justice returned, the air thick with the smell of sweat, metal, and something faintly acidic that made Makoto's nose wrinkle.

Demons of all shapes and sizes crowded around the mission board, jostling each other for better views. Some argued over contracts, while others sharpened weapons or counted stacks of glowing Infernal Shards.

Makoto hesitated by the door, his gaze darting nervously across the room. "Are we sure about this?"

Justice smirked, nudging him forward. "Come on, kid. You survived a Hellhound. This'll be a piece of cake."

"Why do I feel like your definition of 'piece of cake' is different from mine?" Makoto muttered, but he followed her inside.

As they approached the counter, Gorrik glanced up from his pile of contracts, his one eye narrowing slightly. "Back already? I didn't take you for the ambitious type, Justice."

Justice grinned, leaning casually against the counter. "What can I say? The kid's got potential. We're ready for another job."

Before Gorrik could respond, a voice cut in from behind them.

"Another job? Don't tell me you dragged the human back here for more punishment."

Makoto turned to see a demoness standing a few feet away, her arms crossed and a faint smirk playing on her lips. She had crimson skin, piercing green eyes, and long black hair that cascaded down her back in loose waves. A jagged scar ran across her right cheek, giving her an air of rugged confidence. She wore lightweight armor, the kind designed for speed rather than brute force, and a pair of curved daggers hung at her hips.

"Who's this?" Makoto asked, glancing nervously at Justice.

"This," Justice said, gesturing lazily, "is Serana. She's one of the best hunters in the guild—and one of the biggest pains in my ass."

Serana chuckled, stepping closer. "And you're still the laziest hunter I've ever met. What are you doing dragging a human into guild business, anyway? Looking to get him killed?"

Makoto flushed, waving his hands frantically. "I-I'm not trying to get killed! I'm just… trying to survive!"

Serana raised an eyebrow, her gaze sweeping over him. "You don't exactly look like a survivor."

Justice smirked, patting Makoto on the shoulder. "Don't underestimate him. He's got a weird kind of luck that keeps him alive. Most of the time, anyway."

Makoto sighed, slumping slightly. "You're not making me feel better…"

Gorrik cleared his throat, drawing their attention back to the counter. "If you're done with your reunion, I've got a contract you might be interested in." He reached under the counter, pulling out a scroll and unrolling it.

The parchment was worn and stained, but the writing was clear: a bounty on a creature called a Mirefang.

"Mirefang?" Makoto asked, tilting his head.

"Big, nasty, and lives in the swamps outside the city," Gorrik explained. "It's been attacking traders and scavengers. The pay's 70 Shards for its head."

Justice grinned. "Sounds fun. We'll take it."

"Wait, wait, wait," Makoto said, holding up his hands. "What do you mean 'we'? I don't even know what a Mirefang is!"

"It's like a giant snake with legs," Justice said, smirking. "And venom. Lots of venom."

Makoto paled. "That's supposed to make me feel better?!"

Serana laughed, stepping forward. "Tell you what, human. I'll tag along on this one—make sure you don't get eaten."

Makoto blinked. "Y-You'd do that?"

"Don't get the wrong idea," Serana said, her smirk sharpening. "I'm not doing it for you. I just want to see how long you last."

Makoto sighed. "Why does everyone keep saying that…?"

The swamps outside Vanth were nothing like the rocky wastelands Makoto had seen before. The ground was soft and uneven, sucking at his shoes with every step. Thick, gnarled trees rose from the muck, their twisted branches dripping with a glowing green slime. The air was humid and smelled of rot, making it hard to breathe.

"This place is awful," Makoto muttered, swatting at a buzzing insect the size of his hand.

Justice chuckled, walking ahead of him with her usual ease. "Come on, kid. Where's your sense of adventure?"

"Back in the guild," Makoto said flatly.

Serana, who was scouting a few feet ahead, smirked over her shoulder. "If you think this is bad, wait until you see the Mirefang."

Makoto groaned. "I was trying not to think about that…"

They found the Mirefang coiled around a massive tree, its dark green scales blending almost seamlessly with the swampy surroundings. The creature was enormous—easily twice the size of a car—with glowing yellow eyes and jagged spines running down its back.

Makoto froze, his heart pounding. "T-That's a Mirefang?!"

Justice grinned, cracking her knuckles. "Yep. Stay behind me, kid. Let the pros handle this."

Serana drew her daggers, her expression sharp and focused. "We'll keep it distracted. You look for an opening."

"An opening for what?!" Makoto squeaked, but the two demonesses were already moving.

Justice charged straight at the beast, dodging its snapping jaws and landing a powerful punch to its side. The Mirefang hissed, whipping its tail around, but Serana darted in and slashed at its flanks with her daggers, drawing black, oozing blood.

Makoto stumbled back, clutching the amulet under his shirt. His mind raced as he watched the fight, his fear growing with each passing second.

Suddenly, the Mirefang reared back, its spines glowing with an eerie green light. Makoto's eyes widened as he realized what was about to happen.

"Justice! Serana! Look out!" he shouted.

The creature unleashed a blast of venomous mist, the air around it shimmering with toxic energy. Justice and Serana jumped back, but the Mirefang's attention shifted to Makoto, its glowing eyes locking onto him.

Makoto froze as it lunged toward him, its jaws wide open.

Time seemed to slow as the amulet flared to life, its runes glowing brighter than ever. Makoto felt the heat surging through him, his hand moving instinctively to grip the artifact.

"Come on," he muttered, his voice trembling. "Work. Please work!"

A beam of crimson light erupted from the amulet, striking the Mirefang square in the chest. The force of the blast sent the creature flying backward, crashing into the swamp with a deafening splash.

Makoto stumbled, the energy fading as quickly as it had come. He looked down at the amulet, his chest heaving. "I… I did it?"

Justice whistled, walking over to the fallen creature. "Not bad, kid. You're getting the hang of this."

Serana sheathed her daggers, eyeing him curiously. "That was impressive. For a human."

Makoto flushed, scratching the back of his head. "I-I just got lucky…"

Justice smirked, ruffling his hair. "Maybe. But luck's a good thing to have down here."

To Be Continued…