Lilia, a renowned demon hunter, decided to visit the Adventurers' Guild in the bustling city after working solo for a long time. With purposeful strides, she entered the busy building where various adventurers gathered, exchanged stories, and sought new missions.
At the reception desk, a young woman with brown hair and thick glasses was managing a stack of documents. Lilia approached her with a friendly smile.
“Good morning,” Lilia greeted. “I’m Lilia, and I’m looking for a new mission.”
The receptionist looked up with interest. “Good morning, Lilia. There are several new missions available. Are you looking for something specific?”
Lilia glanced at the announcement board behind the receptionist and pointed to one of the missions. “This one. The mission to hunt a succubus. I’d like to take it.”
The receptionist checked the documents and nodded. “That mission was just accepted. The succubus is in the area around Moonshade Village. However, I should warn you that there have been reports of attacks in that area.”
Lilia frowned. “Attacks?”
“Yes, it seems some people have been disappearing mysteriously while gathering firewood or hunting in the forest,” the receptionist replied. “And they often don’t return.”
Lilia nodded thoughtfully. “Thank you. I’ll head there immediately.”
As Lilia left the guild, she encountered several of her fellow adventurers relaxing outside. They quickly approached her.
“Hey, Lilia! Taking on a new mission?” asked Bram, a burly man.
“Yes, I’m going to hunt a succubus in Moonshade Village,” Lilia responded.
“Moonshade? I’ve heard that the village is surrounded by a mysterious forest,” said Elara, a woman with a keen interest in local lore. “Be careful there. There are rumors of strange occurrences around the forest.”
Lilia smiled. “Thanks for the warning. I’ll be cautious.”
With farewell exchanges, Lilia made her way to Moonshade Village. The village was nestled in a valley surrounded by dense forests and mountains. As Lilia arrived, the atmosphere seemed peaceful, with traditional wooden houses scattered along a gravel road.
Villagers were busy with their daily tasks. Some men were chopping wood, while women attended to household chores. Children played in the spacious yards, and the aroma of fresh bread wafted from the local bakery.
Lilia approached a large house that appeared to be the village chief’s residence. She knocked on the door, and an elderly man with a white beard and wise eyes answered.
“Welcome to Moonshade. I’m Albert, the village elder. How can I help you?” asked Albert in a friendly tone.
“Hello, Albert. My name is Lilia. I’m here for the succubus hunting mission and heard there are some issues in your village,” Lilia explained.
Albert invited Lilia into a cozy living room adorned with a warm fireplace. “Indeed, we have been facing a serious problem. Several of our men have disappeared mysteriously while hunting or gathering firewood.”
Lilia frowned. “When did this start happening?”
“About two months ago,” Albert explained. “Their disappearances always occur at night. There are no tracks or signs left behind. We’ve tried seeking help before, but to no avail.”
“Do you have any additional clues or information?” Lilia asked, showing her interest.
Albert sighed. “We suspect there is something malevolent in the forest, but we can’t be sure what it is. The only thing we know is that the forest has become increasingly dangerous.”
Lilia stood up. “I’ll start looking for clues tonight. Is there a specific area in the forest where I should begin?”
Albert pointed to a small map hanging on the wall. “Try investigating the area near Darkstream River. Some of the last people to disappear were last seen there.”
“Thank you for the information,” Lilia said. “I’ll head out right away.”
As night fell, Lilia prepared her gear and readied her bow, which had a special power called “Sibir Cahaya,” allowing her to illuminate her surroundings and aim with precision.
Entering the dark forest, Lilia treaded carefully, monitoring every sound and movement around her. The sounds of the night and the rustling wind heightened the tension. She remained calm, focusing the light from her bow to reveal any signs of enemies and uncover the mysteries lurking in the darkness.
With her sharp senses and hunting skills, Lilia was prepared to face any threats that might emerge from the shadows of the night.
Step by step, Lilia advanced cautiously, every small sound from the underbrush making her alert. Suddenly, a soft rustling came from the bushes. Lilia quickly readied her bow and focused the light from her arrow. She carefully scanned the area around her, only to discover that the disturbance was caused by a small, glowing moon beetle trapped in the bushes.
Lilia let out a relieved breath, though her heart was still racing. "Just an insect," she murmured, trying to calm herself. Nonetheless, she remained vigilant and continued her journey deeper into the forest, the cold night wind whispering around her, carrying the scent of damp earth and leaves.
As she ventured further into the forest, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense. The rustling wind and the crunching of twigs underfoot heightened her focus. She observed her surroundings closely, every sound and movement keeping her on edge.
Suddenly, without warning, an attack came from behind. Lilia felt a swift movement in the air and, with sharp reflexes, rolled to the side to avoid the attack. In an instant, she was ready to release her illuminated arrow.
"Whoosh!" The arrow flew quickly, but unfortunately missed its mark, glowing in the darkness of the forest. Lilia frowned, adrenaline spiking as she braced herself for whatever might come next.
Lilia frowned, straining to see through the darkness. As the moonlight illuminated the area, the figure that was previously unclear became distinctly visible. It was the succubus—the creature the villagers had been talking about.
The succubus stood before her with a seductive smile and eyes glinting with malicious intent. Lilia tightened her grip on her bow, trying to steady her racing heart.
“So, you’re the succubus causing the villagers to disappear,” Lilia said, her voice firm yet cautious. “I’m here to put a stop to you.”
The succubus chuckled softly, her voice like the whisper of the night wind. “Ah, a hunter. How brave of you to come here alone. What makes you think you can defeat me?”
Lilia narrowed her eyes, focusing intently on the creature. “The only way to find out is to try. I won’t let you harm this village any further.”
The succubus glided closer with graceful movements, as if she were dancing. “You know, I don’t like to fight. I prefer more... enjoyable games.”
Suddenly, the succubus vanished into the dark mist, reappearing on the other side of Lilia. Startled, Lilia swiftly turned and aimed her bow at the sound. The moonlight revealed the succubus’s cunning smile.
“I won’t lose in this game,” Lilia said, drawing an arrow and preparing to shoot. “So get ready.”
The succubus surged towards Lilia, and in an instant, they were locked in a deadly battle amidst the dark forest.
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