Kazuki moved carefully through the woods, the Rune Tracker Lens casting a soft glow over the magical trail winding through the trees. The deeper he went, the stranger things got. The air was colder. The sounds—muted. Even the trees seemed to lean inward, like they were listening.
> MP: 380/500
Current Objective: Trace the Rune Trail
"I signed up to chase chickens," Kazuki muttered. "Why does this feel like the prelude to a boss fight?"
"Maybe because it is?" Celestia offered, a touch too cheerfully.
He crept into a small clearing and stopped. The trail ended at a circle of stones, glowing faintly with reddish runes. Inside, were cages.
Inside the cages… were chickens. Normal chickens. Except they were glowing faintly red. One looked at him and clucked. It sounded… unholy.
> New Discovery: Cursed Chickens
Optional Quest Updated: Break the Rune Curse
And standing beside them, holding an open tome, was a robed man with sunken eyes and the bone structure of someone who skipped lunch for a few decades.
Kazuki whispered, "Who the hell performs blood rituals on chickens?"
The man turned sharply. "Who's there?! Show yourself!"
Kazuki stepped forward, dropping the concealment.
"I am Kazuki, Demon Lord from Another World. Step away from the poultry."
The robed man blinked. "You… what?"
"I said—never mind. Just uncage the glowing devil birds and stop summoning Satan with your breakfast ingredients."
The man narrowed his eyes. "You're too late. The ritual is nearly complete. My army of cursed war-chickens shall—"
Kazuki activated [Create] mid-monologue.
> [Create] Skill Activated
Input: [Flash Bomb Orb] – A sphere that releases a blinding light to stun enemies
Estimated MP Cost: 50
Proceed?
[Yes]
He tossed the orb.
BOOM!
Light exploded. The robed man screamed, shielding his face. Kazuki sprinted forward, smashed the rune circle with a boot, and slammed the cage door open.
The chickens… just sat there.
"Uh. Shoo?" he tried.
They stared at him.
One hopped out.
"Right. Not evil anymore. Good."
The robed man lunged at him, knife raised. "You ruined everything! You don't even understand the power—!"
Kazuki swung his foot up.
Connect.
Groin.
Silence.
The man collapsed in a fetal heap, muttering something about "ruined omelets."
> Quest Complete: "Chickens Gone Rogue"
Reward: 300 Liria Coin
MP Bonus: +10
MP: 340/500
> Optional Objective Complete: "Investigate Magical Source"
Reward: Bonus EXP + Reputation
Celestia's voice rang like a chime in his mind. "Okay, I admit it. That was fun to watch."
"I'm just saying—if your evil plan involves chickens, maybe you're not evil enough."
He gathered the chickens, tied the cultist with vines he created using a [Create] spell, and began the trek back to Windale under the rising moon.
> Title Earned: "Poultry Punisher"
This title is entirely cosmetic. Mostly.
Kazuki smirked. "One small step for chicken-kind…"