Chapter 1642: Troubled Village One of the Heroes, as well as one of the long-standing Councilmen of the Red Wing Kingdom, had been called out on a special task, and that man was Gary Bluebird. It was unusual for Bluebird to be assigned to missions these days. His status and past achievements meant he was generally reserved for threats that ordinary knights or kingdom forces struggled to handle. If he was being sent personally, then something about this request was far from ordinary. He was currently sitting inside a modest wooden carriage, the wheels rattling beneath him in a steady rhythm as it followed the forest road. Two other knights sat with him, clad in polished armor that lightly clinked with each movement. They were his chosen escorts, both capable, though noticeably tense. “I do wonder how the three of them are doing...” Bluebird murmured to himself as he looked out the small window slit. “I just hope when I come back, there isn’t even more trouble waiting for me. I was honestly hoping to retire in a couple of years.” “Please don’t joke about that, sir,” replied the knight sitting opposite him, a young man named Rike, who straightened his posture at the very thought. “Even if things have been more peaceful than in the past, that peace exists because of people like you. Without the accomplishments of the Heroes, the foundation of this kingdom could crumble. I fear the land isn’t ready to go on without you yet.” “I think you worry far too much,” Bluebird chuckled softly. “There is always a new generation rising somewhere. I’ve heard rumors of strong new adventurers appearing here and there. And Sylvia’s son, he’s said to have talent surpassing even his mother. If I ever did retire, the world wouldn’t fall apart, trust me. But anyway... let’s go over the details of the case again. I want to make sure we’re fully aligned on why we’ve been sent.” Rike nodded and reached into the satchel by his side, pulling out a tightly rolled scroll. He opened it, cleared his throat, and began reading. “The situation is... a little complicated, so I’ll do my best to summarize.” He glanced between his companions before continuing. “A small town located along a riverbank requested the Red Wing Kingdom’s assistance in dealing with a troubling beast. Originally, they had asked help from their own local kingdom. However, that kingdom claimed they were lacking the manpower to investigate the threat. Instead, they offered a bounty for adventurers to handle it.” Bluebird closed his eyes slowly. That explained a lot already. Rike went on, “According to the villagers, a beast has been killing people in the forest just beyond the river. A handful of adventurers took the posted request, but all of them failed to return. Some bodies were later found. Others were not. Despite this, the bounty was never raised. Their kingdom didn’t want to expend further resources on a village that contributes little to their territory.” 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮 “So the stronger adventurers never attempted it,” Bluebird finished for him, opening his eyes. “Exactly,” Rike confirmed. “After more disappearances, the village sent a plea directly to the Red Wing Kingdom. We responded by sending a knight to evaluate the situation. Not a simple knight, but a Knight Captain.” Bluebird raised an eyebrow. “Just one Captain?” “We believed it was enough,” Rike answered. “The Captain was sent to determine the nature of the problem. If they found it overwhelming, they were expected to retreat and report back. But... that message never came. It has now been a full week without any word.” That was the procedure: when a Knight Captain failed to return or send communication, the case escalated immediately to Bluebird himself. “I see,” Bluebird exhaled. “Then I suppose I should be prepared for absolutely anything.” The carriage soon came to a rolling stop. The horses neighed, stamping against the dirt, and Bluebird stepped out first. Rike and the other knight followed close behind. The sight before them was unsettling. The small town had erected wooden walls around its perimeter and even watchtowers, clearly defensive measures in response to the threat. But despite these precautions, there wasn’t a single person manning them. As the three walked forward, they pushed open the half-shut front gate. The hinges groaned loudly. Inside the village, the streets were still, lifeless. No villagers walking. No children running. No vendors shouting. Not even a single curious face peering from a window. It was as if the whole place had been abandoned overnight. “I... don’t like this,” Bluebird muttered under his breath, tightening his grip on his sword hilt. “I don’t like this at all.” The other knights unsheathed their own blades, metal whispering against leather. Even the air felt wrong, thick, unmoving, and dreadfully silent. As they moved deeper into the village, Bluebird noticed dark stains splattered across the ground. He crouched and pressed a gloved finger to one. “Blood,” he said. The younger knight swallowed nervously. “Sir... do you think the beast already got to them? Could the entire town have been wiped out? Or maybe it wasn’t one beast, maybe an entire horde?” “Stay quiet,” Bluebird ordered, standing again. He moved cautiously toward a nearby tent set up near the center of the village square. “Keep your guard up.” Slowly, he reached for the flap of the tent. He lifted it. In the instant he did, “GRAHHHHH!” A piercing, distorted scream blasted out at him. Something lunged forward with frightening speed. Bluebird reacted instinctively, raising his sword just in time as a pair of jaws, lined with sharp teeth, snapped down onto the blade with a metallic clang. “What, !?” Rike stumbled back. Bluebird gritted his teeth, yanked his sword backward, and hooked the creature’s jaw, dragging the figure out of the tent and throwing them to the ground. The knights surrounded it instantly. “That’s... that’s a person!” one of them shouted in disbelief. But the “person” on the ground writhed unnaturally. Their skin began to bubble and blister, patches rising as if boiling from inside. A sizzling sound filled the air. The individual rolled across the dirt, shrieking in agony, their limbs spasming violently. “By the Divine Being...” Rike whispered, horrified. “What is happening to them?” Bluebird didn’t answer. He stepped forward cautiously, watching the body convulse and smoke. The figure’s eyes, bloodshot, unfocused, locked with his for a moment, filled with pain and madness. Whatever had attacked them was no ordinary beast. And whatever had happened to this village... ...had only just begun to reveal itself. **** ***** For updates on MWS and future works, follow me on my social media below. Instagram: jksmanga P.a.t.r.e.o.n: jksmanga When news drops about My Vampire System, My Werewolf System, or any other series, you’ll hear it there first. Feel free to reach out, if I’m not too busy, I tend to reply.