"Good morning, hero," she said.

Fenric squinted. "Shhh… not so loud. My brain is angry."

She giggled. "It's just a little sea-berry brew. It relaxes the nerves. First time drinking it?"

"First time drinking anything in a different world," Fenric muttered. "My organs are confused."

Liana laughed again and handed him a cup of water.

Fenric drank it quickly, sighing in relief.

"Okay…" he stretched his arms and legs, still sore. "What's the plan today?"

Liana's smile softened, but her eyes were serious now.

"We wait for the Chief. And… there is something important we need to tell you about."

Fenric blinked.

"…Is it the prophecy thing you mentioned yesterday?"

Liana nodded slowly.

"Yes. And… it's about you, Fenric."

Fenric gulped.

"Oh great," he mumbled weakly. "I knew being a hero was too much work."

Liana sat beside him on the sand, her playful expression fading into something much heavier.

"Fenric… our world isn't a fair one," she began quietly.

He raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, giant sea monsters kinda gave that away."

But she shook her head.

"No… I mean deeper than that."

She looked toward the horizon — the endless, calm ocean hiding the Kraken's shadow.

"This world… the Vaelyps… is a playground for gods. They created humans, beastkin, elves — all of us. Then they blessed some of us with power and threw us into endless conflicts."

Fenric's joking mood vanished. "…Why?"

"For entertainment. For games. The gods place bets. They set wars. They give blessings and take them away. Every age becomes another show for them to watch."

She clenched her fist.

"Cities rise and fall because a god got bored. Families die because a divine audience wanted 'more excitement'."

Fenric felt a chill crawl up his back. "That… sounds horrible."

"It is," she whispered. "And for many years… no one believed we could escape it."

She looked down at her hands.

"Until our Seer — a woman who could hear whispers from the future — sacrificed her life to give one final prophecy."

Fenric leaned in slightly.

"What did she say?"

Liana breathed out slowly, as if repeating sacred words.

'A hero will arrive from beyond the stars — a soul not born of Vaelyps…He will rise unexpectedly…He will shatter divine chains and end the games of gods…And free this world from tyranny.'

Fenric stared at her.

The wind stopped for a moment.

"Um…" he finally said. "…That sounds like a lot of responsibility."

Liana's eyes softened.

"We do not expect you to save us alone. Not suddenly. Not unprepared."

She placed a hand lightly on his shoulder.

"But you came to us. You fought the Kraken. You already carry power beyond what beginners should have."

Fenric swallowed, heart pounding.

"So… you think I'm that hero?"

Liana nodded once — slowly, but with complete certainty.

Fenric rubbed his temples.

"My head already hurt from the drink… now destiny wants to join the party."

She gave him a small smile.

"I know it's frightening. But the Chief will guide you. And you won't be alone in this. We will help you every step of the way."

Fenric looked at her — at the sincerity in her eyes — and took a long breath.

"…Okay. I'm not promising anything world-changing yet."

He stood up, wobbling slightly.

"But if gods want to treat us like toys…"

His grip tightened around his new bow.

"Then we'll just have to break their stupid game."

Liana smiled brightly.

"That's all any hero needs to say."

And just as Fenric began to feel a spark of confidence…

A loud horn echoed across the village.

Spunky lifted his head and growled.

Liana stood abruptly. "The Chief has returned."

Fenric gulped.

"Oh boy. Time to meet the guy with the giant murder dog."

Fenric followed Liana toward the village entrance, trying to mentally prepare.

Okay… big important Chief… probably an old wise guy… huge beard… staff… maybe a limp. Standard fantasy NPC tutorial boss.

He nodded to himself.

Yeah. Easy. Respect the old man, praise his wisdom, don't freak out about destiny—

"Chief! Welcome back!!" villagers shouted.

Fenric looked up…

…and froze.

Walking through the crowd was not an old man.

It was a woman — tall, incredibly fit, curves everywhere, hair like flowing silver waves, and eyes that looked sharp enough to cut steel. Her armor was light but strong, showing she was a warrior… and a damn intimidating one.

Villagers bowed respectfully.

"Chief Seraphina!"

"Welcome home!"

Fenric's jaw dropped.

"…Wha—"

He stared — like an idiot — mouth hanging open.

That's the Chief?! That's a Chief? That's… that's illegal. Moms don't look like that. Chiefs don't look like—

Liana covered a laugh behind her hand.

"You look… confused," she teased.

Fenric stuttered, "I—I just thought the Chief would be… you know… old… and beardy… and… not—"

Liana raised a brow. "Not what?"

Fenric's brain crashed.

"…Not that level of… boss battle hotness…"

Spunky gave him a disappointed side–eye.

Liana snorted. "You expected a grandpa with white hair and a cane?"

"Yes!" Fenric whispered loudly. "What the heck kind of fantasy world makes the village chief a— a— a goddess-body warrior queen?!"

Before he could spiral further, the Chief herself approached, her gaze landing on Fenric with surprising weight.

"You must be the outsider." Her voice was deep, smooth, commanding. "The one who helped repel the Kraken."

Fenric immediately straightened like a soldier.

"Yes— I mean— hi— hello— yes, ma'am— Chief— warrior— boss— your majesty— ma'am!"

Liana smacked his arm lightly.

Chief Seraphina smiled, amused.

"At ease. I've already heard of your bravery."

Bravery. Fenric. Same sentence.

Wild.

She looked toward the ocean with a hardened expression.

"We need to talk," she said. "In private. There is much you must learn… and time grows short."

Fenric nodded quickly. "Right! Private talk! Serious stuff. No jokes. Totally focused. Yep."

As they followed the Chief deeper into the village, Fenric leaned toward Liana and whispered:

"She didn't hear what I said earlier… right?" he asked, clearly worried she might swat him into the sky.

"If she did," Liana replied dryly, pulling him along, "you'd already be getting a nice little thrashing."

Fenric gulped and kept walking quietly as they headed toward the Village Chief's house.

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