Smoke rose from the village in the distance.0

Blackmore and the players were still laughing among themselves while playing music. Only Crockta and Jeremy detected the faint cloud of smoke.0

‘It can’t possibly be trouble right from the start,’ thought Jeremy as he caressed the hilt of his longsword hung from his waist.2

Doing so immediately calmed his nerves. He believed that regardless of what was going to happen, a single sword would be enough. After all, he was a swordsman whom even Derek acknowledged. Jeremy was a natural-born killer. Moreover, by his side was an old-fashioned orc warrior who was strong enough that even Derek paid attention to him.1

“Ahjussi, there’s smoke over there,” said the female player.1

Blackmore abruptly stopped playing his instrument.0

“What’s going on?” wondered Blackmore.0

Smoke continued to rise from the village. It intensified and filled the village sky with black fumes.0

Blackmore’s expression stiffened. “Oh, no… There seems to be a fire. I need to run.”0

He fastened his instrument to his back and was about to run toward the village when a player tripped him. Blackmore was unable to catch himself in time and ended up tumbling to the ground. This caused the tip of his instrument, which he had been carrying on his back, to shatter. Unable to get up off the ground, he moaned in pain.0

“W-What…...0