The early morning sun cast long shadows across the dusty road leading out of the capital. Ramset, her fiery hair pulled back in a tight pigtail, stomped along the path, her polished armor glinting with an almost offensive cheerfulness. Beside her, her companions, Kyle, the young man with the rapier, and Tanya, the elf with the round glasses, scurried along, their faces etched with a mixture of nervousness and what could only be described as comedic terror.

Ramset's usually haughty demeanor had morphed into a storm cloud. Her voice, usually laced with affected sweetness, now crackled with annoyance.

"Can you believe the nerve of Leela?" she fumed, her voice carrying over the quiet chirping of the morning birds. "Sticking me with another newbie! And after that little stunt that… that… what was his name again?"

Kyle, who seemed to have shrunk a couple of inches under Ramset's glare, stammered, "I-I believe it was Ivan, Lady Ramset."

"Right, Ivan!" Ramset exclaimed, her voice rising an octave. "As if babysitting one incompetent rookie wasn't enough, now I have to deal with two! Does Leela think I'm running some sort of daycare?"

Tanya, ever the pragmatist, piped up in a small voice, "Perhaps Leela simply thought another party member would be beneficial for the quest."

Ramset scoffed. "Beneficial? That weakling will probably slow us all down! And what good is a rapier against goblins anyway? They practically have to trip over their own clubs to get hurt by something that thin!"

Kyle, clutching his rapier a little tighter, mumbled something inaudible under his breath. Tanya, ever the diplomat, nudged him with her elbow, sending a silent message that seemed to say, "Don't poke the dragon."

Ramset continued her rant, oblivious to the silent communication between her companions. "Honestly, the audacity of that boy! How dare he mock me in front of everyone like that? 'We'll see how long your bravado lasts!' he said. Well, he'll see alright! By lunchtime tomorrow, he'll be begging for mercy, and I won't lift a finger to help him!"

Ramset huffed and puffed, her rant finally winding down as they approached the eastern gate of the capital. Guards in gleaming armor stood at attention, checking the credentials of those exiting the city.

Ramset, still fuming about Ivan, marched towards the gate, expecting to see him waiting—flustered and late, of course. But as she rounded the corner, her jaw nearly hit the cobblestones.

Parked just outside the gate, idling with a gentle rumble, was a sight that made Ramset rub her eyes in disbelief. It wasn't a horse-drawn carriage or a sleek adventurer's mount. It was a peculiar contraption, a boxy metal structure supported by four thick wheels with two small cabins at the front. Smoke puffed from a strange contraption protruding from the hood, and the entire thing vibrated with a low hum (a double cab Toyota).

And there, perched nonchalantly on the driver's side of the front cabin, sat Ivan. He looked up at them, a hint of a silly smirk playing on his lips, and gave a lazy wave.

Kyle and Tanya froze, their eyes wide with surprise. Ramset, however, stared open-mouthed for a moment, then spittered, her voice a strangled mix of disbelief and outrage.

"You have got to be kidding me," she finally choked out, pointing at the strange vehicle. "You expect us to ride in that… that… thing?" Her voice trailed off, unable to find the words to describe this bizarre contraption that defied everything she knew about transportation.

The sputtering of Ramset's outrage died down as Ivan, with a flourish that seemed out of place in this dusty setting, climbed out of the strange metal beast. He brushed off a nonexistent speck of dirt from his surprisingly clean clothes and bowed low, a playful glint in his eyes.

"Greetings, Lady Ramset," he boomed, his voice somehow carrying over the low rumble of the engine. "Your chariot awaits!" he said, his hand gesturing towards the passenger door beside the driver's seat.

Ramset stared at the contraption, her nose wrinkled in distaste. "Chariot? That monstrosity looks more like a misplaced tin pot on wheels than a noble steed."

Ivan straightened with a smile. "Perhaps, but a very comfortable tin pot, wouldn't you agree? Besides," he leaned, "this thing is excellent at absorbing bumps and providing us a smooth ride."

"Fine," she grumbled, "but why in the world would I sit next to a… a newbie?"

"Simple," Ivan replied. "You know the way to our destination, don't you?"

Ramset's lips twitched with a suppressed urge to retort. The logic, however, was flimsy and held a sliver of truth. Still, with a huff and a muttered curse under her breath, she aimed a well-placed kick at Ivan's shin. Perhaps a little payback for his earlier arrogance.

"Ow!" Ivan yelped, hopping on one foot and rubbing the spot with a grimace. "Alright, alright, I deserved that one. But seriously, hop in. It's much more comfortable than it looks."

Ramset, her face still flushed with annoyance, stalked towards the passenger door of the "tin pot" with a theatrical sigh. She eyed the handle with suspicion, then grasped it firmly. To her surprise, the door swung open with surprising ease, revealing a plush interior far different from the rough wooden seats of a typical carriage.

Soft leather seats greeted her, and a wide, comfortable space beckoned. Ramset hesitantly lowered herself into the seat, her initial apprehension fading as her body sank into the unexpected luxury. She cast a surprised glance at Ivan.

"Alright," she conceded grudgingly, "the seats are comfortable. I'll give you that." A hint of curiosity flickered in her ruby eyes. "What exactly is this… contraption?"

Ivan grinned, sliding into the driver's seat with practiced ease. "This, lady Ramset, is called a truck."

"A… truck?" Ramset echoed, the word unfamiliar on her tongue. Her gaze drifted to the back of the vehicle, where the open door revealed another plush bench seat. A muffled cough drew her attention to Kyle and Tanya, both standing awkwardly near the back entrance.

"Ah, right," Ivan said, turning towards them. "Climb in, you two. The backseat is just as comfortable, I promise." He leaned out the window and addressed them directly. "See those metal handles on the inside? Just pull on those to open the door, and there's a latch on the inside to close it again."

Kyle and Tanya exchanged nervous glances, then cautiously approached the back door , following Ivan's instructions. As they settled into the plush bench seat, Ivan flashed them a reassuring smile before closing the door beside them.

"This… this is incredible," he stammered, stepping carefully into the backseat. Tanya followed suit, her initial apprehension replaced by a sense of wonder. She ran her hand along the soft leather, a thoughtful expression on her face.

"It's… very comfortable," the young elf admitted, surprised by the unexpected luxury.

Ramset, watching them from the front seat, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Even she had to admit, this "truck" offered a level of comfort she wouldn't have expected from its unassuming exterior. She cannot see runes or sense mana emanating from it; this transport looked like it was something out of this world. As they began to drive, Tanya couldn't shake the feeling that this journey was going to be more extraordinary than she had ever imagined.

-

With a mischievous glint still in his eyes, Ivan hopped back into the truck, the door shutting with a solid thud. A brief internal debate flickered across his mind. Should he explain the use of seatbelts? In this world of magic and beasts, such a seemingly mundane invention might seem more like a strange contraption than a safety device.

"Nah," he thought, deciding against it for now. He'd let them experience the comfort first, then introduce the belts later if necessary. Slipping his foot onto the gas pedal, he felt a surge of satisfaction as the engine purred. The smooth rumble vibrated through the cabin, far quieter than the clatter of a horse-drawn carriage.

Ivan eased his foot off the brake, and the truck glided forward with surprising ease. He glanced at Ramset in the rearview mirror, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Alright, Miss Ramset," he said, his voice laced with a playful formality, "point us which road to take."

"Shut up and let me focus," Ramset snapped, enough to make Ivan smirk. her eyes scanning the map in her hands.

"Fine, fine," Ivan chuckled, turning his attention back to the road ahead. with the truck starting to move, leaving behind the sounds of the bustling city.

-

Ivan, surprisingly comfortable behind the wheel, steered with a practiced hand. Beside him, Ramset, her nose buried in a map, occasionally barked out directions.

Twenty minutes into the journey, the truck lurched to a halt. Ivan, noticing the sudden drop in conversation, glanced at the rearview mirror. His amusement quickly turned to concern. Kyle, his face contorted in misery, was practically hanging out the window, gasping for fresh air. Tanya, whose face was slightly turning a shade of green, mirrored his pose on the other side.

"Is everything alright back there?" Ivan called out, pulling the truck over to the side of the road.

"Looks like someone's not a fan of the smooth ride," Ramset remarked from the passenger seat, a hint of amusement in her voice.

Kyle, doubled over with nausea, could only manage a weak groan in response. Tanya, however, straightened up, wiping a bead of sweat from her brow.

"We… we seem to be experiencing some… discomfort," she admitted sheepishly. "Travel by carriage has never bothered us, but this…" she gestured at the truck with a faint grimace, "seems to have a different effect."

Ramset, finally looking up from her map, scoffed. "Motion sickness? Really? You two are a mess," she said, shaking her head in disbelief. "I hope you can tough it out until we reach our destination."

"Jeez, can you be more polite?" Ivan interjected, shooting Ramset a disapproving look.

"Hmph, I'm just stating the obvious," Ramset replied with a shrug.

Ivan sighed and ignored her, turning his attention back to her companions and offering them a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, we'll be there soon. This time I'll open the windows to help with the motion sickness," he said, trying to be helpful.

Only a few minutes had passed; the once-smooth ride had become a bumpy affair as the paved road gave way to a rutted dirt track. Kyle and Tanya, having recovered from their initial bout of motion sickness, clung tightly to the handles in the back, their faces still slightly green around the gills.

Ramset, however, seemed to have adjusted. With the map temporarily discarded, she gazed out the passenger window, her brow calm and thoughtful as she took in the changing scenery.

"We should be getting close," she finally announced, pointing towards a cluster of low-lying buildings in the distance. "That's Greenfield. The goblin reports originated from the farmsteads beyond."

Ivan squinted ahead, wiping a sheen of sweat from his brow. The town itself looked peaceful enough, with smoke curling lazily from chimneys and children playing in dusty streets. However, beyond the town, a vast expanse of golden wheat fields stretched towards the horizon, rippling gently in the warm breeze.

Ivan slowed the truck as they approached the small town, the rumble of the engine drawing curious stares from the villagers who were tending to their crops. A collective gasp rippled through the crowd as they got their first glimpse of the strange metal carriage. Children, their faces alight with wonder, followed excitedly at the truck, while adults exchanged confused murmurs.

"Looks like we've reached our destination," he announced, pulling the truck to a stop on the outskirts of the town.

Ramset scowled but eventually climbed out, her boots crunching on the dusty path. Kyle and Tanya followed suit, their faces regaining their composure after the rough journey.

As they approached, a group of farmers huddled near a well. a wizened old man with a straw hat stepped forward. He eyed the truck with a mixture of suspicion and curiosity.

"Greetings, travelers," the old man rasped, his voice rough with age. his gaze was still lingering on the strange metal beast for a moment before shifting back to their faces. "You wouldn't be from the Adventurer's Guild, would you?"

Ramset stepped forward, her smile deepening as she noticed the worry etched into the farmer's face. "We are," she confirmed, her voice clipped. "Ramset of House Crimson, and these are my companions."

"Good," the old man replied. We've been plagued by those goblins for weeks now. They've been bolder than usual, raiding our farms at night, stealing our crops, and even taking livestock."

The mention of goblins being a problem wasn't surprising to Ramset, but the desperation in the old man's voice was. "Livestock?" she echoed, a hint of concern creeping into her voice.

The old man nodded grimly. "Aye, a few cows and sheep at first. But just last week, they took poor old Edgar. He was out checking on the north pasture when they attacked him. Strong man, Edgar was, but those goblins…" He trailed off, his voice cracking with emotion.

"How many goblins are we talking about?" Kyle piped up, finally finding his voice. The old man shook his head.

"Hard to say, young lad. They come in not in small packs but in large numbers, but they're quick and sneaky. Like shadows flitting through the fields at night. We've tried fighting them off ourselves, but they're too numerous. And frankly," he added, lowering his voice and glancing around, "we're a rich town. We supply a good portion of the capital's food."

"And where "do these creatures come from? " Ramset asked.

"There," the old man pointed towards a forest beyond their wheat field. "That's where they dwell. Always lurking, always hungry. They just appeared about a month prior. Walk deeper and you'll find an abandoned fort where the goblins reside. We dare not go near it, afraid of how many goblins may come out of those ancient walls," said the old man with his brow furrowed in concern.

-
Dirt splashed to the ground with each heavy step Ramset took, her polished breastplate glinting through the dappled sunlight filtering through the dense forest canopy. Leaves crunched underfoot, the silence broken only by the rhythmic chirping of unseen birds and the occasional snap of a twig underfoot. Kyle, his rapier held tight in his hand, cast nervous glances around him, his youthful face etched with a mixture of uncertainty. Tanya, the elf, moved with a silent grace, with her ever-present bow slung over her shoulder and her keen eyes scanning the undergrowth for any sign of danger.

Ivan brought up the rear, looking like an outsider in his modern riot gear. The clear visor of his helmet reflected the forest light, giving him an almost inhuman appearance. A thick plastic shield hung from his arm, and a strange, black metal tool—the PP-19 Bison he'd summoned just moments ago—was gripped tightly in his hand. He moved with practiced ease, his eyes constantly scanning the shadows beyond the path for any sign of movement. A flicker of doubt crossed his mind, a tremor of unfamiliarity as he held the unfamiliar weapon. Was a gun even the right tool for this job?

Ramset, never one to mince words, let out a scoff. "Honestly, Ivan," she said, her voice laced with disbelief, "that getup of yours looks more like a clumsy ape's costume than proper armor. And what in the world is that… thing?"

Ivan forced a smile, his voice muffled by the clear visor built into his helmet. "Just some… protective equipment," he mumbled, a hint of uncertainty creeping into his tone.

Ramset rolled her eyes. "Protective equipment? It looks more like you're about to participate in a circus act than a battle. Are you sure you know what you're doing out here?"

Ivan chuckled, a touch strained this time. "Trust me, Ramset, appearances can be deceiving. You'll see soon enough."

They have reached into their den at the abandoned fort the old man mentioned, observing the goblins on top of a wooded hill. The wind rustled through the trees, carrying the faint scent of smoke and decay.

"So that's how they look," Ivan said, his grip tightening on the gun held in his hand. They look uglier than he expected. Pointy ears, a large nose, some stolen and rusted farming tools for a weapon, and rectangular shaped pupils, plus their clothing looks like it's made from scavenged cloth. Thankfully, he did not see one wearing armor plated with human bones. That would be too gruesome for Ivan to handle.

Ramset crouched beside Ivan, her fiery hair momentarily hidden by the thick canopy. Her lips tightened in a frown, a clear sign of building frustration. "We're wasting time here," she finally hissed, her voice barely a whisper.

"What do you suggest then?" Ivan replied, his voice muffled by the helmet, his gaze fixed on the abandoned fort the goblins have claimed.

Ramset straightened, a spark of defiance in her eyes. "Simple," she declared, her voice regaining its usual sharpness. "Those creatures are little more than glorified rats. Sneaking around is pointless. We go in loud, announce our arrival, and clear them out quickly. Their numbers are small, nothing we can't handle."

Kyle, ever cautious, shifted nervously beside her. "But wouldn't it be better to catch them by surprise? We could quietly take out the lookouts and then…"

Ramset cut him off with a dismissive wave. "Naive, Kyle. They're goblins. They don't strategize. They don't have plans. Trust me, the moment they hear a twig snap or a leaf rustle, they'll be swarming."

A mischievous glint flickered in Ivan's eyes behind the visor. He couldn't resist a jab. "Well, at least you seem to have some experience with these creatures, Lady Ramset. Though," he added, his voice playful, "I can't help but notice your rather unconventional armor choice for a mage."

Ramset's eyes narrowed, her fiery hair bristling like a lion's mane. "Unconventional? This silver plate is enchanted with spells that would put your little gadget to shame," she retorted, gesturing towards the gun in his hand.

"Oh, I'm sure it is," Ivan chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Just a friendly observation. Besides," he added, a serious tone returning to his voice, "a little noise won't hurt. The sooner we draw them out, the sooner we can end this."

Ramset's lips twisted into a feral snarl. "Enough talk," she spat, her voice barely a growl. Her entire body tensed, crackling with barely contained magical energy. Before Ivan could even blink, a surge of power erupted from her decorated wooden staff, blasting a hole through the undergrowth.

Light flooded the clearing, revealing a scene of chaotic activity on the once-abandoned fort. A motley crew of goblins, their green skin mottled with dirt and grime, scurried around a bonfire, hoisting stolen haunches of meat and arguing over dented pots. They looked less like soldiers and more like a band of feral scavengers.

Ramset, however, didn't see them as a disorganized rabble. She saw a threat to be eliminated, so she launched herself out of their hiding spot. Time seemed to slow down around her. The startled gasps of the goblins and the crackle of twigs beneath her feet all reached Ivan's ears in a distorted echo.

What truly defied comprehension was the height of her leap. Ramset, propelled by a surge of magic, defied gravity with an inhuman spring. She soared through the air, easily clearing the ten-foot slope separating their hiding spot from the fort, landing with a bone-jarring thud right in front of the goblin infested fort.

The impact was like a thunderclap, sending a shockwave through the clearing. Goblins were sent flying, some rolling across the dust, others tugging at their weapons in a panic.

Ivan watched, his grin widening into a full-blown laugh that echoed through the clearing. Ramset, a whirlwind of fire and fury, danced among the goblins. Her staff, usually an object of immense power, was now a conductor for her magic, swatting goblins aside with the casual flick of a wrist. Her movements were honed, precise, a deadly ballet honed through years of experience.

Shamefacedly, Ivan lowered his gun. There was no way his bullets could match the raw power and elegance on display.

Kyle, however, was a different story. He moved with surprising agility, dodging the goblins' crude swings with practiced ease. But his youthful inexperience began to show. His strikes, while precise, lacked the decisive power to finish off a goblin in one hit. He'd parry a clumsy overhead chop, only to have to scramble back and deliver a desperate second blow to fell the creature.

Sweat beaded on his brow, and his breathing grew ragged. It was clear this was his first real fight, and the adrenaline rush was his double-edged sword.

Tanya, on the other hand, was a study of contrasting emotions. Her aim with the bow was true, each arrow finding its mark with a satisfying thud. But the reality of taking a life, even a goblin life, was clearly taking its toll. Her face was pale, and her hands were trembling as she reached for another arrow. Each shot was followed by a shuddering breath, and when a goblin managed to close the distance, forcing her to retreat.

Ivan, despite his initial amusement, couldn't help but feel a surge of respect for his companions. They were rookies, yes, but they were fighting with bravery, facing their fears head-on.

Ramset, however, continued her relentless onslaught. Burning every goblin that dared to approach her.

Exhaustion gnawed at Kyle's arms, his once precise strikes turning sloppy with fatigue. Tanya, with her quiver depleted, resorted to using her bow as a makeshift club, her initial patience replaced by raw fear.

A horrifying realization dawned on them all simultaneously. This wasn't a mere skirmish with a few scattered packs of goblins. The guttural roars echoing from the treeline spoke volumes. A tide of green skin and gnashing teeth surged towards them, a seemingly endless horde of goblins adorned in crude armor stitched from animal hide. Their eyes, devoid of any glint of intelligence, blazed with a primal bloodlust.

The very air crackled with chaotic energy. The excited shrieks of the goblins blended with the terrified shrieks of livestock dragged from the nearby farms—clearly the source of this monstrous attraction. The stench of manure and fear mingled with the acrid smoke of the burning fort.

Ramset, ever the warrior, let out a defiant roar, her magic flaring once more. But even the fiery brilliance of her staff seemed to dim in the face of this overwhelming force. A thunderous bellow erupted from the heart of the horde, a hulking brute of a goblin, twice the size of its kin, wielding a massive iron club. It slammed its fist into the ground, sending a tremor through the entrance of the fort, momentarily disrupting Ramset's concentration.

Suddenly, the world tilted on its axis. A stolen cow, blindfolded with a crude sack and reeking of desperation, charged into Ramset, slamming into her with the force of a battering ram. The impact sent the mage flying backward, her agonized grunt swallowed by the noise of the battle.

Kyle and Tanya scrambled to her side, panic etched on their faces. Ramset, her armor dented, coughed, blood staining her lips. "Where is that stupid newbie named Ivan?!" she roared, her voice raspy. With a final flick of her wrist, she erected a shimmering barrier around them, a desperate attempt to shield them from the encroaching horde.

The goblins, a wave of green fury, crashed against the barrier, their guttural roars giving a chilling chorus. The protective shield shimmered under the onslaught, cracks like spiderwebs spreading across its surface. Hope dwindled with each sickening thud as the barrier threatened to shatter, leaving them defenseless against the ravenous horde.

Ramset, her eyes blazing with defiance even as blood dripped from a gash on her forehead, poured every ounce of her remaining magic into the barrier. Her voice, hoarse from exertion, rasped, "Hold… just a little… longer…"

Suddenly, a new sound pierced the cacophony—a sharp CRACK that ripped through the air. The cows, startled by the unexpected noise, let out a collective bellow and surged forward in a stampede. The impact sent several goblins flying, momentarily disrupting the assault on the barrier.

Ramset, momentarily stunned by the explosion, tilted her head towards the source of the sound. Her jaw hung slack as she saw Ivan, a figure clad in black, standing atop a crumbling portion of the fort's wall. In his hand, he held a strange, black metal contraption that spat fire and thunder with each pull of the trigger.

Another deafening BANG echoed, followed by four more in rapid succession. Each explosion sent a wave of shock through the crowd, disorienting the goblins and leaving several sprawled on the ground, stunned. The largest goblin, the one who had slammed his fist into the ground earlier, crumpled to the ground, a single red bloom blossoming on his chest.

Ramset stared in disbelief. The biggest goblin was taken down with a single, loud shot from that… that thing Ivan was holding. Reality seemed to warp around her for a moment as she watched Ivan switch the strange device to a continuous stream of fire.

His movements, though sluggish compared to her own nimble agility, were brutal and efficient. Goblins lunged at him, their crude weapons swinging wildly, only to be met with a spray of bullets that sent them flying back. He was an immovable object against their flailing limbs, a storm they could not hope to weather.

Despite the hail of bullets, a few goblins, fueled by a primal rage, managed to break through the temporary disarray and surge towards Ivan. One launched itself at him, a gnashing maw inches from his throat. But with a swift, almost subconscious movement, Ivan brought his knee up, meeting the goblin's crotch with a sickening crunch. The creature let out a high-pitched squeal before collapsing at his feet, writhing in pain.

Ramset watched, a strange mix of unease washing over her. This wasn't the way battles were fought. This was… barbaric. Yet, it is undeniably effective.

Another huge goblin, wielding a crude metal club, charged at Ivan from his back, sending him flying into a nearby patch of foliage.

A tense silence was heard after the impact; the goblins was waiting for Ivan to make a move. The goblins exchanged uneasy glances, realizing they were facing a foe unlike any they had encountered before. The oversized goblin ordered the others to send a few grunts to check if he was really down for good.

The polycarbonate shield saved Ivan from the worst of the blow. he then threw away the now broken shield. Summoning a more cruel and forbidden weapon. "Protocol III on Incendiary Weapons no longer works in this world," Ivan coldly declared as he heard the goblins approaching. With a sinister grin, he ignited the weapon, engulfing the goblins alone with the biggest one in flames before they could even react. The smell of burning flesh filled the air as Ivan stood coldly.

Ramset saw the goblins fall to the ground, screaming in agony. Ivan's eyes glinted with a dangerous satisfaction as he watched the flames consume his enemies. The battle was far from over, but Ivan knew he had just taken a significant advantage. He walked out of the flames, his weapon still spitting fire in his hand and his plastic armor slightly warped from the heat, ready to burn everything that stood in his way. This wasn't their way. This was a monstrous dance, a descent into a primal violence she hadn't known existed.

Ivan stood tall amidst the inferno, his black figure creating a brutal image against the flames. A cold look settled on his face, different from the playful mischief that usually resided in his eyes.

Suddenly, Ivan spun around, the fire weapon spitting a final burst before going silent. He pointed towards the treeline, his voice amplified by the sudden quiet. "Run! Back to the village! Now!" His voice, devoid of its usual humor, held a sharp edge of urgency.

Ramset's head snapped towards him, her bewilderment mirrored on Kyle and Tanya's faces. "What? No! Your hands are shaking! I can still fight!" she shouted back, her voice barely audible over the crackling of the flames.

Ivan's eyes met hers with a flicker of fear, betraying Ivan's stoic face. "This isn't over," Ivan roared, his voice now showing fear. "I think there's more. More than I can handle. You need to protect the town!"

Before Ramset could respond, Kyle stopped her, grabbing her arm and pulling her in the direction of the village, while Tanya followed.