Published: February 1, 2026
A tavern with an atmosphere just like a bar.
At the counter inside, Rizel sat alone, nibbling on chicken and vegetable carpione while enjoying a cocktail. Of course, it was non-alcoholic.
Near midnight, as the customers began to leave, Rizel had decided to take it easy in this place today, so dinner was later than usual as planned.
“Fish dishes, huh... we do have them here as well.”
“Sea fish are definitely difficult to handle, aren’t they?”
Rizel exchanged a relaxed conversation with the owner, who was called “Master” by the customers.
Having thoroughly enjoyed the taste of fish at its place of origin in Astarnia, Rizel was already longing for it. It wasn’t like she absolutely needed it, just something she wanted to eat if possible.
“Was it that good?”
“It really was.”
“In that case, we should stock some.”
The Master’s usually stern face softened into a smile.
Behind him, at a wooden wine rack about waist-high, one of the back panels had been removed, connecting to the kitchen. From there, an arm extended out. The hand knocked lightly on the shelf.
Only the arm and waist were visible from anywhere in the tavern, and the hand could belong to either a man or a woman. Rizel had never seen the person responsible for cooking even once.
“Sorry about that.”
“Huh?”
Suddenly, a plate was placed in front of Rizel.
“The Master says our fish dishes are just as good.”
Rizel laughed softly and drew the plate closer.
She took her fork and pierced a piece of fish. The meat was firm, full of the true flavor of fish. The subtle and refreshing citrus sauce was exquisite.
“This is really delicious.”
Calling out to the other side of the shelf, the hand resting on the shelf gave a thumbs-up, shaking happily. Then, as if returning to cooking, it withdrew.
Rizel took her gaze away from the narrow gap in the shelf that only revealed a glimpse of the kitchen wall and turned her eyes to the Master with a soft smile.
“I’ve always thought the food here is exquisite.”
“I see.”
“Especially when you try cooking yourself, you realize just how amazing it is.”
“...Cooking, huh?”
“Yes.”
Rizel began happily recounting her curry-making adventures, and though surprised at first, the Master quietly nodded and listened.
The next day, Rizel stopped by the adventurers’ guild and found a quest on the quest board.
It was a rank b quest titled: [“Wanting a Loyal Wolf (Night Wolf)” Horn]. Without hesitation, she took it up.
“Quick decision.”
“You’re going for it?”
“Yes.”
Seeing Jill and Eleven peering curiously at the quest paper, Rizel pointed to the client’s section and smiled.
“You could’ve told me yesterday.”
The name written there was that of the tavern they had visited just last night.
From the quest details, the client was likely the unseen cook. Since Rizel always enjoyed delicious meals there, she wouldn’t refuse even a personal request.
“Night Wolf? Never heard of it.”
“Me neither.”
Despite having read the Monster Compendium cover to cover, Eleven looked surprised at the rarity.
However, most of the Compendium in the guild is compiled from adventurers’ reports. People rarely care about monsters unrelated to quests, and unfamiliar monsters from other regions are simply not documented.
It was the same as vampires being in Astarnia’s guild compendium but absent from the Capital City’s. So this monster is not native to the area.
“Yeah, it’s definitely rare.”
Jill, who had traveled to many countries, glanced at Rizel’s notes and spoke with a hint of exasperation.
When Rizel looked at him, Jill roughly explained.
“It’s a wolf that shows illusions. They’re said to be found in forests further west.”
“Illusions?”
“They’re searching for a master worthy of serving.”
In other words, the illusions are some form of trial.
Jill hadn’t faced one directly and knew only rumors. Still, rumors are better than nothing, and Rizel nodded gratefully while looking over the quest paper again.
“They say if you clear that, you can get the horn.”