In the pitch-black darkness of a deserted village on the outskirts of Exasword, a faint glow of light suddenly appeared, looking quite conspicuous against the night. The glow emanated from a campfire, around which several tents were pitched. Three men and two women sat together near the fire, roasting food, chatting, and laughing with evident joy.

"Have you heard? This village was evacuated because of some monster," one man, skinny as a stick, said in a low, ominous voice.

"A monster?!" The tw