Chapter Text
Yttria. The kingdom once the strongest, fiercest–now has fallen down on its ashes. King Junmyeon with his consort, King Yixing, both laid on their thrones, cold and lifeless.
Necks are lacerated as the sign of their last ounce of pride, never surrender. Killing themselves is way better than dying in the hands of the Xeles Empire.
The people gathered in the throne room looked at the scenario with glee—victorious at conquering their rival kingdom. The people chanted, rejoiced, mocked, and spit on the fallen kings as they taunted their dead bodies.
Suddenly, a black armored man entered. Behind him is an array of disfigured creatures wearing black cloaks—once powerful mages that sold their souls to the devil.
"It came to my knowledge that the Crown Prince has escaped with the help of their mage. I captured the bastard but I haven't found the Prince yet. If anyone can bring him here alive will be granted fifty thousand oren and a position in the Imperial Senate, effective when I became the Emperor of Yttria." The man said.
He went closer to the thrones, still accompanied by his mages, and looked at the former kings with disgust.
"It is my pleasure to betray you, fathers. Look at me now! See who is lifeless and who is not? It was unfortunate that your beloved daughter died while giving birth to my offspring. Surely it would be an emotional reunion for the three of you." He leaned closer to both of the kings.
"I will make sure to find my beloved son and bring him back here to breed him myself so that I can produce more freaks that will protect my kingdom. I promise to lay his used body next to yours when I'm done with him." He turned his back to face the mages.
"Have your feast. But remember to put their remains–if there will be any, in the lawn or wherever, so that I can put my son's grave next to them." He continued to walk away from the room as the mages began to feast on the fallen kings, ripping and eating their flesh and blood like starved beasts.
Baekhyun is running. He doesn't know where he is or how many hours or perhaps days it has been since. The only thing he remembers is the last order given by his late grandfather Junmyeon—run and never look back.
His exhaustion overcomes his will to run farther as his legs collapse. The prince is breathing unevenly, mudded from head to toe with his feet covered in blisters as his footwear fell somewhere along the path.
His current state is vastly different from the night before where he was dancing and having a feast in honor of his birth and coming of age.
Adorned with jewels and fine clothing from his prosperous kingdom, Baekhyun enters the banquet floor with a bright boxy smile as he witnesses the whole kingdom's celebration of his birth.
Greeting his grandfathers by bowing deeply as a sign of respect, Baekhyun sat beside Junmyeon like a true noble, a future king.
"Your highnesses, grandfathers. I am delighted to have such a grand celebration for my birth. Truly, you both are my favorites. I am quite excited to dance tonight and hopefully find someone to marry, so that I can have an heir as I ascend. " Baekhyun warmly looked at his grandparents.
He somehow wished that his mother and father were to witness his coming of age, but they are both dead. His mother died from birthing him and his father in a battle as an honorable knight protecting his kingdom from Xeles.
"Dearest, we want nothing but the best for you. I know that if your mother was here, she would do the same. Enjoy your night my prince, for it is yours." King Junmyeon stands up, a goblet of wine raised on his right hand.
"To Prince Baekhyun, the heir to the throne! To Yttria, the most powerful kingdom! To me! The most gracious, brave, and great King! A toast to you all!" He gobbles his cup in one drinking before sitting and motioning Baekhyun to join the others in the dance.
"Go my little prince, the night is young."
"I will be back later, your highnesses" The prince bolted with grace and swarmed the people dancing and searching for a partner to dance with.
In the midst of cutting his freshly hunted deer, King Junmyeon is approached by his marshal. Leaning closer as he whispered in the Monarch's ear,
"Your highness, dreadful news. Xeles has reached our borders, we will be attacked by nightfall. Shall I order our men to gather up and start to defend?" Seeing the uncertainty and maybe fear upon his trusted marshal, Junmyeon almost gives out his orders.
"No need, just yet." He reassured his right hand man.
"Let us make this night memorable to the young prince. By the time the celebration is done, gather up. Alert the guests and make sure to bring them it or give them a choice to surrender if anything happens. Then, give out orders to your soldiers to prepare as we attack in night fall. We will give them war." He dismissively motions the latter.
The marshal bowed his head and turned around, leaving as he went out to bark orders.
"What is it dearest?" King Yixing asked his husband.
"My dear, I am afraid this might be our last night together. We have been breached. I'm afraid they are here for one thing— that one thing that we will not give them over our dead bodies." King Junmyeon gritted his teeth, jaws clenched as he expressed his anger towards the bastards that provoked him.
"Should we send him away now to keep him safe? I will ask Xiumin to accompany him." King Yixing with a heart as soft as feathers, fear for his only grandchild.
Baekhyun might be of age but he is far too young to enter a war. A war that they know would be difficult to win. Besides, the monarchs know that he is coming for him, and they will never ever give Baekhyun to that bastard.
"No. He is needed here. He needs to form a barrier to hold them off for the meantime. We will buy some time for the young one to get out safely." King Junmyeon replied while gripping his goblet, silently hoping that they would win the war.
"I know you're a great strategist, your highness, and I know we can win this war. However, if we don't, know that it is my highest honor to fight with you, bleed with you, and die with you. This battle is ours. I will be with you till my end, my King." In a split second, the seemingly arrogant ruler, King Junmyeon has softened his eyes for his beloved.
Cherishing his beautiful face one last time before devastation hits them.
"One last battle."
A big explosion started the real war.
Yttria's borders have been blown up by cannons the Xeles possessed. Men, women, and children's screams erupted in the city on the borders of Yttria as they were left wounded and dead.
"Kill everything that moves, make sure no one will be alive.” A man in black armor with a brooch on his right chest signifying that he is the future Emperor, gave an order to his men.
In his words, Xelian soldiers slayed every living thing that they see. Mothers and their children, the young and old, all have been sentenced to death with a Xelian sword.
Blood splattered as dead bodies began to pile up. Some body parts on the ground were stepped on by soldiers—heads with wide dreading eyes opened, arms, legs, and carved pregnant bellies with unborn fetuses left to die are displayed on the road trampled by horses.
"Where is Xiumin?! Where the fuck is Xiumin?!" King Junmyeon, already in his combat vest with his sword ready to pierce the enemies, is finding the kingdom's mage.
"Your highness I'm here." A running Xiumin met the king halfway.
He was in his study with the Prince when the news reached him.
"Where is Baekhyun?" The latter asks.
Appearing behind him is his consort, eager to see his lovely Baekhyun one last time.
"At the opening of the passage to the outside of the castle.” The mage responded.
“Send him off now. There is no time, your highnesses. I must seal the castle now as it is the only place Xeles hasn't breached yet."
The mage runs off to the highest tower of the castle, chanting his powerful magic to create a barrier between the castle and the Xeles soldiers attacking them.
That would hold them off for now.
The two monarchs ran to the passage to say their farewells to the Crown Prince.
“Your highnesses, what is happening?” A weeping Baekhyun welcomes their sight.
“My dear, I am afraid to say this, but you have to go.” King Yixing gently holds the latter’s face with his right hand.
“But why grandfather? Why is everyone drawing out their swords? Aren’t we celebrating? Why should I go?”
“My dearest Baekhyun, we have kept this secret from you for a long time but now is the time for you to know.” King Junmyeon faced the latter.
“What secret?”
“Your father, my dear, he is alive.” Baekhyun’s eyes widened, surprise and a tint of happiness and confusion became evident in his face.
“Isn’t that joyous, grandfather? Where is he? I must meet him.”
“Baekhyun, listen to me. Your father, Adair, is a traitor. He did not die because of war, he was banished because we found out about where he came from. He is the Crown Prince of Xeles. He was on a mission to take over Yttria. He did not love your mother, he did not love you.” King Junmyeon regrets letting the secret out seeing his grandson’s despair, but he needed to. So the prince would not be used by his father.
“The passage will lead you out of the castle where Xiumin will be waiting for you at the end. A stable is prepared to transport you to the South for the meantime. You remember who Chanyeol is, right?” Baekhyun nodded.
“Find him. He will keep you safe.”Junmyeon pulled Baekhyun in an embrace, whispering into his ear.
“I fear this will be the last time that we might meet, little one. Remember that we always love you, me and your grandfather Yixing. Run and never look back. Have a safe journey, young one. I will forever be with you.” King Junmyeon gave out a warm, rare smile as he pulled back.
How he wished to see Baekhyun grow, but his luck seemed to run out.
Baekhyun is pulled into another embrace by Yixing, “My little one. I hope you will be safe out there. I know that you have questions, but for now, go. It is not safe. Remember this little darling, you will always be my little one. I will keep you in my memory, so keep this old man in yours too. We will be with you in spirit. Go now”.
“I love you both. Promise me you will come back and find me. Promise me that we'll be together again. Promise me.” A crying Baekhyun held both of his grandfathers’ hands.
“We promise.”
Baekhyun’s silhouette fades and so does the promise that they made.
"Protect Yttria at any cost. If we win this war, we will be victorious. If we die, we die honorably. As your King, this is my command. Seize the enemy, revenge for the lost, and never surrender!” Shouts of men echoed as they advanced to the war.
“Baekhyun, get in the stable. We shall ride promptly." Xiumin, the mage, guided Baekhyun to his stable.
“Xiumin, will my grandfathers be alright? Will they come looking for me after?” Baekhyun asks.
Not wanting to lie, the mage replied, “I am not certain of that, your highness”.
“Then I shall go back”.
“Baekhyun, no!” The mage turned quickly as the Crown Prince drew back his horse, attracting multiple Xelian soldiers on their way.
“Fuck.”
The mage put a spell on Baekhyun’s horse for it to gallop fast and bring the prince out of the battlefield.
“Xiumin! I need to go back!” Baekhyun shouted.
“I am sorry my prince, my priority is to get you out. You should find your way alone now.”
Then the stable set off.
Xiumin turned around to block off any Xelen soldiers following the prince's trail.
“Come and get me first, bastards." He draws out his sword then advances.
The stable that he rode was long dead. A Xelen marshal spotted him and tried to chase him.
An arrow pierced through the horse’s leg and it cried agonizingly as it fell down with the prince.
Baekhyun is scared that the enemy might catch him. With despair, fear, longing, and betrayal, he screamed.
He screamed with all his might as the ground rumbled and split open, separating him and the enemy. Then he runs.
After ensuring the prince's safety, the monarchs of Yttria continued to defend their kingdom. However, it was too late.
When the Xelen Empire breached their borders, it was an outright cry—a signal of their imminent downfall. It is just a matter of time.
"It is my greatest honor to serve you and be your consort, King Junmyeon. You will always be my beloved." King Yixing smiled, his eyes light despite the heavy weight of his badly bruised body.
He looks at his spouse with utmost love as he conveyed his unspoken feelings.
"It is my greatest honor that you chose me to be with you till the very end. No words can convey my adoration for you, my love. Thank you for being with me." For the first time in his life, King Junmyeon shed tears as he accepted his and his beloved's cruel fate.
Maybe in his next life, it would be much simpler. No burden of the crown, no Xelen, just he, Yixing, his daughter Synnöve, and Baekhyun. Just his family.
"Till death, do we part."
Death by their own swords was bestowed to the monarchs.
Remembering the affectionate faces of his grandfathers broke more tears onto Baekhyun's eyes.
His grandparents have always been his inspiration.
While King Junmyeon was always the strict one—always scolding him to listen to the mage, Xiumin, as he needed to master his full capabilities.
The king also never failed to reprimand him to act like a prince, talk like a prince, and to think like a prince, never giving the young Baekhyun a break.
King Junmyeon was his first teacher. He taught him how to yield a sword to protect himself, and to be brave to conquer his fears.
King Yixing, on the other hand, like any grandparent do to their grandchildren—they dot on them. He obeyed every wish of Baekhyun as it seems that the younger is the King and not him.
He was the greatest life advisor—the more sensible one, the one with less judgment that revolves around blood and violence, his assurance in times of array.
Baekhyun loved them both very much.
How he misses his grandfathers. How he wishes that all of the events are just a nightmare that he had when he was a kid. But no, this is Baekhyun's reality.
The reality that his kingdom has fallen, his grandparents are both possibly dead, and he is running to save his life from the enemies.
Somehow, he finds the courage to stand and enter a forest—oblivious of the darkness that it brings.
"HELP ME! SOMEONE, SOMEONE HELP ME!"
"CHANYEOL! CHANYEOL! HELP ME!"
Chanyeol rose from his sleep. Sweat bedded his forehead and his eyebrows scrunched as he suffered from a bad dream—no, it may be a premonition. A possible call of help from his fate.
For years he thought that maybe the law of surprise was just a tale.
For how in the universe would it be real? He always thought.
Not until the surprise got to him.
18 Years Ago
Chanyeol is sitting in the corner of the tavern. He is eating a presumptuous meal since his last hunt's reward was quite high, about 600 orens.
Bread dipped in the special sauce of pork, he enjoys the peaceful eating–opposite of his surroundings as they chatter among themselves of how rabid and feral the witcher is for killing yet another beast.
Beast versus beast, that's what they called it.
Chanyeol did not pay mind. He is used to what people connote him, beast, mutant, abomination, to name a few. He doesn't simply give a fuck.
However, his peace did not last long as a farmer entered the tavern, going in his direction.
"Witcher! Witcher! You have to help me." The man had said.
Two arms stamped on his table and he saw how the man created a few spills on his lunch.
What a disrespectful being, he thought.
"Why?" Chanyeol asks, face devoid of emotion, as what witchers should be.
He is not sure if the farmer is still frightened of whatever his problem is, or if he is afraid of him.
"B-because that goat pest was eating my crops! I had to loan for my harvest, and yet he just steals! I want him dead!" The farmer finally overcomes his fear as the feeling of anger resurfaces.
"How much?" The first thing that Chanyeol learned is to always ask the price.
He once killed a huge monster but was rewarded so little that he can't even buy a loaf of bread.
After learning his lesson, he makes sure that he will receive the right price or else he will not be doing the job.
Upon agreeing with the price, Chanyeol walked out of the tavern to begin his mission. Clearly the "goat" should be around somewhere in the field. Slow but careful steps, he made his way on the tall bushes of the field, still spotting his prey.
Then, he heard a sound of grass moving behind him. Chanyeol swiftly turned and pointed his sharp sword.
"Woah! I came in peace, Mr. Witcher." A boy about sixteen years young has come face to face with his sharp blade.
Chanyeol then sheaths his sword, slightly frowning on why the boy has the nerve to interfere with his business.
"I-I am just a big admirer of you sir. I did songs, a lot of them about fables and myths. I came across witchers years ago and I find them mythical. The-I heard about you, the White Wolf. The monsters you slayed, and the adventures you had. I became obsse-"
"Shh." Chanyeol shuts the talkative boy.
Out of nowhere, something hit the back of their necks and they fell unconscious.
"Ugh." Chanyeol groaned as light seeped up his vision.
Currently, his hands are tied and he is guarded by elves?
Why are elves on the fields and not on the mountains?
"The witcher has woken up. Call his highness." A female elf, seemingly of high rank, ordered an elf to report his current state.
What would the elves want from him?
His brows knitted as he thinks of the reason. Maybe the farmers had a feud with the elves and created the "goat pest" tale to fool him into attacking the elves.
He does not have bad blood nor does care for the likeness of the elves.
"You must be wondering why we have captured you. Fear not, we do not have a problem with your existence. However, the people you work with have. It is best to wait for His Highness to explain everything." The female elf crossed both of her arms against each other as they waited.
During that time, he noticed the annoying boy that followed him earlier, still unconscious. Hands are tied like him, but there is a noticeable bruise on his face like someone had purposely hit him.
A few moments later, the person they were waiting for had arrived. Blond silky hair and green moss eyes like forest. The king of the elves looked magically ethereal as if he was unreal.
"Witcher. I am the elven king, you can call me Kyungsoo. I wanted to give you our side of the story. Chimera, come here."
The elven king gestured, a monstrous looking goat standing on its two feet, horns prominent but its face is morphed like that of humans.
To Chanyeol, it is more of a freak goat than a goat pest.
"The humans, villagers looted my kingdom in the pretense of negotiation. I made a vow to welcome them to my kingdom with open arms, but they had broken my trust." Kyungsoo, the elven king walks with grace, sitting on a chair made of wood in front of him.
"My king was kind and generous, he helped the humans build their homes. He taught them how to grow crops, to harvest—but they are such opportunistic beings. That is why we are teaching them a lesson." The chimera speaks.
It came as a surprise to Chanyeol that a chimera can speak, and it speaks like an intelligent being. It was more surprising than knowing that the villagers are at fault in the situation.
Humans are born greedy beings, then again.
"We steal from their harvest. They stole from us, we stole from them too." The chimera looks at Chanyeol with eyes like a goat's—a pair of vertical pupils encompassed by dark orbs.
"Mmn. I was paid to get rid of a pest." Chanyeol replied.
"They are the pests! How dare those people send you to eliminate us when they are the one that should be eliminated?!" The elven king stood up, anger painted on his face.
"Do you have 1000 oren?" Chanyeol asks the king.
"Are you insulting me, Witcher? Are you implying that my kingdom is not wealthy because of those scums?" The King directed his scowling face to the white haired man.
"No. Give me 1000 oren and I will live in peace."
Confusion replaced the elven king's furious emotion.
"For what? And if we did not heed to your deed?" The king asks
"I will kill that." Chanyeol motions the chimera.
Fear became an evident response to the creatures inside. The elves knew not to cross paths with a witcher, let alone, The White Wolf.
"Adriva, untie the witcher and give him 1000 orens." The elven king, Kyungsoo, had ordered his female right hand.
After untying him, Chanyeol received the promised coins.
"How about your companion? Should we wake him up now? He woke up a little earlier than you but kept on screaming profanity towards His Highness, therefore I had to make him sleep." Adriva, the right hand official of the king spoke.
Chanyeol grunts in response.
"I will take him back." He responded.
"Sort your problems with the townsfolk. Do not bother me again with these trivial matters." The witcher with a striking face void of emotions, flew the scene.
“Wait!” A loud young voice called him from behind.
Chanyeol continued to walk fast away from the source of the voice. His presence irks him.
“Mr. Witcher! Please halt.” The boy had the strength to tug his arms back. Chanyeol halted.
There were not many people who touched him—only the whores he visited or the several men who died by his hands.
“My name is Jongdae. I am the son of the village head and the palace’s entertainer.” The boy, Jongdae, introduced himself.
Chanyeol looked at him with a null expression. The latter however, was painted by uncertainty and a hint of fear.
“Can I ask you a favor?”
Chanyeol turned his back to walk away again.
“I will pay you 900 oren!”
The witcher once again stopped his tracks. The younger’s offer is a good price, and considering that he is a son of the head of the village, the boy can attest to his price.
“Too little.” Chanyeol simply replied.
“W-well, how about 800 oren plus my tips when I performed at the palace?”
“Mmn.”
“Is that a yes?” The boy asked. Chanyeol nodded his head.
“What do you want me to do?”
The boy’s eyes casted downwards, his flail arms are now tied onto his back.
“You see…as an entertainer, I tend to create a few enemies. So, I wanted you to protect me while I’m in the castle.”
“You want me to protect you? Much like a knight of a spoiled noble?” Chanyeol squinted his eyes.
Distress is now all over the younger’s face.
Crossing his arms in front of his chest, the boy said, “No! What I meant was for you to be my guardian who protects me from harm. I’m no spoiled noble nor you a knight in shining armor.”
Chanyeol lets out a momentary breath of dissatisfaction. The offer is quite high considering that there are still tips that he can collect. Maybe this new fare will be higher than of the elven king’s.
Then, the two journeyed to the palace. The palace of Yttair.
Reaching its sturdy wood gates, they were questioned by the head guard. Chanyeol can feel that they are wary of his presence.
Just in what chances does a witcher have a business with Yttair’s royals? It was unusual for a witcher to show up in the palace grounds. In fact, it was the first time in centuries that a witcher set their foot in the palace.
“He is my guardian. I am Jongdae, the entertainer. I was advised to have one since the ladies’ spouses have an intent to kill me everytime.” Jongdae said.
“Well, I won’t blame them. I, too, will sever your head if you touch my wife’s hand or any parts of her body.” The guard lightly explained as it seemed a natural phenomenon to him.
Just what type of farce the boy is in?
Chanyeol should have not wondered as it became obvious when they entered the great hall of the palace where extravagant ornaments are placed as part of their feast.
Every married man in the room turned their heads, and pulled out their swords charging towards Chanyeol’s companion.
However, they stopped midway as they noticed the presence of a witcher besides Jongdae.
“Greetings, my lords. I brought a companion today.” Jongdae greeted with a cheeky smile. His confidence boosts as he feels safer now that he came in with a warrior.
“You are lucky today, Jongdae. But know this, even with the white wolf on your side, I will still stab my blade in you when I see you talking to my wife!” One of the nobles had said.
“Fear not, Lord Perchival. I was never interested in any of your wives. I am just that charming to be flocked by them.” Jongdae gave out a brazen smile to the men in the room.
They charged again as Jongdae with a guitar on his hand, hid at the witcher’s back.
It’s a good blessing to bring the witcher.
The feast went on as Jongdae performed a lively song in which the ladies fell in love with his sweet angelic voice, while the men gave him a deadly glare from where they were seated.
At some time, the king and his consort graced their presence in the banquet. Both are powerfully strutting with finesse as they are ushered to their seats. Then everyone went to bow before them.
“Carry on, my people! Celebrate as we have had another victory against our enemies! To our kingdom, Yttria! To me, your greatest king!” King Junmyeon raised his goblet and the people erupted with cheers.
The celebration is in honor of their victory against a small kingdom in the west of their continent, successfully taking over the kingdom.
When seated on their thrones, the king consort, Yixing whispered to his spouse.
“There is a witcher dwelling amongst our guests.”
Junmyeon then looked for the said witcher. He did not have a hard time finding him as the witcher stands out from the crowd. His white hair is a dead giveaway that he is not like others, not humane like them.
The kings did not pay more mind as cuisines are served onto their table.
“Everyone, help yourselves.” The king said.
Suddenly, the banquet hall’s door flew open and several knights dragged a hideous thorny creature with a head like of a porcupine and the body of a broad man. Towing them behind is the kingdom’s only princess, Synnöve.
Chanyeol wondered what the princess was doing behind those knights.
“Your highnesses, this thing acted a grave sin!” One of the knights holding the monster professed.
“For what?” King Junmyeon idly said.
“It harassed the princess! It forced her to kiss him on the lips!” The knight responded.
Before King Junmyeon sentenced the prisoner to be beheaded, the crown princess screamed with all her might.
“Stop! No! It is all a misunderstanding.” The princess strides to her parents’ table. Her watery eyes are pleading them.
“He is Aldair, my beloved. I beg of you, he did not forcibly kiss me! We are in love.”
Disgust rained on King Junmyeon’s face.
“In love? With that thing? It must be a hoax, my princess. Seize that monster!” The king ordered.
Maybe he had seen himself on the beast. Of a being renounced of a choice, prohibited to live–to love.
At the last moment before the knight's sword cut through the beast's head, Chanyeol blocked it with his sword.
He just saved the creature.
The princess ran into the arms of her beloved. Assessing its wounds while looking at them with care and worry.
Then they kissed.
Everyone halted as the beast turned into a young man.
His identity revealed him to be a knight that has been cursed by the law of surprise, and that the same knight is also the princess's beloved.
"Fathers, this is Adair. He is my beloved." The kind princess with dandelion hair motioned the man in her arms.
Both kings looked defeated upon seeing that their daughter had somehow found a man to love.
A man that she shouldn't love.
"Well, Adair. A knight, I might say. How did you end up being a beast?" King Junmyeon asked on his throne.
Adair kneels on one knee. His right fist is placed tightly on his left chest as a sign of respect for the rulers of the land.
"Your highness, I have been cursed by the law of surprise. I was visited by an oracle in my dreams. They told me to pick one marble for it will determine my fate. But then, I became a monster." The knight explained.
“Your highness, King Junmyeon. I would like to officially be wedded to Adair. Can we have your blessing?” The young and beautiful Crown Princess Synnöve held her beloved’s hand.
King Junmyeon let out an audible sigh. Truly he cannot go against the fate of true love.
“I will give you my blessing. You shall proceed to your marriage.” The king then turns to Chanyeol.
“How about you, Witcher? As a reward for your bravery, what would you like to have? 10,000 orens? Perhaps a treasure of this kingdom?”
Chanyeol could have answered with money but somehow he uttered, “The law of surprise.” promptly.
“Are you certain?” The king raised his concerns.
The law of surprise dictates that; a man saved by another is expected to offer to his savior a boon whose nature is unknown to one or both parties.
The witcher shrugged his shoulders and sealed the deal.
Then a great misfortune happens when they find out that the princess bears a child—and this child is his reward.
At that moment, Chanyeol regrets the words that he uttered. He regrets ever saying yes to the boy named Jongdae.
Standing up from his bed, Chanyeol put on his garments and slings his Zireael. The whore he was with last night is still on the bed as he leaves the cabin.
"Witcher! Witcher! We are in need of your help!" A crowd of townsmen ran after him as he walked towards the other village.
Chanyeol grunts in acknowledgement, then turns his back to look at them
"We are in need of your help, there is a monstrous spider in our swamp, and we lost a lot of people because of that monster!" A villager explained to him, brave enough to look at the Witcher In his eyes.
"How much?" Chanyeol asked.
"400 oren." Said the man.
"Hmm." Chanyeol grunts again in acknowledgement, sending them a nod to signal that he agreed to the quest.
The price is quite low compared to the skills he will put to use to slay the pest, but he decided to accept it anyway.
Besides, he has little money but has too much time to spare, any currency will suffice to prevent him from starving.
Chanyeol then proceeded to the arachnid's lair.
Arachnomorphs or the monstrous spiders as people said—are large insectoid creatures that resemble spiders, commonly found on swamps, and are a big pest.
Sensing the monster upon his arrival, he unsheathed his sword and searched for the creature that was between two mangroves of the swamp.
It was hard to find the creature for it blends in the darkest of the night. Few witchers can slay it, as what he's heard, but Chanyeol will take his chances.
Putting out his vial and opening the lid, he drank the liquid in one go.
Eyes morphed black and thick black veins appeared. This is his real appearance.
Far from what the people describe him to be, a broad creature with platinum white hair that has prominent features—a handsome young lad.
After all, he is a witcher. Cursed by both science and magic, a perfectly created living weapon at the disposal of those who had money.
Killing the arachnid is all about agility and speed. Needing to stay mobile is the key to prevent trapping on its spewing web.
Chanyeol dodged once again as the monster spewed its sticky substance. Finding the right opportunity to strike is hard when it is pitch dark.
A weakness was seen by Chanyeol's eyes. If he moved faster than the monster, it would not have a spare time to react. So he did.
When the monster had yet to turn his head, Chanyeol swiftly went in a different direction.
Charging with incredible speed, he jumped to sever the Arachnomorph's head. A loud pained growl was heard in the swamp.
It was loud enough to be heard in the village as the townsmen awaited for the result of their trade.
Covered with oozing black substance, the White Wolf entered the townsfolk's assemblage hall with a severed arachnid head hanging by his shoulders.
"Here. I expected my payment." He threw the head on the floor in front of the villager who approached him earlier.
The whole village looks at the head with horror and fear. It was quite disgusting to see such a horrible looking creature seeping out its blood from the ground.
After handling his payment, the Witcher started another journey in hopes to find monsters to kill, and to go faraway. Faraway from his fate.
Chanyeol knew of his connection with the prince. He knew that the law of surprise gave him Prince Baekhyun as his reward, but he was far too young to be with him.
There are many dangers abreast a witcher's life and he wasn't ready to protect the little highness when time came.
Chanyeol will not deprive the prince of his life of power and luxury nor a life living with a family.
Besides, who would want to be tied to a mutant like himself?
No one wants to be with him for a long time. Even a crazed person tends to stay away from him, let alone a fucking prince and an heir to the throne of a massive kingdom.
However, the dreams that are occurring on his sleep is a reminder of his forgone responsibilities that must be fulfilled.