In a world filled with magic, swords, and monsters, many unique professions exist—alchemists, swordsmen, magicians, and... florists.
One day, a man awakens in an unfamiliar place, clutching a flower in his hand."Where am I? Who am I? Why am I here?" he murmurs.Looking at his shirt, he notices a name stitched onto it: Rowan."So... my name is Rowan? But why am I here?"
The flower in his hand suddenly triggers a flicker of memory. In that vision, he sees a strange girl telling him:
"Rowan, seek and gather all the flowers and plants around the world to uncover your past."
As the memory fades, he realizes tears are streaming down his face."Where should I start?" he whispers to himself.
In the distance, he spots a town surrounded by blooming flowers.A wooden sign reads: Lilybrook."This town is beautiful..." he says, marveling at the scenery.
As he enters the town, he meets an older man."What is this place called?" Rowan asks.The man stares at him in disbelief."You don't know the name of this town?""No, I really don't," Rowan replies honestly."This is Lilybrook," the man says.
Suddenly, Rowan clutches his head as a sharp pain shoots through it."Can you... tell me more about this town?" he asks, groaning slightly.The man, still eyeing him curiously, replies, "Sure, young man..."
"Lilybrook was once a small village filled with lilies. Among them was a magical lily so powerful it drew the attention of a terrible monster. The creature stole the lily and took it deep into the Dungeon Overworld."
"Did the villagers ever recover the magical lily?" Rowan asks.The man shakes his head. "They tried. But the monster guarding it was far too powerful."
Rowan's headache worsens."So... how did the village become a town?"The man looks concerned. "You don't look well. Maybe you should rest."
"No!" Rowan insists. "I want to hear the whole story!"
The man hesitates, then continues:
"With help from the King of Verdantia and Baron Thaddeus Fern, the village was rebuilt and transformed into the thriving town you see today..."
Suddenly, Rowan collapses."L-l-lily…" he mutters before falling unconscious.
Dream Sequence
In his dream, Rowan remembers battling a terrifying creature—Komodrake.He shouts at a girl beside him:"LILY, RUN! GET OUT OF HERE!"
She flees... but is ambushed outside.Rowan screams, "NO! LILY!!" as he jolts awake in panic.
"Nightmare?" asks a voice.
Rowan turns to see the man again. Tears run down his face."Who is Lily...? Why am I crying? Where was I? And why was I fighting that monster...?"
The man suddenly throws a potato at him."Hey! You hungry?"Rowan flinches. "W-where am I...?""You fainted, so I brought you to my house. You just now noticed I'm here?" the man scoffs.
"I'm sorry for causing trouble...""No worries," the man replies. "But remember—you owe me a favor."
"A favor... for what?"
The man grins wickedly."Hehehe... HEHAHAHA!"
Terrified, Rowan asks, "W-what kind of work?"The man suddenly stops laughing and says casually, "Just some labor work. But wait—what's your name? You never told me."
"L-labor...?""YES, LABOR! WHAT'S YOUR NAME?!" he shouts, spitting a little.
"R-ro-ROWAN, SIR!""Hah! Good. My name's Hap—people call me Hap the Laborer."Rowan chuckles. "H-Hap the L-laborer... HAHAHA!"Veins bulge on Hap's forehead."OUU YOU LAUGH?! Just wait until tomorrow!"
'I'm doomed…' Rowan thinks.
"LET'S EAT!" Hap declares."ALRIGHT!" Rowan replies, defeated.
That Night
Before sleeping, Rowan thinks:
Who am I, really? Who is this "Lily"? And what must I do to uncover my past...?
As he drifts into sleep, he sees a beautiful woman in his dream.
"O Rowan... seek all the flowers in this world," she says gently.
Rowan frowns.
"OI, WHY DO I HAVE TO COLLECT ALL THE FLOWERS?! WHY?!"
The woman smiles. "You'll understand soon, O Rowan—"
Suddenly, Hap's face appears in the dream.
"ROWAN, WAKE UP! IT'S MORNING!"
"AAHHH! UGLY OLD MAN!!" Rowan screams.
Hap smacks his head.
"Oi! What was that for?!" Rowan grumbles.
"Hahaha, it's been ages since someone insulted me... but don't you dare say it again," Hap warns, smirking.
"Gulp F-fi-fine…"
They eat breakfast, then head out for a walk. Rowan sees heavily injured warriors in armor carrying weapons.
"Who are they? Why do they look so battered?" he asks.
"They're dungeon travelers—monster hunters," Hap replies."They hunt roaming beasts, and some enter the Dungeon Overworld to retrieve the magical lily. But so far, they've all failed."
Rowan watches them intensely.Should I become a traveler... and a hunter?
Hap notices.
"Oi, what are you staring at? You're nowhere near ready to be like them. You haven't even finished your job—I mean our job!"
Rowan glares at him suspiciously. "Your job—?"
"Nope nope! Our job!" Hap interrupts quickly.
Rowan groans. "Fine... but—can I really become like them?"
Hap grins."Maybe... but only if you defeat me first! Now let's get to work—HAHAHA!"
Rowan sighs. "Hahaha… alright."
Sudden Attack
While working, Rowan notices a huge tiger-like beast approaching—Tigrothan.
"HAP! BEHIND YOU—A MONSTER!"
To be continued....