Monster Reserve Ranger: A Slice of Life Fantasy, page 1
Monster Reserve Ranger
A Slice of Life Fantasy
Shane Cutter
Copyright © 2024 by Shane Cutter
All rights reserved.
No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.
Contents
1. Prologue
2. Chapter 1
3. Chapter 2
4. Chapter 3
5. Chapter 4
6. Chapter 5
7. Chapter 6
8. Chapter 7
9. Chapter 8
10. Chapter 9
11. Chapter 10
12. Chapter 11
13. Chapter 12
14. Chapter 13
15. Chapter 14
16. Chapter 15
17. Chapter 16
18. Chapter 17
19. Chapter 18
20. Chapter 19
21. Chapter 20
22. Chapter 21
23. Chapter 22
24. Chapter 23
25. Chapter 24
26. Chapter 25
27. Chapter 26
28. Chapter 27
29. Chapter 28
30. Chapter 29
Prologue
The stench of ash and burnt flesh flooded my breath and lungs. I stared at the crater where the enemy encampment had stood, a yawning maw of blackened earth stretching as far as I could see. Not a single structure remained, not even a charred bone. My spells had devoured it all.
"Magnificent work, Brimlock!" Commander Smith clapped me on the back, his voice booming. "You're the ultimate weapon. The fiery fist of the Allfather himself."
I offered a weak smile, the words sticking in my throat like dry tinder. Magnificent? Weapon?
The war was over, thanks in no small part to me. I had followed my orders. My flames had shattered the enemy's lines, leaving nothing but smoldering ruins in its wake. But at what cost?
I still saw faces in the smoke, heard screams echoing in the silence. Friends, comrades, all consumed by the spells I had unleashed because of my orders. The victory felt hollow, a bitter taste on my tongue.
"There will always be another fight, Brimlock," Smith said, his voice tinged with a disturbing hunger. "More enemies to crush. More chances to show your prowess."
He didn't see the horror in my face, the way my fingernails were digging into my palms.
"I've had my fill, Commander," I said, my voice hoarse. "This… this was enough."
He frowned, his gaze hardening. "Brimlock, you have a duty to your kingdom. To yourself and your gift."
But duty had brought me here, to this desolate wasteland. What I saw before me was no gift.
"I'm leaving," I said, turning away from the smoldering ruins.
"Brimlock? Brimlock!"
I didn't look back. I couldn't.
"I didn't dismiss you! Get back here, soldier! Briml—"
Thorne froze as I finally turned one eye towards him, the fire in my blood boiling. Smoke hissed from the tips of my fingers.
"Goodbye, Commander," I said quietly.
Goodbye to it all.
Chapter 1
The crunch of gravel under my boots was the first sign that I'd arrived. Ten years in the military, most of it spent on scorched battlefields, hadn't exactly prepared me for the tranquil beauty of Whispering Pines. Sunlight dappled through the towering pines, casting gently swaying patterns of light and shadow onto the forest floor. A far cry from the sulfurous stink and the screams of the dying I was used to. Yeah, Whispering Pines Magical Creature Reserve was definitely a change of pace. I took a deep breath of the clean, pine-scented air, letting the tension ease out of my shoulders. Time to start a new chapter.
A weathered sign, carved with an overly-detailed stag and the words "Ranger HQ," pointed down a narrow path. I adjusted the pack on my shoulders, feeling the weight of my meager belongings – a few changes of clothes, a worn-out spellbook, and the memories I couldn't seem to shake. What in the hells was I doing here? Trading in the battlefield for a petting zoo? Maybe. But maybe I was also looking for something more. Something to make up for the things I'd done.
The path opened into a clearing, revealing a sturdy log cabin. It wasn't fancy, but it had a certain rustic charm. A woman stood on the porch, leaning against the railing, her arms crossed over her chest. Even from a distance, I could tell she was striking. Long, dark hair with streaks of silver was pulled back in a braid that emphasized the sharp lines of her cheekbones. She wore the standard-issue ranger uniform, but on her, the fitted leather corset and snug pants looked…damn. It was like someone had sculpted her from a warrior goddess and then decided to add a touch of something wild, something untamed. My pulse quickened. Maybe this ranger gig wouldn't be so bad after all.
"You Ash Brimlock?" Her voice was sharp, all business. No warm welcome to Whispering Pines for this ex-soldier.
"That's me," I said, stopping a few feet away, giving her a slow once-over that I hoped conveyed my appreciation. "Reporting for duty, ma'am." Old habits die hard, I guess. And she was even more stunning up close. Those steel-gray eyes could probably melt glaciers.
As we stepped onto the porch, a young woman emerged from the cabin, her arms laden with bundles of herbs. She was petite and delicate, with a cloud of wild, curly hair the color of spring leaves. Her eyes, a mesmerizing mix of greens and browns, widened as she saw me.
"Raven, who's this?" she asked, her voice soft and melodious.
"Jasmine, this is Ash Brimlock," Raven said, gesturing towards me. "Our newest recruit. Brimlock, this is Jasmine Larkspur, our resident herbalist and expert on all things flora and fauna."
Jasmine gave me a shy smile, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink. "Welcome to Whispering Pines," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I hope you enjoy your stay."
"Thanks," I said, returning her smile. "I'm sure I will." I couldn't help but notice the way her eyes lingered on me, a hint of curiosity and perhaps a touch of admiration in their depths.
Raven cleared her throat, her expression unreadable. "Jasmine, why don't you go ahead and get those herbs sorted? We need to get Brimlock settled in."
"Right," Jasmine said, her gaze flickering between Raven and me. "I'll see you later, Ash."
"Later," I said, watching as she disappeared into the cabin. Damn, two beautiful women in one place? Maybe this ranger gig was going to be even better than I thought.
"Don't even think about it, Brimlock," Raven said, her voice sharp. "Jasmine's off-limits."
"What? I wasn't thinking anything," I protested, though my thoughts had definitely drifted towards a certain curly-haired herbalist.
"Just keep your eyes to yourself," Raven warned. "And your hands."
"Yes, ma'am," I said, trying to suppress a grin. This was going to be interesting.
She gave me a once-over of her own, her gaze lingering on the burn scar on my left arm. A faint flicker of curiosity crossed her face, but it was quickly replaced by a professional mask. "I'm Raven," she said, her tone clipped. "Senior Ranger here. And you're late."
"Traffic jam. Giant spider had decided to build a web across the main road." I shrugged, offering a wry smile, hoping to crack that icy exterior. "You know how it is."
Raven didn't smile back. "Right. Because giant spider traffic jams are so common outside this neck of the woods." Her gaze was sharp, assessing. "You're a fire mage." It wasn't a question.
"Guilty as charged," I said, holding up my hands in mock surrender, letting a sphere of fire ignite in my palm. I spun the miniature sun between my fingers, its heat a familiar comfort. "Don't worry, I keep it under control. Mostly." I let the flame disappear, giving her a wink. "Wouldn't want to set the forest on fire before I even clock in."
"Let's hope so," Raven muttered, pushing off the railing. Her eyes flickered down to my hands, then back up to my face. "We've all heard what the Red Demon did..." Her voice trailed off, and she shuddered slightly. I could feel the weight of that name, the fear and hatred it evoked.
"Yeah, complete asshole, that Red Demon guy." I chuckled humorlessly, rubbing the back of my neck, trying to brush off the memories that clung to me. "Luckily for us, I heard he, uh, went off and retired. So we're all good here." I had been called many things by people on both sides of the war. The Red Demon was one of the tamer nicknames.
Raven grunted, seemingly unconvinced. "Come on," she said, gesturing towards the cabin. "Let's get this over with. I'll give you the rundown."
The inside of the cabin was surprisingly cozy. A fire crackled in the hearth, filling the air with a pleasant smoky scent. Maps covered one wall, dotted with strange symbols I didn't recognize. Raven gestured to a chair at a sturdy wooden table piled high with scrolls and books. I sat down, watching as she moved around the cabin, her every movement graceful and efficient. She was something else.
"So," Raven said, leaning back in her chair, those sharp gray eyes fixed on me. "You're here because...?"
"Because I want to make a difference," I said, trying to sound sincere. "Ten years fighting, watching things burn... I'm ready to protect something for a change." Truth was, I was sick of the smell of ash and blood. This place, with its clean air and the hum of magic under the surface, it called to me. And, okay, maybe the woman with the silver-streaked braid and the way those pants hugged her hips was a bit of a draw to
Raven's expression didn't change. "And you think you can protect anything here?"
"I'm a fast learner," I said, offering another smile. "Besides, who else is going to respond to the 'fire-breathing dragon needs a belly rub' calls?"
She let out a humorless chuckle. "Right. Because that's all we do here. Play fetch with dragons." She leaned forward, her expression serious. "This isn't some game, Brimlock. This job is dangerous. We're talking about creatures with teeth and claws and magic that can melt your face off before you can say 'boo.' Not to mention your kind."
Now, that stung a little. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Fire mages," she said, her voice flat. "They destroy. Forests... they burn. Not exactly a match made in heaven, are we?" She paused, then added, her voice laced with something I couldn't quite place, "At least you're not the Red Demon." Her eyes went to the top of my head. "They say his hair is as crimson as the liquid flames pooling in his footsteps."
I forced a chuckle, ruffling my hand through my hair. "Good thing I'm just a dirty auburn." I made a show of checking the soles of my boots. "No liquid flames here. Nope." I shrugged. "Besides, no one with that much power would ever sign up for this job, right?"
"Right," Raven said, but the way she was eyeing me, I knew she still wasn't entirely convinced. "Look, Brimlock, let's be practical. The pay here's practically an insult. The hours are brutal. And the work? Let's just say most people wouldn't last a week out here. So, I have to ask..." She leaned forward, her gaze piercing. "Why are you really here?"
I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "Maybe I'm a glutton for punishment."
"Maybe," she said, her gaze sweeping over me again, lingering a moment too long on my chest. I could feel a certain warmth spreading through me, a reaction I hadn't felt in a long time. "Or maybe you're hiding something."
"What could I possibly be hiding out here?" I asked, trying to sound innocent.
"That's what I'm trying to find out," she said, her voice low. "But let's be clear, Brimlock. This isn't some city park where you can impress the ladies with a few fire tricks. This is Whispering Pines. It's wild. It's dangerous. And it takes a special kind of crazy to survive out here."
"Well," I said, meeting her gaze, "I've always considered myself a bit of a thrill-seeker."
Raven snorted. "Thrill-seeker. Right. Look, our mission is to preserve and protect endangered creatures. Most people who apply for this job, they at least love nature. You?" She looked at me skeptically.
"I'm a huge animal lover," I lied. That nasty drake incident from my childhood flashed before my eyes. The way its eyes glowed in the dark before it sunk its teeth into my arm... Oh, once I had learned a spell or two, fourteen-year-old me had shown that drake who was boss. But Raven didn't need to know about that. Not yet.
"Right," she said, clearly not believing me. "And the low pay, the isolation, the constant threat of being eaten by a griffin... that doesn't bother you?"
"Not much worse than what I did before," I said. "I want to learn. I want to help." I paused, adding, "Besides, I hear the company isn't so bad either." My gaze drifted down to her lips, then back up to her eyes.
Raven's lips twitched, but she quickly schooled her expression. "Don't get any ideas, Brimlock. I'm your superior, not your..." She stopped abruptly, her cheeks flushing a faint pink. Damn, she was cute when she was flustered.
"Not my what?" I pressed, enjoying her flustered expression.
"Not important," she muttered, pushing back from the table. "And then there's the small matter of the ranger requirements," she continued, her voice taking on a stiff, bored tone, like she was reciting a shopping list. "You see, there's this little thing where you actually have to be a certified ranger, or at least on the path to becoming one."
"Ah," I said, my stomach dropping. I might have skipped over that part in the job posting. In my defense, the words "Urgently Hiring" and "Competitive Salary" (they lied about that last part) were in a rather large font. "About that..."
Raven sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Don't tell me. You're a whiz with a fireball, but ask you to use a bow and arrow, and you wouldn't hit the broad side of a barn."
"Hey, I'm a quick learner," I protested, though the truth was, I hadn't touched a physical weapon in years. Why bother when you can summon fire with a flick of your wrist? "I mean, how hard can it be to hit a barn?"
Raven stood up with a sigh. "One year, Brimlock. That's all you get. One year to prove you're not just another fire-happy mage who's going to turn the reserve into a pile of charcoal."
She walked over to a bookshelf crammed with leather-bound volumes, her hips swaying slightly beneath the tight fabric of her pants. I swear she adjusted her belt, pulling the material even tighter. Was she teasing me? Or was I just that starved for female attention?
"This," she said, pulling out a thick book with a blank cover, "is the Ranger Chronicle. It records your skills, your progress, your...achievements." She handed me the book. "Consider it your magical resume."
I took it, surprised by its weight. I opened the cover. As soon as my fingers brushed the blank page inside, lines of spidery script appeared as if by magic.
Name: Ash Brimlock
Rank: Apprentice Ranger (Probationary)
Ranger Skills: (None yet. Slacker.)
Recent Notable Events: Arrival at Whispering Pines. Late. Blamed a giant spider. (Really?)
On the Right Path?: Too early to tell. But those boots need polishing.
"Interesting," I said, smirking at the Chronicle's snarky comments. "So, how do I earn some skills?"
"By proving yourself," Raven said, her gaze unwavering. "By showing that you're more than just a fire mage. By protecting this reserve and its creatures."
"Challenge accepted," I said, meeting her gaze. "I'll show you what I'm made of."
"You're ex-military. You can at least use a bow, right?" Raven asked, her voice laced with skepticism.
"Well..." I started. "I know how to tie one."
"Track an animal through the woods?"
"If it's on fire?" Oh wait, that sounded un-rangerlike. "Not that I would ever set an animal on fire. Unless it was a fire salamander or something that actually enjoyed being bathed in flames. Because, you know. I really love animals."
"Brimlock," she interrupted, her voice sharp. She was getting that exasperated look on her face again, the one that made me want to... well, never mind.
But then, I noticed it. She was looking me up and down, her gaze lingering on my arms, my chest again... When she caught me looking, she quickly averted her eyes, but not before I saw a flicker of something in their depths. Heat? Appreciation? Maybe even a hint of... desire?
"Fine," she said abruptly, spinning on her heel. "Follow me. I'll give you the tour."
I followed her out of the cabin, my gaze again drawn to the way her pants hugged her ass as she walked. While she started explaining the layout of the reserve and the different magical creatures that called it home, I did my best not to ogle. I mean, damn, I had just spent the last ten years of my prime in the army. They had snatched me up at sixteen, as soon as my fire-magic balls had fully dropped. There were a handful of women in the army, sure, and being a mage usually came with perks on the very limited social scene. But I had been the Red Demon. A reputation for incinerating humans wasn't exactly a big draw.
I could get used to this place, I decided. Ranger school might be a pain, but hey, at least the view – both the scenery and the Senior Ranger – was nice. And maybe, just maybe, I could find a way to bury the Red Demon and become someone new. Someone better.
Chapter 2
The cabin door slammed shut behind me, echoing through the silent forest. Raven was already a few paces ahead, her long legs eating up the ground. I hurried to catch up, my boots crunching on the fallen leaves. My muscles, honed from years of military training, felt good under my worn ranger uniform. I might not have been wearing my old armor, but I still carried myself with the confidence of a seasoned soldier. I ran a hand through my auburn hair, the color a stark contrast to the Red Demon's infamous crimson locks.
"So," I said, trying to break the ice, "how big is this place again?"
