In Skyrim's first DLC, Dawnguard, a player who reaches Level 8 and visits any town or city can expect to meet a special friend.
Specifically, Durak, a member of the Dawnguard, arrives to recruit the player after hearing of their fame.
Whether you accept or claim you're not interested, the Dawnguard main quest begins regardless.
Durak was clad in Dawnguard heavy armor and gauntlets, though he had left his helmet off.
But what really caught my eye was the weapon strapped to his back.
Having spotted us from a distance, he walked slowly toward the Dragonborn, Choi Ha-neul.
"You there. The one with the light blue hair."
"Huh? Me?"
Choi Ha-neul asked, pointing a finger at herself.
"Yes. I heard you explored Labyrinthian and played a major role in the battle against the dragon. I'm looking for capable talent for the Dawnguard."
"Dawnguard? What's that?"
Ha-neul asked. While I had warned her about Harkon, I hadn't explicitly mentioned the Dawnguard yet, so she genuinely had no clue.
Durak provided an explanation that was surprisingly kind for an Orc.
"The Dawnguard is an order formed to hunt vampires. Our fortress is located southeast of Riften. That is all."
Typical Orc—saying only what was necessary before turning to leave.
To return to our original world, we would eventually have to take down Harkon. However, I didn't plan on joining immediately.
Vampires were high-level threats and naturally powerful due to their racial traits.
Though we had a complete party now, we hadn't been working together for long. We needed more training and experience.
"That's a peculiar weapon on his back. A bow? Maybe?"
"I... I've read about that in a book."
Lydia and Eloise remarked as they watched Durak walk away.
As anyone could guess, that weapon was the crossbow—the ranged weapon added in the DLC.
'I want to delay joining, but I really want that crossbow.'
Unfortunately, since it was a Dawnguard-exclusive weapon, you couldn't find it in normal shops.
"Join the Dawnguard?"
Choi Ha-neul muttered while staring into thin air. A quest notification must have popped up for her.
Unlike her, no main quest windows appeared for me. But since I already knew the content by heart, it wasn't an issue.
"Are you going to join?"
Lydia asked, her eyes sparkling strangely.
"Are you interested?"
I asked, surprised by Lydia's uncharacteristic enthusiasm.
"Yes. I've heard stories of the Dawnguard before. Besides, killing vampires is for the good of the world."
She wasn't wrong, but for now, pushing the main quest and getting stronger was the priority.
My plan was to push through until just before the mission to infiltrate the Thalmor Embassy.
"We have quite a lot on our plate right now, so it might be better to join later."
"Yes. That sounds good."
Lydia seemed satisfied. Seeing Lydia so proactive was an interesting change from the game.
"Aren't... aren't vampires dangerous?"
Eloise spoke up with concern, but there was nothing to fear. We had the Dovahkiin with us.
And the Dawnguard NPCs were quite formidable themselves.
At any rate, we entered the Sleeping Giant Inn and approached Delphine to ask to rent the 'Attic Room.'
"The Attic Room? We don't have an attic, but follow me."
Ha-neul and I followed Delphine into a small room on the left side of the inn. I had already explained the situation to Lydia and Eloise, so they waited at a table in the common area.
Since two people were following her, Delphine asked,
"Which one of you received the letter?"
I explained for her.
"I'm the one who retrieved it, but the Dragonborn is this Elf right here."
Delphine looked closely at Choi Ha-neul, and as if suddenly remembering something, she spoke.
"Ah, you're the one who came to town a while ago. And I think I've seen the man next to you somewhere as well."
'Did she see me arguing with Camilla back then?'
I immediately played dumb.
"Ahem—you must be mistaken. Usually, if you can't remember something clearly, it means it wasn't very important."
"Is that so? I've been so distracted lately with the dragons that I can't keep my head straight."
Fortunately, she let it slide. It was a relief that Delphine was stressed out by the recent dragon sightings.
After that whole spectacle at the inn previously, I didn't need to give her a reason to hold a grudge. By the way, I wondered how Camilla was doing. She's probably fine.
"Lock the door there."
Standing in front of a wardrobe, Delphine asked us to close the door. In the game, NPCs could watch and nothing would happen, but reality was different.
By now, Delphine had dropped the formal speech. Since we were in the same boat, I didn't mind.
Click
I closed the door and locked it from the inside. Delphine then fiddled with a mechanism inside the wardrobe, revealing a secret passage behind it.
"Whoa, it's just like a spy movie!"
"Movie? What's that?"
'I told you to be careful.'
I gave the loose-lipped Ha-neul a light poke in the ribs for mentioning Earth concepts again and headed down the stairs. She was serious during combat, but these minor slip-ups during her downtime were a problem.
Descending into the secret space, I saw a map of Skyrim on a central table and various weapons, armor, and potions displayed on the walls.
I hadn't felt much when seeing this in the game, but seeing it in person, it definitely gave off a secret agent vibe.
"So you are the Dragonborn. Being a High Elf, I even suspected you might be a Thalmor spy."
"Thalmor? Could you tell me more about them?"
"Yes. The Thalmor is a group comprised of High Elves and Wood Elves, the leading organization of the Aldmeri Dominion. Those 'pointy-ears' are itching to swallow Skyrim whole, so no one looks upon them kindly."
"No wonder... I thought some people were looking at me rather coldly lately."
At Delphine's explanation, Choi Ha-neul finally understood the chilly reception she had encountered before.
Delphine went on to reveal she was a member of a secret organization and informed us that according to her investigation, a dragon was set to appear in Kynesgrove.
Ha-neul listened to Delphine's story with intense focus, while I just listened half-heartedly.
"Kynesgrove is here. Right below Windhelm. My findings suggest it will emerge in about ten days."
"Ugh! A dragon!"
At Delphine's words, Ha-neul was suddenly reminded of the ordeal in Whiterun.
Dragons. Beasts of monstrous strength and fire reminiscent of hell—creatures that felt like the very concept of a 'calamity' made flesh.
"Yes. Prepare yourself thoroughly and do not be late. We cannot strike it down without you."
Delphine then returned the Horn. My heart grew heavy at the thought of having to climb those 7,000 steps again.
Before leaving, Choi Ha-neul threw out one more question.
"Wait. Aren't you going to explain that secret organization?"
"I'm afraid not just yet. I'll tell you after we've dealt with the dragon together."
Having concluded the secret meeting, we opened the wardrobe door and returned to our companions.
"Is it over?"
"Yes!"
Ha-neul replied to Lydia's question.
"What did she say?"
This time Eloise asked.
"We're fighting a dragon in ten days."
"!"
Eloise and Lydia looked aghast.
"Seeing... seeing a dragon in person is interesting, but..."
"It's worrying. There might be casualties like there were in Whiterun."
Lydia finished Eloise's sentence.
It wasn't as if I had no plan. Once we returned to Whiterun, I intended for everyone to train in their respective fields.
As we stepped out of the inn to head back to Whiterun, Choi Ha-neul asked if I didn't have something to do before we left.
"Huh? Not really?"
When I answered honestly because I genuinely didn't know, Ha-neul let out a deep sigh.
"Haa... you should say goodbye to Camilla before you go!"
"Oh."
But wouldn't it be better not to see her? Stirring things up while she's trying to move on might just make it worse.
"Let's just go. And besides, even if it wasn't intended, I'm the only guy in a group of women. It might make her even sadder if she saw us."
"Haa... I suppose there's no helping it."
She muttered about how pitiful Camilla was. But honestly, I felt a bit wronged too.
"What are you two whispering about?"
Eloise asked from behind, but I told her it was nothing and quickly mounted my horse.
If this story ever got out, Lydia and Eloise might look at me with contempt. Since that could damage the team's trust, I strictly warned Ha-neul never to speak of it.
"Yeah, yeah."
As expected, I didn't trust her one bit.
Riften's inn, The Bee and Barb.
In a private room on the second floor, a middle-aged woman adorned with jewelry and clothes that looked expensive at a glance sat waiting for someone.
Her name was Maven Black-Briar.
The Black-Briar family was the true power behind Riften. Though they were already a prestigious house, their influence had surged under Maven's leadership after her meadery business became a massive success.
Even Laila Law-Giver, the Jarl of Riften, maintained close ties with the Black-Briars. Their relationship with the Thieves Guild went without saying.
Her control over the meadery and her immense influence over the city were testaments to her brilliant business acumen and her iron-fisted leadership as the head of the family.
A moment later, with a soft click, a woman wearing a black hood entered the room.
'Finally here. Is this the newcomer rumored to be the most skilled in the Guild?'
Maven didn't bother rising from her seat, instead staring arrogantly at the woman. Given Maven's status, it was only natural.
The mysterious woman stood with her back straight and bowed to Maven.
"Thank you for requesting me personally. I will complete any mission you assign."
Though the woman was polite, the fastidious Maven looked for any weakness she could find.
"To be honest, you don't look all that reliable. I heard you were a woman, but looking at how frail you are, what use could you possibly be?"
Maven deliberately belittled her, but the woman remained expressionless, seemingly unbothered.
"Do not worry. I will handle it decisively."
Despite her cold, blank face, there was a spark of fire burning in her eyes.