As the trio arrived at Shun Village, they immediately noticed how different it was from the bustling market they had passed through earlier. Unlike the lively entrance area, Shun Village was eerily quiet and isolated. The few residents they saw outside were quick to notice the new arrivals, their curious gazes following the trio as soon as they stepped onto the village grounds.
Mia scanned the area and her eyes landed on a small girl who seemed to be trying to avoid their gaze. The girl looked like she wanted to run, but Mia approached her with a gentle demeanor. The girl immediately hid behind an older woman as Mia drew near.
"I am Mia, a Warlord with the Kingdom of Mordell. Can you tell me where I might find your village chief? It's of utmost importance," Mia said, her tone formal but kind.
The old woman looked down at the girl, gave her a reassuring smile, and then nodded. The little girl peeked out from behind the woman and pointed toward a modest building that seemed no different from the others.
The trio made their way to the building and found the village chief inside. He was not what Mia had expected—a young, handsome man with a serious expression. It quickly became clear that he had only recently taken on the role, likely after the passing of the former chief, his father. The young man welcomed them and after a brief exchange of greetings, he handed them a small box, explaining that it was something his father had entrusted to him for this very occasion.
Mia eyed the box with curiosity, wondering what it contained. However, she reminded herself that their mission wasn't to investigate but to transport the item safely. With the first part of their mission complete, they now needed to find an inn for the night. The sun was setting, and traveling after dark in the Valley of Day was not an option.
"Do you know where we might find an inn? We're extremely tired after our travels," Mia asked.
The chief smiled, understanding their weariness. The least he could do was provide them with proper room and board. Unbeknownst to the trio, the box they now carried contained an important artifact crucial to the safety of Shun Village.
Once they reached the inn, Sylvie and Mia decided to share a room, while Bane opted for a separate one. Although it wasn't strictly necessary, they didn't want to make the chief uncomfortable, and Bane insisted on the arrangement due to the traditions of his kingdom, which forbade sharing a bed with a woman unless he was wed to her. This surprised both Mia and Sylvie, but neither opposed his decision.
In their room, Mia inspected her gear, ensuring everything was in place, while Sylvie prepared to rest. Mia's curiosity got the better of her, and she glanced at the small box they had been given.
"What do you think is in here?" Mia asked, her voice tinged with curiosity as she pointed to the box.
Sylvie, already tired from the day's events, kept her response brief. "I don't know, but we should rest. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."
Mia nodded, pushing her curiosity aside as she set the box down and prepared to sleep. As she settled in, she spoke softly, almost as if confessing a long-held secret. "Thank you for accepting the mission. I need this so my guild members know I'm not a fraud. You don't know what it's like—the secret sneers, everyone staring, saying I only got in because of my connections."
Sylvie listened quietly, understanding all too well the burden of expectations. She had lived under the shadow of her sister's achievements for years, and she knew the weight of proving oneself. "I know more than you think," Sylvie replied, her voice gentle but firm. "Forge your own path. Fight for it. And people won't ever confuse your success with anyone else's. Make them see you."
Mia smiled, comforted by Sylvie's words, and soon the two drifted off to sleep.
Outside the village, Gram and his party were lying in wait. He had set several traps along the path he expected Sylvie and her group to take on their return. His plan was simple—ambush them, incapacitate them, and exact his revenge on Sylvie for all the times she had bested him. Her partners? They were just collateral damage.
As he and his group waited, Gram smirked at the thought of finally putting Sylvie in her place. But what he didn't know was that they were being watched as well. High above them, perched on the cliffs overlooking their camp, was a small group of Slordes. These beasts, long thought to be dormant during the day, had been awakened by Gram's careless actions earlier. By smashing the encased Slorde statue, he had triggered a mutation that gave these particular Slordes brief immunity to daylight—a fact known only to seasoned adventurers and high-ranked Warlords.
As dusk fell, Gram and his party remained hidden, eagerly anticipating the moment Sylvie's group would leave the village. He was completely unaware that the Slordes were closing in on them from every angle.
Before they knew it, Gram's party was under attack. The Slordes descended upon them with terrifying speed, their pack-like movements making it impossible to escape. Panic set in as Gram ordered a retreat, but it was already too late. The Slordes had encircled their camp, leaving no room to maneuver.
"Get me out of here, you fools! My family will pay a great sum!" Gram shouted, his voice trembling with fear.
His party members exchanged glances, realizing just how dire their situation was. They had followed Gram out of greed, but now they were beginning to see the true cost of their decision. As they tried to cover Gram's escape, the first member of the Terraformer Guild was cut down, his screams echoing through the darkening valley.
The Slordes were relentless, their claws and teeth tearing through flesh with ease. Gram's panic grew as he watched another member of his party, also from the Terraformer Guild, conjure a smokescreen burst spell in a desperate attempt to create an opening. But as the smoke cleared, what Gram saw filled him with horror—fifteen Slordes surrounded them, their eyes glowing with predatory hunger.
Gram finally understood the gravity of his mistake. This was not a fight he could win. As the Slordes closed in, he realized with a sinking heart that he had led his party to their doom.