The wind raged on throughout the darkness, accompanying the solemn moon.
It rose to the center of the world as it watches over the sleeping souls.
Even in the dead of night, the forest still looked bright as day. But the shining environment felt strange with the silence; a sight usually seen bustling back on earth.
The cave they settled in howled as it bounced the wind back to where it came from, as though it was breathing.
The natural constitution of the cave made it freezing, but the beds Michael had modified proved to be effective as his friends slept heavily and comfortably.
Though despite that, the others also slept, though stiffly.
After dinner, all fell asleep almost immediately…Well, almost everyone.
Swish! Swish! Swoosh!
Just outside the cavern, an individual swung his sword arduously.
Even with the frigid air, he sweats, swinging his sword rhythmically.
In a tempo, he repeats the same pattern; an overhead, a side slash, then finishing with a bottom strike before starting the process again. It had a few variations of left and right, but it followed the same formula.
Ten minutes became twenty, and twenty became thirty minutes, but he never stopped until reaching an hour.
Finishing his late-night workout, he performed a free-style with a situation in mind.
Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath.
Suddenly, five shadowy figures emerged from the ground, surrounding him. The shadows circled him as they brought out their weapons; spear, sword, ax, mace, and daggers.
Taking a deep breath once more, he opened his eyes with resolve and charged. Pulling back his sword and aims for the one in front wielding the same.
The figure attacked first and swung heavily. But with such a wide swing it was easily blocked.
In a stalemate, both locked eyes before the boy looked behind to see the others charging.
Immediately, he pushed its sword back and kicked the shadow before focusing on the rest.
He ran as to not get cornered and adapted a hit-and-run strategy. He would suddenly stop to strike before escaping again.
If it gets blocked, he would push them away. And since they were all lined up, one tumble and they would all go down like dominos.
After a few rotations, the one behind him was now the figure brandishing its daggers.
The boy thought it was the biggest threat for its speed because of the light weapon. With that in mind, he abruptly stopped again. He skidded to a halt.
Turning around, he struck but was easily blocked by the figure, locking it in a place like what he had seen Celine do earlier.
Recalling the event, he copied the spearman's technique and easily unlatched his weapon.
But this time, instead of running away after the first contact, he followed up with a thrust attack after pushing its hands away. Stabbing it right in the heart.
No blood came out, however, it dissipated regardless.
Not batting an eye, he continued running but his plan was quickly foiled.
Using the time the boy stabbed the one with a dagger, the rest quickly surrounded him. Eagerly closing in.
Clicking his tongue, he cursed.
Simultaneously, the figures charged at him.
He tried to dodge the strikes and wait for an opportunity to slip away but was clipped by a spear.
One thing lead to another and he was quickly brought down.
The spearman looked at him condescendingly before finishing him off—or so how it should've gone, but the figures disappeared as soon as it was about to come into contact. Saving the boy from death.
But instead of joy, a bitter expression formed on his face.
"Can't you come up with easier opponents?" He said to himself—it was Michael.
He was doing shadow training; the figures were mere figments of his imaginations.
Standing up, he returned the sword into the ring and called it the night. He still had a long day tomorrow. One where he'll have to kill…
He clasped his cold hands together and took a deep breath to calm his quivering nerves. No matter how long, flesh hitting flesh was the feeling he would never forget. He would once again feel it tomorrow…
After a while, he brought out a towel and a t-shirt. He admired the majestic view of the lake one last time before heading back.
Changing as he walked back towards the cave, a concealed presence observed him with a pair of red glowing eyes. Eerily gazing at him from a distance.
The stare sent shivers down his spine, it gave him goosebumps.
He immediately turned around and raised his guards. He materialized his sword back into his hands as he lowered his body, putting on a stable stance in case of an attack.
He warily looked all around, continuously rotating to avoid an attack in a blindspot. Assessing his surroundings, cold sweat trickled down his neck. But nothing was seen.
Nothing but the swaying trees and the unusual silence.
In a cold sweat, he cautiously rushed towards the cave.
Upon entering, he took glances outside but still nothing seemed off. Nothing changed. Nothing even moved…
The event had put him on edge but he had to sleep for tomorrow.
Paranoid, he laid down on his bed. But despite the skin-crawling feeling, he fell quickly asleep because of his tired complexion.
But his suspicions were on point. The creature that glared at him leaped from tree to tree, taking its leave to an unknown destination…
—
"Michael…" A voice ringed inside his head.
"Michael." It repeated. But Michael's heavy eyelids made him unable to wake up—his body was still recovering from the night before.
"Michael!"
Thump!
Finally, his eyes opened. The person—Zack nudged him awake. But it made Michael roll off his bed. The bed was slightly elevated from the logs he added under his.
"Hm?" Michael rubbed his eyes and yawned, not minding the fall. Not even feeling it at all, as the only sensation he felt was pain from his sore muscles.
"It's almost lunch," Zack stated, sitting on the bed and leaning towards Michael.
Still groggy, he replied. "Oh, my bad. I missed training. Must've been hell out there." He sat down and leaned on the cave's wall.
Zack laughed. "Did you forget? We're currently outside right now." Laying down on the bed.
"Then what's with that frown?" Michael questioned, noticing his unusually lowered brows.
Zack's eyes widened in surprise then smiled. "Damn, was I that obvious?"
"What happened?" Michael's brows furrowed. He took a glance at the others to see their dejected faces. Something was wrong.
"You see…" Zack sat and crossed his legs, looking at him with a grim face. "Sir Duke and Celine are nowhere to be seen."
"What?!" Michael stood up. He looked at the others outside wearily looking for them. They looked nervous.
But they weren't concerned about them, after all, they are generals of a Kingdom. Instead, they're scared for their lives. What will happen to us now? They thought.
They could go back to the city, but the attack, yesterday, seemed unlikely and risky.
Maybe they could survive in the forest? Or wait for an adventurer of some sort and ask for help? Even going to the nearest village or town is also applicable.
They had multiple options but none were in the right mindset to think clearly. Except for Michael who subconsciously bit his lip bitterly at the sight of them.
'Come to think of it, their beds looked flat and empty last night…' Michael grimaced remembering the night before.
Although as much as he doesn't like the others, he came out of the cave and helped also.
They could theoretically wait here, but it isn't ideal as they could get ambushed by monsters anytime. Going to a nearby town might also cause some problems as they are from another world.
Same with adventurers. They cannot be too friendly with a stranger. Knowing how greedy humans are, they would just be sold to a slave dealer. Or worse, killed and looted.
Especially with their rings.
Searching around the perimeter of the open space, Michael sat down on a log by the lake a few meters away from the cavern.
It started to seem hopeless as they already searched the clearance from the front back.
Whilst resting, Michael suddenly heard rustling shrubbery nearby. He hoped it was them and entered the thick forest.
Squinting, he saw a silhouette. A smile weaved into his face as he sighed from relief. But before he could call out, the figure turned around to reveal a glowing necklace by its neck.
Michael's heart dropped.
Without wasting a second, he ran and cried out. "Monsters!"
It may just be a silhouette, but the glowing necklace revealed its structure; it had a pointy head and a short neck—there was no way it was Duke or Celine. It was small.
The others scoffed at him, once again showing their distaste, but just as he said, monsters—goblins came out of the bush and chased after him.
Their faces fell as they saw the abominations. Instinctively, they all huddled up right in front of the cave.
Michael materialized his sword and took a glimpse behind, "Oh my god,"
Seeing the deformed, humanoid creatures, Michael could feel his hairs standing up. It looked so realistic compared to the ones he saw on the internet making his knees feel weak.
Small, 4'8 beasts ran at him chillingly.
But despite that, Michael didn't let them intimidate him. The moment he loses his composure is the moment he will lose his only advantage—rationality, logic. The humans' greatest weapon.
The goblins varied in physique but all had the same weapon and accessories; a glowing necklace out of fruit seeds and stone falchions Michael identified from its huge blade. They only had a leather thong for clothing.
Just from their items, he could already deduce they are intelligent creatures. Making them extremely dangerous.
Retreating to his fellow heroes, he steeled his resolve and warily looked the creatures in the eyes.
"Here they come…" He took a big gulp of saliva, remembering the feeling of his first kill.