Willow chuckled to herself, acknowledging her penchant for making questionable life choices, yet she embraced her unique identity as both a privilege and a lifestyle. It was her way of rationalizing her often reckless decisions, a form of self-assurance amidst uncertainty. The mercenaries entered the dilapidated building, swiftly splitting up in pursuit of Willow. Although they seemed to have her cornered, she had deliberately chosen this rundown monastery for a reason.
The ancient structure, neglected and on the verge of collapse, exuded an aura of decay. Its crumbling stone walls and the scent of rotted wood permeated the air, creating an atmosphere of desolation. Willow had hoped that the decrepit state of the building would deter her pursuers, perhaps even lead to their downfall if they were careless.
As she concealed herself within the monastery, Willow observed the lizardman's attempts to track her scent, only to witness the wall give way beneath him, revealing a gaping hole in the structure. The sudden collapse caught the attention of the other mercenaries, who rushed to assess the situation.
The dwarf, perplexed by the lizardman's predicament, speculated about Willow's involvement. The moonfolk, known as Yamen, remained silent, prompting the dwarf's surprise at his sudden speech. The lizardman, undeterred by his fall, voiced his frustration at losing track of Willow due to the dust cloud, suggesting that Yamen utilize his supposed ability to see into the future.
However, Yamen confessed that his foresight was limited, unable to peer more than a few minutes ahead. Willow breathed a sigh of relief at this revelation, grateful that her immediate fate remained uncertain to Yamen's abilities. Yet, her respite was short-lived as the mercenaries, alerted by her exhale, intensified their search.
Driven by desperation and pain from her broken arm, Willow contemplated her options. With the mercenaries closing in, she resolved to level the playing field, seizing a pair of magical boots from her bag and donning them hastily. As she rummaged through the bag for additional tools, her hand brushed against a scabbard, which she retrieved with trepidation.
Suddenly, a wave of fear washed over her, paralyzing her in place as an eerie chill filled the air. Willow remained motionless, her senses heightened as she detected the distinct sounds of her pursuers' movements, except for Yamen's. It dawned on her that he had been floating rather than walking, his presence elusive yet unmistakable.
Before she could fully process this revelation, a deafening explosion reverberated through the monastery, signaling the onset of another perilous encounter.