On a couple of fallen logs, within the confines of the East Leaf Wilderness, a few figures sat on the wood. A sombre silence enshrouded them, with one or two leaning forward with creased brows.
Evidently, their thoughts were not pleasant.
Surrounding the few figures were a large party who milled about and talked with their travelling companions. Some of them lazily reclined on the grass, while others continually scanned the treeline closest to their position, their bodies taut, fearing a sudden attack.
When their gazes swept over those dressed in silver plate armour, they released a silent sigh and shook their heads. Panic was getting the better of them.
The guards were on the lookout for any telltale sign of anything unusual. They just had to have faith in them.
Nico, who sat on the log beside Henry, Leon, and the middle-aged merchant, wearily rubbed his temples. Even though the battle with the Shadow Fang Leopard had been relatively short, the stress of a life-or-death bout was nothing to scoff at.
One wrong move could have doomed them all.
He released a tired sigh as what seemed to be the bone-deep fatigue he was experiencing persisted in trying to get him to close his eyes and rest. Shaking his head to drive the drowsiness away, Nico shifted his gaze to the grey-haired man.
His eyes were placid as he stared at Demetri. He opened his mouth, "Can I ask you a question?"
The older man raised an eyebrow, curious about what was to come out of the boy's mouth.
"What made you decide to become a merchant?"
Demetri grinned as he stroked his short-trimmed beard, "Why, you ask?" he turned his gaze to the canopies above with a distant look.
"No reason… well, no grand goal or purpose like the others who wish to slay every single Demon that enters our atmosphere. I merely had a fascination for trade ever since I was young, and later on found I was quite adept at swindling, I mean, uh, striking deals with customers," Demetri coughed and winked in Nico's direction.
The brown-haired boy's mouth twitched. His lips subtly curved upward. He shook his head softly and pressed on with another question he had, "By the looks of it, I assume you're a mundane person, especially since you don't have the presence those with mana naturally exude. What I want to ask is, how are you fine living like that? Don't you want to make a difference in the War?"
This was what Nico was curious to find out. Inwardly, he felt a burning desire to get stronger as fast as possible so that he could at least gain an opportunity to leave an impact on the War.
He did not just want to remain as some common person, doing nothing against the danger that was slowly creeping up on their world with every passing second.
He wanted to be proactive.
Demetri released a long sigh, one that contained a sliver of his experience in life, "Who said I was okay with it?" the merchant challenged.
Seeing Nico's brows rise at the unexpected answer, the middle-aged man just sighed again. "I've largely gotten over it… the fact that the Awakening Ceremony was so long ago, also helps I suppose. Another thing, lad. Who is to say that I'm not making a difference as a merchant? I am just as important as those fighting on the frontlines. That's an extreme example, but you get what I mean," Demetri waved his hand dismissively, sighting the apology that was about to form on Nico's lips, before he continued, his tone conversational.
"Lad, let me impart you a piece of wisdom I have gained in my, uh, somewhat extensive time alive. It is that no one person is above another regarding the War effort. In the face of the overwhelming strength of our foes, status and privilege fly out of the window. All help is welcome, be it from those in the administrative circles, or fellow merchants like me. Everyone is doing their part - however small it may be."
Nico's brows furrowed, not at the man's words, but more at himself… or more accurately at what he had thought.
He inwardly chastised himself. He was foolish to assume that people just cowered and shied away from the trial that was in front of them.
Sure, there were individuals who had done just that, but there were also others who refused to back down and held out hope, aiding in whatever way was within their means.
'I can't forget that.' Nico pressed his lips into a thin line and nodded, accepting the advice.
Demetri smiled sadly, "Most people think of us mundane people as cowards and focus on the valiant heroes protecting us on the front lines. Which the Descenders wholeheartedly deserve. It doesn't help that we automatically associate being a civilian, with being inept - at least in the eyes of most Nobles."
Henry, who was listening in from the side to distract himself from the throbbing pain of his wounded cheek, shook his head dejectedly. He resonated with the merchant's words the most.
Demetri shifted in his seat on the log, turning his gaze back to the brown-haired youth, "It's time we move again. That Leopard's corpse may be an irresistible attraction to some of the forest dwellers. But before that, though, let me impart onto you a warning…" the grey-haired man's expression turned sombre.
The sudden change in Demetri's demeanour threw Nico off. He shared a glace with Henry and Leon, their visages quickly turning grave.
"Trouble is arising in these parts. I have heard whispers of another merchant group wiped out at the hands of the White Cobras - a notorious bandit group led by someone called the 'Boss'. Rumours state that the fallen had a perpetually fearful look on their faces, their eyes wide with terror… as if they had relived their greatest fears. You can identify these vile criminals through the white serpent tattoo on their wrist."
The trio of trainees shivered, a chill travelling down their spines.
The middle-aged merchant stared intently one by one at the three youngsters, his eyes darkening, before speaking in a voice that was barely above a whisper, "Be careful…"
***
Back on the road, the trainees slowly trudged back with the merchant caravan. The news of the White Cobras had disturbed the young novices greatly.
For the most part, the journey back was uneventful.
Only once or twice did a creature attracted by the Shadow Fang Leopard's corpse dare attack their party. Safe to say, the guards swiftly dealt with it. Much to Nico's relief.
Demetri's warning remained clear in his mind. As a result, his body was more tense than usual. He feared the bandit group could suddenly ambush them… and if the other merchant caravan was any sign to live by their chances in battle were not good.
Fortunately for Nico, his worries proved unfounded. With the compass in hand, he felt an added sense of security. At least he always knew where the Camp was.
Once the group neared a certain area where the brush thinned, and the trees were more spaced out, the black-clad trainees parted ways with the middle-aged merchant and bade him well. They were grateful he had handed them the leopard without fighting any of them for it.
As the merchant caravan split off and headed in a different direction, Nico scanned his surroundings. He recognised this place. They were nearing the Camp.
With firm steps, the brown-haired boy led his companions along the path that would take them back to the encampment. Soon, they arrived at the Camp.
When they set foot in the clearing, however, the trio's brows creased. Something was wrong.
One word would describe the current sight in front of them…. Chaos.
In the centre of the clearing, with the metal gates at the far end, many trainees crowded a single spot. There were shouts, screams, and heated arguments… some even needed to be physically restrained as anger fully took hold of their figure.
A bead of sweat slid down Nico's face, feeling a large pit of unease form in his stomach. What could have gotten his peers so riled up?
As he inched closer with wary steps, the sounds became louder and clearer. Nico could even identify the unmistakable sound of someone emptying their guts out. Narrowing his eyes, he realised his fellow trainees had pale faces and flinched with every sudden, unexpected noise.
The sense of unease Nico experienced became stronger…. Until it resembled a raging fire full of crippling anxiety. Taking a shaky breath, he gazed out the corner of his eyes and discovered that Henry and Leon had extremely grim expressions. Worry swirled in the depth of their pupils.
Nico was sure that his eyes held the same emotion.
Sharing a brief glance and nod with each other, the trainees from the third hut pushed through the large throng, determined to uncover the source of their peers' panic. Once they reached the front of the crowd, they involuntarily took a step back as their breathing slowed in sheer shock.
'N-No… way…'
Reflected in their eyes was a limp figure clad in the black attire symbolic of the Training Camp. Their eyes were wide open in what appeared to be… fear. The pupil constricted to the size of a needle.
Their face was pale… so unnaturally pale, as if they had seen a ghost.
Their chest did not rise and fall.
The trainee lay there unmoving.
A chilling realisation took hold of Nico. An audible gasp escaped his mouth as he took another step backwards, his balance suddenly very precarious.
The sack with the corpse of the Shadow Fang Leopard slid out of his grasp.
He couldn't believe what he was seeing.
Beside him, Henry's face had gone deathly pale. A tinge of green coloured his cheeks and Nico belatedly realised that the farmer was about to throw up.
Leon, meanwhile, just stood frozen on the spot, showings signs of hyperventilation. The sudden shock had probably overwhelmed him.
Nico closed his eyes and inhaled as his hands trembled. When he opened them again, a great amount of sadness, fear, and fury flashed through his brown pupils.
He knew who had killed the poor trainee…
… it seemed the White Cobras were closer than he had ever imagined.
'You have got to be kidding me…'