As the days melded into each other with the cyclical routine of guard, train, and rest amidst the exotic flora and serene river of their encampment, the group faced an increasing need to address their dwindling food supplies. Recognizing the inherent dangers of foraging in such a remote and potentially hostile area, the team decided to designate the following day for gathering food. The consensus was clear: everyone needed to be well-rested to minimize risks, turning their usually training-filled evening into a mandatory period of rest.
During this time, Amukelo, Eliss, and Erohan made significant strides with the mana control technique taught by Nakatashi. They were now capable of forming a protective coat of mana around themselves—a milestone that marked considerable progress in their training. However, fully mastering the technique by gathering and controlling mana close to the limits of their bodily capacity remained a challenge. Controlling such power without losing command was something they were still striving towards.
Amukelo was the furthest along in this respect. He had managed to create a mana coat that was not only stable but also substantial enough to be effective in combat, approaching the upper limits of his current capabilities. The sensation of being enveloped in this mana coat was profoundly empowering; it reminded him of the heightened states of focus and power he had experienced during his intense battles with Valarian or Borimir. This breakthrough was a testament to his potential and a beacon of his growing mastery.
The rest of the group, observing the trio's rapid advancements, couldn't help but express their amazement. Many of them had taken much longer to even initiate the first stage of this complex technique, and seeing Amukelo, Eliss, and Erohan's swift progress was both inspiring and a bit awe-inspiring. Their capability to adapt and grow under pressure added a layer of respect and admiration from their peers.
The following day, refreshed and alert from a full night's rest, the group convened to discuss the logistics of foraging. Initially, Amukelo, Eliss, and Erohan volunteered to be part of the team assigned to gather food. Their reasoning was straightforward: they felt responsible and capable, and their recent progress in mana control gave them a newfound confidence in their ability to handle potential threats.
However, Yosue, recognizing the strategic importance of their skills and their role in the group's defense, quickly vetoed their participation in the foraging team. "Your strength is crucial here," he argued with a tone of firm leadership. "Should the enemy strike while you're away, our chances of repelling them would be significantly reduced. We can't afford to lose our strongest at such a critical time."
His decision underscored a strategic approach to resource allocation and risk management. Reluctantly, Amukelo and his friends agreed, understanding the logic behind prioritizing their placement within the camp's defenses over the foraging expedition.
Thus, a team of three other capable warriors was chosen for the task, each selected for their skills in stealth and survival rather than their prowess in direct combat. This decision, while cautious, highlighted the group's reliance on Amukelo, Eliss, and Erohan as central pillars of their defensive strategy.
The foraging team, composed of three seasoned warriors, moved cautiously through the winding, eerie passages of the cave. The darkness enveloped them like a thick cloak, broken only by the faint light from their lanterns, casting long, ominous shadows against the jagged walls. The cave's silence was profound, punctuated only by the soft sounds of their careful footsteps on the uneven ground. Each member was acutely aware of their isolation, the heavy quiet magnifying every small sound into a potential threat.
As they navigated through the labyrinthine cave, a sudden noise—footsteps not their own—halted their progress. The sound grew louder, accompanied by the flickering of another light approaching from around a bend. Instinctively, the team prepared for an ambush, positioning themselves behind large stalagmites, their weapons drawn and breaths held in tight anticipation.
As the light drew closer, they leaped from their cover, ready to confront the threat head-on. However, to their relief, the figures that emerged were members of another team from their camp, also tasked with gathering food. The initial tension quickly dissolved into relieved chuckles and murmurs as they confirmed each other's identities.
"What are you doing here?" one of the original team members asked, still catching his breath from the adrenaline surge.
"Probably the same thing you are," replied one of the newcomers, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Gathering food. Seems we had the same idea."
Realizing the benefits of numbers in such a risky environment, the two teams decided to merge and proceed together. The increased security of a larger group seemed a wise choice given the unknown dangers of the cave.
They continued in a group of six people. They were careful, even though there were more of them. This didn't make their guard down.
As they continued toward the exit of the cave, another set of lights and the sound of footsteps caught their attention. Once again, the combined group tensed, readying themselves for another potential encounter. Yet a member of the team, a young woman, brushed off the cautious warnings from her companions, confident it was just another friendly team.
The biggest guy in the group called her whispering, "Come back! Agano, it's not a joke!"
"Come on, it's probably just anothe—" she began, her voice trailing off as she stepped toward the crossing paths.
Before she could finish her sentence, her world turned abruptly upside down, a sharp, horrific pain searing through her neck. In a split second, confusion gave way to horror as her head was cleanly severed from her body, falling to the ground with a sickening thud. Standing where she had just been was a dark, cloaked figure, a blade dripping with blood in his hand.
Another member of the team screamed, "Nagasawa..." shattered the stunned silence that followed the gruesome act.
"Enemy!" bellowed the warriors that warned her, his voice echoing ferociously through the cavern. "Prepare! You and you, go back and inform our teams. We'll hold them off here."
One of the designated messengers, a young woman, hesitated, her face a mask of terror and disbelief. "But, but we—" she stammered, unable to tear her eyes away from the lifeless body of her friend.
"We have no time, GO!" the leader commanded again, more urgently this time.
As the two messengers turned and fled back through the cave's twisting corridors, the remaining members of the foraging team braced themselves. They formed a defensive line, weapons drawn and hearts pounding, as the dark figure and his companions began to advance.