Battered by the dangers of the swamp and surrounded by relentless lurking creatures, the heroes are forced to retreat, fighting desperately for each step as the drowned beasts close in with their sharp claws and hungry eyes. Death seems imminent, and some of the soldiers fall prey to the onslaught of the creatures, devoured by the swamp's voracity.
With hearts filled with anguish and despair, the heroes are forced to leave behind their fallen comrades as they struggle to find a way out. The sound of soldiers' cries and the splashing of beasts in the mud mix with the howling of the wind and the creaking of twisted trees, creating a cacophony of terror and desolation.
Finally, on the brink of exhaustion and despair, they emerge from the swamp and find themselves facing a solitary cabin, barely visible amidst the dense vegetation surrounding the area. The structure appears old and weathered, but it offers the promise of shelter and respite from the horrors they have left behind.
With the last of their efforts, the heroes make their way towards the cabin, praying to find some safety and solace inside. However, as they cross the threshold, they cannot help but feel a chill of fear run down their spine, wondering what unknown dangers may await them within that mysterious and shadowy place.
Inside the cabin, the heroes encounter a solitary hunter, whose eyes reflect the wisdom accumulated over years of living in the swamp. The man listens attentively as the remaining group of soldiers, Lyria, Alex, and Elren, explain their situation and ask for help to cross the dangerous swamp and head north.
After hearing their pleas, the hunter nods solemnly but poses a condition: he requires a large amount of gold as payment for his guidance through the swamp. Additionally, he demands that a successor be appointed, as he is in his twilight years and fears that the dangers of the swamp will spiral out of control without his presence to keep them at bay.
The heroes exchange glances, understanding the gravity of the situation. Despite the hunter's demands, they know they have no other choice but to accept his conditions if they want to survive and achieve their goal of stopping the Demon King. With an agreement sealed, the hunter becomes their guide, promising to lead them through the swamp and towards the north, to an uncertain but necessary destination for their survival and the fate of the Kingdom.