Noah's POV
The wind blew across the ridge, carrying the scent of ash and decay. A faint echo of a world long forgotten, tainted by whatever corrupt forces still lingered in this forsaken land.
I tightened my grip on the hilt of my sword, casting a glance over at the rest of the party. We had been here for hours, waiting.
My eyes trailed across the group—six of us, hardened by battle and scarred by too many close calls.
But despite everything we'd faced, there was a nervous energy in the air tonight. We weren't waiting for a monster or some ancient beast, but for a man. A "legendary newbie," they called him.
Caedes.
Three years had passed since his name first started circulating through the adventuring ranks.
For most of us, it was just a rumour—a story you heard in taverns or campfires, whispered like some sort of myth.
