I motioned for Aria to stop, my senses heightened as the notification flashed before my eyes:
[Enemies Detected: 5]
Aria paused mid-step, her gaze sharp as she followed my line of sight. Her instincts were just as sharp as mine, and without a word, she crouched low, slipping silently to the side of the corridor. I did the same, pressing my back against the cold stone wall as we edged forward. The air was thick with tension, every sound amplified in the narrow passageway. I could hear faint footsteps ahead, the muted clink of armor and weapons.
We didn't have the luxury of facing these enemies head-on—not with their numbers and not when we were still deep inside the Bandit Lord's fortress. Stealth was our best option, and Aria was a master of it. I, on the other hand, had always preferred a more direct approach in my gaming days, but here in this world, blending the game mechanics with real-world skills, I knew better.
