The forest's shadows gradually faded as Liam and Ray made their way through the dense underbrush. The sunlight breaking through the canopy marked the edge of the Shadow Forest, and the sound of a rushing river grew quieter behind them. Despite the tranquil setting, Ray's voice broke the calm.
"We're almost out," Ray noted. "Once we leave the forest, it's a straight path to Befardo. But be careful, Liam. I'm sensing multiple threats ahead."
Liam's grip on his dagger tightened, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes. "Good. I could use the practice."
They pushed forward, the sounds of the forest shifting as the ground rumbled beneath them. Without warning, a massive treant emerged from the thick trees, its hollow eyes glowing with a sinister green light.
"A treant?" Liam raised an eyebrow. "This forest really doesn't want to let me go."
Before he could react, a giant serpent slithered out from the bushes, its emerald-green scales glinting under the sunlight. It lunged at him, fangs bared. Liam activated [Brew of Forbidden Arts], sacrificing a portion of his vitality to increase his speed. He dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the venomous bite.
"Watch out, Liam," Ray's warning came again, almost laughing. "There's one more."
Liam turned just in time to see a hulking bear-like creature charging toward him. Its fur was like stone, and its eyes glowed with a fierce red light. It roared, shaking the ground with its charge.
"A treant, a snake, and a rock bear?" Liam sighed. "Fine, let's make this quick."
He dodged the treant's swing, his [Divine Shield] forming a sharp blade that sliced through the wooden limb. The serpent lunged again, but Liam grabbed it by the neck and slammed it into the charging bear, the impact echoing through the forest. He then pinned the bear to the ground with a spear formed from his shield, ending its life swiftly.
As the treant tried to retreat, Liam rushed forward, slashing through its trunk until the ancient creature collapsed. He stood over his defeated foes, breathing heavily but grinning.
"Not bad," Ray remarked. "But we're running short on time. Befardo is just 10 kilometers away. You'll need to speed up if you want to avoid trouble before nightfall."
Liam nodded, forming a flat board with his [Divine Shield]. He hopped onto it and propelled himself forward with a burst of wind magic. The ground became a blur as he raced toward Befardo, the open fields replacing the dark forest.
The city came into view, surrounded by imposing white marble walls that gleamed under the sunlight. Befardo's size and splendor were clear even from a distance, and the busy gate was filled with travelers lining up to enter.
Ray's tone became serious. "Liam, listen. There's a checkpoint at the gateway. They're using a purple sphere to scan every traveler before entry. It's likely an artifact that checks for criminal activity, including the number of human kills."
A wave of unease washed over Liam. He swallowed, trying to keep his voice steady. "You're saying it will show my kill count?"
"Yes," Ray confirmed. "And if your count is high, it will raise alarms. You've killed 43 people so far. That's not a small number for someone entering the capital without a record."
For the first time in a while, Liam felt a knot of anxiety twist in his stomach. He slowed his pace as he approached the gate, taking a deep breath to steady himself. He blended into the line of travelers, keeping his head down. The guards were on high alert, carefully monitoring everyone who stepped up to the sphere.
His heart pounded in his chest. This wasn't like fighting beasts or creatures in the forest; this was dealing with the law in a major city. Getting caught here could mean imprisonment or worse.
The line moved quickly, and soon it was Liam's turn. He stepped forward, his palms sweating despite his attempt to appear calm. He placed his hand on the purple sphere, feeling a faint pulse of energy run through his body. The artifact hummed softly, the air around it shimmering.
Ray's voice whispered in his mind, almost taunting. "Well, here it goes. Let's see what they think of you now."
The sphere pulsed brightly, and glowing purple text appeared above it:
Kill Count: 43
The guards immediately stiffened, their eyes widening in shock. Whispers spread quickly among them, and several of the guards reached for their weapons, casting wary glances at Liam. He forced a smile, but his unease was clear as he felt their gazes on him, the tension thick in the air.
He clenched his fists, trying to keep his breathing steady. "This… could be a problem," he muttered under his breath, his mind racing with possible escape plans.