The journey back to Turnipton was quieter than expected. The early morning mist had dispersed, leaving the air fresh and clear, yet there was a tension that seemed to cling to Marcus. He felt the weight of the Whisperer's Amulet resting heavily in his pocket, as if it were more than just an ancient artifact—it felt like a responsibility he hadn't fully signed up for.
Tom, walking beside him, kept stealing glances at Marcus, as though waiting for him to break the silence. Finally, unable to hold it in, he nudged Marcus with his elbow.
"So, does this make you some kind of mystical turnip hero now?" Tom asked, grinning.
Marcus shot him a look, smirking despite himself. "More like the village's newest headache. The system's already warning me about 'responsibility levels' and 'guardian duties.' I didn't sign up to be the forest's babysitter."
Tom chuckled. "Seems like every time you think it's just a simple quest, it turns into something a lot bigger."
