The sun had barely risen above the horizon when Ethan, Lila, and their fellow adventurers gathered at the main gate of Arenwood. The merchant caravan they were tasked to escort was lined up and ready—several wooden carts loaded with goods, pulled by sturdy horses. The merchants themselves, dressed in simple but well-made clothing, looked anxious but determined to make the journey safely.
Ethan adjusted the strap on his sword as he scanned the group. Along with Lila and Gavin, there were three other adventurers assigned to the mission: Mira, a quick and agile rogue with a sharp eye for trouble, Darin, a quiet but solidly built warrior, and Leora, a healer with gentle eyes and a calm presence.
The caravan leader, a stout man named Thalor, was speaking with Gavin, giving last-minute instructions. Thalor's gruff voice carried over the sound of hooves and the rustle of the caravan preparing for departure.
"We've heard reports of bandits along the main road," Thalor said, his voice tense. "We've traveled this route before, but the attacks have been more frequent lately. We'll need to stay on guard the entire time."
"We're ready for it," Gavin replied confidently, flashing a grin at Ethan and Lila. "You've got a solid team of adventurers here."
Ethan couldn't help but smile at Gavin's enthusiasm, though he remained focused on the task at hand. "We'll make sure everyone gets through safely," he said, nodding to Thalor.
Thalor gave a tight-lipped nod in return. "Let's hope so."
With a sharp crack of the reins, the caravan began to move, and the team of adventurers fell into position—two at the front, two at the back, and the others walking alongside the carts. Ethan and Lila took up positions near the middle, where they could react quickly if anything happened. Gavin, full of confidence, took point at the front with Mira, while Darin and Leora watched the rear.
The first hour passed in relative quiet, the road stretching out before them in a gentle curve through rolling hills and sparse forests. The air was crisp and cool, with the promise of a peaceful journey ahead.
But Ethan wasn't fooled. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, and his senses were sharp, scanning the trees and shadows along the road for any sign of danger. Beside him, Lila was equally alert, her staff gripped tightly in her hand.
"You think the bandits will attack today?" Lila asked quietly as they walked.
Ethan shrugged. "Hard to say. But something feels off. It's too quiet."
Just as the words left his mouth, a rustling sound came from the treeline. Ethan's eyes darted toward the noise, his instincts screaming that something wasn't right. He caught a glimpse of movement—just the faintest shadow slipping between the trees.
"We're not alone," he muttered, his voice tense.
Lila's grip tightened on her staff, and she nodded. "I see it."
Before Ethan could raise the alarm, a figure burst from the trees—a bandit, his face covered by a ragged mask, a dagger gleaming in his hand. He lunged toward the nearest cart, but Ethan was already in motion. With a swift movement, he drew his sword and intercepted the bandit, their blades clashing with a metallic ring.
"Bandits!" Gavin shouted from the front of the caravan, his voice carrying over the sounds of the sudden ambush.
More bandits emerged from the forest, their weapons drawn and eyes filled with greed. The attack was quick and coordinated, with several bandits targeting the lead cart while others aimed to flank the rear.
Ethan pushed his opponent back with a powerful strike, quickly scanning the battlefield. The merchants were scrambling for cover, shouting in panic as the bandits closed in. Gavin and Mira were already engaged in combat at the front, while Darin's heavy sword swung in wide arcs at the bandits attacking from the rear.
Lila moved beside Ethan, raising her staff. With a focused gesture, she unleashed a burst of fire that sent two bandits stumbling backward, their clothes singed by the magical flames.
"Nice work," Ethan said, stepping forward to cut down another attacker who had gotten too close.
"We need to protect the merchants!" Lila shouted, her voice urgent as she glanced toward the carts.
Ethan nodded, his mind racing. The bandits were skilled, but they weren't the only danger. The system had warned them about strange activity in the forest, and he couldn't shake the feeling that this attack was more than just a simple robbery.
Just as the thought crossed his mind, a new chime sounded in his head.
"Mission Update: Detecting Unusual Energies Nearby."
"New Objective: Investigate the Source of the Energy."
Bonus Reward: 50 Growth Points."
Ethan's blood ran cold. Unusual energies? He had suspected something else was at play, and now the system had confirmed it. The bandits were just a distraction—there was something bigger happening in the forest.
"Lila," Ethan called, his voice low but urgent. "The system just gave me a new objective. There's something in the forest—some kind of energy. We need to check it out."
Lila's eyes widened in alarm. "Now? In the middle of this fight?"
"We can't ignore it," Ethan replied, his voice firm. "But we need to make sure the caravan is safe first."
Lila hesitated, then nodded. "Alright. Let's finish this quickly."
With renewed determination, Ethan and Lila fought their way through the bandits. Gavin and Mira were holding the front, their swords flashing as they cut through the attackers with precision. Darin's heavy blows kept the rear secure, while Leora moved swiftly, healing the wounds of any who were injured.
As the bandits began to realize they were outmatched, their attacks became more frantic. Ethan pressed the advantage, driving his blade into the last of his opponents, sending the bandit crumpling to the ground.
Gavin wiped sweat from his brow as he approached Ethan. "That should be the last of them."
Ethan nodded, but his mind was elsewhere. He turned to Lila. "We need to go. Now."
Lila didn't hesitate. "Lead the way."
Leaving the merchants and the rest of their team behind to tend to the aftermath of the battle, Ethan and Lila slipped into the forest, their movements swift and silent. The trees closed in around them as they followed the faint pull of the system's guidance, deeper into the woods where the air seemed to grow heavier.
The feeling of strange energy grew stronger with every step, a tingling sensation running down Ethan's spine. Lila's magic flared slightly in response, her staff glowing with a faint light as they approached what seemed to be the source.
Finally, they reached a small clearing, where a faint glow shimmered in the air. At the center of the clearing stood an ancient stone monolith, covered in strange, glowing runes. The air around it pulsed with energy—dark and unfamiliar.
"This must be it," Lila whispered, her voice filled with awe and unease.
Ethan nodded, his eyes fixed on the monolith. "Whatever this is… it's not natural."
The system chimed once again.
"Energy Source Identified: Residual World-Core Energy Detected."
"Warning: Presence of Unknown Entity Imminent."
Ethan's heart raced as he read the message. World-Core energy? It was happening again—the system was leading him toward something connected to the World-Core, something bigger than just an escort mission.
But the warning of an unknown entity… that meant they weren't alone.
Lila raised her staff, her eyes scanning the clearing. "Something's coming."
Ethan gripped his sword tightly, preparing for whatever was about to emerge from the shadows.