The team returned to Westport, their steps heavy with exhaustion but also with a sense of accomplishment. The journey to destroy the corrupted core had tested them, but they had succeeded in stopping the corruption in that region. As they approached the gates, the warm, welcoming lights of the town were a stark contrast to the dark caverns they had fought through.
At the adventurer's lodge, the group was greeted with curious glances and murmurs from other adventurers. The news of their recent success had spread quickly, and while the core of corruption was only one of many, its destruction was still a significant victory for the region.
Ethan felt a mixture of pride and unease as they settled into the lodge, his mind still grappling with the lingering questions about the system and its connection to the World-Core. But for now, they had earned some rest, and he wasn't about to waste the opportunity.
The lodge keeper approached them, a grin on his face. "You lot have been making quite the name for yourselves. Word of your deeds reached the guild long before you arrived. You'll be wanting to speak to the guildmaster about your rewards."
Gavin grinned back, slapping Ethan on the shoulder. "Told you, mate. They'd better give us something good after what we went through down there."
The guildmaster's office was quiet and formal. The room was adorned with old relics from past adventures, trophies from long-forgotten battles. As Ethan and his team entered, the guildmaster—a tall, imposing figure—stood behind his desk, a serious expression on his face.
"You've done well," he said, his voice deep and authoritative. "The core you destroyed was part of a larger network, and your actions have given the guild valuable time to prepare. But as you already know, this is far from over."
Sylas nodded, stepping forward. "The corruption is spreading. What we faced was just one small part of the World-Core's influence. There are more cores out there, and they need to be dealt with."
The guildmaster's eyes flicked to Sylas, then back to Ethan. "That's where your next challenge comes in. We've identified another location—north of here, in the mountains. Reports of strange magical activity have been coming in from that area, and it fits the pattern of the corruption."
Ethan's heart sank. Another corrupted core. It was no surprise, but the reality of how vast the corruption was still weighed heavily on him.
"As for your reward," the guildmaster continued, his expression softening slightly, "the guild offers its full support in your mission. You'll be provided with new equipment, resources, and most importantly, a guide."
At that moment, the door to the office creaked open, and a man stepped inside. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and carried himself with the calm confidence of someone who had seen more than his fair share of danger. His eyes were sharp, and a scar ran down the side of his face—a mark of past battles. There was something about him that commanded respect.
"This is Karl," the guildmaster said, gesturing toward the man. "One of our most seasoned adventurers. He'll be accompanying you on your next mission."
Karl offered a nod, his expression neutral but his presence imposing. "I've heard about your recent success. You've done well for yourselves, but what lies ahead is going to be far more dangerous. The corruption in the mountains is older—more entrenched. We're going to have to be smart about how we approach it."
Ethan sized Karl up, feeling a mixture of curiosity and wariness. There was no doubt that Karl was experienced, but his sudden appearance raised questions. Why now? And why was he assigned to join them?
Sylas seemed to sense the tension and stepped forward. "We appreciate the support. But we've been handling this corruption for a while now. What makes this next core so different?"
Karl's gaze shifted to her, his expression unreadable. "Because the corruption in the mountains is directly tied to the heart of the World-Core. What you faced before was just a fragment. What's waiting for us in the north... that's closer to the source."
Ethan's eyes narrowed. "Closer to the source? You mean we're heading toward the center of the World-Core's corruption?"
Karl nodded. "Exactly. This is no longer about just shutting down isolated cores. The further north we go, the more we'll learn about the World-Core itself—and how to stop the corruption at its root."
The weight of his words settled over the group, and Ethan could see the shift in everyone's expressions. They weren't just dealing with random corruptions anymore. They were getting closer to the heart of the threat.
Lila crossed her arms, her voice filled with skepticism. "And what's your angle in all of this? Why are you being assigned to us now?"
Karl's gaze didn't waver. "Because I've fought against this corruption before. Years ago, I was part of a team that attempted to stop it. We failed. But I've learned a lot since then, and I'm not about to let this world fall to it."
Ethan exchanged a glance with Sylas, who nodded subtly. There was something about Karl that felt genuine, despite the mystery surrounding his past. His experience could be valuable, especially if what lay ahead was as dangerous as he claimed.
The guildmaster broke the silence. "You have your next mission. Take what time you need to prepare. Karl will brief you on the specifics."
As they left the guildmaster's office, Ethan found himself walking beside Karl. There were so many questions he wanted to ask, but he wasn't sure where to start.
"You don't trust me," Karl said, not looking at him but clearly sensing Ethan's hesitation.
"I don't know you," Ethan replied. "But I know that what we're dealing with is bigger than any of us. If you're here to help, I'm willing to listen."
Karl nodded. "Fair enough. Just know that this isn't my first time facing the corruption. But it's the first time I've seen a team like yours—a team that might actually stand a chance."
Ethan considered his words, then nodded. "We'll need every advantage we can get."
That evening, back at the lodge, the mood was more subdued than it had been after their previous victories. There was no celebrating, no sense of finality. Instead, they were already focused on the next challenge—the mountains to the north and the core that awaited them there.
Lila sat beside Ethan, her expression thoughtful. "Karl seems... capable. But do you think we can trust him?"
"I don't know yet," Ethan admitted. "But if what he says is true, we're heading toward something much bigger than anything we've faced so far. We can't afford to ignore his experience."
Sylas joined them, her arms crossed as she looked out at the darkening sky. "We've faced cores before, but if Karl is right, this one will be closer to the heart of the corruption. We'll need to be more prepared than ever."
Ethan nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility once again pressing down on him. The system hummed quietly in the back of his mind, offering no new insights, but its presence was a constant reminder of the power—and the danger—they were dealing with.
"We'll be ready," Ethan said finally. "No matter what's waiting for us in the mountains, we'll face it together."