The journey had taken a sharp turn. No longer were Makoto and his companions just simple travelers—now they were heroes, marked by the system as Companions of the Celestial Knight, their destinies intertwined with the fate of their world. The map that appeared before them was the first tangible proof that their new purpose had been given direction.
With each red dot indicating a potential threat, their mission was clear: protect their world from the looming darkness of the Demon Lord. Makoto could feel the weight of the responsibility pressing on him, but he wasn't afraid. He was not alone—his companions had grown stronger, more capable with each passing day.
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The Crimson Hollow, their first destination, was a vast and foreboding forest that stretched out before them. As they approached, the trees became twisted, their branches reaching out like skeletal fingers. An unnatural silence hung in the air, broken only by the sound of their footsteps on the forest floor. It was as if the forest itself was waiting for something to happen.
"We should be on high alert," Makoto said, scanning the dense woods for any sign of movement. The atmosphere was thick with magic—an ominous energy that pressed against their skin. They had no way of knowing exactly what lay ahead, but Makoto knew the first trial would be significant. The map's warning was not to be taken lightly.
Suddenly, the underbrush rustled, and before they could react, a dozen demonic creatures burst from the shadows. The demons were unlike anything they had encountered before. Their twisted, grotesque forms were a patchwork of animal and human features, with jagged claws and eyes that glowed a deep, blood-red. Their presence seemed to drain the very light around them.
Makoto instinctively stepped back, his eyes never leaving the creatures. This was it—the moment they had been training for.