As they continued forward, hunting more beasts in the dense forest, night came swiftly, blanketing the surroundings in darkness. They set up camp in a small clearing. Grimblaze, as usual, was happily stuffing himself with food, crumbs scattering everywhere as he noisily chewed on dried fruit and bread.
Emperal, meanwhile, sat in silence, his mind preoccupied. What was that sigil? How does it work? he pondered. Does it use Aetryn? No, there's more to it than just Aetryn.
His frustration deepened as his thoughts turned inward. And this body... Why can't I sense any Aetryn from this world? The question gnawed at him. The unfamiliarity of this world's power structure weighing subtly on him.
He thought back to the earlier battles. Just a Cycle One budding-stage beast gave me a little hard time. It wasn't a loss by any means, but the fact that it had taken him two minutes longer than it would for an average Cycle One growth-stage beast to subdue it was a frustrating reminder of his limitations in this new form.
Emperal rose after a moment, deciding to check the perimeter. The firelight flickered behind him as he walked, scanning the surroundings with a sharp, calculating gaze. His instincts told him to stay cautious—this forest held far more than just wild beasts.
Finally, satisfied that no immediate threats were nearby, he returned to the camp. Sitting down once more, he closed his eyes, letting his mind wander over the events of the day. There was much to think about, and even more to prepare for.
…
After traveling for three days deep into the forest, Emperal discovered something he hadn't anticipated—the 4.5-foot yellowish Hippol at his side wasn't entirely useless. Grimblaze's nose, as ridiculous as it seemed, was exceptionally sharp. During their journey, the Hippol had sniffed out a variety of herbs growing in hidden patches of the forest, many of which were unfamiliar but radiated a potent energy.
While Emperal couldn't identify the herbs, his instincts told him they were valuable. Without hesitation, he gathered them and stored them in the sturdy pouch provided by the village head.
"Wait, Grimblaze," Emperal said after another stretch of slow trekking. "If we keep moving at this pace, it'll take forever. Let's do it the easier way." Without further explanation, he leapt onto Grimblaze's back with fluid precision.
"W-WHAT, BOSS?!" Grimblaze's indignant screech echoed through the trees. He twisted his short neck to glare at Emperal. "How can you be so shameless?! Do you realize how delicate my body is? What if you crush me?!"
"Now, now," Emperal said with an infuriatingly calm tone, patting Grimblaze's head. "No need for dramatics. We'll cover ground much faster this way. Besides, I'll give you two days' worth of snacks if we can reach our destination quickly." His lips curved into a sly smile.
Grimblaze paused, the promise of snacks clearly weighing heavily on his mind. Finally, with a reluctant snort, he muttered, "Remember the deal, Boss! This daddy doesn't work for free!"
And with that, Grimblaze began trudging forward, his stubby legs moving with surprising speed for someone so small. The promise of food clearly outweighed his outrage.
Several days later, their journey brought them to the base of a small mountain. Grimblaze sniffed the air, his ears twitching. "This is it. The smell led me here," he murmured, pointing his nose toward a cave nestled halfway up the rocky slope.
From their vantage point, Emperal spotted a procession of carts heading toward the cave. He crouched low behind some thick foliage, signaling Grimblaze to stay quiet. Together, they observed the scene.
Three carts moved slowly along the rugged path. The first two were laden with rare plants and herbs, their vibrant colors glinting even in the dim forest light. The second cart seemed to be carrying raw metals, chunks of ore that shimmered faintly with traces of magical energy.
But it was the third cart that caught Emperal's attention. Ten unconscious elves, men and women, lay slumped against one another, bound and helpless. Their chests rose and fell faintly, proof they were still alive, but their vulnerability was glaring.
Three guards accompanied the convoy, walking alongside the carts with an air of casual authority. Each was armed and alert, though their movements suggested they weren't expecting trouble.
Emperal's crimson eyes narrowed as he analyzed the scene. "We'll need to take one of them alive," he muttered, his voice low. "Killing them would be simple, but I need to know what's happening here and who's behind this."
He turned to Grimblaze, whose nose was twitching again, likely at the smell of herbs or metal. "Grimblaze," Emperal said firmly, drawing the Hippol's attention. "I need you to create a distraction. Get two of them away from the group, but don't get caught."
Grimblaze blinked. "You mean... you want me to risk my glorious hide? What if they try to attack me?"
"They won't," Emperal replied smoothly. "You're too quick for them, right? Besides, you've got that great nose and all. You'll figure something out."
Flattery wasn't something Grimblaze could resist, and with a huff, he puffed out his chest. "Fine, Boss, but you owe me an extra day of snacks for this!"
"Done," Emperal said, hiding his smirk as Grimblaze scurried off to execute the plan.
…
s Grimblaze initiated his diversion, Emperal crouched lower in the shadows, observing the guards.
"What's the boss even planning to do with these people?" one guard muttered, nodding toward the unconscious elves in the last cart.
The other shrugged. "Does it matter? We get paid, and they vanish. Not our problem."
Their words confirmed Emperal's suspicions. These weren't merely kidnappings—there was a larger scheme at play. He waited for the moment the guards shifted their attention toward Grimblaze's antics, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
As he waited for Grimblaze to act, Emperal's mind churned with possibilities. What was in that cave? What purpose did the sigil-marked beasts and these kidnapped elves serve? Whatever the answers, he intended to find out—and see if can get any useful answers.
A faint sound drew his attention. Grimblaze was beginning his diversion. The corners of Emperal's lips curled into a cold smile as he whispered to himself, "Let the game begin."
…
At the far side of the cave, shrouded in the shadows of the dense forest, stood an elf whose presence commanded attention with an almost ethereal grace. Her figure was tall and statuesque, the epitome of elven elegance, with her long, pointed ears peeking through cascades of silken silver hair that fell in soft waves down her back. Her hair shimmered faintly in the dim light, as if it had captured the essence of moonlight itself.
A black blindfold obscured her eyes, tied delicately behind her head, adding an air of mystery. Though her gaze was hidden, her movements suggested an acute awareness of her surroundings, as if her other senses compensate far beyond what was natural. Her smooth, flawless skin glowed faintly, a pale shade that seemed untouched by the harshness of the world, exuding both beauty and an eerie, otherworldly aura.
She wore a long, flowing black robe that clung to her curves like a second skin, the fabric shimmering faintly with a texture resembling liquid silk. Intricate embroidery ran along the edges of the robe, depicting unfamiliar symbols that seemed to shift subtly under the light, hinting at its arcane nature. The garment swayed slightly with each movement, outlining her slender waist and ample bust—a contrast that lent her an alluring yet dangerous presence.
Her bare feet rested lightly against the rocky ground, as though she floated rather than walked, and faint traces of energy rippled in her wake. There was an air of lethargy about her, her body language almost dismissive, but beneath it lay a sharpness—a predator's poise disguised by indifference.
She turned her covered face toward the cave, her expression unreadable. "Sigh, such tiresome work," she murmured, her voice soft yet tinged with exasperation, as though she carried the weight of countless burdens. Her tone was melodious, almost hypnotic, yet laced with a sharp undertone that suggested she was more than just a beautiful enigma.
For a moment, she remained still, her head tilting slightly as though listening to something only she could hear. Her fingers flexed faintly, and the faint outline of dark, coiling energy pulsed at her fingertips before fading into nothingness. Whatever task awaited her within the cave clearly bored her, yet there was a flicker of restrained power in her stance, hinting that her disinterest was a mask for something far more dangerous.
As she lingered near the entrance, the wind shifted, carrying with it faint sounds of movement from within the forest. Her head tilted again, her lips curving ever so slightly—a ghost of a smirk. "It seems the guests have arrived," she mused, her tone dripping with a mix of amusement and disdain. Without another word, she turned and stepped toward the cave, her movements so fluid and deliberate they seemed almost rehearsed.
The darkness swallowed her figure, leaving only the faint memory of her presence lingering in the air, like the aftermath of a passing storm.