The morning sun cast its golden rays over Virelith as Emmanuel and Rodensky stood at the gates of the guild, bidding their farewells. A small crowd had gathered to see them off—guild members with whom they had forged ties during their stay, the villagers they had saved from slavery, and, of course, Izabella and the guild master.
Izabella stepped forward, her expression a mixture of pride and concern. "Take care of yourselves out there," she said, her voice steady despite the emotion in her eyes. "The second continent isn't known for its hospitality, and neither are your enemies."
Rodensky nodded, gripping her hand firmly. "We'll be careful. Keep digging into the Black Snake Guild's activities here. If we're going to stop them, we'll need every scrap of information."
Emmanuel added, "And look after the villagers. They've been through enough."
The guild master, a towering figure with a beard as thick as a forest underbrush, gave them each a hearty pat on the shoulder. "You've both got the makings of legends," he said with a chuckle. "Don't let me down. And remember, the guild will always be your home if you need it."
With their goodbyes said, Rodensky and Emmanuel turned toward the horizon. The journey ahead was daunting, but they were resolute.
---
An Unexpectedly Hostile Path
The first few days of their trek were uneventful, with the pair traveling through the dense forests that bordered Virelith. But as they ventured deeper into the wilds, it became clear that someone, or something was orchestrating their journey's peril.
The first attack came from a pack of savage beasts. Emmanuel's sharp eyes spotted them first, their low growls rumbling through the trees. Rodensky summoned Rokura, his powerful Lion companion, while Emmanuel unleashed Abaddon. The battle was fierce but manageable, leaving them both slightly winded.
However, the attacks didn't stop. Over the next few days, waves of increasingly dangerous creatures ambushed them giant serpents with venomous fangs, territorial griffins, and even a band of well-armed mercenaries who fought with uncanny coordination. Each encounter drained their strength and resources, leaving them little time to rest.
"Someone's behind this," Emmanuel muttered as they set up camp one evening. "It's too deliberate. The timing, the coordination it's not random."
Rodensky, seated by the fire, nodded grimly. "The Black Snake Guild," he said. "They're testing us, trying to wear us down before we even reach the second continent."
The truth of his words became undeniable the next morning when a peculiar crane appeared in the distance. Its feathers were an iridescent white, shimmering faintly as it moved. At first glance, it seemed harmless, but Rodensky's instincts told him otherwise.
"I don't like this," he muttered, activating his skill Eye of Truth.
The results startled him. The crane possessed an advanced concealment ability so powerful that even the most observant individuals or readers of this tale would forget its presence moments after noticing it. Although it didn't have enough power to take down Rokura on its own, its critical rate was high enough to badly wound Rokura if it was still in juvenile stage.
"It's not an ordinary bird," Rodensky said, narrowing his eyes. "It's been watching us, maybe even guiding these attacks."
The crane tilted its head, its black eyes glinting with intelligence. As if understanding Rodensky's suspicions, it spread its wings and let out a shrill cry, summoning another wave of beasts from the surrounding forest.
Rodensky gritted his teeth. "Not this time."
With Rokura by his side, he lunged toward the crane, dodging through the chaos of the beast attack. It was a struggle the crane was agile and its movements unpredictable. But Rodensky was relentless, using every ounce of his skill and cunning to corner the creature.
Finally, after a fierce chase, the crane stopped resisting. Its intelligent gaze softened, and it lowered its head in submission.
Rodensky placed a hand on its neck, murmuring softly. "You're mine now."
The system panel appeared before him:
"Congratulations! You have successfully tamed the Concealed Crane. Name your new companion."
Rodensky thought for a moment before speaking. "Your name is Hikaru."
The crane let out a soft cry, seemingly pleased with its new name.
---
A Month in the Wild
The following weeks were grueling. The duo faced endless battles against beasts, monsters, and bandits. But with each encounter, they grew stronger. Rodensky's team Rokura, the Fanglord, Arcturus, and now Hikaru worked in perfect harmony, their abilities complementing one another. Emmanuel and Abaddon were just as formidable, their bond growing deeper with each challenge.
The wilds were unforgiving, but they adapted. Rodensky used his knowledge of tracking and hunting to gather resources, while Emmanuel's experience in survival kept their morale high. They moved like shadows through the dense forests and treacherous mountains, always alert for the next threat.
Their bond as comrades strengthened with every passing day, their shared determination pushing them forward despite the odds.
---
The Beast Tide
After nearly a month of travel, they finally reached a cliff that overlooked their destination a bustling port city nestled by the sea. The sight filled them with relief, but their reprieve was short-lived.
As they descended the cliff, a deafening roar echoed across the landscape. A massive tide of beasts surged toward the port, their eyes wild with primal fury.
"These aren't ordinary beasts," Emmanuel said, his voice tense. "Something's driving them."
Rodensky's exhaustion was evident, but he refused to falter. "We'll have to fight. We can't let them reach the port."
Rokura growled at his side, ready for battle. Rodensky summoned the Fanglord, Arcturus, and Hikaru, sending them to intercept the horde. Emmanuel joined the fray with Abaddon, their combined efforts creating a wall of resistance against the tide.
The battle was chaotic and brutal. Rokura's claws tore through the onslaught, while Hikaru used its concealment abilities to strike from the shadows. Arcturus, now in the juvenile middle stage, displayed impressive strength and agility, while the Fanglord's cunning tactics turned the tide in critical moments.
Despite their fatigue, Rodensky and Emmanuel fought with unwavering determination. Slowly but surely, they began to turn the tide. The remaining beasts, sensing defeat, fled into the wilderness.
But before they could catch their breath, a group of figures emerged from the shadows the unmistakable insignia of the Black Snake Guild emblazoned on their cloaks.
Emmanuel's eyes narrowed. "So it was you," he growled. "All this the beasts, the monsters, the bandits you were behind it."
The leader of the group stepped forward, a smirk playing on his lips. "Consider it a test," he said. "But don't worry we're just getting started."
Rodensky and Emmanuel exchanged a determined glance. Exhausted as they were, they knew this fight was far from over.