Lancer stood awkwardly with the spear in hand, its weight heavier than he had anticipated. He adjusted his grip, trying to look like he wasn't struggling, but his muscles were already protesting.
Selene smirked as she noticed his discomfort. "Don't drop it, city boy," she teased, her tone light but amused.
Lancer flushed and straightened his back. "I've got it.Also where do you get off calling me city boy?" he muttered, although his grip was slipping slightly.
"I don't know, but it really suits you."
The two guards accompanying them, both clad in light armor and armed with swords, exchanged glances but said nothing. They led the way out of the village, their movements steady and professional.
The group stepped through the village gate, passing the glowing barrier that hummed faintly in the evening air. As they entered the forest, the atmosphere changed instantly. The trees seemed darker and closer together, their branches creating an almost impenetrable canopy above.
Selene glanced back at Lancer. "You sure about this? The forest isn't exactly safe at night."
Lancer tightened his grip on the spear, trying to ignore the way his arms already felt like jelly. "I need that bag," he said firmly.
One of the guards nodded. "Stay close. We'll keep an eye out for trouble."
The group moved cautiously through the underbrush, the guards at the front and Selene walking just ahead of Lancer. She moved with an ease and confidence that made Lancer envious, while he struggled to keep from tripping over exposed roots.
As they walked, Lancer felt the system's presence again.
[Would you like to activate Ariadne's String to aid in locating your bag? Warning: Current MAG is insufficient for full activation.]
"No," Lancer whispered under his breath. The last thing he needed was to collapse in the middle of the forest.
"What was that?" Selene asked, glancing over her shoulder.
"Nothing," he said quickly, focusing on the path ahead.
The group pressed on in silence, the only sounds being the crunch of leaves underfoot and the occasional rustle of distant wildlife. The tension in the air was palpable, and Lancer found himself gripping the spear tighter, despite how awkward it felt in his hands.
After what felt like an eternity, Selene stopped abruptly and pointed ahead. "There," she said.
Lancer followed her gaze and felt a wave of relief. His bag was lying on the ground, partially hidden beneath a bush. He stepped forward quickly, but one of the guards held up a hand.
"Wait," the guard said, scanning the area. "It could be a trap. Stay back."
Lancer froze, his heart sinking. A trap? In a place like this?
The guards moved forward cautiously, their swords drawn, while Selene stayed close to Lancer, her eyes scanning the shadows.
"Do you really think something's waiting for us?" Lancer whispered.
"You'd be surprised," Selene replied. Her expression was serious now, all traces of her earlier teasing gone.
As the guards reached the bag, they bent down to inspect it, their movements deliberate. One of them picked it up and turned back to the group.
"Looks clear," he said.
Before Lancer could feel relief, a low growl rumbled from the darkness. His blood ran cold as glowing eyes appeared in the shadows, followed by the hulking form of a creature stepping into view.
It was another manticore.
"Of course," Lancer muttered, his grip on the spear tightening instinctively as the beast let out a deafening roar.
Lancer's instincts screamed at him to run, but this time he wasn't alone. He forced the panic down, planting his feet firmly on the ground, even though his grip on the spear was still clumsy. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest as he faced the creature.
The system's voice cut through his thoughts.
[Weak point detected: Right foreleg joint.]
"Thanks for the advice," Lancer muttered, his eyes locking on the glowing marker that highlighted the manticore's vulnerability.
As the beast circled the group, its silvery eyes seemed to focus entirely on him. A sinking realization hit him: It's the same one from yesterday.
"Does this thing have a grudge against me or something?" he hissed to himself.
The manticore snarled, its gaze predatory and unrelenting. Lancer noticed the way it moved, its steps calculated and deliberate. It wasn't just targeting the group—it was targeting him.
He swallowed hard, remembering something he'd once read: wild animals always went after the weakest prey. Great. He was officially the weakest link.
Another deafening roar tore through the air, and to his horror, three more manticores emerged from the shadows. They flanked the first, their sharp teeth bared and tails poised to strike.
Lancer's panic spiked. "This just keeps getting better," he muttered, gripping the spear tighter.
Selene and the guards didn't flinch. They moved into a defensive formation, their weapons at the ready.
The lead manticore let out a final, guttural snarl, and as if on cue, the group of beasts leaped in unison.
The clash was instant. Selene and the guards met the attack head-on, their movements precise and well-practiced. Blades flashed and claws clashed, each strike echoing through the forest.
Lancer, however, found himself face-to-face with the first manticore—the one that clearly had it out for him.
As it lunged, he managed to duck under its swipe, rolling clumsily to avoid its claws. He scrambled to his feet, holding the spear in front of him like a lifeline.
The manticore growled, turning to face him again. Its eyes glinted with a malicious intelligence that made his stomach churn.
"Guys, a little help here?" Lancer shouted, his voice breaking slightly as he sidestepped another charge.
The manticore growled again, this time with an unmistakable edge of frustration. Its tail bristled, and to Lancer's horror, crystalline spikes began emerging along its length.
"Uh, that can't be good," he muttered, tightening his grip on the spear.
Before he could even process what was happening, the spikes shot toward him with incredible speed. He barely had time to flinch, certain this was the end.
But the sharp impact never came. A flash of movement caught his eye, and the next thing he knew, Selene was standing in front of him, her blade deflecting the spikes with practiced precision.
"You really need to get stronger," she said over her shoulder, her tone dripping with exasperation.
"Noted," Lancer managed to choke out, still catching his breath.
Selene didn't wait for a reply, lunging forward to face the manticore head-on.
Lancer glanced around, realizing with a start that the other manticores were already down. The guards stood among the bodies, their weapons bloodied but their stances steady. Only the first manticore remained, now alone and visibly aware of its disadvantage.
With a furious snarl, the creature braced itself and released a sudden shower of crystalline spikes in every direction. The group quickly moved to block or dodge the onslaught, the air filled with the sound of metal meeting crystal.
When the dust settled, the manticore was gone.
"Clever bastard," one of the guards muttered, sheathing his sword.
Selene sighed, lowering her weapon. "It's gone for now, but it'll be back."
Lancer nodded, still shaken as he looked toward the carnage. While the others began examining the carcasses of the fallen beasts, he made his way toward his bag, which lay undisturbed near the edge of the clearing.
He knelt to pick it up, brushing off some stray dirt before slinging it over his shoulder.