Emerging from the treeline in near silence, shadows moved between trunks and low mist.
Dozens of glowing eyes peered from the dark—a horde of mid-tier monsters, slowly stepping into view. Fangs glinted, claws scraped stone, and heavy breathing echoed.
Some were feline-shaped. Others looked reptilian. All of them had one thing in common:
They were hunting.
Panic flashed across the faces of the adventurers and guards.
Hazuki tilted his head, eyes half-lidded. "See? Loudmouths always bring friends."
Behind him, Girem was already reclining against a barrel, half-empty bottle in hand.
He blinked blearily at the chaos unfolding.
"L-Lad!! This be why ya don't go shoutin' at a rest stop!" he slurred. "Even wi' monster repellents, ya yell too much and they get curious... hic."
"Everyone! Protect the lady!!" the adventurer leader shouted, snapping out of his frozen panic.
The guards and adventurers rushed forward into formation.
