Night had deepened, yet the human settlement still burned bright with life. Blacksmith shops rang with the clash of hammers, the air outside apothecaries swirled with bitter-sweet scents of herbs and smoke, while the square before the Adventurer's Guild overflowed with merchants, adventurers, and laughter.
For Feifan, however, the dazzling sights were but a distant backdrop. His heart was fixed on the trial task—their first true step toward recognition by the Guild: to clear out an abyss-tainted nest in the western mountains.
Preparations
The group moved swiftly.
Moli was first to stock up on antidotes, lifting vials of glowing green liquid against the lamplight."Three at the very least," she murmured. "If the creatures breathe poison, we'll need them."
Mingming, ever restless, pointed at a row of red crystals displayed on a stall. Her eyes shone."Look at these! Explosive shards. If we're cornered, one throw and—boom! Problem solved."
Zhuoluo, steady as always, gave a small shake of his head."We can't rely on gimmicks. Save the crystals for emergencies. Our formation matters more."
Hank checked the weight of his greatsword, his calm tone cutting through their chatter."Supplies won't matter if we lose focus. Stay sharp."
Xiaoqing clutched a spellbook close to her chest, her voice soft but determined."I've prepared fire incantations. They should burn through webs and weak hide alike."
Ying, leaning in the shadow of a nearby wall, said little. But when his eyes flicked toward Feifan, there was a glimmer of something unspoken—as if he already foresaw the trials ahead.
Feifan listened to them all, his gaze steady. This wasn't just about supplies. It was about trust, rhythm, and the will to fight side by side.
Departure
By dawn, the seven set out. The lively sounds of the settlement faded into silence, replaced by the whisper of wind through the wild grasses. Ahead loomed the shadowed peaks of the western mountains, where creatures of the abyss nested and multiplied.
As they walked beyond the gates, Feifan lowered his voice, almost as if speaking only to himself."This isn't just a mission… it's a step into the unknown. A test of my strength, of theirs… and of the fragile bond we've only just begun to build."
The road leading to the West Mountain was shrouded in mist, the air damp and filled with the scent of earth and decay. With each step closer to the Abyss's Nest, the silence grew heavier, like an invisible weight bearing down on everyone.
Feifan walked in front, his gaze scanning the terrain with a calm, precise gaze. Yet, his thoughts, deep within, spoke louder than the wind.
"I can't rely on luck. Every step forward must be carefully considered. If I hesitate, we will all pay the price. Sang Luo will not forgive any weakness."
Feifan said before them, "I'll lead the charge." Behind them, the others chatted—Mingming said, "Feifan is so reliable," and hummed a little tune to break the tension. Hank checked his sword, Zhuo Luo analyzed the path ahead, Xiaoqing warmed her hands with a faint magical ember, Jasmine clutched her potion bag tightly, and Ying remained silent, like a shadow.
And so, they began their descent toward the nest.
The deeper they went, the colder the air became. Damp stone walls pressed inward, twisting corridors splitting and rejoining like veins of some ancient beast. The nest was no simple lair—it was a labyrinth, designed to confuse and consume intruders.
Their first true test came quickly. A cluster of goblins, their yellow eyes gleaming in the dark, rushed from the shadows. Armed with crude blades and jagged spears, they shrieked in a frenzy.
"Frontline, with me!" Hank barked, steel flashing as he intercepted the charge.Mingming darted at his side, quick and reckless, while Xiaoqing's flames lit the cavern in bursts of fire. Moli stayed back, clutching her satchel of potions, ready to heal.
Feifan's eyes swept the chaos. The narrow path forces them into lines. Perfect—less room for numbers."Push left!" he shouted, pointing toward a choke point.Zhuoluo immediately caught on, covering the flank and forcing the goblins into a kill zone. Moments later, the skirmish was over.
But the maze stretched on. Each turn seemed to lead only to deeper shadows. Feifan traced the walls with his hand, his sharp eyes measuring angles and slopes.The airflow… it's strongest this way. If we follow the current, we'll find the main chamber.
Zhuoluo joined at his side, offering quiet guidance. "You see it too, don't you? The rocks are carved by movement… not by accident."Together, they led the group through the twisting dark.
Then, suddenly—A figure stepped from the shadows. Cloaked, face hidden, presence calm in the chaos of the nest. His voice carried like a whisper straight to Feifan."I'll be waiting for you… in that place."
Before Feifan could answer, the figure melted back into the darkness.
A silence hung heavy. The others exchanged uneasy glances, but it was Ying's reaction that stood out. His eyes lingered on the path where the figure vanished, as if he knew far more than he would admit. Yet he said nothing, simply lowering his head, shadow hiding his expression.
The team pressed forward, tension crackling in the air.
At last, the labyrinth opened into a wide cavern. Torchlight from crude goblin braziers lit the walls, revealing a throne carved of bones and stone. And upon it sat a towering figure—armor pieced together from scavenged steel, scars across his green skin, eyes burning with cunning malice.
The goblins roared in unison, kneeling before their leader.
The Goblin Hero rose to his feet, lifting a massive greatsword that shimmered with unnatural power.
The trial had only just begun.