As soon as I pushed open the guild's door, I realized something was wrong.
The main hall was far too full for that hour. It wasn't the usual movement of adventurers picking up missions or delivering reports. The conversations were low, hurried, tense. No one was laughing. No one seemed at ease.
Elara walked in right behind me and noticed it too. Liriel stood a few steps to the left, observing the notice board as if searching for the answer there. Vespera studied the faces around us carefully. Rai'kanna and Lyannis came last, finding the atmosphere just as strange as we did.
An attendant saw me and immediately gestured for me to approach the counter.
"Takumi, come here. The guild master asked us to inform high-level adventurers as soon as they arrived."
I walked over to him.
"What's happening?"
He took a deep breath before answering.
"A horde of monsters is approaching the kingdom."
The noise in the hall seemed to diminish even further.
Elara crossed her arms beside me.
"What kind of horde?"
"Many species. Hundreds already confirmed. And more keep appearing."
Liriel stepped a little closer.
"From where?"
"The northern forests. Nearby villages have already sent requests for help. Some were evacuated in a hurry."
I already understood.
"Someone is moving this."
The attendant nodded slowly.
"That's what we believe. The guild has already sent requests for assistance to other kingdoms. Some groups are on their way. We've never had something on this scale."
Lyannis spoke calmly.
"This isn't monster migration. It's direction."
Rai'kanna placed her hand on the counter.
"They're being guided."
The man nodded again.
"That's the suspicion."
I stayed silent for a few seconds. I had seen this before. Monsters didn't organize themselves at this level. When it happened, there was always a mind behind it.
"Who do you suspect?"
He hesitated before answering.
"The Fifth General of the demons."
No one in the group showed surprise. It only confirmed what had already been implied.
Elara slowly exhaled.
"So it has begun."
Liriel kept her gaze steady.
"If he's moving monsters, this is just the beginning."
Vespera looked around the hall again.
"And the other adventurers know this?"
"They know the situation is serious. But that suspicion was passed only to the most trusted groups."
I nodded.
"How many villages have already been attacked?"
"Two confirmed. Others have sent warning signals."
"And the city?"
"For now, secure. But if this horde continues at this pace, they'll reach here."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms.
"Then we can't wait."
Lyannis agreed.
"If we let it accumulate, it gets worse."
I looked at my companions. I didn't need to ask anything. I already knew the answer from each of them.
"What's the first location?"
The attendant opened a map and pointed.
"Arven Village. The request came in less than an hour ago."
Elara adjusted the bag where she kept her magical items.
"Then that's where we're going."
Liriel nodded silently. Vespera was already adjusting her gloves. Rai'kanna lightly rolled her shoulders. Lyannis stepped forward.
The attendant watched us with a mix of relief and concern.
"You're not the only ones going. Other groups have already left."
"The more people in their path, the better," I replied.
We left the guild under the attentive gazes of the other adventurers. Some whispered. Others simply watched in silence. Everyone knew something big was beginning.
Outside, the sky was clear, but the wind carried a strange smell from the north. The scent of overturned earth and broken vegetation.
We started walking along the main road.
Elara broke the silence.
"Hundreds of monsters don't appear out of nowhere."
"Nor do they attack villages at the same time," Vespera added.
Liriel stared fixedly at the horizon.
"He's testing the kingdom."
Rai'kanna agreed.
"Measuring the response."
Lyannis completed it.
"Seeing how long we take to react."
I listened to everything in silence. With each step, the feeling became clearer. This wasn't a direct attack. It was preparation. Calculated movement.
After some time, we took a shortcut along a trail that shortened the trip to Arven. The uneven terrain didn't slow our pace.
In the middle of the trail, we found an abandoned cart. The marks on the ground showed that someone had left in a hurry.
Elara examined it.
"They ran through here."
Vespera observed the direction.
"Heading south. Fleeing."
Liriel touched the cart's broken wheel.
"It got too close."
I kept walking.
After nearly an hour, we began to hear sounds in the distance. Screams. Wood breaking. Something heavy colliding against structures.
We quickened our pace.
When the village appeared ahead, the scene was clear. Damaged houses. Fences knocked down. People running. Monsters scattered through the streets, advancing without defined direction, simply destroying whatever they found.
I stopped for a second to assess.
"Scattered. No formation."
Elara nodded.
"Pure chaos."
"Let's split into pairs," Vespera said.
"No one alone," I added.
Liriel was already advancing toward the nearest street. Rai'kanna drew her weapon firmly. Lyannis ran beside her. Elara stayed with me.
The battle began in the middle of the main street, without preparation, only immediate reaction.
The monsters weren't organized, but there were many. Some emerged from alleys. Others jumped over broken fences.
I moved forward, opening space. Elara stayed close, ready to act at any moment.
Further to the right, Liriel illuminated the street with her magic, forcing the monsters to retreat.
Vespera moved with precision, preventing them from approaching the houses where civilians were still hiding.
Rai'kanna and Lyannis covered the points where the pressure was greatest.
It wasn't a quick battle. It was constant.
Every time one group fell, another appeared right behind.
After several minutes of continuous combat, the numbers began to decrease. The last monsters retreated out of the village, disappearing among the trees.
Silence gradually returned.
The sound of heavy breathing replaced the noise of destruction.
Villagers began to come out of hiding, looking at what remained.
I wiped the sweat from my face and looked around.
Elara approached.
"That was just the tip."
Liriel agreed.
"If this is happening in other villages at the same time…"
Vespera finished.
"The entire kingdom is under pressure."
Rai'kanna rested her weapon on her shoulder.
"And this was just the first warning."
Lyannis looked north, beyond the forest.
"He hasn't even appeared yet."
I followed her gaze.
The feeling was clear.
This wasn't the attack.
It was the beginning.