Before the sun had even begun to rise, Ryn and Richard were already back on the road.
The extermination of the Calami continued without pause for several more days—
until at last, they reached a forest-border city.
Brindelburg.
The city lay far from Central, close to the northwestern frontier where the land brushed against the northern continent.
Because of this, its walls were built from thick stone—far sturdier than those of ordinary villages.
Divine soldiers and Arch were stationed along the ramparts in great numbers.
The atmosphere was tense, yet disciplined.
Richard spoke briefly with the gate guards.
Not long after, the massive stone gates creaked open, granting them entry.
Inside, the city felt entirely different from its hardened exterior.
Villagers, merchants, and travelers filled the streets.
Stalls lined the roads, selling everything from daily necessities to exotic goods from the North—items Ryn had never seen before.
"This city is a major trade hub,"
Richard explained.
"Goods from the North pass through here before being sent to Central, and then distributed to the surrounding regions."
Ryn nodded, his eyes wandering with quiet awe.
This was a frontier city—strong, yet full of life.
Richard led him to a fortress within the city, where numerous soldiers were stationed.
When they recognized Richard, they saluted in unison.
Moments later, an Arch emerged from inside the stronghold.
"Ah, Sir Richard. You've arrived,"
the man said with clear relief, handing him a scroll.
"A message from the Council. It arrived two days ago."
Richard accepted it with a nod.
"Much appreciated."
He unrolled the parchment, scanned it swiftly, then rolled it back up.
"Lucien Felgard…"
he said, lifting his gaze.
"It seems the Calami problem around this area has grown quite severe."
Lucien let out a tired breath.
"Yes. Especially now that the crops are beginning to bloom.
The villagers are too afraid to harvest them, and transport has been delayed across the region."
He paused, then continued,
"So I was hoping you might assist us here for a while, if possible."
Richard nodded in understanding.
"Once the Council's orders arrive, there's little room for refusal…"
"In that case, I'll take my leave."
After exchanging farewells, Richard and Ryn departed the fortress and headed for an inn to rest.
Once inside, Ryn asked with quiet curiosity,
"Master, what was the message about?"
Richard replied while setting down their belongings,
"Just as you heard. We're to eradicate the Calami in this region so the villagers can resume their farming."
Ryn nodded—but Richard fell silent for a moment before continuing.
"However… Brindelburg already has several highly capable Arch, and its city guard is formidable.
There should have been no need to summon me away from my primary duties just to handle matters here."
He frowned slightly.
"There must be something we don't yet know."
Ryn stood still, listening intently, though he had nothing to add.
After settling their gear, the two made their way to the rear gate of the city, beyond which stretched a vast agricultural zone.
Watchtowers stood tall at all four corners of the perimeter, and within the fields lay unmistakable signs of heavy combat.
They approached the nearest tower and began questioning the stationed guards about the situation.
Richard asked one of the soldiers about the recent disturbances.
The guard explained,
"Lately, the Calami have been appearing in greater numbers and attacking the farmlands far more frequently than before.
Our defenses are starting to falter, even with Divine soldiers and Arch on constant patrol."
"And on top of that…"
The man hesitated, his expression uneasy.
"We've also encountered several Calami Titans—the giant humanoid breed.
There have been Calami Maulers as well… the bear-type variants."
The soldier paused once more before continuing in a lowered voice.
"And there's… one more."
Richard frowned, pressing him immediately.
"One more? What kind?"
The guard drew in a deep breath.
"I'm not even sure what it is. It moves far too fast—nothing like the Calami we know.
It doesn't walk on two legs like the others… it crawls along the ground. But unnaturally fast."
Richard listened in silence.
"We can still handle the Titans, but that thing… we're helpless against it.
Even several Arch have already fallen to it."
Richard went quiet for a moment, then raised a hand to scratch his head lightly.
"Crawling… moving fast…"
He muttered to himself, as though searching his memory for something that refused to surface.
"What the hell could it be…?"
After thanking the guard, Richard turned and headed toward the outpost at the far edge of the farmland, leaving the question hanging heavily in both his own mind—and Ryn's.
At the outermost fort, several Arch and Divine soldiers stood on constant watch, prepared for whatever unforeseen threat might strike.
Richard inquired further about the strange creature and requested to inspect the remains of the Calami that had been destroyed.
One of the Arch volunteered to guide them.
The pile of corpses lay some distance east of the fort.
Upon arrival, Richard and Ryn examined the remains together.
Various breeds of Calami lay scattered in grotesque disarray—
Feral (humanoid), Mauler (bear-type), Ravager (wolf-type), and Titan (giant humanoid).
Afterward, Richard asked to see the bodies of the fallen soldiers.
Inside the storage hall, the corpses of village guards, Divine warriors, and Arch were lined up in grim silence.
Richard's gaze stopped on one Arch in particular.
Thin, delicate strands clung to the armor.
Ryn stepped closer.
Richard carefully lifted one of the threads between his fingers.
"Spider silk…"
He murmured uncertainly.
"How is that even possible?…
There's never been an insect-type Calami before."
Ryn remained silent, listening without a word, yet an uneasy weight began to settle in his chest.
Richard moved on to inspect another Ach's corpse.
This one bore no traces of silk.
He murmured something under his breath.
But when he examined the next body, he found the same thin strands clinging to the armor once more.
Richard's expression tightened.
"Check the back of the previous one for me,"
he said to Ryn.
At the same time, he turned over the Arch before him.
The armor on its back had been pierced clean through into the flesh beneath.
Two distinct wounds marked the impact—
as if sharp fangs had stabbed in and then clamped shut.
Moments later, Ryn returned, his voice tense.
"The same wounds… on that Arch as well."
Richard's face changed instantly.
"That's impossible…"
he muttered in a low voice.
"This has never happened before. Calami don't hybridize with insects."
Ryn remained silent, absorbing every word.
Richard slowly lifted his gaze toward the distant snow-covered mountains to the north, his eyes filled with disbelief—and growing unease.
"This can't be real…"
After a brief moment, he regained his composure and called Ryn closer.
"Ryn, this mission just became far more dangerous.
Stay sharp."
"Yes, sir," Ryn replied without hesitation.
He noticed small beads of sweat forming on Richard's face—
despite the biting cold that surrounded them.