The next morning, after breakfast, the three of them headed to the Adventurer Guild and began taking on easy quests—simple patrols, minor exterminations, and small escort tasks that could be completed by evening. Their goal was not the reward, but coordination. Altair positioned himself as the main attacker at the front, moving swiftly and striking decisively. Arman stayed in the middle, adjusting between offense and control, supporting Altair with ranged spells and tactical positioning. Eleos remained at the rear, focusing on healing, debuffing enemies, and maintaining the team's stamina. They repeated this routine for almost a week, gradually learning each other's strengths and weaknesses. By the end of it, their movements felt smoother, their transitions more natural. They no longer needed to shout instructions—most decisions were made through simple glances and instinct.
One evening at the inn, while they were having dinner, Arman cleared his throat. "Um, guys… this morning a trader named Michio mentioned he needs help buying bulk construction materials for the town. He plans to bring a caravan and might submit a guild request tomorrow. What do you think?" Eleos looked thoughtful. "Traveling to other places might be nice. And we could earn more money from a longer job." Altair nodded slightly. "If we take a multi-day quest, we'll need proper supplies. And you two should check the blacksmith tomorrow." Arman agreed. "Good idea. Let's go there first thing in the morning." They finished dinner and returned to their rooms, already thinking about preparations for a journey beyond Rostam.
The next morning, after another quick breakfast, they walked to the smithy. The dwarf blacksmith spotted them immediately and grinned. "Right on time! Here's your new weapon," he said, handing Altair a finely forged dagger. "It can transform and multiply with your shadow element." Altair took the blade and tested its balance, swinging it lightly through the air. Then he infused it with his shadow mana. The dagger shifted shape smoothly, elongating, splitting, and forming multiple blades that hovered briefly before snapping back into a single weapon when he stopped channeling mana. "This is… impressive," Altair admitted. "How much do I owe you?" Arman quickly interjected, "Wait, Eleos and I can chip in, right?" Eleos nodded. "You're our main attacker. It makes sense." Altair shook his head. "That's not necessary. How much?" The dwarf stroked his beard. "I worked harder than usual. That'll be 1,000 gold. But I'll give you a discount—800 gold."
"EHHHH?!" Arman and Eleos exclaimed in shock. Altair calmly opened his pouch and handed over the gold. "Here. Please check." The dwarf counted the coins carefully before nodding. "That's correct. Pleasure doing business. Do the two of you need weapons as well?" Eleos hesitated. "Is there anything cheaper? Maybe under 10 gold?" The dwarf gestured to a rack nearby. "Those on display. I noticed you use a mace—the one over there is 5 gold." Eleos inspected it briefly and decided to buy it. Arman picked up a simple but sturdy knife, just in case he needed a backup weapon in close combat.
As they made their way toward the Adventurer Guild, Eleos crossed her arms and pouted slightly. "If we take a caravan protection quest, what about food? I don't want to eat stale jerky every day." Altair glanced at her. "I can cook." Eleos's expression brightened immediately. "Really? Unlimited proper meals?!" she said, almost bouncing with excitement. Arman laughed. "Alright then. Let's buy cooking supplies. Tell us what you need, Altair." Altair nodded. "We'll need basic ingredients, spices, preserved meat, rice or grain, and proper cooking tools." Without delay, the three of them changed direction and headed to the market, purchasing supplies and camp equipment. If they were going to travel beyond Rostam, they intended to do it prepared.
After purchasing the necessary cooking supplies and camping equipment, the three of them made their way toward the Adventurer Guild. The streets were busier than usual, merchants shouting over one another while carts rolled past carrying goods bound for distant towns. Arman adjusted the sack on his shoulder while Eleos carefully held her newly bought mace at her side. Just as they stepped through the guild entrance, a familiar voice called out loudly.
"Hey! You three!" Clerk Mio waved from behind the counter. "Perfect timing. I've got a quest especially for you." The trio approached the desk, exchanging curious glances. "Is this about the trader?" Arman asked. Mio nodded eagerly. "Yes. Michio submitted the request this morning. It's a caravan protection quest. Three days to Ambrose Town, stay there one day while he handles business, then three days back with the caravan."
Altair folded his arms. "Threat level?" he asked calmly. Mio checked the parchment. "Mostly bandits and possible monster encounters along the forest road. Nothing confirmed above Rank C, but caravans tend to attract trouble." Eleos looked at the others. "Seven days total, including travel and stay?" Mio nodded again. "Correct. The pay is decent, and Michio specifically requested experienced adventurers. So… are you taking it?" Arman glanced at Altair and Eleos before smiling slightly. "Sounds like our first proper journey."
They exchanged brief glances, then nodded almost at the same time. "We'll take it," Arman said. Mio quickly processed the paperwork and handed them the contract seal. "Good. The caravan is already prepared and will depart at noon. If you hurry, you'll make it." Without wasting another moment, the three of them headed straight for the town gates, where several wagons loaded with timber, stone blocks, and crates were lined up in formation.
A young-looking man in merchant robes stood near the lead wagon, checking inventory with a nervous expression. When he noticed them approaching, his face brightened. "Ah! You must be the adventurers from the guild. I'm Michio," he said, bowing slightly. Arman stepped forward. "This is Altair and Eleos. We'll be handling your protection." Michio nodded gratefully. "Thank you. The road to Ambrose Town has been unstable lately. Bandits, mostly."
As they spoke, Arman noticed that Michio's caravan was not made up of hired guards alone. Several young women dressed in traveling cloaks stood near the second wagon, whispering among themselves. They seemed unusually comfortable around Michio—laughing softly at something he said and adjusting his cloak or sleeves with casual familiarity.
One of them handed him a water flask with a gentle smile, while another checked the straps of his satchel. Eleos raised an eyebrow subtly, while Altair's gaze lingered on them for only a brief second before returning to the terrain.
Altair finally spoke. "Stay close to formation and follow instructions if something happens." Michio straightened quickly. "Of course, of course. We'll leave the defense to you." Eleos gave a reassuring smile. "We'll keep everyone safe." With final checks completed and the wagons aligned, the town gates opened. The caravan rolled forward, wheels creaking steadily as guards and merchants took their positions.
Under the bright midday sun, they began their journey beyond Rostam.
On the road to Ambrose Town, the caravan moved at a steady pace. the wagons creaked over dirt and stone. As they traveled, Arman couldn't help but notice how close Michio was with the women in his caravan. They walked beside him often, adjusting his coat, handing him food, or speaking softly in tones that sounded far more intimate than professional. Eleos noticed it too, casting a sideways glance every now and then, while Altair simply kept his eyes forward and remained silent.
Arman leaned slightly toward Eleos and whispered, "It looks like Michio has a lot of wives… seven of them." Eleos blinked. "Really? are you sure?" Arman nodded subtly. "And all from different races. One human, one catfolk, one wolfkin, one lizardfolk, one bearfolk, one elf, and one dwarf." Eleos raised an eyebrow. "That's… quite a collection." Arman suppressed a grin. "They're all pretty unique—and beautiful." Eleos lightly elbowed him. "Focus on the road."
As if sensing their attention, Michio approached them with a calm smile. "I can hear you whispering," he said lightly. Arman straightened awkwardly. "Ah—sorry." Michio shook his head. "It's alright. They've been with me for a long time." His tone softened slightly. "They were slaves when I first met them. Different regions, different circumstances. I bought their contracts… and gave them a choice." Eleos looked at him carefully. "A choice?" Michio nodded. "Freedom—or stay by my side. They chose to remain. Over time… we became family." He glanced back toward the women, who were now walking together, laughing softly among themselves. "They are not property. They are my wives, and I protect them as they protect me."
By the time the sun began to sink below the horizon, the caravan slowed to a halt. Michio's drivers guided the wagons toward a clearing just off the main road, surrounded by sparse trees and a gentle slope that offered some cover from strong winds. Guards began forming a perimeter while the caravan members prepared for the night. Altair quickly assessed the terrain before nodding. "This spot is fine. Good visibility." Arman set down his pack and began collecting dry wood from the nearby trees, making enough for both their campfire and an extra pile in case the night grew colder. Eleos fetched water from a small stream not far away, carefully filling their container before returning to the fire pit.
Altair unfolded his compact camping kit and laid out cooking utensils with practiced efficiency. Soon, the smell of simmering broth and lightly seasoned meat filled the air. Eleos sat close to the fire, warming her hands as she watched him cook. "You weren't joking about knowing how to cook," she said, eyes bright with anticipation. Arman returned with another bundle of wood and dropped it beside the fire. "If this tastes like jerky, I'm blaming you," he joked. Altair didn't look up. "It won't." A few minutes later, he handed out bowls. The first bite made Eleos pause. "This is… actually really good," she said, surprised. "Warm, balanced, not overly salty." Arman nodded approvingly. "I take back every doubt I ever had."
They ate together quietly at first, but the warmth of proper food slowly loosened the tension of the day. Eleos leaned back slightly, satisfied. "If you keep cooking like this, I don't mind traveling for weeks." Altair allowed himself a faint smile. "Good food keeps morale stable." Arman glanced toward the caravan, where Michio and his wives were gathered around their own fire. "Well, looks like this journey won't be too bad." The night air cooled gradually, stars appearing overhead, and for the first time since leaving Rostam, the road ahead felt calm.
That night, they set up a simple rotation for guard duty, taking turns to rest while one remained alert by the dying embers of the campfire. Altair took the first watch, his eyes scanning the darkness beyond the wagon circle with sharp focus. Arman followed in the middle of the night, keeping the fire alive and listening to the distant sounds of insects and rustling leaves. Eleos took the final shift before dawn, quietly observing the faint mist settling over the road as the sky slowly brightened. When morning came, the caravan stirred back to life—wagons creaked, horses were harnessed, and breakfast was eaten quickly. With the sun rising over the horizon, they resumed their journey toward Ambrose Town.
The mountain pass they were crossing was narrow, with jagged stone ridges rising sharply on both sides. The air felt thinner, colder. Altair's gaze kept shifting toward the slopes above.
Then he stopped walking.
"…Movement," he said quietly.
A low growl echoed from the rocks.
Moments later, wolves began descending from the mountain path—lean, gray-furred, larger than normal wild beasts. Not one or two.
A pack.
At least eight.
They spread out instinctively, cutting off the caravan's forward and rear path.
Michio's guards tightened their grip on spears.
"Stay inside the wagons!" Arman shouted.
The first wolf lunged.
Altair moved instantly.
[Shadow Cloak]
He blurred forward, blade flashing. The first wolf barely made a sound before collapsing mid-air. But the others didn't hesitate—they attacked from multiple angles, disciplined and coordinated.
"Formation!" Arman called.
Altair shifted to the front line.
Arman took the middle.
Eleos moved behind them, mana gathering faintly around her palms.
Two wolves charged together.
Arman thrust both hands forward.
[Mana Push]
The blast staggered them sideways—but wolves were lighter than Rat Kings. This time, the force worked. One slammed into a rock, the other rolled but recovered quickly.
Altair stepped into the opening.
[Weapon Form]
Shadow extended into twin short blades. He pivoted low, cutting through a wolf's foreleg before finishing it with a clean upward slash.
Another leapt from above.
Eleos reacted immediately.
[Wither and Bloom]
A ripple of decay struck the wolf mid-air. Its momentum faltered just enough for Arman to cast—
[Earth Spike]
A sharp pillar of stone erupted upward, impaling the beast before it reached them.
The remaining wolves circled, snarling.
They were intelligent.
One darted in from the left, testing their line. Another rushed the rear, aiming for Eleos.
Altair shifted position instantly.
[Agility Boost]
He intercepted, sliding between Eleos and the attacker, shadow blade carving through fur and bone.
Arman inhaled sharply and gathered water from the air.
[Water Droplets]
Compressed spheres shot forward like bullets. Two struck a wolf's shoulder and jaw with cracking force, sending it reeling.
But the pack leader—a larger wolf with a scarred muzzle—finally lunged directly for Arman.
Too fast.
Too close.
Eleos slammed her palm toward it.
[Inflict Wounds]
Necrotic energy burst into its chest mid-charge. The wolf staggered, weakened, and Altair finished it with a precise thrust through the throat.
The rest of the pack hesitated.
A few seconds of tension hung in the mountain air.
Then—instinct overrode hunger.
The surviving wolves retreated back toward the rocky slopes, vanishing into higher ground.
Silence returned, broken only by the heavy breathing of the guards and the distant wind through stone.
Arman exhaled slowly. He checked and no casualties, then also checking caravan, nothing touched or damaged.
Eleos relaxed her shoulders slightly. "Good coordination."
Altair wiped blood from his blade. "It's just wolves hunting for food."
Arman nodded. "Still… good practice."
The caravan regrouped, nerves steadied. Wagons were adjusted, wheels inspected, and within minutes they resumed the road once more.
≡ Status ≡
Arman — Human — Level 6
Occupation: Mage
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HP: 132 / 148
Mana: 71 / 96
Stamina: 101 / 128
Mana Control: 21%
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Skills
• Mana Perception Lv. 1
Spells
• Minor Fire Sphere (Modified – Oxygen Compression)
• Flame Bolt
• Mana Push
• Mage's Hand
• Earth Spike
• Earth Forming
• Water Droplets
• Water Barrier
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≡ Status ≡
Altair Everett — Human — Level 11
Occupation: Assassin
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HP: 161 / 176
Mana: 68 / 92
Stamina: 137 / 162
Mana Control: 31%
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Skills
• Shadow Cloak
• Enhanced Perception
• Agility Boost
• Weapon Form (Shadow)
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≡ Status ≡
Eleos Anaidea — Human — Level 7
Occupation: Gravebound Cleric
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HP: 144 / 156
Mana: 151 / 198
Stamina: 79 / 92
Mana Control: 43%
Divinity Affinity: Death
Spiritual Resonance: High
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Abilities
• Cure Wounds – Channel restorative life force
• Inflict Wounds – Condensed necrotic discharge
• Bestow Curse – Targeted vitality suppression
• Wither and Bloom – Dual-phase decay & regeneration field
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