Chapter 10: Danger Strikes in the Night of the Deep Forest

Chapter 10: Danger Descends in the Deep Forest Night

The nights in the beast-infested forest were always silent, but everyone had grown used to it. After a day’s exhaustion, they all retired early—only Gehr, clutching his beloved shield, kept watch nearby, silently guarding his team. The campfire crackled softly as Gehr scanned the surroundings with vigilance. The rustling, the occasional buzzing, and other strange noises—all were carefully distinguished by Gehr, who gathered information from them.

Before bed, Jin had spent some of his magic to weave a warding net, easing much of Gehr’s burden. Yet Gehr remained alert, for these were his companions, the people closest to him, and he would not let any harm befall them. The wind stirred the trees, the rustling continued, and Gehr gripped his shield, eyes sweeping the darkness.

Suddenly, with a rustle, Ye Tian leapt down from a tree. “Something’s wrong—retreat!” he hissed urgently. “What?” Gehr was momentarily stunned. But Ye Tian, growing anxious, stamped the ground sharply; the earth trembled slightly, awakening the others.

“What’s happening?” Arnie rubbed his bleary eyes. “We need to move! Something’s coming!” Ye Tian said, his gaze fixed on the distance, voice tense. “Forget the gear—just go!” Gray commanded. He too sensed something amiss; the night was too quiet, as if something dreadful was drawing near.

They snatched up their weapons, abandoning their packs, and fell into formation to withdraw. “West!” Liu Kai pointed, and Gray waved, “This way!” The group hastened westward—the way out of the beast forest.

“How did you know there was danger?” Jin asked in a low voice as they moved. “I’ve lived in the mountains—I’m more sensitive to threats than most,” Ye Tian replied, glancing back. The danger didn’t seem to be following them.

“Useful skill,” Jin remarked. Suddenly, his expression changed. “Gray, the barrier’s been breached.” Gray’s face darkened as well. Jin’s protective barrier wasn’t the strongest, but no beast below rank five could break it. For it to shatter now meant at least a rank six beast was near—far beyond their ability to handle.

“Quickly!” Gray commanded. They sped up. After a night of fleeing, dawn finally broke. They breathed a collective sigh of relief and found a spot near a water source to rest.

“See? There was no real danger,” Arnie grumbled, sitting by the water with his axe at his feet. “No, something did come close,” Gray replied, then turned to Ye Tian. “Thank you, Tian. Your warning was timely.”

“It was my duty.” Ye Tian smiled. “So, what now? Should I scout ahead, see if we can retrieve our packs?” The mercenary group had left everything behind in camp; ideally, they would go back for it.

“My advice is don’t go,” Ye Tian said. “Why?” Gray asked. “Honestly, it’s just a hunch. Will you believe me?” Ye Tian replied with a wry smile.

“I see. But how will we survive without supplies?” Lisa asked softly. “That’s simple,” Ye Tian replied. “Surviving as a group isn’t much different from surviving alone. The real question is, do you return or continue your mission?” With Ye Tian present, he could easily provide for several people. But if they insisted on completing their task, he couldn’t guarantee the danger from last night wouldn’t return.

“We’re going back. The mission is canceled,” Gray declared after a moment’s thought. “But, Captain—” Lisa protested. “Last night, Jin’s barrier was breached. That means at least a rank six beast passed by. I can’t risk everyone’s lives,” Gray said gravely.

“But the mission…” Lisa’s voice trembled. The mercenary company hadn’t had a major assignment in a long time. Without a few more, their A-rank would be downgraded—a fate none of them wanted.

“What was your mission?” Ye Tian asked, puzzled by the glum faces. “To hunt a rank-four Golden Ring Python and retrieve its magic core. Actually, any rank-four metal core would suffice,” Gray explained.

“A magic core? What’s that?” Ye Tian asked, curious. “You don’t know? Oh, right, maybe they don’t exist where you’re from,” Gray realized. Ye Tian was not from this continent; perhaps he’d never seen one.

“Magic cores are crystals formed from a beast’s magic. Only beasts above rank two have a chance to produce them. A beast with a core is much more powerful than others of its kind. Jin, you still have one, don’t you?” Gray asked.

Jin quietly produced a small, emerald-green stone, about the size of a fingernail. “This is a magic core—a rank-three, and quite valuable.” Upon hearing this, Jin quickly tucked it away; it could be a lifesaver in a dire moment.

“That’s it?” Ye Tian looked at Jin’s treasure in surprise, then rummaged through his pouch and spilled out several stones. “Are these the same?” There was a collective gasp as Jin’s staff clattered to the ground and everyone’s jaws dropped.

“A m-m-magic core!” Even Lisa was startled, her staff slipping from her grasp with a thud. Gray, too, was astonished, then gave a rueful smile. “Well, it seems you’re quite the wealthy man.”

Jin coughed and pointed. “Tian, could I see that yellow one?” “This one? Sure.” Liu Kai tossed the indicated core over.

“Careful!” Jin snapped, hastily catching the core. He examined it closely, then, with a complicated expression, returned it to Ye Tian.

“What’s wrong?” Liu Kai asked, uneasy under Jin’s gaze. “Where did you get this core? It’s from a rank-six Ironhide Earth Dragon,” Jin murmured. “Rank six!” Everyone drew a sharp breath. They struggled against rank-five beasts, but here was someone casually carrying a rank-six core.

“Picked it up,” Ye Tian replied with a grin. “Since it’s useful, we don’t need to linger here.” He tossed the core to Gray.

“Hey! That’s worth a fortune!” Gray exclaimed, startled. He’d seen rank-six cores before, but never someone tossing them about so carelessly. If word got out, Ye Tian would be mobbed!

“Tian, this is too valuable—it’s worth at least a thousand gold coins. Our whole company couldn’t afford it,” Gray said with a wry smile. “Oh, I’m not selling it. Take it as payment for getting me out of the forest. If that’s not enough, take these as well.” Liu Kai made as if to throw more over.

“That’s enough!” Gray hurriedly stowed the core. Something so precious would only bring trouble if seen by others. Liu Kai picked out a green core and tossed it to Jin. “Here, you might find this useful.”

“I… I…” Jin was speechless. This was a rank-six Man-Eater Bloom core, perfectly suited to him. “Tian, it’s too valuable. I can’t accept it.” He tossed it back and picked up his staff.

“I have no use for them, and I found them, so I don’t mind.” Liu Kai laughed, tossed the core back, and it landed right in Jin’s collar. Startled, Jin fumbled to retrieve it.

“Anyone else want one? I’ve got a few more.” Ye Tian set the remaining cores on the ground and drew out several more.

Gulping, Lisa stared in awe at the pile of magic cores.

“Ahem, I don’t need one,” Gehr said first, patting his massive shield. “I’m a warrior—useless to me.” “Nor do I,” Lasse said. Thieves relied on fighting spirit, not magic cores.

“Could I have one? I’d find it useful,” Ladon said, embarrassed. “Take whichever you need. I’ll go catch some fish,” Ye Tian said, standing up. Seeing that his presence made the others uncomfortable, he walked toward the lake.

“I’ll come with you,” Gehr volunteered. He appreciated Ye Tian’s generosity and wanted to keep him company. “Great! The more the merrier. I plan to cook myself this time—otherwise, I’ll never get enough to eat,” Liu Kai said, standing up as well.

As the two walked off, Gray looked around at his team and sighed. The others echoed his sentiment. “Lisa, you should take one too.”