Four years later.

Ryu reached the age of 10.

In the Shadow Intelligence Group, formed with slaves, Sara and Ryu accumulated more experience hunting and killing monsters in the South Forest.

"Master!"

Kaori of the Ischyros shouted while she rushed towards the last enemy through the midst of an ambush. Her hair and eyes of crimson red color shine through the battle.

Clang!

Meanwhile, Sara blocked the gigantic ax from a Goblin Champion using her combined sword and shield.

Goblins were greedy, small, and grotesque goblin monsters, while Goblin Champions were what evolved into big and mighty warriors by defeating enemies and accumulating experiences. Most of them wield a gigantic ax to boast over weaker peers.

"Afiste ton kyklo na reei."

While Sara and Kaori were busy occupying the Goblin Champion, Ryu chanted magic more advanced than his previous spells.

Combining water and earth magic. A spell could only be created by drawing a magic circle and incorporating two or more individual magic.

Quicksand!

"Auntie, Kaori, be ready!"

3-Star Mage, the third advancement. The first and second advancement was about Elements and Enhancements, while the third was about creating magic circles.

The magic circle was something a Circle Mage could draw on the ground, piece of paper, or air using mana. The latter approach was known as the most difficult.

The concept here was that mages couldn't cast two different spells simultaneously. So the mage's predecessors invented the usage of magic circles to combine individual spells, creating a stronger one.

This might sound simple, but one out of every 1000 mages could only advance into 3-Star in their lifetime. It was so difficult that those who succeeded before their deathbed were considered fortunate.

The reason was that the caster needed in-depth knowledge of how the magic circle was translated and the ability to perform it with preciseness.

One mistakes a mage's life's worth.

A small radius of land under the Goblin Champion began to soften.

With Ryu's warning, Sara, beside the enemy, escaped in time.

The Goblin Champion panicked and tried to escape, but its situation worsened by moving, making itself sink faster.

"Kueee kuee! Kueee!"

It screamed and flapped like a goose with its wings on the water.

"Kuueee!"

A little more. Ryu wanted until its body sunk halfway before he chanted another spell...

'Wait for it—Now!'

"Afiste to edafos na pagosei!"

Crack!

Ryu released ice magic that froze the softened ground.

"Kaori!"

"Yes, my Lord!"

Kaori proactively sprinted and appeared beside the trapped Goblin Champion, raising her arm that wields a spear that aimed to pierce its head.

"Iya!"

Splishhhhck!

Kaori drew a hole on its forehead. It stopped moving. Checking as Ryu frantically asked.

"Is, is it dead?"

Kaori pulled her spear and stabbed the Goblin Champion's body several times.

Splishck! Splick! Splischk!

"It is, my Lord."

Seeing how a beautiful lady like her did brutal actions made him reply with bewildered laughter.

"Hahaha...Let's relax first. I'm exhausted."

On the other side, Sara joined as she dropped to the ground and rested.

"My hands went numb."

Seeing the relaxed atmosphere reminded Ryu to immediately cast scout magic, checking the surrounding for another possible ambush.

After confirming the safe environment, he started to ease his guard to recuperate.

Sitting on the ground, he glanced at the sky until it became darker.

"It's getting dark already."

"We should go home now, Ryu."

"Then I'll fire a magic flare to signal the other group to return."

"Yes, please!"

Hissssss... Boom!

"Group 1, that's the Lord's signal."

"Group 14, the Lord asks to return."

"Group 23, we are ordered to return by the Lord."

***

Six Goblin Champions, 30 Goblin Warriors, 12 Goblin Archers, 36 Wolves, four Boars, and more. These were the monsters that they have killed today.

Steadily for years, they cleared paths towards the depths of this endlessly South Forest. The group was trying to find the land's ruler and exterminate it. So that they could conquer the land and build a stronghold.

In four years, their forces have already increased threefold. Fortunately, with the teaching method Ryu incorporated, the slaves learned fast enough that some even gave signs of being great intellectuals.

After passing a trial, they would be assigned to the chosen sections of the Shadow Intelligence Group.

They built businesses such as hospitals, markets, auction houses, warehouses, and production factories around Southbourne town to support the group. And continued to expand to another place whenever an opportunity arose.

All of our movements were listed under the fake noble name.

The group leader of squad number 30 arrived with his subordinates, bowing in respect.

"My Lord."

"Report your results and take a rest."

"Yes, my Lord!"

All shouted in unison.

"Ryu, I'm hungry."

"Yes, auntie. Our family must be waiting for us. Let's go."

***

Clink.

"The kids are back, dear."

Ryu's mother, Hazel, noticed them while preparing the food on the table.

"Sister! I'm not a kid anymore—"

"Welcome home, Ryu, Sara."

"We're home, mother, father."

"—You'll always be my baby sister."

"How, that's too embarrassing nonetheless!"

"What? How about I scold you instead?"

"Uh... No—I'm hungry, big sister."

"You should learn from your nephew. Look, my son already sat and started eating."

"What?! That's unfair, Ryu! Wait! That meat... hey!!!"

The nephew and aunt went from simply eating to a food death battle.

***

After a night of pleasant rest, a peaceful morning arrived.

"Ryu, Sara, and... um... miss, miss Kaori...! Good morning!"

A guard stationed at the south gate approached shyly. He was always there whenever Ryu and the group explored, so he was already familiar with them.

"Good morning, Sir."

Ryu answered back in a good tone. The Guard was one of his father's subordinates.

"Hunting again?"

"Yes, Sir."

Meanwhile, they were having a conversation when the Guard momentarily glanced at Kaori.

"Then, please be careful."

At first, Ryu didn't know why this Guard acted funny whenever he saw Kaori. Only when Sara explained then he understand.

His last message was directed to Kaori. However, the beautiful airhead Kaori didn't respond or hadn't noticed, making him look miserable.

They slightly bowed before leaving.

'Poor Guard. It's too obvious he likes Kaori.'

Everyone looked at Kaori, who was following; she had this face of pure innocence. Once she noticed them, her face flushed.

"Is, is there something with my face, my Lord?"

Sara narrowed her eyes, looking like someone who had just found a surprising answer.

"Aha! I see! So that's why Kaori isn't interested in Sir Guard."

Sara spoke boldly and eyed Ryu with glinting eyes.

"Master?"

"Hey, Kaori... Do you like someone?"

"Like...?! I, I don't have time for that. I want to serve Master and the Young Lord forever."

Sara clicked her tongue with disappointment.

"Tch! Is that all? How boring."

Sara shrugged her shoulder and continued to walk faster.

"Don't slack down. The other groups might beat us on today's hunt."

"Then let's fasten our pace and explore farther."

***

Ryu, Sara, and Kaori came back from where they left yesterday. It was about 20 miles south of Southbourne town.

Hoping that the boss monster that ruled the south forest would be 50 miles away from the kingdom since they needed to discreetly build a base without provoking the sovereignty of the Zen Kingdom.

As they arrived at their last spot, they pushed another mile and hunted monsters along the way. This method made them stronger. The battle experience with life and death on the line made them grow in terms of skills. And the loot they obtained supported their expansion.

And then, Kaori, who was already a 4-Star Spear Master, helped Ryu and Sara advance to 3-Star Sword Practitioner.

In addition, the old man, a sage who appeared four years ago, was the one who taught Ryu about the magic circle, making him advance into a 3-Star Circle Mage.

After teaching Ryu, the old sage then disappeared.

With years of experience, they learned how to deal with various monsters. And learned battle formation in the process.

Sara was their vanguard and used the sword and shield to attack and defend.

Kaori, who was in the middle, focused on offense with a spear.

While Ryu supported the whole team with his dual sword and magic from the rear.

This was the best battle formation they could think of at the moment.

Ryu's target was to build a strong kingdom within six years to join the Zen Kingdom's joint expedition with other nations.

The exact time when Yume would be accused and punished into slavery. More reason Ryu should be there to save her.

"Let's fasten the pace more!"

"Yes, my Lord."

"All right, Ryu."

23 miles...

25 miles...

29 miles...

Finally, they reached 30 miles. However, they stopped going further when they felt a sudden heavy feeling.

The gravity doubled, making it harder to move, catching them off guard.

"What is this?"

"I'm starting to sweat."

Ryu glanced at Kaori, who looked okay despite the sudden change. She also seemed to know something.

"My Lord, this is a gravity field."

"Gravity field?"

"Yes, one place in the South Forest where the gravity is multiplied."

"Do you know the cause?"

"Sorry, my Lord. In the past, the Ischyros tribe leader forbids us to wander around this field."

"This might be dangerous. We should turn around and find another path."

Sara suggested while taking a step backward.

"Wait, auntie."

"Mm?"

"I'd a feeling we should move forward."

Sara sighed, looking like someone who had already anticipated his decision.

"Again, with this feeling..."

With Sara's approval, they moved forward, learning that the closer to the source, the higher the gravitational pull, so they stopped walking when they reached the five times gravity.

"I can't... walk anymore."

Sara dropped to the ground, wheezing.

If not for the magic supporting Ryu, he would also be at his limit. What was more surprising was Kaori looked like she could still move a little further.

They didn't wait until their bodies broke from the pressure, so they decided to go back slowly.

"Let's try it again another time."

"Ha?!"

"It's good for our training, auntie. So stop whining."

"...Okay."

Sara had tears that threatened to spill into the corner of her eyes. But Ryu decided to ignore her.

"Bad nephew!"

"I'll follow whatever you decide, my Lord."