Jacobs offered no immediate reply, his gaze sweeping back across the assembled team, his weathered face etched with concern. “Thoughts?”

Melly, her voice usually bright and confident, now spoke with cautious deliberation, her brow furrowed in thought. “He could still be inside, unaware of our presence.”

Daniel shook his head, a decisive negation, his gaze sharp. “Highly improbable. A Rank 3’s senses are too keen; for him to remain oblivious to our approach is beyond belief.”

“The likelihood he’s already outside is far greater. He sensed our approach and withdrew to avoid being cornered within the cave. After all, we outnumber him, and he couldn’t ascertain our individual Ranks, making evasion the most prudent course.” Sophia analyzed, her tone sharp and logical.

Lumos, silent until this moment, finally broke his quiet observation, his eyes scanning the cave entrance. “Has it occurred to anyone that he might have exited the cave but not fled far? That he might still be lurking nearby, observing those who’ve come to investigate him?”

“So, is that why the Captain insisted on continuing the investigation and approaching his lair? You suspected he would try to evade us, didn’t you?” Henry offered a wry smile, his gaze fixed on Jacobs.

“Hah ha, I merely wished to hear your own deductions. Don’t inflate my abilities,” Jacobs countered, his usual boisterous laughter echoing through the tense air, a hint of pride in his team. “Then we proceed inside, but with precautions. Melly and Lumos, you remain at the cave entrance. Torsan, find a high vantage point for a wide overview. If anything untoward occurs outside, you will signal us within the cave immediately.” Jacobs commanded, his voice brooking no argument.

The remaining four ventured deeper into the cavern’s maw, their senses on high alert. The space was a suffocating tomb of darkness and dampness, the air thick with an unsettling stillness. Bloodstains coated the ground, forming viscous, black trails that slicked the uneven earth, reflecting the dim light in a disturbing way. The stench of rot and mildew intensified with each step, a nauseating assault on their senses, clinging to the back of their throats. As they penetrated the depths, a gruesome tableau unfolded before them, a scene of unspeakable horror.

Wooden stakes, like butcher’s racks, jutted from the sodden floor, their surfaces stained a deep crimson. Impaled upon each stake was a fragment of human remains, dangling like grotesque marionettes of flesh, their forms twisted in agony. Skin had been flayed away, revealing dark red muscle tissue still weeping blood, which mingled with the viscous, black fluid coating the cave floor, creating a disturbing mosaic. Decomposed corpses lay scattered, emitting a sickeningly sweet odor, crawling with maggots in obscene profusion, their bodies a feast for the grotesque insects. The scene was a visceral horror, a desecration of life that defied comprehension.

Henry and Daniel fought back the bile rising in their throats, clamping hands over their mouths and noses, the putrid air a physical assault on their senses, threatening to overwhelm them. Even Sophia, a seasoned soldier hardened by years of combat, couldn’t withstand the onslaught. She retched violently where she stood, her composure shattered by the sheer depravity of the scene. Jacobs, though hardened by more experience, his face grim, still grimaced, his sharp eyes scanning every inch of the horrifying vista, searching for any clue.

Suddenly, the piercing shriek of an alarm whistle tore through the cave entrance, shattering the silence. The shrill sound ripped apart the oppressive silence, echoing through the cold forest air, a warning cry. “Ghouls!” Lumos roared a warning from outside.

Jacobs barked an immediate order to move, his voice sharp and decisive. The team swiftly regrouped, weapons drawn and ready, their training kicking in. Before them, a dozen or more Ghouls had encircled the cave mouth, their dull yellow eyes glowing malevolently in the forest’s dim light, their forms hunched and grotesque. Sharp claws scraped against the earth in a chilling chorus, their hunger a palpable presence. They were scavengers of the dead, moving in packs, their hunger for flesh a palpable thing, driving them forward.

But more terrifying was the creature lurking behind the Ghoul pack - an Alghoul. Significantly larger than its lesser kin, its muscles bulged with unnatural strength, its hide a patchwork of tough, scabrous scales, offering formidable defense. Its eyes burned with a coal-red malevolence, radiating an ancient and terrifying hunger. Confronting it was a gamble even for seasoned Rank 2 warriors, a fight that could easily turn deadly.

“Don’t let them overwhelm us!” Jacobs’s command cut through the rising tension, his voice firm. “Melly, Torsan, provide ranged cover! Daniel, secure our rear! Sophia, support everyone!” Instantly, Sophia unleashed a spell, a shimmering barrier of light enveloping each team member, a protective aura.

Henry swung his blade, the steel flashing in lethal arcs, severing a Ghoul’s outstretched arm, its claws clattering to the ground. Black blood splattered, but the others pressed their frenzied assault, undeterred, driven by their insatiable hunger. Daniel retreated, chanting an incantation, his voice resonating with arcane power, a blazing sphere of fire erupting from his palm, sweeping across the grotesque horde, causing several to shriek in agony amidst the inferno. Lumos, wielding the might of a heavy warrior, brought his warhammer crashing down upon the earth, the force of his blow shaking the ground. The ground shuddered, sending three nearby Ghouls sprawling, their limbs tangled. Seizing the moment, he whirled and brought the hammer down on the nearest creature’s skull, crushing it with brutal force, ending its existence.

Melly unleashed fiery arrows, Torsan his own flight of steel; their ranged assault helped to scatter the Ghouls’ attention, lessening the intensity of their attack, creating openings for their comrades. But the Alghoul remained still, observing the chaos with cold, calculating eyes, like a seasoned predator. It waited, patient, its power a palpable threat.

Only when a Ghoul exploded in a burst of flame before it, its body consumed by Daniel’s magic, did it unleash a guttural roar, a sound that seemed to vibrate the very air, then lunged through the fire with terrifying speed. Its attack carried such force that the air around it vibrated, the wind displaced by its movement. A claw, like a jagged thunderbolt, descended upon Daniel, its trajectory aimed to kill.

In a heartbeat, Jacobs swung his greatsword, intercepting the blow when the Alghoul’s claw was a hair’s breadth from Daniel’s face, sparks flying from the impact. The force of the impact drove Jacobs to one knee, his muscles straining to withstand the blow. “Careful! It’s stronger than I anticipated!” Jacobs roared, quickly regaining his footing, his eyes fixed on the Alghoul.

The hardened scales on the Alghoul’s back formed a formidable defense, deflecting most attacks. Weak attacks would be instantly negated, glancing off its hide. Melly shot a fiery arrow at its eye, hoping to blind it, but the Alghoul was too swift, merely tilting its head to avoid the strike, the flames licking harmlessly against its scales. Torsan loosed a volley of arrows, each one aimed with deadly precision, but all bounced harmlessly off its hide, unable to pierce its tough exterior.

Henry brought his sword down in a direct strike at the Alghoul’s head, his movements swift and precise, only to be swatted aside with contemptuous ease by a casual swing of its arm, his body sent flying. “Sophia!” Henry bellowed, his voice filled with urgency.

Sophia responded instantly, her focus unwavering, casting a spell: “Blinding Dawn.” A searing golden light erupted in the Alghoul’s eyes, a wave of pure energy. For a fleeting moment, it staggered, disoriented by the sudden brightness, its senses overwhelmed.

“It’s stunned!” Sophia yelled the information to the others, her voice ringing through the cavern.

Without hesitation, Jacobs charged forward, his blade crackling with arcane energy, “Crimson Cleave!” His attack, imbued with power, carved a deep gash across the monster’s head, black blood gushing forth. The Alghoul roared in enraged agony, but it remained standing, its resilience astonishing.

It coiled its body, preparing a savage counterattack, but Henry was already upon it, a blur of motion, “Piercing Fang!” A swift, spinning thrust of his sword plunged directly into the creature’s throat, the blade piercing through and severing its vocal cords, silencing its furious bellow. The Alghoul thrashed violently, its limbs flailing, but Lumos moved in for the kill, his warhammer raised high, “Hammerfall!”

A devastating swing of his warhammer shattered the tough scales on its back, the sheer force enough to end its struggle, its body collapsing to the ground. Finally, it collapsed, its body twitching before falling completely still. Torsan, Melly, and Daniel swiftly dispatched the remaining Ghouls, their combined efforts overwhelming the creatures.

The battle ended, but no one dared to relax, their senses still heightened. A foul, black miasma slowly emanated from the Alghoul’s corpse, further darkening the already oppressive atmosphere, a lingering residue of its dark power. Jacobs severed the Alghoul’s head, wiping blood from his sword, his gaze sharp and assessing. “We need to leave this place, now. If there’s one Alghoul, there could be more lurking nearby.” The team nodded, swiftly securing the immediate area before their hasty retreat, their movements efficient and practiced.

After the brutal encounter with the ghouls, upon reaching the forest’s edge, Jacobs began to piece together the information they had gleaned from the horrifying scene within the cave. The seven missing persons reported by Lykuzt had become twenty-five corpses within the cave, a grim discovery, alongside the remains of wolves and bears, their bodies mutilated. The victims, though slain in savage ways, all bore signs of ritualistic execution, or even sacrifice, their deaths part of a dark ceremony.

“Henry, your thoughts on that fight?” Jacobs began, his gaze direct, seeking Henry’s perspective. “The perpetrator lured those Ghouls to attack us. He wanted to gauge our strength, to test our abilities,” Henry offered his grim assessment, his voice thoughtful. “Good. If he hasn’t shown himself, it means he doesn’t outmatch us. Sophia, your take on the cave?” Jacobs continued, addressing another member of his team. “This was the work of a dark cultist, likely preparing a ritual to ascend in Rank,” Sophia analyzed, her voice cold and precise. “Excellent, despite the horror, you remained observant. High probability: our culprit is a Rank 3 currently in the process of ascending to Rank 4.” Jacobs concluded, his expression grim.

A stunned silence gripped the team, the weight of their recent experience settling heavily upon them. They knew that had they arrived later, when the perpetrator had reached Rank 4, their annihilation would have been swift and absolute, their lives extinguished without a chance. Henry could only think grimly, Should I thank the angels for their delayed blessing? With the gathered intelligence, the team turned towards the town to deliver their report, their mission fulfilled, their duty carried out.

Upon exiting the forest, they reclaimed their horses from the villagers, their faces etched with gratitude, and began their urgent ride back to Aerion, the urgency of their mission driving them forward. Dusk had fallen by the time they completed their task, the sky painted in hues of orange and purple. Though only twelve hours had passed, the team had witnessed scenes of brutal horror and returned by a sliver of luck, their lives hanging by a thread. A moment’s carelessness, a twist of fate, and the cost of a low-rank reconnaissance mission could be their lives, a stark reminder of the dangers they faced.

Jacobs offered a weary smile, his gaze sweeping over his team. “This mission was far more dangerous than predicted. The information we’ve gathered is substantial and useful, and the Alghoul’s head is a nice bonus for the bureau. Command will appreciate this. 

Moments later, steaming dishes arrived at their table, a feast to celebrate their survival: herb-roasted pork shank, bacon-wrapped chicken with roasted potatoes, dark grain bread with unsalted butter… After a long day on meager rations, the sight of such a bounty was enough to break their restraint, their hunger overwhelming them. “Thanks be to the angels for watching over us.” Jacobs said, raising his mug of ale, initiating their small victory feast.

The men drank strong, amber ale, the women sweet, light fruit beer - a specialty only found in the capital region of Aerion, a local delicacy. The team fell upon the food with gusto. The pork shank was tender, melting in their mouths, saturated with herbs and spices, a symphony of flavors. The dark bread, smeared with butter, became heavenly when dipped in the rich pork jus, a simple pleasure elevated to ecstasy. The bacon-wrapped chicken, roasted with potatoes, was succulent and juicy, the bacon locking in the moisture, intensifying the flavor. Combined with the roasted potatoes, it was a perfect harmony, a culinary masterpiece.

No one could suppress their joy as they devoured the meal, their hunger finally satiated. The bland fare of the barracks was an insult compared to this bounty, a reminder of their daily sacrifices. The feast not only quelled their hunger but also eased the lingering darkness from the morning’s horrors, washing away the memories of death and decay.

As they ate, their laughter echoing through the tavern, Jacobs spoke again, his tone lighter and more relaxed. “That mission was a bit hairy, but thankfully, our deductions were spot-on, so things didn’t escalate into utter chaos.”

“Actually, you probably had those deductions much quicker than the rest of us,” Daniel said, offering a rare compliment to Jacobs, his voice sincere. “Hahahaha, so what if I did? I can figure things out, but it’s always better when everyone else arrives at the same conclusion, right? More certainty,” Jacobs chuckled, genuinely pleased by their growth.

“We always trust your judgment, Captain,” Melly said admiringly, her eyes shining with respect.

“Don’t be so sure. If I let my ego get in the way and make a wrong call, the consequences could be unimaginable. Today was a close call, but it also showed how much everyone in the team has grown. Your reasoning, your situational analysis - all much sharper, much more thorough.” Jacobs said, unable to hide his pride in his team’s progress, his demeanor shifting to that of an older brother watching his siblings mature, a sense of warmth filling him.