The forest trembled.
Eryx pulled himself up the rough bark and climbed onto a high branch, breathing hard as he steadied himself.
Below, the massive creature shifted.
Its dark body loomed between the trees.
Liorin’s eyes narrowed as she studied it carefully.
“This is a Vaelorian spider…”
Her voice was low.
Her gaze lifted toward the distant horizon hidden behind the forest canopy.
“Are we near Mount Vaeloris?”
Valen stood calmly, his expression unreadable.
“We are near,” he replied, “but not this much that we can expect this threat.”
For a moment—
Silence.
Then something unnatural happened.
The wound on the spider began to close.
The damaged eye slowly restored itself.
Eryx stared from above.
“…You’ve got to be kidding me.”
The spider lowered its body.
Then—
ROOOARRR!
It rushed forward.
Straight toward Vihaan.
“Vihaan!” Liorin shouted.
Her bow moved instantly.
THWIP! THWIP! THWIP!
Arrows struck the creature—
CLANG. CLINK.
They bounced off.
Liorin’s expression hardened.
“…None of them can penetrate its shell.”
The spider closed the distance.
Fast.
Relentless.
Vihaan gripped his sword, eyes sharp.
“Eryx!” he called.
Eryx grinned from the branch.
“Finally something worth hitting.”
He jumped.
Dropping from above, he landed on the spider’s back.
The creature shook violently.
Eryx held on, climbing toward its head.
“Liorin!” Vihaan called.
“I see it.”
Her voice was calm.
“The eyes.”
She drew her bow.
Slow breath.
Steady aim.
The spider thrashed, making the shot difficult.
Eryx raised his sword high.
“Now!”
He forced the spider’s head upward.
Liorin released.
THWIP.
The arrow flew clean—
And struck the spider’s eye.
The creature screeched, losing balance.
It staggered.
Vihaan moved in.
One precise strike followed at the exposed point beneath its head.
The massive body collapsed.
The forest fell silent.
Eryx jumped down beside him.
“…I officially hate forests.”
—
The air slowly calmed.
Leaves drifted.
The danger, for now, was gone.
Vihaan scanned the surroundings.
“We should move now before another threat appears.”
Eryx stretched his shoulders.
“Yeah! I am bored with forests.”
Liorin glanced at him.
“Bored or feared?”
Eryx turned instantly.
“Why I will—”
“Enough.”
Valen’s voice cut through them.
He stood beside the fallen creature.
“Collect the blood of this spider. It is a good healing medicine.”
A brief pause.
“When you are done with quarrels.”
Eryx folded his arms but stayed quiet.
Liorin stepped forward, pulling out a small bottle.
Carefully, she collected the spider’s blood and sealed it.
Then turned.
And walked toward the cart.
—
The cart began moving again.
Wheels creaked.
Horses stepped forward through the dense forest path.
Sunlight filtered through the trees.
For a while, no one spoke.
Then—
Valen broke the silence.
“The air feels heavy.”
His voice was calm.
But serious.
“A bigger danger is approaching Thornvyl… if I am not wrong.”
The trio listened silently.
“Team 111,” he continued,
“be ready.”
A pause.
“You may be called for your next mission sooner than expected.”
—
The scene shifted.
Far from the forest—
To a Thornvyl base camp.
Inside a large wooden hall, a round table stood at the center.
Commanders.
Masters.
Officials.
All seated.
Among them—
Commander Sue.
And Master Valen.
Calm.
Silent.
Watching.
At the front—
On a raised platform—
Commander Smith stood.
The room quieted.
Then—
He spoke.
“My soldiers… something unusual happens.”
His voice carried across the hall.
“Far away in some Thornvyl villages.”
“News spread of nine warriors, unknown.”
A faint murmur passed through the room.
“No one knows from where they came. No one knows where they go.”
“They appeared two times… and destroyed two villages.”
The atmosphere turned heavy.
“Before they came, villages were in peace and harmony…”
“And when they left…”
A pause.
“Villages are left with cries and burning houses.”
No one spoke.
“Their eye color, their faces… everything unknown.”
“Just one thing is known.”
His gaze sharpened.
“Nine shadows riding on dark horses.”
“And wherever they go…”
His voice lowered.
“Death moves with them.”
Silence filled the hall.
Then he continued.
“This case has been handed over to me by the Central Authority.”
“And I have decided.”
“We will charge tomorrow.”
“Before sunrise.”
“And before their next attack.”
His voice grew firm.
“By tomorrow evening, every village in that region will be under our protection.”
He looked at all of them.
“Man your teams. Be ready.”
A final pause.
“Thank you.”
Then—
“Long live Thornvyl.”
“LONG LIVE THORNVYL!”
The voices echoed through the hall.
Smith turned—
And walked out.
—
Far away…
The forest remained still.
But something unseen had already begun to move.
Nine shadows have appeared…
But are they enemies… or the beginning of something far more dangerous?
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