I can't shake the feeling that something is following me. The brush is thick, yet I don't hear a sound. A suspicious tension hangs in the air.
Not far away, I hear several voices. I follow them to find a handful of adventurers.
They seem to have prevailed against some enemies, which now lie in a heap some distance away from their resting spot.
I emerge from the brush and greet them, but they don't even acknowledge me. I follow their gazes to a swirl of black smoke, just in time to see a familiar figure emerge from it.
"Did you miss me, 'hero'? Have you been trying to fill the hole in your heart by making friends? Let me introduce you to some more friends!"
Several plumes of darkness rise from the soil, revealing armed horrors.
"Demon Infantry! These are C-rank demons!" A well-equipped magician shouts, then takes his position in the rear and begins casting.
Two heavily armored warriors take the front. Two others take position to either side of the magician.
I don't know why, but I feel fired up. Something tells me that I've got what it takes to face down this threat.