The Calm Before the Storm
Victor smiled calmly.
"I don't have all day."
He pointed casually down the road that stretched deeper toward the wilderness.
The distant tree line marked the outer reach of Mystery Woodland, the strange forest whose secrets had swallowed countless adventurers.
"I still need to reach Mystery Woodland before sunset."
Then he gestured impatiently, flicking his wrist as if urging a group of late servants to hurry.
"So…"
"Can we start already?"
The thirteen men stared at him.
Fully stunned.
---------------
For several seconds, the forest road fell into complete silence.
The wind whispered through the leaves overhead. Dust rolled lazily across the dirt path.
And in the center of it all stood Victor—relaxed, hands loose, golden eyes calm as a quiet lake.
The leader of the assassins blinked.
Then blinked again.
His expression slowly twisted from confusion… into disbelief.
And finally—
Into anger.
"Are you mocking us?" the man growled.
