Morning arrived slowly.
A faint golden light spread across the forest.
Mist hovered above the ground where Team 18 had camped the previous night.
The remains of the corrupted monster still lay deep within the forest where they had defeated it.
Kael stepped away from the campsite, stretching his arms.
His body still felt sore from the battle.
"…That thing was tougher than it looked."
Behind him, Lyrielle approached while tying her long silver hair into a loose braid.
"You're lucky you're not more injured."
Kael shrugged.
"You worry too much."
Lyrielle stopped in front of him.
Her emerald eyes narrowed.
"I worry the correct amount."
Kael grinned.
"That's debatable."
She lightly punched his shoulder again.
"Idiot."
From the other side of the camp, Aurelia watched the interaction with an amused smile.
"Oh look."
"The morning flirting has begun."
Lyrielle's face turned bright red.
"WE ARE NOT FLIRTING!"
Lucien sighed while sharpening his blade.
"Please lower your voices."
Seraphina stood quietly nearby, watching the sunrise over the trees.
Her silver eyes briefly moved toward Kael and Lyrielle.
Something inside her chest stirred again.
That strange feeling she had felt last night.
She still didn't understand it.
The Road Ahead
After packing their equipment, Team 18 returned to the main road leading toward the mountains.
Far beyond those peaks lay the underground halls of the Dwarf Kingdom.
Lucien walked at the front of the group.
Seraphina beside him.
Kael and Lyrielle followed behind.
Aurelia walked last, lazily twirling a flame between her fingers.
For a while the journey was quiet.
Then Kael suddenly stopped walking.
"…Wait."
Lucien turned immediately.
"What is it?"
Kael pointed toward the road ahead.
"There."
Something lay scattered across the path.
Broken crates.
Shattered wheels.
Pieces of metal armor.
A destroyed caravan.
Lyrielle's voice lowered.
"…Travelers?"
Lucien approached carefully.
Seraphina examined the ground.
"These are dwarf trade wagons."
Kael frowned.
"So this caravan was heading to the Dwarf Kingdom."
Aurelia crouched beside one of the wagons.
"Whatever attacked them did it recently."
Lucien nodded.
"The tracks are still fresh."
The Investigation
For the next several minutes, Team 18 searched the area carefully.
This was no longer just a monster hunt.
It had become an investigation.
Lyrielle examined the broken crates.
"These supplies were never stolen."
Kael looked confused.
"Meaning?"
"If this was a normal bandit attack, they would take the cargo."
Lucien studied deep claw marks in the wagon's metal frame.
"These were made by something large."
Seraphina pointed toward the forest edge.
"And it dragged something there."
Everyone turned.
Dark streaks of blood marked the ground.
Leading into the trees.
Kael exhaled slowly.
"…Great."
Aurelia grinned.
"Another monster."
Lucien shook his head.
"No."
He pointed toward the ground again.
"These tracks…"
"…are different from last night."
Lyrielle frowned.
"You mean there are more creatures like that?"
Lucien's voice became serious.
"Or something controlling them."
The Missing Survivors
While searching the area, Kael suddenly found something half-buried under a wagon.
"…Hey."
Lyrielle walked over.
"What did you find?"
Kael pulled out a small metal badge.
It carried the symbol of a dwarven merchant guild.
Lyrielle's expression darkened.
"This caravan belonged to traders."
Seraphina stepped closer.
"There should be guards with them."
Kael looked around the empty road.
"But we haven't found any bodies."
Lucien's eyes narrowed.
"…Exactly."
Aurelia raised an eyebrow.
"You think they're still alive?"
Lucien pointed toward the forest.
"The blood trail leads there."
Kael sighed.
"So we're going back into the creepy forest."
Lyrielle crossed her arms.
"You volunteered yourself."
Kael looked offended.
"I did not."
Aurelia laughed loudly.
"Too late now."
Into the Trees Again
They followed the trail slowly.
Every sound in the forest seemed louder now.
Branches snapping.
Leaves rustling.
The tension felt heavier than last night.
Lyrielle walked beside Kael again.
"You're quiet."
Kael shrugged.
"Just thinking."
"About what?"
"About how this mission got serious really fast."
Lyrielle smiled slightly.
"Are you scared?"
Kael glanced at her.
"Maybe a little."
She nudged his shoulder gently.
"Don't worry."
"I'll protect you."
Kael laughed.
"Isn't that supposed to be my line?"
From ahead, Seraphina glanced back briefly.
Her eyes lingered on them for a moment.
Then she turned forward again.
The Discovery
After nearly twenty minutes of walking—
Lucien suddenly stopped.
"Everyone."
They gathered beside him.
In a small clearing ahead…
Several dwarven guards lay tied to trees.
Alive.
But unconscious.
Lyrielle ran forward immediately.
"They're breathing."
Kael looked relieved.
"So they survived."
Seraphina examined the ropes binding them.
"These knots are crude."
Lucien frowned.
"Monsters wouldn't tie prisoners."
Aurelia's smile faded slightly.
"…So someone else did."
Kael's expression grew serious.
"You mean we're not just dealing with monsters."
Lucien nodded slowly.
"No."
"This was planned."
The Suspicion
A cold wind passed through the clearing.
For a moment no one spoke.
Then Seraphina said quietly,
"Someone is controlling the corrupted creatures."
Lyrielle helped untie one of the dwarves.
"If that's true…"
"…then this mission is bigger than we thought."
Kael looked toward the deeper forest.
The shadows seemed darker now.
Like something was hiding beyond them.
Watching.
Waiting.
The Quiet Moment
After helping the dwarven guards recover, Team 18 prepared to continue their journey.
But before leaving the clearing—
Lyrielle suddenly grabbed Kael's arm.
He turned.
"What?"
She hesitated slightly.
"…You keep jumping into danger without thinking."
Kael smiled.
"That's my charm."
Lyrielle looked annoyed.
But her voice softened.
"…Just don't get yourself killed."
Kael blinked.
"You sound worried again."
She crossed her arms.
"I'm not worried."
Then after a pause—
"…Maybe a little."
Kael chuckled softly.
Behind them, Seraphina watched quietly.
That same strange warmth returned again.
And this time…
It felt even stronger.
Aurelia leaned toward Lucien and whispered,
"…This team is more dramatic than I expected."
Lucien smirked slightly.
"Agreed."
The Shadow Watching Them
Far above the forest…
A dark figure stood on a rocky cliff overlooking the road.
A demon spy.
Its red eyes glowed faintly.
"So…"
"…they found the caravan."
The creature smiled slowly.
"Good."
"Let's see how long Team 18 survives."