Fewer than ten days had passed since Sam's return to the [Forsaken] kingdom, yet the atmosphere around the city had already shifted.
The quiet tension that once lingered in the air had sharpened, as though the entire realm was holding its breath.
Word spread quickly that the [Eternal] group had finished the fourth mission.
Not only that, but they were already making preparations to challenge the fifth, moving faster than anyone expected.
Some awakeners outside of that group even managed to defeat the [Ghost King], though tales of the battle made it sound almost impossible.
The rumors described the boss as monstrously strong, an enemy that tore through teams of fighters without mercy, and the fear that followed sent shivers through the population.
Many weaker awakeners chose to stop advancing altogether rather than face such a terrifying opponent.
'It's happening quicker than I thought,' Sam reflected, watching the restless movement of people in the streets.
