Karl's gaze shifted to Sylas, the shadow-weaver straightened immediately, as if sensing the weight of responsibility about to fall on his shoulders.
"Sylas," Karl said, voice steady but edged with command, "you will scout them from a safe distance. Ember will lead you there. Do not take risks. If they show signs of attacking, I want Ember to return immediately with the message.
You should stay hidden, learn their strength, their defenses, and anything else useful. If they have no plans to strike soon, withdraw to a safe distance—but keep observing their movements in our direction. Every step, every pattern."
Sylas bowed his head slightly, shadows flickering at his feet like loyal hounds. A flicker of pride danced in his sharp eyes. "It will be done, my Lord.
Karl's gaze shifted to Ember, perched on a low branch nearby. The falcon ruffled her emerald feathers, her storm-sense crackling faintly like restrained lightning. Her amber eyes locked onto his, keen and unyielding.
"Ember," Karl said, his tone softening but carrying no less weight. "Your task remains the same—guide Sylas to the rival's barrier. Confirm their intentions. If they prepare to strike, return at once. If not, once Sylas takes his post, I want you to turn your wings toward the wolves.
Track them. Learn their numbers and where they nest. We'll crush them first before we deal with this rival Lord. But remember—if danger rises suddenly, your first duty is to warn us."
Ember gave a sharp screech, the sound slicing through the night air like a blade. Her wings trembled, feathers catching the fire's glow as though sparks danced upon them. There was a keen intelligence in her gaze, one Karl could not ignore. She seemed… more intelligent than Thorn, despite standing at the same rank.
Karl's eyes lingered on her for a moment longer, before nodding. "Good. Go with caution."
Around the fire, his summons shifted. Thorn's vines rustled uneasily, Mira's fingers tapped against her vial belt, Renn adjusted the haft of his spear, and Grok's jaw tightened as though eager to smash something already. Lysa sat quiet, her whistle clasped between her fingers.
The firelight danced on each of them—faces grim, eager, determined. The council was ended, yet the weight of their choices clung to the air like storm clouds on the horizon.
The wolves were still out there, circling. And now another Lord watched from the shadows.
Sylas and Ember left soon after the receiving order from Karl. Sylas melted into the shadows, his form barely visible, while Ember soared above him, wings cutting through the night air. One cloaked in darkness, the other a flash of emerald light, both vanished toward the rival Lord's territory.
Karl turned back to the others. His voice was calm but firm. "Toren, repair and build weapons with available material. Renn, Lysa—help him. We'll need every blade sharp and every tool ready."
He shifted his gaze. "Mira, Sylva—prepare as many poisons and tonics as you can. We'll need them soon."
Finally, Karl looked to the rest. "Thorn, Grok, Dren —you're coming with me. We'll hunt near the barrier and gather more crystal while keeping the area clear."
The group moved quickly to their tasks. The fire burned low behind them, but in Karl's chest, a different fire burned brighter—the calm before the storm.
Karl exhaled slowly, and with a thought, the system panel opened before him.
[Status Panel]
Name: Karl Varn
Lord Level: Bronze II (0/10)
Stats:
Strength: 10 (7 → 8)
Agility: 11 (8 → 9)
Vitality: 14 (8 → 9)
Intelligence: 9 (6→ 7)
Abilities: Breath of Spring
Skills: Herbal Resonance, Vital Touch
Resources: 4 Level I Essence Crystals, 0 Level II Essence Crystal, 20 Summoning Shards level 1, Sunfire Fruit, Spirit Leaf, bones, deer meat Razorhide Bear hide/spines/meat, boar meat/tusks
Barrier Timer: 1 day, 05 hours, 10 minutes
Karl led his small hunting party beyond the barrier, each step measured, the weight of the forest pressing in around them. They moved in a tight formation, every member alert, the silence broken only by the faint crunch of leaves beneath their boots.
Thorn prowled ahead, shoulders low, thorn-laced fur bristling with tension as his nose brushed the ground. Every so often, his ears twitched, catching sounds too faint for the others to hear.
Dren walked close behind Karl, his mace resting against his shoulder, a low hum rumbling in his chest as if to steady himself. Grok kept to Karl's other side, shield and club lifted, eyes sharp, ready to intercept anything that lunged from the dark.
Veyra brought up the rear, bow half-drawn, every movement quiet and precise.
The forest pulsed with hidden life—every rustle, every shifting shadow a reminder of danger waiting to strike. Yet Karl's party moved in unison, steps careful, breaths measured, like a single organism guided by instinct and discipline.
Then, Thorn froze. His muscles stiffened, ears pricking forward, a low growl vibrating deep in his chest. The vines along his back coiled tight, quivering with readiness.
From the undergrowth, the threat revealed itself. Heavy footfalls shook the soil as three massive shapes pushed through the thicket—Ironhide Razorhogs. Boar-like beasts with plated hides, tusks jagged as forged blades, and eyes glowing with feral crimson light. The air stank of musk and iron. Behind them, larger still, their leader emerged—Bronze II tier, its steps slow but deliberate, radiating brute dominance.
Karl's grip tightened on his spear. His voice cut low and sharp through the tense air.
"Thorn, hold the big one. The rest—we take the smaller first."
Thorn lunged, vines snapping outward like whips. They coiled around the Bronze II Razorhog's tusks, wrenching its head down. The beast bellowed, hide grinding against the tightening vines, but Thorn held fast, muscles straining.
The two Bronze I boars charged.
Karl stepped to meet the first. Tusks slashed wide, but Karl slid aside and struck deep behind the shoulder joint. The poisoned tip sank in. The boar shrieked, staggering as blood sprayed. "Now," Karl hissed.
Veyra loosed. Her arrow split the air, driving into the beast's eye with a wet crack. The boar toppled sideways, thrashing, then lay still.
The second Bronze I barreled toward Grok. He met it head-on, shield raised. The impact thundered through the trees, tusks screeching against wood and iron.
"Damn thing's strong!" Grok grunted, legs braced. Dren roared, swinging his mace down to smash its skull. The Razorhog collapsed under their combined assault.
Only the leader remained.
Thorn still grappled the Bronze II, vines coiled tight around its tusks, but the beast fought like a storm, dragging him through the dirt, tusks tearing chunks from the ground. The Thorn's growls rose with effort, but his hold did not break.
Karl raised his spear, eyes hard. "let's go finish it together."