The familiar figures of Gyes, Hontar, and a small group of warriors appeared on the horizon.
In the village, murmurs of anticipation quickly gave way to worried expressions. Children ran to their mothers, while the elders exchanged tense glances.
Gyes, the seasoned tribal veteran, walked at the forefront, his demeanor serious and his eyes scanning the village. Beside him, Hontar bore the hardened expression of someone who had faced difficult days. Their leather armor was worn, marked with fresh battle scars that told their own story.
Gustav, the tribe's leader, quickly approached, his eyes scrutinizing the group.
"Just you?" his voice came out colder than he intended, but the question was unavoidable.
Gyes stopped and motioned for the other warriors to disperse and rest. Turning to Gustav, he responded gravely:
"The others stayed behind. There were... many problems."
Hontar, standing beside him, added:
"We found clear signs of movement from the underworld. Large groups. Too large for us to face directly. Part of our group remained at the borders to monitor them, but..."
"But we don't know if they'll return," Gyes finished, his voice heavy with the weight of uncertainty.
The news hit the village like a stone. Villagers began murmuring, and a tense atmosphere spread quickly. Some mothers clutched their children tightly, while others searched for answers in the warriors' eyes.
Gustav stood silent for a moment, assessing the situation before commanding:
"Come to the central tent. We need to discuss this immediately. Fendrel, Rygar, you're coming too."
"Who are they?" Gyes asked sharply, glaring at Fendrel and his group, his body tense. After months of fighting slavers, it was difficult to mask his bloodlust and disdain.
Gustav cut him off. "They've been helping defend the tribe these past months. So wipe that look off your face and offer your thanks."
Hearing this, the warriors calmed, and Gyes offered an apology.
Inside the central tent, the atmosphere was heavy. Besides Gustav, Gyes, and Hontar, several of the tribe's most experienced warriors were present. Rygar had been allowed to participate due to his strength and recent contributions. It was the first time he had witnessed something so serious, but he knew this was an important moment to understand what was happening.
Gustav looked directly at Gyes.
"Explain in detail. What did you see?"
Gyes crossed his arms, taking a deep breath before replying:
"We found organized groups at key points along the borders. These aren't just merchants or common hunters. They carry symbols of known underworld factions. They're armed and appear to be preparing for something big. We tried to send messages to other tribes, but we've received no response."
Hontar added, "The worst part is that they know about us. We encountered ambushes and signs that they've been monitoring our movements. And they don't seem to care that we're aware of it."
Gustav furrowed his brow, processing the information.
"And the rest of the group? Why did they stay behind?"
"They volunteered to continue surveillance and buy us time. They're also tasked with warning us if anything happens. We know the risks, but we had no other choice," Gyes replied, his tone laced with regret.
As the adults discussed, Rygar couldn't shake a feeling of urgency. He recalled the stories about slavers but had never imagined the threat could be so close. His mind raced as he decided to speak up.
"If we know where they are, why don't we strike first?" Rygar asked, his voice cutting through the tension in the tent.
All eyes turned to him. Some were surprised; others skeptical.
Gyes looked at the young warrior with a firm expression, though not disdainful.
"Attacking now would be suicide. They need so much preparation because we have the advantage in these forests. If we attack recklessly, we'll lose that edge. We don't know how many there are or how well-equipped they might be."
Hontar nodded in agreement. "We need more information before acting. Any rash move could cost us dearly."
Despite their words, Rygar felt that something was being withheld.
The meeting dragged on as Gustav and the other leaders debated their next steps. The possibility of an attack on the village seemed increasingly real, and the distrust toward the recently arrived adventurers only added to the tension.
When the meeting finally concluded, Gyes placed a hand on Rygar's shoulder as they exited the tent.
"You're growing fast, boy. But remember: patience is as powerful a weapon as strength."
Rygar nodded, though his clenched fists betrayed his lingering unease.
As night fell, the young warrior couldn't help but look toward the horizon, where the other tribal warriors still remained. Perhaps they were fighting for their lives. He also thought constantly of his master, Verdia. Were the elves facing something similar? Worry gnawed at him. He knew that sooner or later, it would be his turn to confront the looming war.
While the village remained on high alert, Rygar exhausted his mana reserves by practicing earth magic, making it as dense and rigid as possible. He was confident he could already use a Saint-level spell, but lacking a proper benchmark made it hard to gauge his current capabilities. He was about to cast another spell when his heightened hearing detected movement several hundred meters away, far from the tribe.
Approaching stealthily, he saw Zenn, the halfling rogue. He almost called out but paused. What was Zenn doing here? Without drawing attention, Rygar followed him through the forest, hiding in the shadows.
When they reached a clearing, Rygar watched as Zenn exchanged signals with hooded figures. He could clearly hear murmurs about the village and its weaknesses.
Anger flared in his chest, and it took every ounce of self-control to keep him from leaping forward and tearing them apart. He knew that confronting Zenn directly would be unwise. Instead, this information had to remain a secret. He waited for the right moment and then returned to the village, where he confided in Gyes and the tribal leaders about what he had witnessed. Gustav immediately devised a plan to capture Zenn and his allies by surprise, ensuring they remained unaware they'd been discovered.
They decided to inform Fendrel as well, reasoning that if he had wanted to harm the tribe, he could have assassinated the leaders quietly and escaped. Fendrel was visibly shaken upon learning of Zenn's betrayal. He assured Gustav that the treachery was isolated and reaffirmed the loyalty of Darian, whom he had known since childhood and trusted with his life, as well as Erina, his lover, who had as much to lose as the tribe's residents due to being an elf. Even so, it was decided that only Fendrel would be privy to Zenn's betrayal.
With the growing need for protection, Rygar decided to begin training the children he deemed most mana-attuned in magic.
His physical and combat training had been progressing well, but he wasn't sure if everyone would excel in magic. To test his theory, he chose Kilian (5 years old), Lisena (4 years old), and Taes (7 years old)—the three children with the greatest amount of mana and potential. If guided properly, they could become a significant asset to the tribe.
Rygar started with simple instructions on beginner-level water magic, using this opportunity to test a theory he had recently developed about magic in general.
If he was right, he was confident he could become a pioneering force in the magic of this new world.
Hontar was hurled into the air, caught in the impact of a fiery explosion. Rygar emerged from the flames, his skin scorched, but his eyes fierce with determination.
A roar echoed as he unleashed his Howling Magic in quick succession. Hontar was momentarily stunned mid-air before hitting the ground. When he regained his bearings, Rygar was already on top of him, his claws hovering mere centimeters from his jugular. The clearing was silent, broken only by their heavy breathing.
"Too fast..." Hontar muttered.
"Do you yield?" Rygar asked, his teeth clenched.
Hontar let out a short laugh, filled with pride and surprise. "Alright, boy. I yield."
Rygar stepped back, releasing his father, and exhaled deeply, a victorious smile spreading across his face. His mother, Selene, clapped enthusiastically, while Fendrel whistled in approval.
"You're really growing," Garu, his sword instructor, remarked with a thoughtful gaze. "But remember, defeating your father once doesn't mean you've surpassed him."
"He's right," Hontar added, standing with some difficulty. "But it was a good fight. I'd say... your best so far."
Rygar nodded, trying to conceal the pride that burned within him. For a brief moment, he was not just a young apprentice—he was a true warrior.
The shadow of night blanketed the forest canopy as Rygar and three other warriors moved silently under the faint glow of the moonlight. Rygar had his Magic Eye activated, scanning the surroundings for suspicious movement. Beside him, Garu led the formation with steady steps, while two other warriors held the rear.
"These tracks are fresh," Garu said, crouching to inspect the ground. "Looks like they're trying to lure us somewhere."
"Or maybe they're just fleeing," Rygar replied, though the unease in his voice was evident.
A distant snap froze the group. It wasn't the natural sound of breaking branches—it was deliberate.
"Spread out!" Garu commanded in a low voice.
The battle erupted suddenly, like thunder shattering the silence of the night. The intruders advanced swiftly, but Rygar was prepared. Using his Magic Eye, he immediately detected the movement patterns and positions of the enemies. Each step, every motion, was clear to him, as though a web of energy illuminated the battlefield.
With a primal roar, he charged forward, already conjuring earthen spears that erupted from the ground toward the invaders. The stones' impact echoed through the forest, forcing the enemies to dodge. Rygar seized the moment, casting advanced fire magic, Flame Slice, with a swift motion of his hands. The flaming blade sliced through the air, striking one man diagonally and leaving a searing cut across his chest. The explosion of fire hurled him backward, screaming as the ground around him cracked from the force.
But there was no time to revel in the success. Four more enemies charged with renewed ferocity. Rygar surged ahead, his sharp claws gleaming in the moonlight. He grabbed the wrist of an enemy—an armored man—and, with a fluid motion, disarmed him. In a single turn, he twisted the man's arm and slammed him into the ground with a resounding thud. The enemy was left vulnerable and stunned.
Without hesitation, Rygar pounced, sinking his claws into the man's throat. The move was swift and brutal, leaving no room for defense. He felt the life drain from the body beneath him, but his instincts didn't let him stop. The thrill of the hunt clouded his senses, driving him to be fiercer, deadlier.
As he stood, another enemy lunged with a sharp blade aimed at his neck. Rygar ducked, letting the blade pass over his head, and retaliated with a powerful kick to the attacker's knee. The man stumbled forward, and Rygar leaped onto him, tearing him apart with his claws like a predator overpowering its prey.
Nearby, the other warriors fought with equal intensity. One sliced through an enemy's neck with a clean sword strike, while Garu disarmed opponents with precise cuts, targeting vital points. But the enemies weren't simple foes—four more remained standing, and the battle was far from over.
Rygar, now in a near-trance state, fought with savage precision. His strikes became faster, more instinctive. His mind blurred as his body moved on autopilot, driven purely by the need to dominate the battlefield. As another enemy tried to attack from behind, Rygar spun around, grabbing the man's shoulders and slashing his neck with his claws.
Then it happened. One of the tribe's warriors, approaching to celebrate the victory, placed a hand on Rygar's shoulder. Reflexively, Rygar spun and delivered a violent kick to the warrior's chest. The impact hurled the man backward, slamming him into a tree with a dull thud.
"Rygar!" Garu's voice rang out, sharp and commanding.
Rygar stopped abruptly, mere steps from his ally. Realization struck him like a lightning bolt, and his eyes widened in horror.
His blood still roared in his veins, but something deep inside broke as he saw the damage he had inflicted. Rushing to the fallen warrior, who was struggling to rise, Rygar immediately cast healing magic, his hands trembling as the energy flowed into the injured man. The wounds closed, but the guilt in Rygar's heart remained raw.
"I'm... I'm so sorry," Rygar whispered, his voice thick with remorse.
The warrior, still dazed, looked up at him with a mix of confusion and understanding. "It's... it's fine," he croaked. "You were in combat mode. That wasn't you."
Rygar swallowed hard, trying to regain his composure. He glanced around, seeing the other warriors watching him with a mix of respect and wariness. The battle had been won, but Rygar had glimpsed a far greater conflict brewing within himself.