"We need to move," Ryder said to Kaela, his voice low but firm. "The scent of blood will draw more scavengers, and potentially more of whatever those were."
The forest seemed to hold its breath, the flashlight cast long, dancing shadows that writhed with every flicker of movement.
Kaela, still leaning against the tree, nodded quickly. She pushed herself fully upright, though she still looked shaken, her knuckles white where she clutched her handgun. Her eyes darted from the wolf carcasses to Ryder, a mixture of lingering fear and a dawning reliance in her expression.
"Right. Yes, of course," she managed, her voice a little breathless. She drew closer to him as he prepared to move.
Ryder took the lead, the flashlight's beam cutting a path through the undergrowth. Kaela followed closely, almost stepping in his footprints, her head swiveling nervously, though her primary focus remained on Ryder's broad back.
As they put distance between themselves and the battle site, the sounds of their passage seemed amplified in the darkness. The flashlight provided the only significant light, a moving beacon in the vast, dark forest.
"Betsy, you picking up anything else out there? Any more of those wolves or other hostiles?"
Betsy's voice responded in his mind, "Negative, hotshot. Immediate vicinity appears clear of corrupted signatures. Just the usual forest critters, keeping their distance."
"I feel like those things were weaker than what we saw in that tunnel under Crowpoint," Ryder asked, "Noticeably easier to put down."
"Affirmative," Betsy confirmed. "My databanks categorize those canids as low-grade corrupted fauna. The anomaly beneath Crowpoint, however. That was a different beast entirely, Boss. Off the charts. My records show nothing directly comparable; it was a significant deviation."
A thoughtful frown creased Ryder's brow. Betsy's confirmation reinforced his gut feeling: the Crowpoint incident was far more significant than he initially thought.
"Another thing Betsy, this 'Roadside Rescuer' title and the 'presence growing stronger' notification," he queried. "Any idea what that's about? The strength boost was definitely real."
"Honestly, suger, the intricacies of how this 'System' translates actions into tangible boons like titles and direct attribute enhancements are still fuzzy, even for me. My connection grants me operational data, but not every underlying rules." Betsy replied, "What I do know is that it made you stronger, and in our current situation, stronger is always better. We can analyze the 'why' later; for now, let's appreciate the 'what'."
After walking for what felt like a safe distance, Ryder found a more defensible spot, a small alcove formed by a jutting rock outcrop and a dense thicket of unfamiliar, broad-leafed bushes.
He unclipped the flashlight and set it down on a flat stone, angling the beam to illuminate their immediate area. With the ingrained instinct of a soldier, he began to clear a small patch of ground, brushing away loose leaves and twigs.
"This should do for a few hours," he told Kaela, his voice still low. "We'll take turns on watch."
As Ryder worked, Kaela hesitated for a moment, then rummaged in a surprisingly well-organized satchel at her belt. It's a "magica pouch" of sorts.
She pulled out what initially looked like a few folded sheets of dark, resilient material. With a few deft movements, these expanded, almost assembling themselves, into two surprisingly effective sleeping mats.
She then grabbed a small, metallic disc. With a soft click and a low hum, it began to glow faintly, emitting a gentle warmth. A miniature, futuristic-looking heater of sort.
Kaela offered a small, slightly shy smile, though a hint of pride touched her voice. "It's not much, but it's better than bare ground. Some magi-tech items I made myself before this trip." She gestured to the heater. "And this should help keep the chill off."
Ryder raised an eyebrow, the stuff Kaela brought out was far more convenient than anything he would have expected to find in this seemingly rugged world.
They settled down, the small heater providing a welcome pocket of warmth. Ryder took the first watch, positioning himself at the edge of the light, his back to the rock, where he could observe their surroundings. Kaela sat nearby, the initial shock slowly giving way to exhaustion.
"So," Ryder began, keeping his voice low, "how did you end up out here alone, with those things on your tail?"
Kaela hugged her knees, her gaze distant for a moment. "I was heading to Oakhaven. My family hired guards for the journey." She paused, her voice trembling slightly. "Earlier tonight, we were camped, and I was in my tent. Then, when i woke up, the guards were just gone. "
Her eyes welled up, but she blinked back the tears. "When I went to investigate, those… those wolves appeared. I don't know if they were drawn by something, or if they were part of whatever made the guards disappear."
Ryder listened to her story while occasionally sweeping the dark perimeter with his gaze.
She gestured with distress towards her satchel. "My carriage were also gone. It had most of my specialized tools, and a portable workshop too." The futuristic handgun, still clutched in her lap, was perhaps one of the few personal defense items she'd managed to keep.
"Oakhaven, huh?" he said when she finished. "That's my destination too."
A spark of hope ignited in Kaela's eyes. "Truly? Then, perhaps fate isn't entirely against me tonight."
She looked at him earnestly. "Mr. Ryder, if you're heading there anyway, I would be deeply indebted if you'd allow me to accompany you. I can offer compensation. Once we reach Oakhaven and I can ensure you're rewarded generously for your protection."
Ryder gave a slight nod. "Alright, Kaela. We'll travel together." He met her gaze. "We should only be around maybe three to five days way from the city."
A wave of relief washed over Kaela's face. She was resourceful, and despite her fear, resilient.
Despite agreeing to take turns, Ryder handled most of the watch. He was accustomed to the long, quiet hours from his military service, his senses honed to the subtle shifts and sounds of the night.
Kaela, thoroughly exhausted by her ordeal, eventually drifted into an uneasy sleep on her surprisingly comfortable mats.
For the rest of the night, Ryder remained alert, the flashlight cutting a vigilant swathe through the darkness.
As the time passes, he begin to think about the strangeness of his situation again, the System, Betsy, the magical weapon made from truck parts, Hunters guild, and also Kaela, who's now sleeping soundly.
A sense of responsibility, familiar yet heavier now, settled on him. He remembered Miller, the sting of that loss still sharp. He wouldn't let that happen again. Not to anyone else who now relied on him.
As the time passes, he begin to think about the strangeness of his situation again, the System, Betsy, the magical weapon made from truck parts, Hunters guild, and also Kaela, who's now sleeping soundly.
"Her story about the guards vanishing is too convenient for someone," Ryder thought, his gaze sweeping the dark treeline. "No struggle, no sound. Just gone. And her carriage with all her valuable tools are also gone."
"Convenient is one word for it, Boss," Betsy's voice chimed in his mind. "Or maybe just plain suspicious. Guards don't just evaporate into thin air without a peep, not usually. Unless they weren't exactly keen on sticking around. Or maybe they were never planning on getting her to Oakhaven in the first place."
"What makes you say that?"
"Think about it, suger. She says she was heading to Oakhaven. According to the maps Hessa gave us, and my own data, from where those wolves jumped her, the only significant settlement in this direction for days was Crowpoint. If Oakhaven was the true destination, they were taking a mighty scenic, and frankly, illogical route. Unless the route itself was part of the plan."
"So, you think the guards abandoned her? Or worse, led her into a trap?"
"It's a strong possibility, hotshot. They vanish, her valuable gear vanishes. She's left alone in the middle of nowhere, prime target for corrupted critters. Smells fishier than a week-old sardine sandwich left in the sun. Someone either wanted her out of the way, or wanted her workshop and tools very badly, and her guards were either incompetent, or more likely, complicit in the operation."
A sense of responsibility, familiar yet heavier now, settled on him. He remembered Miller, the sting of that loss still sharp. He wouldn't let that happen again. Not to anyone else who now relied on him.
Hours passed. Only when the first, faint hints of grey light began to filter through the dense canopy, making visibility slightly easier and the remaining period of darkness less daunting, did Ryder gently rouse Kaela.
"Kaela," he said softly. "Sun's not far off. Your watch, if you're up to it. It'll be easier to see now."
She woke with a slight start, disoriented for a moment before her eyes focused on him.
Gratitude, and perhaps a little guilt that he had taken the longer watch, was visible in her expression as she nodded and took the offered position, the promise of a new day and their shared journey to Oakhaven about to begin in earnest.