Early morning outside the inn.
The sky was still pale, painted with the soft colors of dawn. A faint chill lingered in the air.
"Is everyone ready? Final check! We depart for Silverwood immediately!"
Cloe barked the command, her voice sharp and authoritative as she tightened the straps on her gear.
Mr. Hex was already out front, preparing the carriage and horses. He moved with calm efficiency, reins in hand and eyes scanning the road ahead.
Sophia and Sir John stood just outside the inn, both fully equipped and quietly waiting.
And beside them were Alex and Marci, bags slung over their shoulders.
Because the journey ahead was expected to be long and dangerous, Cloe had instructed everyone to bring only the bare essentials, provisions, tools, and medical supplies all packed tightly into one large travel bag.
Naturally, that burden fell on Alex, their designated carrier.
He grumbled under his breath but said nothing, hoisting the weight onto his back with a resigned sigh.
Once everything was checked, packed, and strapped down, Cloe gave a curt nod.
"Let's move. We head for Silverwood."
The journey took half a day on horse's carriage, the road long and uneven, cutting through stretches of quiet woodland and winding hills.
Just outside the forest's dark edge, they spotted a small camp of a group of knights resting near a perimeter of wagons and makeshift tents.
Cloe dismounted first, her full suit of armor glinting dully in the light. With her helm still on, she approached the nearest knight.
He turned as he noticed her presence.
"Huh? Who are you? You a knight?" he asked, eyes narrowing at her imposing silhouette.
"No. We're adventurers."
Cloe's voice was firm but calm.
"Is something going on here? Why are you stationed outside the forest?"
The knight glanced at his comrades before shrugging.
"Ah... nothing major. Just a report came in—a noble went missing inside the forest. We were ordered to find her."
"Her?"
"Yeah. Been about a week now. No sign. No tracks. Not even a body."
His tone was indifferent, almost too casual.
"She's probably dead by now, hehe."
He laughed under his breath, as if it didn't matter.
Cloe said nothing and returned to her team.
"The forest is too narrow for horses. We proceed on foot from here," she announced.
"Prepare to depart. There's no time to waste."
Everyone responded without hesitation.
Mr. Hex double-checked the gear on the wagon before unstrapping what was needed.
Sophia and Sir John quietly adjusted their packs.
Alex, carrying the group's provisions, shifted the heavy bag on his back with a resigned grunt.
Marci checked his bow and quiver, nodding to himself.
In just a few short minutes, the team stood at the edge of Silverwood, facing the dark veil of trees that awaited them.
=================
At Strando Academy, the most prestigious institution in the kingdom, nestled in the heart of the capital city, Roosevelt, within the Kingdom of Deogon, students gathered for a lecture that delved not into magic or politics, but into biology and history.
Inside one of the high-ceilinged lecture halls, sunlight streamed through tall windows, illuminating rows of students scribbling notes and listening intently.
The professor's voice echoed across the room as he gestured to a diagram on the chalkboard.
"Now, the Arctic people—though once considered human—possessed remarkable biological differences. Their blood is said to carry divine properties, allowing them to surpass the physical and magical limits of normal humans…"
Among the attentive students sat Lis and Masa, both enrolled in the same class.
Lis sat upright, her eyes sharp with focus as she diligently jotted down every detail. Her handwriting was neat, her expression calm but engaged.
Beside her, Masa leaned forward slightly, immersed in the lecture.
While others seemed only half-awake, the two of them were locked into the lesson, drawn to the mystery and legacy of the Arctic bloodline.
The professor continued, his tone calm but reverent.
"Moreover, the Arctic people possessed an exceptionally sharp sense—some say almost spiritual. They were capable of sensing the presence of those they shared a deep emotional connection with. Even across great distances, they could feel it... as if their hearts were tethered."
Masa leaned over slightly, whispering with a grin.
"Whoa… that's amazing. Hey, Lis, so it's kind of like beastkin traits, but instead of noses, it's like… emotional radar or something?"
Lis let out a small, amused sigh but didn't look away from her notes.
"Not exactly the same, Masa," Lis replied, her voice quiet but clear as she continued writing.
"Hmm…" Masa leaned back in her seat, tapping her chin thoughtfully.
"Well, Cloe can smell my scent. When we played hide and seek as kids, I always lost to her. Every single time."
Lis couldn't help but smile at that.
"That's because she's a beastkin. It's literally in her nature."
"Still…" Masa pouted. "She never gave me a head start. Not once. That's cheating, right?"
Lis gave a soft chuckle, her eyes briefly glancing toward the window, where sunlight spilled across the marble windowsill.
"Arctic people … really amazing."
=====================================
Back inside Silverwood.
The forest was thick with mist and shadow, every step muffled by moss and fallen leaves.
A group of six moved in careful formation, led by Cloe
Just ahead of the group, Marci moved with the quiet grace of a scout. Not only was he sharp-eyed with a bow, but he also had a natural instinct for tracking. He had already climbed a nearby tree, surveying the terrain and occasionally calling down directions to help navigate the dense, winding paths.
Sophia walked in the middle of the formation, a small satchel slung over her shoulder and a wooden staff held close to her side. Her expression was calm but alert.
Sir John moved with military precision. His sword was drawn, held low in one hand, while his other gripped a shield, his eyes scanning the treeline.
By contrast, Mr. Hex strolled with a casual gait, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword, which hung loosely at his hip.
And at the rear, Alex trudged behind them, a large supply bag strapped to his back, his eyes flicking nervously from shadow to shadow.
Each of them played a part.
Each of them played a part.
As they ventured deeper into Silverwood, nightfall arrived, the forest had turned cold, dark and oppressively quiet.
The group didn't waste time.
They quickly set up a small camp, hidden between thicket and half covered by a tree.
There were no guarantees of safety, not in a forest known to be crawling with monsters, demonic beasts, and even worse, scouts of the demon army.
But Cloe's sense had proven invaluable.
With her sharp nose, she was able to detect faint scent, traces left by nearby creatures, and using those clues, she led the team to an area with minimal signs of demonic presence.
They agreed to take turns keeping watch, with the fire kept small and shielded from open view.