Chapter 83 – The First Sign of Something Amiss

Chapter 83

The First Sign of Something Amiss

Date : Day 7 of Grimleaf 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.

As the first faint blush of dawn painted the eastern horizon, an internal chime seemed to wake them both at the same time. It was an unspoken synchronization. Their bodies and minds already attuned to the shared rhythm of their lives.

They had already reaffirmed their relationship last night. Today was the real start of their quest.

Hyoren's eyes opened to the sight of the sky transitioning. The last of the stars faded away. Giving way to a sliver of light from Sol and Luna. The twin suns had not yet crested the horizon. But their approach was already announced by the shifting colors of the sky.

Elise stirred on his shoulder. Her emerald eyes fluttered open. Adjusting to the faint light creeped from the gap of their tent.

"Morning, Hyoren..."

She whispered. Her voice husky with sleep. Soft.

"Good morning, Elise."

He rumbled back. He pressed a soft kiss to her lips. She took the kiss with warm eyes. A gentle smile on her lips.

There was no lingering. No lazy morning cuddles. The night had been for connection. The dawn was for practicality.

With a shared, understanding nod, they began to move. The quiet intimacy of the night before was replaced by the swift, efficient teamwork of seasoned adventurers.

They exited their tent. They took their clothes from the discarded pile around the waterproofed tarp laid on the ground, scattered from last night’s deed. The fabric was cool to the touch. Dew had settled on the surface overnight.

They dressed quickly in the cool morning air. The familiar weight of their armor and gear settled on them. Leather straps tightened. Metal buckles clicked into place. The Ramtauro armor felt solid against Hyoren's chest. Elise’s Green Leather Tunic also settled on her body. Hugging it tightly

They went to the lake next. Doing their morning routine. Washing their faces in the cold water. Tending to disheveled hair. Tying it into practical styles that would not get in the way during combat.

With their now fully awoken eyes, they faced each other.

"Ready to wreak havoc on the goblin settlement, Hyoren?"

Hyoren chuckled. His voice laced with amusement.

"Ready, Elise… But I think we need breakfast first."

Elise giggled back.

"Fufu. Of course… Wait a bit until I heat our leftover soup, okay?"

Hyoren nodded. He began dismantling their tent. Working with practiced efficiency.

While Hyoren worked on the tent, Elise worked on their breakfast. She turned on the portable stove. Heating the leftover soup from last night. She then took  a few pieces of soft bread from their storage bag.

The aroma of heated soup soon filled the air. Savory and warm. A welcome contrast to the cool morning.

When the tent was already rolled, every stake and pole stacked on top of the fabric, Elise called for Hyoren.

"Breakfast is ready!"

Hyoren walked over to her. He sat beside Elise on top of the tarp. She handed him a bowl of soup and soft bread.

"Here, Hyoren..."

He took the breakfast from her. Thankful.

"Thank you, Elise."

Both of them ate slowly, but surely. Filling their stomachs. Stockpiling energy which they were going to need today. The Old Quarry would require a lot of energy.

The soup was warm and soothing. The bread was soft and fresh.

Not long after, they were done eating. The bowls were empty. Hyoren then stood up.

"Let's dismantle our camp quickly, Elise...”

He looked at the east. Where the dual suns started to peek from the horizon.

“Before the dual suns completely rise."

Elise nodded. They then started work in tandem. 

Hyoren dismantled everything. Rolling up the sleeping bags and tarp. Then he took the four square Ward Stones from the corners. The barrier shimmered. Then disappeared. Returning the alcove to its natural state.

Elise took care of their stove and cookware. Packing them away with efficient movements.

After everything was packed and laid on the ground, ready to be stored, Hyoren kicked dirt over the embers of the fire. Ensuring it was completely out. The ashes crumbled under his boot.

Elise opened their storage bag. She methodically packed away their sleeping bag, tent, tarp, magic stove, and their remaining supplies. One by one, items disappeared into the void.

Every movement was precise and economical. Devoid of wasted effort. Within ten minutes, their camp was completely gone. No trace they had ever been there. The alcove looked as pristine as when they had arrived.

Just as the twin suns crested the distant hills, their first rays spilled across the lake. Setting the water ablaze with light. Gold and silver merged on the surface. The morning mist burned away.

They were ready.

Hyoren stood with his spear in hand. The Mithril-alloy Yari gleamed in the morning light. Elise had her bow slung over her shoulder. A quiver of arrows on her hip. They stood side by side at the edge of the cove. Wearing their cloaks to combat the chilly autumn air. Looking north toward the unseen quarry.

Hyoren faced Elise. His voice was low and steady.

"Ready, Elise?"

Elise glanced to Hyoren. Then her emerald eyes scanned the gentle slope in the north—their destination.

"Ready to depart anytime, Hyoren."

Without another word, they set off. Their strides carried them away from the serene beauty of the lake. Toward the dangerous reality of their mission. The sound of their boots on the beaten path was the only noise.

The peaceful night was over. The hunt had begun.

***

They moved with a quiet grace that was second nature to them both. They were already used to this. In the Forest of No Return. The Green Grassland. Then the Whispering Forest. Their steps were almost synchronized.

The path north was rougher. The terrain gradually shifted. The ground became rockier. Less vegetation. More stone.

The air grew cooler. Carrying the scent of damp stone and something else. A faint, unpleasant musk that was unmistakably goblin.

Hyoren looked at Elise beside him without slowing his stride.

"Elise, did you smell that? Familiar smell."

Elise sniffed the air. Her nose wrinkled slightly. Then she nodded.

"Yes. Goblins..."

Her voice was quiet.

"That musk is unmistakable. Their trace is already reaching far here."

They continued their steps. More careful this time. More deliberate. Their boots found purchase on the rocky ground without sound.

Both senses were on high alert. Hyoren's eyes constantly scanned the ridges and rocky outcrops that dotted the landscape. Searching for movement. Searching for danger.

Elise moved in silence a few paces to his left. Her bow was loosely held in her hand. Her ears continued twitching. Taking in every sound from the surroundings. The rustle of wind. The distant call of a bird. The crunch of stone underfoot.

They were perhaps halfway to the hill when Elise froze. Her hand shot up in a fist—the signal for halt.

Hyoren stopped instantly. His spear came up into a guard position. He followed her gaze to a small clearing about a hundred meters ahead.

A group of familiar figures was moving. Their small green figures were a stark contrast against the grey rock.

They were goblins. A pack of seven.

Hyoren's mind immediately categorized the threat. Six of them were standard, scrawny goblins. Armed with crude clubs and sticks. But the one in the center was a different but familiar figure. Taller. More muscular. It carried a rusty but serviceable short sword.

A Goblin Fighter.

He murmured. His voice barely a whisper.

"A scout party. This is far from the quarry."

He narrowed his eyes.

"They're getting bolder."

He then activated his Aethell Sense. A habit which had started to settle on him. One, for checking enemy strength. And second, to train his Magic Manipulation skills.

His new perception washed over the group of goblins. And he was surprised.

"Elise, these goblins are stronger than the ones in the Forest of No Return."

Elise grimaced. Her brow furrowed.

"Are you sure, Hyoren?"

Hyoren nodded. His Aethell Sense couldn't be wrong. He calculated the goblins' strength based on the size of their Aethell core.

He carefully pointed at the normal goblins.

"In the Forest of No Return, normal goblins were level three."

He kept his voice low.

"Here, they're level five."

He then gestured toward the bigger one.

"The fighter there. Every fighter in the Forest of No Return was level four… Here, it's level six."

Elise grimaced. Absorbing the new information. Her jaw tightened.

"This is really worse than the Guild intel stated."

She shook her head slowly. Her silver hair swayed with the motions.

"Higher leveled monsters than other places happen often. Similar to humanities, monsters can level up by defeating other creatures too."

She glanced at him.

"It means one thing mostly. The leader of the pack is capable."

She looked at him. Her emerald eyes reflected the morning light.

"Our deduction last night might be right. The leader might be a Shaman, which can enhance their followers so they can efficiently train and get stronger."

She tapped her chin.

"Or a Lord, with the leadership to bring their warband to victory over other monsters, thus increasing the overall level of the warband."

Hyoren gripped his spear. But his expression was not grim. He was excited instead.

"I see, Elise."

He smiled slightly.

"But this is good."

A flicker of excitement appeared in his eyes.

Elise was confused. She tilted her head.

"Why is this good, Hyoren? Are you insane?"

Hyoren chuckled softly. His grinder mindset—sharpened in his one month of survival—which was buried after he met Elise, started to flare again. Unbidden.

He wanted to get stronger. He needed a lot of experience points to reach level ten. The minimum requirement to enter Harvengald Dungeon. So he would welcome this situation.

"Elise, our current goal is getting stronger."

He met her eyes.

"Higher leveled monsters give more experience points. So this is a blessing for us."

Elise's eyes widened. Then they settled in understanding.

"Hyoren… Your mind truly works differently."

She nodded. A small smile appeared on her lips.

"But you're right. We can think of them as our experience points instead of a menace. Fufu."

Elise's expression softened. Her eyes then wandered to the group of goblins. Calculating. Assessing.

"Okay, Hyoren." She drew an arrow from her quiver. "They haven't seen us. I can take two to three goblins before they know what's happening."

Hyoren nodded.

"Do it, Elise."

Elise didn't hesitate. She moved. Nocking an arrow and drawing her bowstring in a single, fluid motion. Her body aligned with the target. Her breathing stilled.

She then activated her skill.

"Double Shot!"

Two arrows flew from her bow.  Cutting through the morning air.

The first arrow jutted into the first goblin's eye socket. The creature crumpled without a sound.

Before the others could even register the fall of their comrade, a second arrow flew. Taking down another on the far side. Piercing its skull.

A third arrow followed in a heartbeat. Punching through the throat of a third goblin who was just beginning to turn its head in confusion.

While Elise dispatched the goblins from afar, Hyoren crept forward. His feet found purchase on the rocky ground. Silent and unnoticed.

The remaining goblins finally realized they were under attack. They let out a chorus of snarls and shrieks. Their beady eyes scanned the rocks for their unseen attacker. Panic began to spread.

The Goblin Fighter, however, was smarter. It didn't panic. It grabbed the goblin corpse nearest to it. Using it as a meat shield so arrows wouldn't come toward it.

Higher levels meant higher competence. And it was shown here. A Goblin Fighter in the Forest of No Return would never do something like this.

Hyoren burst from his cover. Not with a roar. But with the silent, deadly speed of a striking snake.

The remaining three normal goblins were still disoriented. Turning toward the sound of Elise's bow. They never saw him coming.

His first attack was a simple, brutal thrust. His spear pierced the chest of the nearest goblin. Dark blood sprayed across the grey rock.

He ripped the blade free and spun. The butt of his spear cracked into the temple of a second goblin. Sending it sprawling to the ground in a heap. Skull fractured.

The third goblin finally saw him. It lunged with a guttural scream. Its rusty knife raised high.

Hyoren sidestepped the clumsy attack. His spear whipped around in a horizontal arc. Taking the creature's legs out from under it.

The goblin fell. Screeching.

He finished it with a quick stab to the heart.

In less than ten seconds, it was over. All that remained was the Goblin Fighter. It shoved its dead comrade aside with a snarl of rage.

It charged. Its rusty sword raised high. It was a competent fighter. Its movements far more skilled than the others.

It was fast!

The Goblin Fighter was faster than he thought. Faster than the Goblin Fighters he often faced before. The higher level clearly showed it.

But Hyoren didn't let his surprise take his mind. He prepared for the fighter's attack.

The fighter lunged. Swinging its sword. Hyoren took the attack with the crossguard of his Yari. Metal met metal with a clank sound. Sparks flew.

The fighter staggered from the impact.

Hyoren quickly swung his spear's counterweight. The massive hard steel met with the fighter's knee in a sickening crunch.

Bone cracked. The fighter howled.

He pulled his spear back. Prepared to stab the fighter.

But before he managed that, Elise's arrow, with a sharp thud, met its mark on the fighter's forehead.

The Goblin Fighter gurgled. Its eyes wide with shock. And crumpled to the ground.

***

Silence returned to the clearing. Hyoren stood over the bodies. His chest rose and fell with steady breaths. The smell of blood and goblin musk hung heavy in the air.

He deactivated his Aethell Sense. The world returned to its normal appearance. Colors dimmed. The magical signatures faded from his vision.

And at the same time, he heard the chime of notification in his head.

“Magic Manipulation - Leveled up to Two.”

He smiled in satisfaction. Finally. One of his skills had leveled up. It was a skill he kept training since Oria promised to teach him magic. Level two Magic Manipulation. One more level, and he could start learning elemental magic.

Elise approached from the ridge. She carried her bow loosely in her hand. Her steps were silent on the rocky ground.

They looked at the seven bodies. Splayed across the clearing. Blood pooling beneath them. The metallic scent was weaving across the air.

"A scout party this size, led by a Fighter, this far from their base..."

Elise shook her head.

"They're not just wandering. They're patrolling. This is organized."

Hyoren wiped the blood from his spear with a goblin's rag. The fabric was coarse and dirty. But it did the job.

"Mara was right."

His voice was grim.

"They're getting bolder. This isn't just an infestation anymore. It's an expansion."

Hyoren's jaw tightened. Set like stone. He nudged the corpse of the Goblin Fighter with the tip of his spear. His mind raced through the grim implications. This wasn't just a random encounter. This was a forward operating element.

"The Guild said the focus is reconnaissance."

He stared at the dead fighter.

"But if they're this bold, this far out... a village like Lakeview won't stand a chance."

He looked up.

"By tomorrow, this patrol won't be back, and they'll send another. A bigger one."

He looked up at Elise. His eyes burned with a fierce, protective light.

"We can't just observe. We can't just report back and wait for the Guild to send a larger party."

His voice was steady. Firm.

"By then, it might be too late. We need to at least thin their numbers down. Disrupt their operations."

Elise nodded. The reality was far more aggressive than they had anticipated.

"I agree. But we can't change our core strategy."

She crossed her arms. Her expression was thoughtful.

"Forcing our way into the quarry through the main entrance would be suicide. They'll be expecting retaliation for this patrol. They'll be on high alert."

Hyoren scanned the surroundings. The rocky hills stretched before them. Ridges. Outcrops. Valleys. Plenty of places to hide. Plenty of vantage points.

"Instead of forcing our way in, we should use their own aggression against them, Elise."

He turned to Elise.

"We go back to the original plan: find a high vantage point and observe. But our objective has increased…. We're not just looking for their settlement. We're also looking for their patrol routes."

A spark flickered in his dark eyes. Excitement.

"We become the ghosts in the hills. We pick them off, one patrol at a time."

His voice grew animated.

"We harass them. We bleed them. We create confusion and fear. We make them think the entire hills are swarming with adventurers, while actually it's just us two."

He grinned.

"By the time we're ready to hit the settlement itself, their numbers will be down, and their morale will be shattered."

Elise saw the brilliance in his plan immediately. It was a war of attrition strategy. A war of whispers and shadows instead of a direct assault. It played to all their strengths. His patience and strategic mind. Her stealth and archery. Their ability to vanish into the landscape.

"Attack their patrols first. Disrupt them."

She nodded slowly. And met his dark eyes.

"I like it. It's clean. It's efficient. And it's less risky than a direct assault. It's what we should do."

She touched the storage bag on her hip.

"And we can afford this strategy."

Her voice was confident.

"We have supplies that can last ten days. Or even more if we can forage the forest or hunt for meat."

Hyoren nodded.

"Exactly, Elise."

His voice carried the excitement of executing their plan.

"We find their trails. We find their timing. And we set up ambushes."

He gestured toward the hills.

"We take out their scouts and their patrols from a distance."

His voice hardened.

"We make this hill their graveyard."

He prepared to leave. His excitement was palpable in his posture. His shoulders were set. His grip firm on his spear.

"Let's move, Elise… The hunt begins now."

He was already turning. His mind fixed on the high ground and the next phase of their hunt.

"Wait, Hyoren."

Elise stopped Hyoren. Her voice cut through his battle-fueled momentum.

He stopped. He looked back at her with a questioning gaze. Her expression was a mix of fond exasperation and professional duty. She gestured to the seven goblin corpses littering the clearing.

"We should at least gather their magic stones."

She laughed softly.

"It's why we're here, isn't it? Fufu…"

Hyoren froze. A hot flush of embarrassment rushed up his neck.

He had completely forgotten the most fundamental rule of adventuring. You always loot the bodies for magic stones. It was a rookie mistake. The kind of oversight that would have earned him a sharp reprimand from any experienced party leader. His grinding, survivalist mindset had been so focused on the tactical threat that he'd overlooked the tangible reward.

"Right..."

He rubbed the back of his neck.

"How could I actually forget?"

He said, his voice a little rough. Embarrassed.

"The magic stones. I... forgot."

Elise just smiled. A gentle, knowing smile that held no mockery. She walked over to him and patted his arm.

"Fufu. It's really just like you, Hyoren."

She shook her head.

"But don't worry. I'm always there to remind you. You can focus your mind on how to efficiently deal with our enemy."

Both of them worked their way to extract the magic stones. Their hands were practiced. Efficient. The familiar routine of looting. Cutting open the chest cavity. Finding the small, glowing core. Pulling it free. Wiping it clean.

Not long after, they were already done.

"Seven stones."

Elise held up the pouch. Her emerald eyes sparkled

"Not a bad haul for a morning's work. And we haven't even gotten to the quarry yet."

Elise put everything into a small pouch. Then she put the pouch back into their storage bag. The void easily took their loot.

Hyoren started to walk.

"Let's go, Elise?"

Elise nodded. Then both of them started walking again. Toward an Old Quarry. Now with the purpose of waging a war of attrition.

The rocky path stretched before them. The wind carried the scent of goblin musk. The hills rose in the distance. Their shadows long under the climbing twin suns.

***

They continued walking. Slowly but surely. Climbing the gentle slope. The rocky terrain crunched beneath their boots. The morning air was cool against their skin.

Hyoren kept scanning left and right. His eyes moved across the ridges and outcrops. Searching for any sign of movement. Elise's ears kept twitching. Taking in every sound. The rustle of wind through sparse vegetation.

Hyoren looked at Elise. A small smile appeared on his lips.

"Hey, Elise..."

His voice was quiet but excited.

"My Magic Manipulation finally increased to level two in the last encounter."

Elise smiled widely. Her emerald eyes brightened. She was happy for her lover. She knew learning magic was one of his goals. One he had been working toward since Oria promised to teach him.

"Congratulations, Hyoren."

She beamed at him.

"One more level and you can finally learn magic."

Hyoren nodded. His mind was already racing ahead. Planning. Calculating.

"So, what should I do next?"

Elise slowed her stride. Thoughtful. Her hand touched her chin as she considered the question.

"I think you should start training for the next phase."

She gestured with her hand.

"Magic Manipulation level two means you can start pouring Aethell to the outside of your body."

She paused.

"It's limited to something you directly touch, though. So you can't do elemental magic yet, as you need to emit your Aethell to a far distance to perform elemental magic."

Hyoren nodded in understanding. The logic made sense.

"Pouring Aethell into something."

He looked at her bow held loosely in her hand.

"Is it just like your Magic Arrow skill, Elise?"

Elise smiled. Pleased at his quick understanding.

"Yes! You're correct."

She nodded.

"For you, though, you should aim to get either Magic Blade or Magic Armor. Depends on your preference."

She stepped over small rocks. Navigating the uneven terrain with practiced ease.

"Magic Blade is the weapon version of Magic Arrow."

She explained.

"You pour your Aethell into your weapon—your spear—to coat it with magic. Increasing the durability, sharpness, and overall capabilities of your weapon… It will also make your weapon hit intangible things, such as Wraiths, too."

Hyoren tapped his chin. Processing the information.

"And Magic Armor is pouring Aethell into my armor."

He nodded slowly.

"I see. That's easy to understand."

He considered his options.

"I'm not a tank, so maybe I'll shelve Magic Armor for now, and focus on Magic Blade."

Elise nodded in agreement.

"Yes, that's right."

She smiled and pointed at his weapon.

"Your spear is made from Mithril-alloy, and Borin even included a Mithril-alloy core inside the shaft. Mithril-based weapons conduct Aethell well, even if it was alloyed and not pure. You'll get the skill in no time as long as you keep training."

She scanned the surroundings. Her ears twitched. Listening. Watching. The morning was still. Quiet.

"Try it, Hyoren."

She gestured to the area.

"Our surroundings are clear and safe."

Hyoren nodded. Thankful for her consideration. He was indeed already too excited to try. The opportunity to train while on the move toward their objective was perfect.

Elise stood guard. Watching. Waiting while Hyoren tried his new capabilities. Her bow was loosely held in her hand. Ready to aim whenever needed.

Hyoren sat on a large rock. The surface was cool against his legs. He focused inwards. On his Aethell Core. With level one Magic Manipulation, he could only move his Aethell around his body. But with this new level two, he finally knew how to pour it outside his body.

He activated his Aethell Sense first. The world shifted. Colors brightened. Magical signatures appeared as soft glows. He could visualize the Aethell with ease now.

He gripped his spear in front of him. Holding it horizontally. He started moving Aethell from his core. Towards his arms. Through his shoulders. Down his forearms. Then toward his spear.

Slowly, but surely, he could see the Aethell move. It trickled from his arm to the spear shaft. A thin stream of glowing energy. And slowly spreading on the shaft. After a while, it reached the blade part. And in a quick motion, suddenly it flared.

The blade was coated in glowing Aethell. Bright and radiant. The metal is sparkled with energy.

He was excited. His heart raced.

"Elise, I can do it!"

But as his excitement flared, his focus receded. The Aethell dissipated from his spear in a split second. The glow vanished. The blade returned to its normal state.

His shoulders slumped. Disappointment washed over him.

Elise laughed softly. A gentle sound in the morning air.

"Fufu. Hyoren, no need to be discouraged."

She walked over to him. Her voice was warm. Encouraging.

"It takes time before you can maintain the coating. Just keep training, and eventually you'll get the Magic Blade skill."

She patted his shoulder.

"Afterwards, coating your weapon with Aethell will come easily."

Hyoren nodded. He remembered. Skills in this world did not come instantly. They required effort,  practice, and dedication. He just needed to put in the effort. And he would eventually get the skill.

"Okay, Elise."

He straightened his posture, and his determination returned.

"I'll keep training to coat my weapon with Aethell."

He stood from the rock. Practicality returned to him. The training session was over. The quest awaited.

"Okay, let's go back to our quest."

Elise smiled at him. Warm. Supportive.

"Okay, Hyoren. Let's go."

Both of them resumed their walking. Towards their destination. The Old Quarry. The goblin settlement. The place where they would wage their war of attrition.

But now with extra purpose. While walking and still focusing on the surroundings, Hyoren's mind had extra work. He gripped his spear with his hand. And slowly but surely poured his Aethell into it. Training to get the new skill.

The rocky path stretched before them. The hills rose higher. The goblin musk grew stronger. And ahead, something at the quarry waited.