The Road Back The sun hung low on the horizon as Ethan and his party left the gates of Portland, the city shrinking behind them as they traveled toward the outpost. Unlike their first journey, the mood was different. There was no lighthearted banter this time. No complaints from Kara. No casual observations from Leah. Even Gareth, usually the one to keep things focused and efficient, had been quieter than usual. Because this time, they knew what they were walking into. And none of them were sure if they’d come back. Ethan’s Thoughts Ethan moved near the front, eyes scanning the trees that lined the road. It had been only a few days since he had first stepped into the outpost, following a trail of blood into the unknown. And now? They were heading straight back into it. He exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of his new daggers. [Twin Shadow fangs – Uncommon] Grants +5% bonus damage in darkness. Slightly reduces enemy perception of the user in low-light environments. They felt right in his hands. But would they be enough? He wasn’t just fighting monsters anymore. He was hunting something else. Something the System itself couldn’t identify. He glanced at Gareth. “What’s the plan when we get there?” Gareth didn’t answer immediately. Then, finally— “We assess first. Check for survivors. See if there are new tracks.” His jaw tightened. “And if those things are waiting for us?” Kara answered for him, her voice hard. “We kill them.” Simple. But Ethan had a feeling it wouldn’t be that easy.

  A Restless Camp They traveled for hours, pushing forward until the sun had dipped beyond the trees. By nightfall, they made camp just off the main road, setting up in a small clearing. Ethan crouched by the fire, watching the flames flicker against the dark. Leah sat across from him, murmuring a quiet spell, letting her mana flow through a small stone as it absorbed residual energy from the environment. Kara leaned against a tree, sharpening her sword with slow, methodical movements. And Gareth stood at the edge of the clearing, spear resting against his shoulder, watching the woods. The silence stretched. Then— Leah broke it. “Do you think we’ll find anything different this time?” Ethan didn’t answer right away. Then, finally— “I think we’re going to find something worse.” Leah frowned, looking up. “You sound sure.” Ethan hesitated. Then he told them. About the sewers. About the thing he fought. About how it was the same as the creatures from the outpost. Gareth’s grip on his spear tightened. Kara had stopped sharpening her sword. Leah’s face had gone pale. Ethan finished, exhaling slowly. “I don’t think these things are just hiding in dungeons.” Gareth exhaled. “I was afraid of that.” Ethan frowned. “What do you mean?” Gareth looked at him. “The first few times we fought dungeon creatures, what did they do?” Ethan paused, thinking. “…They fought to kill.” Gareth nodded. “Exactly. They acted like normal monsters—aggressive, territorial, mindless.” He stared into the flames. “But the thing you fought?” His voice was calm, but heavy. “It left.” Leah whispered, “It was testing you.” Ethan nodded. “…Yeah.” Silence fell again.

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  Then Kara scowled, throwing a small rock into the fire. “Great. So now we’re fighting smart monsters.” Leah exhaled. “No. Smarter.” Kara scoffed, but there was no real bite in it. Gareth finally sat down, resting his arms on his knees. “Get some sleep,” he muttered. “We reach the outpost by midday.” Ethan didn’t argue. But as he lay back, staring at the stars, he knew none of them were going to sleep well tonight.

  The Outpost Revisited By midday, the outpost was in sight. Ethan stared at it, something cold curling in his gut. It looked exactly the same. Empty. Silent. Undisturbed. As if nothing had ever happened. Gareth motioned with his hand, signaling them to spread out.

  Kara took the left side, moving toward the storage sheds.

  Leah checked the barracks, scanning for any traces of mana.

  Ethan and Gareth moved toward the center. The silence was worse than before. The first time, Ethan had felt an unsettling emptiness. But now? Now he felt like he was being watched. He saw Gareth tense beside him. “You feel that?” Ethan nodded, hand on his dagger. Then— A rustling noise. Both men turned instantly. A figure stumbled out from behind one of the buildings— A man. His clothes were torn, his skin pale, his eyes wide with terror. And the moment he saw them— He collapsed.

  A Survivor? Leah rushed forward before Gareth could even give an order, her hands glowing with soft golden mana as she checked the man’s vitals. “He’s alive,” she breathed. “But barely.” Ethan crouched beside her. The man’s lips were dry, cracked. His breathing was shallow. Then— His eyes fluttered open. For a moment, he just stared at them. Then— “R—Run.” The whisper barely escaped his lips. Ethan’s blood turned ice-cold. Gareth cursed. “Shit. Where’s Kara—” A scream. Then— A horrible, wet snarl. Ethan’s head snapped up— Kara was already moving. And behind her— Crawling out from the shadows— Were three of them. The Shadow-Touched. Ethan ripped his daggers free. No time to think. No time to run. This time, there was no escape. The fight was already here.