Hansen and the party rode swiftly across the plains atop their Moa birds, large, bipedal creatures with long necks and powerful legs. Though only Tier 2 beasts, they were fast, reliable, and easily domesticated, making them ideal mounts for long-distance travel.

  Eight riders moved in formation. At the front was Hansen, leading with quiet focus. Beside him rode Harrietta, who couldn’t resist teasing him every few minutes.

  Suddenly, a small sparrow fluttered toward Hansen. It was his Tier 1 spirit beast, trained for reconnaissance.

  Hansen activated the spell Hunter’s Vision, allowing him to see through the sparrow’s eyes.

  The bird absorbed the spell and soared ahead, scanning the vast valley.

  “Everyone, stop!” Hansen barked.

  The Moa birds responded instantly, halting with practiced precision.

  “What now, you bastard? I nearly fell off this damn bird!” Harrietta snapped.

  “There’s smoke rising from the woods to the west, about two hundred kilometers out,” Hansen explained. “Could be trouble… or someone in need. Should we investigate?”

  Thorpe frowned. “Could be risky.”

  Kran stepped forward. “I’ll go. I’m the fastest here. If things go south, I can escape.”

  Harrietta laughed. “That’s my boy! You cowards, I raised a real man!”

  Hansen sighed. “Alright, my sparrow will follow you. We’ll stay close.”

  “Let’s ride until we’re ten kilometers out,” he ordered.

  ***

  An hour later, the group reached the edge of the forest. Kran dismounted and dashed ahead, his wind affinity making him faster than most Apprentices. His lineage traced back to the Divine Beast Greywind Wolf, and it showed.

  He sprinted through the trees until he spotted a dark, gravestone-like building surrounded by a crude wooden fence. One side of the structure was engulfed in eerie darkfire.

  As he approached, a tall, muscular figure emerged from the shadows behind him. A dark blade shimmered in his hand, wrapped in dancing blue water mana.

  “Are you one of them?” the figure growled, his voice thick with rage.

  Kran froze. The pressure radiating from the man was suffocating. He couldn’t breathe.

  “I, I just came to check the fire. We thought someone might need help,” he stammered.

  “We?” the figure echoed. “So, there are more of you, and you wanted to help. I’ll be the judge of that.”

  Kai stepped into view, his youthful face grim. Without another word, he grabbed Kran and dragged him over the fence.

  Inside, Umbra was finishing off a hidden monster, her darkfire consuming the last remnants of its twisted body.

  These bastards sure know how to hide. She cursed inside.

  The rescued prisoners watched in stunned silence as Kai reappeared with a beastman in tow.

  Just a moment ago, he was talking with them, planning where to go, and then he just disappeared to appear shortly after with someone.

  This guy is terrifying. The prisoners thought.

  “We have a spy,” Kai announced, tossing Kran to the ground.

  Kran scrambled to his feet, pleading, “Please! I came to help. I saw the smoke and thought someone was in danger. I’m not with anyone hunting you!”

  One of the human warriors stepped forward. “Kran? Is that you?”

  Kran’s eyes widened. “Bjorn? From the Northern Tribe? We thought your hunting party was wiped out!”

  Bjorn nodded solemnly. “Most of us were. Only seven survived, thanks to this young master.”

  Kai watched the exchange and relaxed slightly. Kran wasn’t an enemy.

  Bjorn asked, “What are you doing here, Kran? I doubt your old chief would approve of you going so far south.”

  Kran scratched his head. “Yeah, about that. We heard that the dragon had left the region, so we wanted to go explore. Hansen is with me as well; they should be here soon.” Kran explained.

  “What? The dragon left?” another warrior exclaimed.

  Kai’s voice turned cold. “Arthraxius did leave, but his territory is sealed. You can try to enter, but you won’t get far.”

  So, they wanted to steal and hunt in the jungle. They don’t understand anything. Kai thought.

  Kran blinked. “How do you know the dragon's name? We have a strong mage; she can break any barrier.” He bragged.

  Kai chuckled darkly. “Not this one, but as I said, you can try. And how I know his name… isn’t your concern.” Kai didn’t want to explain his story further.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  To the prisoners, Kai seemed almost divine, living among beasts, spirits, and dragons. They felt that following him might be the safest path in this cruel world.

  “Where are your companions?” Kai asked. “I don’t want them doing anything foolish.”

  “I’ll go get them, if you’ll allow it,” Kran offered.

  Kai shrugged. “Go ahead.”

  Then, telepathically through Scry’s channel, Kai sent a command: “Umbra, stay close to the girl. I still don’t trust that wolf boy.”

  Scry chimed in playfully, “You sure it’s not just your unresolved wolf trauma from Lupus?”

  Kai sighed. “Maybe. But in these lands, trust is dangerous.”

  “You trusted me and Umbra,” Scry reminded him gently.

  Kai didn’t respond right away. He simply watched the forest, waiting for Kran to return.

  ***

  On the other side of the forest, Hansen and his party waited in tense silence.

  Through his Tier 1 spirit beast sparrow, Hansen watched Kran’s approach to the burning building. But then, a tall figure emerged and swiftly pulled Kran inside. The mana radiating from the man was overwhelming. The sparrow, sensing danger, retreated immediately.

  Hansen’s face turned pale.

  “Kran’s in trouble,” he said grimly.

  Mana flared around Harrietta as she spun toward him.

  “What do you mean, you bastard?”

  “A human-like figure took him inside. He’s alive, but I don’t know if he’s safe. We need to prepare for a fight.”

  He wouldn’t let anything happen to Kran.

  The rest of the party grew serious as they drew their weapons and dashed into the forest.

  Harrietta led the charge, fire mana swirling around her staff as she began chanting a complex spell. The two barbarians followed with axes in hand.

  The coyote twins and Thorpe vanished into the shadows, daggers ready.

  Hansen stayed at the rear. He sent the birds away to hide at a safe distance and drew his bow, eyes sharp.

  Just as they reached the wooden fence, the front gates opened, and Kran casually walked out.

  Everyone froze, not knowing how to react.

  Harrietta canceled her spell and smacked Kran over the head with her staff.

  “Ouch, what are you doing, mother?” Kran cried out.

  “You bastard! We thought you were dead!” she snapped, her voice trembling with worry.

  “Sorry, everyone. Honestly, if that man wanted to kill me, I wouldn’t have stood a chance. But… he’s not an enemy. Come inside.“ He led them through the gates.

  ***

  Inside the encampment, Kai’s group waited for Kran to return. Umbra and Scry stood protectively near the silver-haired girl as the newcomers entered.

  Kai stepped forward, his expression unreadable.

  “Hello everyone, I’m Kai. I hope you all behave.” He smiled coldly.

  “What did you say, you bastard?“ Harrietta cursed.

  Kran quickly pulled her back. “Sorry, Master Kai. My mother’s… a bit crazy.”

  Kai’s heart softened slightly. The scene reminded him of his own mother.

  Hansen approached and extended a hand. “Hello, I am Hansen, the leader of this party. We are sorry to intrude, but we saw the smoke and wanted to stop by and see if we could help.”

  Kai studied him for a moment, then nodded.

  “Thank you, actually, I think you can help us. Come, let’s find somewhere to sit inside. I’ll explain everything.”

  He led them to a large room that once served as a dining hall. Umbra carried the girl gently behind them.

  Everyone settled in as Kai recounted the horrors of the facility.

  Hansen’s face darkened. He recognized some of the rescued men, warriors from the Northern Tribe. Friends. Hearing what they’d endured made his stomach churn.

  Harrietta, meanwhile, stared at the little girl. Rage boiled within her. She remembered Kran as a child, what could’ve happened to this girl if Kai hadn’t intervened. She stormed outside, cursing and destroying whatever she could find.

  The others exchanged awkward glances but understood her pain.

  Kai turned to Hansen, “Hansen, have you heard of a little silver-haired girl missing anywhere?”

  Hansen looked at her but couldn’t recall anything. “Do you know her name?”

  Kai blinked, embarrassed. They hadn’t asked.

  He walked over to the girl and knelt. “Hey, what’s your name? I’m Kai.”

  She smiled shyly. “Brother Kai… my name is Lisa. Lisa Sorgaz.”

  The room erupted.

  “What!?” several voices shouted.

  “What is it? Don’t scare her like that!” He barked.

  Hansen moved and knelt beside her. “Silver hair… that name… she might be from the Sorgaz family.” He said.

  Bjorn also replied, “Could be a lesser branch. I doubt The Fiend would let harm come to someone from the main line.”

  Hansen explained, “The Sorgaz family is the ruler of the Fallhaven Kingdom; it’s the strongest kingdom of the south. If she truly is a member of that family, then it might be a good thing that you had saved her.”

  Kai looked at Lisa, then back at Hansen.

  “I don’t care about politics. But now I know where to take her. Thank you,” He was satisfied.

  Then he asked, “I hear you guys are trying to reach Dragon's lair.”

  Hansen sighed. “Yes. We hoped to find something to help us survive the winter. The beasts have fled, and we’re running out of food and resources.”

  Kai now understood everything. “Don’t go to the Beastworld Jungle, you won't be able to enter, and even if you do, you will die. If you help me find a way to Fallhaven, I will help you with food and money. “

  Kai truly was too rich; he had a storage full of spirit fruits, mana crystals, and beast meat. He even had an Arcanum full of mystical equipment, and that’s not even counting the riches that Arthraxius had left to him.

  Before Kai had left the jungle, Arthraxius had sent his gold and crystals to Kai via Tusk, since he was leaving this realm; he didn’t need any of it anyway.

  Now, Kai was as rich as a small kingdom.

  “Are you sure we would need at least 5 high mana crystals to buy everything for the village?” Hansen replied, shocked.

  Kai pulled out one of the crystals he had mined himself. “How much is this one worth?” he truly didn’t know anything.

  Hansen stared at the crystal, his eyes almost popping out of their sockets. “This is the Ultra Mana Crystal, one of these is worth a hundred high mana crystals.”

  Kran gasped, “Where did you get this?”

  Kai laughed, “From where we came from, we managed to collect a few. I’ll give you this one then, once you take me to Fallhaven. What do you say?”

  Hansen couldn’t even reply before Kran agreed,” That sounds good to me. We are in.”

  Hansen chuckled, “I also agree, this is more than we hoped to find on this trip anyway. We shall help you.”

  Bjorn stood up and knelt in front of Kai. “Master Kai, we would like to serve you. To repay you with our lives.”

  The rest of the prisoners also stood up and knelt.

  “I saved you because it was the right thing to do. You are free.” Kai didn’t really want to have seven of them following him.

  “Can we at least help you with Hansen and his party to lead you to Fallhaven?” They wouldn’t take no for an answer.

  Kai sighed, “Fine, you can join us until we reach Fallhaven.”

  Scry smiled from behind. It was nice seeing Kai interact with other humans and beastmen.

  While the adults talked, Lisa sat comfortably on Umbra’s back, gently petting her sleek fur and stroking the feathers on her hawk-like head.

  Umbra shifted uneasily.

  “Little human, I am not a pet. You could hurt yourself if you play around me.”

  She was at a loss; the small girl simply wouldn’t leave her alone.

  Lisa giggled. “No! You’re a good kitty, but you also have a birdy’s head. You’re magical. I love it.”

  Scry burst out laughing. “Looks like you’ve finally met your match, Umbra.”

  Umbra narrowed her eyes and flicked her tail, grabbing Scry and pulling him closer to Lisa.

  “Let’s see how you like it.”

  Lisa squealed with joy and hugged Scry tightly. “So soft! You’re both magical!”

  Umbra huffed, but deep down… she didn’t mind the attention.

  Kai smiled quietly to himself.

  They deserved this, a moment of peace, however brief.

  In a world so often cruel and chaotic, these small moments mattered.