Date: October 13

  Time: 1400

  Approximate time to intersect provisional caravan: 72 hours

  Continue observation…

  The Grayville forest is no place for someone who doesn’t understand its wild inhabitants. Packs of wolves dominate the northern part of the woods, their hunting grounds centered on the ever-moving herds of deer. An unlucky traveler could easily become just another moving obstacle in the wolves’ deadly game. Seeing a large group of deer should raise alarm—run if you can, or find the best cover you can manage.

  But wolves are not the only threat lurking among the trees. Towering brown bears reign as the kings of the forest, omnivorous and fiercely territorial. A single strike from one of these beasts can cleave a person open. Without a group of seasoned warriors, even facing one bear is a near-impossible task.

  Then there are the wild boars, deceptively small yet notoriously aggressive. Records show they are responsible for more injuries than any other woodland creature, often attacking without warning and with relentless ferocity.

  All in all, anyone venturing into the Grayville forest must remain vigilant, carefully watching every step. For Mara and Kael, who have spent years roaming these woods, the dangers are obvious. George and Joseph, however, remain largely blind to the threats—they spend most of their days patrolling the fence, rarely venturing into the deeper forest.

  The first couple of hours were painfully repetitive.

  They moved forward through the forest, careful and quiet. Then someone would spot a bear in the distance, and the entire group would slowly back away, step by step, careful not to provoke the massive creature. They would wait—sometimes ten minutes, sometimes twenty—until the bear wandered off. Then they continued moving.

  Again.

  And again.

  “Why don’t we just kill those stupid bears?” Joseph complained for the third time. “Why do we keep hiding from them?”

  The reaction was immediate.

  George rolled his eyes.

  Mara gave him a look that clearly said Are you stupid?

  Kael simply stared at him, surprised at the man’s complete lack of survival instinct.

  “Because,” Kael said patiently, “they are faster than us, stronger than us, and they can survive multiple sword wounds. We, on the other hand, die from a single slash.”

  Joseph scowled.

  “Don’t mock me, Kael. Maybe people in the village see you as some kind of hero, but I don’t.”

  Kael’s expression hardened.

  “I’m not mocking you,” he replied calmly. “You’re doing that to yourself.”

  Joseph’s face instantly turned red. Rage flashed in his eyes.

  “How dare you, you worthless piece of merit!”

  He looked ready to swing at Kael, his fist already tightening.

  But before he could move, Mara stepped forward and drove her boot straight into his stomach.

  Joseph folded instantly, the air leaving his lungs in a sharp gasp as he doubled over.

  Mara stood over him, completely unfazed.

  “No fighting while we’re on a mission,” she said coldly. “Period.”

  Her eyes moved from Joseph to Kael.

  “Am I understood?”

  Joseph coughed and nodded weakly.

  Kael nodded as well.

  The forest fell silent again.

  And then they continued walking.

  The journey continued deeper into the forest.

  Tall trees towered above them, their thick branches almost completely blocking the sky. Only thin blades of sunlight slipped through the canopy, leaving most of the forest floor in dim green shadows.

  Kael slowed his pace and spoke quietly.

  “Wolves patrol this area,” he said. “Be very quiet. Do not disturb them.”

  He had barely finished speaking when a sharp howl cut through the forest.

  George spun around and shouted, “Behind you!”

  The group turned.

  Five wolves stood several yards away, their bodies low to the ground, yellow eyes locked on the travelers. Their jaws snapped impatiently as they circled closer.

  Weapons came out instantly.

  George raised his bow, already drawing an arrow.

  Then everything exploded into motion.

  The arrow flew.

  Men shouted.

  The wolves lunged.

  Mara stepped forward with terrifying speed, her sword thrusting straight through the chest of the first wolf that leapt toward her. The beast collapsed with a violent yelp.

  At the same moment George’s arrow struck another wolf directly in the skull, dropping it instantly.

  Kael met the third wolf mid-leap. His blade flashed through the air, cutting deep across the animal’s neck and chest. The wolf crashed into the dirt in a spray of blood.

  But the last two wolves had chosen Joseph.

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  They slammed into him before he could react.

  Joseph kicked wildly, his boot smashing into the head of one wolf and sending it tumbling sideways. But the second one latched onto his left leg.

  Teeth sank deep into flesh.

  Joseph screamed.

  Blood burst from the wound, soaking his trousers as the wolf shook its head violently.

  Mara moved like lightning.

  She leapt forward and brought her sword down in a brutal arc, splitting the wolf’s spine and freeing Joseph’s leg.

  The animal dropped instantly.

  For a moment, the forest fell silent again.

  Only one wolf remained.

  It backed away several steps, staring at them with burning eyes.

  Then it lifted its head and released a long, piercing howl.

  Kael’s face changed instantly.

  Panic flashed across it.

  “He’s calling the pack,” Kael shouted. “George—shoot him!”

  He grabbed Joseph by the arm.

  “And run!”

  George missed, and the wolf disappeared behind a thick tree trunk. Kael didn’t hesitate—he ripped off his belt and quickly secured it around Joseph’s leg as a tourniquet.

  “We have to move forward!” Mara cried, trying to lift Joseph by his arms.

  “You’re heavy,” she murmured, panic lacing her voice.

  “You cannot leave,” Joseph groaned through the pain, his tone strained and urgent. “I… I don’t want to die.”

  George and Kael exchanged a grim look, their eyes flicking down at the gushing wound. Blood poured freely.

  Mara answered gently, though her hands shook. “Of course not. Don’t worry.”

  A wolf howl sliced through the forest, sharper and closer than before. They all knew more were coming. Kael’s eyes welled with tears he tried desperately to blink away. George felt the cold certainty of what was about to happen.

  Joseph’s face paled as the painful truth sank in. He looked at Mara, voice trembling: “No… please, Captain, don’t… don’t leave me. I—I will die.”

  “I know,” Mara whispered, her own voice trembling. “You’re already dead. You’ve lost too much blood.”

  She drew her knife, hand unsteady but determined. “I’m so sorry,” she said, voice breaking. “But I’m doing you a favor.”

  The last thing Joseph ever saw was Mara’s face—eyes haunted, yet resolute—before the knife pierced him. Horror widened his eyes for a brief, fleeting moment, and then he was gone.

  Mara shook, trembling violently, her hands stained with the act she had committed to spare him from the torment of being torn apart alive. Kael grabbed her shoulders, meeting her gaze.

  “Mara… we have to run. Now!”

  ***

  System Notice

  Event Detected: Critical Survival Incident

  Location: Grayville Forest — Frontier Zone 7

  Date: October 13 — Year 6461 of the System

  Analyzing participants…

  Processing combat data…

  Evaluating decisions under lethal threat…

  Incident Summary

  A hostile wolf pack engagement occurred during a forest escort mission involving the following Imperial citizens:

  Kael Arden

  Mara Hale

  George Bell

  Joseph Corald

  During the encounter, Joseph Corald sustained a critical arterial wound to the left leg resulting from a wolf attack.

  Probability of survival after injury: 2.3%

  Estimated time until fatal blood loss: 3 minutes 14 seconds

  Secondary threat detected:

  Wolf Pack Reinforcement Call.

  Estimated time until arrival of additional predators: 90–120 seconds

  Conclusion: Group survival probability critically reduced.

  Action Detected

  Officer Mara Hale executed Joseph Corald to prevent:

  prolonged suffering

  predator consumption while alive

  slowing the remaining group and causing total party death

  System classification: Mercy Execution under Extreme Survival Conditions

  Evaluation of Decision

  Calculating outcomes...

  If Joseph Corald remained alive:

  Group survival probability: 4%

  If Joseph Corald was carried:

  Group survival probability: 1%

  After mercy execution and retreat:

  Group survival probability: 35%

  Decision classification: Strategically Optimal

  Psychological Impact Recorded

  Subjects experiencing emotional trauma:

  Mara Hale — Severe psychological distress detected

  Kael Arden — Elevated stress and emotional conflict detected

  George Bell — Tactical acceptance response detected

  System note:

  Exposure to traumatic survival decisions often increases long-term combat resilience.

  Merit Evaluation

  Mara Hale — +20 Merit Points

  Reason: Command decision under lethal pressure

  Kael Arden — +5 Merit Points

  Reason: Emergency medical attempt (tourniquet)

  George Bell — +3 Merit Point

  Reason: Defensive combat engagement

  Joseph Corald — Status Updated: Deceased

  System Observation

  Grayville Escort Mission survival probability remains unstable.

  Warning:

  Wolf Pack Territory Density — High

  Additional encounters expected.

  End of Report

  ***

  Mara stood up and they began to run. Kael grabbed Joseph’s bag and sprinted westward, a desperate plan already forming in his mind. Mara and George followed close behind.

  All of them were thinking about Joseph, but survival came first. If they lived, they could grieve later.

  The wind carried the smell of blood and the chilling howls of wolves closing in behind them. The creatures were fast—far faster than any of them wanted to admit.

  Desperation began to creep into the minds of Mara and George, but Kael refused to surrender to it. Not yet.

  He signaled for them to follow him.

  A few wolves had already caught up.

  George turned slightly while running and released an arrow. A sharp yelp echoed behind them, but he didn’t slow down.

  Ahead of them lay a fallen log.

  “Leap forward!” Kael shouted. “At least five feet!”

  He recognized the log instantly. Weeks earlier he had carved a small mark into its bark while placing hunting traps for boars in this part of the forest.

  The moment they reached it, Kael jumped.

  Mara followed.

  George leapt last.

  They landed on the other side of a massive pit hidden beneath branches and leaves. At the bottom of the hole waited a forest of sharpened wooden spikes.

  Mara slipped as she landed, nearly sliding backward into the trap, but Kael grabbed her arm and pulled her up.

  Behind them, two wolves launched themselves over the log without hesitation.

  Both fell straight into the pit.

  Their bodies struck the spikes with sickening force.

  Another wolf skidded to a halt just in time—but before it could turn away, George’s next arrow struck it in the chest.

  The animal collapsed.

  But the victory lasted only a moment.

  More wolves were coming.

  They had to keep running.

  “How did you know?” George shouted between breaths, though he never slowed.

  “I’ve built dozens of traps in these woods for hunting,” Kael answered.

  His lungs burned as he ran.

  He was used to fleeing animals.

  But not an entire wolf pack.

  “Run toward the river!” Kael yelled. “Maybe that will slow them down!”

  Branches snapped. Leaves crushed beneath their boots as they tore through the forest.

  Kael glanced over his shoulder.

  At least seven more wolves were closing in.

  The only thing keeping him moving was the constant rush of adrenaline flooding through his veins. He knew that if he slowed—even for a moment—he would die.

  “George, how many arrows do you have left?” Mara shouted.

  George reached into his quiver while running.

  “One… two… three… four.”

  “Four!” he yelled. “I have four arrows!”

  Mara cursed under her breath.

  “That’s not enough!”

  Kael’s mind raced even faster than his feet.

  Four arrows.

  Seven wolves.

  The river.

  Think, Kael. Think.

  He could turn left. There was another trap somewhere in that direction, but it might only take two wolves if they were lucky.

  Straight ahead lay the waterfall.

  Turning right would lead them into an open field.

  He dismissed the third option immediately. Open ground meant death. They needed cover, not exposure.

  The second option seemed just as deadly.

  The waterfall dropped more than seventy feet.

  But the first option wasn’t good either. Even if the trap killed a few wolves, the rest of the pack would still catch them.

  And Kael had no more traps in this part of the forest.

  His heart pounded like a war drum.

  His thoughts raced like wild horses across an open field.

  The wolves were gaining ground.

  Kael looked at George and Mara.

  “Keep running forward!” he shouted. “And don’t stop when you reach the end!”

  George frowned as he ran.

  “The end?” he yelled. “What do you mean, the end?”

  Mara glanced at Kael, worry filling her eyes.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes!” Kael shouted back. “We don’t have a choice!”

  The wolves were less than thirty feet away when Kael burst through the trees and reached the edge of a cliff.

  Without hesitation—

  he jumped.

  Mara followed immediately.

  George came last, releasing one final arrow behind him. The shot missed the nearest wolf by only a few feet.

  Then he leapt.

  All three disappeared into the thick fog swirling far below the cliff.

  For a moment the forest went silent.

  The wolves skidded to a halt at the edge, claws scraping against stone as they peered down into the white mist. One of them growled low in its throat, pacing back and forth along the cliffside.

  But the prey was gone.

  Far below, hidden by fog and the roar of the distant waterfall, three human figures fell through the cold air toward whatever fate awaited them at the bottom.

  None of them knew if they would survive the fall.

  None of them knew if the wolves would find another path down.

  And none of them knew that their journey through the forest had only just begun.