Kyren stepped through the door, emotions swirling inside him. He was finally leaving to become a hero-something he had dreamed of for as long as he could remember. But as the excitement settled, the weight of what he was leaving behind pressed down on him.
Grandma Windy. Irene. The kids at the orphanage. The kind faces in the village who had watched out for him.
For the first time in years, he had felt like he had a real home here. And now, he was walking away from it.
Kyren shook the thoughts off. I'll be back. He wouldn't die on this journey—not when it had only just begun.
When he reached Lydel's house, he knocked on the window.
Lydel slid it open, grinning. "Back up, I'm jumping out."
Before Kyren could respond, Lydel vaulted through, landing smoothly in front of him.
Kyren raised an eyebrow. "What, trying to show off now?"
Lydel stretched his arms, his confidence practically radiating. "Nah. Just been feeling more sure of myself since we became heroes."
Kyren smirked but kept his tone serious. "Good. Just don't let your guard down. That guy we fought? I don't think he was anything special."
Lydel's expression stayed firm. "I know. I'm still not that strong yet."
Kyren didn't argue. They both knew they had a long way to go.
The two followed the familiar path leading away from town, retracing their steps toward Sintara. But when they reached the first fork in the road, Kyren didn't go right like before. The glowing compass in his vision pointed left.
"We go this way," Kyren said, stepping left.
Lydel frowned. "How do you know?"
Kyren hesitated for only a second before lying again. "Grandma Windy's journal had directions written in it. She was in our village before she started traveling. Hopefully, the roads haven't changed."
Lydel nodded. "That makes sense. Hope we don't get lost." He chuckled, though there was a hint of unease in his voice.
Kyren sighed internally. Lying to his friend was getting old.
Hours passed before they came across a river deep in the forest. The water was clear, but no fish swam beneath its surface. They decided to refill their containers and rest. With a few hours left before nightfall, Kyren took the opportunity to hand Lydel something he had been saving.
Kyren focused on his inventory, summoning the ring. It materialized in his palm.
[Accessory: Ring of Illusion]
Active Effect: Control one afterimage.
Passive Effect: All afterimages now deal real damage.
"Hey, Lydel. Got something for you." He tossed the ring over. "Picked it up in Sintara—figured it's more your style."
Lydel caught it but eyed him suspiciously. "Thanks, bro, but… I know we've been through a lot, but marriage? Ain't happening."
Kyren groaned, rubbing his face. "What do you mean, marriage? I don't swing that way."
Lydel snickered. "Then why are you giving me a ring?"
"It's enchanted. Lets you create an afterimage that actually deals damage," Kyren explained. "I played around with it—it's useful."
Lydel slipped it onto his index finger. "Just in case this is some weird way of you trying to claim me as your wife." He wiggled his fingers, showing Kyren it wasn't on his ring finger.
Kyren rolled his eyes. "Just focus your mana into it. Channel it up from your core, through your fingers, and into the ring."
Lydel concentrated. A faint shimmer flickered beside him—an afterimage for only a second—before it disappeared.
"Damn. I'll get the hang of it." He clenched his fist and started walking again, still trying to summon the illusion as they followed the dirt path.
An hour later, the sun began dipping below the treetops. Shadows stretched long across the forest floor.
"We should set up camp," Kyren said, scanning the area.
Lydel pointed to an opening in the trees. "That looks like a good spot."
Kyren nodded and crouched, summoning their tent and bedrolls from his inventory. As soon as the tent finished materializing, rustling sounds echoed through the woods. The rustling grew louder—turning into thundering footsteps.
Kyren's blood ran cold. Something big was coming.
A massive shadow loomed between the trees. Then it stepped into view.
A bear.
At least 15 feet tall, standing on its hind legs, its fur matted with scars. But what sent chills through Kyren wasn't its size—it was its unnatural speed.
The beast lunged. Kyren barely managed to throw himself back before its claws slashed through the space where he had been standing. Too fast. His weapons weren't even summoned yet.
Lydel was already moving. Silverfang in hand, he channeled mana into the ring, summoning an afterimage. The illusion split from him, darting left as Lydel charged right.
The bear snapped at the afterimage, jaws slamming shut with enough force to crack bone—only to realize too late it wasn't real.
Lydel took the opening. He swung down at the beast's leg, his blade slicing deep into the thick muscle. Before the bear could react, the afterimage's attack followed—cutting straight through the bone of its front leg.
Kyren landed, finally armed. He filled Lion's Requiem with mana, sharpening the blade's edge to a deadly gleam. Activating Soundless Step, he dashed forward. In one clean motion, he severed both legs on the bear's left side.
The beast collapsed, thrashing in pain.
Lydel didn't hesitate. He drove his sword into its throat, ending its misery.
The fire crackled as they sat beside it, cooking meat from the bear's leg. The night air was thick with the scent of charred flesh.
Kyren stretched. "You sleep first, like always. I'll wake you when it's your turn."
Lydel wiped his mouth and nodded. "Just like always, bro." He crawled into the tent.
Kyren sat down, opening the system.
[Wayfinder Mode Active]
Distance to Little Foot: 100 miles
Estimated Arrival: 4 days
At least now he knew how long it would take—assuming nothing slowed them down.
He checked his stats.
Kyren: 200/600 EXP
Lydel: 380/500 EXP
Then he noticed something new in his notifications.
[System Notification]
Killed: Terror Bear (Class A)
Expected. But the next one made him pause.
[Secret Mission Unlocked: Tree Spirits and Sprites]
Would you like to accept?
[Yes] / [No]
Kyren frowned. Tree spirits? He had never heard of anything like that. Was it another hidden part of the system? Or something lurking in these woods?
His fingers hovered over the prompt.
Finally, he selected Yes.