The battle between Leon and Ricardo had shaken the very earth beneath them, but now, as the dust settled and Leon lay defeated, a new chapter was about to unfold.
Leon groaned as he struggled to sit up, his entire body aching from the brutal clash. His vision was still blurry, and the taste of blood lingered in his mouth. The memory of Ricardo's final strike replayed in his mind—the sheer force, the precision. Leon had given everything, but in the end, he had lost.
Ricardo stood over him, his expression unreadable. His sword was still gripped tightly in his hand, but he made no move to strike again. Instead, he let out a long breath and turned away. "You still have a long way to go, Leon."
Leon clenched his fists, frustration bubbling within him. "Damn it..."
Ricardo walked away, leaving Leon to gather himself. The air was thick with tension, but there was no hostility—only the silent understanding between two warriors who had tested their limits.
Meanwhile, in the depths of the forest, Jack watched the scene unfold from a distance. A smirk played on his lips. "Interesting. So even after all this time, Leon still isn't strong enough to win."
Jack turned his gaze toward the horizon, where dark clouds began to gather. Something was coming, something far more dangerous than a mere sparring match between friends.
As Leon recovered over the next few days, he found himself reflecting on the battle. He needed to get stronger—not just for himself, but for everyone counting on him. That thought weighed heavily on his mind as he returned to the city.
Upon his return, he was greeted by Amelia, who had been anxiously waiting for news. "What happened?" she asked, her brows furrowed with worry.
Leon sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I lost."
Amelia folded her arms. "And?"
Leon blinked. "And what?"
She stepped closer, her eyes searching his. "Are you going to let that be the end of it?"
Leon exhaled sharply. "Of course not."
Amelia nodded approvingly. "Good. Because while you were out there fighting, things have been happening here in the city."
Leon narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"
Amelia gestured for him to follow. "Come with me. You need to see this for yourself."
They walked through the bustling streets of the city, but something was different. The usual lively atmosphere had been replaced with an underlying tension. People whispered among themselves, their faces pale with fear. Something was wrong.
Amelia led Leon to a large bulletin board in the town square. Several notices had been posted, each one bearing the same message:
Warning: Reports of monstrous creatures appearing near the city's borders. Citizens are advised to stay within the walls and avoid travel at night. Any adventurers willing to investigate, report to the guild immediately.
Leon's eyes scanned the papers, his heart pounding. "Monsters? Near the city?"
Amelia nodded grimly. "Not just any monsters. Something powerful is moving in the shadows. The guild has been sending teams to investigate, but none have returned."
Leon clenched his jaw. He had spent so much time focusing on his own strength that he hadn't realized something much bigger was happening around him.
Amelia placed a hand on his shoulder. "We need to act fast. If we don't find out what's causing this, the city could be in danger."
Leon took a deep breath, steeling himself. "Then let's go to the guild. It's time I do something useful."
At the adventurer's guild, the atmosphere was just as tense. Groups of hunters and warriors huddled together, murmuring in low voices. The guildmaster, an older man with a scar running down his face, was addressing a group of seasoned fighters.
"We've lost contact with five teams," the guildmaster said, his voice heavy with concern. "Each one sent to scout the forest perimeter. The last message we received mentioned something unnatural—something that shouldn't exist."
Leon and Amelia stepped forward. "We want in," Leon said firmly.
The guildmaster eyed him for a moment before nodding. "You're a capable fighter, Leon, but this isn't just about strength. We need information. If you're going, your job is to find out what's happening and return alive. Understood?"
Leon nodded. "Understood."
The guildmaster glanced at Amelia. "And you?"
She smirked. "Someone has to make sure this idiot doesn't get himself killed."
The guildmaster chuckled, then turned serious. "Fine. Gather your supplies and meet at the eastern gate at sundown. You won't be going alone."
As he spoke, three more figures stepped forward—other adventurers who had volunteered for the mission.
The first was a towering man clad in heavy armor, his axe resting on his shoulder. "Name's Darius. I break things."
The second was a slender woman with sharp eyes and twin daggers at her waist. "Lyra. Scout and assassin. Try to keep up."
The last was a robed figure, his face hidden beneath a hood. "Ethan. Magic's my specialty."
Leon took a moment to assess his new companions. They all looked experienced, and he could tell this was no ordinary scouting party. This was a group prepared for war.
As the sun began to set, the team gathered at the eastern gate. Leon tightened his gloves, feeling the weight of his sword on his back. Amelia stood beside him, checking her gear.
Darius cracked his knuckles. "Let's get moving. We've got monsters to hunt."
With that, they stepped beyond the city walls, venturing into the unknown. The deeper they traveled, the more the atmosphere changed. The air grew colder, the trees eerily silent. It was as if the forest itself was holding its breath.
Then, a distant growl echoed through the darkness.
Leon's hand instinctively went to his sword. "Looks like we won't have to search for long."
The growl grew louder. Then another. And another.
From the shadows, glowing red eyes emerged. First two, then four, then dozens. The creatures that had been terrorizing the land had found them.
The hunt had begun.
To be continued...