"HROOOOOM—"
The third horn blast echoed through the air.
As the sound of the horns continued to resonate, the movements of the guards grew quicker, more urgent.
The massive gates of the city began to creak and groan.Accompanied by the eerie screech of grinding metal and the mechanical whine of gears in motion,
the gates opened, inch by inch, revealing the world beyond.
Ryan stood atop the Overload Juggernaut, his eyes fixed on the city gates ahead. The five Wildhunter Corps units began their march.
The Benthior's first thunderous step echoed—manes billowing in the wind, hooves striking the earth with a resonating force. Behind them, ten more Juggernauts surged forward, their empty freight drays ready to be filled with spoils.
The procession advanced with earth-shaking precision.
As the gates opened wide, and through the interplay of light and shadow, the Wildhunter Corps rode their Benthior mounts out of the city, heading towards the wilderness beyond.
As the Wildhunter Corps gradually faded from sight, the City Guard followed in flawless lockstep, their plate armor burning white-hot in the dawn. Each synchronized footfall cracked the cobblestones, the vibrations shuddering through Ryan's bones even from the rear.
Then came the mercenary bands, compared to the previous two forces, their formation loose and movements chaotic. Each mercenary group, varying in size and equipment, yet the air was thick with a sense of danger and menace. Each group, leading their Overload Juggernauts, surged through the gates in a scramble.
Following the mercenaries, a group of Loneflame Hunt & Fight Academy cadets emerged. About a hundred or so young students, mounted on Benthior, rode out with anticipation and anxiety hanging heavy in the air. Every cadet wore a look of eager determination, as if they couldn't wait to prove themselves in the wilds, to earn the highest marks in their graduation trial.
As the procession moved out of the city, Ryan and Hank sat atop their Overload Juggernauts, advancing at a slow pace.
Suddenly, a group of people surged up behind them.
Ryan glanced over his shoulder at the crowd. They were dressed in fine, immaculate clothes, looking more like they were heading to a social gathering than preparing to face the dangers of the wilderness.
"What are these people doing out here?" Ryan muttered, furrowing his brow.
Hank chuckled lightly, explaining, "Mostly merchants and noble stewards. They're heading to the collection points outside the city, waiting for the hunting teams to return so they can trade for the resources the team bring back. Raymond's got men stationed there too."
Before long, Ryan reached the city gates. With each step, the gates' shadow peeled away, flooding Ryan's vision with the morning light of the open wastes. The true scale of the wilderness yawned before him—endless, indifferent, and very much alive.
In the distance, various groups that had already left the city fanned out in all directions across the wilderness.
Ryan spotted two large stone-paved platforms flanking the gate—Hank's so-called collection points. Each platform was spacious, roughly half the size of a football field, and elevated about a meter above the ground. Simple tables, chairs, and tents were scattered across the area, enclosed by three-meter-high iron fences.
"Wildhunter Corps take the left platform," Hank said, jerking his chin."Right side's for merchants and nobles."
Ryan watched as silk-clad traders swarmed the right platform, staking claims like vultures over carrion.
Meanwhile, city guards were stationed around both collection points, keeping a watchful eye to ensure order and security.
Ryan eyed the collection points, then glanced at the nearby gates."Why set up these collection point outside instead of moving goods straight into the city?"
Hank opened his mouth—then a metallic groan cut him off. They turned just as the gates began shuddering closed, iron jaws devouring daylight and sound alike.
"There's your answer,"Hank said, nodding at the sealing entrance."They shut to keep the city safe. They only open briefly before sundown—just enough time for people to get back inside. After that, they're locked tight."
Ryan frowned. "What if someone's late?"
Hank grinned."Hell,buddy.Already forgot how we scaled the walls last night?"
Ryan scratched his neck. "Yeah, yeah."
His gaze swept the horizon."So,where to now? Lost sight of those academy cadets."
Hank squinted at the sun, then jerked his thumb northwest. "Silverstone Hills—barely lethal. Most cadets complete their graduation trials there."