The sky had darkened by the time Leon and Jarek left the survivor's home.
The boy's words echoed in Leon's mind.
"The moon moved."
"A shadow swallowed the stars."
It wasn't something a normal beast could do. And in all his years playing Devia, Leon had never encountered an event with a description like that—not even in the late stages of the game.
Which meant one thing:
This was not a normal event.
Jarek let out a long sigh as they walked through the dimly lit streets. "So, what's the plan? March straight into the Hills and hope we don't get eaten?"
Leon glanced at him. "No. We prepare first."
Jarek chuckled. "Good. I prefer not dying."
Leon didn't answer. His mind was already listing what he needed.
The Black Hollow Hills were dangerous—even in the game, they had been classified as a high-level zone for a reason. The terrain was rugged, the beasts territorial, and the deeper one ventured, the worse it got.
And now?
Something was lurking there. Something capable of driving men to madness.
Leon's grip tightened. I need to be ready.
---
Gathering Supplies
The first stop was a small general store near the town's center.
The shopkeeper, a stout middle-aged man, looked up warily as Leon and Jarek entered. His eyes flickered to the Steel Fang Wolf beside Leon but, to his credit, he didn't panic.
"Travelers, huh? What can I do for you?"
Leon approached the counter. "I need rations, climbing gear, and any potions you have."
The shopkeeper hesitated. "Heading out of town?"
Jarek smirked. "Something like that."
The man rubbed his beard. "You should think twice about that. Things ain't right in the west. Folks disappear. Even the hunters are keeping close to town."
Leon remained impassive. "That's why I need supplies."
The shopkeeper exhaled, then nodded. "Alright. Give me a minute."
As the man moved to gather the requested items, Jarek leaned against a shelf. "So, you always this prepared, or are you just paranoid?"
Leon didn't respond immediately.
Preparation was survival.
In his past life, he had been one of Devia's top players. He had seen legends rise and fall, witnessed guilds crumble due to poor planning, watched players who underestimated threats die meaningless deaths.
Leon refused to be one of them.
"Both," he finally answered.
Jarek grinned. "Fair enough."
A few minutes later, the shopkeeper returned with a bundle of supplies.
Leon inspected the items before placing a few silver coins on the counter. "This should cover it."
The man's eyes widened. "This is too much."
Leon shook his head. "Consider it payment for information."
The shopkeeper hesitated before sighing. "Alright. I'll tell you what I know."
He leaned in slightly. "A few nights ago, a patrol found something strange near the Hills. A… marking, carved into a tree. Looked unnatural."
Leon's eyes sharpened. "A marking?"
The shopkeeper nodded. "I didn't see it myself, but they said it looked twisted. Not like anything they'd seen before."
Jarek muttered, "Great. That's not ominous at all."
Leon exhaled. Another piece of the puzzle.
"Where was it found?" he asked.
The shopkeeper hesitated. "North of the Hills, near the old watchtower. But listen—if you're heading that way, be careful. The last group that went to investigate… never returned."
Leon gave a small nod. "Understood."
With that, he turned and left.
---
Final Preparations
As they stepped back onto the street, Jarek glanced at Leon. "So. We got our supplies. We got a location. When do we leave?"
Leon adjusted the straps of his pack. "Tomorrow, at dawn."
Jarek raised a brow. "Not right now?"
Leon shook his head. "We need rest. And I have one last thing to take care of."
Jarek tilted his head. "Oh?"
Leon didn't answer. Instead, he turned toward the lord's estate—where his employer, Lord Elric, was waiting.
If he was going to risk his life in Black Hollow Hills…
Then he wanted more than just a noble's gratitude.
---