I left Lenore behind, heading toward the Gate of Realms without looking back. It wasn't out of indifference but because I knew my journey was far from over. There was always something else waiting—another battle, a secret to uncover, or an enemy lurking in the shadows.
As I crossed the gate, I found myself in an endless white expanse. The cold winds howled like hungry wolves, and the ice stretched in every direction as if trying to swallow the sky itself. I had arrived in Arsen.
This world was different from the others I had passed through. There were no grand cities or luxurious palaces, only scattered leather tents, some barely standing against the raging storms. Governance here wasn't dictated by kings or empires but by sheer strength. The strongest ruled, and the weak had no place except under their mercy.
I walked across the ice, my steps steady despite the wind trying to slow me down. The cold wasn't the real threat, but the true danger lay in the eyes watching me from the shadows, the whispers behind the mountains, and the creatures lurking in silence.
After hours of walking, I finally found a small tribe on the edge of a frozen plateau. The tents were scattered here and there, but there was no sign of movement—no children running, no men training, no fires warming the place. The silence was heavy, unnatural.
As I moved forward, an old man blocked my path. His back was slightly hunched with age, but his eyes gleamed with caution. He studied me for a moment before speaking in a rough voice:
"You are a stranger to these lands. What brings you here?"
I saw no reason to lie. "I seek shelter for the night."
The old man laughed, a dry chuckle that felt more like mockery than welcome. "In Arsen, there are no inns or taverns. No one offers shelter without a price."
"And what is the price?"
He gestured toward the distant mountains, where shadows shifted beneath the pale moonlight. "The village is plagued by night creatures. They have killed many of our men, and the rest are too afraid to leave their tents. We asked for help from other clans, but no one cares about us."
"You want me to kill them?"
"If you wish to stay the night, that is the cost."
I studied him, trying to decipher his motives. "Why trust a stranger like me? I could leave and never return."
The old man gave a cold smile. "Because you are different. Not a merchant, not an ordinary adventurer. Your eyes tell me you are someone used to fighting, someone unafraid of death. You are not here by chance—there is a reason for your presence in this place."
He wasn't entirely wrong. Though I hadn't told him my true purpose, I wasn't just an adventurer seeking shelter. I was searching for something deeper.
I finally nodded. "I'll do it, but on one condition. Don't tell anyone about me. Let them believe someone from the village did it."
The old man didn't question my reasoning. He simply nodded in silence and invited me into his tent. Inside, it was unexpectedly warm, making me raise an eyebrow in curiosity.
"White wolf pelts," the old man said as if reading my thoughts. "They retain heat well, even in the harshest storms."
He sat in front of me and began drawing a map on a worn piece of leather. "The night creatures we suffer from are a type of goblin. Not strong, but numerous. Their numbers make them dangerous."
I studied the map carefully. "And where is their lair?"
He pointed to a narrow valley between two mountains. "They hide here. They come out at night to raid and kill, then return. Killing them all may be difficult, but if you destroy their shelter, they'll have nowhere to return."
It wouldn't be impossible, but it wouldn't be easy either. Dealing with creatures that rely on numbers required a different tactic.
I took a sip of the hot drink he offered, then stood. "I'll finish this tonight. Be ready to tell the story we agreed upon."
Stepping out into the cold night, I let my plan take shape in my mind. I wasn't seeking glory, nor did I want anyone here to know my name. I was merely a shadow passing through the realms, leaving a mark before disappearing again.
What I didn't know at that moment was that this night was only the beginning of something far greater than I had imagined.
As I approached the goblin valley, I knew I had to be cautious. In places like this, the enemy doesn't strike immediately—they wait for the right moment to pounce. I crouched at the valley's edge, observing the scattered camp below.
Moving deeper, I found the remains of several adventurers. There were two possibilities: either other clans had already sent reinforcements but were ambushed, or these were villagers who had attempted to fight back.
The number of goblins wasn't small. Dozens of them moved around, some wielding rusted weapons while others stood guard. They had a simple but effective organization.
I began selecting my targets. If I wanted to destroy them without being overwhelmed, I had to eliminate the guards first, then set fire to their main supplies. Most of these creatures depended on stored food to survive—without it, chaos would consume them.
I moved silently, approaching the first guard. My grip on my sword was firm, and as I got close enough, I slid the blade across his throat in a single motion. He made no sound, only collapsed lifelessly. I dragged his body away and hid it behind a rock.
One guard down, then another. Then a third. With each step forward, the ice became a hunting ground, and I was the only predator.
Reaching the center of the camp, I began phase two. The food barrels were stacked together, covered with animal hides to protect them from the cold. I took some oil from one of the barrels and poured it around before lighting a fuse.
It only took moments before the flames roared to life, and chaos erupted.
The goblins screamed, running in every direction in a frenzy. Some tried to save their supplies, but the fire spread too quickly. They could do nothing but watch their food turn to ash.
When they realized there was an intruder, they attacked. They were fast but not smart. Relying on my reflexes, I dodged their strikes and countered with precise blows.
I dispatched the first wave easily, but more poured out from nearby caves. It was time to retreat.
I leaped onto a slope and slid down the ice as the goblins shrieked in rage behind me. But they weren't fast enough.
At the valley's edge, I finally turned back. The fire consumed everything, and the chaos had peaked. They would die without food—I didn't need to kill the rest.
It was over.
By dawn, I returned to the village. The old man was waiting at the entrance of his tent. I nodded at him, and he nodded back.
This was only the beginning.