Chapter 1 - Alron's Thoughts

'Life was just like these giant trees—heart yearning for the skies, only to find their feet stuck deep into the ground.'

Alron sighed in resignation as he swept his sight across the dense canopy above him. These giant trees were now blocking their path, and their sheer size reminded them how small they were in this forest, in this world.

'Yet, no matter how tall they may get, they would never reach the sky... such was their fate. Trees would be trees in the end—they weren't birds, after all.'

He shook his head, and his gaze involuntarily shifted toward the east. His shoulders slumped, and even the spear quivered in his weak grasp.

It'll be two months soon since they left their hometown 500 kilometers away, at the cost of 48 and a half of their comrades, and now they were stuck here, deep into this—this suffocating wilderness.

Suddenly, the forest seemed like a giant Behemoth. The gentle shadows were not so gentle anymore, and the towering woods felt like intimidating giants. The vines that coiled around them hissed like vicious snakes, and all the vibrant flowers decorating the forest seemed to be bewitching spells, ready to cast their magic. The coldness caused by the lack of sunlight further elevated the dreadful atmosphere.

Alron took a deep breath and calmed his sinking mind. It wasn't the time to dread, for their battalion of 84 was still intact, now-battle-hardened, and more improved than they were two months prior.

He swept a look at them, 84 soldiers neatly lined up, waiting for further orders… Or not.

They were busy gossiping in groups, conjuring stories out of thin air. Kids played with the lush shrubs and flowers, while the elderly rested against the tree trunks. Some even went to sleep right then and there.

Alron's heart sank even further. Sure, they were exhausted in body and mind, and they were also out of supplies, but it still wasn't the time to lower their guards.

A man seemed to change his clothes in the distance, lowering his pants to the ground.

"No, no, don't you lower it so much that you won't even have the time to react!" Alron suddenly barked, flaring his curly mustache.

The man swiftly pulled his pants out. "We don't wear gowns, captain. Otherwise, we'd surely have rolled it out."

"Tsk! You people are doing it all wrong! We are stranded in the middle of this Darkstone area, where super beasts are running amok, and you guys feel like changing your clothes and resting? Where's your vigilance?"

"It's in my other pants, captain! Let me wear it right away." The man spoke as he slid his leg into his pants.

Others laughed at his remarks, attempting to ease their weary eyes.

"You are Captain Zyper, aren't you? You sure are acting as a captain should."

"Aye, you flatter me, captain."

"I'm not praising you!" His spittle flew over, much to the amusement of the people.

In the end, these weren't soldiers but a motley crew of adventurers and ordinary people, lacking discipline and vision. With people who have given up on their hopes, how could they ensure their survival? Their carefree behavior further seemed to hint at the bleakness of their future.

Commoners would be commoners in the end—they weren't soldiers, after all.

Alron grumbled under his breath and stood straight with his spear and shield as a soldier should anyway.

Soon, several footsteps approached from the North, and Alron's eyes shone with a glimmer of hope.

"Everyone, on your feet!" A bold yet feminine voice boomed across everyone, rattling them to alertness. The young and the elderly, the active and the weary, all stood up without delay.

This level of control and power—that's what Alron admired about their commander. A woman in her mid-twenties, clad in a leathery adventure outfit, stood tall before everyone, exuding an intimidating air. Everyone stood quiet, perking their ears like obedient bunnies.

"By the mercy of the forest, we've found a cave to take temporary shelter in. We will recuperate there, tend to our wounds, restock our supplies, and think about our future course of action."

The reassuring news eased the group's exhaustion as they breathed out a sigh of relief. Smiles blossomed upon their faces, and they began murmuring and whispering among themselves.

"Silence! We've yet to secure our safety, and you proceed to shove your vigilance deep into your asses?" Commander Valarina, nicknamed Val, paused up to this point as everyone cringed at her language. Adults wouldn't have minded, but goddammit, they had kids with them!

Even Alron's image of the noble commander seemed to crumble a bit. Though, no matter how vulgar her language may be, they had to put up with it.

Even though she was the strongest among them, she wasn't a real commander, Alron thought.

She continued, "Just regroup into-WATCH OUT!"

Even before her shout, Alron had already sensed an anomaly in the quiet, as he swiftly brandished his shield in its direction. An unusually thick vine crashed on his shield, rattling him to his bones, and pushing him a step back. Gritting his teeth, he pushed it away, as the air began humming around him. His spirit seemed to skyrocket as he slammed his spear onto the vine, snapping it in two.

More leaves rustled all around the group, and panic washed over them when they saw more vines uncoil from all the trees surrounding them.

"All vanguards, take the brunt! Everyone else, regroup into the third formation!" Val's command shook them out of their panic, and everyone scrambled to take their designated positions—the children and the elderly in the middle surrounded by long-range supports, and then the mid-guards supporting the vanguards.

Then a fierce battle followed.

The thick and heavy vines slammed onto the group, attempting to crush them into a paste. The supporters conjured translucent, hemispherical shields above everyone, somehow blocking the heavy brunts. The air buzzed when the mid-guards unleashed a torrent of spells, colorful and dazzling, reducing the vines into splinters and debris. While the vanguards handled the front attacks, unleashing destructive sword waves, and spear slashes.

More vines unfurled, and the defensive battle continued.