Year 1, Summer, First Month, Third Week.

The morning air was crisp and cool as the group of four teenagers, each carrying their weapons and bags, stood at the threshold of the village barrier. Karl, Diana, Toni, and Tael were about to step into a world that was treacherously unknown.

“Everyone knows what to do, right?” Karl's voice wavered slightly, betraying his anxiety. He adjusted his grip on the spear, trying to appear more confident than he felt.

“Ok, we just have to look out for beasts and we’ll be back in no time... Let’s go, we already lost too much time,” Diana interjected briskly, her eagerness to embark on the mission clear in her tone. She scanned the horizon, her eyes sharp and alert.

They moved in a tight formation, their senses heightened, with Diana and Toni flanking the group. Their eyes darted to every rustle in the underbrush, every distant sound that broke the stillness of the forest. The occasional chirping of birds and the soft rustling of leaves under their feet were the only sounds that accompanied them.

Meanwhile, back in the village, Chief Omero, Marlen, and Bill were engaged in a tense discussion. Marlen's fingers moved deftly through the straws, her focus on her weaving unbroken despite the weight of the conversation.

“Omero, this might be too much. Don’t you think we should have trained them a little longer?” Marlen's concern sounded genuine, but her eyes didn’t leave her work.

“I don’t think so. Diana was raised for this...” Omero’s voice was firm, but a hint of uncertainty flickered in his eyes. “We need to see what Karl will do under pressure. We can’t make direct moves, so we must rely on this tactic.”

Bill grumbled, his eyebrows furrowing. “Bah... You two only know how to scheme! What we need to do is to lay low and learn as much as we can about this Alchemy... I want to put the girls in their group too... Old man, you say it’s dangerous but your granddaughter is there to reap all benefits.”

Omero sighed, his gaze fixed on the horizon where the group had disappeared. “What benefits? She’s taking risks. But if you insist on the twins participating, we’ll need to cover it using other kids.”

Marlen shook her head, her voice stern. “You two stop this nonsense, dragging more kids into it will not do any good.”

“You’re wrong, Marlen. The Serions already dragged the kids into this when they increased the tributes,” Omero countered, his tone grave. “Don’t forget, many will become slaves by next year if we don’t act.”

The weight of their responsibility hung heavily over their old backs. Each elder was acutely aware that the fate of the village's future depended on the kids. Now, they could only offer silent prayers pleading for their safe return.

Back to the wildlands, Karl accompanied his friends further from the village. The forest around them was a blend of vibrant greens and browns, the sunlight filtering through the leaves in dappled patterns on the ground.

“Guys, this is a low-quality (LQ) energy crystal. It’s not powerful but can help me a lot. Help me look for similar crystals…” Karl’s voice broke the silence as he held up the shimmering colorless crystal for the others to see. It glowed faintly in his hand, emanating a subtle energy.

Toni was initially tense but began to relax as they found more crystals. His eyes darted around, scanning the bushes and trees, his fear was slowly replaced by a sense of adventure.

“Karl, what can you do with this energy crystal?” Toni asked as he peered closely at the crystal in Karl’s hand.

Karl explained the purpose of the crystals, mentioning how they could amplify the magic effects in their weapons. As he spoke, Diana, who was clearing the path with her sword, realized that the weapon felt sharper than before.

To test its limits, Diana leaped forward and struck a stone with her sword. The blade embedded into the stone, leaving everyone in awe. “Origin sakes! How much can the sword do if you use a crystal?” Diana asked without hiding spark in her eyes.

Karl pondered for a moment before replying, “Humm... We have to test it, but the crystal isn’t very powerful. If it was medium-quality (MQ), you could probably cut through it like a leaf...”

Everyone gasped and didn’t mention it anymore. The possibility of finding an MQ crystal sparked a new level of excitement in them. The forest around them seemed less dangerous and more like a treasure trove waiting to be explored.

***

The sun was high in the sky, casting its warm, golden light through the dense canopy of leaves, as the group made their way back to the village. Exhaustion weighed heavily on their shoulders. The air was thick with the scent of earth and foliage, intensified by the heat of the midday sun.

Karl would frequently halt their progress to examine the ground or the underbrush, guided by Master AI's interventions. He meticulously gathered various herbs and plants, each with its own unique magic properties that could aid in Alchemy.

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During one of these stops, Karl excitedly shared his discovery of an herb that could enhance their health. “Guys, this herb can actually boost our health if we consume it regularly,” he explained, his eyes shining with the thrill of novelty. The others, though tired, listened intently, realizing the importance of recognizing the plant and potentially finding more along the way.

Master AI, who had been reticent about divulging information unrelated to Alchemy, had now revealed the magic properties of these plants, linking them back to the craft. This revelation ignited a new enthusiasm in Karl. He had always been keen to learn more about the world around him, especially about magic.

Before venturing out, Karl had wisely prepared a straw basket, expertly woven by Grandma Marlen. As they continued their journey back to the village, he filled it with various plants and herbs. Some were vibrant green, others had subtle hints of blue or red, and all held the promise of untapped magic potential.

The group trudged along, their pace slowed by fatigue and the weight of their findings. The sun continued its relentless ascent in the sky, its rays piercing through the trees. As they neared the village, the familiar landscape brought a sense of relief. They had ventured out and returned without encountering any beasts, a small victory in their grander quest.

As they neared the village, the familiar, comforting sight of their homes came into view, nestled among the lush greenery.

“Look at that, we actually did it,” Toni exclaimed, more relieved than excited. His broad shoulders relaxed as the weight of apprehension lifted.

Diana, still maintaining her vigilant stance, nodded in agreement. “We did well today, but let's not get overconfident. There’s still so much to learn and prepare for.”

As they crossed the threshold of the village, they finally let go of a breath they unknowingly were holding. The earthy smell of the village, a mix of wood, soil, and cooking fires, was completely different from the wild scents of the forest. Children played in the dirt paths, their laughter echoing through the air, while villagers went about their evening chores, casting curious glances at the returning group.

Reaching the center of the village, they paused, taking a moment to appreciate the safety of their home. The simple wooden and straw huts, the well-trodden paths, and the communal areas, all bathed in the soft light of the setting sun, were a reminder of what they were trying to protect.

“Tomorrow, we’ll analyze everything we collected,” Karl declared.

Diana, looking at the setting sun, added, “And we’ll continue our training. Every day we need to grow stronger.”

The group dispersed, each heading to their respective homes.

Faraway, a bustling post village in the first eastern section, known for being a hub for merchants and travelers, suddenly found itself facing an unusual and terrifying spectacle.

“What’s happening?” whispered a young villager, her eyes wide with fear as she peered from behind a partially shattered wooden fence. The chaos unfolding was unlike anything the village had ever witnessed.

A seasoned traveler, leaning heavily on his staff, squinted towards the commotion. “Those aren’t ordinary hyenas. It’s as if they've been driven here, herded almost. And in such numbers!”

Among the scattering crowd, a merchant, his face carved with concern, hastily secured his goods. “This is no time to ponder. We need to move, now!” he urged his companions, as they scrambled to salvage what they could.

In the village square, confusion reigned. Some mercenaries, initially eager to seize the opportunity for easy prey, now hesitated, realizing the gravity of the situation. “This is madness. Hyenas don’t hunt like this,” one muttered, gripping his weapon tighter.

As panic spread, the villagers' initial shock gave way to frantic action. Some sought refuge in sturdier buildings, while others, less fortunate, were caught in the open as the hyenas breached the village barrier.

With terrifying efficiency, the hyenas rampaged through the village. Their howls and the sounds of destruction melded into a cacophony of despair. Structures crumbled, carts overturned, and the air filled with dust and cries of terror.

In the midst of the chaos, an eerie calm settled over a group of villagers huddled in a stone-built storage room. Through the slits in the wall, they watched in horror as the hyenas, followed by other, more ferocious beasts, rampaged unchecked.

“Why aren’t they attacking us?” whispered a young girl, her voice barely audible over the heart-wrenching sounds outside.

Before anyone could answer, a new, more ominous presence made itself known. A deep, guttural growling resonated, and the very air seemed to thicken with dread. The villagers, huddled together, felt a surge of heat.

Outside, amidst the remains of the village, a colossal figure emerged, its form obscured by the swirling dust and debris. With each step, it seemed to bring with it an aura of destruction.

Then, without warning, the world turned to fire. Flames erupted, engulfing what remained of the village in a searing inferno. The heat was unbearable, and the air was filled with the crackling of flames and the desperate, muffled screams of those caught in the blaze.

In the storage room, the villagers held their breath, a mix of fear and disbelief in their eyes. The fire raged outside, casting flickering shadows through the cracks in the walls. They clung to each other, silently praying for salvation, or at least for a swift end to their nightmare.

As the fire continued to burn, the night fell, but the village was illuminated by the unnatural, blazing fury that had claimed it. The once peaceful post village had become a scene of devastation.

The two mercenaries stood at a safe distance from the chaos, observing the smoldering remains of the village. The sky above was painted in ominous shades of orange and red, reflecting the intensity of the inferno that had engulfed the settlement.

"Can't believe we escaped," the taller of the two muttered as he scanned the horizon. His companion, shorter but with a more hardened look, clenched his fists, the weight of their mission heavy upon his shoulders.

"Darla's our only hope now," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "If she managed to secure the egg, all our sacrifices won't be in vain. But if she's caught..."

The taller mercenary shifted uncomfortably, his gaze still fixed on the distant flames. "We knew the risks when we signed up for this, but never imagined it would lead to this disaster. A whole village, gone just like that."

The shorter one nodded solemnly. "The power of a medium-tier (MT) fire beast... it's beyond anything we've dealt with before. If we can deliver the egg to the Fire Capital, our futures are secured. But at what cost?"

His companion shook his head, a grim expression settling on his face. "Let's not dwell on that now. We need to find Darla and the egg. The forest is dangerous, and who knows what other beasts have been stirred up by this chaos."

The two mercenaries, driven by the promise of wealth but haunted by the destruction they had witnessed, set off towards the Second Section. The fires of the village continued to burn behind them.