As Adrian and Torrent traversed the rocky terrain, the rhythmic clatter of hooves echoed in the air. The landscape around them was rugged, with jagged rocks jutting from the ground. The scorching sun beat down upon them, casting long shadows that danced across the uneven ground.

Approaching the forest's edge, Adrian reined in Torrent, bringing the spirited horse to a halt. He scanned his surroundings, his gaze alternating between two distinct paths. To his left, a narrow road ascended toward an elevated rocky plateau, offering a commanding view of the surrounding area. To his right, a steep and winding road disappeared into the depths of the dense woods, shrouded in an air of mystery.

Pausing, Adrian furrowed his brow, trying to recall the details from his memories of playing the game. He knew that choosing the right path was crucial for his next destination.

After a brief moment of contemplation, a flicker of recognition sparked in Adrian's eyes. He remembered the telltale signs, the landmarks that guided him to the Warmaster Shack. With a determined nod, he made his decision.

Gently nudging Torrent with his heels, Adrian guided the horse to gallop toward the looming forest. The air around them grew heavy with a sense of foreboding, the bright sunlight dimming as they ventured deeper into the woodland's embrace. The dense canopy above filtered the sunlight, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor.

As they ventured further, the trees grew taller and closer together, creating an almost impenetrable curtain of green. The leaves rustled softly in the breeze, their vibrant hues of green swaying hypnotically. The forest seemed to pulse with life, an ancient realm brimming with secrets and hidden wonders.

Adrian took in the sights as he moved forward. The sounds of nature enveloped him—the chirping of birds, the rustling of leaves, and the distant murmurs of unknown creatures.

Adrian's confidence grew as he navigated through the winding path. The familiarity of the surroundings reassured him that he was on the right track. He recognized the moss-covered boulders, the gnarled tree trunks that stood like sentinels along the way. Each turn brought him closer to his destination.

As Adrian and Torrent ventured deeper into the narrowing road, the thick bushes and towering trees flanked their sides, confirming their progress along the right path. The air grew cooler, shaded by the canopy above, offering a brief respite from the scorching sun. right

Adrian's mind wandered as he envisioned reaching his destination, considering the much-needed rest that awaited him after their arduous journey. However, his thoughts were abruptly interrupted when a spear flew toward him with alarming speed. Reflexes honed by battle kicked in, and Adrian instinctively tilted his head, narrowly avoiding the deadly projectile that sailed past his face.

Before Adrian could fully process the sudden attack, a hulking figure emerged from the dense bushes beside him. The warrior stood tall, towering over Adrian, clad in heavy armor that seemed to reflect the forest's shadows. A massive curved blade glinted ominously in the sunlight, poised to strike Torrent's neck.

Adrian's mind raced, Reacting with a surge of adrenaline. He knew he had to protect himself and his faithful companion. In a moment of panic, he quickly dismissed Torrent, the loyal steed vanishing into a burst of blue particles, narrowly evading the incoming swing of the warrior's blade.

The sudden loss of support sent Adrian sprawling to the ground, his body colliding with the unforgiving earth. Pain shot through his limbs, a sharp reminder of his vulnerable position. Gritting his teeth, he fought against the dizziness that threatened to engulf him, desperately pushing himself to his feet.

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But the warrior, fueled by the momentary triumph, unleashed a bellowing laugh that echoed through the clearing. He relished in the advantage he had gained, a menacing glint in his eyes as he closed in on Adrian, sword raised high.

The warrior stood over Adrian, ready to plunge the blade of his curved sword into the young tarnished's chest. However, Adrian reacted swiftly, kicking at his assailant's torso before he could bring the sharp tip down.

As Adrian's boot connected with the warrior's armored chest, the force of the kick sent the assailant stumbling backward. Seizing the moment, Adrian swiftly rolled away, distancing himself from his foe.

With a dancer's grace, he regained his footing, his muscles coiled like a spring ready to strike. His mind raced, analyzing the situation and searching for a tactical advantage.

But as Adrian regained his footing, his brows furrowed in concern as his gaze fell upon the unexpected sight before him. Emerging from the dense thickets surrounding the forest path, four more warriors materialized, joining the imposing figure who had initially attacked him.

Their heavy metallic armor was embellished with fur accents, showcasing a blend of practicality and rugged aesthetics. Each warrior wielded a massive curved sword, effortlessly resting the imposing blades upon their broad shoulders.

Their helmets, adorned with intricate designs and white feathers, covered their heads and foreheads, their eye slits revealing only glimpses of their piercing gazes. A chainmail veil cascaded down their helmets, obscuring the lower half of their faces, leaving only their eyes visible. The sight of these warriors triggered a sense of recognition within Adrian.

"For fuck's sake..." with a muttered curse under his breath, Adrian remembered these warriors well. They were allies of the undead-like creatures he had encountered before, an annoying force to reckon with on foot and even more formidable when mounted on their steeds.

Amidst the silence that enveloped the forest clearing, one of the warriors stepped forward, his voice laden with a heavy accent that echoed through the stillness. His words carried mockery as he addressed Adrian, "Well, well, what do we have here? A little tarnished? Lost in the forest, are we?"

Adrian frowned at the warrior's words, realizing a violent confrontation was inevitable. However, Instead of retaliating with mockery, he opted for a more calm approach.

He knew these warriors were always hostile in the game, but he knew nothing about their purpose, a testament to his ignorance of the world he found himself in. As such, he decided to probe for information.

"And who might you be?" Adrian inquired, his voice laced with a genuine desire to understand their intentions. "We have never crossed paths before... why do you ambush me?"

In response, the warrior who had opted for a show of dominance and drove his curved sword forcefully into the ground. He spread his arms wide, as if reveling in his self-proclaimed glory. With confidence, he declared, "We are the glorious Kaden Sellswords from the Mountaintops of the Giants!"

A testament to his ignorance of the world, Adrian frowned at the warrior's words, finding their title and homeland unfamiliar. Still, he made a mental note of their name, committing it to memory as he absorbed the information.

The self-assured warrior leaned against a nearby tree. His voice was laced with a casual tone as he spoke. "You see, mate, we've been following those witless undead nobles from Leyndell for quite some time now. They wander aimlessly, lost in their own minds, looking for something that probably doesn't exist..."

He paused for a moment, a flicker of boredom crossing his face. "Don't get me wrong. It's a profitable business for us mountain folk. The nobles pay well, and we relieve them of the occasional precious artifact along the way..."

Adrian's eyebrows raised in intrigue. He had seen several undead nobles digging into the dirt for himself on multiple occasions, but he had never thought too deeply about it until now.

However, the warrior's casual demeanor hinted at a sense of monotony that had settled in. His voice lost some initial enthusiasm as he continued, "But you know how it goes, mate. Doing the same thing over and over again can grow tiresome. The thrill of the chase fades, and it all becomes rather mundane."

The Kaiden warrior sighed as he picked up his sword, prying it off the ground. "And that brings us here... my men are bored out of their minds, and they might start slaughtering those witless nobles if they don't get any entertainment..."

"And that, my friend, is where you come in..." The warrior declared, a glimmer of excitement dancing in his eyes. He retrieved his fallen blade, its gleaming edge catching the sunlight as he swung it with practiced finesse. The sword sliced through the air, leaving a trail of anticipation.

His comrades, eager and excited by such actions, let out a chorus of boisterous cheers and jeers. Their voices melded together bloodthirsty symphont, affirming the warrior's words. Their eyes shimmered with the shared purpose and a hunger for blood.

"Try not to die too soon, will you, lad?"

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