On the road that led them to Harama, the group moved silently through the dense woods, the sun barely filtering through the thick foliage. The footsteps of the three companions were in rhythm with the crackling of twigs under their boots.

Helydia, always curious and unable to hold back her questions any longer, finally broke the silence."Why are we going to the capital Chronos, actually?" she asked in an almost nonchalant tone, her piercing red eyes fixed on Samuel.

Samuel, who was walking at the front, slowed down slightly before responding. "I heard that an ancient relic, known as the 'Heart of Aethril,' is kept in the capital, Chronos.This legendary relic is said to hold immense power, capable of significantly enhancing an adventurer's skills or even altering the laws of reality."

Helydia raised an eyebrow and opened her mouth to respond, but Samuel raised his hand to stop her. "Let me finish before you question me, if this relic is truly capable of altering the laws of reality, perhaps it could bring me back to where I came from."

Kai, who was walking behind them, added in a lighter yet serious voice, "But we still need to find it."

A respectful silence followed, each person lost in their thoughts. Samuel was reminiscing about the tales and legends he had heard about this relic, while Helydia pondered the implications of such power. Kai, for his part, was excited about the adventure that awaited them at Chronos.

The forest seemed more menacing as they moved forward, as if the trees themselves felt the weight of their mission. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, but it brought with it a feeling of unease, almost palpable.

The path to Harama was already difficult, but suddenly, a scream pierced the air, shattering the silence. "RUN AWAY !" Samuel turned abruptly and saw several men running towards them, their faces twisted in panic. One of them, eyes wide with fear, was making frantic gestures, clearly signaling to flee.

Samuel, squinting, turned his head towards Kai. "These men... what are they fleeing from?"

Kai, without wasting a second, used his new skill, "Localization." He concentrated, then replied, worry etched on his face: "I don't know exactly what it is, but I can see it...It is immense and powerful, and it is heading straight towards us."

Seeing an opportunity to try out his new weapon, Samuel drew his sword with determination, approaching the path that the men were fleeing from. The others were running past him, shouting warnings, but he remained impassive, focused.

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Suddenly, Kai shouted, "Wait, boss !" Samuel turned to him, his brows furrowed. "I see that someone is already fighting with the enemy. I can't see it very clearly, but it is strong too."

Samuel nodded towards Helydia, a silent signal for her to get ready. Understanding the message, she transformed into her semi-spider form, her chitinous limbs extending as she took her stance. The dense forest around them blocked their view, but they could hear powerful rumblings and sinister cracklings resonating through the trees.

The trio remained vigilant, their senses on high alert, as they slowly approached the point of conflict, ready to face whatever awaited them.

Suddenly, leaves burst from the bushes, and a huge man, clearly in his forties, was thrown backward, landing heavily at the feet of the trio. He was imposing, with a massive and muscular build, his dark red hair and beard contrasting with the tattooed skin on his left arm. A cigarette hung nonchalantly from his lips. Despite the impact, he stood up without a scratch, firmly holding a large battle axe in his hands.

Upon seeing Samuel, the man appeared perplexed. "What are you doing here, old man ? Go back to the village, it's not a place for you." But his gaze quickly lingered on Helydia, still in her semi-human form, half-human, half-spider. His eyes widened for a moment before a sly smile appeared on his lips. "Ah, I see... You are adventurers. Few people stroll around with a fucking half-spider as a companion."

Kai, his eyes burning with anger, nocked an arrow and aimed at the newcomer. "I’m going to teach you not to make fun of my friends !" His black eyes were filled with fury, ready to unleash his arrow at any moment.

But Samuel intervened, raising his voice to stop Kai. "Wait, Kai!" We need him. "If this enemy is as powerful as you say, we will need all the help we can get."

The man glanced at Samuel and shrugged with a smirk. "I won't make you say it, grandpa."

The trio, now alongside the mysterious fighter, prepared to face the enemy. They did not yet know what awaited them, but the oppressive silence of the forest, only broken by heavy and echoing footsteps, indicated that the threat was approaching quickly. They were waiting, adrenaline rising, ready to face the opponent in a confrontation that promised to be epic.