Nathan let out a long, annoyed sigh as the heavy gates clanged shut behind him. The familiar environment of the sewer greeted him. By now he must have spent more time down here than in the town above.

Of course, this would be the exit route—the guards had to be bribed for a reason. It turned out the brokers used these tunnels to smuggle people and goods in and out of the town, a passage beneath the city’s bustling streets.

Nathan glanced down at the crumpled piece of paper in his hand, a rough map drawn by Erebus, showing the path he needed to follow to reach an exit. The ink was smudged from the dampness in the air, making it difficult to decipher. Unfortunately, his meagre credits hadn’t been enough to cover the cost of a guide.

As he assessed his situation, Nathan’s thoughts turned to the recent battle that had left him battered and bruised. His right arm, still bandaged and immobilized in a cast, throbbed with a dull pain, a constant reminder of his current weakness.

Most of his belongings were left behind at the inn, now inaccessible and likely lost to him forever. He reached out and played with the ring hanging from a chain on his neck, “At least I still have this. Would be a shame to loose my mothers ring just days after I picked it up again.”

For now, he would have to rely on his experience, foraging for food and avoiding unnecessary confrontations.

Navigating the tunnels with careful, deliberate steps, Nathan avoided any dangerous creatures that might lurk in the shadows. He was used to the twisting and repeating corridors by now, the damp environment barely impacting his mood.

The walls were slick with moss and grime, and the occasional rat skittered across his path, its eyes gleaming in the dim light. With his timepiece broken, Nathan had no reliable way to measure time, making the journey stretch on for an eternity.

After what felt like hours, Nathan finally stumbled upon a smaller, unevenly dug tunnel—a clear sign of more recent construction. The rough-hewn walls were narrower, forcing him to duck as he made his way through.

Eager to escape the oppressive stench and claustrophobic surroundings, he quickened his pace. As he emerged from the tunnel, the daylight hit him, blinding him for a moment before his eyes adjusted. He paused, breathing deeply to savour the fresh air that filled his lungs, a stark contrast to the foul atmosphere he had just left behind.

Nathan found himself on the side of a hill, overlooking a sprawling landscape bathed in the golden light of the unchanging sun.

The air was crisp and invigorating, a cool breeze rustling the leaves of the trees that dotted the hillside. Below him, a dense forest stretched out, its canopy a mix of greens, with patches of autumn gold beginning to appear. Rolling hills rose and fell in the distance, the terrain gradually flattening out into a vast plain that extended as far as the eye could see.

Nathan stretched his limbs, wincing slightly as the movement pulled at the still-healing muscles in his shoulder. The exhaustion from his ordeal began to fade, replaced by a sense of calm as he took in the natural beauty around him. The wilderness was both a challenge and a refuge, a place where he could rely on his own skills without interference from others.

As he moved through the landscape, Nathan’s long-forgotten foraging skills slowly came back to him. The last time he had lived off the land felt like a lifetime ago, and though he was rusty, the knowledge was still there. I grew soft once I had powerful enough skills and stats, he admitted to himself.

Along the way, he collected berries and mushrooms, examining each carefully before adding it to his small stash. Occasionally, he would snack on his findings as he traversed the rugged terrain.

When he came across a river, its clear, cold water cutting through the landscape like a silver ribbon, Nathan took the opportunity to wash away the grime of the sewers. He plunged into the icy water, the shock of it driving the last remnants of exhaustion from his body. He scrubbed his clothes clean, hanging them on nearby branches to dry as he started a fire to keep warm.

The crackling flames provided both warmth and comfort and Nathan fell asleep slumped against a sturdy oak tree, his spear resting across his lap, its familiar weight a source of reassurance in the vast, untamed wilderness.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

His sleep was abruptly interrupted by a nightmare, causing him to jolt awake, his hand instinctively gripping his spear. Nathan let out a dark chuckle, his breath misting in the cool air. “At least the nightmares keep my mind sharp in the morning,” he muttered to himself, wiping the cold sweat from his brow.

Gathering his belongings, Nathan smiled grimly. His shoulder felt better already; the unnatural resilience granted by the tower was proving its worth. “Damn, if I don’t feel more relaxed with no other people around. I guess if anyone’s suited for the Lone Wolf perk, it’s me,” he mused, adjusting the strap of his pack as he set off once more.

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Two days later, Nathan was traversing a light forest. The trees here were young, their trunks slender and their branches reaching upward, striving for the light that filtered through the canopy.

It couldn’t compare to the ancient, towering forest he had entered upon first arriving in the tower—these trees were merely decades old, not centuries. The forest floor was a carpet of fallen leaves, soft underfoot, with the occasional patch of moss or cluster of wildflowers adding splashes of colour to the muted palette of greens and browns.

With his heightened perception, Nathan heard all manner of animals that would have evaded his notice earlier. Squirrels chattered in the trees, their bushy tails flicking as they scampered from branch to branch.

Various birds flew overhead, their songs blending into a symphony of nature. He had removed the cast from his arm, leaving only the bandage around the wound, which was already beginning to itch as it healed. The tower would prevent permanent injuries—everything would heal in time—but for now, the arm remained stiff, a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things.

Suddenly, he halted, crouching low to the ground as he spotted tracks pressed into the soft earth. The distinct, cloven prints belonged to wild boars. Nathan examined them closely, noting the depth and size, which suggested a small group had passed through recently.

He was fairly confident he could handle a fight with common animals, even in his current condition, but there was no need to take unnecessary risks. The forest was peaceful for now, but Nathan knew that danger could lurk behind any tree or bush.

He veered off course, deciding to avoid the boars altogether. It wouldn’t take long to find the trial now, and he wanted to give his injury another day to heal.

Nathan knew he was close when the sounds of the forest suddenly ceased, replaced by an eerie stillness that hung in the air like a shroud. He had grown accustomed to the constant chatter of small animals over the past few days, and the unnatural silence left him deeply unsettled. In addition, he felt a tingling deep in his body, a sign of the high concentration of ephemeral energies surrounding the trial. The air seemed thicker here, charged with an unseen power that made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end.

Slowing his pace, Nathan walked the rest of the way leisurely, finally stepping into a large clearing. It was filled with ancient statues, towering over the landscape like forgotten sentinels. The statues were hewn from rough stone, their surfaces weathered and worn down by time, their features barely recognizable.

Standing more than three meters tall, they loomed over him, their presence both awe-inspiring and unsettling. The moss-covered giants seemed to watch him with sightless eyes, their expressions eroded by centuries of exposure to the elements.

Despite all he had seen in his life, Nathan couldn’t help but feel a sense of wonder as he gazed upon them. The clearing was bathed in the golden light of the sun, casting long shadows that stretched out like fingers across the ground. Entering the clearing in silence, as if not to disturb the atmosphere, he set up camp, choosing a spot near the edge of the clearing where the ground was soft with moss.

After emptying his flask and finishing the rest of his foraged provisions, he lay down on the moss, the cool, damp earth beneath him surprisingly comfortable. The exhaustion from his journey caught up with him, and he soon succumbed to his weariness.

For the first time in a while, Nathan woke up feeling fully rested, his mind undisturbed by nightmares.

He stretched and packed up his belongings, gripping his spear securely as he headed toward the centre of the clearing. His path led him through the field of statues, passing dozens of them.

As he moved closer to the centre, their features became clearer, the rough stone giving way to smoother surfaces where the passage of time had been kinder.

The statues’ faces, though still worn, seemed almost lifelike, their expressions solemn and contemplative. Finally, Nathan stepped onto a stone platform set meters away from the nearest statues, as if they were keeping their distance, guarding whatever secrets lay at the heart of the clearing.

A strong sense of exhaustion overcame him, and Nathan didn’t resist as he laid down and closed his eyes. It felt as if no time had passed at all when he shot awake again, finding himself standing in a dirty alley, reminiscent of the ones he had passed through just days ago.

Congratulations, Nathan Andrews.

You have entered the Assassin’s Trial.

Kill your target within 48 hours and stay unnoticed after their death for at least an hour to clear the Trial.

Your target is: Ria Aaltink, Prisoner.