Lance was the first to stumble out of the portal, barely managing to stay on his feet as a wave of dizziness hit him. His stomach churned, and he instinctively steadied himself against the nearest surface, blinking hard to clear his vision.

He took a moment to gather his thoughts as the others began materializing behind him, their expressions ranging from disoriented to downright nauseous.

“I feel like my insides are all screwed up,” Lance muttered, holding his stomach.

“You wouldn’t be far from the truth,” William replied, his voice dripping with amusement. “It’s long-distance travel—much longer than you’re used to. Who knows how you might pop out on the other side? Maybe a tissue or two misplaced, or food that was supposed to come out decided to head back up the digestive tract.” He snickered. “But hey, no big deal. Happens to the best of us.”

“Very reassuring,” Lance grumbled, rolling his eyes.

As the group recovered from the effects of their journey, they began to take in their surroundings. They had arrived in a quiet township, where stone and brick houses lined the narrow streets. The air felt heavy, almost oppressive, and a rugged valley loomed in the distance, shrouded in a dense, unnatural fog.

“Well, I guess we should get moving,” Felix said, heaving himself off the ground and dusting off his coat.

The others nodded in agreement, though there was a collective unease among them.

As they walked, Lance couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. The streets were eerily quiet, with only a few people visible, darting from building to building as if afraid to linger outside. Shadows seemed to stretch unnaturally long, and the atmosphere carried a palpable sense of gloom.

“Do you feel that?” Bella murmured, her fiery demeanor dimmed by the oppressive atmosphere.

“Yeah,” Lance replied, keeping his voice low. “It’s like this place is holding its breath.”

Eventually, they reached a building that stood out from the others—not because of its size but because it seemed better maintained. The stone walls were cleaner, and the windows glowed faintly with warm light, a stark contrast to the rest of the town’s dreariness.

A man stood outside, his posture stiff as he waited for them. His sharp eyes swept over the group, lingering just long enough to make Lance feel self-conscious.

“You must be the group that accepted the mission,” the man said, his voice clipped and formal. “My master is waiting inside. Please, come in.”

He pushed open the heavy wooden door, which creaked softly on its hinges. As the group stepped inside, a wave of warmth and the comforting scent of freshly baked bread washed over them.

The contrast was almost jarring. The interior was cozy, with a crackling fireplace and polished wooden furniture. A large table dominated the center of the room, laden with papers and a steaming pot of tea. Despite the welcoming atmosphere, there was an undercurrent of tension—something unspoken that hung in the air like a faint, lingering shadow.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

The group was led toward a grand hall with a long table dominating its center. Seated at the head was an elderly man who looked far older than his probable seventy-odd years. Despite his weathered appearance, his eyes lit up as they entered, and he rose to greet them.

“A pleasure to meet you all. My name is Mayor Shindall Vines, though you may simply call me Shindall.” His voice carried a tone of warmth, and there was a flicker of hope in his gaze.

“The pleasure is all ours,” Felix replied, offering a small bow.

The others quickly followed suit, their bows ranging from polite to awkward.

“Oh, please, there’s no need for such formalities,” Shindall said with a chuckle, motioning for them to sit. Following his own advice, he settled back into his seat at the head of the table. The group took their places, some more hesitantly than others.

Moments later, a side door opened, and a procession of servants streamed into the room, each carrying a platter of food. The scent of roasted meats, fresh bread, and savory spices filled the air, and Lance’s stomach growled audibly.

The servants placed the dishes on the table and departed without a word, leaving the group with a veritable feast.

“Please, enjoy yourselves,” Shindall said, gesturing toward the platters.

They began serving themselves politely—except for Kade, who piled his plate high with reckless abandon and dug in with enthusiasm.

Bella elbowed him sharply. “Kade, manners!” she hissed under her breath.

“What?” Kade grinned, unfazed. “This good man is treating us to a meal. It wouldn’t be polite to refuse, would it? And, for the record, this is amazing food.”

The mayor laughed heartily, a sound that filled the room with unexpected warmth. “Thank you, my young friend. Very few are so blunt and honest with me. It’s quite refreshing, actually.”

The laughter faded into an awkward silence as they ate, the group still adjusting to the situation and each other. Eventually, Shindall broke the tension, setting down his utensils with a soft clink.

“Now that your stomachs are full, let’s get down to business.” His tone turned serious, and he leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. “As you likely know, our small town’s fields have been plagued by forest karpoi for some time. These creatures have been destroying our crops, and the situation is becoming dire. We need you to exterminate them before they cause any more damage. My assistant will lead you to the outskirts of town and assist you in your task. Any questions?”

Most of the group shook their heads, but Lyra leaned forward, her brows furrowed. “Do you have any idea why the forest karpoi are behaving this way? It’s unusual for them to act so aggressively.”

Shindall sighed, his shoulders sagging. “We don’t know yet. I’ve sent men to investigate, but so far, they’ve found nothing definitive.”

At that moment, his assistant leaned down and whispered something into his ear. The mayor’s expression darkened further, and he rose from his seat with a weary nod. “It seems I must take my leave. This crisis demands much of my attention. I trust you’ll handle the task with urgency.”

With that, Shindall departed briskly, leaving the group in contemplative silence.

“Well, that was enlightening,” William said, his voice breaking the quiet.

“I suppose we should get moving,” Lance suggested, standing. “The sooner we deal with this, the better.”

The others nodded in agreement.

Shindall’s assistant stepped forward, bowing slightly. “My name is Lucas. Please, follow me.”

Lucas led them through the back of the estate and out a sturdy wooden door that opened into a small stable. A cart was waiting, its wheels creaking softly as it shifted in place.

“Please climb in. I will be driving you to your destination.”

Without hesitation, the group clambered into the back of the cart. The rough wooden planks jostled them slightly as the cart rumbled forward, leaving the warmth of the estate behind and heading into the misty unknown.