*You have slain [Gluttonous Python- lvl 25 - experience earned. 922,521 SP earned*

*DING!* CLASS: [Knight Of Vow] has reached level 26 - Stat points allocated, +2 Free points*

Jason sat with his back against a tree, the flickering campfire casting shadows across his face. He glanced over at Baru, who was meticulously cleaning his bow, ensuring it was in perfect condition for their next hunt.

"That Gluttonous Python was something else, huh?" Jason began, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled over the camp.

Baru looked up, a grin spreading across his face. "No kidding. That thing was a nightmare. Took us a good hour to bring it down."

Jason nodded, remembering the fight vividly. "Yeah, those scales were like armor. My sword barely made a scratch. And every time it lunged, I thought it was going to swallow one of us whole."

Baru chuckled, a sound that was both weary and triumphant. "Lucky we had Kira with her fire magic to soften it up. Without her, I don't think we would have stood a chance."

As they reminisced, the other team members began to join the conversation. Kira, the team's fire mage, settled down beside Jason, her eyes still alight with the thrill of battle. "You guys should have seen the look on its face when my fireball hit it square in the eye. Priceless."

Darius, the team's brute force, laughed heartily. "And then you, Jason, jumping in with that crazy move, slashing at its throat. I thought you were done for when it whipped around."

Jason shrugged modestly, a small smile playing on his lips. "Just doing my part. We all did."

Time passed as the team recounted the day's events, their camaraderie growing stronger with each shared story. When they finally finished harvesting the Gluttonous Python, the decision to set up a small camp for rest was unanimous. The grueling fight and the meticulous process of harvesting had taken its toll on everyone.

Jason volunteered to take the first watch, letting his teammates get some much-needed sleep. He sat near the campfire, his eyes scanning the dark forest for any signs of danger. As the flames crackled and popped, his thoughts drifted back to the events of the past week.

About more than a week ago...

"Everyone has a role here," John had explained when they first arrived at the settlement. "We work as a unit. If one part fails, the whole system suffers. You’ll be assigned tasks based on your skills, and you’re expected to pull your weight."

Jason had nodded, taking in the various stations they passed. There was a blacksmith forging weapons, a communal kitchen where meals were being prepared, and a medical tent treating minor injuries. Each area was efficiently organized, a testament to the leadership and structure of the Stormbringers.As they continued the tour, Jason couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt. He thought about Sam and the conflict that had led to their separation. Jason hoped that, wherever Sam was, he was safe.

John had finally led them to a designated sleeping area, a section of the settlement where newcomers were housed until they proved their worth. "This is where you’ll be staying for now," John said. "Get some rest. Tomorrow, you’ll start your assignments."

'Sigh...' Jason mentally sigh.

The memory brought a mix of emotions to Jason’s face. He smiled slightly at the thought of how far they’d come, but the frustration of not knowing Sam’s fate gnawed at him. He closed his eyes for a moment, shaking his head as he recalled the disbanding of his original group. Rebecca had been assigned to another team that needed a healer, and the same had happened to Jessica and Robert, who had been placed with teams needing a caster and a rogue.

As the night wore on, Jason kept his vigil, his mind wandering between the past and the present. He hoped that the Stormbringers’ settlement would provide the safety and stability they desperately needed, but he couldn’t shake the feeling of responsibility for Sam. Wherever his friend was, Jason hoped he was okay and that one day they would reunite.

A few hours passed, and Jason's team began to wake up one by one. As they stirred, the camaraderie of the team quickly reignited, and conversations sparked up around the dying campfire.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

"Morning, Jason," Baru greeted, stretching and yawning. "How was the watch?"

Jason chuckled, waving off the concern with a casual smile. "I'm fine, Baru. Don't worry about me. Besides, you all needed the rest more than I did."

One by one, the rest of the team awoke and gathered their things. They cleaned up the camp meticulously, ensuring no traces were left behind. Just as they were about to head back to the Stormbringers settlement, a distant sound reached their ears, the unmistakable rhythm of marching steps.

They froze, exchanging silent glances. Baru raised his hand, signaling for silence, and began to communicate using hand signs. The team fell into formation, with Jason taking up the rear since he was carrying the Gluttonous Python they had harvested. Baru and Darius led the way, their senses heightened and alert.

Moving stealthily towards the sound, the team soon came upon a chilling sight. A group of more than ten humans with completely white, pupil-less eyes moved through the forest. Their movements were rigid and puppet-like, yet disturbingly coordinated.

Baru slowly backed away, motioning for the team to retreat. Once they were at a safe distance, he explained in detail what he had seen. The tension among the team members was palpable. They knew the Stormbringers’ orders, eliminate any humans with blank eyes, but they were vastly outnumbered.

Jason thought quickly. "We need to go back and report this. We're not equipped to take them on ourselves."

The team nodded in agreement, and they began to move away as quietly as possible. But just as they were about to slip away, disaster struck. Darius accidentally stepped on a dry tree branch, the loud crack echoing through the forest.

They turned to see the blank-eyed humans snapping their heads towards them in eerie unison. Panic surged through Jason and his team as Baru shouted, "RUN!!!"

They sprinted through the forest, dodging a barrage of arrows and fireballs. The pursuit was relentless. The blank eyed humans moved like machines, their stamina seemingly endless. Despite their best efforts, Jason and his team began to tire.

Thirty minutes into the chase, the gap between them and their pursuers started to close. Desperation clawed at them. Jason's breath came in ragged gasps as he pushed himself to keep moving.

Suddenly, Darius stopped. "What are you doing?!" Baru yelled, anger and fear mingling in his voice.

Darius turned with a determined look in his eyes. "If we keep going like this, we'll all get caught. I'll stay behind to buy you time."

"No! That's insane!" Baru protested.

Darius smiled sadly. "This is my responsibility. I caused this. Now, go! Run and don't look back. Don't let my sacrifice be in vain."

The team hesitated, their hearts heavy with the weight of Darius's decision. But as the blank-eyed humans closed in, they had no choice. With a final, anguished look back, they turned and ran.

Darius watched them go, a sigh escaping his lips. He turned to face the oncoming horde, gripping his axe tightly. "Come on, then," he muttered to himself, steeling his resolve. "Let's see what you’ve got."

As Jason and the rest of the team fled through the forest, the sounds of battle echoed behind them. Each clash of steel and cry of pain was a reminder of the sacrifice being made. They pushed themselves harder, driven by the hope that Darius's brave stand would give them the time they needed to escape.

Some times later...

In a different part of the settlement, inside a dimly lit wooden lodge, Kaya, the leader of the Stormbringers, was slumped over a table, her red hair splayed out around her like a fiery halo. Her face, partially hidden by her hair, bore the signs of exhaustion.

Suddenly, the tranquility was shattered by loud, urgent knocks on the door. "Leader, are you inside?" John’s voice called out anxiously, the knocking becoming more insistent.

Kaya stirred, groaning softly as she lifted her head and rubbed her temples, trying to shake off the grogginess. "How long was I asleep?" she muttered to herself, shaking her head to clear it. Gathering her composure, she called out, "Come in, John."

John burst through the door, his expression tense and urgent. Kaya's eyes narrowed as she took in his demeanor. "What happened?" she demanded, her tone sharp and authoritative.

"The blank-eyed humans have appeared again," John said, his voice strained. "Their numbers are increasing. We’ve also lost contact with the Azure Bird and Black Tortoise teams. They were due back yesterday, but there’s been no sign of them."

Kaya’s expression darkened, her amber eyes flashing with fury. Electricity began to crackle around her, an unstable storm reflecting her rage. "Are you certain?" she asked, her voice dangerously low.

John nodded, his face pale. "Yes, Leader. There’s been no trace of them. We fear the worst."

Before Kaya could respond, the door was thrown open again. Jason stumbled in, his breathing heavy and his face drenched in sweat. Kaya's gaze snapped to him, her anger momentarily giving way to surprise.

"What's the meaning of this?" she snapped, her voice cutting through the tension in the room.

Jason, still gasping for air, managed to speak. "Blank-eyed humans... more than ten of them... my team... we escaped, but we lost Darius. He stayed behind to buy us time," he panted, his words tumbling out in a rush.

Kaya’s eyes blazed with fury, but she quickly suppressed it, forcing herself to remain calm. She couldn't afford to let her emotions cloud her judgment now. "John, gather all the members in front of the lodge. We need to warn and inform everyone about the blank-eyed humans. We cannot afford to drop our guard now, I don't want the past incident to repeat once again," she ordered, her voice cold and commanding.

John nodded and hurried out of the lodge, his urgency palpable. Kaya turned her attention back to Jason, who was still catching his breath. "You did well to make it back alive," she said, her tone softer but still firm. "Rest for now. We’ll need everyone at their best."

Jason nodded, his mind still racing with the harrowing events of their escape. As Kaya moved to organize the settlement’s defenses, Jason slumped against the wall, his exhaustion finally catching up to him.