Charlie darted through the forest, his breath coming in sharp, frantic gasps as he pushed his legs to the limit. "Shit, shit, shit!" he cursed under his breath, glancing over his shoulder to see a volley of arrows whizzing past, fired by the goblins chasing him. His face contorted into an exaggerated expression of panic—his eyes bulging comically, mouth stretching wide as if the absurdity of the situation was too much for even his cartoonish instincts to handle.

His limbs flailed as he zigzagged between trees, narrowly avoiding each arrow in increasingly ridiculous fashion, his body twisting and turning in unnatural ways as if governed more by toon physics than anything resembling real life.

Without realizing it, Charlie ran straight off the edge of a cliff, his feet continuing to paddle in the air as though the ground were still beneath him. The only thing keeping him suspended was the blissful ignorance of his situation. He glanced down, a slow dawning of realization creeping across his face just before he came to a stop midair.

“Uh-oh…” Charlie gulped.

Before he could fall, his tiny devil and angel popped up on either shoulder, both wearing matching expressions of concern.

"Charlie, buddy, we can help you!" the angel said, speaking in a soothing, yet urgent tone.

"Yeah, yeah, let’s get the hell outta here!" the devil added, more impatient as he snapped his fingers, summoning a glowing door that floated in midair next to them.

Charlie didn't need convincing. "Yep, yep, take me back!" He dove headfirst through the door, disappearing just as gravity began to assert itself. The world blurred around him, and with a soft thud, he landed right back where he’d started—standing before the girl tied up by the goblins.

"Well… uh, thanks, guys," Charlie muttered as his devil and angel vanished into thin air.

The girl raised an eyebrow, her purple eyes glinting with irritation. "Can you untie me already?" she snapped, her voice sharp but measured.

Charlie, still catching his breath, scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Uh… yeah, about that." He looked her over, noticing the intensity in her gaze, something about her sharp, focused expression making him feel on edge. "I'll cut you loose, but there's a condition."

She scoffed, shifting slightly in her bindings. "A condition? Really? What do you want?"

He tried to stand a bit taller, feigning confidence. "Join my team," he said. "I could use someone like you."

Her eyes narrowed, skepticism clear in her expression. "Your team? For what, exactly?"

Charlie straightened his shoulders, channeling a bit of bravado. "To fight the strongest man in the world."

She raised an eyebrow, the faintest hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "Is that all?" Her voice was laced with sarcasm but also something else—maybe a trace of curiosity.

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"Yep." Charlie said, awkwardly fumbling for a stick to use as a makeshift knife. "So… deal or no deal?"

The girl rolled her eyes. "Sure, whatever. I'll join your team."

Satisfied with her answer, Charlie knelt beside her and started cutting through the ropes that bound her hands. As he worked, he caught a glimpse of her up close—her features were youthful, almost deceptively innocent, but there was a hard edge to her, something in the way she carried herself that told him she was far more dangerous than she let on.

"So, what's your name?" he asked, trying to make conversation as the ropes fell away.

"Kuri," she replied simply, grabbing her staff from the ground and slinging it over her shoulder as soon as she was free. Her movements were quick and purposeful, like someone who’d seen battle more times than she cared to admit.

"And you’re Charlie, right?" she asked, glancing over him. "Why's your skin so dark? I’ve never seen anyone like you before."

Charlie stiffened at the bluntness of her question, feeling a sudden awkwardness settle over the conversation. "Uh… what?"

"No offense," Kuri said, her tone more curious than judgmental. "It’s just, I don’t remember seeing anyone like you in Arcethelis. Maybe it’s because I don’t remember much."

Charlie muttered under his breath, "Okay, a little racist." Then, louder, he asked, "Wait, where’s Arcethelis? You don’t remember?"

Kuri frowned, her brow furrowing slightly. "Not really. I know it’s where I’m from, but the details… they’re blurry." She sounded almost frustrated by the admission.

Charlie rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Well, okay. I guess we’ll figure it out. But first, we need to head to the city. There’s a safe zone there, and we could use some supplies." He paused, then added with a grin, "And officially say you’re on my team."

Kuri sighed but nodded. "Fine. I’ll join your team."

As soon as she spoke, a glowing blue message flashed before Charlie’s eyes: Kuri has joined Charlie’s team.

---

Further down the path, Koshkin strolled leisurely through the dappled forest light, his deep purple fur catching the sun as it filtered through the trees. Mikage followed closely behind, his sharp gaze scanning their surroundings with quiet precision.

"How did you know about me?" Mikage asked, his voice calm and composed, as though the answer was more for his own curiosity than anything else.

Koshkin grinned, his feline eyes gleaming with amusement. "Oh, I have my ways." His crow companion perched on his shoulder, whispering something in his ear that made Koshkin chuckle. "Looks like we’re about to have company," he added cryptically.

They soon came across a clearing where an army of skeletons and goblins were gathered around a roaring bonfire. At the center of it all was a massive orc, his green skin gleaming in the firelight, his bulging muscles flexing as he bellowed with laughter.

Koshkin’s eyes narrowed, and with a sly smile, he called out, "Oi, fat ass!"

The laughter died instantly. The orc turned slowly, his eyes narrowing dangerously as he looked over Koshkin. "Who you calling fat, little kitten?"

Koshkin’s grin only widened. "My bad, my bad. Didn’t mean to offend." His tone was smooth, almost mocking. "Actually, I was wondering if you’d like to join my team."

The orc’s face twisted in confusion, then in amusement. "Join your team? Ha! No, I can’t leave my people. We’ve just recruited these goblins—why would I abandon them?"

The goblins around the fire nodded vigorously in agreement. "Yeah, we’re staying!"

Mikage, watching the exchange with interest, raised an eyebrow. "How do you plan to convince him?"

Koshkin’s smile deepened. "Oh, I’ve got a little something up my sleeve."

With a flick of his paw, Koshkin conjured a glowing portal, shimmering with otherworldly light. "How about this? I have a court, outside of time and space. Your people can party there forever—no aging, no dying, and an endless supply of food and drink."

The orc’s eyes widened. "Really? You can do that?"

Koshkin gave a casual nod. "Absolutely. They’ll be living in paradise. And you… well, you can join me."

The skeletons and goblins immediately started cheering. "Yeah! We want that!"

With a satisfied grin, Koshkin opened the portal wide, and one by one, the orc’s followers marched through, disappearing into the shimmering gateway.

When the last goblin had gone, the orc turned to Koshkin, impressed. "Alright, you’ve got me. I’ll join your team." He held out a massive hand. "Name’s Randel."

A blue message flashed in the air: Randel has joined Koshkin’s team.

Koshkin shook his hand with a smirk. "Welcome aboard, Randel."

Mikage stepped forward, offering a nod. "And I’m Mikage. The cat is Koshkin, in case there was any confusion."

Randel scratched his head, looking between them. "Oh, I thought you were Koshkin." He laughed heartily. "Guess I got that wrong."

Koshkin chuckled. "You’ll get used to it. Now, let’s get to the city."

Randel frowned. "City? Where’s that?"

Koshkin gestured to the road. "Just follow the path. It’ll take us there."

Randel’s grin returned. "Then what are we waiting for?"

As the trio set

off, a newfound camaraderie settled between them, the promise of adventure and danger just beyond the horizon.