Solian walked over and picked up the crown lying next to the corpse.
"Guess I have no place to store it except my head."
The moment the crown touched his hair, his eyes flickered as new information forced its way into his mind.
NEW RELIC UNLOCKED
"A relic?"
He raised an eyebrow at the words appearing in his mind.
Crown of the Goblin King
Once worn by the ruler of the lower tribes, its authority lingers in the eyes of lesser beings.
Passive: Fear of the King — Lesser creatures will no longer attack unless threatened.
Active: None
Even though he was growing more familiar with these strange bursts of information, the thought of something freely accessing his mind still made him uneasy.
He reached for the broken sword lying nearby and picked it up, but nothing appeared.
'Is it because it's broken?'
The thought made him pause for a moment.
"Whatever…"
Solian tossed the sword aside and watched as it slid across the floor.
He rose to his full height and took a deep breath. Finally, he could think clearly without distractions.
'Now where am I… really?'
His eyes scanned the area before he started walking. Without looking down, he stepped on the goblin king's head, the remaining skull collapsing beneath his boot and drenching it in brain matter.
He left the chamber through the shattered door and began navigating the winding tunnels in search of an exit.
As he walked, his thoughts wandered.
'Seems like the only things I brought with me are the clothes I wore, my glove, and a gold coin…'
He paused, brow furrowing.
'Wait… My clothes?'
"Information," he said in his mind, and the answer came instantly.
Leather Glove… Gold Coin… Ah, there it is.
Hunter's Outfit
Once worn by those who braved the endless hunt. On the coldest nights, the dying were wrapped in their own coats, so the next might find them warm. It was said the cloth remembered every death it sheltered, and learned not to tear again.
Passive: Self-Repairing, Sturdy
Active: Summonable
"Descriptions? How did I miss those?"
Solian clapped his cheeks lightly and refocused on the remaining relics.
Hunter's Leather Glove
Recovered from a forgotten age of hunters. They fought in silence, for sound betrayed hesitation. The glove was both weapon and shroud, those who mastered it lived long enough to watch every ally fall.
Passive: Impenetrable, Weak Spot
Active: Parry, Summonable
Hunter's Gold Coin
Forged not for wealth but remembrance. When a hunter fell, a coin was placed upon their tongue so they would not speak again in death. Some say the ones who swallowed theirs never truly died.
Passive: Indestructible
Active: Summonable
"Four relics including the crown…"
He thought for a moment, then dismissed the information and continued forward.
He stopped in front of a puddle of blood and leaned forward.
"Tsk… seems like it doesn't reflect anything."
Unable to see whether his own face had followed him to this place, Solian straightened up and kept walking.
Realising he had forgotten one thing Solian summoned the information once again as he walked focusing on his passives rather than relics.
Hunter's Calm
Born from an age when hunters stood between man and nightmare. To tremble was to die, so they learned to sever emotion from flesh. In time, their stillness outlived their names.
Passive: When others break, the bearer endures. Stillness is both their weapon and their curse.
Hunter's Physique
Those who faced the endless hunt found their bodies bending to survive. Their hearts grew slower, their senses sharper, and their thoughts colder. They adapted until adaptation was all they were.
Passive: Heightens all physical and mental faculties, perfecting survival at the cost of self.
'So that's why I was able to perform so well, all things considered.'
He pressed through a crack in the wall, and the moment he passed, a flood of iron scent washed over him.
He grimaced slightly as he stepped into the open space.
Countless goblin bodies lay scattered across the floor, and among them, four humans.
Solian walked over and began to search their pockets carefully.
They didn't have much, but he managed to fill a small pouch with about fifty gold coins.
His gaze shifted to a hammer resting on the stone beside a fallen hand.
"I shouldn't go on without a weapon."
He tucked the pouch into his coat and bent down to grab the hammer. The moment his fingers closed around the shaft, a sharp ache exploded through his hand.
A metallic clang echoed through the cave as Solian flinched and dropped the weapon.
He shook his hand, trying to rid himself of the pain, only for it to grow worse.
"Huh?"
He stared at his glove, searching for any sign of damage, but the leather was untouched.
"Why doe—"
The words died in his throat as his knees buckled, and he stumbled forward. His teeth clenched as he pressed his trembling hand against his abdomen, desperate to feel anything other than the freezing pain burning through him.
Time lost meaning. Eventually, his breathing steadied, and the pain dulled to a deep, hollow throb.
"What the hell was that…?"
He stayed on his knees, gasping softly, until the cold faded and the world felt solid again.
And then, as if answering his thoughts, new information poured into his mind.
CURSE DISCOVERED
Hunter's Curse
The hunters believed strength should be carved from one's own flesh, not borrowed from the hands of others. To wield a weapon unearned was heresy, and through ages of blood and conviction, that creed became truth. Their bodies turned to weapons, their relics to extensions of that will. All else bleeds upon their touch, unfit to serve the Hunt.
Passive: The bearer is bound to the tools of the hunt. Weapons of mortal craft will inflict rejection.
"A curse?"
He flicked his hand again, trying to shake off the last remnants of pain lingering in his fingers.
'Guess I'll go without a weapon, then.'
The thought left a sour taste in his mouth.
While he'd been able to land a fatal blow, the lack of reach without a weapon made him uneasy. Not to mention how limited he'd be without one.
He glanced toward the two unexplored tunnels before choosing the one on the left.
His footsteps echoed softly as his boots struck the stone floor.
After nearly twenty minutes of walking, the flicker of torchlight finally gave way to something brighter, sunlight spilling into the cave.
"Finally."
Solian raised an arm to shield his eyes from the blinding light as he stepped outside.
The moment he did, a warm wind rolled over him, carrying the scent of flowers and lush vegetation.
It took a moment for his eyes to adjust, but soon he lowered his arm and took in the view.
White-barked trees stretched endlessly before him, each crowned with leaves so vividly green they made the grass below look pale in comparison.
Solian began walking along a narrow creek that snaked its way downhill from the cave's mouth.
He crouched beside it and scooped up a handful of water. He hesitated for a moment, then brought it to his lips and drank.
'Tastes like leather…'
With a thought, the glove on his left hand vanished, dissolving into faint golden particles.
He dipped his bare hand again, drinking deeply this time, and exhaled.
"That's better."
He wiped his hand on his leg and straightened his back.
"Now… where to go from here…"
It was strange.
Even though Solian had appeared in an unfamiliar place, surrounded by creatures he had never seen before, he wasn't afraid.
Everything around him was new, alien, but he felt something close to excitement.
Any thought of returning to his own world had already faded, almost as if erased from his mind.
It was as though he had lost a piece of himself the moment he arrived here… and gained something else in return.
Solian pulled his right hand from his pocket and studied its mangled state.
'It's already starting to heal… another gift from Hunter's Physique, maybe?'
He dipped the hand into the creek, letting the cold water wash away dirt and dried blood. Then he took out a piece of ripped cloth he had taken from the fallen humans and wrapped it tightly around his wounded hand.
"It'll have to do for now."
He followed the creek for a while, the sound of flowing water keeping him company, until something unnatural began to break the pattern of grass and stone, lines carved into the earth.
When he stepped onto the dirt road, he felt a faint sense of relief stir in his chest.
"I should be able to meet some humans sooner or later… as long as I follow the road."
The sun had started to sink below the horizon before he heard something rumbling form the distance.
He turn to look towards the sound, before taking cover behind a nearby bush
Moments later, an armored utility truck came into view, engine roaring as it sped down the dirt road.
Solian stepped out and raised his hands, standing in the middle of the path.
Tires screamed against the ground as the truck skidded to a stop.
Its doors slammed open and four men jumped out, rifles raised, dropping to one knee as they aimed at him.
But something was wrong.
Every one of them looked terrified.
Solian hesitated, lowering his hands slightly.
"DO NOT MOVE!" one of them shouted.
He froze mid-motion, startled.
"I'm not here to hurt anyone," he said, his voice calm but uncertain. "I just came out from a goblin cave and… I'm not even sure where I am."
The men exchanged looks, disbelief and fear twisting their faces.
"How could you possibly have survived out here alone?" one of them demanded.
Solian frowned, glancing between them.
"Why wouldn't I?" he asked, genuinely confused.
The men only looked more terrified, their fingers trembling on the triggers.
"Are… are you human?" one of them whispered.
Solian tilted his head slightly, studying them.
"Yes."
He said it calmly, then decided to take a risk. With a thought, he summoned the Hunter's Leather Glove.
Light shimmered faintly for a brief moment before the glove settled on his hand.
The soldiers froze. Their fear changed into something else. Recognition. Relief.
"A bearer of light…" one of them breathed. He fell to his knees, letting his rifle drop into the dirt. "Thank God."
The man closest to him pushed himself up, resting the heel of his weapon against the ground for balance before walking forward. His expression was still cautious but no longer hostile.
Solian lowered his hands, watching him approach.
The soldier extended his right hand, then paused when he saw Solian's mangled fingers. He quickly changed hands.
Solian met the gesture, gripping firmly.
"I am Lieutenant Soth," the man said. His voice steadied as he spoke. "Seventh Brigade, Western Garrison."
He looked Solian over. "If you really walked out of that forest alive, then Heaven must have sent you."
He took a step back and gestured toward the others. "Get the stretcher and radio command. Tell them we found a survivor near the ridge."
The other soldiers hesitated for a moment before nodding and running toward the truck.
Lieutenant Soth turned back to Solian. "You're lucky we came this way. The last patrol through this sector never made it back."
Solian glanced toward the distant treeline where the cave rested. "I believe it."
After exchanging a few words and wrapping Solian's hand, Lieutenant Soth guided him to the front passenger seat before climbing into the driver's side.
The engine growled as the truck started to move. With the wheels rolling again, the tension inside seemed to ease. The soldiers in the back began to talk among themselves.
"I don't think you understand, sir, how happy my men are to see you," Soth said, his eyes fixed on the road. "Ever since our bearer died, we've been forced into firefights. Our ammunition reserves are running low. I'm not sure we would have made it another day without you."
Solian looked at him in silence, his thoughts turning.
'A bearer? Is that the same thing as a bearer of light, like he mentioned before?'
He crossed his arms.
'Perhaps someone who wields relics is called a bearer. Can't everyone use relics here? Is that why they rely on guns instead?'
Not wanting to reveal how little he knew, Solian kept his expression steady and avoided asking anything too obvious.
"Your bearer died?" he asked.
"Yes," Soth answered quietly. "A Tree Walker caught us off guard. Left a fatal wound. Killed the bearer before we could pull him out. Thankfully, he took the creature down with him."
'A bearer for each squad then?'
Solian didn't respond. He turned his gaze toward the road ahead, watching the empty stretch fade into the dim orange light of the setting sun.
The moon hung high above when Lieutenant Soth brought the armored truck to a stop.
"Alright, this will be our rest point. You know the drill," he said, addressing the men in the back.
Without a word, the soldiers began moving. Some spread out to clear the perimeter while others set up guard posts.
Solian watched in silence, his eyes following their precise movements.
He and Soth exchanged a few words as the men worked, until Soth's voice suddenly cut through the night.
"What the hell are you doing?"
Soth marched toward one of the soldiers crouched beside a pile of burning wood. He didn't hesitate to step on the kindling, crushing it under his boot.
"What were you thinking?"
The soldiers around him straightened immediately, standing at attention.
"I'm sorry, sir," the man said sharply, eyes locked forward. "I thought that since we've got a bearer in the squad again, we could start a fire and get some warm food ready."
Soth stared at him, his tone even but cold.
"Did you look at his hand? We're not risking him taking more damage. And we're not lighting a beacon for every beast in the valley."
"I understand, sir. I'll patrol the perimeter instead."
Soth gave a short nod and let him go.
He turned back toward Solian and shook his head. "Apologies. Discipline's been slipping with all the losses lately."
Solian waved a hand dismissively. "It's fine."
He glanced toward the dark treeline, then asked, "Is it that dangerous out here? Are there really that many creatures drawn to light?"
Soth sat down on a fallen tree and motioned for him to join.
"Considering you haven't been to base lately, I guess you wouldn't know," he said quietly.
He looked out toward the black forest, his expression hardening.
"The short answer is yes. Everything outside the capitals crawls with beasts. If you're unlucky, you'll meet one before you've walked fifty meters. That's why I was shocked to see you alive out here alone."
Solian kept his eyes on the treeline.
'Fifty meters, huh… that's barely a dozen steps. Guess I really did get dropped into hell.'
Soth rubbed a hand over his face before continuing.
"And lately, it's been worse. In the last few weeks, sightings have more than doubled. Command's throwing every resource we have into recon and suppression around the perimeter. Still feels like it's not enough."
Solian's eyes widened for a moment as a thought struck him.
'Was I the bearer of the squad that got killed in the goblin cave?'
The idea lingered.
It wasn't unreasonable, but it didn't explain everything.
'Why did they know my name? Why didn't they use guns? And why were they even in that cave to begin with, so unprepared?'
His thoughts shattered as one of the soldiers spoke.
"Lieutenant Soth. We've cleared the perimeter and set everything up for the night."
"Good. Lower the truck's outriggers and get some rest. Rotate the watch as usual, you know what to do."
The soldier nodded, relief showing on his face before he turned and walked back toward the truck.
"You'll have to excuse us for looking so unprofessional, Solian," Soth said. "I just can't make their lives any harder than they already are."
Solian raised his hand slightly in acknowledgment.
'I couldn't care less…'
He was about to walk away when Soth called out to him again.
"Solian."
Solian turned, meeting his eyes.
Soth hesitated before speaking. "Thank you for treating us so well."
Solian lifted an eyebrow, then waved a hand dismissively.
"It's nothing."
He turned and walked back toward the truck.
'What's that supposed to mean? Aren't you the ones helping me?'
He opened the door and stepped inside. The soldiers had already lowered their seats and were breathing heavily, fast asleep.
Solian sat down in the front seat and stared out the window. The moon hung high above, and a thin layer of dew had started to gather on the grass outside.
'Looks like it's late summer here…'
He watched the still night for a moment longer before lowering his seat. The hum of the cooling engine and the soft chirping of distant insects filled the silence.
His eyes grew heavy.
For the first time since arriving, he let the weight of everything fade and drifted into sleep.