House Ning's estate sat proudly at the heart of North Pine Town, a settlement once so small it barely warranted a name. Decades ago, it had been nothing more than a humble cluster of thatched roofs, where farmers lived off barley and hunters traded pelts for salt. But that was before Baron Ren Ning took control, before House Ning brought order, trade, and protection.
Now, North Pine Town was alive with the hum of morning markets and the scent of fresh bread drifting through its cobblestone streets. Over six thousand residents called it home. It wasn't just a town anymore, it was proof of what a noble family could build with vision and strength.
As Jiang Ning's small force rode through the town square, people waved and bowed. Shopkeepers left their stalls, mothers pulled children from the streets to watch, and even a few old veterans saluted from shaded benches.
"Good morning, young lord!"
"May the heavens protect your journey!"
Jiang Ning raised a gloved hand in acknowledgment, offering a small smile. He didn't linger, every minute mattered, but the warmth in the people's eyes stirred something in him. In his previous life, this same town had been reduced to rubble during the civil war. Seeing it so vibrant again made his heart ache.
Not this time, he vowed silently. This time, I'll protect it all.
They rode through the eastern gate and left the bustle behind. The dirt road soon gave way to the shadowed outline of the Evergreen Forest, its towering pines reaching skyward like silent sentinels. Mist curled through the trunks, and shafts of sunlight broke through in thin, golden threads.
The horses slowed instinctively as the trail narrowed, a winding, uneven path just wide enough for a carriage. Most travelers avoided this route entirely. Monsters roamed here, drawn to the thick mana that pulsed through the ancient woods.
Even trained warriors tread carefully.
The only sounds were the rhythmic thuds of hooves and the rustle of pine needles underfoot.
Henry rode at the front, guiding them with practiced ease. Rigor brought up the rear, his shield glinting dully in the dim light, while Aldrin kept his eyes scanning the treeline, spear ready.
Jiang Ning rode between Ronan and Henry, his senses alert. Every birdcall and snapping twig made his fingers twitch toward the rifle strapped across his back.
The deeper they went, the darker it became.
Aldrin muttered under his breath, "I hate this forest. Always feels like something's watching."
Rigor grinned. "That's because something probably is."
"Enough," Henry said sharply, glancing back. "Stay focused."
The younger knight immediately fell silent.
They pressed on until the faint rush of water reached their ears. Soon, the trees opened to reveal a narrow river snaking through the forest, the Butterfly Creek. The clear water shimmered as it flowed over smooth stones, catching the sunlight like liquid glass.
"This is the one that feeds Silent Lake," Henry noted. "We'll follow it east until we reach the gorge."
Jiang Ning nodded, glancing toward the horizon. Beyond those trees lay the vast expanse of Silent Lake, a body of water known as much for its beauty as for its hidden dangers.
"Keep your distance from the banks," Rigor warned. "The lake connects to this stream. If an Ironback Crocodile or a Gold-Spotted White Anaconda decides to sunbathe, we'll regret getting too close."
Henry smirked. "You speak from experience?"
"Two broken ribs," Rigor grunted. "And half a horse."
A ripple of uneasy laughter passed through the group.
They continued along the creekside trail, the air growing cooler as the afternoon sun began its descent. The landscape shifted gradually, trees giving way to rough stone, the gentle river turning into a shallow, rocky stream. The sound of flowing water deepened into an echoing roar as the terrain sloped downward.
After nearly two hours of travel, they reached a narrow valley flanked by steep red cliffs. The sunlight reflecting off the rock gave the gorge its name, Red Toad Gorge.
Henry raised a hand. "We're here, my lord."
Jiang Ning dismounted, boots splashing lightly into the stream. The air smelled of damp earth and iron. He looked around, eyes narrowing. The place was quiet, too quiet.
Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.
The others dismounted as well, forming a defensive semicircle.
"Keep your guard up," Jiang Ning murmured. "The cave should be at the far end of the gorge."
Henry nodded, motioning for the others to move out. He led the way, stepping carefully over jagged stones slick with moss. Behind him came Jiang Ning, Ronan, Aldrin, and finally Rigor, whose heavy armor clanked softly with every step.
The silence pressed in on them as they advanced. Not even insects buzzed in the air. The sound of their boots and the trickling stream were the only things anchoring them to reality.
Then-
A roar split the stillness.
It was deep, guttural, and so powerful it shook loose small stones from the cliff walls.
Jiang Ning froze. The horses whinnied and reared in panic, nearly throwing their riders.
Everyone turned toward the direction of the sound, the far end of the gorge, where shadows gathered thickest.
"That came from the cave," Aldrin said, his knuckles whitening around his spear.
The roar came again, echoing through the stone walls like a thunderclap. The ground itself seemed to vibrate with fury.
Henry's face hardened. "That's no ordinary beast."
Jiang Ning's jaw tightened. "No. It isn't."
The memories from his past life surfaced vividly, stories told by wandering mercenaries about a creature that made even Elite Knights tread lightly. A monster with a hide like steel and a back covered in spines sharp enough to pierce armor.
A Spiked Grizzly Bear.
"It's that sound," Rigor muttered, his expression grim. "Spiked Grizzly. I've fought one before."
Jiang Ning looked at him sharply. "You have?"
Rigor nodded slowly, eyes distant. "Years ago. Three of us went in. Only I came back."
Aldrin swallowed hard, his earlier confidence fading. "Then… we're sure?"
"We're sure," Jiang Ning said quietly. "The cave ahead houses at least one of them, maybe more."
The group fell silent again, the weight of his words heavy in the air.
Spiked Grizzlies were nightmares even among Fatal-grade creatures. Their hides could shrug off blades and arrows, their sheer strength could crush shields, and the spikes along their backs could launch like spears when enraged.
Henry turned to Ronan. "Sir Ronan, if it's only one, can you handle it?"
All eyes turned to the tall Elite Knight.
Ronan met their gazes calmly. His hand rested on the hilt of his longsword. "If it's alone," he said after a moment, "I can kill it."
The tension eased slightly, though not much.
Henry nodded firmly. "Then we'll cover you."
Jiang Ning took a deep breath and scanned the faces of the men before him, veterans, warriors, men who trusted him enough to follow into the jaws of death.
This time, no one dies, he told himself again.
"From this point on, keep your eyes sharp," he ordered. "No one moves without signal. Aldrin, guard our rear. Henry, you take the flank. Rigor, stay close to me. Ronan, prepare for combat."
"Yes, my lord!" they answered in unison.
Jiang Ning mounted his rifle, checked the chamber, and glanced toward the cave that loomed ahead, its black mouth wide and silent like a sleeping beast.