Chapter 2: The Delivery Begins
Alex adjusted the straps on his pack, feeling the weight of the shield on his back and the quiver of arrows resting against his side. Parcels and supplies for the eastern sector were carefully tied and balanced—another delivery mission. He had carried heavier loads before, but the tension in the guild courtyard made even familiar weight feel heavier.
Outside the main gate, his party waited. First, Kael, the towering swordsman, stood with arms crossed. His light barrier shimmered faintly even in the morning sun, a constant reminder of the blessing he had earned. Kael's expression was unreadable, though his narrowed eyes and slight frown told Alex he was already judging him.
"Finally," Kael said, voice calm but sharp. "I was starting to think you'd lose the map again, Rim."
Alex ignored the jab, adjusting his shield. Kael didn't mince words and rarely offered praise, but he respected efficiency. That was enough.
Next was Mara, the quiet strategist. Her gaze flicked between Alex and the map projected from her wrist, scanning routes, noting areas of potential danger. She specialized in reconnaissance, capable of analyzing rift activity and structural hazards with uncanny precision. "Make sure you don't block the path," she said softly, voice clipped but practical. "And keep track of the parcels. Every one matters."
Finally, Tavik, the brash archer, leaned against a crumbling wall with a smirk, his bow already slung over one shoulder. His blessing allowed him to fire arrows with impossible speed, but arrogance made him insufferable. "Hope you're ready to haul that useless pack, Rim," he sneered. "If you trip, don't expect me to catch you."
Alex gritted his teeth, gripping the pack straps tighter. He had faced their remarks before—he was used to the dismissive tones—but today, he couldn't let it get under his skin. This was a mission, not a debate.
Liora appeared then, her brown hair tied neatly, her smile warm. She stepped beside Alex, brushing past him slightly. "Ignore them," she said softly, almost conspiratorially. "We'll manage, as always." Her eyes flicked at Kael and Tavik briefly, but her gaze returned to him with a quiet intensity. Alex felt a strange reassurance in her presence, even if he didn't fully trust it yet.
"Let's move," she said, leading the way.
The group advanced through the city outskirts, streets littered with rubble from long-abandoned buildings. Twisted metal and cracked stones blocked paths, remnants of the chaos left by rifts that had opened sporadically over the years. The eastern ruins were infamous for unpredictable anomalies and occasional appearances of alien beasts—creatures that survived the fractures between worlds.
Kael moved with precision, lifting debris when necessary to clear a path. Mara scanned constantly, marking unstable ground, dangerous ledges, and weak walls. Tavik stayed near the rear, shooting occasional jabs at Alex.
"Careful," Tavik sneered. "Wouldn't want to ruin the delivery before we even reach the plaza."
Alex ignored him, focusing instead on the map and the surroundings. He noted the subtle shifts in shadows, the faint hum of residual energy in certain spots—a warning instinct that had saved him more than once. His pack was heavy, yes, but his eyes and mind were lighter than ever: focused, alert, aware.
"You've done this before, right?" Mara asked quietly, breaking the silence. "You've managed deliveries in unstable zones?"
Alex nodded. "A few. Mostly minor ones. But I've been cautious. Careful."
"That's good," she said. Her tone softened slightly, almost approving. "Observation and planning matter more than raw power. Some of us—blessed or not—rely on that to survive."
Alex felt a flicker of pride. He couldn't wield mana. He couldn't conjure barriers or fire bolts of energy. But his brain, his instincts, his careful observation… they had kept him alive, and today, they might be the difference between success and failure.
The ruins ahead grew more imposing, the shadows stretching across twisted streets and toppled statues. A faint red glow shimmered from the edges of one alleyway—a residual effect of a rift's previous surge.
"Stay alert," Mara said, voice low. "Could be unstable. Could be a creature waiting."
Alex adjusted his shield and stepped carefully into the plaza, noting every crack, every piece of fallen stone, every shift in light. He moved slowly, methodically, aware of how the parcels and equipment could weigh him down or impede him if he wasn't careful.
Liora's hand brushed his arm lightly, almost accidentally, but the touch gave him a subtle sense of balance and reassurance. "Not everything is as it seems," she whispered. Her tone was gentle, but the meaning was layered, hinting at her hidden motives without revealing anything.
Kael grunted, moving forward to clear another path. Tavik muttered insults under his breath, but his eyes flicked nervously toward the faint red shimmer, acknowledging—reluctantly—that Alex had noticed something first.
"See that?" Mara whispered, pointing. "Residual energy is higher here than the map predicted. Could be a minor rift or… just unstable ruins. Keep together."
Alex nodded, gripping the pack and shield. He had survived this long by noticing what others ignored, thinking faster, and planning every step. Today would be no different.
As the sun dipped toward the horizon, long shadows stretched across the ruins. Broken walls cast eerie shapes, and faint echoes of wind through debris sounded almost like whispers. Alex's heart thrummed, not with fear, but with readiness. He had no mana, no blessing—but he had experience, skill, and caution on his side.
And for now, that would have to be enough.