A massive creature, dragging its absurdly long arms through the underbrush, moved into view.

  Its enormous face bore four glowing red eyes.

  "Move to the front of the wagon, Sibonen.

  Stay close to the Dish members," Isrin said, guiding him firmly.

  Dismounting from his horse, Sibonen moved toward the front, joining the others as the majority of the group shifted forward to focus on the threat.

  At Jensen's hand signal, all the Code D members except for Jensen, Atari, and Baku fell back closer to the wagons.

  "Atari, prep your spell," Jensen said.

  But even before he finished speaking, Atari had already begun chanting.

  The monster stopped, turning its crimson gaze toward the caravan.

  Tension crackled in the air—combat was imminent.

  "Code C, the monsters are approaching from both sides.

  Focus on the one in front first," Izi commanded.

  Immediately, Atari unleashed her spell.

  "Fmma Trepida!"

  A fiery projectile shot toward the monster's face.

  As it struck, Jensen charged in, bde drawn, while the Code D guards and mercenaries spread out to cover the fnks.

  "Prepare for the ones coming from the sides!" Izi barked.

  Isrin and Sibonen both grabbed magical crossbows for long-range support.

  Sibonen took careful aim—not at the hidden enemies but at the huge monster already in front of them—and fired.

  His bolt hit one of the creature’s eyes, earning a piercing shriek.

  The beast shed out with its long forelegs at Jensen, but Jensen, with fluid reflexes, dodged and sshed one of the legs.

  "Incredible."

  Sibonen couldn't help but be impressed.

  Few soldiers he'd seen at the academy could have matched that movement.

  Meanwhile, Baku reached the monster and swung his twin axes with brutal force, cleaving through its thick limb.

  The creature colpsed with a thunderous crash.

  Atari darted in, pulling a short dagger from her belt and plunging it into the creature’s face while chanting another spell.

  "Eruptio Interna!"

  The dagger fshed with light, and the monster's skull exploded from within.

  There was no time to celebrate.

  Two more monsters charged in from the left and right.

  From the right, a giant, boar-like beast rammed into the front line, instantly killing the guards it struck.

  From the left, a muddy, humanoid creature sprinted forward, roaring.

  Sibonen, reacting fast, threw a fmmable magic orb toward the left-side monster.

  "Everyone, fall back to the wagons!" he shouted.

  The fire momentarily startled the mud creature, buying precious seconds.

  The left fnk regrouped around the wagons.

  Meanwhile, Jensen and the Code C team moved to intercept the right-side beast.

  Realizing he had to defend both Isrin and Izi, Sibonen unsheathed his sword.

  He wasn’t a top-tier fighter, but his sword skills weren't terrible either.

  The mud creature stomped out the fmes with a massive foot, then spat a foul liquid at the nearest mercenary.

  The man screamed as his body melted from the corrosive vomit.

  Sibonen’s instincts screamed at him—this enemy was no ordinary brute.

  He quickly reloaded his crossbow, aiming for the creature’s open mouth.

  Meanwhile, the remaining guards hurled daggers at the monster, but the attacks barely scratched it.

  The beast roared again and spewed another bst of corrosive fluid, wounding two more Code D soldiers.

  At st, Sibonen fired, nding a bolt near the creature’s jaw.

  The monster shrieked—and at that moment, a figure charged forward.

  It was Calleo, the new Code C mercenary.

  He shoved a magic orb into the creature's gaping mouth.

  BOOM!

  The explosion rocked the beast from within, and as it staggered, Calleo stabbed his sword through the back of its head, killing it instantly.

  Both monsters were defeated, but not without losses.

  "Three dead, two severely wounded," Jensen reported grimly.

  "We can't afford to drag wounded through the frontier," Izi said.

  "Request a rescue party and arrange for extraction."

  She gave her orders calmly but swiftly, dispatching Jensen to organize scouts.

  "Are you okay, Isrin?" Sibonen asked, concerned.

  "I’m fine," Isrin said, forcing a smile.

  "I couldn’t contribute much this time. It all happened too fast."

  "You did well," she added, gncing at him.

  "You reacted quickly and provided good support.

  It’s obvious you have military training."

  Sibonen appreciated her encouragement but knew the truth.

  Compared to the Code C operatives, he was still woefully cking in raw combat ability.

  "If they hadn't been here, the outcome would have been far worse."

  He resolved to inspect his equipment again—every bit of preparation mattered.

  "Stay close to me from now on," Izi said, her voice low but commanding.

  "And you, recruit—stay close too."

  Sibonen realized that the entire combat formation pivoted around Izi.

  "And she even sensed the monsters before they arrived."

  He decided to stick close to her from now on.

  After regrouping, they moved to the next campsite.

  The wounded and deceased were prepared for extraction.

  They had already lost nearly 20% of their expedition force—and they weren't even deep into the frontier yet.

  "Lady Izi, the scouts report no further threats nearby," Jensen said.

  "Did you sense anything unusual?"

  Izi shook her head.

  "No. The surroundings seem calm now.

  But it’s strange... to be attacked like this in such a quiet forest."

  Atari, standing nearby, agreed.

  "I’ve never seen anything like this before.

  Something feels wrong."

  Trying to lift the mood, Baku ughed awkwardly.

  "Let’s not get too paranoid.

  The scouts say the perimeter is clear."

  Everyone nodded, but Izi's expression remained troubled.

  "Something's wrong," she muttered.

  Sibonen overheard but brushed it aside.

  He was too exhausted to dwell on vague worries.

  That evening, as they set up camp, Sibonen joined Isrin for dinner near the fire.

  "Today was rough, wasn’t it?" Atari said, approaching with a pte of food.

  "But we have Lady Izi and the Dish team.

  We'll make it to Lograd Kingdom safely."

  Isrin nodded with a small, determined smile.

  "I’m a field administrator too, you know.

  I’ll be fine.“

  Later, as scouts returned from their patrols, Atari and Calleo took over the next scouting shift.

  Baku and Jensen returned to the camp, and Baku approached Sibonen.

  "Where’s Lady Izi?"

  Sibonen pointed toward the wagons.

  "Near the second wagon."

  Baku smirked.

  "Since she’s had a rough day, why don't you suggest she take a rest?"

  Sibonen hesitated, then agreed and walked toward Izi.

  "Lady Izi."

  She turned to him, her pale blue gaze calm.

  "What is it?"

  "Would you like to rest for a bit?

  You’ve been working hard today," Sibonen said awkwardly.

  After a moment’s pause, Izi nodded.

  As she turned away, she paused and added,

  "Be careful."

  And with that cryptic warning, she returned to her tent.

  Sibonen frowned slightly, unsure what exactly she meant.

  "Careful of what?"

  As he returned to camp, Jensen approached.

  "Did Lady Izi tell you anything?"

  Sibonen repeated her words.

  "She said... to be careful."

  Jensen's expression darkened slightly.

  "Yeah.

  We should stay sharp.

  Monsters are out—and they won’t be the st."

  Sibonen nodded, a vague sense of unease settling in his chest.

  Still, he tried to push the feeling aside.

  There was no point losing sleep over it—yet.