Five figures moved through the dense forest, their dark attire allowing them to blend seamlessly with the shadows. The Phantoms, the elite scout unit of the Crimson Wing Clan.
Ryden, the leader, carried a long sword across his back, his eyes constantly scanning their surroundings. To his left, Sena, ever alert, kept two daggers at her waist. Taro moved behind, silent and quick, his hand-to-hand combat skills making him deadly in close quarters. Nael, the youngest, was light on his feet, his poison darts ready for any threat. And bringing up the rear was Eris, dual-wielding short swords with deadly grace.
They moved through the forest with ease, using the trees as their path, leaping from one to another with barely a sound.
After an hour, Ryden raised a fist, signaling the team to stop. The others froze, instantly dropping to the ground in perfect formation. There was an eerie silence in the air. Something wasn't right.
Blood. It covered the trees, soaked into the earth, and filled the air with a heavy, metallic scent. The clearing ahead was unsettlingly quiet, too still for comfort.
As they moved into the clearing, they found dozens of thick, vine-like structures, piercing through the ground and trees.
Nael crouched by one, studying it closely. "This isn't from any plant," he murmured. "It's solid—like bone."
Eris tensed, her gaze flicking around. "What happened here?"
Taro spoke up, his voice cautious. "Could this be where the Silver Star party fought the fire serpent?"
Ryden shook his head, his expression grim. "No. There's no fire residue. No elemental scarring. This isn't where the serpent fell."
Sena tapped her blade against one of the strange structures. "This feels like... magic," she said, frowning.
Ryden's eyes scanned the treetops, but there was no movement, no sign of danger nearby. "There's no one around."
The team exchanged uneasy looks. Even they, seasoned scouts, felt a heavy unease settle over them.
Nael broke the silence. "Should we report this?"
Ryden's voice was cold and certain. "Immediately. This wasn't a fight. This was a slaughter."
Just as they turned to leave, Eris's eyes caught something glinting beneath the blood-soaked dirt. She stepped over and pulled out a broken cuff—metallic, worn, and embedded with a small mana stone.
She handed it to Ryden without a word. He studied it briefly, then tucked it away.
"Let's move," he said.
Without another word, the Phantoms vanished into the trees, heading back toward the city to report what they had seen.
Through the treeline, five shadows emerged silently.
The Phantoms had returned.
Garret was the first to spot them. His brow furrowed as Ryden approached, a grim look on the scout leader's face. "You're back. What did you—"
Ryden cut him off, his voice calm but urgent. "Let us report to Vel-sama first."
Garret, recognizing the weight in the scout leader's voice, didn't question further. He turned on his heel, motioning for the others to follow.
Without another word, they walked toward the inner section of the tent where Vel and Darius were gathered, Shin reviewing documents nearby. The mood shifted as Ryden came to a halt and bowed slightly.
"We discovered something… unsettling."
Vel's gaze sharpened. "Report."
Ryden stepped aside and motioned for Nael, who unwrapped a cloth parcel. Inside was a broken metal cuff, a cracked mana stone embedded into its center. He placed it on the table with deliberate care.
Ryden began, his voice steady.
"We reached deep into the forest. Found a clearing that didn't match any natural formations. The entire area was drenched in blood—trees, ground, even the leaves. No bodies. Just… signs of a massacre."
He paused before continuing.
"There were dozens of vine-like structures—thick, jagged, and unnaturally solid. They had pierced through at least one large creature, judging by the splash pattern and depth."
Eris spoke up from behind him, her voice quiet. "Whatever happened there wasn't a battle. It was an execution."
Sena nodded. "And we found that cuff. Near the structures. Like it was torn off… maybe during the struggle."
Vel picked up the artifact and studied it. The mana stone embedded in the cuff still held a faint, pulsing glow—weak, but undeniable.
"This was crafted," he muttered. "Someone made this…."
He straightened and looked at Shin. "Shuri needs to see this. I should go.."
But before Vel could take a step, Shin cut in smoothly, without even looking up from his pile of reports.
"No, we're heading back to the Guild first."
Vel gave him a sidelong glance. "This is more important than paperwork."
Shin sighed and placed his pen down, eyes narrowing. "You've been avoiding work for the last three days, and almost went into the forest alone."
Darius stifled a chuckle.
Shin continued. "You'll just end up chasing something by yourself."
Vel pouted faintly but didn't argue further.
"We'll send the Silver Star party with the cuff," Shin concluded, already turning to make arrangements.
Vel finally relented with a nod. And dismissed "The phantoms."
Scene: Unknown Underground Laboratory.
The chamber was dim, lit by the glow of magic lanterns on the walls. Tubes lined the space, filled with murky fluid. Inside some of them, distorted silhouettes of figures floated.
At a central workbench, a thin man in a long, tattered coat scribbled furiously into a thick ledger. His spectacles slid down his nose.
"Sloppy. Excessive. And the cuff—gone. Of course."
He slammed the book shut with a snap, spinning toward the tall figure standing near the doorway.
The man in the shadows wore a dark coat, long black gloves, and a lazy smirk that didn't match the tension in the room.
"You really should be more grateful," the man said, voice bored. "I gave you your results, didn't I? The fusion held up longer than last time."
The scientist hissed.
"It wasn't about how long it lasted. I needed controlled data. Readings. Observations. You tore through the subject and left a mess Behind!"
The tall man yawned.
"It was dull. I got bored. Your little puppet didn't even scream properly."
He turned, already walking away.
"Send your lackeys next time. I'm not interested in cleanup."
"Wait—! I need a full report on the subject's behavior during combat—!"
But the door slammed shut before he could finish.
Silence. Only the bubbling of tubes and the quiet clicking of enchanted runes remained.
The scientist sighed and turned back to his notes.
"Stable fusion is still too far off," he muttered. "No full control. But it's getting closer."
A sudden flutter of wind swept through the room. A small bird, no larger than a clenched fist, zipped in through a high, narrow opening. Feathers shone green. The creature landed lightly on the table, a small scroll tied to its leg.
The scientist immediately approaches, loosening the scroll with practiced ease. His eyes scanned the short note.
"The Guild is investigating the forest. They've obtained the cuff."
His brow furrowed slightly, but the faintest smirk tugged at the edge of his mouth. Without a word, he turned, dipped a quill in black ink, and scribbled a swift response on a fresh slip of parchment.
"You now need to retrieve the broken cuff and also secure the other artifact. And if needed..."
His lips curled into a tight smile.
"...eliminate Shuri."
He rolled the scroll and reattached it to the bird's leg with steady hands.
"Go."
The wind familiar zipped out through the narrow passage. The moment it was gone, the scientist turned back to the glowing tanks. One of the figures inside spasmed violently, sending ripples through the liquid.
A quiet chuckle escaped his throat.
"Let's see what breaks first…"