Chapter 73: Day Two Of Hellish Training Part Two [Bonus Chapter]

    Laris led the charge, his short swords flashing as he cut down goblins with ruthless precision. "Stay close and cover the sides!" he ordered.

    The knights moved in synchronized strikes, each covering the other''s blind spots. One goblin leaped from a rooftop, its dagger aimed at a knight''s neck, but a quick thrust from Laris ended its attack mid-air.

    "Keep moving!" he urged, his breath labored but his resolve unshaken.

    In the plaza, Esten''s Flankers fended off a wave of goblins trying to retake the ground. "Hold your positions!" Esten shouted, his spear thrusting into a goblin''s chest. "They can''t overwhelm us if we keep the formation tight!"

    ---

    Finally, the Vanguard emerged from the western path into a broader street. At the far end, an arched gateway stood tall, marking the exit to the next zone. Laris raised his hand, signaling the all-clear.

    "We''ve found it!" Laris called through his communication crystal, his voice carrying hope. "Exit''s ahead!"

    Kael''s voice came through, resolute. "Defenders, regroup at the western path! We''re moving out!"

    Despite their wounds and exhaustion, the knights rallied, their will unbroken.

    Together, they pushed through the final wave of goblins, their blades and shields working as one.

    As they passed through the gateway into the next zone, a brief silence fell over the group.

    Lionel looked back at the blood-soaked battlefield they had left behind, his sword still trembling in his grip. "We made it," he whispered, his voice tinged with relief and shock.

    Kael placed a hand on the young knight''s shoulder.

    "This is only the beginning," he said, his eyes fierce. "But today, you fought like a true knight. Rest while you can. The next battle may come sooner than you''d expect."

    Laris led a small team of knights into the heart of the fishing town. The wooden houses, though battered by time and weather, were still standing. The air inside was musty, and dust swirled in the beams of sunlight filtering through cracks in the walls.

    "Spread out," Laris instructed. "Check for anything edible—dried fish, grains, anything that looks like it''ll keep."

    Lionel joined the search, his sword sheathed but his hand still resting on the hilt. He entered a small house and found a wooden barrel tucked in the corner. Lifting the lid, he grimaced at the sight of moldy fish. "Nothing useful here," he called out.

    Another knight, farther down the road, shouted, "Found a storage shed! Looks like barrels of salted fish."

    Laris moved quickly to the shed, inspecting the barrels. He pried one open with his dagger and took a cautious sniff. "Still good," he confirmed, his tone relieved. "Start moving these back to the main group. We''ll eat tonight."

    ---

    Garik''s Dock Team

    At the docks, Garik oversaw a group of knights as they inspected the fishing equipment. The nets were worn but serviceable, and a few small boats seemed intact. "Could be worse," Garik muttered, testing the strength of a net. "We might actually make this work."

    One knight knelt by the edge of the dock, staring into the water. "It''s clear," he said, a note of unease in his voice. "Too clear. I don''t see any fish."

    Garik frowned, his instincts tingling. "Stay back from the edge," he warned. "If there''s no fish, it''s because something bigger scared them off."

    ---

    Esten''s Perimeter

    Esten and the Flankers patrolled the outskirts of the town, their eyes scanning the treeline and the open waters. The stillness was unnerving, broken only by the distant cry of a seabird.

    One of the Flankers, a young knight named Orin, paused, his hand tightening on his spear. "Sir, do you feel that?"

    Esten stopped, his eyes narrowing. The air felt heavier, the faintest vibration rippling through the ground. He looked toward the water and saw faint ripples, as though something massive was moving beneath the surface.