The Awakening Of The Shadows
Chapter 38: The First Step in War

Chapter 38: The First Step in War

Lian woke up feeling every muscle in his body burning. The pain was intense but expected. After the brutal training from the day before, every movement felt like a cruel reminder of what he had endured.

The military barracks were simple: a hard bed, a small metal locker, and a dim flickering lamp. The air was heavy with the scent of sweat and dust, mixing with the distant sounds of soldiers preparing for the day.

He was about to sit up when a soldier kicked the metal frame of his bed, making a deafening noise.

"Get up, rookie. You’ve got a mission today."

The voice was harsh and impatient. Lian didn’t bother to protest. Still sore, he forced himself to stand, feeling every joint protest.

There was no time for breakfast. No time to recover. He barely had a chance to put on his issued uniform before being led to the base’s main tent. The sun had not yet fully risen, painting the sky a pale orange.

Inside the tent, Viktor, Vance, and Argus were gathered around a holographic map. The bluish light projected blinking red markers at various points around the base.

"Well, looks like the kid survived his first night," Viktor commented, crossing his arms. "Now let’s see if he can handle a real day in the field."

Lian ignored the provocation and stood firm. He knew he wouldn’t be welcomed here anytime soon.

Argus looked at him, his expression as rigid as ever. "Portal Breaches are increasing. A reconnaissance team disappeared last night while investigating a possible rupture in a nearby village. Your job is simple: go there, retrieve any information you can, and come back alive."

Lian narrowed his eyes. "I’m going alone?"

Vance chuckled, shaking his head. "You think we’re wasting soldiers to babysit a rookie? But, since we still need you in one piece, two soldiers will go with you. They’ll watch your back, but if you’re dead weight, they won’t hesitate to leave you behind."

Lian didn’t respond. He had expected this.

"Get your gear and be ready in ten minutes," Argus ordered. "It’s best not to be late, rookie."

Without question, Lian left the tent.

The forest surrounding the base was quieter than usual. With every step he took, he felt a strange heaviness in the air.

Beside him, the two soldiers assigned to accompany him, Royce, an experienced tracker, and Erin, an archer who clearly didn’t trust him, walked in silence. Neither seemed interested in conversation.

"Stay sharp, kid," Royce murmured as they walked along a root-covered trail. "Portal Breaches are unpredictable. Whatever took the reconnaissance team might still be nearby."

Lian simply nodded, keeping his eyes alert.

Despite his efforts, he could feel his body still hadn’t fully recovered. The exhaustion in his muscles, the mental strain, it was a weakness he couldn’t afford to show.

Erin glanced at him occasionally, as if analyzing his every move.

"I hope you know what you’ve gotten yourself into," she said, her voice laced with disdain. "Because if you don’t, you’ll die fast."

Lian ignored the provocation. He had expected this kind of treatment.

After several hours of walking, they arrived at the village marked on the map.

The place was silent. Too silent.

The houses were still standing, but there were clear signs of battle, claw marks on walls, dried bloodstains on the ground, shattered furniture.

"Something’s not right," Erin whispered, pulling an arrow from her quiver. "No bodies, no signs of an ongoing fight, just... emptiness."

Royce crouched near a set of tracks on the ground, analyzing them carefully. "They were taken. Dragged into the forest."

A chill ran down Lian’s spine. Something was very wrong.

And then, he felt it.

An invisible pressure in the air. Something was here.

Before he could warn the others, a low, guttural sound echoed through the village.

The shadows between the houses began to move.

"Shit," Royce growled, drawing his dagger.

Something emerged from the darkness.

Glowing, hungry eyes watched them from all directions. Creatures, similar to wolves but with larger claws and skin black as the void, crawled toward them.

"Looks like there was a Portal Breach nearby," Erin said, her voice tense. "They’re hunting... humans."

For a moment, Lian felt a sharp pang of fear.

Now, he truly understood. This wasn’t just training. It wasn’t a game. This was war. People actually lost their lives here.

Lian instinctively raised Oblivion. His body was still exhausted, but he couldn’t retreat now.

The first monster attacked.

It moved in a blur, its claws aiming for Royce’s throat.

Royce barely dodged in time, but another monster lunged right after, forcing him to retreat.

Erin loosed an arrow wrapped in magical energy, transforming it into a lightning-fast projectile. The arrow struck one of the creatures in the eye, causing it to recoil with a snarl.

Lian moved on instinct. He sidestepped a lunging bite and countered with a precise strike.

His blade sliced through the creature’s skin, but it didn’t fall.

Instead, it turned toward him, its wound slowly regenerating.

"They heal fast!" Erin shouted, releasing another arrow.

"Then we have to destroy them completely," Royce responded, slicing through one of the creature’s legs.

Lian’s heartbeat pounded in his ears. He needed to end this quickly before they were overwhelmed.

His body screamed in protest, but he ignored it. He drew from the energy within him, letting his darkness expand.

Oblivion flared with a dark glow, and with a single powerful slash, he cleaved one of the creatures in half.

The silence lasted only a second before the others rushed forward in fury.

A claw tore through his shoulder, making him stumble back.

He forced himself to stay on his feet, swinging his blade to keep another attacker at bay.

Royce and Erin fought beside him, desperately trying to hold the creatures off.

If this continued, they wouldn’t last much longer.

Then, a roar shattered the air.

The creatures froze. And then, they retreated.

Royce frowned. "Why are they—"

A thunderous crash came from the forest.

Something... bigger was coming.

The three of them exchanged looks.

They needed to get out of there, now.

Lian gritted his teeth, gripping Oblivion tighter.

This wasn’t over.

And the real threat was still coming.