Few hours later, the forest trembled with power. I was right, the bastard was coming. The ground pulsed beneath our feet like a heartbeat, and overhead, the canopy seemed to pull inward, as if the trees themselves leaned closer, watching. We had reached the deepest chamber—the fifth seal’s altar—half-buried under moss and bone and the weight of ancient curses.We had fought through undead hordes, creeping curses, and a maze of twisted roots and illusions. Kael’s armor was cracked. Karl’s left sleeve was torn and soaked with blood. Silvarya’s magic crackled around her—raw and primal, the divine energy within her no longer sleeping. The rest of my team were exhausted while Felix, Igor, Ella and Elvie, one hundred elite warriors in full tactical gear, came a few hours ago when I sent a message for an additional hand.At the center of the chamber stood the seal, etched into an obsidian disk covered in runes that pulsed with dull violet light. Cracks veined across its surface, leaking dark

Few months later, the Lakefront Robinson Resort, as we would later name it, offered more than I had initially dreamed.We built cozy wooden cabins for families, larger stone villas for guests from the noble circuits, and several treehouse-style suites nestled in the branches for elven visitors and nature-lovers.The main lodge had a cafeteria that could serve hundreds—using rotating enchanted stove systems—and I imported new recipes from Earth: Hawaiian BBQ, milkshakes, cheesy fries, chicken tenders, and fruit salad chilled with ice runes.For kids, we went all out:To staff the resort, I opened recruitment for beastkin and elves, offering fair wages, free housing, and flexible hours. They brought their own flavors of culture—beastkin cooks made spicy lake-grilled fish skewers, while the elves prepared floral tea infusions and elegant rice cakes made from local harvest.Silvarya managed the wellness center, where guests could meditate, enjoy herbal baths, and listen to live elven harp

As the fire burned low and the village fell into gentle sleep, I checked the map again. The cult had passed through. The ruins in the canyon would be our next stop.I packed up the remaining supplies, leaving Borven with an extra crate, and lay down beneath the stars with my blade beside me and the world quiet for now.Tomorrow, the hunt continued. But tonight… we gave a little hope back.The sun rose slow and red on the horizon, casting a bloody hue over the cracked soil and faded rooftops. Morning mist curled low through the village alleys as we packed up the camp. Borven and a few others saw us off, their faces brighter than last night. The kids waved, chewing on bread we’d baked with the leftover flour.“Don’t forget,” Igor said with a grin, tightening the strap on his pack. “to ask Miss Agnes.” Borven gave a mock salute. “Aye, got it burned in my brain. I’ll get there. Might take me a week, but if what you said is true... my daughters deserve a better place.”We said our goodbye

The next two days blurred together, a whirlwind of subtle moves and careful observation. I kept a low profile in the modest inn where we lodged, blending into the background like any other weary traveler.Igor left early on the first morning, heading toward the sprawling main market. He moved like a shadow through the maze of stalls, watching the vendors and eavesdropping on the whispers of traders. His reports trickled back in bits and pieces — strange goods being offered, rumors of odd figures slipping through the crowds, and unsettling talk about dark rituals somewhere in the southern outskirts.Felix, meanwhile, was assigned to the noble district, a place where wealth and power bred secrets and paranoia. He mingled discreetly at salons and taverns frequented by the aristocracy, gathering scraps of conversation about increasing tensions, growing fears over the cult’s influence, and mysterious shipments arriving at the city gates.As I waited in the inn, refining our plans and sharp

THAT NIGHT — BACK IN THE INNWe spread the list on the table under candlelight. It wasn’t long—but it was valuable. Names of mid-tier mages, alchemists, even two barons who still questioned the council’s decisions.They were our next stop.But as we planned, the Guardian System pinged softly in my mind.NEW QUEST CHAIN UNLOCKED: “THE KINGSLAYER’S SHADOW”Objective 1: Investigate the Royal Council’s secret meetingsObjective 2: Uncover the source of the God of Hunger's resurrectionObjective 3: Protect King Ernest from betrayalReward: Unknown – Potentially world-alteringI closed the notification, my hand tightening into a fist.We had crossed a line now. This wasn’t just about war. Or land. Or even peace.This was about betrayal at the highest level—and a kingdom hanging by the edge of a blade.But I wasn’t scared. Because I wasn’t alone.And we had something they didn’t: Each other. And the truth.*****The secret meeting was held under the full shroud of night, in a forgotten chape