Volume 1 – Chapter 6: The First March
The morning sun had barely risen when the loud blast of a horn echoed throughout the camp.
“All recruits, assemble!”
Raimer’s eyes slowly opened.
His body still ached from the brutal selection test.
The cuts on his arms had mostly been bandaged, but every movement reminded him how close he had come to death.
Outside, hundreds of recruits stood in neat lines.
Captain Gareth walked before them with his hands behind his back.
“You survived the selection.
Congratulations.”
A few recruits smiled.
“But don’t celebrate yet.”
His expression darkened.
“The selection was merely to determine who deserved to wear this uniform.”
Silence spread through the field.
“From today onward… you are soldiers.”
The captain pointed toward the towering mountains far in the distance.
“Our destination is Fort Valen, the kingdom’s northern stronghold.”
“It is a five-day march.”
“Many of you will not enjoy the journey.”
Raimer stood beside his teammates.
Kael stretched his shoulders.
“So… we’re officially comrades now.”
The cheerful boy grinned.
“I still can’t believe we survived.”
The dark elf adjusted the straps on her black armor.
“My name is Lyra Vesper.”
Raimer nodded.
“Raimer.”
The giant warrior crossed his arms.
“Dorian.”
The final member—a short girl with silver hair and emerald eyes—gave a small bow.
“Iris.”
She carried a staff almost taller than herself.
“I specialize in healing magic.”
Raimer smiled slightly.
“So that’s why everyone survived after the test.”
She blushed.
“I-I only did what I could.”
The army departed before noon.
The sound of armored boots echoed across the rocky roads.
For hours…
Nobody spoke.
Only the wind answered.
As evening approached, the soldiers entered the Ashen Woods.
The forest was unnaturally quiet.
Even the birds refused to sing.
Captain Gareth raised his hand.
“Halt.”
Everyone froze.
Scouts quickly returned.
“Captain…”
“Fresh tracks.”
“At least thirty.”
Bandits?
No.
The scout swallowed.
“Ghouls.”
A nervous murmur spread through the ranks.
Without warning—
A horrifying scream echoed through the forest.
One soldier vanished into the darkness.
Blood splattered across a nearby tree.
“FORMATION!!”
Captain Gareth roared.
The peaceful forest erupted into chaos.
Gray-skinned monsters rushed from every direction.
Their eyes glowed crimson.
Their mouths were filled with rows of jagged teeth.
“GHOUL AMBUSH!”
Raimer unsheathed his sword.
One ghoul lunged at him.
CLANG!
Their weapons collided.
The creature was stronger than any bandit.
Another attacked from behind.
“Left!”
Lyra shouted.
Her twin daggers flashed through the air.
The ghoul’s head rolled across the ground.
She didn’t even look back.
“Stay focused.”
Three more charged.
Kael leapt forward with his spear.
Dorian smashed one into a tree with his enormous shield.
Iris stood behind them, chanting healing spells.
Golden light spread across wounded soldiers.
The battle intensified.
The forest echoed with steel, screams, and monsters.
Raimer blocked another attack.
Then another.
Then another.
His breathing became heavier.
“They’re endless…”
Suddenly—
A massive roar shook the forest.
Every ghoul stepped aside.
Something huge emerged from the darkness.
Nearly three meters tall.
Its skin was black instead of gray.
Bone spikes covered its back.
Its crimson eyes locked onto Raimer.
Captain Gareth’s face changed.
“…A Ghoul Alpha.”
Even veteran soldiers tightened their grip on their weapons.
The monster smiled.
A smile disturbingly close to a human’s.
Then—
It charged.
The ground exploded beneath its feet.
Raimer barely had time to raise his sword.
BOOM!
The impact launched him several meters through the air.
He crashed into a tree, blood running from the corner of his mouth.
The Ghoul Alpha slowly walked toward him, dragging its enormous claws through the dirt.
Behind it, dozens of lesser ghouls surrounded the area, cutting off any escape.
Raimer tried to stand.
His legs trembled.
The monster was almost upon him.
And for the first time since joining the army…
He wondered if this was where his journey would end.
End of chapter 6