Blessing

The group quickly went to work, preparing for the journey ahead. Some fed and tended to the horses, while others checked their supplies.

The atmosphere was busy but efficient, each person focused on their task, knowing they needed to move quickly to set up camp before nightfall.

The old man grabbed the back of Seo Ryun's shirt with surprising strength, lifting him off the ground and unceremoniously placing him on the horse.

Still tied up, Seo Ryun felt like little more than a piece of baggage as he struggled to adjust himself on the saddle.

Without a word, the old man swiftly cut the ropes binding him, mounted the horse, and took the reins, preparing to lead the group forward.

A light drizzle began to fall, its cool touch brushing against their skin as they rode onward.

The dim light of the day slowly faded; where the sky had once been a pale gray, it now deepened into a darker hue.

Soon, they arrived at a wide clearing within the forest. The area bore clear signs of past human activity—charred firewood arranged in circles, tattered remnants of tents scattered across the ground, and faint trails leading off into the trees.

It was a place that had once served as a campsite, a temporary haven for travelers seeking refuge within the dense forest. The old man surveyed the area with a practiced eye before signaling the group to stop.

Scattered among the remnants of the campsite were skeletons, their bleached bones half-buried in the damp earth. Some were human, while others appeared to belong to animals, their shapes twisted and broken.

Faint signs of wildlife were visible too—paw prints in the mud, claw marks on nearby trees, and the distant rustle of underbrush hinting at unseen creatures watching from the shadows. The clearing carried an eerie silence, broken only by the soft snorts of the horses and the murmur of the group.

"Let's use this place," the old man declared, his voice cutting through the murmurs of the group.

He dismounted with practiced ease, his sharp eyes scanning the clearing one last time before motioning for everyone to begin setting up. Despite the ominous atmosphere, his tone left no room for hesitation, and the group quickly got to work preparing the area for the night.

The group moved swiftly, their actions coordinated and efficient despite the lack of instruction. They gathered the horses, unloaded their supplies, and began setting up tents with practiced precision.

Each person seemed to know their role, working seamlessly as though they had done this countless times before. The quiet urgency in their movements reflected their familiarity with the dangers that might lurk in the forest.

Seo Ryun watched in awe as the group worked, fascinated by how quickly they set up tents and organized their surroundings. Their movements were fluid, efficient—almost like a well-rehearsed routine.

His only concern now was food and where he would sleep. He looked around, unsure which tent to join or how he might fit in with the others, feeling a bit like an outsider.

'Well, damn... I'm useless here,' Seo Ryun thought to himself, frustration bubbling inside him.

'I can't even help because of their distrustful gazes. Guess I'll have to stay out tonight, huh?'He sighed inwardly, leaning against a nearby tree.

Soon, Fillia approached him, her bright crystal-blue eyes catching the faint light as she studied him. Her expression was calm but curious, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"Do you have a place to stay?" Fillia asked, her voice soft but tinged with concern as she tilted her head slightly, her gaze fixed on Seo Ryun.

"Uhh, no," Seo Ryun admitted, his voice tinged with embarrassment as he avoided her gaze, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.

"Then stay with us!" Fillia said cheerfully, her bright eyes lighting up. "My brother and I take turns sleeping and keeping watch. With you around, we could get a bit more rest!" Her tone was light and inviting, as if the solution was obvious to her.

"Thank you, haha... I'd be happy to, but only if your brother is okay with it," Seo Ryun replied with a nervous chuckle, glancing in the direction of the bulky man.

"He's the one who asked you, though," Fillia said with a teasing smile.

"Don't let his looks fool you—he actually cares about people more than he lets on."

"..."

'Wow, did I just judge others by their appearance? Damn, I'm a sinner,' Seo Ryun thought, feeling a pang of guilt as he reflected on his quick assumptions about the man.

Then a man with brown hair tinged with a hint of yellow, dressed in simple clothes, called out to Fillia. "Miss Fillia! Please cast the barrier if you're ready!" His voice was urgent but respectful, his eyes scanning the surroundings as if anticipating something.

"Sure!" Fillia responded with a nod, then moved to the center of the camp.

She took a deep breath, clasped her hands together, and began chanting in a soft, rhythmic tone. Her eyes closed as she focused, the air around her seeming to hum with a subtle energy as she worked her magic.

A hue of golden light descended, enveloping the camp in a circular shape. The light shimmered softly, casting a warm glow over the surroundings. The barrier pulsed with a faint golden radiance.

Once she finished, Fillia staggered slightly, wiping the sweat from her brow.

Her face was flushed from the exertion, and beads of sweat clung to her skin. Despite the glowing barrier, it was clear that the spell had taken a toll on her energy.

She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, before giving a small, exhausted smile.

"Good," the old man said, his voice gruff but filled with approval.

"It's a blessing to have you two here." He glanced at the siblings, his eyes softening for a moment.

The rain had stopped, but the sky remained hidden behind thick, heavy clouds, and not even the moonlight could pierce through.

In the center of the camp, the group worked together to create a large fire. It took some time, as the logs had been soaked by the rain, but what was truly fascinating was the source of the flame.

A mage carefully held out their hands, and from them, the fire flickered to life, slowly growing and warming the damp wood.

The fire crackled and popped, the glow pushing back the darkness and casting eerie shadows across the camp. Despite the wet logs, the mage's skill kept the flames steady.