Chapter 5: Unforeseen Foes

Daisuke woke up early the next morning, his muscles sore from the previous day's training. The constant swinging of the practice sword, coupled with Eren's martial arts drills, had taken its toll. Yet, the soreness felt different this time—it wasn't weakness; it was the kind of exhaustion that came with growth. His body was adapting, becoming stronger with each passing hour.

As he stood up, he noticed the sun was already peeking over the horizon, casting the world in a soft, golden hue. The air was crisp, with a slight breeze rustling the leaves of the trees. He felt more alive than he had in his old world, as though his senses were sharper, his mind clearer. And yet, the knowledge that danger was never far weighed heavily on him.

Daisuke made his way to the campfire where the others were preparing breakfast. Eren was already sitting, sharpening a long, curved blade with deliberate strokes. His silver-gray eyes flicked up briefly, acknowledging Daisuke's arrival.

"You ready for today?" Eren asked, his tone casual, though there was an edge to his words.

Daisuke nodded, his expression focused. "I'm ready. What's next?"

Eren gave a sharp nod. "We'll focus on survival training today. Not just combat. You need to be able to survive out here in the wild, and that means learning to use your surroundings to your advantage."

Before Daisuke could respond, the sound of hooves approaching from the forest broke the quiet morning. A group of riders emerged from the trees, their horses covered in a light layer of dust. The riders wore dark cloaks and hoods, their faces hidden beneath the shadows.

Eren stood up immediately, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. The atmosphere shifted, the tension in the air palpable. Daisuke's instincts kicked in, and he instinctively took a step back, his hand reaching for the practice sword at his side.

One of the riders dismounted and stepped forward, his boots crunching on the forest floor. He was tall, with a lean build and sharp features that seemed both regal and dangerous. The man looked at Daisuke with cold, calculating eyes, then turned his gaze to Eren.

"Eren," the man said, his voice smooth, almost mocking. "I didn't expect to find you here, of all places. And with a new recruit, no less. How quaint."

Eren's expression remained neutral, but there was a flicker of recognition in his eyes. "I don't have time for your games, Aric. What do you want?"

The man—Aric—smirked. "Oh, nothing much. I'm just passing through. But I thought I'd pay you a visit. After all, I heard you were training someone with a system. You know how rare that is, right?"

Daisuke's heart skipped a beat. A system? He didn't like the way Aric was looking at him, as if he were some sort of prize to be claimed.

"You're here for him, aren't you?" Aric continued, his gaze shifting toward Daisuke. "Such a rare thing, a new system user. I wonder… how much he's worth to the right buyer?"

Daisuke felt a chill run down his spine. He didn't understand what was going on, but something told him this wasn't just a friendly visit.

Eren stepped in front of him, blocking Aric's line of sight. "Leave. Now," Eren growled, his voice low and threatening.

Aric didn't move. Instead, he chuckled softly, his eyes narrowing. "You're always so quick to make enemies, Eren. You should know, there are others who would be interested in this young man. And if you're not careful, you might find yourself caught in the middle of something far worse than you can handle."

The words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. Daisuke's mind raced. What did Aric mean by that? What was so special about having a system, and why would people be after him?

Eren's grip tightened on his sword, but before he could speak, one of the other riders, a woman with short silver hair and piercing green eyes, dismounted and approached.

"Aric," she said, her voice sharp and authoritative. "This is not the time or place for your games. We're not here to make enemies. But if you push Eren, there will be consequences."

Aric gave a mock bow. "Of course, Maya. I wouldn't want to ruin your fun. But keep in mind, the world is a dangerous place, and the boy will have to learn that sooner or later."

With that, Aric turned and motioned for the riders to follow. As they mounted their horses, the group slowly backed away, their eyes lingering on Daisuke for a moment before they disappeared back into the forest.

Daisuke stood frozen, trying to process everything that had just happened. Who were those people? And why were they so interested in him?

Eren let out a long breath, clearly annoyed, and sheathed his sword. He turned to Daisuke, his expression hardening.

"That was Aric and his group," Eren said, his voice grim. "They're mercenaries. Powerful ones. And they have a keen interest in people like you—those with a system."

Daisuke felt a knot form in his stomach. "Why? What's so special about a system?"

Eren looked at him, his gaze serious. "A system is a powerful tool, Daisuke. It can be the difference between life and death in this world. And some people would do anything to control that power. You're a target now. They might not come after you directly, but if you're not careful, you'll find yourself in the middle of something you can't escape from."

Daisuke's mind was reeling. He had only just begun to understand the dangers of this world, but now, it seemed like the very thing that had given him an edge was also making him a target.

"Don't worry," Eren said, noticing the uncertainty in Daisuke's eyes. "You're not alone. I'll teach you how to protect yourself, how to use your system to its full potential. But for now, you need to focus. We've got work to do."

Daisuke nodded, determination hardening within him. He couldn't let this world crush him before he had a chance to figure things out. Survive. Grow stronger. And never let anyone control you.

As the morning went on, Daisuke and Eren continued their training, though Daisuke couldn't shake the tension in the air. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the cold, calculating gaze of Aric. It was clear now—this world wasn't just about fighting monsters and exploring dungeons. It was a world where power was everything. And with his system, he had a target on his back.

He would need to be stronger, faster, smarter. Or he would be nothing more than prey.