Chapter 9: The Road to the Mercenaries

Daisuke felt a strange unease as they traveled. Liora led the way, her silver hair shining like a beacon in the forest, moving with effortless grace. Eren stayed by Daisuke's side, his expression unreadable, though there was an underlying tension in his stance that Daisuke couldn't quite shake.

They had been walking for several hours now, and the landscape had changed dramatically since they left the clearing. The dense forest was thinning out, and the path was winding through rocky hills and uneven terrain. The air felt heavier now, the smell of earth and metal mixed with something else—something faintly metallic, like the smell of blood.

Daisuke's mind was still processing everything Liora had said. She knew about his system—about his powers. That much was obvious. But there was more to her than met the eye. There was something about the way she spoke, the way she carried herself with such confidence, that left him unsettled. She was not just a random wanderer, not someone who had appeared by coincidence.

"So, what exactly do you know about these mercenaries?" Daisuke asked, his voice breaking the silence. He had tried to keep his questions to a minimum, but the mystery surrounding Liora was too much to ignore. She had been too precise, too composed in her explanations, and the more he thought about it, the more he felt she was hiding something.

Liora didn't look back at him as she walked, but her voice carried over the wind. "I know enough. The mercenaries are organized, well-funded, and dangerous. They've been operating out of the nearby mountain range for years, but recently, they've become more aggressive. And more powerful. They're led by a man named Korrick, and he's not just a soldier. He's a mage."

Daisuke raised an eyebrow. "A mage?"

Liora nodded. "A powerful one. He's been using forbidden magic to enhance his own abilities. He can control the elements—fire, wind, earth, and water. But what makes him dangerous is his ability to manipulate others' magic. That's why he's so effective in battle. He can strip away the powers of his opponents and use them against them."

Daisuke felt a shiver run down his spine. Someone who could manipulate magic like that was a formidable opponent. No one in their right mind would want to face such an enemy head-on, especially with the limited control he had over his own system.

"Is that why you want me involved?" Daisuke asked. "Because of my system?"

Liora glanced back at him, her violet eyes sharp. "Yes. You're the only one with the power to stand up to Korrick's abilities. But not just anyone can use their power against him. That's why you need to learn to control your abilities fully. You can't afford to make mistakes, not against someone like him."

Daisuke clenched his fists. He had only just begun to understand the scope of his powers, and now, here he was, being thrown into a confrontation with an enemy who could control his magic, someone who was using abilities far beyond anything he had encountered before.

Eren, who had been silent for most of the journey, finally spoke. "How do we know we can trust you, Liora? You've been cryptic this whole time. You show up out of nowhere, talk about mercenaries and systems like you know everything. Why should we believe you?"

Liora slowed her pace, and for the first time, she turned to face Eren fully. Her gaze was steady, unwavering, as though she were gauging his every movement.

"I've never asked for your trust, Eren," Liora said, her tone colder now. "I've only asked for your help. You don't have to trust me, but if you want to stop Korrick and his mercenaries, you'll need me. And Daisuke will need to trust me if he's going to survive the coming battle."

Daisuke felt the weight of Liora's words. He wasn't sure if he trusted her yet, but he couldn't deny that the situation was becoming more dire by the moment. He had been trained in combat, and his system was growing stronger with every passing day, but facing an enemy like Korrick? He wasn't sure he was ready for that.

"Let's just focus on getting there first," Eren said, his voice curt. "Then we'll deal with trust."

Liora nodded, and the group continued their journey in silence, the air heavy with unspoken tension.

The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon when they finally reached the outskirts of the mercenary camp. The lights of a small settlement flickered in the distance, and Daisuke could see the faint outlines of tents and makeshift barricades. The camp was well-guarded, and there was no mistaking the signs of a military operation.

Liora led them into the shadow of a large rock formation, where they could observe the camp from a distance without being noticed.

"Here we are," Liora whispered, her voice barely audible. "The mercenaries are inside, and they're heavily armed. They'll be expecting trouble soon. Korrick has spies everywhere, and we're not the only ones who've been keeping an eye on him."

Daisuke nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. This was it. The moment of truth.

He turned to Eren, his eyes searching his mentor's face for some sign of reassurance. Eren's expression remained stoic, but there was something in his gaze that told Daisuke he was ready.

"We move at nightfall," Eren said, his voice low. "Stay close and stay quiet. We don't engage unless we have no other choice. We need to find Korrick and take him down before he knows we're here."

Daisuke felt a surge of determination. His system was growing stronger by the day, and now, he had a purpose. He wasn't just fighting to survive anymore—he was fighting for something bigger than himself. For the people who would suffer if Korrick was allowed to continue his reign of terror.

As night fell, the air grew colder, and the shadows of the mercenary camp stretched across the landscape. Daisuke took a deep breath and tightened his grip on his sword. He was ready. More than ready.