Chapter 10: Infiltration of the Mercenary Camp

The cold night air stung Daisuke's face as he crouched low, his body pressed against the rough stone of the rocky outcrop. He could feel the pulse of the system within him, the power that had once been a mysterious force now beginning to feel like a part of him. He had been training and refining his control, but tonight, he would have to push it to its limits.

Eren and Liora were already positioned beside him, their eyes scanning the mercenary camp below. The flickering campfires cast long shadows, illuminating the figures moving about the camp. The mercenaries were a rough and hardened group, the men and women dressed in mismatched armor, each carrying weapons ranging from swords and spears to bows and crossbows. The camp seemed deceptively quiet for the number of people it housed.

"Stay close and stay silent," Eren whispered, his voice barely audible over the wind. "We need to get in, find Korrick, and eliminate him before he notices us. No distractions, no mistakes."

Daisuke nodded, his nerves tightening as he prepared for the mission ahead. His heart pounded in his chest, but the fear was tempered by a sense of purpose. This was the test he had been waiting for—the chance to prove not only to others but to himself that he was capable of facing real danger.

Liora motioned for them to follow, and they began to move, weaving in and out of shadows, staying low as they approached the edge of the camp. They had to be careful; Korrick's mercenaries weren't just skilled fighters—they were organized and alert. One wrong move, and they could all be dead before they even had a chance to act.

As they moved closer, Daisuke's mind raced with questions. How powerful was Korrick really? What kind of man could lead a mercenary group this large, with so many dangerous individuals under his command? Daisuke had heard the rumors—about Korrick's magic, his ruthlessness—but now, standing on the precipice of their enemy's camp, the reality of it all felt even more daunting.

They reached the first line of tents, where the mercenaries were drinking and chatting around campfires. Daisuke noticed that a few of them had a nervous energy, constantly glancing over their shoulders as if expecting something—or someone. Korrick's influence stretched far, it seemed, even if it was just the fear of his power keeping them in line.

Liora led them past the tents, her movements fluid and confident. Eren was right behind her, and Daisuke kept close to Eren's side, trying to mimic his mentor's every step. The three of them were like shadows, moving swiftly and silently through the camp.

They reached the central tent, the largest one in the camp. It was surrounded by guards, all heavily armed and looking alert. This had to be where Korrick was.

"Now, we split up," Liora whispered, her voice sharp and precise. "Eren, you and I will deal with the outer guards. Daisuke, you go in and find Korrick. He'll likely be in the tent, but we can't afford to be caught off guard. Stay sharp."

Daisuke nodded, his grip tightening on his sword. He had trained for moments like this, but he hadn't truly faced the enemy yet. The adrenaline coursed through him as he slowly crept toward the entrance of the tent.

His heart beat faster with each step. The guards were focused on their posts, and he was able to slip past them with ease. He didn't know if he was lucky or if his training had been enough, but he was in. The inside of the tent was dimly lit by a few small lanterns, casting eerie shadows on the walls.

At the center of the tent sat a tall man, his back to Daisuke. The man was dressed in fine, black armor adorned with silver runes, his hair black as coal, and his posture commanding. Korrick. There was no mistaking it. The aura around him was powerful, like a dark cloud hanging in the air. Daisuke could feel it—the dangerous magic that seemed to radiate from him.

Korrick's voice broke the silence before Daisuke could make his move. "I've been expecting you."

Daisuke froze, his mind scrambling. How had Korrick known he was here? He hadn't made a sound.

Slowly, Korrick turned in his chair, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous light. "You're not the first to come for me, but you might be the last."

Daisuke's hand went instinctively to the sword at his side, but his mind raced. How could Korrick have known he was coming? Was it just a feeling, or had someone betrayed them?

Before Daisuke could act, Korrick raised a hand, and the air around him seemed to shift. The temperature dropped, and a gust of wind blasted through the tent, knocking Daisuke back. The power emanating from Korrick was overwhelming—like a storm contained within a single person.

"You've been using your system, haven't you?" Korrick said, his voice smooth. "That's the thing about systems—they're dangerous when left unchecked. But not for long."

Daisuke gritted his teeth and summoned the system's power within him, focusing on the flow of energy, trying to push back against the pressure Korrick was creating. He felt the system's power surge in response, and for a moment, it felt like a struggle between two forces, each trying to dominate the other.

But then, just as quickly as the wind had come, it stopped. The air was still again, but the pressure was heavier, like something had shifted.

Korrick stood up, his dark eyes never leaving Daisuke's. "I've been watching you, boy. You're not like the others. You might actually pose a challenge."

Daisuke's heart pounded, but he stood his ground. This was it. This was the moment where everything he had trained for would be tested.

"You've been a thorn in my side for far too long," Korrick continued, his voice now filled with a dangerous edge. "But I don't plan on letting you go any further."