Chapter 4:Ambush from the Ravine

The morning sun filtered through thick forest leaves as Tolan and his group resumed their journey. The dirt path narrowed between steep rocky slopes, shadows stretching long and thin.

Nova remained quietly nestled in Tolan's satchel, its sensors constantly active.

While analyzing the residual mana patterns from the night before, an alert flashed across Nova's systems.

[Heat signatures detected ahead. Multiple. Human.]

Tolan's steps slowed. His eyes scanned the ridgeline above.

"Something feels wrong," he muttered under his breath.

Before he could react further, figures dropped down from behind boulders. Bandits, armed with rusted blades and crossbows, surrounded them with practiced precision.

"Hand over your packs," one snarled, pointing toward Tolan. "And that glowing artifact too."

Tolan's grip tightened on his staff. His companions shifted uneasily, outnumbered and boxed in.

Nova calculated swiftly.

Direct confrontation held low success probability.

Retreat paths were blocked.

Mana output insufficient for direct offense.

A distraction was optimal.

Nova pulsed a simple sequence, triggering one of its stored rune patterns. Instead of casting outward, it sent a vibration downward into loose gravel and rock.

The ground trembled faintly. Dust and debris exploded upward, blinding the bandits in a sudden cloud.

Tolan reacted without hesitation. He grabbed Nova securely and sprinted toward a narrow gap between two large boulders.

One bandit, quicker than the others, lunged through the dust. His sword gleamed as he swung.

Nova reacted instantly. Safety protocols disengaged.

It emitted a concentrated frequency burst aimed directly at the bandit's auditory nerves. The man staggered, clutching his head, unable to regain balance.

Tolan and his group slipped through the narrow gap, moving deeper into the forest until the sounds of pursuit faded.

Only after they reached relative safety did Tolan speak, catching his breath.

"You're not just an artifact," he murmured, glancing down at Nova. "You're learning."

Nova vibrated gently in acknowledgment.

[New Ability Registered: Adaptive Tactical Pulse (Level 1)]

But amidst the data logs, one more pattern stood out clearly.

These bandits had not been random. They knew exactly what they were after.

Nova logged the encounter carefully. Someone had sent them.

Defense protocols adjusted. Observation protocols prioritized.

Whoever was hunting them would not stop here.