Thorne wiped the sweat from his brow, breathing heavily as the latest aether beast collapsed at his feet. Its death rattle signaled the end of the fight, a sound both satisfying and eerie. He could feel the tension in his muscles easing as the adrenaline began to fade, replaced by a deep, weary satisfaction. It had been a while since he'd faced such a satisfying fight.

The thick forest had proven to be a training ground of sorts, filled with danger at every turn. Sid, ever the practical instructor, had decided they needed a break from stealth and subterfuge. "You need to remember what it's like to fight head-on," he had said, "where there's no hiding, no running, just raw skill and power."

Thorne couldn't have agreed more. The past few days had been a grueling, brutal march through the aether-rich wilderness, where the beasts seemed to grow stronger with every mile. But the danger also brought opportunity.

The others had been eager, even thrilled, by the chance to level up. He had seen the gleeful grins on their faces as they took down beast after beast, each kill likely bringing them closer to their next level.

For Thorne, however, the excitement was tempered by reality. At level 36, leveling up was no easy feat. A couple of beasts, no matter how fierce, weren't going to push him over the edge. Still, the experience was valuable. He could feel himself inching closer to that elusive next level, his skills progressing with each battle.

Rhea had been a force to be reckoned with. Her greatsword cut through the beasts with devastating precision, each swing a testament to her growing strength. She fought with a controlled fury that was as impressive as it was terrifying. Jareth wasn't far behind, his agility and twin short swords making him a blur of deadly motion. His skill with the blades had improved dramatically, each strike calculated, each movement efficient.

Corwin, on the other hand, was struggling. His choice of daggers, while effective against human opponents, was less so against the tough hides and sharp claws of the aether beasts. Thorne had shared in his frustration, though his higher level and superior attributes gave him an edge. Still, it took him longer to bring down the beasts, as he focused more on leveling up his newer skills than on sheer efficiency.

A small, self-satisfied smile tugged at Thorne's lips as he checked the latest notifications. His persistence had paid off; several of his skills had leveled up during the fight.

Skill level up: Bloodletting!

Skill level up: Bloodletting!

Skill level up: Knife Fan!

Name: Thorne

Level: 36

Race: Human

Age: 18

Special Trait: Elder Race

Health Points: 823/1000

Aether: 498/590

Stamina: 437/950

Core Attributes

Strength: 68→ 76

Agility: 80→ 88

Dexterity: 78→ 88

Endurance: 90→ 95

Vitality: 86→ 100

Spirit: 100→ 105

Wisdom: 54→ 59

Intelligence: 50

Combat Skills

Daggers: 42→ 47

Lethal Flurry: 4→ 9

Backstab: 6→11

Bloodletting: 1→ 5

Unarmed Combat: 23→ 27

Combat Reflexes: 31→ 38

Sword Mastery: 6→ 19

Charging Strike: 3

Throwing Knives: 9→ 19

Knife Fan: 1→ 7

Crossbows: 7→ 10

Critical Eye: 6→ 13

Archery: 19→ 24

Piercing Arrow: 5

Silent Draw: 7

Stealth & Deception

Stealth: 40→ 49

Shadow Meld: 26→ 32

Sleight of Hand: 20→ 23

Pickpocketing: 18→ 20

Lockpicking: 15→ 17

Stealth Strike: 18→ 23

Escape Artist: 33→ 35

Survival & Miscellaneous Skills

Tracking: 25→ 27

Foraging: 6

Acrobatics: 37→ 44

Running: 46→ 50→ Burst of Speed: 2

Herbalism: 6

Hunter's Insight: 10→ 12

Cunning Trapper: 11→ 16

Swimming: 2

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Mental & Social Skills

Acting: 22→ 31

Haggling: 10

Reading: 15

Arithmetic: 12

Mindguard: 10

Echoes of Truth: 18→ 27

Mask of Deceit: 11→ 31

Deception: 25→ 30

Defensive Skills

Resilience: 41→ 43

Aetheric Skin: 1→ 16

Aetheric Abilities

Primal Aether Manipulation: 15→ 24

Aether Burst: 10-> 12

Aether Surge: 7->9

Aetheric Grip: 5

But before he could fully relish the moment, Sid's gruff voice cut through his thoughts.

"Let's go," Sid barked, breaking Thorne out of his reverie. "Hopefully, this is the last one. We're almost there."

Thorne cast a final glance at the fallen beast, its body glowing faintly in his vision thanks to his Hunter's Insight skill. He could see the value in its carcass, the aether-rich hide and bones, the potent core buried deep within. But there was no time to linger. With a resigned sigh, he turned away and hurried to catch up with the others.

The donkey plodded forward once more, its hooves kicking up dust as they resumed their journey. Thorne clambered back up the crates, settling into a spot that was as comfortable as he could manage.

Around him, the other recruits were in various states of exhaustion. Their clothes were torn and dusted from the three-day trek through the forest, their faces streaked with dirt and sweat. The exhaustion was etched into their features, the dark circles under their eyes, the tightness in their movements.

As Thorne sat, he pulled out his daggers, now coated in the blood of their latest foe. He methodically cleaned each blade, the repetitive task soothing in its simplicity.

Unfortunately, that beast hadn't been the last. Not long after, another creature appeared, its growls echoing through the trees. Sid didn't hesitate, urging Jareth forward.

Jareth, though reluctant, stepped up. He had become quite the swordsman, his movements fluid and precise. Thorne watched with a mix of admiration and calculation as Jareth engaged the beast.

His speed was astounding, his short swords moving with a life of their own. Each swing was lethal, each step calculated. Thorne could see the skills Jareth had unlocked, the way his blades seemed to dance with an unpredictable and deadly rhythm.

It wasn't long before the beast was brought to its knees, a final, pained roar escaping its maw before it slumped to the ground. They moved on, circling around the dead beast.

As the group resumed their journey, Thorne resigned himself to another night filled with tension and danger. The forest had proven to be relentless, beasts lurking around every corner. But just as the sun dipped toward the horizon, casting the forest in a golden glow, something shifted.

The trees began to thin, their dense canopy giving way to open sky. The air felt different—lighter, fresher—and as they crested a small hill, Thorne finally saw the sky in full. The forest parted, revealing low, sloping hills covered in orchards and fields that stretched out before them like a peaceful oasis after the oppressive darkness of the woods.

As the cart rumbled out of the forest and onto the open road, Thorne found his attention drawn to the sight emerging on the horizon. The city of Valewind came into view, its towering walls stark against the fading light. Thorne straightened in his seat, unable to suppress the flicker of awe as he took in the city's grandeur.

Valewind was unlike anything Thorne had ever seen. Alvar, the city he knew, was a chaotic sprawl—buildings erected quickly and without care, crumbling facades patched together in a haphazard attempt at shelter. Alvar had no real defenses, just a short, decaying curtain wall that barely enclosed the city's most vital parts. It was a city built out of necessity, not for beauty or strength.

But Valewind was different. The walls were immense, their sheer height and thickness something out of legend, stretching high above the surrounding landscape. Thorne had never seen fortifications like this—massive stone blocks fitted so tightly together that not even the smallest crack could be seen. The battlements were lined with old, but formidable defenses: rows of ballistae, the pointed ends of spears glinting in the dying light, and arrow slits that seemed to watch the landscape with silent vigilance.

As the cart creaked along, closer to the city, Thorne's eyes were drawn to the intricacies of the architecture. The walls were punctuated by towers—tall, sturdy structures that seemed ready to rain death upon any who dared approach.

The road leading up to the city was narrow, winding, and flanked by steep embankments, making any large-scale assault almost impossible. Even the ground beneath the cart's wheels had been deliberately uneven, causing the cart to jostle and rock.

The closer they got, the more Thorne noticed. The gates loomed ahead, massive and reinforced with iron, the wood beneath scarred by old battles yet still holding firm. Above the gate, ancient banners, faded and tattered, fluttered in the evening breeze.

Sid, who had been silent for most of the journey, finally stirred, his voice cutting through Thorne's thoughts. "Listen up," he said, reaching into his cloak and pulling out several pieces of parchment.

As the cart rolled closer to the city's entrance, the clatter of hooves and wheels on the cobblestones echoed off the walls, adding to the city's imposing presence. Sid handed each of them a sheet of parchment. "This is your mission briefing. Read it carefully."

Thorne accepted the parchment but couldn't tear his eyes away from the city for long. He could see the figures of guards patrolling the walls, their armor catching the last rays of sunlight, and the shadows of ancient siege weapons lying in wait atop the battlements. Everything about this place spoke of a readiness for war.

As Thorne finally glanced down at the parchment, Sid continued. "We're here for the annual ball of Lord Eadric Valewyn. He's our primary target."

The cart jolted slightly as it passed over a deep rut, bringing Thorne back to the present. He could now make out the individual stones in the walls, each one massive and ancient, their surfaces worn smooth by centuries of weather and conflict. The city wasn't just fortified; it was built to last.

Sid's voice remained steady as he gave instructions. "You'll be posing as a noble," he said, his eyes locking onto Thorne. "Jareth and Rhea, you'll be his bodyguards. Corwin, you'll act as his servant."

Thorne listened with half an ear, his mind still turning over the city's defenses. The more he saw, the more questions he had. Why would a city need such extravagant fortifications?

He glanced around at the others. Jareth read the parchment with his usual calm, while Corwin's reaction was instant and furious. The man's hand twitched toward his pocket, his eyes flashing with anger as he glared at Thorne. But it was Rhea who drew Thorne's attention—she looked at him with something close to resentment.

"A bodyguard?" Rhea spat, her tone harsh. "Is this what I've been training for? To be a bystander in my own mission?"

Sid's response was measured, almost dismissive. "Each role was chosen with your strengths in mind. It's about how you can best contribute to the mission. If you're not satisfied, you can back out, but you'll be graded as a failure."

Rhea's eyes flicked back to Thorne, her expression hardening, before she turned away, biting back her frustration. Thorne noted the tension in her posture, the way her hands clenched at her sides.

As they approached the gate, the enormity of the walls struck Thorne again. He couldn't help but ask, "Why does this city need such defenses?"

Sid's eyes shifted slightly, acknowledging the question as he responded. "Valewind was once the closest city to the elven kingdom, Thal'Dorei. During the centuries-long war, this was the last bastion, the city that held the line when all others fell. Its defenses were built to withstand the worst the elves could throw at it."

Thorne absorbed this new information as the cart rolled to a stop near the gate. The gates themselves were imposing, made of thick ironwood reinforced with steel bands, the hinges massive and bolted deep into the stone. The guards at the entrance were vigilant, their eyes sharp as they surveyed the incoming traffic.

As the cart creaked along the narrow road toward the city's gate, the murmur of voices grew louder. The gates were crowded with merchants, travelers, and city folk, all eager to enter before nightfall. The guards at the entrance scrutinized each person, their hands resting casually on the hilts of their swords.

Sid's voice cut through the noise, drawing the group's attention back to him. "The main objective is to kill Lord Valewyn. I don't care how you do it—stealth, poison, or a public execution—just make sure it's done. But the guild wants to send a message. Once you kill him, carve the guild's symbol into his forehead."

Thorne felt a ripple of unease pass through the group. The task was brutal, more personal than their usual jobs. Even Jareth's calm demeanor seemed to falter for a moment as he processed the order. Thorne noticed Corwin clutching his pocket more tightly, his face pale and drawn.

Sid didn't wait for objections. "Your secondary goal," he continued, "is to find a folder. We don't have an exact description, but you'll know it when you find it." His tone left no room for questions, but that didn't stop Corwin from nervously asking, "What's in the folder?"

Sid's response was swift and cold. "Your job isn't to ask questions, Corwin. It's to follow orders."

The city gates were close now, the massive iron structure looming above them, the air thick with the scent of woodsmoke and the distant clamor of city life. As they neared the entrance, Sid turned his attention back to Rhea, Jareth, and Corwin. "You three have one last task—gather anything valuable from the noble's estate. Coins, gems, weapons, I don't care what it is, as long as it can turn a profit for the guild."

They all nodded, accepting their roles without further complaint. Sid then turned to Thorne, his gaze hard. "You have an additional task," he said, his voice lowering as the cart drew to a halt near the gates. "You're to make contact with certain people of interest. The details are in your brief."

Thorne frowned as he looked down at the parchment, noticing the long list of names and descriptions. Each person had detailed information about their physical appearance, personal history, and connections within the noble circles. It was clear that these weren't just random individuals—they were people the guild had an interest in.

"And the goal?" Thorne asked, his voice level.

Sid's answer was simple but loaded with meaning. "Make sure they remember you."

Thorne absorbed the words as the cart jolted to a stop in front of the gate. The implications were clear—Thorne wasn't just to blend in. He was to leave an impression, one that would last.

The guards approached, their eyes sharp and suspicious as they inspected the group. Sid's final words hung in the air, his tone leaving no doubt about the stakes. "This mission is crucial to the guild. Failure is not an option."

As the guards waved them through and the cart rolled into the city, Thorne tucked the parchment into his coat, his mind already calculating the steps ahead. Valewind's streets unfolded before them, narrow and winding, lined with ancient buildings that seemed to lean into the road.

The mission was clear, the risks understood. Now, all that remained was execution.

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