The afternoon in Eden was already beginning to fade when Ethan and Elenya returned from the guild, talking about training routes and plans for the next day.
The sky shifted into shades of orange mixed with gold, reflecting off the gigantic leaves of the living trees. The city looked beautiful… but the tension in the air made it clear that nothing was normal.
That was when a thunderous crash echoed from the tree line.
A savage roar.
Then another.
And another.
"You heard that, right?" Elenya raised her bow immediately.
"I did… and it doesn't sound good."
Before they could react, people began running from the forest. Some staggered, others screamed for help. Ethan had seen panic before — but never like this.
"Wolves! Someone help! They're going to kill everyone!" a player shouted as he ran past them.
Ethan and Elenya rushed forward.
And then they saw it.
A single man standing on the front line, holding back seven wolves with his own body.
The scene looked like something out of an epic painting.
A massive golden shield gleamed under the fading sunlight. His armor reflected crimson and blue tones as he moved. Each impact of fangs against the shield made the ground tremble slightly.
Behind him, huddled together in terror, a group of beginners tried to protect themselves. Low-level players, wearing simple gear, their faces frozen in fear.
Among them stood a hooded girl wearing a dark coat.
She clutched her hood tightly, head lowered, as if on the verge of collapse. She said nothing. Barely moved. She looked… exhausted by life itself.
And yet, her eyes remained fixed on the tank in front of her, as if she were witnessing a miracle.
Ethan whispered,
"Who… is that guy?"
"No idea," Elenya replied. "But he's holding everything by himself."
The wolves attacked again.
The warrior raised his shield and shouted,
"Fall back! Stay behind me! I'll hold the line!"
One of the beginners cried out, trembling,
"B-But you can't hold them alone!"
"I can! Just don't let them get past!"
One wolf tried to flank from the side.
Ethan didn't think. He launched a burst of fire.
At the same time, Elenya fired a precise arrow.
The creatures recoiled, surprised.
The warrior glanced back for a split second, sweat dripping down his face — and smiled.
"Hah! Reinforcements! Finally!"
Ethan and Elenya charged in with weapons raised.
"Go! I'll cover the flank!" Elenya shouted.
Ethan was already channeling a stronger flame.
The warrior nodded.
"Alright! Let's finish this!"
With reinforcements, the battle tipped instantly.
Three perfect arrows from Elenya.
Four controlled fire blasts from Ethan.
Two devastating shield strikes from the tank.
In less than thirty seconds…
All seven wolves were dead.
Silence fell over the clearing.
The beginners began to cry, tremble, and thank them.
The hooded girl lifted her eyes for a brief moment… and focused on the man with the shield.
There was something in her gaze that was hard to define — admiration, shock, hope… and a spark that had been reignited.
The warrior exhaled deeply, brushed dust from his chestplate, and smiled tiredly.
"Thanks for the help. Without you two, I'd be face-down on the ground right now."
"What were you doing alone against all of that?" Ethan asked.
The man tapped his shield lightly.
"I wasn't alone." He looked back at the beginners. "I was protecting them."
One of the survivors murmured, still shaking,
"If it weren't for him… we'd be dead already…"
The tank smiled awkwardly.
"It's my job. I'm a tank."
Elenya studied his equipment more closely.
The metal chestplate had flawless craftsmanship, with golden inlays glowing with mana. The massive shield, thick and ornate, looked far beyond standard gear.
"Is all that starter equipment?" she asked.
He scratched the back of his neck.
"Yeah… I ended up spending some money at launch."
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
"Ah… the famous pay-to-win."
"Yeah," he laughed. "I used to think I'd overdone it.
Today…" he glanced at the group behind him, "today I'm grateful for every cent. This is my real life now."
The silence that followed was heavy.
The beginners stared at him like they were looking at a hero.
The hooded girl kept watching him, breathing slowly, as if something inside her had shifted.
"I'm Jay," he said at last, extending his hand. "Tank. My job is to protect people."
Ethan shook his hand.
"Ethan. Mage."
Elenya smiled.
"Elenya. Archer."
Jay nodded.
"Glad you showed up. Let's get these people back to the city."
The trio helped the beginners to their feet.
The mysterious girl said nothing, but she walked behind Jay the entire time, as if each step he took made it easier for her to breathe. Inside herself, she silently repeated that she wouldn't give up. That she would also do her best to protect others.
Something was beginning to intertwine.
"You fought well," Elenya said. "Really well. And you seem like someone we can trust."
Jay smiled — that honest smile of someone who had never left anyone behind.
Ethan stepped forward.
"Jay… how about joining us? We're forming a group. We're still just starting out, but together we can protect more people. And survive."
Jay rested his shield on the ground, thoughtful.
"A beginner mage…"
"An archer with insane aim…"
"And a handsome, talented tank…"
Elenya stared at him.
"Seriously?"
He laughed.
"Kidding. But yeah, I'm in. Surviving alone doesn't sound like a good plan."
A blue panel appeared between them.
[Invitation sent to: Jay]
[Jay accepted the invitation]
[New party formed]
Ethan smiled as he saw the icons align.
ETHAN — Mage
• ELENYA — Archer
• JAY — Tank
"Alright," Jay said, adjusting his shield. "Where to now?"
"Now?" Elenya replied. "We survive. And then… we move forward."
Night fell over Eden.
Mana lanterns lit the streets, guiding players back toward the safety of the city. Ethan, Elenya, and Jay walked side by side, escorting the rescued beginners.
The scenery was calm.
But the atmosphere… heavy.
When they crossed the main gate of Grovefall, some of the beginners collapsed to the ground in relief.
"You're safe now," Elenya said. "Nothing will attack you here."
Jay crouched in front of them.
"No matter what happens in here… there's always someone willing to help."
The hooded girl lifted her face briefly. Two eyes shimmered with silent gratitude before she looked down again.
Ethan noticed.
So did Elenya.
A small detail… loaded with future.
When they were finally alone, Jay let out a long breath.
"That was more intense than I expected."
"You held off seven wolves by yourself," Ethan said. "That's not normal."
Jay laughed.
"Training… good gear… and a bit of desperation."
"A bit?" Elenya shot back. "You almost got bitten in the throat twice."
"Twice?" Jay raised an eyebrow. "I counted four."
Ethan burst out laughing.
And in that laughter, something finally felt light.
Something human.
Something that, despite everything…
Had survived.
End of the chapter.
Thank you for reading.
See you tomorrow.