The forest in the south of Antrows City felt hauntingly quiet beneath a starlit night sky. In a hidden clearing, a small fire built by Keyzier danced gently, providing just enough warmth for the three young adventurers.
However, even though their bodies were resting, Keyzier's mind wandered back to the harrowing moments in the Goblin King's lair.
Keyzier stared at his own palms, reflected in the firelight. He remembered how Donovan had been struck down, how Novalia had been cornered, and how he himself had been overwhelmed just trying to hold back the Goblin King's onslaught. Despite their victory and their new Rank C status, Keyzier felt a nagging hollow sensation.
"Since the incident in Yavo Forest, I've been thinking about something." Keyzier said, breaking the silence. His voice was low, yet heavy with emphasis.
Donovan, who was chewing on the last of his bread, turned to look at him, as did Novalia, who was adjusting her cloak.
"What is it, Key?" Donovan asked curiously.
Keyzier let out a long sigh, his eyes gazing sharply into the darkness of the forest. "Our party... isn't strong enough yet. We won against the Goblin King, but it almost cost us our lives. If we encounter higher-level monsters in greater numbers, or perhaps an organized group of human enemies, our current formation will be extremely vulnerable."
Keyzier picked up a twig and began drawing patterns on the ground. "I have an idea. When we arrive in Fellims Kingdom later, we need to find additional party members."
Donovan frowned. He deeply respected Keyzier's leadership instincts, but the idea of adding someone new to their tight-knit circle of trust was not something he could accept easily, especially while they were fugitives.
"Exactly how many people are you looking for, Key?" Donovan asked with a probing tone.
Keyzier paused for a moment, calculating the potential empty positions in his mind. "Maybe two or three more!"
Hearing that number, Donovan almost choked. "What? Three people? I don't agree with that idea! That's too many, Key. We're on the run. Adding three strangers at once is just asking for a higher risk of betrayal or information leaks."
Donovan stood up, trying to explain his perspective. "Searching for just one or two people is more than enough. And if we must add someone, make sure they are a bow user or a pure healer!"
Novalia, who had been listening quietly until then, finally spoke up. "I agree with Novan, Key."
The discussion that night turned into a deep evaluation of their respective abilities. They analyzed the long-standing structure of Party Noiver.
Keyzier was a jack-of-all-trades; he filled the roles of scout, assassin, and elemental mage. Donovan was the vanguard, the tank and a formidable short-range attacker. Meanwhile, Novalia was the supportive heart, proficient in support magic, buffs, and debuffs that played a crucial role in turning the tide of battle.
"Our party is actually very well-balanced." Novalia said softly. "Even the Guild Master judged us to be very strong compared to other Rank C adventurers."
"Right!" Donovan chimed in. "I can hold the frontline, Nova keeps the middle, and you can appear from anywhere, Key. But, I do agree that we need someone who can launch long-range attacks so you don't have to constantly split your focus between magic and physical strikes."
Despite his companions' objections, Keyzier still held a different vision in his head. He saw a future more dangerous than just being chased by Varda soldiers.
"I understand your concerns..." Keyzier said, looking at them both. "But listen to this. If there are only three of us, when one falls or runs out of mana, our formation will collapse instantly. With three more people, we can divide tasks more specifically based on individual expertise. We could have a backup scout unit, a permanent long-range unit, and perhaps another frontline fighter to assist you, Novan."
Keyzier imagined an invincible party, a small group with the flexibility of a special forces unit. However, he also realized that pushing this argument while they were exhausted was not a wise choice.
"Ah... about the new members, let's think about it tomorrow. For now, let's have dinner and then rest. We need strength for tomorrow's journey," Keyzier concluded with a thin smile, trying to ease the tension of the discussion.
Donovan and Novalia nodded in relief. They began to eat the supplies bought in Antrows that afternoon. Although the topic of new members still hung in the air, hunger and fatigue dominated for now. After a quiet dinner, they shared the night watch schedule. Keyzier insisted on taking the first shift so his companions could sleep early.
The long night slowly turned into a misty morning. Sunlight began to filter through the lush forest leaves, creating beautiful pillars of light that nonetheless failed to erase the tension surrounding them.
Now, all members of Party Noiver prepared to continue their journey. They dismantled the tent quickly and efficiently, erasing any traces of the campsite so they couldn't be tracked by anyone who might be following them from behind. Novalia checked her hood once more, ensuring her golden-yellow hair was perfectly hidden.
The journey continued, and they chose a detour through the eastern forest path, then cut south toward the Fellims border.
This trip was very different from their previous journey to Antrows. While they used to be filled with the spirit of young adventurers wanting to see the world, their path was now filled with extreme vigilance.
Every snap of a twig or sudden flutter of bird wings made Donovan instinctively grip the hilt of his sword.
Keyzier often paused, using his mana detection magic to ensure there were no pursuit units within a one-kilometer radius.
Novalia walked in the middle, flanked by Keyzier in front and Donovan behind. She felt slightly suffocated by having to constantly wear the hood, but she knew it was the price to pay for her freedom.
Every step they took was no longer just a step toward a new place, but a step toward survival, a step to get away from the shackles of the past that were trying to pull Novalia back.
With sharp focus and unflagging vigilance, Party Noiver continued to penetrate the forest, walking toward the southern horizon where they hoped to find the answers to their search for strength and safety.