Warning: this chapter and the next following chapters might possess too graphic or disturbing scenes for some readers.
As the rustling grew closer, the trio tensed, instinctively raising their guard-though, in their current state, there was little they could do if danger struck.
Then, from the edge of the clearing, a group of trainees emerged. Like them, they had endured the trial, but their expensive gear and standard-issue weapons marked them as nobles. Though their once-pristine equipment was now worn and dirtied from the ordeal, it was still clear they came from wealth.
There were seven of them in total, a balanced mix of boys and girls. Some carried swords and spears, while two wielded strange staff-like weapons that Seth couldn't quite identify.
Casper and Emily relaxed slightly upon seeing the newcomers- perhaps because they were fellow trainees, or simply because they were human.
Seth, however, did the opposite. His guard only rose higher at the sight of them.
It wasn't the weapons or their noble status that unsettled him. It was the fact that he recognized the two standing at the front of the group.
The first was a stout boy with dark, nearly gray hair and striking red eyes- an unmistakable mark of Blackthorn blood. This was Boyle Claremont, the noble who had caused trouble for Seth on his very first day at the training grounds.
The other, in stark contrast to Boyle, was lanky, with brown hair and matching eyes. Seth immediately recognized him as Stev- the noble who had attacked Emily after she had humiliated Boyle in a fight.
'The whole gang's here,' Seth thought with sarcastic apprehension, his unease growing.
The new arrivals froze, their eyes widening at the scene before them. Scattered corpses of dire rats, the glowing sword intent array, and- most notably the massive, lifeless body of the owlbear.
For a moment, Boyle and his group held their breath, fear flashing across their faces. But once they confirmed the beast was truly dead, they relaxed.
Boyle let out a low whistle as he stepped forward, a smirk creeping onto his face.
"Always an overachiever, aren't you, Casper?" he remarked, his tone laced with both amusement and something else- perhaps irritation or begrudging respect.
Emily, having finally recognized the two nobles, tensed once more. They were all exhausted, barely standing, and one of them was unconscious- there wasn't a more vulnerable state than this.
Boyle's eyes flickered to the badge in Seth's hand, and he let out an unsettling chuckle.
"Seeing as you have a badge, it's safe to assume this thing didn't go down easy… not that it wasn't terrifying enough already," he mused.
'Crap!'
Seth's stomach dropped. He had been so caught up in everything that he had forgotten to put the badge away. Now, Boyle and his group had seen it- greedy eyes locking onto the prize.
Boyle's gaze drifted away from the badge and landed on the one holding it- Seth.
Upon recognizing him, Boyle's expression shifted slightly, a faint frown crossing his face as their eyes met.
Contrary to Seth's expectations, however, Boyle didn't immediately start trouble. Instead, his frown melted into a casual grin as he turned his attention to Casper, stepping closer.
"You know, Casper," he mused in an almost innocent tone, "there just happens to be this really rare thing I've always wanted from the clan's vault."
Around him, his companions snickered, their intentions all too clear.
"Seeing as you happen to be in possession of a badge, you wouldn't mind parting with it, right?" Boyle asked, his tone light but laced with clear intent. As he spoke, his group slowly spread out, surrounding the trio with weapons subtly brandished.
Despite the dire situation, Casper remained composed. His voice was calm, almost indifferent, as he responded, "Yes, I would mind parting with it. If you wanted something from the vault so badly, you should have taken down a monster that had one yourself."
He feigned ignorance, acting as though Boyle's interest was in the mere idea of the badge rather than the one clutched in Seth's grasp.
"Defeat a beast, you say?" Boyle echoed, pausing briefly before smirking. "I guess I'll just beat the one I see holding it."
Before anyone could react, Boyle's fist shot forward. The punch was so fast that Seth barely registered the movement before a brutal impact sent him crashing to the ground.
A sickening crack accompanied the hit, followed by a sharp burst of pain. Seth coughed, spitting out a mixture of blood, saliva, and a broken tooth. His head throbbed, ringing with agony- worse than the time he'd been struck with a stick.
"Oh, look at that," Boyle said mockingly as he crouched down, prying the badge from Seth's trembling grasp. "I just defeated a beast with a badge… and a freakish one at that. Lucky me."
His group chuckled in amusement, while Seth remained on the ground, dazed and seething.
"Young master!" Emily screamed in rage, but before she could act, one of Boyle's lackeys grabbed her in a vice-like grip. Despite her desperate struggles, her exhausted body couldn't muster the strength to break free.
"What are you doing?!" Casper shouted, his voice sharp with fury.
Boyle feigned innocence, tilting his head in mock confusion. "What? You said I should defeat a beast with a badge, right? So that's exactly what I did." His words dripped with smug amusement as he stomped down on Seth, who was still groaning on the ground.
"Let's go before an instructor shows up," Stev muttered, sounding slightly uneasy.
Boyle sighed, clearly disappointed the fun had to end so soon. With a final smirk, he turned to leave, his group following suit.
He had only taken a few steps when Casper's voice rang out once more.
"You'll regret this! I'll make you pay when we're out!" Casper shouted, finally losing his composure.
And then, it happened too fast for anyone to react.
Boyle spun around, his expression darkening as he unsheathed his sword in one fluid motion. Before anyone could move, before a single word of protest could be uttered, the blade drove straight into Casper's chest.
The already damaged chest piece offered little resistance. The sword slid through with horrifying ease, impaling Casper cleanly before emerging from his back.
For a brief moment, the world stood still.
Dead Silence.
A heavy, suffocating stillness settled over the clearing.
Seth and Emily stared, frozen in shock and horror, unable to comprehend what had just happened. Even Boyle's own group seemed momentarily stunned by his actions- though none were as utterly shaken as the two who had fought beside Casper.
Casper himself stood rigid, his breath hitching, eyes wide with disbelief.
Boyle twisted the blade slightly, his lips curling into a sneer. His crimson eyes gleamed with something unhinged, something cruel.
"How dare a bastard like you," he spat, his voice low and venomous, "someone who only possesses a few privileges and talents, threaten me?"
Casper's mouth opened slightly, as if to respond- but no words came. Only a weak, pained gasp.