After proving his strength to the Twilight Claws, Leon quickly became a recognized member of the squad. However, despite the victories, something lingered in the back of his mind—Ricardo. His friend had vanished without a trace, and the more time passed, the more uneasy Leon felt.
One evening, after returning from a successful mission, Jin called the team together in the guild hall.
"We've received a special request," he announced, unfolding a parchment. "A high-ranking noble's convoy was attacked near the Ruins of Eldrath. Survivors claim the attackers were… not human."
Lisa frowned. "Not human? Monsters?"
Jin shook his head. "They described them as warriors wrapped in shadow. Unnaturally fast. Almost… like phantoms."
Leon felt a shiver run down his spine. Somehow, the description sounded too familiar.
Kris, ever the skeptic, crossed his arms. "If they're human, we'll take them down. If they're something else… we'll find out."
Jin nodded. "We leave at dawn."
The Ruins of Eldrath
The squad arrived at the ruins by midday. Crumbling stone structures loomed around them, covered in vines and bathed in eerie silence. The wind carried whispers—almost like voices long forgotten.
Lisa knelt by a broken carriage, examining the torn fabric and bloodstains. "Something attacked them alright… but whatever it was, it wasn't just bandits."
Leon tightened his grip on his sword. His instincts screamed that something was watching them.
Then, without warning—
A shadow moved.
It wasn't just a trick of the light. A real, physical presence blurred through the ruins with inhuman speed, circling them like a predator.
"Formation!" Jin commanded, drawing his molten sword.
Leon's eyes followed the movement—too fast, too fluid. And then, as the figure emerged into the light, his breath caught in his throat.
A warrior clad in black, a mask hiding his face, but his stance… the way he held his sword…
"Ricardo?!"
The name slipped from Leon's lips before he could stop himself.
The figure hesitated for a fraction of a second. That hesitation was enough.
Jin moved like lightning, closing the distance with a flaming strike—
But the masked warrior vanished.
A blur of motion, a clash of steel, and suddenly Jin was pushed back several steps, his sword meeting an overwhelming force.
The squad stood frozen. Leon took a step forward, his heart pounding.
"Ricardo… is that you?!"
The masked figure stood still, sword lowered, shadows swirling around him. Then, in a voice colder than ice, he finally spoke.
"…You shouldn't have come here, Leon."
To be continued...