They trained like that for eight more days. On the nineth day, it was time to prepare for the raid.
Lord Rauk had sent them some money, enough to gear up properly, so Kaedros and Taria headed out into to make their purchases.
The most important buy was for Taria, she needs a new spear.
And so they got her one, It matched the length of her old one but was made from a lighter alloy, built for speed and precise thrusts, perfect for her style.
Kaedros also picked up a dagger. He didn’t plan on using it much, but having a backup option was never a bad idea.
The rest of their time was spent stocking up on food, small supplies. Kaedros made sure they rested well. No pushing, no overtraining. They would need their mana pools full for the day after.
The next morning, they rose before dawn and suited up.
Black fitted gear with leather gloves, they wore reinforced boots their black clothes sleek, and made ready for combat.
"Why are we meeting at the bounty hunter’s Association again?" Taria mumbled as they made their way toward the looming structure.
"That’s where Rauk said to gather," Kaedros replied.
The first hall of the Association was mostly deserted, no usual commotion or training noise. Just a single group standing together and speaking in hushed tones.
Kaedros recognized Lord Rauk instantly, slick dark hair, pale slender features. Knight Vexa stood beside him like a statue, and behind her were four unfamiliar figures.
In front of the group stood Master Zevrak, broad and grim as ever. Beside him was a tall, wiry man with a long white beard and keen eyes.
"...Forbidden zones," the bearded man was saying. "I know most of you haven’t been in one before, so I’ll explain what to expect. But first..." His eyes locked sharply on Kaedros and Taria as they approached. "Let’s reintroduce ourselves."
"I am Thandor Vael, a Refiner, rank two, and I’ll be your guide for this raid," he said, stroking his beard. "You all know Lord Rauk Lythienne and his knight, Vexa. The Ascendant team behind them is the white steel team. Stage ten, rank 2s. They’ll serve as both support and protection under Vexa’s command."
He turned slightly, his eyes twinkling. "And these are Kael and Taria, the ’super newbies.’"
Kaedros hated that nickname, but smiled anyway. The Flower Swords gave them a few long, appraising looks. Kaedros wondered what kind of favors or politics had gone into securing their spot here.
The white steel, three men and one woman, fit the typical formation, mage, warrior, healer, scout.
Competent enough, Kaedros guessed.
Taria gave Rauk a polite nod and slight bow. Vexa, unsurprisingly, glowered at her in return. Kaedros just offered a disarming smile.
Thandor cleared his throat again. "We’re also joined by Master Zevrak, head of the Solmere bountu hunter’s Association."
"Morning," Zevrak grunted.
"Now then," Thandor continued, "let’s talk about forbidden zones. They began appearing the day the two unknown Gods fought years ago. As you know, the known word ended during that time and the backlash caused corrosive energy to spill into the world.
"Corrupting everything. The lands was getting swallowed by the energy and that is why we have to pull out lands into the sky.
"Space time fractured and caused some named monsters to flood our world.
"It was during that time that forbidden zones were created. Some beloved it was formed from the combination of the fractured time space with the corrosive energy and the energy from the Gods themselves.
"It’s like ancient cities, castle or place that is preserved where one can gain power, treasures, inheritance and such. It’s also very dangerous.
"We have two types of Forbidden zones. Grounded forbidden zones and normal."
Master Zevrak stepped forward then. "There’s also something called a forbidden zone Break. That’s when a zone gets strong enough to send its monsters out in a violent wave—an invasion of the surrounding area. Anything alive gets killed. It’s unpredictable. That’s why forbidden zones must either be cleared or tamed."
"’Cleared’ means you go in, kill every monster, and extract the core," he continued. "Tamed means something else. You fight through most of it, kill the boss, then seed it with weaker monsters. It becomes a controlled zone. Like a monster farm. Ascendants harvest it when needed."
"That’s the important part for now. Thandor will brief you further."
With a dismissive wave, Zevrak turned and strode off, leaving the rest of them behind.
Thandor nodded deeply with a small bow. "What we’re raiding is a Grounded zone."
"Grounded zones are the types we found on the ground, on the surface."
"It is untamed. Its monsters are weak for now. It belongs to Lord Rauk. He’s chosen to use it as a power-raking ground for himself and his allies. Forbidden zones monsters give significantly more mana than usual, so it’s a good opportunity.
"But don’t forget," he added, "you’re also doing humanity a service. We’re always at war with monsters and Demons. Clearing this helps the land."
"As the mandate that all humans have is to return to the surface once more."
"We will fly down, below this island and then we’ll work the rest of the way in the wilderness to the zone. It takes a while for the corrosive energy began to take effect on humans. We should be in the zone by then."
He let his words settle before saying, "If anyone wants out... now is the time."
He wasn’t looking directly at Rauk, but Kaedros could tell the warning was meant for him.
Kaedros raised a hand, and Thandor gave a slight nod.
"Shouldn’t we have more fighters? And more healers?" Kaedros asked calmly. "This feels too... small. Under-equipped."
The numbers didn’t add up. It smelled off, why would they have such low numbers for something .
Rauk stepped forward and cleared his throat. "There were surprisingly low numbers of bouhty hunters willing to participate."
Kaedros narrowed his eyes.
That didn’t make sense. In a town like Solmere, with its population of hungry Ascendants they should be begging for a chance at a zone raid. Ranks. Loot. Prestige. It was a golden opportunity.
Unless someone had warned them off.
"...Is that so," Kaedros murmured.
That was all he said.
But in his mind, the game had already begun.
Now the only thing that mattered... was getting out alive.