Now that Malric was gone, Nolan stood alone in the forest, the silence around him heavier than ever.
"I think I have to move away from here," he muttered. "I can’t survive staying in the forest forever."
He glanced at Zuru, who walked beside him on the path back to the cave.
"What was the name of that village again?" Nolan asked aloud, more to himself than to Zuru. "I remember... the angel told me it was the village of Sindra. That’s where I have to go. But I don’t know how."
They reached the cave, and Nolan sat for a moment, thinking.
"Since I’ve learned a lot of magic," he said, "I know how to use my shield... and I know how to use Search. Within fifty kilometers, I can scan. I’ve tried it even when Malric was still here—to see if I could sense any humans. But I haven’t seen anyone. Not a single human. Not even a demi-human like Malric."
He stood, then activated his Search ability. A faint pulse spread out from him like a ripple.
This time, something appeared in his radar.
Nolan’s eyes widened.
"A carriage," he whispered. "Zuru, I think you’re going to have to come with me. Let me go see what’s in that carriage—it could be people. It’s the first time I’ve seen my kind in so long."
Without waiting, Nolan broke into a sprint. Zuru followed close behind. After a few strides, Nolan slowed slightly to let the boar keep up, but his speed remained incredible.
In three minutes, he had covered nearly twenty kilometers.
He came to a stop at the edge of the trees. Ahead stood the carriage, parked on a narrow path. Zuru moved to step out, but Nolan held out a hand, giving a silent signal for him to stay hidden.
Nolan stepped forward slowly, raising a hand in greeting.
"Hello? Anyone there?" he called, waving.
As he got closer, he saw a man wrapped in cloth and armor, his face mostly covered—but Nolan knew immediately. He was human.
"Finally... I’ve seen my kind," Nolan said under his breath, a mix of relief and joy on his face.
The man riding the carriage climbed down.
"What are you doing here?" the man snapped. "Get out of this place. Move! Let us pass!"
"Sorry, man," Nolan replied, still smiling. "I’m just... I’m so glad to see you. You’re one of my kind."
He took a step forward, unable to hide his happiness.
That was when the man drew his sword.
"I said don’t come near me!" he barked. "What’s a suspicious guy like you doing in the middle of nowhere, pacing around the forest... wearing a suit? Are you an adventurer?"
Nolan raised his hands, palms open.
"No, no, no—you’ve got it all wrong. I don’t want to fight. I just want to talk."
Then, the leader of the bandits who had been sitting inside the carriage stepped out.
Seven men in total came down, each one armed and tense. The last to appear was their leader—Kane. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and carried a commanding presence. His voice rang out sharply:
"Druga! What’s going on? Why did you stop and step away from the path?"
Druga turned to him, jerking his head toward Nolan. "I don’t know who he is. I told him to go away—but he’s still here."
Kane’s eyes narrowed as he approached. The other men instinctively stepped back to give him room. He moved with purpose, his boots crunching against the dirt path. The tension in the air thickened.
Kane drew his sword slowly, the steel gleaming under the filtered sunlight.
He raised it toward Nolan—but then paused.
His eyes scanned Nolan carefully.
What’s someone doing in the middle of nowhere? he thought. That suit... it’s not normal. Black, sleek... not a wrinkle or seam. No visible weak point. No opening. If I attack recklessly...
He lowered the blade slightly, cautious now.
Nolan stood still, watching.
Why are they pulling their swords? he wondered. I just wanted to talk. Maybe ride with them. They won’t even let me speak.
He started to open his mouth, but Kane cut him off.
"Hey," Kane said firmly. "Just go. I don’t know who you are or what your business is, but I can already tell... you’re dangerous."
"I’m not," Nolan said calmly, hands still raised.
But the other bandits weren’t convinced. They closed in around Kane, eyes fixed on Nolan, weapons still drawn. The message was clear—they wouldn’t welcome him.
They’ve made their decision, Nolan thought. They don’t want me near them.
He let out a soft breath and stepped back.
"Alright... sorry for bothering you," he said quietly, shifting aside.
The bandits slowly turned away, moving back toward the carriage. Just as Kane reached the step, Nolan caught movement from the corner of his eye.
The boar stood hidden in the trees, giving him a subtle but urgent signal. His snout twitched. His body was stiff, eyes locked on the carriage.
Nolan crouched back toward the edge of the forest, moving next to Zuru.
"What is it?" he whispered.
Zuru didn’t look away. He remained completely still, his attention laser-focused.
Something’s inside, Nolan realized.
Without hesitation, he activated Vision Pierce.
His pupils flared blue, and a translucent glow swept over his vision as he peered through the carriage’s wooden walls.
Inside, his breath caught.
Demi-humans. Elves. Even young human women. Shackles chained to their necks. They were bound tightly, huddled together in fear.
As Nolan kept using his eye skill, he frowned.
What is going on? Why are the people tied in chains like animals? What are they? Could they be slaves? Or did these people capture them?
Nolan became angry. He bent his head and walked back to the front of the carriage.
"Hey mister, don’t even think about entering the carriage," Nolan said.
"You again? I warned you not to come in front of my carriage, but you did," Kane shouted angrily as he raised his sword. His men did the same.