Chapter 22 – Enemies of Humanity
Chapter 22
Enemies of Humanity
Date: Day 22 of Harvestmoon. 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
Hyoren took a deep breath. The air tasted different. Cleaner. No goblin musk or dumps. No stench of rotting meat and waste. Just the scent of grass and wildflowers carried on the wind.
He scanned the area.
The forest edge was a transition zone. Massive trees stood. Their roots twisted above the ground. Their branches spread wide.
But the grassland provided clear view. No towering ironwood trees blocking the sky. Sparse trees still existed here and there, acting as lonely guardians across an open landscape. The ground was covered with grass and small bushes.
The sky stretched above him. Vast and open. The dual suns hung lower on the horizon.
He exhaled slowly. The tension in his shoulders loosened. For the first time in days, he could see more than ten meters ahead.
Elise smiled seeing his reaction. She touched his shoulder to wake him from his stupor.
"We should make camp, Hyoren. It's too dark to travel safely. And the grasslands have their own dangers."
She stretched her arms. Rolling her shoulders.
"We'll rest here, on the edge of the forest. Start fresh at first light."
Hyoren smiled wryly. Then nodded.
“Right Elise. Let’s look for good area to camp.”
They walked. After a while, his eyes caught something.
A small indentation in the ground. Exactly where the forest ended. The big trees at the forest edge provided cover from the forest side. And the lowered ground made sure they wouldn't be spotted easily from the grassland side.
"Look, Elise. How about here? This should provide us good defense."
He walked to the spot. Tested the ground with his foot.
"The ground is soft, but firm. Thanks to the sand. Our backs won't ache the next day."
His eyes analyzed the terrain. Elise walked over. Examined the spot.
"You're really something..." she chuckled softly.
"I already said we can camp anywhere thanks to Ward Stones. But you're right. This is a good position."
She looked around.
"The river is also not that far."
Hyoren crouched. Examined the ground more closely.
"Hey, Elise. There are traces of a campfire here too."
He pointed to the charred remains—faint—but there.
Elise crouched beside him. Ran her fingers through the dirt and examined the ashes.
"You're right. They seem old, though."
She stood up. Brushed off her hands.
"And well, not weird. Adventurers go into this forest occasionally. Similar to me. Checking and periodically culling the goblins. This trace might be left by them."
Hyoren nodded.
That was understandable. He wasn't the first person to camp at the forest edge. He wouldn't be the last.
Both of them prepared the camp.
Elise opened her bag. Retrieved the four square Ward Stones. She placed them around the camp. The barrier appeared.
"I'll prepare the makeshift bed again, Elise. The ground is soft. But nothing beats the comfort of bedding."
He gathered the long, soft grass that grew at the forest's edge. Wove it into a thick mat.
Elise, in the meantime, had a small fire lit in no time. The smokeless flames burned bright and hot. She arranged small branches around it. Creating a stable base for cooking.
They sat in front of the campfire. Elise's eyes reflected the campfire. But her gaze was distant. Far away.
Hyoren watched her. Noticing the distant look in her eyes. The furrow in her brow. The tension in her shoulder.
"Hey, Elise. You fine?"
She blinked. Her eyes focused to look at him.
"Huh? Oh. I'm sorry. I was lost in thought."
She rubbed her face with her hands trying to warm her chilling cheek.
"I was just thinking about the group of goblins we defeated."
Elise shook her head. As if trying to clear the unwanted images.
"Why do you seem agitated?"
Elise exhaled a long breath. Her shoulders dropped.
"Sorry if I worried you. Well, you remember when I said the goblins should not venture too far to the forest edge, right?"
Hyoren waited patiently.
"And the warband we fought was an anomaly."
Elise inhaled a long breath before continuing.
"The rumor is..." she paused. Choosing her words carefully.
"The Goblin King, one of the warlock of Shadowden Collective, is starting to increase its activity."
She looked at him.
"And my quest is to investigate that rumor."
She had mentioned that before. About her quest. The reason she was in the forest.
"And the fact that this anomaly exists… Is undeniable proof. I should report to the guild later about this discovery."
Elise sighed. Then she looked north. Toward their destination.
"So you mean something is going to happen, Elise?"
Hyoren's voice was quiet. Serious.
"Yeah. Increased activity of the Goblin King is a sign."
Hyoren asked. "A sign?"
Elise face turned back to him. And nodded.
"A sign that its goblin army will soon march to the city. And the nearest city here is Frontier City Akela."
The city. The goal. The place he was heading to. Where he would start his new life.
"That is bad, right, Elise?"
Hyoren imagined. Goblin army decimating the cities. And he shuddered.
"Well, yes. But not really."
She held up her hand.
"We never truly know when the Goblin King is going to move. But records show..."
She counted on her fingers.
"Every time the Forest of No Return activity is heightened, the army will march within one year."
She tried to smile. Tried to lighten the mood with a chuckle. To reassure Hyoren.
"Don't worry too much. It won't happen that soon. If it were soon, this place would already be swarmed by goblins."
But her eyes remained serious. She was also preparing him.
"This kind of activity is the signal. For adventurers to keep their eyes on this forest. And for Baron Akela to prepare his knight for the defensive battle."
Hyoren tried to digest the information.
Elise's smile reassured him. But he knew the truth. The threat of the Goblin King. The Warlock of Shadowden Collective. And someday, it would knock on Akela's door.
***
Elise tried to cheer the mood.
She reached into the fresh meat of the horned rabbit they had hunted that morning. She divided it into small bite-sized chunks. She seasoned it lightly with salt and pepper. Then skewered the pieces on thin branches.
She roasted them over the fire.
The fatty flesh sizzled as it hit the heat. The aroma rose immediately. The smell filled the small clearing. Not long after, the meat was done.
She handed one of the skewers to Hyoren. He took it. The warmth seeped into his fingers.
“Lets eat Hyoren. No need to fuss over it too much. ”
And took one bite herself. Savoring the taste.
"Mmm. Delicious. Not as delicious as squirrel, of course. But a warm meal after a long trek always feels good."
Hyoren watched her savoring the meal. The way her eyes closed. The way she chewed slowly. Appreciating each bite.
Then he bit into his own skewer.
The meat was tender. Juicy. The salt and pepper enhanced the natural flavor.
"But this makes me curious, Elise..."
The mention of the Goblin King and the Shadowden Collective had sparked a flame of curiosity in his mind. The need to know was bigger than his hunger.
"What is it, Hyoren? You have another question?"
She bit another chunk. Chewed.
"Can you explain more about the Shadowden Collective? And especially the Goblin King?"
She finished chewing. Swallowed. Took a breath before answering.
"Okay. I promised before I'd explain about them."
She held up a finger.
"But before I explain about Shadowden Collective, you need to know there are basically three threats in this world. We refer to them as Enemies of Humanity."
Hyoren took a chunk himself. Chewed. Waited for her to continue.
She held up one finger.
"First threat. The wild monsters. Goblins, horned rabbits, orcs, dragons, and many more."
She gestured broadly.
"They roam outside our cities. In the wilds. In the forests. In the seas. And other places."
She shook her head.
"But they're usually not a huge threat. They also act as resources. Their magic stones and materials are precious to continue our civilization."
She took another bite of her skewer.
"Adventurers cull them to harvest the resources. So humanity has already coped and lived with them for years."
Hyoren gulped down his meat. Nodded.
"I understand…." he thought about his own experience.
"The loose monsters are sources of materials and magic stones. They might be threats, but they're also gold mines."
She raised her skewer. The horned rabbit meat dangled from it. A gesture that the monster was a resource for them.
"That's the reason most people don't even refer to them as Enemies of Humanity anymore. But as resources to be harvested."
She lowered the skewer. Her expression grew serious.
"But the next one... is the real threat."
Elise took another bite. Chewed slowly. Then held up two fingers.
"Second threat. Is when the monsters are organized by the pinnacle of their race. Their King or Queen."
Her voice dropped.
"We refer to the leaders as Warlocks. Shadowden Collective is the loose confederation of the monsters ruled by their leader. That is when they become a real threat."
She stared into the fire.
"Humanity wages war constantly with them. Some are somewhat peaceful. They cope in their territory. But some are a menace. They constantly assault our towns or trade routes."
Hyoren forgot about his meat. His focus was entirely on Elise's lecture. He processed the information.
"I see…. I guess when they become organized under a leader—a King or Queen—they start to become an army. And they become a true threat instead of just roaming around randomly?"
Elise moved her skewer up and down. Agreeing with him.
"Correct."
She pointed toward the forest. The dark mass of trees behind them.
"Warlocks of Shadowden Collective will amass power. They raid our towns. Ambush trade routes. Make this continent a truly dangerous place."
Her voice grew quieter.
"And one of them. The Goblin King. Resides deep in this forest."
Hyoren gulped. His throat felt dry.
The fact that he had survived in this forest. Not knowing the real threat that lurked nearby. The Goblin King. Right there in the depths of the woods where he had spent thirty-nine days.
"The Goblin King never shows itself, though…" Elise's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"It amasses its army from the deepest part."
She took the last chunk of her meat. Her eyes grew a bit hollow seeing the empty skewer.
She threw it into the fire. The flames consumed it.
"Okay, what about the last threat, Elise?"
His question made him remember his own meat. He took another bite. Finished his skewer. He threw the empty skewer into the fire too.
"Third and last Enemy of Humanity."
She exhaled. Her eyes faced the fire. But Hyoren knew she was seeing something else. Something far away. Something dark.
"It's the Demon Army."
The words were not alien for him. Demon always existed in the fantasy. They were usually the bad guys. The Villain of the story.
“Demon?” Hyoren muttered.
She paused, rummaging through her supplies. She took a dew-heart and started munching.
"Yes, Hyoren. Demons."
She chewed. Swallowed.
"Demon is a race whose origins are not from this world. Similar to you, they are otherworlders."
Hyoren’s eyes widened.
“Wait. Similar as mine? They also spirited away?”
Similar as him. An otherworlder. But he didn’t remember there is Demon in Earth. So it seems there is many parallel world. And one of them housing this Demon. And they invade this Kresneger.
She held up a finger.
"Yes. But they are different compared to you. They didn't come one by one like you. Spirited away humans. The one who brought them here is their God. An alien God called Demon God Gidol."
Hyoren felt a chill. Different from the cold of the night.
“A god? Demon God? Elise. Is it real God? How’s they looks? What is their goal?”
On Earth there was no real God based on his knowledge. Human worship some abstract concept called God, but it’s concept, not real. And here in this new world of his, the God are real.
“Of course it’s real Hyoren. It will take too long If I going to tell about Gidol, and I don’t really understand them that much too. You can go to library, or ask clergy or scholar later if you want to know about them in details.”
Hyoren nodded. Most people would not know the details about god. Let alone alien gods. They only know their name, and basic information.
"Anyway, Demon Gidol is not native to Kresneger. It is actually a new threat. Demon God Gidol and its demon followers arrived around one thousand years ago. They occupy the Blighted Continent. A continent far from this one."
She stared into the fire. Her voice dropped.
But with her mouth full of dew-heart, her expression wasn't scary. It was almost funny. Her cheeks puffed out as she chewed.
Hyoren tried to focus on her story. Not her funny face.
"The war against the Demon Army has been waged for more than a thousand years. It is the defining conflict of our age."
She gestured with the dew-heart.
"It is not a constant, open war. At least not on the surface. They attack in great waves. Massive invasions that seek to break our kingdoms and shatter our will."
She took another bite.
"And this is the reason all nations in Kresneger are somewhat united. They are united by an alliance called Aethellgard Concord."
Elise munched down another piece of dew-heart. Swallowed.
"Demon Army attacks usually happen once every two decades or so. The last one was fifteen years ago. The next… The next one is predicted to be in four to five years' time."
She looked at Hyoren.
"All humanity united under the banner of Aethellgard Concord to fight them."
Her green eyes filled with a chilling certainty.
“I see. No wonder the name of era is named as such. Aethellgard Concord years.”
Hyoren nodded. Understanding the meaning behind the name.
"Yes Hyoren. That’s correct.”
Elise gestured to nowhere with her hands.
“But the war never truly stops. Even between the great invasions, there are constant skirmishes. Demon infiltrators sow chaos in our cities. Their warbands raid our borderlands. Their spies corrupt our leaders."
Hyoren fell silent.
The weight of this new information pressed down on him. The world was far more dangerous than he had imagined.
Seeing the pale face of him, Elise offered a small, reassuring smile.
It didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Do not despair, Hyoren." She spoke softly. "The threat is real, but it is not at our doorstep."
She gestured broadly.
"The demons live on the Blighted Continent. A land of ash and shadow across the great sea. It takes them time to gather their forces and cross the ocean."
She held up four fingers.
"We have around four years before their next invasion comes. Four years of what we call peace."
She gestured around them, at the quiet grassland and the peaceful night.
"Four years to enjoy life, to train, to grow stronger. Before the next storm breaks."
Elise’s words were meant to be comforting, but Hyoren found little solace in them.
He had just escaped the forest. Only to find out that the hell he survived was child's play compared to the threat of the Demon Army.
But Elise was right. He still had four years to prepare.
"Okay, Elise."
He summarized.
"So while Shadowden Collective is a chronic problem which is close to us, Demon Army is a coordinated army with Demon God as the de facto leader, and is going to attack us from a different continent. The most dangerous Enemy of Humanity."
The initial shock gave way to a clear mind. The world was a dangerous place. And he needed to be ready.
"Correct. That's the gist..." Elise nodded.
Hyoren's eyes were locked into her. His eyebrows formed an angular shape. And his jaw is tightened.
"Elise. I need your help."
His gaze intense. Unwavering.
"I've been surviving. But that's not enough anymore."
He held up his spear.
"I need to get stronger. As fast as possible. I need to learn how this world works. How to fight properly. How to use my skills effectively."
His grip on the spear tightened.
"I need to learn everything you can teach me."
He held the steel-tipped spear. A symbol of his vow.
"You are a Bronze Rank Adventurer. A veteran. You are strong, and you know this world. I need a mentor. I need a guide."
He bowed his head slightly.
"Please... teach me."
Hyoren's earnest plea hung in the air. A weighty request that would change both of their lives.
Elise looked at him.
She looked from his determined face to the spear in his hand. The scars on his skin. The wildness in his eyes.
And a smile spread across her face.
"It was already my intention, Hyoren."
She leaned forward.
"You saved my life. A life debt is not something I take lightly. I was already planning how I could repay you."
Her smile widened.
"I was thinking of forming a party with you when we reach Akela."
She gestured at him.
"I'll teach you a lot of stuff. How to fight properly. How to navigate the world. How to interact with people without looking like you're about to eat them."
She teased him. Gesturing at his primitive attire. His wild hair. His rough appearance.
"Please don't tease me, Elise."
His face flushed.
"But you really look like a wild man. Fufu. We really need to buy you clothes when we reach Akela."
Both of them renewed their purpose. Triggered by conversation about Enemy of Humanity.
***
Hyoren and Elise enjoyed the campfire.
The flames crackled softly. The warmth seeped into their skin. The night stretched around them. Peaceful. Quiet. The only sounds were the wind rustling through the grass.
"Hyoren..." Elise's voice broke the comfortable silence.
"Tomorrow we start the journey through the grassland."
She gestured toward the dark expanse beyond the firelight.
"We call those areas the Green Grassland. And we should hurry."
Hyoren looked at her.
"Why the hurry, Elise?"
She poked the fire with a stick. Sending sparks spiraling upward.
"First, we need to go to Akela quickly. I need to report the anomaly within the Forest of No Return to the adventurer guild. The heightened activity of the Goblin King's army."
She stared into the flames.
"At first, I planned to let our journey be relaxed. We could take our time. But we need to change plans."
Elise's tone was grave. The anomaly was a warning bell. The Guild needed to know. Sooner rather than later.
Hyoren remembered the warband they had fought near the forest edge. The organized goblins. The Goblin Warrior leading them.
He nodded.
"And Hyoren. The grassland is also dangerous. In a different way than the forest."
Hyoren asked.
"Is there any dangerous threat? More Warlocks of Shadowden Collective?"
She shook her head.
"No. Not like that."
She turned toward the grassland. The sea of grass stretched into darkness. Swaying gently in the night breeze.
"Mostly, the Forest of No Return is actually more dangerous. But for travelers who are low in number—like us—the grassland is also dangerous."
She pointed into the darkness.
"It's the territory of Green Wolves. The green shade of their fur is perfect camouflage in the grassland. So they are hard to spot."
She lowered her hand.
"Of course, there are other monsters in the grassland. But other than Green Wolves, they are not a threat."
She gestured broadly toward the dark expanse of plains beyond the firelight.
"Their numbers are not as high as goblins. So they are sparse. But don't be fooled. Because they are not only strong, but coordinate well. Better than lousy goblin patrols."
She held up her hand. Measuring.
"Each wolf is stronger than a Goblin Fighter, but weaker than a Goblin Warrior."
Hyoren processed this. Goblins relied on numbers and aggression. They swarmed. They overwhelmed. They used sheer force of bodies.
Wolves relied on stealth and pack tactics. They hunted. They coordinated. They used strategy.
"But they form packs? Is that what makes them dangerous?"
He looked at Elise.
"Yes. You're right, Hyoren."
She drew her finger across her throat.
"Green Wolf packs are dangerously coordinated. We are only two people. And if they coordinate to surround us..."
She let the sentence hang.
"It will be over."
Hyoren stared into the darkness. Imagining it. Wolves hidden in the grass. Invisible until they struck. Surrounding them. Cutting off escape.
"So we avoid them? Circling the grassland?"
"No. That will add more than ten days to our journey. Our supplies won't last."
She crossed her arms.
"We will avoid them. Don't start fights unnecessarily. We only fight lone wolves, or when we can't really avoid them."
Hyoren nodded.
He didn't want to spend ten more days eating preserved meat and sleeping on the ground either. The faster they reached civilization, the better.
"I will follow your lead, Elise."
He met her eyes.
"You know this area well. And I trust your skill as a ranger."
Elise smiled slightly.
"Okay then, Hyoren. Let's sleep. We will traverse the grassland tomorrow. It should only take us two or three days at most."
She stretched. Then she moved to her makeshift bed. The woven grass mat that Hyoren had prepared earlier. She lay down. Adjusted her cloak. Found a comfortable position.
Unlike the night before, she seemed unbothered by Hyoren sleeping near her. She trusted him completely now. The wariness from the first night was gone. Replaced by something else—companionship.
Her rhythmic breathing started to appear. Soft. Steady. Indicating she was already drifting into deep sleep.
He peeked a glimpse at Elise. Sleeping peacefully. Trusting him completely.
He muttered in a low voice. Trying not to wake her.
"And just like that. She slept."
A small smile touched his lips.
"She already trusts me that much. I should answer that trust and just sleep too."
He lay on his side. His back facing Elise. The ground was soft beneath him. The woven grass mat provided cushioning. The night air was cool but not cold.
He closed his eyes. The events of the day washed over him. The fight with the ants. The journey through the forest. The goblin warband. The revelation about the Demon Army. The talk about races and nations and enemies.
So much had happened.
His breathing slowed. Matching Elise's rhythm. The two rhythmic breaths started to resonate. And then, he too fell asleep.