The wheels of the carriage rattled along the rocky mountain pass, the sound blending into the steady rhythm of the horses’ hooves. The crisp wind carried the scent of pine and dry earth, while the breathtaking view outside stretched endlessly—rolling hills, scattered woodlands, and far in the distance, jagged peaks cutting into the sky. It should have been the perfect moment to enjoy the scenery, yet my mind was far from peaceful.

  Arthur.

  It had been over a month since we left the central continent, yet the memories of that lunatic’s experiments still lingered like a bad dream. The way he had twisted teleportation magic into something unstable, something dangerous… It just didn’t make sense. Sure, teleportation circles existed, but they required precise craftsmanship and immense magical energy to operate. Arthur had somehow weaponized them, creating unstable rifts that tore through space itself.

  What if he had used them during our battle in the city? We would’ve been wiped out in an instant, overwhelmed by enemies pouring in from all directions. Or maybe he had planned to use them but never got the chance.

  I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck absentmindedly, feeling the strands of my overgrown hair brush against my fingers. I hadn’t cut it since we were kidnapped. It was getting unruly. I should probably do something about it soon… Maybe tie it back? A bun would look ridiculous on me, right? Maybe a ponytail—

  “Oi, Duke, it’s your turn.”

  Kael’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

  I blinked, realizing I had been staring blankly at my cards.

  “Spacing out again?” Mira teased, resting her chin on her hand. “You’ve been staring at those cards like they’ll tell you their secrets.”

  Sylas sighed, shaking her head. “Not that we mind, of course. We’d love for you to keep taking your time so we can win easier.”

  Right. We were in the middle of a game.

  I glanced down at the small wooden crate we had flipped into a makeshift table, a mess of cards and copper coins scattered across it. We had been playing a simple betting game, something to pass the time. Mira and Sylas seemed confident in their hands, while Kael looked like he was barely holding himself together. Kaldor, ever the quiet observer, was munching on some dried meat, watching the game unfold with mild amusement.

  I exhaled, pushing aside my earlier thoughts.

  It was strange—sitting here, playing cards, laughing with them. A few years ago, gambling with coin and luck had an entirely different meaning for me. Back then, it wasn’t just a game—it was desperation, survival, a way to claw at any bit of control I could get. Every coin lost back then felt like a piece of myself slipping away.

  But now?

  Now it was just a stupid game with friends.

  I wasn’t playing to survive. I wasn’t playing to keep myself from sinking further into the dark.

  That should’ve made it easier to enjoy, right?

  I sighed, shaking off the lingering discomfort.

  “Alright, fine.” I placed my card down, revealing my hand.

  Kael groaned dramatically, tossing his cards onto the crate. “Oh, come on! How do you always pull this off?”

  Sylas smirked. “Maybe if you stopped making it so obvious when you get a bad hand, you wouldn’t lose so much.”

  Mira chuckled as she scooped up the small pile of coins Kael had just lost. “Looks like I win this round.”

  “Great. Just take all my money, why don’t you?” Kael grumbled, crossing his arms.

  Kaldor let out a low chuckle. “That was your own fault, though.”

  Kael opened his mouth to argue but stopped when something outside the window caught Mira’s attention. She leaned slightly forward, her gaze fixed on the horizon.

  “What are you looking at?” I asked, following her gaze.

  She didn’t respond at first, simply raising a finger to point. My eyes traced the landscape until I saw it—a vast stretch of desolate land.

  The scenery outside had changed dramatically. The rolling hills and greenery had given way to something far more unsettling—a barren, lifeless wasteland stretching across the horizon. Even from our position on the cliffside trail, we could see it clearly, as if the land itself demanded to be noticed.

  Jagged spikes of dark rock jutted upward like fractured ribs of the earth, some towering so high that they looked as if they could pierce the sky. The sheer scale of it all was unsettling. Maybe it was because of how high up we were, or maybe that place was just that massive, but despite the great distance between us and it, every unnatural detail stood out with chilling clarity.

  And then there were the walls—enormous stone barriers lining the perimeter of the wasteland, weathered by time yet still standing strong. Not just defensive walls. No, these were different. These weren’t meant to protect something inside.

  They were meant to contain it.

  “What… is that place?” I murmured, more to myself than anyone else.

  “It looks like a wasteland,” Mira said, her voice carrying an uneasy edge. “But those walls… they’re not just for show. It’s like they were built to keep something in.”

  “Or to keep people out,” Sylas added as if she just read my mind

  A gruff chuckle interrupted our thoughts. The cart driver, who had been silent for most of the trip, finally spoke up.

  “Quite the view, isn’t it?”

  I turned my attention to him. The man was middle-aged, his face weathered from years of travel. A long scar ran down his cheek, giving him the appearance of someone who had seen more than his fair share of trouble.

  “You know what that place is?” I asked.

  The driver’s expression darkened slightly. “Aye. That, young man, is what folks call the Spell Scar.”

  The name sent a chill down my spine.

  I exchanged glances with my friends, each of them wearing a similar expression of curiosity mixed with unease.

  “Spell Scar?” Sylas, who had woken up from her nap, shifted beside me, her eyes narrowing with interest. “I’ve heard that name before...”

  The driver nodded gravely. “Aye, the world’s most dangerous place. Even the strongest of adventurers avoid it if they can. I’ve heard tales of many adventure parties entering there, only to disappear without a trace.”

  I swallowed, suddenly aware of the tension that had filled the cart. Even Kaldor and Kael, who had been joking just moments ago, had gone quiet.

  “Is it really that dangerous?” I asked, my voice lower than I intended.

  “Dangerous doesn’t even begin to cover it, lad,” the driver said, his eyes never leaving the wasteland as he spoke. “That place used to be a flourishing land before the Third Great War. Forests, fields, and mountains as far as the eye could see. But now...” He shook his head. “It’s nothing but death. The monsters that roam there are like nothing you’ve ever seen — bloodthirsty, and relentless. They say even A-rank adventurers can’t survive a week in there.”

  I glanced at my friends. Mira was pale, her eyes wide. Sylas, though usually composed, had her lips pressed into a thin line. Even Kael and Kaldor were leaning forward, their usual banter forgotten.

  “So... what happened to it?” I asked quietly.

  “No one knows for sure,” the driver said. “But the stories say that during the Third Great War, a clash between the demon god, Bael, and the world unleashed powerful and long-lasting magic that tore apart reality itself. Some say it was a weapon; others claim it was an accident. Whatever it was, it’s left that place cursed.”

  Bael? I felt a cold knot form in my stomach. Just imagining being stranded there alone was enough to send a chill down my spine. And the thought of Arthur experimenting with teleportation magic... could he have been trying to tap into something related to that place?

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  Before I could dwell on it further, the cart began to slow down, the driver called out to announce our arrival. “We’re here, folks! Welcome to Gashtown.”

  The cart came to a halt at the edge of a small town nestled against the mountainside. The town looked humble, with buildings made of rough stone and wood. It was a stark contrast to the chaotic wasteland we had just passed by, and yet, the sight of civilization was a welcome relief.

  “Finally,” Kaldor groaned, stretching his arms as he hopped off the cart. “I thought my legs were going to fall off.”

  Kael laughed, slapping him on the back. “Bet you wouldn’t survive a day in the Spell Scar if a few hours in a cart did you in.”

  I hopped down after them, trying to shake off the lingering unease. As I helped Mira and Sylas down, I couldn’t help but cast one last glance toward the towering walls in the distance. That place... the Spell Scar... I had a feeling it wasn’t the last we’d hear of it.

  The townspeople cheered as we made our way through the gates of Gashtown, our bags slung over our shoulders. The welcoming cries and waves caught me off guard, but I couldn't help smiling in response. The air was filled with the scent of mountain flowers and woodsmoke, and I felt some of the tension from our long journey ease away.

  The town itself was built along the sheer face of a mountain cliff, with ropes and wooden barriers lining the edges to prevent any accidental falls. The entire settlement seemed to hang precariously as if one strong gust of wind might send it tumbling down. But it was surprisingly sturdy, with its stone and timber structures blending seamlessly into the rocky landscape.

  I paused at the edge of the road, looking out over the view below. The town overlooked a vast, open landscape with a shimmering lake stretching out in the distance. The water reflected the golden rays of the setting sun, creating a breathtaking view that almost made me forget about everything else.

  "Hey, Duke," Kaldor called, nudging me from behind. "You can sightsee later. Let’s get to the inn before all the rooms fill up.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” I replied, giving one last glance at the lake before hurrying to catch up.

  As we walked further into the town, something caught my eye. Nestled among the various shops and houses was a small adventurer’s guild. The sight of it made me blink in surprise — I hadn't expected to find one in such a remote place.

  “There's a guild here?” Mira asked, equally astonished. “That’s rare for a town of this size.”

  “Well, considering how close this place is to the Spell Scar,” Sylas added, “I suppose it makes sense to have a guild here. Adventurers would need a base to resupply.”

  After a few more minutes of walking, we arrived at the local inn. It was a modest but cozy-looking building with lanterns hanging by the door and flower baskets lining the windowsills. I pushed the door open, and we were immediately greeted by the warm scent of roasted meat and herbs.

  The lively sound of conversation filled the air, but one group stood out amidst the chatter. Three figures — two boys and a girl, all seemed to be older than us, about 14 to 15— were at the center of attention, boasting loudly to the innkeeper and several townsfolk who had gathered around them. They were dressed in flashy, mismatched armor that looked more decorative than functional.

  The tallest of the group, a red-haired boy with a cocky smirk, turned to look at us. He had wild, unkempt hair and wore a deep-red coat with gold trim over his armor. At his waist rested a longsword with a hilt decorated in cheap-looking gems—clearly more for flash than function.

  “And that’s how we cleared the entire goblin nest in just one night! No sweat at all!” He said

  Meanwhile, the brown-haired girl in the impostor group—her hair tied up in a high ponytail—leaned against the counter, idly twirling a dagger between her fingers. A curved sword rested against her back, sleek and refined, built for speed rather than brute force. “Yeah, and tonight we’ll finish off that sinister dungeon up on the mountain. You can all sleep easy, knowing The Rising Dawn is here to protect you.”

  The moment that name left her lips, my heart sank. I shot a look at my team, and the expressions on their faces mirrored my disbelief. The Rising Dawn... That was our name. Who the hell were these people?

  “Hey, wait a god damn minute,” Kaldor growled, stepping forward with Kael at his side. “What did you just call yourselves?”

  The redhead turned to look at them, raising an eyebrow. “What’s it to you, old man?” he sneered, though Kaldor was almost 11. They clearly judged him by his race with his fur on his body.

  Kael’s fists clenched, his eyes narrowing. “That name belongs to us. We’re the real Rising Dawn.”

  My brow twitched. Kaldor was barely eleven, but his beastkin heritage made him look older than he actually was. They were clearly judging him by that alone.

  Kael’s fists clenched, his eyes narrowing. “That name belongs to us. We’re the real Rising Dawn.”

  The lively inn fell into an uneasy silence as all eyes turned to us. The villagers exchanged glances, whispering among themselves.

  Then, a burly man with a thick mustache let out a harsh laugh. “You kids? The Rising Dawn? Don’t make me laugh. You expect us to believe you’re the ones who fought off the bandits terrorizing the roads last month?”

  A woman scoffed, crossing her arms. “Or that you were the ones who stopped the rampaging golem near the border? Please. That was them.” She gestured to the impostors.

  I felt something inside me snap.

  We did fight those bandits. We did take down that golem. But now, some random frauds had waltzed in and stolen the credit, and these idiots actually believed them.

  The last of their trio—a boy with short, neatly trimmed black hair—shifted uncomfortably. He wore a deep-purple mage’s robe lined with silver embroidery, and a wooden staff leaned against the counter beside him. Unlike his companions, he didn’t look thrilled about this confrontation. His gaze flickered between us and the villagers, hesitant, as if unsure whether he should speak up.“Uh… y-yeah, that was us,” he mumbled, his voice lacking confidence. “We… w-we handled it.”

  He was hesitant. Unlike his loudmouthed teammates, he seemed almost embarrassed to be claiming credit for something he definitely didn’t do.

  “You guys look like a bunch of toddlers playing pretend,” another villager sneered.

  Sylas let out a slow, measured breath. I didn’t have to look at him to know his fingers were itching to cast something.

  Kael, on the other hand, was visibly fuming. His hand was already twitching toward the dagger at his waist, and I was pretty sure he was mentally calculating how much oil it would take to burn this entire place down.

  Mira, ever the level-headed one, took a deep breath and folded her arms. “This is pointless,” she muttered, though her voice was tight with frustration.

  “Tch.” Kaldor gritted his teeth. “This is bullshit. We don’t have to prove anything to you.”

  The girl with the ponytail let out a laugh, twirling her dagger. “Oh, I see what’s happening. A bunch of nobodies passing through town, hoping to mooch off our reputation. Cute.”

  Sylas finally spoke, his voice eerily calm. “Duke.”

  I turned my head slightly.

  “If we burn down one building,” she murmured just low enough for only me to hear, “do you think they’ll still doubt us?”

  I sighed. “Don’t.”

  Kael muttered, “I say we go for the town hall first. That’s usually where records are kept.”

  I shot both of them a look. Not that I wasn’t tempted myself.

  Taking a deep breath, I forced a stiff smile and straightened. “We apologize for the misunderstanding,” I said, bowing slightly. “We didn’t mean to cause any trouble.”

  The redhead laughed, shaking his head. “Damn right you didn’t. Now, why don’t you guys do yourselves a favor and stay out of our way? People like you? Heroes? You look more like a bunch of lost travelers. Maybe go back to hunting rabbits if you can’t handle the real stuff.”

  The girl with the ponytail added, “Yeah, move along. Let the real adventurers handle the dungeons.”

  The villagers clapped and cheered, completely swept up in their act. My stomach twisted at the sheer absurdity of it.

  I clenched my jaw and turned to my friends. “Let’s go.”

  Kael looked like he wanted to stab someone, but Mira touched his arm, silently urging him to let it go. With reluctance, he exhaled sharply and turned away. Kaldor shot the impostors one last glare before following us.

  As we made our way toward the back of the inn to check into our rooms, my fists tightened at my sides.

  This wasn’t over.

  Later that night, after we had settled in and eaten dinner, we gathered in one of our rooms to discuss what had just happened. Kael was pacing, his frustration evident in the way he kept running his hands through his hair.

  “I can’t believe they’re using our name like that,” he muttered. “We should go and expose them right now.”

  Kaldor, sitting on the edge of his bed, nodded in agreement. “We can’t let them get away with this. They’re frauds.”

  Sylas, however, shook her head. “Look, we just got here. We don’t know anything about this town or those people. If we try to expose them without proof, it could turn the entire town against us.”

  Mira spoke up, her voice calm and measured. “Sylas is right. Besides, it’s not like they’ve done anything to directly harm us... yet. Moreover, what if its just a coincidence?”

  “Huh? Coincidence? Can’t you not remember how they spoke to us? They were saying as if they were the one and only! Beside if it’s a coincidence, they could just explain that and end there- a happy end.” Kael snapped, clearly mad

  I leaned back against the wall, crossing my arms as I listened to their arguments. “They’re probably just kids trying to make a name for themselves,” I said, my tone neutral. “Maybe they heard about our exploits and thought using our name would help them gain fame.”

  Kael scoffed. “That doesn’t make it right.”

  “Maybe not,” I agreed. “But getting into a fight with them isn’t worth it. We’re not here to prove our worth to some strangers.”

  Kaldor sighed, reluctantly nodding. “So what’s the plan, then?”

  I looked out the window at the darkened silhouette of the mountain looming in the distance. “We stay here for another night or two, like Kael suggested. But... something about those three doesn’t sit right with me.”

  The room fell silent as they all turned to look at me.

  “What do you mean?” Mira asked, her brow furrowed.

  “I’m not sure yet,” I admitted, “but if they’re planning to head into that dungeon tonight, I want to know what’s really going on.”

  Sylas gave me a skeptical look. “You’re not planning on following them, are you?”

  I nodded slowly. “I think it’s worth investigating. If they’re really just amateurs trying to impress the townsfolk, fine. But if there’s something more going on, I’d rather find out before it causes any trouble.”

  Kael cracked his knuckles, a grin spreading across his face. “I’m in.”

  “Let’s keep it quiet,” Mira added. “We don’t want to draw attention to ourselves.”

  And with that, the plan was set.