From Blade To Spell

Inside the cave, Fodo waited anxiously. A sense of dread gnawed at him. He stood and ordered, "Take out the whistle. Signal everyone to return."

The subordinate beside him nodded, pulled out a bone whistle, and stepped outside.

A sharp, piercing sound tore through the air.

Aaron heard it and looked toward the source, surprised.

But he didn't act, he simply waited.

The soldier who blew the whistle received no reply. His face darkened. Two scouting teams had gone out one of them his own.

He returned and spoke in a low tone, "Captain… I didn't receive any response."

Fodo's expression turned grim, "Tell everyone to prepare. We're going to find whoever killed our men."

The subordinate hesitated, "Lord… won't we be in danger?"

Fodo laughed, "No. I believe the attacker is just a small group. Their strength must be weaker than ours, why else would they rely on sneak attacks?"

"If we move together, we'll crush them easily."

His confidence came from years of battlefield experience. But what he didn't know. This time, the hunter wasn't a group. It was a single man. A Master Archer. And he was watching.

Aaron narrowed his eyes as he watched the red dots begin to gather on the map.

Moments later, armed soldiers emerged from the cave, moving in a tight, disciplined formation.

He studied the map carefully, the front was led by a Level 15 Knight. The center held the Level 17 Knight. The rear was guarded by a Level 14 Knight. Surrounding them were soldiers Level 10 and below

The shield bearers formed the outermost ring, protecting the group. Behind them marched the archers, ready to respond.

Aaron observed silently. He knew that once they entered the dense forest, their formation would inevitably break. Branches, uneven terrain, and limited visibility would scatter their ranks.

That would be his moment.

Fodo, walking cautiously through the forest, suddenly felt a strange sensation, like a chill crawling up his spine.

He stopped, scanned the surroundings, and saw nothing unusual. Still, unease gripped him.

He raised his hand and signaled, "Be alert."

The soldiers tightened their formation and moved carefully through the dense woods. Time passed. Nothing happened.

Fodo muttered to himself, "Maybe I was wrong…"

Just then, a sharp whistling sound sliced through the air.

The knight leading the formation dropped with a heavy thud.

An arrow was lodged deep in his skull.

The soldiers reacted instantly, shields raised, archers firing blindly into the trees ahead.

Fodo stood frozen, stunned. He hadn't expected a Master Archer to be among the enemy.

His face twisted in anger, "Maintain formation! Retreat!"

Another whistle, Fodo ducked. Behind him, a soldier was struck in the head and collapsed, eyes wide with confusion.

Then another whistle. The archer beside Fodo fell, lifeless.

Panic spread like wildfire. Morale shattered. They had watched their Knight squad leader fall to a single arrow, how could they defend against such precision?

In the chaos, Fodo crouched low and shouted, "Retreat! Take cover behind the trees!"

But even as the order rang out, three more soldiers were killed.

Aaron watched the chaos unfold with a cold glint in his eyes. He shifted position silently and resumed sniping.

Meanwhile, Fodo shouted into the forest, desperate, "Lord Master Archer, please stop killing my men! May I know how my soldiers offended you?"

His plea was met with silence, then the soldier beside him was struck dead by an arrow.

Fodo's heart turned cold. There was no reasoning with this enemy.

He shouted, "Retreat! Run for your lives!"

Without hesitation, he bolted. He didn't care about honor or duty, he wasn't about to die for Viscount Rudolf. Not against an enemy he couldn't even see.

The soldiers, hearing their captain's panicked order, felt their own fear deepen. They scattered, running for their lives.

Aaron watched them flee but didn't pursue. Instead, he focused on the Level 14 and Level 17 Knights, their experience points could total 11,000.

He locked onto the Level 14 Knight first. Though the man darted from tree to tree, Aaron tracked him effortlessly.

Fodo, meanwhile, cursed his men silently. He had no idea what had provoked this deadly archer. If he knew Aaron had simply seen red dots on a map and decided to hunt them, he might have collapsed from mental shock.

Aaron moved with ease, leaping through the trees.

Soon, the Level 14 Knight neared the cave, exactly the opening Aaron had been waiting for.

Thwack!

Two arrows struck the Knight's legs. He stumbled.

A third arrow followed, piercing his neck. He collapsed, lifeless.

Fodo saw it happen and froze in horror. Then he turned and fled deeper into the forest.

Aaron changed direction, following. Along the way, he eliminated a few more soldiers who crossed his path. The rest? He'd return for them later. They were easier than fishing.

If those soldiers knew Aaron compared them to fish, they might vomit blood in rage.

Fodo ran blindly, deeper into the woods. He didn't look back.

Eventually, he stumbled upon a cave. Without hesitation, he entered, only to find a bear inside.

Fodo drew his sword and, with a single slash, killed the beast.

Fodo moved deeper into the cave, only to find a dead end.

His face darkened. He hesitated, then reasoned that the Master Archer likely wouldn't chase him this far. After all, the soldiers all wore similar armor. It would be difficult to identify him as the captain.

He let his guard down slightly and decided to rest. But staring at the dead end, he grew uneasy. No escape route. That wouldn't do.

He turned around and stepped out of the cave.

The moment he did, a wave of danger surged through his body.

He instinctively leapt to the side, but it was too late. An arrow struck his shoulder.

Panic flooded his face. He spun around, searching for the attacker.

Whistle. Another arrow. His other shoulder was pierced.

His arms went numb. Despair overtook him.

Then, footsteps.

He looked up.

A boy, no older than sixteen, stepped into view. A bow slung across his back. A quiver full of arrows.

Fodo froze.

The pain in his shoulders forgotten. His mind raced, confusion, anger, disbelief.

The boy spoke, the voice was cold and calm, "Which territory do you all belong to?"