The morning hue did little to assuage the tension of the camp, there was too much to do, fortifications, hunting and gathering, firewood and water runs. There didn’t seem to be a moment of respite.


    Camila stood at the north gate, arms folded, a sealed scroll tucked under one arm. David was nearby, speaking with Raj and Roger about rotating patrol groups. Wren practiced her Hatsu shaping again, this time with Travis and Yusuf alternating roles between attacker and observer. Ice slashed in the air behind them—Hana, throwing spears at freshly carved logs, Ellie offering pointers in between her own blasts.


    Yusuf had been saving up for quite some time now. He’s bought two powers, <b>Aura Expansion (Large)</b> – 40 points, a similar power to what Camila had bought. It gives him much more Nen to work with, other then that he bought <b>Big Bang Impact – </b>30 points. This gave him <b>Ko </b>as an advanced technique, but the principle of Big bang impact was using Ko, and bolstering the destructive power with enhancement Nen for a devastating strike. Yusuf was becoming a very formidable character now as well.


    Callum hadn’t shown his face all morning, but no one was asking where he was.


    Jake muttered to himself beside the Obelisk, checking lists, cross-referencing tallies. “Too many mouths,” he whispered, pen scratching paper.


    Miriam passed by, tired but steady, and paused to glance over his shoulder. “Anyone new pick a path?”


    Jake shook his head. “Not today. There should be quite a few capable of choosing a path now and most likely get the respective foundational power. With all the sacrifices others have given up through complaints”


    “Then maybe tomorrow, why won’t they take a damn path” she murmured.


    <hr>


    <b>Alex - Eastern Ridge</b>


    The forest was quieter than expected.


    Alex moved with practiced silence, his body light, chakra controlled. Every footfall placed with intention. Birds scattered now and again, but most of the wildlife stayed hidden.


    He was on a hunt—but not just for food. He’d planned to track something substantial. Something worth points.


    The river was his guide.


    It meandered east, deeper into unfamiliar territory. He followed its edge, hopping smooth stones, ducking under fallen branches. The trees here leaned taller, denser, the air cooler.


    By midday, he saw the tracks.


    Hoofed. Deep. Heavy.


    But unlike the white stag he’d seen before, this creature didn’t walk lightly. It dragged, scuffed the soil. Its gait uneven.


    Wounded?


    Alex crouched, brushing his fingers along the marks. Blood. Fresh, it must be close. He followed slowly, kunai in hand, saber at the ready.


    Then he saw it.


    Not far ahead, across a slope of moss-covered rocks—something massive moved.


    It was not a deer. Not a boar. It was… armoured.


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    A quadruped, its hide plated in bark-like scales, low to the ground like a lizard but with legs like a stag. Its horns were asymmetrical, one broken halfway down. It limped, favouring its right side. Its eye, large and slitted, tracked him the moment he stepped into view.


    It let out a low, thrumming noise.


    Alex didn’t raise his blade.


    He just stood, assessing.


    “You’re hurt,” he said aloud, voice soft.


    The creature did not retreat. But it didn’t charge either.


    Then he saw it—wedged under its shoulder: a wooden spear.


    <i>Could be from other humans, maybe goblins</i>


    Alex circled slowly, keeping his distance. It watched. When he moved left, it adjusted. But it didn’t strike.


    He flicked through options in his head. Fire wouldn’t help. It would panic the thing. But maybe…


    He formed the hand signs.


    <i>Water Clone Technique.</i>


    A shimmering duplicate peeled off his side and stepped opposite him. The creature turned toward the clone, confused—but didn’t move.


    Alex slid forward, slow as breath, and in one swift motion pulled the spear from its hide.


    The creature shrieked, twisting toward him, but stopped just short—bloodied but not hostile.


    He backed off.


    It blinked once… then turned and lumbered away into the trees.


    He didn’t follow.


    Instead, he picked up the spear. He’s no expert, but it seems to be too well made to be goblin, most likely human. He just hoped it wasn’t the Raiders group.


    Alex moved on. Till the forest broke into a large clearing, of rocky terrain.


    That’s when he heard it, a guttural low thrumming, and heavy footsteps. What revealed itself to him was a creature of great size. He figured it must me at least 30ft tall, around 10 meters or so. Humanoid, pale skin with no hair. Its limbs were long and gangly, its arms dangled past its knees. He quietly retreated back into the forest.


    <i>No chance I’m fighting that and winning.</i>


    He carried on, giving this new area a wide berth.


    <hr>


    <b>Back at the Cradle - Late Afternoon</b>


    David set a stack of sharpened pikes against the inner fencing while Raj dug in another post. Camila returned from her visit to Marcus’s camp, a frown etched across her face.


    “What did he say?” Jake asked, pulling up beside her as she dismounted from her perch on the watch scaffolding.


    “They’ve seen them too,” Camila said. “The raiders. But they’ve stayed back, for now.”


    “And Marcus?”


    “He’s not interested in a direct alliance, but he’s not opposed to mutual warnings. I gave him a den den mushi with a direct line to us. If they spot movement east, he’ll signal.”


    “Sounds… civil.”


    Camila didn’t reply.


    <hr>


    <b>Dusk</b>


    Alex returned just before dark, not empty-handed.


    Two hares dangled from his satchel. Not impressive, but food nonetheless. But it was the 4 winged demonic looking women like creatures he had dragged back on a tarp. Other then that he had news.


    “They may be hunting further than we thought,” Alex said.


    “Did you fight?” Jake asked.


    “No. But I found some sort of creature that had a wooden spear stabbed into its flesh. The spear is most likely human, so it’s either Marcus’s group, or there’s.”


    “Damn. But do tell what are these creepy things”


    “Well, I’m thinking Harpies”


    “Sacrifice them as fast as you can”


    “Still issues with Callum and his rabble”


    Jake just gave him a knowing grin. Before walking off.


    “Time to redraw the threat map,” he muttered.


    <b>Alex – 58 points</b>


    <b>Sacrifice</b>


    <ul><li><b>Harpy (Winged Beast) – 4x – 8 points</b></li></ul>


    <b>Alex – 90 points</b>


    “Finally”


    <b>Sharingan - 70 points</b>


    <b>Two tomoe – 10 points </b>


    <b>Three tomoe – 10 points</b>


    <b>Alex – 0 points</b>


    Miriam walked over and handed Alex a canteen and a dried slice of boar. “Eat first. We’ll talk later.”


    He nodded and walked to the fire to sit down, the soft light flickering against his tired features.


    Above, clouds loomed, but no rain fell.


    The Cradle was quiet again, for now.


    <hr>


    <b>Jake’s Log (Night Entry):</b>


    <ul>


    <li>Alex      returned safely. Recovered a spear of wood, well made—likely from raiders.</li>


    <li>Spotted      and assisted a wounded, unknown creature (forest drake variant?).</li>


    <li>Hunted      4 Harpies, they are worth 8 points each.</li>


    <li>Marcus’s      group confirmed sightings of raiders. No formal alliance, but agreement to      share warning signs.</li>


    <li>New      defensive formations underway.</li>


    <li>Hana’s      Ice Make progressing quickly.</li>


    <li>Camp      tensions stable but not resolved.</li>


    <li>Cradle      Status: Alert.</li>


    </ul>


    <b>Next Objectives:</b>


    <ul>


    <li>Rework      threat zone maps.</li>


    <li>Monitor      raider territory expansion.</li>


    <li>Continue      building defenses.</li>


    <li>Assess      potential allies—or enemies.</li>


    </ul>