Chapter 84: Convoy and Lake
Raven moved along the forest's outskirts, boots brushing through damp leaves. At first, he mistook the tiny flickers ahead for fireflies.
Then he found footprints—fresh, deep, disciplined. Sword scars ran across tree trunks. Broken branches marked a recent struggle. The stench of blood clung to the air.
Further ahead, dead wolves, goblins, kobolds, and sprawled orc bodies littered the path, still warm.
"A mercenary group," Raven murmured.
He raised a hand.
"Elapsed Illusion."
The world shivered. Time peeled backward.
A rabbit ran in reverse. Leaves un-fell. Footsteps un-pressed themselves into the earth.
Then a convoy marched through the illusion—more than a hundred figures rewinding into their previous positions. Raven slowed the reversal, letting time roll forward naturally the moment the group came into focus.
The illusion sharpened, revealing every detail.
They weren't mercenaries.
They were too synchronized. Too disciplined. Their armor shone with polished uniformity. Their formation shifted like a single organism—shields forward, blades angled, casters in the second line.
These were trained soldiers.
Dozens wore silver armor. Three were draped in hooded robes, their hands glowing faintly with runic power. Five warriors in emerald armor carried rune-etched swords that hummed with restrained energy. Servants stayed in the center, carrying supplies.
The monsters around them fell with clinical precision.
'Most of them are Radiant Walkers,' Raven noted. Even from the illusion, he could feel the density of their elemental circulations.
At the convoy's heart: a short, sturdy man in golden armor. Grey hair cropped sharply. Eyes watchful. A faint authority radiated from him.
'Leader? And that insignia—'
Twin fishes engraved into every pauldron.
'Count Alden's men. From Azurehaven.'
Raven's brow tightened.
'Why is a Count sending an elite force into Hillcrow Woodlands at night? Lucas Thornevale's expedition hasn't even begun yet… Are they trying to beat him to the Agith Ruins?'
The illusion dissolved. Raven slipped deeper into the shadows and trailed the convoy at a safe distance.
[If this is your idea of caution, I'm afraid to see your idea of recklessness.]
Zera's dry voice echoed.
Raven ignored her.
He watched the convoy make steady, methodical progress for almost three hours. They pressed deeper into the woods without resting—cutting down beasts as if on a schedule. No panic. No hesitation.
'Why is Fortuitous Finder pushing me toward this group?'
The spell's activation lingered like a whisper at the back of his skull.
It wasn't random.
Something tied to his destiny was walking inside that convoy.
Something—or someone.
He needed to infiltrate. But with this level of discipline, they wouldn't accept a stranger waltzing in.
That meant only one option: replace someone.
He waited.
Eventually, the convoy reached an enormous lake—a sheet of dark glass reflecting moonlight. Only then did they stop.
"Finally," Raven breathed.
[So? What now?]
'Watch. And wait.'
He scaled a towering maple, settling into a thick branch that hid him from the torchlight below. The camp spread across the lakeside like a quiet hive.
They kept torches minimal—smart. Too much light only summons bigger predators.
Below, silver-armored knights removed their gear piece by piece, stacking gauntlets and greaves beside tents. Servants dug trenches, set boundary posts, carried buckets, and hammered stakes. Every action measured. Efficient.
At the camp's center, a giant black-and-gold tent rose. Before the entrance, a hooded Rune Mage whispered incantations. Runes glimmered in the air, linking into a translucent dome.
Raven narrowed his eyes.
'Rare-grade barrier array. Expert-level precision.'
The shimmering curtain settled around the central tent like a protective cocoon.
The whole camp behaved like soldiers in enemy territory. No jokes. No laughter. Just quiet movement and sharp eyes.
Raven shifted his gaze.
Two cloaked figures slipped away from the camp toward the lake's edge.
He leaned forward slightly.
The first was a red-haired girl, her robe loose and her steps light and careless. The second walked with calm poise—black-haired, pale-skinned, eyes thoughtful and distant.
Raven's breath hitched.
'Those two… They're not fighters. No weapons. But they're too composed to be ordinary.'
From the camp's shadows, four soldiers drifted after them. One nudged a younger recruit to stay behind.
Down at the lake's shore, the black-haired girl stopped, staring at her reflection. The moonlight clung to her features, outlining a quiet nobility. Her robe slipped from her shoulders.
The redhead let out a soft laugh, stepped out of her sandals, and plunged into the lake up to her waist, splashing water playfully toward her friend.
"Phew! Finally, some peace, Jovie."
Leah sank deeper into the lake with a satisfied sigh, water shimmering around her shoulders. "My whole body feels like it's made of bricks. If I lift one more crate, I swear—"
She splashed water toward her friend, droplets catching moonlight.
"What's that face? Didn't you join this convoy to make easy money without lifting a finger?"
Jovie flinched, hugging her arms as she stared at the rippling water.
"You're too relaxed, Leah… We shouldn't be out here. Something's watching. I can feel it."
Leah turned in the water, slick hair clinging to her neck, lips curling into a teasing smile.
"Let them watch. You're the pretty one anyway."
Jovie's cheeks flushed. "Don't joke. This forest is wrong. Ever since the Count arrived, everyone's been whispering. Even the servants say he's been acting strange."
Leah's smile dimmed.
"He has reason. We're hunting an ancient ruin. Secrets. Relics. Power." She flicked water from her fingers. "He put almost everything on the line for this expedition. Half the convoy doesn't think we'll return alive."
Jovie's grip tightened. "Then why are we here?"
"Because," Leah breathed, "we have Expert Walkers and Wizards guarding us. Nothing will touch us unless they want to die. That's why I dragged you into this mission."
Moonlight touched Jovie's trembling shoulders, glimmering like frost.
"But walking outside the camp is insane. We should go back."
Leah inhaled deeply, then disappeared under the water. When she resurfaced, she wiped droplets from her eyelashes and spoke quietly:
"If I'm going to die, I'd rather die clean—not stinking like someone's overworked mule."
Jovie blinked. "Leah—"
"And," Leah added with a fox-like grin, voice dropping into a sultry whisper, "maybe I'll finally taste a healthy virgin man after a long time."
"Leah!" Jovie squeaked.
"What?" Leah shrugged. "Needs are needs."
"You're impossible."
"Maybe." Leah paddled closer and lowered her voice. "But I promised I'd protect you. I meant it. So stay close. Tonight especially."
Jovie's lips parted to answer—
A rustling noise slid across the rocks.
Footsteps.
Leah stiffened instantly, her smile evaporating.
Four silver-armored soldiers stepped into view. Their torches cast jagged shadows across the lake. The tall brute in front twirled something between his fingers—
Their robes.
"Roval," Leah breathed, anger dragging her voice low. "You again? Are you dogs now?"
Roval smirked and lifted the robes just out of reach.
"Cold night, Leah. Want these back?" he taunted. "Come get 'em."
"Give them. Now," she said, stepping out of the lake without hesitation.
Roval leaned forward, breath sour.
"Leave the pretty one behind," he whispered. "Maybe I'll play fair."
The others snickered. One began unbuckling his greaves.
Jovie froze, voice barely a whisper. "Leah…?"
Leah didn't look back. She grabbed a corner of her robe from Roval's hand, wrapped it around her waist, and turned.
Roval leaned in as she passed.
"Don't break her too quickly," he murmured cruelly. "Pretty girls crack if you know where to push. After that—throw her away."
Leah's hand twitched at her side... but she kept walking until the trees swallowed her silhouette.
"L-Leah?"
Jovie stepped backward, trembling.
Roval and the others advanced, their boots clicking softly as they removed armor.
"Please…" she whispered.
They laughed quietly.
Roval reached out and seized her wrists.
"If you help relieve our stress, we'll be your sword and shield for the whole expedition. Right, boys?"
"I'll use my sword every day," the mustached soldier jeered.
Roval slipped behind her, arms coiling around her torso.
His hand smothered her breast.
"N-No!" Jovie screamed. "I'm getting engaged next month!"
"Be nice," Roval growled, dragging her toward the shore—
Then froze.
A sudden crushing pain came below his abdomen, making his whole body stiff.
"Ugh—SH*T!"
He dropped her, stumbling.
Jovie smirked, eyes darkening.
"It's so tiring pretending to be a terrified little maiden."
She tightened her grip around his manhood.
Roval screamed.
The other guards recoiled like whipped dogs.
Her skin was unyielding—like metal.
"She's hiding her strength!" one gasped.
Roval's face went white.
The guards scrambled to the shore, reaching for weapons.
"Drop my clothes," Jovie said coldly, "and I won't tear off something you'll miss."
One soldier frantically hurled her dress toward the water.
"You should've done that earlier," she muttered, catching it effortlessly.
A cold gust swept across the lake, making the men shiver.
"You three," Jovie said without raising her voice. "Leave."
They didn't hesitate again.
They fled into the camp like frightened animals.
Jovie watched them vanish, then chuckled softly.
She turned toward a thick old tree.
"You can come out now."
A shadow peeled itself free from the trunk, stepping into the moonlight.
Raven walked across the shore, boots crunching over pebbles.
"It's been a while, Miss Jovie," he said quietly, eyes flicking to the writhing Roval. "Didn't expect our reunion to look like this."
Jovie didn't blink.
She grabbed Roval by the throat and snapped his neck with a crisp crack.
His body collapsed like a sack of meat.
Jovie exhaled softly.
"Me neither."
She tossed the corpse aside and gave Raven a measured look.
"You can take his identity, right?"
"I can't use his identity for more than ten minutes," Raven muttered as he crouched beside Roval's corpse, wiping fresh blood from his fingers. "He's a peak Radiant Walker. The spell can't hold it long."
His mind raced.
'The cooldown is the real problem… If I could finish comprehending the spell model, I could stretch the duration for hours. Maybe even add more identity slots.'
But time was the one thing he didn't have.
Beside him, Jovie's tense expression deepened.
"If I go back alone, those mutts will point fingers at me. Leah too. She'll twist the whole story and dump the blame on me."
Raven straightened, dusting dirt off his hands.
"Then don't go back alone," he said. "Make Roval the problem."
Jovie blinked. "You mean…?"
Raven's smile gave her the answer before his words did.
He laid out the plan in low, calm tones.
By the time he finished, she exhaled through her nose.
"…You're cruel."
"Not really."
He bent down, lifted Roval's stiff hand, and coaxed a bead of blood from the fingertip. It dropped onto his palm—then sank into his skin as though swallowed.
A fresh imprint flared inside his Shapeshift spell model.
'Perfect.'
He stripped the corpse, donned the clothes, the armor, and even mimicked the weight of Roval's spear and swagger.
"Let's go."
They walked through the trees until the camp's torch glow flickered against the foliage. Raven inhaled, letting the spell coil around him. His bones shifted. His skin rippled. His voice sank into a heavier, cockier tone.
Roval returned from the dead.
"Let's go."
Raven and Jovie strode into camp.
…
The moment he appeared, Roval's usual pack snapped their heads toward him.
"Boss?"
"Why's she with you?"
As Jovie disappeared into the tents, the three guards who'd fled earlier rushed toward him.
"Boss! Are you alright?"
"Did she hurt you?"
"Did you really beat her?"
Their fear of Jovie hadn't faded—they eyed her like a beast that might leap at any moment.
"Hmph." Raven adjusted his belt, letting Roval's trademark smirk curl across his lips. "Strong knight or not, she became my woman the moment she touched my mighty sword."
He jerked his hips once for emphasis.
"After a little private time, she surrendered. Who says no after seeing my holy weapon? Damn, she made me see heaven."
The guards' faces shifted from shock to envy.
"Boss… can we—"
"Dream on, Kyle. I like her. Don't even think about it."
The blond guard—Mike—rubbed his neck.
"What about Miss Leah? She'll lose it if she hears this."
Raven's expression twisted perfectly into Roval's fake concern.
"You're right, Mike. She'll explode. Any ideas?"
Kyle snorted. "Why think? Slap her a few times. She's only an Official Walker and a servant. She'll behave."
Mike hit him lightly. "Idiot. She's got ties to Wizard Ariel. If we bruise her, we're dead."
Raven waved them off. "Relax. I told Jovie to bring Leah to the lake. I'll talk to her alone and get her to behave."
A mustached guard frowned. "Should we come too?"
Raven hesitated.
He had originally planned to kill Leah and take her identity. But if Roval's suddenly missing, suspicion falls straight onto Jovie. Wizards would investigate. Too risky.
'If she dies now, Jovie becomes a target.'
[You should be careful of Jovie, too.] Zera murmured. [She's smiling on the outside, but she's hiding something big.]
'I know. She's not here for fun. Maybe for the Fragment?'
[Possible. But what worries me is this expedition. A single Rank-3 beast will turn this entire convoy into fertilizer.]
'Don't jinx it.'
Raven clicked his tongue and waved them away.
"Suit yourself. I've got something to handle. Meet you at the shore."
He left the camp, boots crunching over needles and twigs.
Behind him, the guards exchanged puzzled looks—then headed toward the lake.
…