The forest faded behind us as the city walls of the Qin Empire rose like ancient sentinels. Our squad moved in tight formation, the weight of the lion pride's spoils secure on their backs — 4 advanced-tier cores, 20 intermediate-tier cores, 100 basic-tier cores, and tons of furs, teeth, claws, and blood tonics. The toll of battle was heavy, but the survivors walked with a grim pride, each step a testament to the lessons of the field.
Once inside the bustling marketplace, we made our way to the Alchemy and Magical Materials Exchange, a renowned hub for rare beast components. The proprietors' eyes widened as they saw the haul.
"Four advanced-tier cores? Twenty intermediate-tier cores? And all these furs and teeth?" one merchant exclaimed, scanning the massive pile. "I've never seen such a collection brought in by a single squad in one go!"
Alex and I carefully handed over the goods, ensuring the cores, furs, and tonics were intact and untarnished. Gold coins clinked as they counted — three hundred gold coins, a staggering sum that would allow the squad to be outfitted beyond imagination.
With the payment secured, we turned to outfitting our men. First stop: the forgery and armory. Blacksmiths measured every recruit for tailor-made armor, reinforced with mana-infused alloys and lightweight alloys to allow free movement while maximizing protection. Swords, spears, and axes were sharpened to a razor's edge, their runes humming faintly with stored mana.
Alex oversaw talisman selection, choosing charms to enhance defense, healing, mana regeneration, and elemental resistance. Each talisman was carefully bound to weapons and armor to ensure maximum efficiency in battle. The recruits watched in awe as their simple weapons transformed into instruments of deadly precision.
Next came the healing and medicinal shop. Pills to stabilize injuries, accelerate recovery, and enhance mana flow were carefully distributed. Alex tested each type, explaining to the squad the purpose: "These will keep you alive longer in the field. You will not always have a healer at your side. Know your medicine, know your body, and respect both."
By evening, every member of the squad had been fully refitted:
Advanced, enchanted armor tailored for maximum movement and protection.
Mana-enhanced weapons capable of channeling offensive spells.
Talismans for combat advantage and defense.
Healing and fortifying pills for emergencies.
Supplies for field missions: rations, water, and portable kits.
We moved our squad into a large courtyard, the men practicing with their new gear as Alex and I observed. Even the smallest movements were enhanced by mana; swords glowed faintly as spells flowed along their blades.
I addressed them, voice firm: "The forest taught you courage. Today, the city has taught you preparation. Your strength is no longer just in your skill — it is in your weapons, your armor, your talismans, and your knowledge. You will learn to fight as a unit, and you will return to the wilds stronger, safer, and deadlier than ever."
Alex added, "The next beasts you face will not wait for hesitation. Your reflexes, your planning, and your gear must be sharper than any threat. Today, we buy time; tomorrow, we will claim dominance over every challenge we face."
The recruits trained long into the night, mastering their new equipment, learning to channel mana through their talismans, and testing the efficacy of their healing pills. The courtyard became alive with controlled chaos — swords clashing, mana sparking, and the faint hum of enchantments filling the air.
By midnight, we paused. The squad was exhausted but exhilarated, each man now fully aware of his new potential. Alex and I exchanged a glance — we had not only replenished our forces but transformed them. The men who had survived the lion pride were no longer simple recruits; they were a cohesive, well-equipped, and dangerous unit capable of facing higher-tier beasts and deadly missions.
I stood at the balcony of our courtyard, watching the city's lights shimmer against the night sky. "Three hundred gold coins," I murmured, thinking of the spoils, the upgrades, and the lessons learned. "This is the price of progress, but it's worth every risk. We have created a force that can survive the forest… and perhaps shape the future."
Alex rested his hand on my shoulder. "Tomorrow, we continue training. The beasts won't stop coming, and neither will we. But tonight, we rest. Tomorrow, we fight smarter, faster, and deadlier."
And with that, the courtyard fell silent, save for the faint glow of enchanted talismans and the soft breathing of soldiers finally allowed to sleep, strengthened in body, mind, and spirit.