The morning sun had just begun to spill over the Thornheart barony. Dew still clung to the grass as Ivan prepared to depart. Today marked the start of a mission—his first real field assignment beyond the training grounds.
The sky was still pale when he rode out of the castle gates.
Ivan sat upright on a steady war horse, his posture calm and composed. A half-plate armor suited for knight apprentices covered his body, neither too heavy nor too light. A knight's sword hung at his waist, secured firmly in its scabbard, while a bow rested across his back. Against the morning light, the metal faintly reflected a cold sheen, giving him a sharp and resolute appearance.
Behind him followed ten knight apprentices.
Two were high-level knight apprentices, their movements steady and disciplined.
Three were mid-level knight apprentices, eyes sharp and alert.
The remaining five were low-level knight apprentices, younger but still carrying themselves with seriousness.
They rode in formation, silent and focused. This was not a casual outing—it was a mission personally arranged by the Baron. Every one of them understood that clearly.
Among the group, Ivan's gaze paused briefly on a familiar figure.
Calvin.
One of the two high-level knight apprentices.
For the past three months, Calvin had been Ivan's sparring partner. They had crossed blades countless times in the training grounds, learning each other's habits and strengths. Seeing that familiar face among the group eased Ivan's mind slightly.
The group moved steadily along the muddy road leading southwest. The further they traveled, the more the path narrowed, softened by frequent use and damp soil. As the horses' hooves sank lightly into the ground, Ivan recalled the information given to him before departure.
The castle butler had briefed him in detail.
Woodstone Village had around one hundred households, with nearly four hundred residents. It was considered a medium-sized village under the Baron's domain. The village stood beside a forest known as Woodstone Forest, which was the lifeline of the settlement.
The trees in that forest were special.
Their wood was as hard as stone—dense, durable, and capable of lasting for decades without rotting. Because of this, Woodstone timber was often used to build sturdy houses, carriages, and even small boats. Many villagers made their living as lumberjacks, and the forest sustained nearly the entire population. For protection, the village maintained a militia of thirty men. Their primary duty was defending against bandits or wandering beasts.
Because of these valuable trees, Woodstone Village held an important place in the Baron's territory.
Every year, the village provided close to one thousand gold coins in value through timber trade.
A place like that could not be allowed to fall into chaos.
After some time, the outline of the village finally appeared ahead.
As the group approached the entrance, several figures were already waiting there.
An elderly man stood at the front, his back slightly bent with age. Beside him were five other men,Wearing simple but clean leather armor, their expressions tense and expectant.
The elderly man stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"Are you the knight apprentices sent by the Baron's castle?" he asked carefully.
Ivan dismounted from his horse and stepped forward.
"I am Ivan Thornhart," he said calmly. "I was sent by my father to investigate the disappearances."
The elderly man froze for a moment, then his eyes widened.
"Young Master Ivan?" he asked in surprise.
This time, it was Ivan who felt slightly taken aback.
"You know me?"
The elderly man nodded quickly. "A few years ago, I went to Thornhart Town on business. I happened to see you then. You were younger, but I remember clearly."
He straightened himself and said, "I am John, the village chief. Everyone here calls me Old John."
After that, Old John introduced the men beside him. One was the captain of the village militia, while the others were his subordinates. They all bowed respectfully toward Ivan and the knight apprentices.
After a brief exchange of greetings, Ivan did not waste time.
"Tell me about the disappearances," he said.
Old John's expression darkened.
"About two months ago, villagers began to go missing," he said slowly. "At first, it was one person. Then another. Over time, it became more frequent."
"We searched the outskirts of the village," the militia captain added. "We found signs of struggle—broken branches, dragged footprints—but nothing more."
Old John clenched his hands. "We didn't dare to go deep into the forest. There are rumors of magical beasts there. We feared losing more people."
"That is why we sent a plea to the Baron," he finished.
Ivan listened quietly.
After a moment, he spoke inwardly.
"Nova, scan the area."
"Yes, Master," Nova replied.
"Due to Class 1 authority, the maximum scanning range is twenty kilometers. Energy consumption will be zero point one units per hour."
Ivan allowed the scan to proceed.
A short while later, Nova spoke again.
"Scan complete. At approximately eighteen kilometers from current location, near the edge of the scanning range, life signals have been detected."
"How many?" Ivan asked.
"Estimated twenty to twenty-five individuals. Their exact identities cannot be determined due to insufficient data."
Ivan's eyes narrowed slightly.
That location was close to the deep forest.
After a brief pause, he made his decision.
He turned to Old John. "Prepare some tools. We'll need equipment suitable for moving through the forest."
Then he gave another order. "Leave the horses in the village. They'll only slow us down inside."
The knight apprentices acknowledged without hesitation.
After resting briefly and making preparations, Ivan led the group toward the forest.
The edge of Woodstone Forest loomed ahead, quiet and dense.
And with that, they stepped inside.