Ch-2 Journey to Komea Town .

The next day, they left for Komea Town—the town of adventurers. Dawn painted the sky in soft shades of gold and pale blue as Athena adjusted her cloak and followed Damon onto the open road. The morning air was cool, carrying the scent of earth and distant forests. Though the path ahead was uncertain, Athena felt a strange calm. She had already crossed the point of no return.

They traveled for hours, the sound of hooves and footsteps blending with the quiet rhythm of the road. As the sun climbed higher, fatigue began to settle into their bodies. When they finally spotted a small tavern resting beside the road, both silently agreed to stop. The wooden building looked old but welcoming, its windows glowing faintly from within.

Inside, the tavern was warm and filled with murmured conversations. Athena kept her head low as they took a seat near the corner. Damon ordered drinks and simple food, and for a while, they rested without speaking. Athena allowed herself to breathe, her fingers loosening their grip on the sword she had unconsciously held onto since morning.

After some time, as they prepared to leave, Athena finally broke the silence. She realized that despite traveling together, she knew very little about the man beside her.

“Why did you become an adventurer?” she asked quietly.

Damon hesitated before answering. As they stepped back onto the road, he spoke in a calm but distant voice. He told her that when he was young, he had ran away from his home. He did not speak of his family in detail, only that staying had felt like a cage. Becoming a mercenary was his way of choosing his own path. Even now, he said, he was still training—still trying to become stronger.

Athena listened carefully. His story felt familiar in a way she could not explain. They were both running from something, though neither said it aloud.

As the day wore on, the road led them into a dense jungle. Tall trees blocked out the sunlight, and the air grew heavy and damp. The sounds of birds and insects slowly faded, replaced by an uneasy silence. Athena felt the hairs on her arms rise.

Then she heard it, voices.Low and distant, carried by the wind between the trees.

She slowed her steps, her hand drifting toward her sword. Damon noticed instantly and stopped as well. Before either of them could speak, shadows moved between the trees.

Masked mercenaries emerged from the woods, their weapons already drawn. The attack was sudden.

One charged toward Damon while another rushed Athena. Instinct took over. Athena drew her sword and blocked the incoming strike, the clash of steel echoing through the jungle. Her movements were swift and controlled, as if her body remembered every lesson George and Luke had ever taught her.

The fight was brief but fierce. When the mercenaries finally retreated into the forest, the jungle fell silent once more.

Damon turned to her, surprise clear in his eyes. He did not question her, but the way he looked at her had changed.

As they continued toward Komea Town, Athena knew one thing for certain—the road ahead would be far more dangerous than she had imagined, and she was ready.

~To be continued.

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