First Steps Beyond the Wall

After finishing our drinks, we sat down next to the outpost to wait for the rest of the group.

Five minutes later, Nina, Ethan, and Liam arrived. After exchanging greetings and a few cheers, we headed to the outpost, which served as a customs checkpoint.

Identity checks were conducted swiftly, primarily to determine our specialties. I had assumed classification would be required, but in the end, it wasn't mandatory for this outing. As long as you were over the legal age of 20 and accompanied by a more experienced group, you were allowed to venture out.

This was my situation, and I was permitted to leave with just a simple warning from the customs officer about the risks I was taking. As a sign of encouragement, she handed me a flare gun.

As we crossed the last wall before entering the wilderness, a guard called out to us to give some final instructions, particularly to me.

"If you run into trouble, fire a flare," she said. "But be aware that it will take us at least ten minutes, if not more, to arrive if you're far away. Camping is allowed, but flares are useless in the middle of the night. Any findings must be checked before returning to town."

She looked at me sharply to ensure I understood.

"Remember, your safety depends on your vigilance and your ability to follow these rules. Be careful."

I nodded, realizing the gravity of the situation. This was my first expedition, and although I was surrounded by an experienced group, the weight of responsibility felt heavy on my shoulders.

James noticed my expression and patted me on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, Arthur. We've all been there—trust us."

I took a deep breath, gripped the hilt of my rapier, and replied, "I trust you, don't worry."

With newfound confidence, we crossed the last wall, ready to face the unknown.

Once we were on the other side, we found ourselves surrounded by lush wilderness. The city behind us seemed like a different world, far removed from the dense vegetation and unfamiliar sounds that now enveloped us.

James took the lead, followed by Emilia, who consulted a map. I stayed in the middle, flanked by Nina, Ethan, and Liam, who kept an eye on our surroundings. The forest, with its giant trees and ferns, created a mysterious and almost intimidating atmosphere.

We advanced cautiously, each step cushioned by the thick carpet of dead leaves. The silence was only broken by the sounds of birds and rustling foliage. The barely visible trail seemed to beckon us deeper into the forest.

"We'll stop at a clearing about an hour from here to set up our base camp," James announced. "This will be our starting point for exploration tomorrow and the day after."

Curious, I asked, "Will most of the expedition be in the forest?"

"No, tonight we'll head to the edge of the forest and into the city, where the houses are full of treasures that the Association considers junk," James replied.

"Interesting, that works," I said, anticipating what the city would look like after nature had reclaimed it.

I carefully followed the advice and instructions, trying to remember every detail. This was a new environment for me, and every sensation—the smell of damp earth, the crunch of branches underfoot, the play of light through the foliage—was a discovery.

In my old world, I had lived in the countryside, so I wasn't completely out of my element. But this was nothing like that; it was as if my old countryside had been a park, and this was the Amazon, with its dense, untamed vegetation.

After an hour of walking, we finally reached the clearing. It was an open space, bathed in sunlight and surrounded by towering trees. James and Emilia immediately began setting up camp, rolling out the tents and lighting a fire.

"Nina, Ethan, can you do a reconnaissance round of the camp?" James asked.

"Got it," Nina replied, nodding. She signaled to Ethan, and they left together.

Meanwhile, Liam and I were in charge of gathering wood for the fire. He showed me which kinds of branches were best for burning and how to arrange them for efficient burning.

As we worked, Liam shared stories of his early expeditions, offering valuable anecdotes and advice. His calm demeanor and experience were reassuring, and I gradually felt more at ease.

Once camp was set up, we gathered around the fire for a quick meal. The conversation was light, but there was an undercurrent of constant vigilance. Each member of the group remained alert, senses heightened, ready to react at the slightest sign of danger.

After the meal, James proposed a plan for the next two days. We would map the area, identify useful plants and resources, and, above all, stay safe.

"But first, Arthur, you need to familiarize yourself with your weapons," James said as he stood up. "Come with me, we'll practice a bit."

I followed James a little further into the clearing next to the camp. He took my rapier and got into position.

"Let's start with the rapier," he said. "It's a weapon that requires precision and speed. The key is to stay light on your feet and use fluid movements. Watch."

He demonstrated some basic moves—thrusts, parries, and dodges. I tried to replicate his motions, but my movements were hesitant.

"Not bad for a start," he said with a smile. "Now try to hit this," he added, pointing to an improvised target made of branches.

I focused and launched a thrust. The tip of the rapier hit the target but without much force.

"Good, but trust yourself," James advised. "Don't think about scratching it; think about piercing it and pulling it out with maximum damage. Let your body do the work."

After a few tries, I began to feel more comfortable. James corrected me from time to time, adjusting my posture and movements. Then, a question popped into my head.

"Tell me, I had a question," I said as he listened, "about the weapons you have—can they shrink like this?"

He looked surprised. "I thought you knew. Enchanted blacksmiths engrave runes in the ancient language and load them with monster hearts that you can normally reload in the hilt. Look," he said, showing me a compartment with a green glow at the bottom of his sword.

"Oh, right. That's pretty straightforward. Mine doesn't have one because it's not meant for that, and it would have cost a lot more, right?"

"Exactly, about five times more expensive. That's enough practice with the rapier for now," he said. "Let's move on to the gun."

He took my pistol and explained how it worked. "It's a simplified model, but it can be very effective. Stand up straight with your legs shoulder-width apart. Line up the sight with the target—that tree—and squeeze the trigger gently."

I picked up the pistol, mimicking his stance. The first bullet tore a strip of bark off the side, but James encouraged me.

"Don't worry, that's normal. Try again."

After several attempts, I finally hit the target, though it was quite large.

"Well done," James said. "Remember, accuracy comes with practice, but you also need to know how to hit while on the move—it's very effective when running."

I thanked him, feeling a mixture of exhaustion and satisfaction. I still had a lot to learn, but I felt like a child finally learning something I had always wanted to. In my old world, aside from physical sports like MMA or boxing, I had always dreamed of mastering a weapon and using it as an extension of my body. Finally learning it was a small dream come true and motivated me to get more involved.

That evening, after a training session that entertained the others as they watched me struggle around the fire, James suggested we set up guard shifts for the night.

"It's getting dark, so we're going to set up guard shifts," he announced. "Arthur, you'll be with me on the first shift. This will give you a chance to get used to night watch."

Night fell quickly, plunging the clearing into deep darkness. The fire crackled softly, casting dancing shadows on the surrounding trees. James and I took up our positions, watching the surroundings with heightened attention.

"You know, Arthur," James said quietly, "expeditions aren't just missions. They're also opportunities to learn, to discover, and to challenge ourselves."

I nodded, understanding the meaning of his words. This was more than just an expedition.

As the night wore on, with stars twinkling above us and the silence of the forest enveloping us, I felt a sense of determination grow within me. I was ready to face whatever lay ahead, reflecting on everything I had learned today.