"We're being watched," Levi replied, his eyes scanning the surrounding forest. "Multiple hostiles. At least… thirty, maybe more."
"Thirty?!" Kai's face paled. "Where?"
Before anyone could answer, the trees around them rustled, and figures began emerging from the shadows.
One. Five. Ten. Twenty.
They kept coming until exactly thirty-two people had surrounded Levi's group in a loose circle, blocking every escape route. Each one wore mismatched armor and carried weapons that ranged from simple swords to elaborate spears. But despite their bandit-like appearance, their coordination was too good, their positioning too professional.
These weren't random thugs. This was an organized force.
And at Level 7 Genetic Soldier or above, every single one of them was a genuine threat.
"Well, well, well," a voice called out, dripping with false friendliness. "What do we have here?"
