Final Life Online-Chapter 305: Island VI

The trees began to thin as they went on. The canopy broke apart, letting more light reach the ground. Grass replaced most of the fallen leaves, and the road widened just enough to feel like a proper path again.

Soon, they stepped out of the forest completely. The land opened into low hills with scattered bushes and a few lone trees. The air felt drier, and the smell of damp wood faded.

Rhys paused briefly and looked back at the forest edge. Nothing followed them. The trees stood still, as they always had.

"We’re clear," he said.

Caria nodded. "Good timing."

Puddle moved in a slow circle, then settled, its surface brightening slightly in the open light.

They walked a little farther before stopping near a gentle rise beside the road. From there, they could see the path continue east, stretching through open land.

"This is a good spot," Caria said. "Plenty of space, clear ground."

Rhys agreed. They set their packs down and began preparing a simple camp. No rush, no tension—just routine.

As the light shifted toward late afternoon, they finished setting up. The road remained empty, and the land stayed quiet.

They rested there, knowing they would move on again when the time was right.

They sat for a while, eating a simple meal and drinking water. The wind moved through the grass, but nothing else disturbed the area. No travelers passed, and no sounds came from the road.

Rhys checked their supplies and nodded to himself. "We’re in good shape."

Caria leaned back slightly, watching the sky. "We can leave early tomorrow."

Puddle stayed close to the camp, still and alert, its attention spread across the open land.

As evening came, the light faded slowly. The hills darkened, and the air cooled. They took turns keeping watch, but nothing happened. The road stayed empty.

When night fully settled, they rested. The camp was quiet, and the land around them remained calm.

They slept without trouble, ready to move on when morning came.

Morning came clear and cool. The light rose slowly over the hills, and the road was still empty.

Rhys woke first and stretched. He checked the area out of habit. Nothing had changed.

Caria sat up a moment later. "Quiet night."

"Yes," Rhys said. "Let’s move."

They packed their camp quickly and returned to the road. Puddle drifted ahead, alert but relaxed.

After an hour of walking, they saw signs of trouble. The ground was torn up near the road. Deep footprints crossed the dirt, heavy and uneven. Some bushes were crushed flat.

Rhys stopped. "Troll tracks."

Caria crouched to look closer. "More than one. And recent."

They followed the tracks off the road toward a rocky rise. The land grew rougher, with broken stones and sparse trees. The smell in the air changed—strong, sour, and unpleasant.

Soon they saw the camp.

Large stones were stacked in rough circles. Broken carts and wooden beams lay scattered around. Bones—animal and something larger—were piled near a fire pit that was still warm.

Caria frowned. "Big camp. At least three trolls."

Rhys nodded. "This must be the quest the village mentioned."

Puddle drifted lower, its surface tight and focused.

They stayed at the edge of the rocks and watched. One troll sat near the fire, tearing meat with its hands. Another lay against a stone, half-asleep. A third moved slowly near the back, dragging something heavy.

Rhys spoke quietly. "We clear them one by one. No rushing."

Caria agreed. "I’ll take the one near the fire first."

They moved into position, slow and careful. The wind stayed steady, carrying their scent away.

When they were ready, Rhys gave a small signal.

The quiet ended.

Caria moved first, stepping lightly from behind a low boulder. She focused on the troll by the fire, keeping her movements smooth and precise. Rhys stayed just out of sight, ready to act if the situation changed.

Puddle drifted forward slightly, hovering between them, its surface rippling as if sensing every motion around the camp.

Caria raised her hand, and a small shimmer of magic gathered there—enough to distract, not to strike yet. The troll looked up, sniffing the air, and then turned back to its meal. Its attention was divided; it hadn’t noticed her fully.

Rhys saw his opening and stepped in, a swift strike aimed to catch the troll off balance. Caria’s magic flared as he moved, combining with her timing perfectly. The troll roared, swinging its massive arms, but their coordination kept them just out of reach.

Puddle surged, its light reflecting off the troll’s skin, disorienting it briefly. Using that moment, Rhys struck again, landing a precise hit that sent the creature stumbling. Caria followed up, sending a wave of energy that forced it to collapse to the ground, stunned and unable to rise immediately.

The first troll was down.

Rhys exhaled quietly. "One down. Two more."

Caria nodded. "The one by the stone next."

They adjusted, keeping low and moving around the edge of the camp. Puddle mirrored their movement, a calm but constant presence that gave them awareness of every shift in the trolls’ positions.

The second troll stirred, yawning, unaware of the approaching danger. Rhys and Caria took their time, watching its movements and timing their approach. A sudden strike, precise and coordinated, brought it to its knees, while Caria’s spell made it difficult for the troll to rise fully.

The third troll was slower, dragging a heavy log near the back of the camp. It seemed more cautious, but its size made it dangerous if it noticed them too soon.

Rhys whispered, "We end this cleanly. No mistakes."

Caria agreed, setting her stance. "Ready when you are."

Puddle shifted slightly, a soft ripple across its surface, signaling its readiness. Together, they moved toward the final troll, calm, precise, and deadly.

They advanced carefully, using the scattered stones and low boulders as cover. The third troll grunted, dragging the log, its massive frame turning slowly toward the road. Its awareness was partial—it smelled them, heard movement, but hadn’t connected the dots yet.

Caria raised her hands, preparing another spell. A thin pulse of energy ran along the ground, subtle but enough to make the troll stumble slightly. Its attention snapped fully to them.

Rhys moved in the same rhythm as Caria, striking from the side. His attack landed on a tendon near the troll’s knee, forcing it to wobble. It roared in pain, swinging its arms wildly.