Chương 29: Chapter 28: Forged by Fear, Bound by Power

Thorwald stood at the camp's edge, his gaze sweeping over those who moved with a revived sense of purpose. A rare, almost predatory smile curled on his lips. The progress they had achieved was undeniable. Only six remained below level 25, and they were mere hours from reaching it. Soon, all would be ready to evolve, to teleport to the next stage, and to confront the enemies who haunted his thoughts: Thalion and Kael.

The memory of the old man's death still lingered, not as a source of guilt but as a testament to his power. The others had feared him, yes, but fear was a potent tool. It kept them disciplined, motivated them to excel, and now, day by day, that fear was evolving into something even more valuable: respect. Thorwald's eyes narrowed as he observed the camp. They were beginning to see him not just as a leader by force but as someone worthy of their admiration. He chuckled to himself, a low, dangerous sound.

"You just need to repeat a story enough," he muttered, "and people will believe it." Thorwald's hand traced the hilt of his axe as he walked through the camp, his very presence causing those he passed to straighten up, nod respectfully, and offer praises. The power was intoxicating. It was what he deserved. He paused near the alchemist's tent, where the air was thick with the pungent scent of herbs and chemicals. The alchemist, a wiry man with nervous eyes, looked up as Thorwald approached.

Despite the man's clear unease, he'd been exceptionally useful. The elixirs he concocted had bolstered Thorwald's body, increasing his strength by a remarkable 19 points. With each potion, he felt himself becoming more powerful, more unstoppable.

"Good work," Thorwald said, his voice a low rumble that barely hid the command in his tone. He wasn't asking for the alchemist's best—he was demanding it. And the alchemist knew it. The man nodded quickly, his hands fumbling with the latest batch of elixirs.

"Thank you, sir. I'll have another ready by tomorrow."

"See that you do," Thorwald replied, his tone allowing no room for failure. Satisfied, Thorwald straightened. Fear might be giving way to respect, but a reminder of who was in charge never hurt. As he walked through the camp, his thoughts turned to the upcoming evolution. In two days, they would teleport to the next stage, where the real challenge awaited. And where he would finally get his revenge. Thalion and Kael—their names were like bitter tastes on his tongue.

They had each humiliated him in different ways, and Thorwald was not one to tolerate humiliation. He clenched his fists, feeling the surge of power from the elixirs course through his veins. When they met again, things would be different. He would make sure of it. As he walked, he noticed a group of his followers gathered around a fire, their laughter echoing in the cool evening air. They didn't fall silent at his approach; instead, they greeted him with nods and smiles, welcoming him into their circle.

It was a small but significant shift. They were no longer just following him out of fear. They were beginning to see him as their leader, their protector, their strongest asset. One of the men, a burly fighter with a scar down his cheek, raised his cup in Thorwald's direction.

"To Thorwald!" he called, his voice loud and brimming with confidence.

"The man who'll lead us to victory in the next stage!" The others echoed the toast, their voices blending in approval. Thorwald accepted the offered cup, raising it high before taking a deep drink. The warmth of the liquor spread through him, mixing with the power of the elixirs, making him feel invincible. Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. As the night wore on, Thorwald remained with his men, watching them closely, studying their faces.

These were the people who would follow him into the next stage, fight by his side, and help him claim his revenge. He would shape them, mold them into a force that would crush anyone who dared to oppose him. When the time came, once they had evolved and were ready to teleport, he would lead them into battle. Thalion and Kael wouldn't stand a chance. Thorwald's smile widened, the firelight reflecting in his eyes, giving him an almost feral appearance.

The future held blood and victory, and he was ready to claim both. As his men celebrated, Thorwald silently vowed that, when the time came, he would show no mercy. The next stage would be his battlefield, and he intended to win. Kael's camp, nestled high in the towering jungle trees, was a flurry of controlled activity. From the branches above, makeshift shelters clung to thick limbs, connected by rope bridges that swayed gently with each step.

The canopy provided natural cover, shielding them from prying eyes below, while the forest floor bore the scars of their relentless training—crushed vegetation and remnants of old battles. The group had grown more confident and capable. No longer the frightened, weak souls who had stumbled into camp, they were now hardened survivors, inching closer to reaching level 20 and, ultimately, the coveted level 25. When they reached that milestone, they could teleport to the next stage.

Kael stood on a sturdy platform, his gaze sweeping over the camp. His sharp eyes caught every detail, from the subtle shifts in the treetops as his people moved to the focused determination on their faces. Below, Kai, his most trusted warrior, was running a group of former slaves through intense hand-to-hand combat drills. Perched on a low branch, Kael observed, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. Kael's satisfaction grew as he watched the camp operate like a well-oiled machine.

They were stronger, more cohesive, their bonds solidified through shared struggle. But time was running out. In a few days, they needed to reach level 25 to teleport to the next stage. The thought of what lay ahead filled Kael with both anticipation and unease. He knew the challenges in the next stage would be far more dangerous than anything they'd faced. There was no room for failure, they had to be prepared.

His thoughts drifted to the giant wolf-tiger, the creature that had mysteriously freed the slaves and directed them to his camp. Its motives remained unclear, and Kael couldn't shake the feeling that their paths would cross again. Was it an ally, or was it manipulating them for its own ends? The question gnawed at him, but he had no time to dwell on it now.

"Kael!" Sylas's voice jolted him back to the present. The warrior had finished the combat drills and was approaching, his expression serious.

"The group is ready for the final push. We should focus on hunting larger beasts. It's risky, but it's our best chance to level up quickly." Kael met Sylas's gaze, his eyes narrowing as he considered the plan. After a moment, he nodded.

"Agreed. We'll split into three teams. Each will take a different path through the jungle. If you encounter something too strong, don't hesitate to fall back and regroup." A grin spread across Sylas's face, his eyes gleaming with the thrill of the hunt.

"About time we had a real challenge." Kael moved quickly, gathering the rest of the group and dividing them into teams. The air was thick with tension, but beneath it was a palpable excitement. They were close to their goal, and the thought of leaving this stage behind fueled their determination. Before they set out, Kael addressed them from a high branch, his voice steady.

"This is it. Push hard for the next few days, and we'll be strong enough to face whatever comes next. Watch each other's backs, and don't take unnecessary risks. We've come too far to lose anyone now." His words hung in the air, resonating with each group member. They responded with nods and murmurs, their resolve hardening. Kael saw it in their eyes—the determination, the hunger for survival. With that, they set off into the jungle, their camp fading behind as they ventured into the unknown.

The dense foliage closed in, the air growing cooler as the towering trees blotted out the light. The deeper they went, the more oppressive the jungle became, shadows growing longer and the silence more foreboding. Kael led his team with practiced ease, his senses alert to every rustle of leaves and every faint sound. The jungle was alive with danger, and he knew the real test was just beginning. But with his people by his side, he was ready to face whatever awaited them in the forest's depths.

As they moved deeper, Kael couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. The jungle seemed to pulse with unseen eyes, and his hand instinctively went to his sword's hilt. Whatever was out there, they would face it together—and survive.