Assigned Mission

Shen and his teammates were called to Sergeant Raiden's meeting room as the first rays of dawn appeared on the horizon. As they stepped into the room, Raiden's always commanding presence greeted them, but his severe manner took on a new dimension. In the center of the table was a huge, detailed map of the kingdom, meticulously marked with forests, borders, and settlements. The seriousness of their upcoming responsibilities was highlighted by each line on the map.

Raiden didn't spend any time. The urgency in his voice demanded attention. "You're all here because we're assigning critical missions today," he said firmly. "The stability of the kingdom depends on these tasks, which will put your abilities to the test. Whether you are genuinely deserving of becoming commanders will depend on how well you perform.

He leaned over the map and traced a path with his finger to Maveron's western forests. With a calm but wary tone, he added, "Toren and Kael, you're heading to the western forests of Maveron," Finding and rescuing victims who have been kidnapped by cannibals is your mission. You have simple instructions: find the missing people and kill any cannibals you come across. You will become their next meal if you undervalue them. They are a powerful enemy.

Toren's eyes brightened at the challenge, and he and Kael both smiled. "I was made for this kind of work," he confidently said. Kael, ever composed, nodded slightly. He stated calmly, "We're ready, Sergeant," underscoring their implicit faith in one another.

Raiden then turned his attention to Fenix and Kelly. "You'll travel to the northern borders of Unitas, close to our shared territory with the Republic, Kelly and Fenix. It's your responsibility to keep an eye on enemy movements and bolster our fortifications. The survival of the kingdom depends on border security, so don't let your guard down."

Fenix nodded resolutely, putting aside his pride for once. With a reassuring smile, he said to Kelly, "We'll do whatever it takes to protect the border." Kelly clutched her bow and grinned. "Sounds like we're going to have some fun."

At last, Raiden's gaze landed on Shen and Zara. His voice was harsher as he addressed them. "You're heading south, to the Bono border, Shen, Zara. One of our most unstable areas is this one, which marks the borders of the Republic.

The room fell into a tense quiet. Raiden's tone was controlled, but there was no denying the weight of his words. Although Shen sensed the tension in the air, he was unable to fully understand its meaning. He noticed the minor change in Zara's expression. Her normally serene poise had been replaced with a flicker of discomfort.

Zara was familiar with all the Bono border legends, unlike Shen. It was a place with a dark past, not just another boundary. Many guys had died there, and their fates were unknown. Horrible tales of fatal battles and unexplained events were transmitted. The Bono border was seen by many as cursed and unredeemable.

Gazing at him, Zara's viewpoint changed. She was ignorant, but the silent resolve in Shen's face surprised her. It was the determination of someone ready to confront it head-on, not the confidence of someone who knew what was coming. Zara found it strangely comfortable that Shen, in spite of his inexperience, was more terrified of failing those who depended on him than he was of the unknown.

Zara made the decision to talk. She said, "You might not know all the answers, Shen," in a steady but unusually quiet voice. "But there are times when ignorance is an advantage."

Wondering, Shen tilted his head a bit. "How so?"

"Because when you don't know what's ahead, you're open to possibilities," Zara said. "You're not stuck in a rut or bound by a dread of repeating your mistakes. That kind of openness may be a strength if you let it lead you instead of immobilizing you.

Shen considered her words carefully. He remarked, "I never thought of it that way," "I guess I've been so focused on not messing up that I didn't see the value in just... moving forward."

Zara gave him a little grin that conveyed understanding and encouragement. "Exactly. Therefore, don't be scared to trust your gut. We might both be saved by it.

Zara inhaled deeply and forced her anxieties to the back of her mind. Shen turned decisively to Raiden, sensing her uneasiness. He said resolutely, "We'll complete this mission, Sergeant," his tone concealing the doubt that was seething beneath the surface.

Raiden nodded quickly but firmly. "All right. Keep in mind that completing the task is not the only way to succeed. The goal is to live and return with your team.

Zara's voice broke the silence as she and Shen stepped outside. With a tone that was a mix of doubt and resolve, she asked, "We can handle this, right?"

Shen nodded confidently, looking her in the eye. "We'll do our best," was his response. Though he realized they couldn't afford to make a mistake, he was a little scared. They had to face whatever lied ahead together.

Leading his team had been a daunting task, but the idea of protecting a whole territory made him feel much more apprehensive. He was rushing through his mind: What if I fail? What happens if I make a bad decision? How can I be in charge of so many people's lives while I'm still figuring myself out?