The Scorpion's Attack

The Beginning:

Rogan stood outside his home late at night, perched atop a towering mountain, playing with his loyal dog. Suddenly, a rustling sound broke the silence. He turned his head swiftly—but there was nothing there. Shrugging it off, he continued playing, but the eerie noise returned. This time, when he looked, he saw it—Scorpion Silamodor Roja.

The creature had the body of a man, yet his skin was a dark, shadowy blue. Instead of human legs, he had the deadly, armored limbs of a scorpion, each movement whispering against the ground. But as he walked forward, he skillfully concealed them behind him.

Rogan's heart pounded. His hands clenched around a sturdy wooden staff, and in sheer panic, he lunged at the creature. The strike was swift—but the scorpion warrior deflected it effortlessly, knocking the staff aside with his blade. He stepped closer, his piercing gaze locked onto Rogan.

"You're quite the handsome one… I wonder… how would you look as a scorpion?"

A chilling laugh escaped his lips. In the next instant, his blade struck the back of Rogan's head. His vision blurred—colors swirling into darkness. Just as he began to lose consciousness, a streak of crimson light cut through the night at an unimaginable speed, sweeping the scorpion creature away.

The door to the house creaked open, revealing Rogan's father.

"Narwan! What happened?! Are you alright?"

But Rogan couldn't respond. His body swayed, his mind drifting into unconsciousness.

Narwan carried Rogan inside and gave him some water. Slowly, his vision cleared, and his father's concerned voice broke the silence.

Narwan: "Rogan, what happened to you?"

Rogan hesitated for a moment before forcing a chuckle.

Rogan: "Nothing, Father. I was just playing with the dog, and I accidentally hit my head against the wall… then I fell."

Inside the house, Rogan's family was gathered in a circle, each person clasping their hands together in a solemn ritual.

Narwan: "We pray for peace and safety to embrace us, for all harm to stay far away, and for the strength to stand against any enemies. Our gathering ends here. Now, everyone, get to work."

Esona: "Niska and I will go down to gather fruits and vegetables."

Rogan: "I'll go with you."

Esona: "Why?"

Narwan: "Let him go with you. It's better for your safety."

Rogan: "Thank you, Father."

---

On the Way Down...

As they walked along the mountain path, Rogan's mind drifted back to what had happened. The scorpion-man, the blinding red light… Was it real? Or just a hallucination?

A voice pulled him from his thoughts.

Esona: "What do you think, Rogan?"

Rogan: "Huh? What?"

Esona: "You weren't listening, were you?"

Niska: "She said we'll only gather bananas and apples this time."

Rogan: "Oh… yeah, that's fine."

They walked a little farther when suddenly—

A faint rustling sound reached Rogan's ears. His body tensed. His eyes darted around. A shadow flickered in the distance. Silamodor.

Rogan froze.

Niska: "Rogan? What's wrong?"

Rogan: "What? N-No, it's nothing…"

They kept walking… but Rogan couldn't shake the feeling that something—or someone—was watching them.

From behind a towering tree, another scorpion warrior emerged—not the same one Rogan had faced before, but clearly from the same terrifying Silamodor bloodline. His dark, menacing figure loomed over them, his glowing eyes filled with hunger.

Scorpion: "Hahaha… looks like I've hit the jackpot today. This meal is going to be delicious!"

Rogan's breath hitched. His grip tightened around his knife.

Rogan: "Get behind me! Run back to the house—NOW!"

His voice was firm, commanding. His mother and sister hesitated for a moment, but the fear in his eyes made them obey.

Before they could escape, the scorpion lunged, swinging one of his deadly, sword-like arms straight at Rogan.

CLANG!

Rogan barely managed to block the attack. The force sent them both skidding backward. The tension between them was suffocating. The scorpion warrior grinned, stepping forward to strike again.

But—

A blur of motion. A flash of steel.

Suddenly, a warrior from the Pyarod Army appeared, intercepting the scorpion's blade with ease. His counterattack was so swift that the scorpion was forced to retreat.

Scorpion: "Tch… You people are always in the way! One day, I will wipe you all out!"

And just like that—he vanished into the shadows.

Rogan stood there, panting. His heart was still racing from the fight. He turned to the mysterious warrior.

Warrior: "You okay?"

Rogan: "Yeah… Thanks. But—who are you? How are you so fast? And that sword…?"

The warrior smirked.

Warrior: "Heh… that's a long story. But let me ask you something—do you want to join us?"

Rogan: "W-What?"

Warrior: "You could become like me. Protect your family. Defend the weak."

Rogan hesitated. The idea tempted him, but—

Rogan: "I… I haven't told my family. They worry about me too much."

The warrior's expression turned serious.

Warrior: "Do you want your family to be in danger? Do you want more innocent people to die because of these scorpions?"

Rogan: "No! Of course not!"

Warrior: "Then leave them a message. Carve it into this tree. They'll see it."

Rogan took a deep breath.

Rogan: "That… That's a good idea."

Taking his knife, he carved into the tree:

"I'm leaving to protect you and everyone else. But I will return. – Rogan Brood"

With that, he turned to the warrior.

Rogan: "What's your name?"

Warrior: "Dariko Suyav. And you?"

Rogan: "Rogan Brood."

Dariko let out a chuckle.

Dariko: "Ahh… I feel like I just dragged you into something big, Rogan. Welcome to the Pyarod Army."

Rogan: "No… I want this. Don't worry."

Dariko studied him for a moment before nodding.

Dariko: "Alright… but promise me one thing—you won't quit after your first mission."

Rogan: "Huh? Why would I leave?"

Dariko: "Just promise me. You'll understand when the time comes."

Rogan: "Fine. I promise. So… what happens when we get there?"

Dariko: "You'll rest for today. Tomorrow, training begins. You'll learn everything then."

---

Arrival at the Pyarod Army Training Camp

They reached the massive gates of the training camp, the air thick with tension and anticipation.

Dariko turned to Rogan, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Dariko: "Rogan, try to make a friend today."

Rogan blinked, confused.

Dariko: "And remember—you promised me."

Rogan: "Yeah, I remember. See you later."

As Rogan turned to leave, Dariko suddenly grabbed his shoulder again.

His voice dropped to a whisper.

Dariko: "Listen to me. There's something you should know, but only tell a friend you trust. And make sure he doesn't tell anyone else."

Rogan's breath hitched.

Dariko: "The scorpions you'll see in training… are nothing like the ones outside."

Without another word, Dariko walked away, disappearing into the crowd.

---

Inside the Training Camp

The waiting area was packed with new recruits. The energy in the air was electric—some were chatting nervously, while others sat in silence, lost in thought.

Rogan walked through the crowd until he noticed one person sitting alone on a bench. Something about him felt… different.

He made his way over and sat beside him.

Rogan: "Hey there."

The young man looked up, his expression neutral.

???: "Hey."

Rogan: "What's your name?"

???: "Sumiko Layn. And you?"

Rogan: "Rogan Brood. Where are you from?"

Sumiko smirked slightly.

Sumiko: "I'm from Karanyaz Village. Let me guess… You're from Baford?"

Rogan chuckled.

Rogan: "Close. I'm from Sharkima Village."

Before they could continue—

A commanding voice echoed through the training ground.

"ATTENTION!"

The recruits snapped their heads toward the source. A tall man stood before them, his deep violet uniform standing out against the dull colors of the camp. His piercing gaze swept over the new recruits.

Something about him… felt powerful.

The stern-looking instructor stood before the recruits, his posture rigid and commanding.

Instructor: "Recruits! Your rooms are ready. Follow me!"

The new trainees shuffled behind him, some whispering nervously while others remained silent. Rogan and Sumiko finally reached their shared room.

Sumiko wasted no time. He jumped onto the bed, stretching out with a satisfied sigh.

Sumiko: "Ahhh… this bed is way more comfortable than I expected."

Suddenly, the instructor's sharp voice cut through the air.

Instructor: "ATTENTION! I am Naoso, your instructor. This will be your place of rest after the intense training starting tomorrow. Until then—stay quiet and keep your discipline. Dismissed."

The door shut behind him, leaving the room in silence.

---

A Conversation in the Dark

As the night deepened, Rogan turned to Sumiko.

Rogan: "Hey, Sumiko… Have you ever seen a Silamodor Scorpion before?"

Sumiko froze. His head lowered, and for a moment, he said nothing.

Rogan immediately regretted asking.

Rogan: "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—"

Sumiko: "No… it's okay."

His voice was quieter now.

Sumiko: "I have seen one. And I could do nothing. It wiped out my entire family in front of me. I was completely helpless. Then, one of the Pyarod warriors arrived just in time. We found my sister—she was barely alive. He took us both in, and she's now being treated at the Pyarod Medical Center."

He clenched his fists.

Sumiko: "That's why I'm here."

Rogan hesitated before speaking.

Rogan: "I… saw one too. That night was a nightmare. But somehow… it didn't kill me."

Sumiko sighed, rolling onto his side.

Sumiko: "So… in the end, we're here for the same reason. To save people before it's too late."

Rogan took a deep breath.

Rogan: "There's something else you should know. The one who saved me—his name is Dariko. He told me something weird…"

Sumiko sat up slightly, intrigued.

Rogan: "He said the Silamodor Scorpions we'll see in training are nothing like the ones outside."

Sumiko: "…What?"

His eyes widened with fear.

Rogan: "And he made me promise I wouldn't leave Pyarod after my first mission."

Sumiko stiffened.

Sumiko: "That means… the ones outside—"

A shadow passed over his face. If the scorpions outside were terrifying… what could possibly be worse?

Rogan clenched his fists.

Rogan: "I don't care. I made my promise. I'll train hard. And I won't quit."

Sumiko looked at him for a moment—then nodded.

---

The First Morning of Training

"WAKE UUUUUUUUP!!!"

The deafening shout of Instructor Naoso sent a shockwave through the sleeping recruits.

Recruits: "Wha—?! Huh?! It's still dark outside!!"

Naoso: "I don't care! Get outside and line up in the training field! You have one minute! MOVE!"

Panic set in as the recruits scrambled out of bed, throwing on their boots and racing toward the field.

They barely made it, standing in an uneven formation, some still half-asleep.

Naoso's piercing gaze scanned the group.

Then—his voice rang out like thunder.

Naoso: "WHY. ARE. YOU. HERE?"

Several recruits raised their hands eagerly, waiting to answer.

Naoso: "I'll answer for you. You are here to die—to sacrifice your lives for the safety of others. There are no objections. This is the first and most important rule."

A chilling silence followed—then, in unison, the recruits shouted:

"Understood, sir!"

Naoso's gaze swept over them.

Naoso: "Now, does anyone have an idea how to kill a Silamodor Scorpion?"

Several hands shot up again.

Naoso: "You. Introduce yourself and answer."

A young recruit stepped forward.

Recruit: "I am Brozo Saloyik from Branduz Village. We kill them by cutting off their heads!"

Another stepped forward.

Recruit: "I'm Faloy Shwaz from Kamanio Village! We slice them in half!"

Naoso burst into laughter.

Naoso: "Fools! You think that's enough?! A Silamodor Scorpion does not die by beheading. It does not die if you pierce its heart! Their bodies can regenerate, and the stronger they are, the faster they heal!"

The recruits exchanged nervous glances.

Naoso: "To truly kill one, you must sever its spinal core—and only then strike its heart."

A recruit hesitated before asking:

Recruit: "Why do Silamodor Scorpions attack us?"

Naoso's expression darkened.

Naoso: "Because they feed on us. Specifically—our livers. Some, the stronger ones, feed on hearts instead. And those are far more powerful."

A cold shiver ran through the crowd.

Naoso: "Enough talk! Training begins NOW!"

---

Three Grueling Months of Training

Month One

The recruits endured endless running, pushing their bodies beyond exhaustion. Sweat, pain, and aching muscles became their daily reality.

Month Two

They were forced to navigate deadly trap zones, testing their agility and reflexes. The strain was unbearable—but they survived.

Month Three

The recruits stood before a vast training ground—500 stone scorpion statues stood in their path.

Naoso: "Each of these statues is crafted from an extremely hard stone. You must destroy all of them. Traps are set throughout the field. If you don't all make it out with every statue shattered, you'll do it again."

The recruits charged. It was brutal—the traps, the weight of their weapons, the sheer endurance needed. By the time they emerged, they were barely standing.

Naoso surveyed the group.

Naoso: "Well done. You have officially completed the first phase of training. Tomorrow, you will learn what remains. For now—rest."

---

A Night of Reflection

Back in their quarters, Brozo stood before his fellow recruits, his voice full of excitement.

Brozo: "We're gonna be warriors! We'll hunt down the scorpions and save people! Just imagine how amazing this will be!"

A recruit named Kambian frowned.

Kambian: "I wouldn't be so sure. I've heard things… Things we still don't understand about the Silamodor Scorpions."

Another recruit, Zianai, laughed.

Zianai: "I bet half of us will quit before we even see a real scorpion."

Sumiko turned to Rogan, whispering.

Sumiko: "That's exactly what Dariko said…"

Rogan clenched his fists.

Rogan: "Then we'll just train harder. We will become stronger."

---

The Final Challenge

The next morning, the recruits gathered in the training field.

Naoso stood before them, his expression unreadable.

Naoso: "You have reached the key to the final phase."

Murmurs spread through the crowd.

Naoso: "To prove yourselves, you must cross that mountain. The forest is thick and treacherous. But at the other end—your final test awaits."

Brozo smirked.

Brozo: "That's it? A mountain hike?"

A recruit named Jitrako chuckled.

Jitrako: "This is gonna be easy."

Naoso's lips curled into a smirk.

Naoso: "Is that so? Because this time, for the first time, you will face real Silamodor Scorpions. There is no turning back. To proceed—you must survive."

Sumiko: "W-WHAT?!"

Jitrako: "Wait… Are we actually ready for this?!"

Rogan stepped forward, fire in his eyes.

Rogan: "Why are you afraid? We've trained for this exact moment! Every single one of us has endured hell to be here. Don't doubt your strength. Don't waste all this effort. We can do this."

The recruits straightened. Rogan's words ignited something within them.

Naoso's grin widened.

Naoso: "Now, then… ARE YOU READY?!"

Naoso: "Ready, recruits?"

Recruits: "Ready!"

Naoso: "Move out, get ready to run! Go!"

The recruits, each armed with a simple sword, begin their trek into the heart of the forest, the Silamodor Scorpions lurking in the shadows.

Rogan: "Sumiko, you and I will team up to kill the scorpions. Let's make our way around the mountain together."

Jitrako: "Mind if I join you guys?"

Rogan: "Of course! With all three of us, we'll be stronger."

The trio arrives at the base of the mountain, where the dense trees tower over them. Each of them takes a different direction to scout ahead. Suddenly, they hear laughter in the distance.

Out of nowhere, a Silamodor Scorpion appears and charges at them. The trio quickly attacks, landing several strikes, but the scorpion deflects them with ease.

Rogan: "Alright, here's the plan. Jit and I will distract it from the front. Sumiko, you go for its spinal cord!"

Sumiko charges at the scorpion, but its tail swipes and blocks his every attempt.

Sumiko: "I can't do it! Its tail keeps blocking me!"

Rogan sees an opening and charges from a different angle.

Rogan: "Now's your chance!"

With a swift strike, Sumiko severs the scorpion's spinal cord. Jitrako follows up and plunges his sword into the creature's heart with precision.

Jitrako: "Yes! We did it!"

Rogan: "Let's move! There's still more to go."

Meanwhile, Zianai strolls casually through the forest, unaffected by the chaos around him.

Zianai: "What a boring forest... Where are the scorpions? Are they scared?"

He walks a little further, only to be startled by Brozo, who appears suddenly in front of him.

Brozo: "What's wrong with you, idiot?! Why are you yelling like that?"

Zianai: "I haven't seen a single one of these scorpions! Are they afraid or something?" He laughs.

Brozo: "Lower your voice! Are you treating this like a joke?"

Zianai: "Stop being such a coward! Grow a spine!"

Brozo: "Look out behind you!"

Just as Brozo warns him, a Silamodor Scorpion attacks at lightning speed. Brozo shoves Zianai to the ground, taking the full brunt of the scorpion's sting to his chest. He collapses, groaning in pain.

Zianai: "Brozo!!!"

The scorpion laughs menacingly and approaches Zianai. It grabs him by the collar and lifts him into the air before slamming him into a tree. It sneers:

Scorpion: "Surprised? Why didn't I eat him, you ask? Because many of my brothers have already died. We're stuck here, and if I kill him, I'll die too. But listen... one day, I'll be free."

With a powerful toss, the scorpion throws Zianai to the ground and scuttles away.

Zianai struggles to his feet, wincing in pain as he approaches Brozo.

Zianai: "I owe you one, my friend. I won't let you die in vain."

He carries Brozo on his back and begins walking, determined to find help.

Meanwhile, the remaining recruits are either fleeing in terror or wounded, their bodies battered from the relentless attacks of the scorpions.

Rogan, Sumiko, and Jitrako, however, face more scorpions along their path. Thankfully, these scorpions are easier to deal with than the first one.

Eventually, they reach the end of the mountain, where they are joined by Zianai, Brozo, and many other recruits who have barely survived.

They find themselves in an open space, a clearing devoid of trees, looking around in confusion.

Sumiko: "What now?! What's next?" His voice trembles with fear.

Zianai: "Brozo's bleeding! His wound's inflamed!"

Rogan: "What?! We need to do something!"

Another recruit intervenes.

Other Recruit: "There's nothing you can do for him now. Just leave him for now. He needs to be taken to the Piayrod Medical Center as soon as possible."

The weight of their mission now felt even heavier. The recruits couldn't afford to waste any more time. They had to continue their journey—the real battle was just beginning.

Rogan: "Who are you?"

Kanji: "I'm Kanji."

Rogan: "How do you know all this?"

Kanji: "My father told me about the Piayrod Army, and many things about what goes on here... including the scorpion that attacked him with its deadly venomous technique—the flaming swords."

Rogan: "Alright, we'll place him here."

Rogan carefully sets the injured recruit next to a wall. But before they can even catch their breath, a massive Silamodor Scorpion appears before them.

The giant scorpion speaks mockingly: "Well, well, my dear friends. I see it's not time for dinner just yet."

The recruits hesitate but soon charge at it, but their attacks are in vain. The scorpion deflects them effortlessly, and the air is filled with the sound of grunts and struggles as the recruits suffer cuts and burns.

Scorpion: "Is this really all your strength?"

Sumiko: "Shut up!"

Sumiko rushes forward with determination, slashing at the scorpion. However, the creature quickly strikes back with its tail, knocking Sumiko to the ground.

Rogan seizes the opportunity, leaping from behind, sword raised to strike the scorpion's spine. But before he can land the blow, the scorpion's sharp claws block the attack and slashes at Rogan's shoulder, leaving him wounded.

Jitrako: "We need to work together to kill it!"

The group splits into two, with some charging forward to distract the creature while others take positions from behind.

Kambian and another recruit slice the scorpion's legs, causing it to stumble. Rogan and Sumiko seize the chance, swiftly cutting its spinal cord. From the front, Jitrako and another recruit leap forward, plunging their swords into the scorpion's heart.

Jitrako: "Yes, we did it!"

Rogan: "Let's keep moving. We've got more to do!"

The recruits cheer in victory, exhausted but proud of their teamwork. Rogan hugs Sumiko in appreciation.

Naoso: "Attention!"

The recruits immediately fall into formation. They are quickly ushered into the medical unit, where Brozo and other injured recruits are carefully transported to Piayrod's medical center.

The recruits, drained and battered, lean on each other for support. The fatigue is evident as they barely catch their breath.

Kanji: "Rogan, tell them you've been poisoned by its venom. Don't forget."

Rogan: "You're right."

Naoso: "I believe you're all done for today... Tomorrow will be a historic day for you. You will discover the true strength of the Piayrod Army. Tomorrow, you'll learn the most dangerous skills."

Rogan follows the medical team to the Piayrod medical center, where the injured are treated, while the remaining recruits, under Naoso's guidance, head toward their rest area to recuperate. Tomorrow's training promises to be even more intense, and the recruits can only wonder what challenges lie ahead.