Charon's home was the Sinking Swamp, one of the empire's Forbidden Zones. It held the highest concentration of undead in the entire empire.0

The swamp's deadly reputation stemmed from an ancient kingdom that had fallen there long ago, but Charon cared little for history. What captured his attention were the undead wandering the swamp—some clad in lavish, expensive clothing.0

The swamp stretched across more than 30% of the empire's eastern territory. The authorities never sent purge forces to clear it for one simple reason: no one had discovered a way to eliminate the swamp completely for centuries.0

The swamp was divided into three regions: the Outskirts, the Mirelands, and the Deep Fen. Contrary to popular belief, the Outskirts were not as perilous as the rumors claimed. The empire's greatest ranger, Hyde Woodjack, kept his cabin there. Monsters and beasts prowled the area in abundance, fitting for a Forbidden Zone. This meant the creatures at the Outskirts possessed unusual strength.0

Charon recalled the toughest and most grueling hunt of his life. He was twelve, and winter had settled in. His opponent was...0