25 Chapter 25 (1/2)

Wilfred woke up after being shaken slightly. It was still early dawn and the sun had just started to rise. Yawning and stretching, he got out of the sleeping bag and started to pack it up and ready his things for the journey. The adventurers had not let him stay up to watch the camp as they slept and it had bothered him a bit. Perhaps they did not trust him or it could have been that since he was still young that they did not think he would be able to do the job properly.

He put the past behind him and decided not to think too much of it.

There had been plenty of meat yesterday, more than they could possibly carry but Halam had also cooked some thin strips and salted them for today's meals. He explained that there would be no stopping until they reached the location of the bandit lair and that once there, the mission would last until it was all over.

Fig took out a disheveled map from his bag and examined it. As the party's archer he was also their scout. He signalled for a halt and bent down near a tree, examining it.

”Judging by the moss growing on here, this way is north and we should be heading North West.”

They adjusted accordingly and set out at a brisk pace. Wilfred's body still being a child did not permit him to exactly keep pace with them but they slowed down to match his. Although he could use his [Wind Aura] to get faster, he thought it'd be prudent to save up as much mana as possible, in case another creature attacked them like yesterday.

The walk this time, compared to yesterday, was much more quiet and less cheerful. Knowing they would end up in a fight that day really changed the mood of all four. There were no jokes or idle chatter and banter, only a sharp determination to get things done.

It took a longer to progress through the forest than Wilfred thought, there were many hills and drops so they had to move carefully. He did see a bit more wildlife today, some creatures that would almost pa.s.s for earthlike. Mostly herbivores and small mammals that would soon scurry out of sight from the 4 adventurers, well 3 adventurers and one mage.

Wilfred did not despise this way of life, being outdoors and completing requests. It reminded him a bit of mercenaries back on earth and truth be told, if things hadn't worked out well for him in the army he may have gone that path in life as well.

He found himself getting attached to this ragged group of adventurers. Even though their differences and disagreement, they cared for one another and worked towards the same goal.

He was lucky he had made some friends like that too, at the academy, but their paths would eventually end up splitting after their time together was over.

Lucius would be more of the scholar type, helping his family out and researching things in the comfort of his estate. There were some things that he was unsure of about the royal family but Lucy would likely have some kind of important position a.s.signed to her and she would continue to train to make herself as strong as possible in combat. And as for Wilfred, his plans still remained to join the Mage Corps and try to rise in their ranks, hopefully earning a high enough position to help change things for the better in the Kingdom. With Baron Lanart helping him he felt he had good odds of succeeding.

There were many things from Earth that he could implement or invent that would help the Kingdom become more prominent. As it was the smaller and weaker of the three human kingdoms, there isn't much it can presently do.

Taking his mind off his thoughts, he focused on the present and the walk. Not long afterwards, Fig signalled to stop and crouched low, hiding behind a tree. The other three advanced on his position, also staying low and trying to be quiet.

Approximately 200 feet in front of them lay the opening to a cave. Not much seemed different about that cave until Wilfred spotted what Fig likely had, an extinguished campfire outside of the entrance off to the west side.

Scanning the area, Wilfred was unable to spot anyone however. Whispering very low, Halam gave directives.

”They must only keep guards outside at night, so we'll enter and block off any exits. The request is two fold, we must kill their leader and as many bandits as possible in order to make them scatter so they stop preying on merchants. Alcot will lead in front and we'll kill off the stragglers, Wilfred, you stay in the back and a.s.sist up if we need help.”

Alcot, Fid and Wilfred all nodded that they understood the orders. Fig was the first one off, silently sneaking off to the entrance of the cave while looking for traps while the rest followed a few paces behind in a line.

Fig stopped and held his hand up, motionning for them to stop. Carefully, he took out his knife and cut a rope that was hidden beneath some leaves, holding the other end with his hand and slowly giving it some slack. Wilfred followed the rope with his eyes until he saw a small metal object being lowered, some kind of bell. If anyone had tripped over it, the bandits would have been instantly aware of their presence.

All four of them reached the mouth of the cave and looked inside into the restricted pitch dark corridor. Wilfred reached in his bag to bring out his lantern but Fig's hand stopped him. Fig instead drew a small pink bottle from his pouch and took the cork out, drinking it all in one go. His eyes changed instantly, the irises becoming narrow and elongated like a cat's eyes. He went ahead into the darkness alone while the rest remained waiting.

He returned very soon after with a lit torch in one hand and a blood stained dagger in the other.

”The first sentry is dead, it's safe for now but I expect they'll be more grouped up beyond there.”

All four headed deeper inside with Fig lighting the way with the torch. At the bottom of the corridor the tunnel turned right and from there a small table with a chair was visible. Sprawled beside the table was a fresh corpse still bleeding from a stab wound in the neck.

Beyond this point, torches held in sconces illuminated the dimly lit cave on each side of the tunnel. Extinguis.h.i.+ng the torch in his hand, Fig let Alcot lead from now on, the big warrior more than capable of holding his own against multiple weaker opponents. Fig also only wore some light armor, a mix between leather and some other light material Wilfred could not immediately identify, perhaps Mithril?

Suddenly, a voice echoed from further inside and footsteps could be heard coming their way.

”Hey Jasper, we've got some leftovers here for you.”

Fig notched an arrow to his bow and aimed while Alcot moved to the side to leave him some room, waiting for the figure to come into his view. The footsteps became closer and closer, the figure still not in sight.

”What's the matter Jasper, don't tell me you're still angry about that...wait, what the f.u.c.k?!”

Jasper's blood had flowed uninterrupted and down the small incline that led deeper into the cave where the figure was coming from. As the figure stopped to look at the blood on the ground, it came partially into view of Fig who unleashed his arrow at him. It flew fast and precise, striking him in the abdomen, the best he could do from his position.

With a loud thud, the figure fell down but was not dead yet. With panic, he screamed.

”INTRUDERS! Sound the alarm!”

Alcot hurried along and swung his war hammer at the bandit's head who vainly tried to block the hit with his arms.

”They know were here now, let's not waste any time!”

Was the only thing Alcot uttered before letting out a primal scream and rus.h.i.+ng deeper along the tunnel.

Wilfred kept the rear, a strange feeling of deja vu creeping into his mind, while Fig stood in front of him and Halam was right behind Alcot and ready with his spear. It reminded him of that last mission he was on back on Earth, kept the rear there too and he remembered how that turned out, sending s.h.i.+vers down his spine.

The party encountered few bandits on the way, only half a dozen who tried to put up a resistance before being pushed to the side by Alcot and then either sniped by an arrow or impaled upon Halam's spear. Most of these bandits were rather low level and not cultivators, the equivalent of an adult who was physically capable but not trained for combat. Most of their attacks were won due to numbers and attacking poorly guarded merchants.

As they made progress through the cave, the tunnel soon gave way to a large open chamber where many bandits were waiting. A particularly tough looking bandit stood on a table, surrounded by almost two dozen bandits and laughed maniacally.

”Well well, what a brave bunch you are! Sadly you're messing with the wrong people, get them!”

Hoping to use their numbers as an advantage, the bandits encircled the adventurers, forming a crescent in front of them. Fortunately, they had not advanced too far that their retreat was cut off, Wilfred stayed in the tunnel just beyond the large open chamber.

Alcot merely laughed and used his [Tough Skin] ability, charging into the pack of bandits. The bandits were caught unprepared as his heavily armored body collided with their line and 4 of the bandits fell down. Swinging his war hammer wildly, Alcot targeted the bandits on the right and started pus.h.i.+ng them back. Halam followed soon after Alcot made some room and began using the range of his spear to strike at the nearest bandits to him, viciously targeting their weak spots and drawing blood from swift stabs and strikes of his spear.

Meanwhile, Fig used his bow and provided support to both of his friends, sending arrows flying whenever a bandit would manage to get into a position that would allow them to strike in a blind spot.

Wilfred used his [a.n.a.lyze] on the lead bandit that ordered the attack, trying to see it there was anything special about him.

Vincent Tronzo [Lv. 16]