206 First Ques (1/2)

As the group headed toward the north gate, they were looking around curiously. This was a new experience for them, a medieval type of city. If not for they did not have money, they would stroll around to check the shops.

Soon, the party arrived at the north gate. As they were about to head out of the city, ”Who are you? State your reason to head out of the city!” The guard was quite strict, questioning them just because they were about to head out of the city.

At this moment, Cao Yuntai stepped forward and smiled at the guard in the silver armor, ”We are adventurers, and we are in our way for the quests,” the older man showed his wooden badge.

The guard let out a sigh and tapped Cao Yuntai, ”Be careful, I heard a big herd of Dire Wolves are very active in the Orin Forest, and winter is near, the beast is more active to search for food,” the guard was kind enough as he warned Cao Yuntai.

Dire Wolf was Wood Rank Beast, meaning the Dire Wolf was as strong as Wood Rank Adventurer. However, if the wolf was in a big pack, even Silver Rank Adventurer would have a hard time facing them.

”Thank you, we will be careful,” Cao Yuntai nodded while the guard let them pass. A party of five Wood Rank Adventurers entered the Orin Forest under the watch of the guard.

”Hah, we may likely lose five more people. This winter would be hard for us,” the guard let out a sigh as he watched the party enter the forest. His friend who was standing next to him spoke, ”Worrying for them? Better get prepared for the Beast Stampede!”

Beast Stampede was an attack of the beast horde to the city. Usually, the attack happened a month after the winter started. Each year, the beast would form a horde to attack the city. The city had sent their knight to find the source of the horde which was in the Orin Forest, but they never got any result. Death haunted them when they tried to search deeper into the forest.

Of course, Sera had told the party about the danger of the Orin Forest. But the danger was like a temptation for Tang Shaoyang to enter the forest.

Cao Yuntai led the party in the front while opening the map. He was checking the path to the Durin Village which was the closest to them.

”Following the main road, take the right smaller path, then we will get to Durin Village!” Cao Yuntai told the others the path to Durin Village, ”It's one and half an hour if we walk.”

The main road was empty of people, so they began to take off their armor and stored their equipment in the inventory. They had not figured out if the magical bag existed or not. So they made sure that no one saw them before they ran to their destination.

The road was void of life, no other people could be seen on the road. People said the forest was dangerous, but they did not encounter any beast or monster too. It was a smooth trip until they reached three forked roads.

They stopped for a moment as Cao Yuntai checked the map once again to make sure they were not lost, ”Mnn, the right path,” confirming the path, they continued their rush to Durin Village.

Thanks to the Ogre Village raid, the rush was much more bearable than the hellish raid in the fourth portal. The one and half an hour supposed journey was cut to half an hour. Soon the sight of the village with a three meters wooden fence came to their sight.

”Get your armor on!” Tang Shaoyang took out his battle-ax while the others put their armor on. Even though Tang Shaoyang was the leader, he let Cao Yuntai lead the party, letting him take care of the boring talk with their client.

Two men wore leather armor and a bow in their hand guarded the entrance. The Dire Wolves' activity caused an unsettling atmosphere to the villagers hence hunters of the village were tasked to watch the four sides of the entrance.

The two hunters immediately noticed an armored group approaching their village. The two hunters exchanged glances before they nodded. A hunter then rushed back to the village while the remaining was holding the short sword on his waist.

”Who are you? State your business?” When the distance shortened to ten minutes, the hunter questioned the group cautiously.

Captain Cao was adept with this kind of situation. He raised his left hand and showed a wooden badge to the hunter with his right hand, ”We are an adventurer! Is this Durin Village?” He was proving himself to be harmless while exchanging the conversation with the hunter.

His action eased the hunter a little bit but he did not lower his guard, ”Yes, this is Durin Village! State your business coming to our village!”