233 Splitting Up (1/2)

Traveling in this way saved the team a lot of time and was much more practical. They still needed to camp out each night but they didn't face much worry with that.

The only downside was losing the chance to gain EXP while on the road, but the party also knew there would be plenty of EXP waiting for them after they reached their destination.

Four days flew by as the party adjusted to their new means of travel. They were well within Prachten after crossing over both Sandros and Iscantor.

Now they were in a small village, searching for some more Intel about Sunset Valley. While doing so they made sure to enjoy a good meal at the local inn.

As the party found a table near the center of the inn's tavern, they could already overhear a number of conversations that piqued their interest.

The paid close attention to the nearest conversation as it was the clearest and easiest to follow.

”That happened to you too?” Asked a burly man with rugged leather armor.

One of the other three men at the table nodded. ”Yeah, it seems like it's getting worse. A couple of months we probably won't be able to enter that godforsaken valley.”

”No kidding…” A different man at the same table scratched his left arm, or at least what was left of it.

The party's eavesdropping was then interrupted by the waiter. ”Hey, what brings you into town? I don't think I've ever seen you here before.”

”Just business,” replied Rydel. ”But what's this I hear we hear about Sunset Valley? Something happen?”

”Well… We're not supposed to talk about that, at least not while on the job…” A gold coin was suddenly flicked into the air, which the waiter casually caught and tucked away in his pocket. ”I don't know too much but I know that it's getting pretty dangerous around there.”

”I thought it was supposed to be a tourist attraction? You know, supposed to be a wonder for the eyes every sunrise and sunset, for all the lovers go to reignite their passion.”

”In the past maybe, but not now. Apparently, the place is slowly getting overrun by more powerful beasts that just keep coming and coming.” The waiter shook his head as he sighed. ”It used to be my favorite place to take my wife but I'm too weak to do that now. Anyone under lv. 20 doesn't come back alive. Anyone under lv. 30 will come back injured. Rumor has it that soon anyone under lv. 40 will face the same fate and it's only a matter of time till the trouble rises and rises.”

Jack tossed up another gold coin as he asked, ”Got any idea what's behind this?”

Rydel chimed back in, ”Brundies all around and juice for the young one. We'll each take whatever your special is today.”

”Coming right up.” The waiter weaved in and out of the tables and quickly vanished into the back room of the kitchen.

While waiting for their order the party listened to everyone else, finding that their stories weren't any different from the waiter's. Maynard glanced Jack and asked, ”So… Does this mean that… We'll have to wait?”

Jack didn't answer but Rydel did. ”You think? We don't have time for something like that, at least not right now. After we're done with this, then maybe we can come back but keep your priorities straight.”

”Way ahead of you, Rydel, don't worry about me.” The samurai lifted both hands innocently as if to remove all questions about his priorities.

The food came and went, just as good as any typical inn's specials would be. It wasn't amazing but it was nice to relax in a warm atmosphere and enjoy the comfort of a good night's sleep in a well-maintained bed.

By sunrise, the party was already gone and cleared out of the inn, well on their way for Talmook.

With luck, they managed to arrive in the growing city by early afternoon, which led to some party members wanting to take some time and explore the city.

”We don't have much time so we should just get going now,” stated Jack. ”Maynard, you already know what to do, so just make sure that Maura and Lina don't cause any trouble.”

Lina looked up to her big brother and frowned. ”But Big Bro, can't we all look around the city?”

Jack relaxed a little bit, not wanting to seem stiff when dealing with Lina. He hopped off of Appa's back and helped Little Lina do the same. ”Sorry, but we really don't have any time. The sooner we stop that army, the better chance Trodar has for making it through this.”