37 Fire with Fire (1/2)

-Near Simple Village-

”Are you sure they went this way?” Celeste asked one of their trackers.

”Yes, Ms. Celeste. The tracks are clearly theirs. It seems that they visited the village nearby according to paths,”

”Ms. Celeste, Mr. Zeth's on his way. It will not take long for him to catch up to us,” One of the guards reported.

”Ok, that sounds good. They won't have any choice but to surrender.” She said.

-Aries' Home-

I went in front of Mari's room to wake them up.

”Sis dinner is ready! It's really late. You really should eat something soon,” I called my sister.

”Sorry bro, we'll eat later. We are doing something really important right now. We are already in a village, getting closer to our target,” She replied. Oh, looks like they are already near us, though it will take two to three hours for them to catch up to us. Better keep moving later.

”Sure, just don't forget to eat ok?”

-Dark Forest-

I went back to the game to as soon as I finished all the things I need to do.

”Oh, you're back!” Akko said. I was surprised too. They're finally back.

”Hey guys, aren't you too early?” Shouldn't they have housework or something?

”We're kind of worried so we logged in as soon we're done eating,” She really looks worried.

”Well, it looks like they are already in the village that we visited earlier. And they're using mounts. We should go now,” I suggested.

We entered the forest. It's like the last time we went looking for a dungeon and it turns out it's just a hideout. I also read some articles about the forest near the Vanguards Stronghold that it is still infested by some Walking trees that attack when disturbed, forest Trolls and some Bigfoot. The only problem is the trolls because they are aggressive. Bigfoot doesn't want any attention and flee when players get near it.

”Hey, Elou, please use some skills from your archery and tracking masteries so we could know if there are some monsters around or the people chasing us are nearby,” I suggested.

”Alright. I'm on it,” He answered.

So far there are no hostilities in the area as long as we take the path that leads to the Stronghold. We can't let our guards down. We continued our journey running straight and not looking back.

”Hey, Scy, the people who chase us are almost near. What should we do? We're still far from the stronghold,” Elou sensed them.

”Just continue running. This will be harder than the last time. I'm sure Celeste would be with them this time,” I replied.

Unfortunately, they caught up to us after a couple of minutes. This is not a good time for us. I could outrun them alone but I can't let my party behind.

-Almost out of Dark Forest-

”Well well, if it isn't Scytooth and his friends,” The brat is here with a couple of trackers, spellcasters, guards and even Mari! The jerk is also here even Azzie. Jeez. If you count them up, they're around fifty. I think they are the best in their guild. They're overestimating our capabilities or they just want it to be done. I can tell that they can only get this many because more people means going slower.

”Ms. Celeste, it is Scythus,” One of her guards corrected her.

”Oh, really? Why don't you just quit playing and go teach elementary students!” She replied and really pissed. That would make teachers feel bad, Celeste.

”Well, to tell you the truth I'm a high school teacher,” The guy once again corrected her.

”Jibber-jabber... Do I look like I f*cking care? Anyways, why don't you just give up Scythus? No one should die here. We go back to the castle and clear the misunderstandings and we're good. How about that?” The brat suggested.

”Sorry, Ms. Celeste but I don't think it will happen, not to mention someone like Deandre in your group makes me want to puke,” I replied irritated.

”You B*tch! You're so cocky I'm gonna smash your face!” Deandre, as usual, with his mouth.

”Stop that Deandre. Isn't it enough to get beaten up twice?” The brat said.