“Are you sure you’re alright there, sire. “ There’s still room inside,” Mr. Rhodis asked. He held the reins, his gaze fixed on the road. “Yep, the weather is good, plus it would be hard for me to respond if I’m inside the carriage.” The young man replied from atop the carriage. Clutching his hat, his hair rustled against the wind. His mask was no longer affixed to his face so that he could feel the rushing wind. “I see,” Rhodis said wryly. In front of the young man were Welma and Gunther sitting on the luggage. With the help of a healing potion along with his innate healing magic, Gunther recovered well enough to fight properly. Despite being completely healed by the healing potion, the mage, Mili, remained inside since she was in charge of protecting the family. This also put her at ease and made her feel relatively safer. The carriage trembled on the unpaved road. The people didn’t seem to be bothered or have difficulty maintaining their balance. No monster was nearby, apparently, but that didn’t give them any reason to drop their guard. Welma and Gunther seem to be surveying the trees. Kroft must be doing it without a doubt, sitting beside Rhodis. “You know this road is infested by monster… even bandits. Why in the world you decided to take this route. you could’ve made out safety using the main road.” The young man started, voicing his curiosity. For the merchant, the safety of his merchandise is the outpost’s priority. Not to mention, he even brought his family. Just what circumstances forced this family to risk their safety in traversing this path? "Indeed we could… if wasn’t for bandits nested in the Ghled mountain, we wouldn’t be taking this risk.” Rhodis replied. “Bandits, huh…” The young man looked up and sighed. “I get what you mean; I just encountered one earlier.” “I’m sure it was an unfortunate encounter for the bandits,” said Welma. “It was a meaningful encounter.” The young man smirked, causing Welma to stretch a concerned smile “Hehe Right… Just when we’re finally through with the wyverns, now we have to deal with those bastards.” Kroft scoffed. “As I said there are bandits here too. In fact it’s more risky here with stronger monsters around.” “If the bandits in the geld mountain was just any bandit.” Kroft remarked. “It was led by a lvl 5 mage. I don’t even know what a talent like that doing there. But lots of merchant already fell to them. we can’t take risk of going to the main road.” If that’s the case, then that changes the situation. If the goblin warlock’s strength can be around level 4, then it’s safe to assume that the lvl 5 mage was enough to take down this party in the blink of an eye. That’s how powerful that number indicates in the world of mages. “Well, their good days are numbered. I heard in the Hamdel village that this country’s own relic holder will be dealing with them personally.” Gunther chimed in. “I really hope so, it’s their loss if the merchant stopped their trade again.” Rhodis said. ”…So… you avoided it by taking an even more dangerous path?” The young man asked, looking blankly into space. “Aren’t you guys jumping out of the pan and into the fire?” Even with the lvl 5 mage in question, it’s still considered safer on the main road; there are more chances of traveler that might come to their rescue. Plus, with that kind of threat looming on the road, caravans will naturally form to avoid conflict. They could’ve just joined in. Why didn’t they? “Hahaha… Well, that would be true. But for us adventurers, monsters are easier to deal with than the humans, lad. Monsters act on instinct; they’ll retreat after roughing them a little. We just… never expected those goblins to have a warlock on them…” Kroft trailed off at the last sentence, smiling in awkwardness. Normally those goblins would retreat after a few of them got killed. But the presence of the goblin-warlock, a more intelligent creature and with the power of magic along with three goblin warriors, gave them more command structure in the fight. Perhaps the warlock deduced they would eventually win the battle. And they would have if it wasn’t for his intervention. “I don’t know if you know this, but this path is the shortest route to Lefora from the Rentari town on the other side of these mountains. But because of the dungeon, Mr. Rhodis wants to reach there as fast as possible. “Oh, there was a dungeon there?” “Huh… don’t tell me you didn’t know. Isn’t that reason why you’re traveling here as well. To have your shot at the relic?” “…No… I’m just traveling normally.” “what…?” “…” He was trekking this trail for days with no prospect of a destination, so of course he doesn’t know what’s going on. Silence confirmed his innocence, so Welma sighed and filled him in on what he was missing. “Its all over the news. It was three weeks ago. A rank B dungeon emerge in the Vilpora forest. A rank B. What do you think will happened to the town in the nearest village?” When there’s a dungeon, adventurers follow, and behind them will be blacksmiths and merchants to supply their needs, a wonderful traffic that will thrive the economy. It’s even more so if the dungeon contained a relic, an instrument of power granted to those who conquered its trials. Perhaps it’s unrealistic to say that no adventurer doesn’t wish to have a relic of their own. And Rank B dungeons are the weakest among the dungeons that contain a relic. With the bars lowered, optimistic adventurers and guilds across the land will, without a doubt, flood the town to invade the dungeon. “I see, that’s why you guys are in a hurry.” “Right! If anyone gets the relic sooner, the festivity would be over!” Rhodis exclaimed, eyes narrowed with a hint of worry. He probably thought about the scenario where the town became normal after the dungeon was gone. He internally cursed the goblins that stall their precious time. “There’s probably a lot of ranked S adventurers heading there right now… perhaps the mysterious wyvern slayer was already there.” Gunther wondered, looking far into the space. “That’s unlikely…” Welma lightly shook her head. “If that’s true, the dungeon wouldn’t be standing right now.” “But there’s a high chance that he’ll prowl in to.” “Wyvern slayer?” the young man cut in with an inquiring gaze. “Yes, wow… you really don’t know anything.” Gunther looked at him, exasperated. The young man just smiled awkwardly in response. “Just how long have you been here? Welma asked. “A month or so… I think…” “Wow, you might as well join the pilgrimage.” Jokingly, Gunther offered. “Nah… I’m happy where I am.” Welma sighed, filling him up once again as if it was her job. “It’s a day before the dungeon was discovered, the villagers of Hamdel discovered a two wyverns corpses in the square by dawn. No one saw who did it. But the action alone told them that something happened in the nest. So when they sent someone to investigate, the found the flocks were gone, leaving only traces of battle.” “Woah… that’s… insane…” the young man said with a blank facade. “I know right! To think someone is capable of achieving what the the expedition ten years ago failed to do.” “Hamdel just prospered after selling the materials from those wyverns. Not to mention the amount of travelers they have. They sang praises for his valor. Even the traveling bards chipped in to sang his tales.“ Rhodis said. This feat was too large to be dismissed as a common act of service of some adventurer. Sure, there may be a lot of people in this world capable of doing the same thing. But the willingness to act and deal with the problem without return is not something anyone can do. Perhaps that’s the reason he was celebrated so much by the villagers, even though they didn’t know his identity. “It’s still a wonder why a guy like that drifted here. I first thought for he’s after the dungeon, but he’s action doesn’t add up to time it was discovered.” Kroft said. “I told you guys, I bet my fortune that that guy was a relic holder or someone with high status, on a secret mission. That’s why he concealed his identity. And the wyvern was just an afterthought.” Raising his chest, Gunther said, sounding confident. Welma huffed with a smug look and offered her own theory. “Hmmh, It’s a good guess. But still think he was really after the wyvern. There’s might be something he really needed them for… like armors or weapons” “For one person you have to kill a lot?” “Maybe he’s poor, he need in cash.” “Now that’s doesn’t remotely add up.” “He lost in casino.” The two adventurers bickered with one another, trying to defend their arguments. The young man, still gazing at the sky in silence, offered his own theory. Something that brought them to a halt. “Perhaps he’s just traveling normally.” “Huh?” Silence lingered for a moment. Perhaps the words didn’t register in their ears. Or perhaps it did, but they couldn’t process it. Their puzzled response was something that puzzled the young man as well. “What? What are you surprised about?” The young man continued. “I’m aware of my strength, and I’m traveling normally. Surely some skilled others had the same idea, right?” The two seemed unconvinced as they just stared at him. Gunther, on the other hand, had a hint of pity. Perhaps they were looking through the lens of common adventurers. Strong people are often tasked with demanding jobs. Commanders of an order often spend their time in the office rather than the field. The same for the rank S adventurer. Jobs that they didn’t want to do, but they need to do out of duty. The young man sighed in surrender. “I just thought maybe he’s too occupied with problems, and want to let loose, traveling, sight seeing. Everyone want to escape the world once in a while. Even those Rank S are still human after all.” With his words, Gunther and Welma opened their eyes wide in daze. They looked at each other and smiled. Perhaps they finally were convinced by his answer. “It might be shallow, but that’s the most sound explanation.” Mr. Rhodis offered his support. “There are times a man do things without a deeper reason to distract himself from problems. Perhaps the wyvern slayer just want to travel and let loose.” “The most logical explanation was the easiest one. Huh.” Knoft said. “But still, my guess is more right on the money.” “Yeah right.” Gunther still won’t budge and insisted on his argument. Before Gunther and Welma could again start their banter, the young man perked up and warned them. “Sounds like a fight.” As if their switch flipped, their playful demeanor was replaced by honest seriousness. The adventurers focused on their ears. They heard nothing. But they wouldn’t carelessly dismiss his words. In the field of adventure, the stronger ones often have the sharpest senses and instincts. They patiently waited until faint howls mixed with angry shouts reached their ears as they approached closer. At the far end of the path was a carriage surrounded by a pack of large wolves. “Direwolves,” Kroft muttered under his breath. “Let’s stop the carriage for now, Mr. Rhodis,” Kroft said without a trace of unease. “But don’t you think we should help them?” Rhodis asked. “Unwritten rule of adventurers. Something like no interference, unless they asked for it, right?” the young man asked, confirming his hunch. “That’s is right. Those are Direwoles compared to regular wolves their pelt fetch large sum in the market. So we can’t just help them carelessly then ended up ruining the spoils.” “Worse, they could file a complaint, and accused us of stealing. Since they’re not launching the flare, they don’t need help.” Welma added. “I see…” Perhaps Rhodis realized that his common sense is different than that of adventurers, who are fully in line in this field. Thus he surrendered and didn’t argue further. “Plus, our job is your safety, we might drag you to danger if proceed haphazardly.” Kroft pressed further. Some people might rush to help. But for adventurers, the priority should always be their quest. For this party, that is the safety of Mr. Rhodis and his family. Rushing into battle that they aren’t obligated to may endanger themselves, especially their client. “…Looks like it over,” said the Welma. Perhaps the wolves notice their presence as another enemy; they flee the scene, leaving their fallen kin behind. Rhodis whipped the reins, and the carriage moved forward. But before the wheels could get any further, the traveler cautioned them to stop. “Stop the carriage” His gaze zeroed in on the trees on the right side of the forest path towards the mountain range. “What is it?” Kroft asked. His hand slowly reached for the hilt while not removing his gaze from the adventurers who seemed to be looking at the forest as well. “Those wolves, they looked at the north of the forest before retreating. They didn’t get away from the adventurers, but from something else… In the distance, faint tremors shook the ground and the horses of the adventurers stirred in panic. Two free horses made a run for it, leaving the confused adventurers behind. The remaining two horses tried to break free from the shackles of the carriage, so another adventurer tried to calm them down. Tremors grew strong, accompanied by rhythmic thuds of a heavy object. One adventurer, visibly distressed, smacked an object to the ground, releasing smoke to cover a large area. Moments later, something emerged from the trees on the side of the mountain range. Smoke failed to hide its hulking frame, which reached beyond 3 meters in height. One swing of thick and long arms pushed away the smoke along the carriage, which was hurled to the side. The horse still struggled to get up, attempting to break away. The monster’s full frame came into view. It was a bipedal creature. Its ocher fur gleamed with dull light, along with a pair of horns atop its head. “Holy… shit! That’s an urzyk!” Shocked that the words that escaped his mouth were unseemly for a knight of the goddess. “Mr. Rhodis turn the carriage around. quickly!” Kroft cried, dropping his usual calmness. “W-wait! Those adventurers left that carriage. Their might be people in there. Are we just leaving them—?” “That monster is not something we can turn up against. You safety is our priority than them. let’s go!” Carried by the grave tone of his voice, Rhodis fumbly pulled the reins to turn the carriage around. However, the young man jumped off the roof. “Sir, traveler, get back here! We need to escape.” Welma cried. “What are you doing, lad!? Are you mad!?” Gunther crawled forward in distress. "I’m doing my job.” The young man answered flatly as he donned his hat. ”There’s still someone inside the carriage. “Wha—wahtt!?” The young man briskly walked as he fixed his summoned mask on his face. He raised his hand and shaped it to a gun. A muffled whistle rang out as an invisible force cut through the air. The Urzyk seemed uninterested in the carriage; it turned its head towards the fleeing adventurers in the distant forest. But its ears twitched. It ducked out of the way before the trunk behind it exploded in half. A tree fell with a heavy sound. The urzyk turned sideways —eyes darting at the new prey. “An invisible magic bullet!” “It packs a lot of power too.” Welma and Gunther commented —a hint of excitement in their eyes. It seemed they decided to stop the carriage and watch their ally in action. The young man was strong enough to handle the packs of goblins, but maybe they were curious if he could further handle a monster much stronger than them. But that magic bullet was enough proof that the urzyk at least recognized the young man as a threat. The young man fired again, but the beast dodged with surprising agility despite its enormous size. The urzyk roared and dashed towards its new prey. “It’s— it’s— it’s coming here!” Rhodis stuttered and screamed, standing by the door. Mili and Kroft, guarding him, braced their weapons for the event that the monster ever reached there. It was still a wonder what they could even do if that happened. The young man sprinted straight towards the monster, not letting the fight get near them. The urzyk jumped and swung its claw at the young man. The young dodge to the right and fired magic bullets at its legs. The projectiles dug in, and blood spurted with every hit. The wound was shallow, not enough to impair its movement; nevertheless, it inflicted a painful response. The urzrk roared and swiped its arm. Its claws gleamed in red light, proof that mana was used. Realizing the danger, the young man jumped high, dodging the red arc of energy that cut down several trees in the background. Above, the young man fired again while a sword spilled from a small portal summoned to his right hand. The monster raised its arm, blocking the projectiles. Mana particles erupted from its arm along with bits of flesh. As the young man landed, he burst forward, indifferent to the series of heavy thuds from the falling trees. The urzyk brought its arms down as the projectiles stopped. —only to realize the human was already in front of its face. The young man thrust his sword without hesitation. The blade pierced its head, and blood and gray matter exploded behind. He pulled his sword and jumped off before the urzyk fell to the ground. He gave his sword a final swing to remove the blood before tossing it back to the summoned portal. He turned to the adventurers and waved his hand, signaling that it was safe to approach. But it took a few seconds of delay before they moved from their spot and boarded the carriage. It didn’t take long before they reached him.