"I guess we will be able to pull this off with our numbers," Vanessa said. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"You didn’t consider the worst-case scenarios, didn’t you?" Terry asked.

"And they would be..." Vanessa said.

Terry explained that despite rescuing a group of humans, they had to consider the possibility that some of them could have been compromised by the enemy. He emphasized the need for caution and vigilance, stressing that not all of the captured humans could be trusted.

Terry made it clear that while compassion and aid were important, they had to be mindful of potential threats and manipulation. Vanessa listened attentively, realizing the gravity of the situation. Terry emphasized that trust must be earned, and they needed to carefully assess each individual’s actions and behavior. He urged them to prioritize their own safety and remain united in their vigilance.

Terry emphasized the need to remain vigilant and cautious, even when dealing with seemingly innocent individuals. Terry urged Vanessa to consider the possibility that there might be spies or traitors among them in the future who had chosen to align themselves with the enemy for their own reasons.

Vanessa listened attentively, understanding the gravity of the situation. She realized that the enemy’s influence could extend beyond coercion and manipulation and that some people might have made conscious choices to work against them.

This revelation added another layer of complexity to their mission. It meant that they not only had to contend with external threats but also had to carefully assess the loyalties and intentions of those they encountered.

Vanessa contemplated their next move; Terry explained another thing. It was clear that the enemies they had encountered and defeated earlier might have had a powerful master overseeing their actions. The possibility loomed large that they would have to face this mastermind, a formidable adversary responsible for orchestrating the criminal activities and unleashing the fire drakes.

The guild masters exchanged concerned glances, recognizing the gravity of the situation. They understood that their previous encounters were mere skirmishes compared to the imminent clash with the mastermind. This individual possessed a level of cunning, power, and strategic acumen that demanded their utmost respect.

Vanessa was left speechless after that... as expected, she was too naive despite being a guild master. The idea that things could have become worse never crossed her mind. Now Terry was the one wondering what kind of childhood she had to become that naive.

After a couple of hours, the group decided to take a well-deserved break. They set up a makeshift camp and began dismantling one of the fallen fire drakes. They cut through its tough scales and extracted succulent meat with skilled precision. An enticing aroma filled the air as the fire drake meat sizzled over the crackling fire.

The guild masters eagerly gathered around the fire, their mouths watering in anticipation. They couldn’t resist taking a bite of the fire drake meat, and as the flavorful juices burst in their mouths, a wave of revitalization washed over them. The meat was rich and tender, with a distinct smoky flavor that left them craving for more.

With each bite, their strength seemed to be replenished, their fatigue melting away. The fire drake meat seemed to imbue them with a renewed vigor, empowering them for the challenges that lay ahead. It was as if the essence of the fire drake’s power transferred to them through the consumption of its meat.

Vanessa was waiting for Terry to say something sarcastic since his guess had been correct; the fire drakes tasted amazing. Still, he was just silently eating the meat while checking the magic stone that the creature had. It was the size of a fist... the largest size they had seen so far beyond the bosses.

"We won’t be able to carry all of them, so we should use them to recharge our weapons when needed," Terry declared.

While Terry didn’t need that since he could just use the mana in his armor, the others didn’t have the same luxury. Besides, they couldn’t waste time or give the enemies a chance to cause any damage to them. Time was of the essence, and since the guild masters were being useful, Terry wanted them to survive until the end of the mission. After that, it is up to them.

Once they finished the meal, the group was completely revitalized. Terry had confirmed that the dragon’s meat probably had healing effects that restored health, mana, and stamina and probably countered negative effects.

Knowing that, he kept an eye on the guild masters since they might go back on the deal, but he didn’t notice that. He didn’t see them whispering to each other suspiciously either. That being said, they will need way more to make him feel like trusting them.

The group began to run toward the military base, and their pace was more than decent... they only had to stop to fight a couple of times and soon found the military base. As one would expect, the fire drakes attacked it, but the place had been abandoned for decades.

The group finally arrived at a desolate military base that had been abandoned for over two decades. The once bustling hub of military activity now stood as a grim reminder of past conflicts. The buildings were dilapidated, their walls crumbling, and vegetation had taken over the once-manicured grounds.

"... I don’t feel any presence inside, no monsters and no humans," Vanessa said after she enhanced her focus. "The portal is twenty kilometers ahead, but we can go and investigate it later at night. We will be harder to detect."

"I doubt that will change anything, but we should check things through here in order to establish contact with New York," Terry said.

The group entered the military base, and while most buildings had been destroyed and became piles of rubble, it didn’t take long for them to find a secret passage behind one of those piles of rubble. It was hard to notice from a distance and even from up close since it was an iron door on the ground that could be mistaken as a huge block of concrete.