The next day.

Road within Halfling Forest toward Amazarak.

Gorak and his party members rode their horses in annoyed silence, the events of the previous night still burning in their minds. The loss of the silver armor guy, the humiliation in the tavern, and the failed attempt to track him down left them all in a foul mood.

Gorak gritted his teeth and hissed under his breath. "Shit! I really want to kill that guy. No one humiliates me like that and gets away with it. When I find him, I’ll crush his skull with my bare hands."

Valcrea moved her horse closer to Gorak’s, her expression twisted with rage. "I also want to cut his head off and mount it on a pike as a warning to anyone who dares to humiliate us."

Zume rode beside him, her hand glowing faintly as she fought the urge to summon her scythe. "I want to cut open his body, tear off that helmet, and see his ugly face before I end him. I’ll make sure he suffers before he dies."

Noji, riding behind them, let out a cold laugh. "Don’t worry, Leader. We’ll find him again. And when we do, we’ll make him regret ever crossing paths with us."

Falce remained silent, her eyes fixed on the road ahead.

I wonder what the armor guy looks like under that helmet...

And how did he manage to vanish without a trace? We tried to track his mana signature, but it was like he never existed. That’s impossible. We’ve never failed to track anyone before. Gorak is a master at tracking people down, tracing their mana, following their trail.

But that guy... it was like he knew we were going to follow him. Like he was prepared for it.

It’s really strange...

It’s like the armor guy knew all along what we were planning. Our killing intent, our plan to ambush him. He knew we would try to follow him. And he still humiliated us in front of those dwarves.

Is that why the leader said he was someone knowledgeable? Because he could read people so easily? Is that how he’s managed to travel alone all this time without getting killed?

"Falce!"

"Hmm?" Falce’s thoughts were interrupted as she heard her name being called. She glanced up to see Noji looking at her with a curious expression.

"Yes, Noji?"

"What’s with the silence? You’ve been quiet since we left the tavern."

"Ah..." Falce shook her head, forcing a small smile. "Nothing, Noji... nothing. Perhaps I’m just tired from the lack of sleep."

Noji shrugged, her expression dismissive as she turned her attention back to Gorak.

"So, what should we do, Leader? Should we keep tracking this armor guy? I’m sure he must be somewhere nearby."

Gorak shook his head before glancing at the road ahead.

"No... we have an important mission. We need to pass this information to the team that will be arriving soon. Remember what our Supreme Goddess said? Focus on what’s more important. After we deliver this information, we can continue tracking the armor guy. If not, he’ll die when our main force arrives, and when our main mission to wipe out these lowly races begins."

"Y... yes, Leader."

Falce glanced at him and spoke softly.

"Leader?"

"Yes?" Gorak turned to look at her, his expression calm.

"Do you think his information can be trusted? Since..." She paused, choosing her words carefully. "...the deal didn’t exactly end on good terms."

Gorak smirked. "I’m sure the information is legit. Besides, he gave me the details before things went sour. He had no reason to lie about the route or the guide. He didn’t know who we were or what we were planning."

"Leader?"

"Hmm?" Gorak glanced at Valcrea. "What is it?"

"Should we go check if the information is accurate? You know, go to the Elven border and ask the guard there about this Beggar Jee?"

Gorak smirked. "I really want to, but I don’t think we can. We don’t know when the team will arrive." He paused, his expression turning serious. "If we go now, I worry the team will arrive while we’re gone, it could mess up the entire plan."

"If you say so, Leader." Valcrea smiled, though her expression held a hint of disappointment.

Noji tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I wonder who will be coming?"

Zume bit her lower lip. "I hope the ones sent for the next mission are from our team. I hate Karue or Angrar’s team. They’re all useless."

Gorak smirked. "Yeah... just like their useless, weak hero before. Jaigar. All muscle, no brain."

The girls laughed, but Falce’s eyes remained fixed on the road ahead, her mind deep in thought.

Hmm... let’s assume the armor guy’s information is legit.

But what if the armor guy met this Beggar Jee and told him about our broken deal?

What if he described us and warned him about us?

If this beggar refuses to help our team because of that, then our plan could fail before it even begins.

"Falce?"

"Falce!!!"

"Huh? What?" Falce glanced at Noji, Valcrea, and Zume. "Y... yes?"

"What’s wrong with you? We’re all discussing the plan, and yet you keep spacing out," Noji said, her tone sharp.

"Ah... umm..." Falce was about to respond when Gorak raised his palm, his voice low and commanding.

"Everyone... quiet."

Everyone glanced at Gorak, who raised a hand, signaling them to stop. He pulled on the reins, halting his horse, and the others followed suit. He focused his ears on the distant sounds, footsteps, rustling leaves, and panicked breathing.

"We have company," Gorak smirked.

"Enemies?" Valcrea gripped her weapon, her eyes scanning the surroundings.

Zume’s palm glowed, ready to summon her weapon.

Noji glanced around, her body tense and alert.

"I’m ready with the buffs," Falce mumbled softly, raising her palm to prepare her support spells.

But Gorak smirked, his expression darkly amused. "No... just be cool."

"Why?" Valcrea asked, her voice low.

All eyes turned toward the direction of the noise as a group of halfling refugees burst out of the forest, their faces pale with terror as they fled from several monstrous creatures chasing them.

"H... help us!!!" one of the halflings cried out, stumbling forward.

Gorak smirked and glanced at his team. "Ah~ Looks like we can let out some of our stress." He unsheathed his divine magic bow, his team following suit, their weapons gleaming in the dim light.

With a swift motion, Gorak aimed and fired, his arrows striking the monsters with deadly precision, killing them instantly. The remaining creatures fell under the combined assault of Valcrea, Zume, and Noji, their bodies dissolving into dark mist.

The halfling refugees slowly approached, their eyes wide with gratitude. They knelt before Gorak and his team, bowing their heads in thanks.

"Thank you for saving us, oh great humans," the halfling leader said, his voice trembling. "If only we had something to repay you with..."

"Ah~ There is something you could do for us, since you insist~" Gorak said, his voice dripping with dark amusement as he aimed his bow toward them, a wicked grin spreading across his face.

( End Of Chapter )