n

n

nFollowing the twins, Eldrian discovered to his shock that Kydone had joined them at some point. She was relaxing on Evale's back, yet Eldrian had no idea when she had arrived. What really bothered him was that Evale was in front of him. Yet he failed to see Kydone arrive.

nI need to be more observant. Eldrian told himself, believing that he had just not been paying attention. This was the only incident for the rest of the walk, which took about half an hour.

nArriving at a cabin with most nearby trees already cut down, walls steadily rising around the cabin. Eldrian looked on in curiosity at everyone hard at work.

nPelaros, still in his centaur form, and a few others were currently moving about with massive branches and even tree trunks. Others busy cutting down the trees. While their sizes were much bigger than humans in general, seeing them hoist an entire tree like it was nothing still caused Eldrian to falter a bit.

n

"What's going on?

" Kydone asked, beating Eldrian to it.

n

"Pelaros wants to really ensure that we have a way out. Every three kilometers into the forest we are going to do this. Mostly using cabins that have been mapped, however as we head deeper that will no longer be possible.

" Evale explained, herself still shocked at the approach.

nThey were certainly being extremely loud. Cutting down all the trees in a line, thinning those around the cabin, almost making a road connecting the makeshift fallbacks and the fort.

nBefore they could talk more a demi-human of some reptilian heritage ran into the area which has already been cleared.

n

"I found a cave!

" He shouted, everyone looking at him with confusion. His hurry and complete lack of tack throwing off most of those here, all of whom were Pelaros's personal guards and friends. They were the elite squad, just shy of thirty people.

nAll at least Tier 6 with equivalent equipment. Just four of them weren't centaurs, though they were massive demi-humans, furs of different colors nearly covering them entirely. These demi-humans stood nearly as tall as Evules, who was himself just a few hairs short of three meters.

n

"Alright, please tell me where,

" Katania said, her voice came from the cabin. Soon after she walked out with a table, which was made for a centaur. Having really long legs to allow them to use it whilst standing.

nSpreading a map out on the table she indicated for the man to come closer. The demi-human quickly becoming unsure as he looked at the map.

n

"I can't really tell on this where it is, can't I just lead you there?

" He replied, needing to stand on tiptoes and strain his neck to see. Soon finding himself a nearby branch to stand on to better see.

n

"No, we need to figure out where all the undead is. So we can attack them in the most optimal way. Try to indicate its position.

" Katania replied, observing his actions and realizing that this table was too tall for the other races.

nQuickly the man became upset, after a few minutes he felt like throwing the table in the air. However, this would be quite difficult seeing as Katania was keeping it steady and he was standing unsteadily on a branch.

n

"I can't! But I can lead you there.

"

nSighing Katania wanted to tell him this was part of the mission, however upon seeing the twins she quickly thought of a better idea. Pushing the fact that this table was too high for others back, for now.

n

"Evale, Evules. Can you help, we need to both map and scout the caves we find. I believe Kydone would be really good at the latter, and you the former.

"

n

"Do you really not just want to attack them?

" Evale asked, receiving a firm no.

n

"Doing so might alert the other undead, while some people stumbling into their territory might also do so. Them running upon finding undead shouldn't cause much of a stir, at least for now.

"

n

"Alright, what's your name?

" Evale replied, turning to the demi-human who said he was called Egzaz.

nHowever, this man worried he would lose his reward.

"I still get paid for finding the cave, right?

" He questioned, his tone making it clear if this wasn't the case then he would refuse to cooperate.

n

"Of course, fifty silver per discovery,

" Katania said, her mentioning this causing Eldrian to nearly fall over, even with him standing still.

n

"Can I also take up this job?

" He asked in such a rush that it shocked everyone. His desperation made them think he owed someone. Though, certainly that wasn't the case, right?

n

"What? Aren't you coming with us Haru?

" Evules asked, to which Eldrian promptly replied.

n

"If I do I will just be following you guys. I don't see why I should do that. I'm not really needed. Certainly not until we actually invade the corrupted area, so surely I can try and make some cash.

"

n

"Are you in need of money?

" Evale asked, having never thought Eldrian would be short of money.

nEspecially considering the spear he had. The fact that it was a hundred percent naturally formed made it far more valuable than any other. Especially to wood elves, who would gain a massive affinity with it.

nLooking at his coin inventory, which was separate from the others and digital. Giving him a count of his total money, instead of showing him a pile of coins. Eldrian sighed as he saw that he had just slightly over one gold.

nHe felt truly poor.

"Of course, why do you think I have no armor. While I stand by my point that cheap armor is a waste of money, if I can afford magical grade armor I would certainly buy some.

"

nHearing this the twins backed down, at first they had thought to offer him a few gold. However, it would be wrong to do so now. Working to equip oneself was an important step.

nWhile it is fine to support someone when they were just shy of affording it. Doing so before they started would be like saying they didn't think he could make it.

nWith that they left, leaving Eldrian and Katania amidst the others who had quickly gotten back to work. Naturally, none of them would take a break, seeing as Pelaros was still hard at work.

n

"Kat...

" Eldrian paused as he failed to recall the latter part of her name, quickly pulling up his quest only to find a list of NPCs no longer on it. Just the notable NPCs, which were still only Evale, Pelaros, and Kydone.

n

"Katania,

" She said, not bothered that he had forgotten her name.

"I assume you want me to show you where most people headed.

"

n

"That would be greatly appreciated. I'm just Tier 2 so I certainly won't be able to beat them in speed.

"

n

"Alright, look here. This is the Pyknos forest, we are here. The fort is here. Drawing a half-moon, all these areas should now be filled with people. If you go out further you should have better luck.

"

nEldrian smiled, both thanks to her explanation and the system informing him that he had gained a local map. Pulling it up he quickly compared the cabins there to those on the map. Helping him orientate himself more, as a few were from his last trip.

nThis also helped him figure out more or less where the corruption should be. He had no idea how much it would have spread since last time. However, he assumed that the halfway point between his current position and where it was should be safe.

nWith that thought in mind, and not even considering staying close to the fort, Eldrian headed out. Using Accelerate to help him move faster, and in using it Eldrian realizing he still needed to learn some Tier 2 skills.

nHowever he didn't think it was pressing, the bonus from reaching Tier 2 in an additional class was nice, but not game-changing. He also didn't have any Tier 2 skills on him, just spells.

nPushing that out of his mind and rushing onward, Eldrian failed to find anything even after two hours of traveling and searching. By this time he had moved far from where all the others should be searching.

nHow on earth do they find the caves? Eldrian asked as he exited a cabin he had just checked, this being the fourth he had visited. While wondering about this he also, for the first time, realized just how much there was a lack of animals.

nStanding and looking out into the trees, Eldrian realized that there were no birds singing. The only sound was that of the occasional rustle of leaves from the wind.

nThis is quite eerie. Eldrian thought, however the lack of anything made him think of something. Casting Mana Examination, Eldrian looked around. While the mist now occupying his vision wasn't good for his vision, he hoped it might show him something. And it did.

nThere were two new veils of mist. One light green, representing nature. The other seemingly clawing at this green mist. A gray mist, almost looking like living smoke. This smoke ate at the light green, stealing its color and causing it to change into more smoke.

nIs this the corruption? Is it this far already?

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