Chapter 21: Devil Vegetable

Team 11 joins up with a small group of bandits. The bandit boss wants revenge on the country that destroyed their clan. Mateo, Luar, Ofurd, Kamil, Thrynn, and Asual go into the woods to find fruit. Valtor, Qyren, Zephric, Orvian, Kryndel, Jorvek, and Able-Nuts go to find clean water and seafood.

Asual says, “We will meet at this spot, ok guys?”

Both groups take different routes.

Luar goes up to Ofurd. “Hey, can you tell me more about the IF?”

Ofurd says, “I think I already told you everything I know.”

Luar says, “I mean… is there anything else? Something I haven’t asked about?”

Asual asks, “Hey guys, what are you talking about?”

Ofurd says, “Uh… lost.” He thinks to himself, yet… we were talking about a night.

Asual looks confused. “Huh? What do you mean by that? Like night, the time of day?”

Ofurd says, “No, we were talking about the country we came from. There was a royal guard involved.”

Asual asks, “Which of the 400 countries are you from?”

Luar and Ofurd look confused. “Uh… what do you mean exactly?”

Asual says, “I thought adventurers like you would know about the 400 countries.”

Mateo says, “Yes, I remember. Sometimes we forget things because we fight so much. Asual, which country are you from originally?”

Asual says, “Ebla.”

Ofurd says, “Oh, when we came to your area, there was another guy… Lorfer. I don’t think you said his name?”

Asual says, “Oh, you mean Able-Nuts. Yes, I know who you’re talking about.”

Luar thinks with his IF and the name of a country pops into his mind. He says, “Ebla.”

Asual says, “You’re from Ebla? That makes sense.”

Kamil says, “It took us about three weeks by sea to get here.”

Asual says, “Three weeks? Let me check the map.” He spreads the map out. “Can you guys help me find Ebla?”

Luar points. “Look over here. Is this it?”

Asual says, “Nice, you found it fast.”

Ofurd thinks, This guy is a nuisance… Then says, “I think we’ve spent enough time here. Let’s find something to eat.”

Asual nods and touches his eye with his hand. Mateo notices.

Mateo says, “Hey boss, what was that?”

Asual says, “Years ago, I touched something… I don’t know how, but I could see like a clock in my eye.” He thinks back and starts telling the story. “A lot of years ago, I was with Lorfer… we got into a fight and lost many friends. A red light came in the sky, like an explosion. I touched it, and ever since, I could see the clock in my right eye.”

Mateo thinks to himself, When Erevos took my third eye, he gave it to the chief.

Mateo uses his ability to stop time. A mark appears on his hand. Mateo goes to the void.

Mateo says, “Erevos, where are you?”

Erevos replies, “Hey, you don’t have to scream.”

Mateo asks, “When you took my third eye, what did you do with it?”

Erevos says, “I gave it to the chief and threw it in the 21st wall.”

Mateo says, “I had many abilities, but I forgot to count. How many in total?”

Erevos says, “About 37.”

Mateo asks, “How many were taken?”

Erevos says, “Around 25–30.”

Mateo asks, “I had one ability in my right eye, unused. What does it do?”

Erevos says, “It can see time, past, present, and future. Also detects traitors.”

Mateo goes back to the forest. He tells Asual, “You touch the red orb. It will give you super speed.”

Asual looks confused. “Just touch it?”

Mateo says, “Yes. Eat it completely, and you get speed in your body. Only one person can eat one. If you touch another after eating, you’re fine, but if saliva touches it, you disappear into the half-void.”

Luar tries to grab it, but Mateo holds him tight.

Mateo says to Asual, “You eat it. Five bites. Don’t talk. Don’t cover your mouth.”

Asual chews fast and swallows. He feels speed rushing through him.

Suddenly, runners appear from the trees. Jorvek is bleeding. Qyren is out of breath.

Qyren says, “I’m sorry boss… they came out of nowhere. Fifty of them, all royal guards, and they had the third princess with them.”

Asual clenches his teeth. “We are going to war. We will take revenge on these barbarians.”

Mateo says, “Gather weapons. Move fast. No mercy.”

Team 11, bandits, and Asual move together through the forest, speed and fury in their veins.

The forest waits. The battle is coming.