The traveler - Part 2

Part 2

The Mage’s eyes open wide, as she saw the outstretched arm stopping before her face. And before the monsters, in front of her, was the back of a man in casual clothes, suddenly appearing in between.

What happened next was a fleshed rendering sound followed by blood bursting in the air. The man bored his sword deep into its chest.

Everything happened so fast. Both the monster and the man. The Mage was lost in her thoughts processing just had transpired.

“Are you alright?” Those words snapped her back to reality as the man turned around.

“Y-yes… thank you.”

“Livia! ” the archer asked in concern as she jugged towards her "are you all right?" The swordsman and the dwarf followed behind her.

“You really save us back there. I’m Aldo, the leader of this party. I can’t thank you enough for saving our friend.” Aldo, the swordsman offered his name and his gratitude towards Xen.

“Not at all.” Xen shrugged. His gaze fell on the monsters and started, “I actually watched you guys fight the monster from afar. After you it took down, I noticed that there was a creature crawling out of one of the wounds you inflicted on the Urzyks. I was surprised that non of you guys even notice it. So I decided to take the initiative to kill it. Well… Then again, I broke the unwritten rule so I have to apologize for that.”

Adventurers are people who venture to the unknown and hunt monsters in exchange for gold. Any materials they collected from monsters were also bought by the guild, so those who want to earn extra aside from the commissioned quest, have to fight the monsters meticulously to make sure not to damage the materials as possible. This can’t be donned without proper knowledge of monsters, and the preparation needed to hunt with the most effective method. Out of courtesy, adventurers were ought to avoid going near a battle with a risk of ruining their strategy. This is also the reason why adventurers try not to bump into each other.

Well, we indeed have that unwritten law. But is he the type to sweat the small stuff? 

Aldo thought as he smile wryly.

“No no don’t be ridiculous, you save us from doing that. Besides, the rules only apply on a hunt. Our battle was way over at that point."

“Well, that’s true…”

“Uhmm…” the mage hummed which caught Xen attention, “Thank you for saving me back there, I’m Livia.” The mage, Livia introduced herself. The elf beside her followed, gracefully bowed as she introduced herself.

“Greetings to you sire. My name is Alea, I’m grateful for saving my friend back there.”“And this one right here is Delg.” The dwarf chimed in with a jaunty smile. His lustrous beard was neatly tapered under his chin. He wore a full set heavy armory which portrayed his role of the part as a defender.

“Yes, no worries. Oh right, I haven’t introduced my self yet. I’m Xen, a traveler. Our meeting might be short but it’s pleasure to meet you.” Xen nodded lightly.

“The pleasure is ours lad.”

“Hmm… Sir Xen is a traveler, is that right?”

“Yes, I’m traversing this forest all the way to Naynhard.”

“Heh?”

“Yup, ah, It be rude for me to take your time any further so I would take my leave. Good speed guys.”

Xen ignored the surprised Aldo as he turned his heels and walked away. But after a few steps, the Delg called out.

“Oi lad, are you serious?”

“I wouldn’t be here if I’m not?” Xen plainly answered which left Delg speechless. The two ladies also wore a face of disbelief.

“R-right! We're actually going further from here. Why don’t we go together for the time being? What do you say?”

“That’s a great idea, Solitude is fine and all, but it never hurts to have company in the meantime.”

It wouldn't sit well with them to part here when they were going in the same direction so Livia proposed to let Xen join them which Alea promptly supported. Aldo and Delg also add their statements showing their agreement.

“Indeed, Let us at least repay you for helping us. It’s getting tougher from here on out, you may not need our help but we can somehow lessen your troubles along the way.”

“You can watch us how we fight monsters on the front seat, eh,” Delg added.

“Oi!”

“What?”

“Hmm…” Xen hummed in thought. After a short while, he replied. “Well, if you wouldn’t mind, then please take care of me.

The adventurer cheered having Xen take their offer.

_________________

After they finished their business with the urzyk, The adventurer party with Xen in tow proceeded together toward the furthest depths of the forest.

Alea led the way as the scout. Following behind her were Aldo and Delg. Behind them were the rear guard Livia, and Xen. They reached the territory that only a few adventurers can reach so it was expected that more dreadful monsters will be there to greet them. However, due to Alea’s effort of scouting and throwing monster-repellent balls to some particular areas, they avoided any confrontations against the monsters and were proceeding relatively smoothly with leisure to have a chat.

Just as Xen surmised, Aldo’s party was indeed a high-ranking party named “lotus hope, which was quite famous for having a good track record for completing several difficult quests. Individually they were all rank b adventurers, they were rank A as a party. With a reputation to uphold, they were commissioned by a guild to a task no common adventurer party can take. And that is to investigate an area in the deep region.

Before Xen came here, he already heard quite a few tales lately about the forest; The number of monsters prowling around was rising in numbers. High-ranking monsters getting spotted in shallow areas. And there weres reports of new monsters flying here and there. The number of casualties among adventurers was rising each day.

As the guild doesn’t have the power to ban the adventurer from entering the forest, they instead gave strict notice to those who are still attempting to take a quest concerning the Vilpora forest. The people also felt the gravity of the situation and voices their concern for their safety. With this unpredicted crisis within the forest, the guild decided to send an investigation team to quell the budding unrest of the townsfolk.

However, they never heard about those people ever again.

The guild can’t afford another failure, so they gave this task to the reputed Lotus Hope.

“The forest was already dangerous to begin with, and now it became even more precarious. Just a moment ago, there’s that unknown parasitic monster that you save Livia from. It's plain as a day that there’s something going on with the forest.” Aldo stated.

“I heard this infamous forest for some time now, but this is my first time here in time, so I don’t know exactly what it is considered as norm. I just fought my through like I always do. Though there are indeed a lot of monsters. I was a little surprised by the frequent encounters I had.”

 Xen said in agreement.

“Oh right… you mention that you’re a traveler is that right lad?” Delg asked, recalling their exchange earlier.

“Yes, I’m on a pilgrimage to hone myself and broaden my horizon. I’ve been in places of danger on several occasions, fighting monsters in name of my training. And when I heard about this forest I decided to have a go.”

“Wow… I-I’m speechless… You must have been gone through crazy hard tranin’, that amazin’ lad” Delg praised him for his diligence.

“Yeah, this place wasn’t a regular monster nest you know. Only a few adventurers can reach this far. But look at you, on your own, you reach this far seemingly unscathed.” Livia said.“And you did it with simply casual clothes.” Delg jested,

“Well, I don’t really have combat garments or armor on me. I saw myself as a traveler not an adventurer, so I did not give a thought of buying one even though I’ll be fighting monsters eventually.”

“Right right, Now that you mention it, why not don’t you join a guild? Since you’re already hunting monsters and all, and traveling to different places. Becoming an adventurer will give an easy pass to any country. Plus you can have the guild buy all your spoils. You’re already strong and all, It wouldn’t take long for you to rise up in rankings.” Also suggested.

“That doesn’t sound bad, I’ll think about it.”

Meanwhile, up ahead of the party, Alea was looking at a distance. However, it’s her eyes didn’t focus anywhere, and seems preoccupied with her thoughts. After a while, she would then throw something far away in the vicinity, which was probably the monsters-repellant balls.“I must say, Alea is doing well in keeping the monsters away.”

Alea’s long tapered ears twitch as she managed to hear Xen praising her. She looked back at him wearing a smug face.

“Hehehe, impressed. It’s all thanks to these repellent balls. This was made by our prize alchemist back in the guild.”

“There's that. But you’ve also been using your familiars to scout several areas and guiding us to the least amount of monsters."

“How perceptive of yo-…Wait, did you just locate my familiars!?" Livia asked, visibly surprised. Familiars were creatures that were bound through spell contracts. It can either be a summoned creature from an unknown realm or a tamed regular monster or animal in this world. Livia’s party was already using familiars from the start though they never really told Xen about it. Their familiars were basically tamed common birds which would be formidable to distinguish from the rest nor sense from afar by an outsider.

Our To sense it this far, just who is this guy? Livia stared at Xen with wide eyes. Even Delg and Aldo can’t hide their awe.

However, Xen followed up with an explanation and cleared their misunderstanding.

“uhh... I’m not. I just notice by Alea's gestures. It seems like you’re speaking to something we can’t see. So assume you’re using familiars to scout the area. But based on your reaction, it seems I was right”

“O-oh I see. But It's amazing you can deduce that much.”

“Hehe, You’re one cunning lad.”

“…”

Alea awkwardly nodded having her assumption was wrong nonetheless impressed by how observant he was. Delg also said in agreement. Perhaps all of them thought the same.

“With my familiars, I can scout anywhere from afar and avoid any confrontation as possible. We wouldn't want to compromise our resources before we arrive at our destination after all.”

“Yep, That would be disastrous. you got your priorities right. Others would be tempted to hunt if they saw walking bounty.”

“Well, This isn’t a place we can afford that luxury, Besides we are escorting a VIP so It’s best to avoid confrontation as we can.” Added Aldo, explaining Alea’s stance further.

“…Is that so, here I thought I’ll be watching you guys fight just as delg said.”

“Wha—!” Delg caught off guard was speechless. He indeed said that part to make Xen agree to join them on their crusade temporarily. Of course, he was only joking that time. So definitely this was Xen just teasing them. But his tone was flat and he sound serious which made Delg feel that he dig his own grave.

“W-well, only if there’s a monster right?” Delg pointed out. Not intended dismissing his remarks as a joke and decided to push through with it. This way, he saves his face and his party.

“…Yeah…”

“Right! it’s better to be on the safe side.”

“What!” Alea suddenly exclaimed which stop the party in their tracks. They can tell the seriousness of the matter which is reflected on her face.

“What is it.” Aldo stepped up. But before she can tell him, Xen spoke causally, giving him the answer.

“It seems multiple entities are heading this way.”

“And those are?”

At that moment, a familiar howl echoed in the area. The sound of rumbling footsteps like cascading thunder got louder. At the end edge of the trees, large wolves, three meters in height step out, dashing on their way.

“Dire wolves, damned! a whole pack is surrounding us.”

“Ah fuck! How the hell sniff us with those stones we threw.”

Aldo and delg brandished their weapons and immediately moved into position. Then Aldo with his sword and delg beside him fetched his shield on his back and held it before him. His other hand was holding a mace for the offense. The mage braced her staff behind them. And the elf move further behind, aiming his already loaded bow at the approaching wolves.

“Though wolves may hate the stone repellant since they have a keen sense of smell. But direwolves can smell the prana of any being.” Xen calmly provided answers as he went to the side.”

“Wait they do?” Aldo asked not hiding his confusion.

“Yeah, wait, you didn’t know?”

“ughh…”

“Well, looks like your wish came true lad,” Delg said with a shallow grin.

“Yeah, I’ll just stand here and watched.”

“…”

Delg looked at Xen with his jaws left hanging. Others were also looking at him exasperated. It seems Xen was serious after all.

“Guys they’re coming.” Aldo snapped back as the wolves were getting closer. Or that it was supposed to happen.

“Huh…?”

“They… stopped?”

Both the Aldo and the delg voiced their confusion. They gazed beyond the glade where a row of wolves began barking vehemently. It appears none of them seem to take a step further, just like letting their barks send their frustration and anger on them.

The swordsman was staring at the seemingly alpha wolf which was larger than the rest. It growled lowly with eyes gazing sharp. Just like its kin, he doesn’t have the intention to pursue. It can only convey its rage through those sharp eyes that could kill a weak-hearted man.

The alpha wolf let out a lone bark before it turned its feet and withdraw. The rest of the pack reluctantly followed suit.

“They withdraw just like that. Hehe… Did they get cold feet?” The dwarf jested as he relaxed his stance. The rest also lowered their weapons.

The mage placed her hand on his chest as she sighed in relief.

“Whatever the reason, it’s good that they’re gone.

The elf hang her bow on her back as she walked to the party.

"However, those wolves' behavior is just too strange don’t you think.”

She cast his gaze to where the wolves retreated to. The wolves were no longer there, but the way how their encounter ended left quite a mystery.

It was hard to imagine that these monsters chased them a great distance and then just give up when the prey started to fight back. A coincidence that seems too good to be true. These monsters were dying to get their fangs on these adventurers so it’s hard to believe that they became all suddenly intimidated by the adventurers. And unmistakably, the face they flashed wasn't that of fear.

“From how they act, they seem afraid to approach this area.”

“Perhaps this might be a territory of something much more dreadful… is like what I want to say. But we already combed the whole area and found no traces of monsters.” Livia said, stating her observation. Cupping his chin in thought, the Aldo voiced out his conjecture.

“I know right, that’s why it’s strange. Just what is going on here?”

“Or maybe they’re warning us.”

“What?”

“Didn’t you those dreadful faces, it’s they vehemently warning us not to approach their territory.”

“Woah, that‘s the first time you offered something that makes sense.”

“Shut yer yap!”

“Well whatever that is we could think of it later, we shouldn’t dwell here too long.” Aldo glance at Xen who still gazing in the direction of the wolves.

“Those wolves were probably….”

“Sir Xen?”

“Yes, let's get a move on.”

Xen cast one final glance at that place before he walked away. The party resumed their journey, with Aldo furtively glancing at him.