Chapter 579 Verandors' quest (1)
Erik eventually found himself at the city's entrance. Then, a group of four stout vehicles drove in front of him and were parked around him.
Their engines were humming in a synchronized rhythm while parked in a semicircle, which hinted at their power and dependability. However, it wasn't the machines that piqued his interest; instead, a group of people came out of them.
Thorne, the most senior crew member, gestured with his grizzled beard as he spoke to the other crew members. The long, deep scar along his jaw gave him the appearance of authority.
Elara, the tall and slender woman standing beside him, scanned the area with her eyes like a hawk.
Faelan, the younger group member, had sandy blonde hair and was intently checking some of the equipment in the vehicle. His wiry frame conveyed a sense of pent-up energy.
Then there was Sylvi, a petite woman with jet-black hair that fell in a cascade down her back and bright blue eyes.
Standing with an air of calm strength, Bram was the last but not the least. His dark skin complimented his face's sharp features, while his broad shoulders and freshly shaved head shone brightly in the sunlight.
Everyone in Thorne's group concluded that they should support Erik in this endeavor. They didn't think Erik would give them important roles inside the guild, but hope remained. Despite their doubts, Thorne's group believed in Erik's leadership and were willing to lend their support. They understood that even if they weren't given prominent positions within the guild, being part of Erik's journey held the potential for growth and adventure.
Erik approached the group with a look on his face that conveyed a mixture of surprise and gratitude, but he said nothing as he got closer.
"Is everything all right?" Thorne asked when the young man was close enough.
"Yeah, I was just thinking about something."
Thorne cleared his throat and said, "All right, let's not waste more time and focus on the task." Erik nodded. "Pleasantries can wait," he said to the young man.
Erik's demeanor changed to reflect a more businesslike approach. He had to make a good impression on the others, and Thorne's hint made him snap back to reality.
"How many Verandors are we able to transport in each van?"
Thorne already knew the answer; his many years of experience made it easy to figure this out. He briefly looked at the VANs and then said, "Depends on their individual size, but based on the average one, I would say roughly ten each if we pack them right," while running his fingers along the side of the vehicle closest to him.
Erik's eyes briefly turned to the vehicles as if to try to understand if Thorne's prediction was accurate, "And if a van ends up being full, can we make trips back to Lysa's place to unload? This allows us the opportunity to hunt more Verandors."
Elara immediately chimed in: "It's possible," she said, grabbing everyone's attention, "but with Thaids roaming nearby, even a short journey could be risky, especially if we go alone; after all, there are only five of us, and someone must drive the other vehicles."
Bram stepped forward before Erik could respond, his deep voice resonating with conviction, "The Thaids around this area aren't particularly powerful. If we can keep up our current speed, we should be okay," he told the woman confidently.
However, even if Bram was right, Erik didn't want to risk their safety. Even if they started to work for him recently, they were still his friends. "I won't push it if you believe it's too dangerous. It is not worth taking the chance."
The group members glanced at each other furtively, but Erik noticed that. Surprisingly, they didn't even have to say a word because they immediately reached a consensus. However, Thorne said, "Don't worry, Erik. We've got this. It shouldn't be a problem at all."
"Then we're going to earn a ton of money today," Erik said with a gleam in his eyes and a broad smile stretching across his face.
Exuberance began to permeate the space, and it was clear that everyone on the team was eager to start this fruitful endeavor; if Erik said they would earn a lot, then it was true.
The city's gates started to open slowly. With Erik at the helm, the group moved out of the city, prepared to face whatever obstacles they might encounter on their journey.
The atmosphere inside the convoy's lead vehicle was a mixture of quiet anticipation and lighthearted banter as it went through the winding forest paths the party was following.
Erik was traveling with Bram and Elara; the engine hummed softly, and the road bumps formed a rhythmic pattern with the occasional snippets of conversation.
"Is everything going well for everyone?" Erik inquired while looking in the rearview mirror to ensure the other vehicles proceeded similarly.
"Yeah," Elara said with a sly grin. "About that, did you know that Bram's wife is expecting?"
A look of genuine surprise spread across Erik's eyes as he watched. He turned to look at his friend and said, "Congratulations, Bram! That is exciting news."
"Thanks, Erik," Bram said, visibly embarrassed while a shy smile formed. "We're both very excited."
While they were talking, the thick tree canopy above them diffused the sunlight and cast dappled shadows on the road below.
After an eternity, the convoy finally got close to a clearing. This was the Verandors' last known location, according to the most recent report submitted to the guild.
The vehicles stopped gradually, and as they did so, the muted chirping of crickets and the far-off calls of unidentified animals could be heard. Quickly, Erik and the others jumped out of the vehicles.
"All right, we're in the right spot. I'll go in and do some reconnaissance on the area." Erik said after having surveyed the area. "We will proceed as usual."
Thorne arched his brow and said, "All right. Let us know when we have to take action."
Erik nodded. "Will do; stay safe, guys." Then, the young man left the area by heading inside the thick woods.
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