Chapter 659 First Hostile Encounter (1)
The convoy exited the colossal gate-mall building that marked the boundary of Testrovsc's Rest.
The convoy vehicle hummed, a steady rhythm in the background as Lila's voice broke through the communication system, alive and electric with anticipation. "I wonder what beasts we'll meet in the White Desert. I'm itching for a fight, and those bounties won't collect themselves!"
Kael's voice came next, a rock amidst the static. "Lila, did you bother with Noah's dossier? It's got the lowdown on the critters we might face. Knowledge is a weapon, too, you know."
Lila's laugh bounced around the comm system. "Well, I gave it a shot, but lost interest after three pages."
Kael almost facepalmed.
"Lila, recklessness won't do us any good. Disregarding information is a gamble we can't afford. This mission needs caution and wisdom," Aiden said. He was accustomed to Lila's antics and wondered how Kael still couldn't, despite being more intelligent than he. Maybe it was because of his intelligence.
It was at that moment Mira stepped in. Much like Aiden, she was well-acquainted with their comrade and friend's tendencies. She had often assumed the role of a guide, steering her back on track whenever she strayed.
"Don't even try Aiden, you are talking with a stone-brained idiot." She sighed.
"If Lila steps out of line, I'll be there to pull her back."
Aiden could do nothing but sigh, too. He pressed the button on the communication device. "Lila, make sure you finish that dossier next time."
Lila said nothing.
As the car trudged into the dense forest that skirted the city, the atmosphere inside the vehicles was a mix of anticipation and tension.
The occupants, mostly low-ranked mercenaries with more enthusiasm than experience, exchanged nervous glances.
Their youth and inexperience added a layer of apprehension to the already tense environment.
Erik could feel their unease, their anxious energy palpable in the confined space of the vehicle.
They all knew they were heading towards the White Desert, a place notorious for the high-level monsters that lived there.
Despite their bravado and eagerness to prove themselves, Erik knew that the young mercenaries were aware of their lack of experience and the potential risks they were about to face.
Their youthful exuberance was tempered by a healthy dose of fear and respect for the environment they were venturing into.
At the moment, they were just outside Testrovsc's Rest, a place with a low concentration of Thaids, who were periodically killed by the mercenaries inside the city. This part of the forest was safe, with Thaids being on the lower end of the power spectrum.
However, the place was a transitional zone, a buffer between the relative safety of the city and the dangerous unknowns of the land ahead of them — not only the White Desert.
Erik sat in the lead vehicle, his posture relaxed but his senses alert.
His mask concealed his facial expressions, rendering his mood mysterious to those around him.
He activated the communication system, his voice resonating through the speakers of Kael's vehicle.
"How's everything going, Kael?" Erik inquired, seeking an update on their progress.
Kael, who was to lead the way and coordinate the convoy, responded.
"All systems are operational, and the convoy moves optimally. We should reach the White Desert in approximately two days if we maintain this pace."
Erik nodded, even if Kael couldn't see him. "Good. Keep me updated on any changes and tell me if there are problems."
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The convoy continued its journey, the vehicles' heavy-duty tires crunching over the forest floor, their advanced suspension systems absorbing the impact of roots and rocks.
Everyone wished they could have taken flying vehicles to reach the place, as that would have been much faster, especially considering that they now had to drive for at least sixteen hours a day to reach the White Desert in two days.
However, every sane person knew if they did, they wouldn't have been able to land in the White Desert because of the Flying Thaids.
The problem was that the forest was a labyrinth of towering trees and thick undergrowth that made it difficult to travel, and the bumpy road made the journey very uncomfortable.
However, their path had been mapped out by Noah and the others to avoid any unnecessary detours or obstacles, and Kael helped them do so.
Many people within the guild found themselves puzzled by Erik's choice of management.
They wondered who Noah and the other individuals that Erik entrusted with the guild's administration were.
Questions arose about the reason Erik didn't delegate the task to Mira, Lila, Kael, and Aiden, despite them being co-founders of the guild along with him.
They were also well-respected figures within the guild, and their exclusion from leadership roles led to speculation and conjecture among the members.
Noah, in particular, was a source of intrigue. An imposing figure, he stood as tall as a tree, his stature itself commanding respect and curiosity.
His imposing height was often the topic of discussion among the guild members, with some comparing him to the ancient trees that stood tall and mighty in the forest's heart.
He was always masked, mirroring his employer Erik in this mysterious demeanor, which only added to the enigma surrounding him.
His silence was another characteristic that stood out - Noah was a man of few words, often choosing to communicate through his actions rather than lengthy conversations.
Despite his quiet nature and the mystery surrounding him, Noah commanded a certain respect within the guild. There was an unspoken understanding that he was someone Erik trusted, and this alone was enough to earn him a place of importance within their ranks.
As they moved deeper into the forest, the members of the Nexthorn Vanguard remained vigilant.
The forest was not without its own set of dangers—Thaids, treacherous terrain, and the ever-present risk of mechanical failure.
Yet, their journey was uneventful for the moment, the forest almost eerily silent, as if aware of the formidable convoy passing through it.
Inside the vehicles, guild members checked and rechecked their equipment.
Laser rifles were inspected, grenades counted, and communication devices tested.
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