Chapter 21
“Hey, are you crazy? Let’s just go back!”
“Yeah, yeah, didn’t you see the captain walk in and never come back? I don’t want to die for money.”
It seemed some teams had lost their captains and were hesitating on the spot.
“Yo-ho, what’s wrong with you guys?”
Phyllis approached them, wanting to gather some information.
“Well… actually, just now, the captain—the captain and us agreed that we would wait outside and guide him. He walked in alone to pick the Mandrake flowers. But no matter how much we shouted, he just kept walking forward and finally disappeared into the mist.”
This female Demon Hunter looked panicked, like an ant on a hot pan, almost spinning in circles on the spot.
“Orichalcum-rank Senior, did you also accept that 3,000 gold coin mission?”
Another male Demon Hunter in the team asked.
“That’s right-yo.”
Being complimented as a senior put Phyllis in a good mood; he couldn’t stop grinning.
“Senior, all the teams that went in just now haven’t come out. It’s getting late, Senior should go back first!”
The sincere look in the male Demon Hunter’s eyes didn’t seem like he was lying.
Other Demon Hunters retreated one after another. Only a few eager teams remained to watch.
I thought the Misty Forest was just a legend, didn’t expect it to actually exist…
Everyone held onto a fluke mentality, wanting to pick a random Mandrake before dark to complete the mission, but they never walked out of the mist again.
Phyllis reported the situation truthfully to Dyne.
“Little brother Dilias, what do you think?”
The big guy hesitated.
“Captain Dyne, our purpose here is clear. Since the mission conditions were proposed, someone must have been able to come out of the Misty Forest. It’s just that the way back is difficult, so the reward is high.”
Of course, it’s possible that a noble urgently needs some medicinal herbs and posted the mission, doubling the bounty accordingly.
“I agree with what Dilias-kun said.”
Lina nodded.
“Phyllis?”
“We’re a team, right? Remember not to leave me behind later.”
He gave a thumbs up to his chest and winked as he said this. I really don’t know if he’s putting on a brave front or just trying to look cool.
“Alright, let’s enter the Misty Forest together.”
The four stood in a line in front of the path and took a deep breath.
“Three, two, one! Go.”
Four feet stepped into the forest together.
…?
The four of us looked at each other.
“We’re in. Everyone’s here.”
Lina, Dyne, Phyllis, me.
“…Look, look quickly, Captain!”
Phyllis turned back and pointed at the small path we came from.
No one was there. It was as if no one had ever existed. All the Demon Hunters had vanished into thin air.
“Um, where are the Mandrake flowers?”
Lina’s voice was filled with anxiety.
Dark bushes, lush trees, white mist all around. Visibility was a bit low, but surprisingly bright. There were no mission items required by the Demon Hunter Guild.
We clearly saw them in this position from outside the forest!
Mandrake flowers disappearing along with the other Demon Hunters—this situation is unheard of.
In other words, everything in the Misty Forest is an illusion. There are no Mandrake flowers at all!
Did the Demon Hunter Guild publish this mission without even clarifying if the mission item exists?
Where there are heavy rewards, there must be brave men… Are they constantly raising the bounty to attract powerful Demon Hunters to complete the mission?
Thinking about it this way, there’s only one possibility: no one has ever come back alive! Considering the worst-case scenario, we are just being used as an advance party to scout the path…
We are just discarded pawns.
The oppressive air made it hard for me to breathe.
I can’t sit still and wait for death. That doesn’t fit my character.
“Let’s make a mark here and walk around. Remember not to split up; it’s very dangerous.”
Dyne rested his poleaxe on his shoulder.
Following his instructions, I drew my rusty longsword bought from the weapon shop and scratched an X on the ground.
If we could fly, scouting would be convenient. Unfortunately, no one here can use Fifth Tier flight magic.
《Fourth Tier · Impact Shield》
《Fourth Tier · Ranged Magic Shield》
Lina waved her staff, granting us magical buffs.
Even if we end up looking incredibly wretched, we must survive. Only by living can you prove you are still a Demon Hunter; otherwise, you’re just a cold corpse!
