Chapter 25: Search Party |
''We're looking for two people,'' said a young girl carrying a bag. The black-haired swordswoman beside her turned to the mage in their group and he nodded.
''Have you seen a priestess and a swordsman? We were informed that they came here to look for a recently spawned dungeon.''
When Jake heard that from the mouth of the tanned swordswoman, he immediately understood who she was talking about.
''Their names are Perry Liseberg and Keirth Maximilian. They came here a month ago,'' a tall, muscular man behind them said.
Jake shook his head and turned around to hide the glint in his eyes. He had expected people to come looking for those two, but didn't think a search party comprising powerful adventurers would arrive.
However, considering Perry's beauty and her previously gentle nature, she had to have good relationships with various adventurers and even the priests stationed in Orlando.
Of course, they would look for her in her absence. Adventurers disappeared for years sometimes and a month was normal. However, Perry and Keirth should've at least sent a message by now. Something must've happened!
Jake gave them a quick glance and suggested, ''Maybe you can ask others.''
The adventurers behind him sighed and looked around. This village seemed gloomy. People were afraid to even talk with them and even the inn was closed. They had come here as soon as they could after someone issued that emergency quest. However, they were still late.
''You're a mage. Are you here for that dungeon too?''
Jake was waiting for that question.
''I know the innkeeper here. Wait for some time, I'll bring her and we can talk inside.''
As Jake left, the adventurers behind him chatted.
''He is also a mage? What circle, Alex?''
''I can't tell. He has more mana than me.''
The response made them skeptical. If even the mage in their party couldn't tell, then that tall man was definitely more powerful. What was such a person doing here?
…
Half an hour later at the Honey Fork Inn, Jake, Vin and Maise were sitting with the adventurers who had come from Orlando. Their party made the villagers nervous, who had already been troubled by Jake. Now more trouble had come.
The villagers were eager to shoo away these people, so everyone in the village spouted exaggerated bullshit about the nearby dungeon. Not about how dangerous it was, but about how attractive the treasure inside 'might be.'
''I tell ya all, that place may sound scary but think about what y'all get there!''
''Golden swords, magical pendants, secret maps, and treasure boxes!''
''Yah, this fella knows! I say ya go take em before others come…''
The drunken oldies tried to entice the younger ones. Of course, they wouldn't send their children to that cursed place, but these adventurers who always brought trouble should just die and rot in the dungeon.
Maise and Vin tried to counter the situation by telling them it was actually quite dangerous. They had even met Perry and Keirth.
''After they went inside, they never came out. I think they might be already…''
''No!'' a man holding a large shield interrupted. His name was Harris, and he was the shielder of their E-Rank adventuring party, which was named Red Eagles.
''They must be trapped inside. T-They can't be dead…''
The conversation went on for another half an hour. As Jake had come to this village after Perry and Keirth disappeared, the adventurers didn't suspect him.
Morning was coming to a close, and Jake was frustrated. With the arrival of this search party, his plans about going elsewhere had vanished. Instead, he had to inform Lena and others that adventurers would come to their dungeon.
This E-Rank party was strong and Jake knew just Erin, Perry, Yunna and the monsters couldn't handle them.
''Let's not delay. If there is even a sliver of a chance that they are alive, we have to rescue them as quick as possible!'' Alex, the captain of the Red Eagles, stood up as he said.
Jake knew he couldn't stop them from visiting his dungeon. Thus, he made plans to kill them there.
'However, that will make more come. I have to speed up my plans. I need to make my dungeon bigger and stronger. There is not much time left!' Jake also stood up.
The villagers may not come, but adventurers and treasure hunters from other places would surely come to attack. Jake couldn't hide his dungeon for long, and he was still unprepared. If he hadn't restored the mana of his dungeon and just idly stayed, his situation could've been much worse.
He didn't want to return now, but he had no choice.
"I'll help you,'' Jake said. First, he should deal with this party and then conquer the surrounding villages. He shouldn't waste any more time.
Hearing Jake, Vin also stood up. As for Maise, she was hesitant and shook her head in the end. Her family's situation was too much of a mess at the moment.
Her father was injured. She was pregnant with her brother's child. Yahul had disappeared, and she didn't know where he was. In such a situation, how could she go anywhere?
Thus, the six adventurers went outside the inn to the delight of the villagers. As for Jake and Vin, they stayed at the Inn for a while, and chatted with Rose and Niru. The hostess and her daughter were bearing Jake's children, and were worried that he might abandon them.
He left the inn with the promise that he would come soon. Vin vowed she would make sure he comes back.
Outside the village, Jake met with the adventurers. They had already done their preparations and were about to head to the dungeon. However, an interruption arrived at this moment.
''He's a black mage. Kill him!'' It was Yahul's voice.
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