Chapter 169 - Part One: Marsh City's Monster Zone

After long journey, Zack arrived at the Marsh City. Unlike other city, Marsh City is mostly treated as border city. Due to rapid increase in movements of Class level Monsters, they built large wall near the border, separating the city and forests. Marsh City's Warriors and civilians livelihood associated with Class Monsters trade and herbal treasures.

…

(Zack's POV)

After I stepped out the train station. I immediately go through the map of the city. Just as I expected, the city is not much crowded. The city is more or like business hub. You will find anything here related to Monsters. Then I shifted my gaze towards the coniferous forest. There is quite some distance from here to the border wall. After making up my mind. I booked the nearby air cab and hopped into it. Then I told the driver about my destination.

A few minutes later, the air cab landed near the landmark. I glanced outside to make sure about the destination. Then after confirming it, I stepped out of the car. I exhaled long breath to relax. "Finally, I made it!" I mumbled under my breath. Such a good feeling, I hope everything will be good. As my gaze fall on the border wall. It's the same procedure as previous Monster Zone. I thought.

I have to inform the Patrol officer and get permission. Unlike other Monster Zone, I don't know about this Monster Zone, especially about their jurisdiction. If it's under the Army federation, Uncle would have told me about it. As far a I know, it's management based on bidding. The highest bidder gets rights to manage this Monster Zone for the set amount of years.

It's really surprising its not coveted by any faction. May be they treated this Monster Zone as experience zone for civilians. I let out a long sigh, it doesn't matter for me anyway. Then I stroll towards the Patrol room for registration. As I walked near to office, I spotted multiple staffs working diligently in their operating screen. Noticing my gaze one of the male staff gestures me to enter. Nodding my head gently, I entered the room. "Give me your ID card?" the staff uttered. Hearing that, I handed over the Hansen ID card.

As the staff looks over the card and muttered, "Ah, Student! Another dead meat" His voice was not loud but I can hear it. I couldn't help but frown. I don't want to make any scene here. So, I didn't refute him. "Man, Why everywhere there would be people like him. Why don't they mind their own business?" I scolded him in my heart then the staff did his job without asking any further.

After paying credit points as tax. I left the office. On the way to border gate, I heard murmuring of people. I shifted my gaze towards them.

Team of four men talking to each other. I caught what they were talking, they need one more person to form a team. A team of five people is minimum requirement in this Zone. Otherwise you have to pay extra tax to enter, if you insist on four member team. It would be difficult. Shaking my head, I didn't immediately enter the border gate. I have to make sure everything is packed. I don't know when will I come out once I enter the gate.

Sometime earlier, 

On the other hand, Elder Thornton having some troubles. Ever since he stepped out of the train. He marked the other party who is staring at him earlier in the compartment. Now the stranger left the train station without looking at him. He decided to stop observing him. Just as he pondering it, his sci-fi watch lit up with notification. After looking at the name, he knew the intel about the passenger list came.

He opened it and began to read the report. His pupil constrict seeing the description of the person. "Simon Mills, assistant at branch office of Parazam Hunter League in Greenleaf city. " He mumbled under his breath. This is the same guy who gazed at him earlier. "is this some kind of sick joke or what" He said to himself. It's impossible for a small character to observe him from time to time. He guts telling him something wrong here. He looked ahead and spotted Zack who is talking with cab driver, Seeing that his brows relaxed. His brain went into deep thinking.

Recalling the temperament of the person and unfazed look, he knew he have to verify it. Instantly he sent message to Arthur to verify the character of Simon Mills, He also sent his observation. After doing that he quickened his pace towards Zack. Seeing him hoping into the air can, Elder Thornton knew Zack's destination. So, he booked nearby air cab. Unlike Zack, he is not shortage of credit points. So, he didn't bargain. Elder Thornton them immediately flew towards the Zack's destination.

On the other hand, the stranger who left the station observed everything from distance. "As expected a strong man is following that kid. But who could be ?" but he doesn't know that strong men is none other than chairman of the Hansen building. He immediately called his boss. As the call connected. He said, "Boss, someone is protecting that kid. " He sounded dejected.

On the other side of call, a stern voice said, "Hansen sure protecting their Seed Candidate. No wonder there is no turmoil so far " the stranger asked, "Boss, What should I do now? Shall I leave. I didn't probe the level that old man. But I feel he is lot stronger than me " hearing that boss remain silent for a moment. Then he commented, "Then you just watch. Don't confront them. I'll just send some one over there " Then the stranger felt relax hearing that then they ended their call after some short conversation.

…

In Hansen building,

Mr. Arthur is on the call with someone over in green leaf city. He is one of the reputed adventurer there. He took high-level mission of Parazam Hunter league over there. "Fred, where are you?" Mr. Arthur inquired. On the other side of the call, Fred answered, "Oh, Mr. Arthur. How have you been lately? I'm just back from mission."

Hearing that Mr. Arthur nodded through his holographic image. Then he asked, "Do you know someone named Simon Mills working in that branch office?" Hearing that Fred raided his eyebrow.

Then he commented, "Yeah, Mr. Arthur. There is middle aged man working there. He is quite experience in management." On the other side of the call, a surprise glint flashes in his eyes. Mr. Arthur then asked about crucial information, "What about his character?" Fred responded in humor.

"Mr. Arthur that Fred is quite nerd in management. He didn't like bloodshed and hunting and his character is quite cowardly" He said with a smile. Hearing that Mr. Arthur 's suspicion aroused. After few chats he ended the call. Then he contacted few other channel before he confirmed that real Simon Mill is quite different from Elder Thornton's description.

"Something happened by the way.

The Simon bill is out for vacation. But why did he appear at Marsh City." He mumbled under his breath. He guessed quite a few things. But he need concrete evidence for that. Currently Elder Thornton is on that spot. So, he decide to tell him about the intel and his plan. Then he dialed him but the call didn't connected. Seeing that he sent a detailed encrypted message to him. "Hope he sees the message in time. Otherwise, We won't know who's hatching the plan this time." He mumbled under his breath.

…

On the other hand, Elder Thornton waited near border wall of the Marsh city. He saw Zack entering the border gate. This Monster Zone doesn't have permission to enter for elite warrior like him. So, he decided to stay here and wait for him. He observed all the surroundings, so far there is no suspicious movements except the stranger. Just as he thought, he received message for Mr. Arthur. After reading the message his lips curved a little.

"Could be someone impersonating that guy?" He smirked thinking that.

…

(Zack's POV)

After entering the gate, I quickly walked towards the area pointed in the map. A few minutes later, I walked along the same path way. I didn't divert from here. So, far I didn't find any monsters. It's natural for them not to appear near out area. Once they near the border wall, then the Patrol team will frighten them. They won't unnecessary kill. Unless there is certain high level monster or monster hoard spotted. Having that in mind, I walked further into the forest.

Now, I plan to reach the grey area it's the landmass between the inner area and outer area of forest. From my previous experience in quite sure. I'll spot few monsters in that area. Last time, tribe of hyenas almost ripped me off. I have to careful this time. If there is uncertainty, I should walkway from that place immediately.

Sometimes later deep into the woods. I heard some movements. Right now, I'm in grey area. Hearing that noise I calmed down my nerves. As I activated my perpetual abiltiy, I observed the area around me in my mind. In my mind, I spotted four moving persons. They are quite distance from me. So, I couldn't make it clearly. From their movements, I observed they are coming towards my area. Confirming that I knitted my eyebrow.. "Who could be?" I mumbled under my breath.