14 Before The Red Dawn: Regroup

The Squad Leaders finished their briefing and now everyone is divided into six teams with eight people. I gave a speech to them before we go and then I disbanded them. One team will be act as "Base Guards" until we came back from our small adventures.

Most of the people want to explore the new places to raise their level and battle experience. So, we need to make a lottery to decide which one from us will guard the base.

"Alright if I recall, Julio is a Paladin, Ayumi is a Prodigy, Tim is a Warlord, Erick is a Prankster, Luna is a Battlemage and Zikiya is a Battlepriest. Am I wrong here?" All of them shook their head.

"Have you prepared anything?" All of them nodded.

"Alright…Zen, Miguel, Jill, Eddy, Vania, Erica, Hime and Cynthia I leave the base to you, please don't destroy it and please don't do any weird activities yeah?"

"Leave it to us Captain!" said Eddy.

"Ah…I want to explore the grassland…Why I must house-sit with the boys here…" said Hime.

"Don't worry Hime-san. After one of the groups returned, all of you may go to northeast side of mountains."

"Yeah, I'll patiently wait for that. Be careful Kaichou-san."

"Yeah, we will go then." I'm waving my hand when I walked outside.

We are going to western side of mountains with hope I can find other parties. Along the way, the girls are chatting about fashion in Northlandia while the boys are chatting about latest weapons and armors that have been sold in the market. But Julio isn't really interested with that and instead of that, he was carefully watching the surroundings.

Erick would normally ignore the surroundings area, but I realized he carefully analyzed the surroundings around him. Perhaps he is looking a place to hide or a place that makes his work easier. He sometimes told me to watch my step because there is [Treant's Trap] on the ground. Well, Tim has ensnared four times by the same trap, because that Luna smacked his head four times already.

"Itetete…moo, Luna-chan do not hit my head, it hurts you know!"

"Hey fireboy hear me, if you keep getting trapped, we'll leave you behind, or I'LL MAKE RANIA PUNISHES YOU PROPERLY."

"HIIIIIIII—!" Thankfully, Luna-san is able to make him carefully watch his surroundings. But not long after that, Tim ensnared again by same trap.

"Good Lord, Tim…" Julio covered his face with his right hand.

"Look, even Julio-san gave up for your condition!"

"Shit, the Treat is going to eat him!" I cut down the Treant with a silver axe, Julio followed my attack and we succeed cutting it down.

"Do not make Kaichou wasted more of his time, Tim! Or I'll feed you to Rania when we got back."

"Kaichou help me…"

"Tim, I'll save you…"

"REALLY?! THANK—"

"If Rania is trying to kill you…" (I'm saying that with intimidation smiling face expression)

"HIIIIIIIII—!"

We keep heading to the west until we reached a pond with a small river around it. We choose to take a break for a bit. Ayumi shared her lunch boxes to us.

"We have been walking for three hours and now it's already 1.00 P.M.E, where is the [North Wind of Liberation] Party's basecamp?" asked Luna.

"If we keep following this river to north, we will reach a waterfall with big a lake. Their cave located behind the waterfall. You need to climb it because there is no other way to that place."

"Then how can they reach that place? asked Luna.

"Perhaps they stored the horses and carriages and then they used [Anti-Gravity Walk], [Vertical Walk] or [Acrobatic Walk] to "climb" the cliff. Isn't that right, Zack-dono and Daendles-dono?"

*Rustle*Rustle* two men walked outside from the brushes. "Hoo…so, you have noticed us Ishizaki-dono?"

"It was plain as day."

"From where?" asked Zack.

"…the big deer that you have killed. It's stench and blood stench has been lingering around two of you."

"Heeh, I expect no less from [White Falcon] Party's Leader."

"Glad you survived that attack, Zack-dono."

"Yeah, but it can't be said as "survive" since that shitty Dragon damaged two of my carriages so badly."

"Did you have any causalities?"

"Yes, twelve of our members were badly injured, but not fatal. Thanks to The Healers, I guess. They did an excellent work yesterday and now they are good to go. Right now, they are exploring the area with their friends. Ah, other than that I repaired the carriages' wheels, thankfully we have plenty stock of woods here and Dwarves, so I can say everything went smoothly, more or less."

"Anyway, why are you not resting in our base? Well, I think you need to fill the water bags or just sit and chat there with me?"

"I'll take your offer then."

We walked until we reached the cliff. Well, we just need to activate the necessary skills to climb and reach there easily. Inside of the cave, his basecamp isn't far different than ours. The only different is it doesn't has a natural hot spring.

"You said on your base, you have two natural hot springs, eh? How lucky you are."

"Yeah and now I wonder why we must bring [Tentriutum] in this journey if your party members can make a basecamp like a high-class dungeon."

"Oh! So, your party members went too far, weren't they? It goes same for me. On the day we arrived, we tended the wounded first and then I left out with my comrades to hunt until almost evening. But when I returned, this cave has transformed into high-class dungeon, well maybe it's accurate to call it "High-Class Dungeon with a High-Class Inn?" BAHAHAHAHA!!!"

"Ishizaki-dono, why are you leaving your basecamp?"

"Oh, Daendles-dono…first I wanted to find your basecamp and now I have found it. Another thing I want to find where Guild Master is. He still hasn't sent a message yet, so I want to find him."

"Hmm, true…I remembered that Demon can use signal jamming spell to block the communication but it doesn't work on [Light] Attribute Communication Magic such as [Divine Voice] and [Divine Broadcast]. The Guild Master brought 200 adventurers and there are many of them who can use [Light] Attribute Magic on the first place. So, it's strange that he still hasn't sent a message to us." said Zack.

"Have you received any messages from other party's leaders Zack-dono?"

"Yes. All of them are safe. They have reached their basecamps as well. You needn't to worry, except for the Guild Master. Our party members have started to find them."

"Yeah, I have asked my party members to find him or just report to me if they meet them, by the way where are [CST] and [Esghervel] Party's Basecamp?"

"Hmm, I recall [CST]'s hideout located on top of the trees south from this camp and as for [Esghervel], I think they built their basecamp in underground northwest from here."

"Are they trying to become a Goblin or "them"?"

"Hahaha…you sure have sharp tongue Miss Luna! Indeed, it's too risky to build your base underground in the area ravaged by [Rain of Chaos]. I don't know where they got that idea but it's better to visit them right now."

"Then, how is about [Istheris Sunaria] Party?"

"Viorelle-dono built her basecamp underwater. I don't know if she built it in natural lake or they just made a lake then build their base there. But I think it's far too risky than [Esghervel]'s underground basecamp. Hey Riona, we are going out, follow me!" a woman walked out from the tent. That woman is an Arcane Archer from [North Wind of Liberation] Party named Riona Delfazher. She is a Sylph Elf who has been living in Northlandia.

"Oh, Ishizaki-dono…well met." She is bowing her head.

"Long time no see Riona-san." I'm also bowing my head.

"Ahh, Captain it's not fair! I want to farm EXP too!"

"You can't Jim. You must wait here and process that deer for lunch. After that, you may go. Okay, I'll take my leave here. Tell the others I'm going with Ishizaki-dono to find Guild Master yeah?"

"Haaah (sighing) yeah, yeah…I got it."

We walked to south until we reached the small pond where rested before.

"Oh, Ishizaki-dono, it'd be best if we use [Acceleration] combined with [Anti-Gravity Walk], [Acrobatic Walk] and [Tumble] to reach the place, I think—" Zack offered a suggestion.

"Too long, why we are not use [Warp] as long as our eyes can see? No duration, no excessive mana usage, no pain…" said Luna.

"Did you forget we will hunt on the way there?"

"Whatever."

"Alright, let's exercise a bit, even though we have faced Treants already." I activated the necessary skills to begin with and then I jumped into nearby tree.

*Hop* "Alright, guys let's go." Julio jumped after me. I saw he has removed his heavy armor and changed it to light metal armor instead. He also stored his Shield and replaced it with a targe ("Targe" is a small shield with round, square or pentagon shape). After that, we kept jumping until we found two monstrous boars.

"How nostalgic Haru-san."

"Indeed, it's very nostalgic." Yes, it's very nostalgic. They are same beast from same species like the boar that had defeated us long time ago.

"Ishizaki-dono, do you want to hunt it?" asked Zack.

"Of course! Julio, jumps down and strikes them from their back. If you can, cut their back legs with single strike. After that, you can [Taunt] them."

Julio nodded and then he climbed down. He removed his boots and activated [Conceal]. After that, he equipped his armor and weapon (of course automatically by magic) and then he slashed the boars' back legs with simultaneous strike. After that, Zack and I finished them with our blunt and trust attack from above of them. The boars died instantly.

"Heh, you were right, if we are destroying them from inside, they will die instantly. Good tactic as always Ishizaki-dono." Then, we stored them inside our [Time Elemental Magic: Storage].

"Then, which way we are going?"

"We are close. We only need to go there." Zack pointed the tallest tree from there, perhaps the tallest in entire forest.

"Hey what about my EXP?" asked Luna.

"Too bad Miss, we stole it—OOF!"

Luna smacked Zack's stomach with strong [Staff Martial Art Style]. I brought Luna to a place where monstrous deer exists and she instantly defeated with single [Staff Martial Art Style] strike. Hope it could erase her anger. After that, we jumped between the trees again until we reached the tallest tree.

"Oh, this is reminded me of Yggdrasil Tree, but this tree's size can't match for Yggdrasil Tree's size." said Erick.

*Clang* I deflected an arrow with my sword.

"Hoo, boy…what a warm welcome." said Zack.

"Who are you?! Don't more! Are you a group of Demon?!"

"Indeed, we are."

"Hey Zack-dono, we aren't—"

"Shhh, I want to tease this new guy."

"Prepare yourself! I'll eliminate all of you and make Leader—OOF!" a woman smacked that young Sylph Elf's head until he fell from the tree.

"Ah…"

"Ow…ow…ow…(rubbing his head) What are you doing?! (Looking above) EH LEADER?!"

"You stupid brat! That's my question! What have you done?!"

"They are Demons! Demons disguised as—"

"THEY ARE PARTY LEADERS OF [WHITE FALCON] AND [NORTH WIND OF LIBERATION] YOU STUPID!"

"HIIII! I APOLOGIZE! I-I don't k—"

"Okimura, punish this boy for me."

"As you wish." A woman suddenly appears on back of that little Sylph Elf's back.

"Leader!! Please anything but Okimura's punishment, hyaaaa¬—!"

"Ah…" We are loss of words here.

"I apologize for unpleasant experience you had before, please follow me. I'll treat you properly."

We walked to the tree and suddenly we got teleported inside. After that, we invited to sit in the lounge, and the woman walked to kitchen. Not long after that, she is back with fruit waters and snacks.

"Hey, hey…you don't need to treat us this much, Rahealis-dono."

"No, no…please be my guests."

"Then, I'll take—" *slap* Luna slapped Tim's hand.

"What are you doing?! Kaichou must eat first!"

"You may go ahead Luna-chan." I said.

"Okaay!" Then she quickly picked the chips.

"You are so meanie…Luna-chan." Tim followed after her.

"So…I assume you are safe right now, Kenzia-dono?" I asked.

"More or less, huh that Dragon was really annoying back then…It injured my Archers and Warriors, even my horse. I need to go hunt for extra food since three of our wagons were badly damaged." I remembered when she turned left with her party; the Dragon shot a huge fireball. Then, from afar, I saw the Dragon shot a beam to her direction.

"By the way, I'm glad to see all of you are safe. I think all of you have been killed by that Great Demon already."

"Yeah, I assumed only my party that survived after that ridiculous AoE attacks." said Zack.

"…Then, I assume all of you want to find the Guild Master?"

"Of course, do you want to tag along?" asked Zack.

"Hmm…(thinking) Suzaku follow me! Okimura, I leave the base to you!"

"You may rest assured, My Lady." said Okimura.

"Then what we are we waiting for? Let's go." Kenzia picked her swords and bags.

*Crunch*crunch* we looked at Luna and Tim who still chewing the chips.

"Mattaku (Oh My…) Tim, Luna c'mon, don't act like a rat!"

"Hmpmghhh!" Right, they even can't talk with that chips in their mouth. So, we leave them behind.

*Gulp*gulp* (drinking) "Thank you Okimura-san! Kaichou wait!!!" Luna and Tim are running outside.

"…Ah…yes…" (Okimura looked at them with dumbfounded expression)

We left [CST]'s Basecamp to northwest, where [Esghervel] Party's Basecamp located. We encountered few beasts like monstrous bears or deers as well but it doesn't become a problem for us who have reached Lv. 300. We kept going northwest until we found a hidden grotto.

"Naval-dono, are you here?" asked Kenzia and then she opened the door and called Naval's name again.

"Is this not a Goblin's nest?" asked Luna.

"There is no Goblin's smell underground here, even there is no trace of their mana." said Zikiya.

"What did you receive from mana around us, Zikiya-san?" I asked.

"Below us, there is Naval-dono's mana with his party members. I can see they are still working right now."

"Let's go then." I jumped down and arrived at bottom floor. I think it's quite deep from above.

"It's alright you can go down." Then, all of them jumped down.

We walked inside until we reached a room where Naval and his team were working on something.

"Oh! Alexandria-dono, Tavaniris-dono and Frantoire-dono I see, you have survived the attack as well…"

"Yeah…by the way, what are you doing?" asked Zack.

"Making another room…"

"Oh, I expect it'd be another high-class dungeon…" said Zack.

"Hahaha, you may be right. Then, what bring you here?"

"We are on our way to find where Guild Master is. Do you want to tag along?"

"Hm…I'm sorry I must refuse because we still have this work. But I think I will choose someone to—"

"LEADER CHOOSES ME!"

"ME!"

"NO, ME!", "ME TOO!", "PLEASE CHOOSE ME!" (etc…)

"SHUT UP ALL OF YOU, Luck, please accompany them to find Guild Master." Then, Luck join us.

"Oh, long time no see…Haru-san, Zack-san, Kenzia-san, Ayumi-san and Julio-san."

"Long time no see for you too Luck." I said.

"Then we will go, thanks for lending this man to us, Helsith-dono." said Zack.

"Right, I'll be waiting for good news. Have a safe trip everyone."

We climbed the cave and walked outside. Then, we walked to north until we found a lake. This lake is so big and clean, I doubt the [Rain of Chaos] could corrupt it in a single day.

"Wait…wait…please stop here. I feel something…" said Erick.

"What? Demonic Beasts or…?" asked Luna.

"Hide!"