"So this is the other side," Jael said when he accepted a chunk of hot juicy meat warped in a foil from Temur. "It's not what I expect..."
Tim snorted, gesturing at the mountain behind them. "You mean you don't expect a beach that ended in a mountain that looks suspiciously like a wall?"
It appeared to be mid-afternoon, but the sun here didn't affect them; it seemed to be only there to provide light. Jael looked at where their ship had been pulled up to the beach; he could see the ghost crew making repairs on it.
After battling their way over, it was a miracle that their ship survived and made the last pushover. The last of the green coins has been handed over to the ghost captain.
They weren't the first team to arrive; already, the GUV team had pulled their ship over and even made camp before the Gold. The two teams nodded at each other and kept a respectable distance between them.
The Gold quickly made camp and sat around a roasting fire while Temur did his job.
"The zone must be the other side of the mountain." Jael decided, enjoying the way the meat melted in his mouth. Temur is a good cook.
"Another ship is approaching," Litha announced.
Jael looked over. It was a warship, and it belonged to the most powerful of the freelance Awakeners. Not those who can manage smaller ships.
The two teams on the ground watched the warship get pulled onto the beach by the ghost crew, but the freelance Awakeners didn't bother anyone and just made their camps.
Jael watched them. They all looked battle-weary, and some of them were already breaking away. Suddenly he stiffened. 'It's that beastman!!'
They all shared glances, the guild teams that it. The competition has finally begun! All of them except the Gold rushed forward, shoving their stuff into their bags and making a run inside the zone. Even the freelancer Awakeners scattered, all making their way in.
"Why are we not going in?" Cele demanded anxiously. "The others will have a better head start before us!"
Jael looked at Temur for answer as well.
He just shook his head. "No matter how fast they run it'll take at least some days to reach that castle. Not to mention they'll have to fight monsters and other Awakeners all the way through.
"No need to rush, we need to know what we are getting ourselves into. Dile, go and take a look for us while we break camp here." Temur said calmly.
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With a nod the beastman took off, silently disappearing into the green forest. They broke camp while Temur explained everyone's role. "Dile will be our scout. I and Jael will fight close combat offensive while Litha focus on defense.
"Tim and Cele will be long range so keep close to Litha for defense. But you all can switch depending on the situation. The aim here is to stay alive and make our way to that castle."
Everyone nodded firmly. They were ready to move when Dile returned with his observation. "Seems like a normal zone to me. I've seen animals but no monsters for now. What do you want us to do now?"
"We move. Eyes opened and ears sharp. We avoid other Awakeners but get ready for violence at any time." Temur started moving forward, following Dile. "And keep your eyes peeled for anything strange!"
Dile led them into the shadowed forest, their steps cushioned by the fallen leaves on the ground. Jael sniffed, the air smell of damp earth and green leaves, and the familiar sound of insects and small animals surrounded them.
'Yes. This a zone' Jael nodded to himself, his eyes on the rolling greens. 'The air is thick with mana. Finally!"