Just as the three were about to disperse, Alyssa seemed to think of something and quickly said to Asher:"By the way, tonight you should go investigate and see if there are others looking into information about Drake."
As soon as she said this, both Asher and Dante immediately thought of something and spoke up:
"Alyssa, are you worried that there might be others from the Stellar Empire competing with us?"
Alyssa nodded and replied, "Aside from the Stellar Empire, I'm concerned about the people from Genosha. After all, we're not far from their Calivia. It's better to be cautious."
After the three of them went their separate ways, Asher went off alone to gather intelligence.
Meanwhile, Charles was lying on the hotel bed, deep in thought:
"A level four Beast Master. The captain seems to only have the strength of a level four Beast Master as well. As for Alyssa, I'm not quite sure."
To be honest, Charles couldn't see through that woman. Asher and Dante both thought he was just a level three Beast Master. They had never considered that Charles was a level four Beast Master!
Moreover, he had contracted Mia, a mystical beast of emerald quality, and Little Gold, a mystical beast of diamond quality.
Combined with Charles's physical prowess and combat awareness, as long as Alyssa wasn't a level six Beast Master, he was confident he could retreat unscathed.
Even if Alyssa was a level six Beast Master, he had Ruby, a level seven Beast Master, backing him up for protection!
This was also why he chose to follow them.
Charles's intuition told him that this group was investigating information about Drake, and their goals might be the same as his.
Thinking of this, Charles recalled the information he had just seen, which contained some details about high-level Beast Masters appearing in the Golden Mountain Range.
One particular piece caught Charles's attention: someone had once seen a humanoid creature fighting a level seven ferocious beast deep within the Golden Mountain Range!
This instantly reminded Charles of what Jamie Dean had said—Drake possessed incredibly strong physical combat abilities.
"Is there hidden information in the Reaper's Scythe challenge from the [Dawn] organization, where Drake could defeat Dean with just his physical strength?" Charles fell into deep contemplation.
In this world of Beast Masters, the importance of mystical beasts was undeniable. Any powerful Beast Master would certainly focus on the mystical beasts they had contracted.
However, the [Dawn] organization is quite strange in their selection process. They don't summon mystical beasts, nor do they use skills or equipment. They rely solely on the physical prowess, combat awareness, and combat techniques of the Beast Master!
This approach is very different from the mainstream path of Beast Masters.
[Dawn], [Constellation], and the [Suspended Mountain] mentioned by Lucas, as well as the [Beast Sect].
What exactly lies behind these organizations or factions? What are their goals?
Charles felt a vague sense of tension rising within him, accompanied by a greater sense of uncertainty.
He was just a level four Beast Master at the moment, and his knowledge and intelligence were limited. He couldn't make more judgments and would have to wait for future developments.
Early the next morning,
In the town square,
Asher was giving a report. He quietly said to Alyssa: "I investigated yesterday, and aside from us, there are currently no others looking into information about Drake."
Alyssa let out a sigh of relief upon hearing this, it would ease their pressure significantly.
As long as they could successfully pass Drake's test and obtain that item, they could present it to the crown prince of the Stellar Empire and complete his mission. At that point, the fate of their entire family would change!
Dante and Asher were the key players in this.
According to the intelligence, only level four Beast Masters could accept the challenges set by Drake.
Her task was to safely escort the two of them to the depths of the Golden Mountain Range.
Soon,
Charles's figure appeared in the three's line of sight.
"Good morning, Charles! How did you rest yesterday? Today, we're heading deep into the Golden Mountain Range, so we need to stay alert." Alyssa said, her face showing no emotion.
Her tone was surprisingly gentle, as if she were speaking while wearing a mask, creating a very eerie feeling.
To avoid raising suspicion from the three, Charles deliberately carried a backpack containing clean drinking water and compressed biscuits.
In addition, he also took out the [black gold long knife] from his [storage space] for easier access later.
Dante observed the scene before him and became even more certain of his suspicions, Charles was just pretending yesterday!
He was merely lucky to have contracted a platinum-quality mystical beast.
He didn't even have an item for storage, making it obvious that he had no background or origin, and he was most likely just a commoner.
"Good morning, Miss Alyssa. I'm ready." Charles replied slowly.
At that moment, three more people appeared.
The one at the front was someone Charles had met in the tavern, he was the guide for this trip.
As for the other two, a man and a woman, their walking distance and expressions indicated that they knew each other and had a close relationship.
Once everyone had gathered,
Alyssa gave a brief introduction.
The new girl was named Fiona, the man was called Oliver, and the guide only had a nickname, which was Mountain Rabbit.
As soon as Fiona arrived, her big eyes started to scan Charles up and down. When she saw Charles's face, her eyes lit up, and she took a couple of steps forward.
However, when she noticed that Charles was dressed quite ordinarily, Fiona stopped in her tracks and began to observe the others.
Once the group was ready, they headed straight into the Golden Mountain Range.
As soon as they entered, Charles took out the compass he had prepared earlier. After fiddling with it for a moment, he noticed that the needle kept spinning and he couldn't determine the direction at all.
"Don't bother trying, this is just the outskirts of the Golden Mountain Range. Once you get inside, people will lose their sense of direction. Only guides like me can lead you to your destination." Mountain Rabbit said as he approached Charles.
Charles put away the compass in his hand and nodded in agreement.
In fact, just now, using the compass was not only for determining direction. In a special place like the Golden Mountain Range, the magnetic field can affect the compass, the stronger the magnetic field, the more the compass needle shakes.
The locations where the [Golden Stone] appears are usually within strong magnetic fields, so using a compass can give a rough estimate of the magnetic field's strength.
After all, other equipment and instruments cannot be used inside the Golden Mountain Range.
Under Mountain Rabbit's guidance, the group slowly made their way deeper into the mountains.
The morning passed quickly, and just as everyone was resting and eating, Charles keenly detected a strange smell, seemingly emanating from Dante.
Mountain Rabbit, the guide, was resting near Charles. He noticed Charles slightly twitching his nose and immediately realized something was off. He began to sniff the air.
Soon, Mountain Rabbit suddenly stood up, about to say something, when numerous figures appeared around them.
"It's ferocious beasts! Prepare for battle!" Dante shouted.
Alyssa and Asher carefully observed the expressions and actions of the others. The newcomers, Fiona and Oliver, looked a bit panicked, but they still drew their weapons and summoned their mystical beasts.
Only Charles remained seated on the ground, as if just realizing what was happening. He slowly stood up, preparing to fight.
In the next moment,
a few ferocious beasts charged out, claws bared, targeting Dante in the crowd.
Facing the ferocious beasts, Dante deliberately edged closer to Charles.
"Miss Alyssa, don't be afraid, I'm coming to help you!" A barely noticeable smile appeared on Charles's lips, but his expression was extremely serious and focused.
"No, no need, Charles, just take care of yourself..." Before Alyssa could refuse, Charles had already appeared next to her.
"Miss Alyssa, rest assured, I will protect you." Charles said loudly, patting his chest.
Mountain Rabbit looked at Charles with an odd expression, his eyes darting slightly, and he moved closer to Alyssa as well.
Dante, looking confused, stared at the ferocious beast charging toward him, feeling somewhat at a loss.
This was nothing like the plan!
At that moment, Asher, the team leader, stepped forward and shouted, "There aren't many ferocious beasts! If we all attack together, we can take them down quickly!"
After saying that, he summoned his four mystical beasts and engaged in battle!
Under Asher's leadership, Fiona and Oliver, both Level 3 Beast Masters, joined the fight as well.
Only Charles, Alyssa, and the guide Mountain Rabbit remained in place, motionless.
"Charles, aren't you going to fight?" Alyssa fixed her gaze on Charles, urging him.
Charles shook his head firmly and replied, "The captain and the others can handle these ferocious beasts. I believe in the captain's strength, and there might be other ferocious beasts suddenly appearing. I'll stay here to protect Miss Alyssa." S~eaʀᴄh the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
Alyssa opened her mouth, wanting to say that she was a Level 6 Beast Master and didn't need protection at all!
But that would seem a bit odd—how could a team with a Level 6 Beast Master still need a Level 3 Beast Master?
To avoid raising unnecessary suspicions, Alyssa decided to remain silent.
Mountain Rabbit silently touched Charles's shoulder while watching the others fight.
Charles kept a straight face and nodded slightly, they exchanged a glance but said nothing.
The battle soon came to an end,
Your next journey awaits at M-V-L
and Dante, unable to gather the useful materials from the defeated ferocious beasts, rushed over, pushing Charles aside and saying with righteous indignation, "Charles, everyone is fighting! Why aren't you joining in?"
As soon as he said this, Fiona and Oliver turned their gazes toward Charles.