Chapter 65 Retrieving The Relics

"Who the hell are you?" the man's gravelly voice reverberated through the confined space as he snapped.His name, Gorrath Blackscar, floated above his head in bold red letters, marking him as Level 32.

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System Notification:

[ Avoid Raising Suspicion: Bonus Rewards Available. ]

---

August adjusted his stance, forcing himself to look calm. "New recruit," he said smoothly. "Part of Kreg's set."

Gorrath's scowl deepened. "Kreg? You mean the lazy bastard running the South Path lot?"

August nodded. "That's right. I ran into trouble on the way up. The others are still bringing today's loot. Figured I'd get here first and report."

Gorrath's lips twisted into a sneer. "Handled the trouble, did you? You don't look like much, but I guess even a rat can fight when cornered."

August held back a retort, simply inclining his head. "They should be along soon."

"Should've taken the Wundan Portal," Gorrath muttered irritably, standing up and pacing the room.

At the mention of a portal, August's interest was piqued. He kept his face neutral but committed the term to memory.

"Fine," Gorrath said with a wave of his hand. "Get out of my sight and don't waste any more of my time. If your lot screws up the delivery, it's your head on the block. Understood?"

"Understood," August replied, turning and leaving the room without hesitation.

--

Outside, the Iron Fang enclosure buzzed with activity.

August passed by groups of rebels sharpening weapons, counting coins, and trading stolen goods. Makeshift wooden structures lined the edges of the courtyard, many of them patched together with scavenged materials.

The mention of the Wundan portal had piqued his curiosity. He needed to find out more about it before he proceeded with his mission.

His eyes scanned for someone approachable but also knowledgeable. Among the milling crowd, he spotted Bellara Irongrip, the broad-shouldered woman who had caught his attention earlier.

Her imposing frame and massive axe leaned against a nearby barrel made her hard to miss.

She was munching on a chunk of dried meat with her auburn hair tied in a loose braid over her shoulder. Her level indicator—Level 29 Berserker—hovered above her head like a warning sign.

August approached her carefully, ensuring his posture radiated confidence without arrogance. "Bellara, right?"

She squinted at him, then smirked. "Well, well, if it isn't the fresh pup. What do you want, pretty boy?"

August smiled faintly. "Gorrath mentioned something about a Wundan portal. I figured I should know more about it if I'm going to fit in here."

Bellara let out a booming laugh as her sharp white teeth flashed. "You mean to tell me you're running with us and you don't know about the portal? What rock have you been living under?"

"Apparently the wrong one," August replied smoothly.

Bellara shook her head, still chuckling. "Alright, listen up, pup. The Wundan portal is what makes us untouchable. It connects this place to the base of the Mountainous Bluffs. While everyone else is busy dodging traps and monsters, we pop in and out like ghosts."

"Sounds convenient," August voiced while feigning admiration.

"Damn right it is," she said proudly, tapping the wristband on her arm. "Only those of us with these wristbands can use it, though. No wristband, no portal access."

"Where exactly is it?" August asked, keeping his tone casual.

Bellara gave him a long look, then shrugged. "You really are new, huh? It's in the western corner, past the big storage tents. You'll see the glowing runes. Can't miss it."

"Thanks," August said while inclining his head.

"Don't mention it," Bellara said with a sly grin. "And if you survive long enough, maybe I'll let you buy me a drink."

"I'll hold you to that," August replied before turning to leave.

---

With Bellara's directions in mind, August made his way through the crowded enclosure.

He passed by rows of storage tents with their interiors lit by flickering torches. The air was thick with the smell of sweat, leather, and smoke.

Finally, he reached the western corner, and just as Bellara had described, a glowing circular platform sat in the open space, surrounded by faintly shimmering runes etched into the ground.

The runes pulsed rhythmically, casting an eerie light over the area. Guards armed with heavy axes and crossbows stood around it with stern expressions.

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System Notification:

[ Observation Success: Wundan Portal Located | Connected Location: Base of Mountainous Bluffs. ]

---

August's eyes narrowed as he took in the sight. Now he had a way to escape this place after retrieving the relics.

August adjusted his hood as he navigated through the Iron Fang enclosure. He kept his movements unsuspecting, careful not to attract undue attention.

The relics he sought were paramount to completing his mission, but this place was a labyrinth of makeshift storage areas, tents, and armed guards.

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System Notification:

[ Primary Objective: Locate the Three Sacred Relics ]

[ Secondary Objective: Free the Captives Without Raising Alarm ]

---

The system notification reminded him of the task at hand yet again.

He decided to focus on the relics first. Wandering too aimlessly would arouse suspicion, so August adopted a methodical approach. Each storage tent was an opportunity and a risk.

Inside the first tent, crates and sacks were piled high with the smell of dried herbs and old wood hanging in the air. August sifted through the contents quickly so he wouldn't waste time.

"No relics here," he muttered before moving on to the next tent.

---

As he was exiting a particularly crowded storage area, a gruff voice called out behind him.

"Hey, new blood!" a burly Iron Fang guard with a jagged scar over his eye barked. His level hovered above his head: Level 27 Barbarian. "What are you doing nosing around here?"

August turned slowly, keeping his face calm. "The boss second-in-command sent me," he said evenly. "Said I needed to check for a specific item he's looking for. Something about a priority shipment."

The guard squinted. "What shipment?"

"How should I know?" August shot back, feigning irritation. "He just told me to check all the storage. You want to question his orders?"

The guard grumbled but stepped back. "Fine. Just don't screw anything up, rookie."

August nodded curtly and continued.

----

In one of the larger storage tents near the back, August found his first success. Among a pile of dusty objects, a faint glow caught his eye. Moving quickly, he uncovered an ancient chalice carved from what appeared to be molten rock.

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System Notification:

[ Relic Located: Emberstone Chalice

This chalice pulses with fiery energy, rumored to be a key to unlocking hidden volcanic treasures. ]

---

August placed it carefully into his inventory. Its glow disappeared as it was stored away.

"One down, two to go," he whispered, slipping out of the tent and heading to the next one.

---

After several more tense encounters with guards and tedious searching, August finally found the second relic.

Hidden beneath a pile of discarded leather armor in a smaller tent, the Starlight Pendant shimmered faintly. It was a delicate necklace with a glowing star-shaped gem at its center.

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System Notification:

[ Relic Located: Starlight Pendant ] Sёarch* The ηovelFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

[ A mystical pendant that enhances vision in darkness and is said to amplify light-based spells. ]

---

He tucked it into his inventory with a sigh of relief.

Now, only one relic remained: The Shadowfang Dagger.

August's patience was wearing thin as he searched through tent after tent, to no avail. It was starting to look like the dagger wasn't in the storage areas.

Finally, he decided to ask around. Approaching a lanky Iron Fang thief lounging by the fire pit, he put on an air of casual curiosity.

"Hey," August said while nodding toward the thief's wristband. "You were on the last raid, right?"

"Yeah, what's it to you?" the thief replied with a suspicious tone. His level hovered: Level 24 Rogue.

"I'm looking for the Shadowfang Dagger," August voiced with a low tone. "Boss second-in-command wants me to check on its condition."

The thief snorted. "Good luck with that. Veltar's got it. Always keeps it on him, too. You'll have to pry it out of his hands if you want it."

---

System Notification:

[ Key Information: Shadowfang Dagger Currently Held by Veltar (Level 30). ]

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"Figures," August muttered. "Where can I find him?"

The thief jerked his thumb toward a larger tent near the center of the enclosure. "In there. Don't get any ideas, though. Veltar doesn't take kindly to people poking around his stuff. Since you're not the boss second in command himself, you might end up being collateral damage."

"Noted," August began to formulate a plan as he walked away.

August took a deep breath as his sharp eyes locked onto Veltar lounging near a campfire. The Shadowfang Dagger glinted ominously at his waist.

This was going to be tricky. The notorious Level 30 Rogue was surrounded by several Iron Fang thieves, all laughing and talking while sharpening their weapons.

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System Notification:

[ Key Target Identified: Veltar (Level 30) ]

[ Objective: Retrieve the Shadowfang Dagger. ]

---

"Here goes nothing," August muttered under his breath.

August approached, keeping his pace casual. As he neared Veltar, he pretended to stumble causing his shoulder to bump against the rogue's side.

"Watch it, idiot!" Veltar snarled while glaring at August.

"My bad," August said, raising his hands apologetically.

At that moment, his quick hands went to work.

With the speed of a seasoned assassin, he unclasped the Shadowfang Dagger from Veltar's belt and replaced it with one of his Enhanced daggers, which was nearly identical in size.

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System Notification:

[ Shadowfang Dagger Retrieved. ]

[ Shadowfang Dagger: A dagger crafted from obsidian, it excels in stealth and critical damage. Special effect: Grants invisibility for 10 seconds upon a successful critical hit. ]

---

"Next time, watch where you're going," Veltar grumbled, brushing past him.

"Noted," August said with a smirk before slipping away from the area.