At dawn the next day, as the sky just began to brighten, the gates of Red Rock City swung open.
Three figures pulled a simple, makeshift cart along the winding official road, heading into the distance.
This escort mission wasn't solely Lynn's responsibility he had two companions: one man and one woman.
The man was named Bill, with a hideous scar slashing across his face. His rugged appearance reminded Lynn of the wizard Drey.
The woman, named Mena, wore heavy makeup. Her seductive figure was accentuated by a tight outfit and lightweight armor, making her appear both dangerous and alluring.
From Lynn's observations, Bill and Mena were far too familiar with each other judging by their sticky-sweet conversations, they had clearly shared a bed more than a few times.
Living on the edge of a knife, the men and women in this world had no regard for conventional morality.
Last night, they had even tried to drag Lynn into their affairs, but he had no such thoughts he was too busy cultivating with potions.
The employer had paid an advance deposit and promised the rest of the payment upon completion of the job. He had also hinted that if they could deliver the goods faster, the reward would be even greater.
This greatly motivated Bill and Mena, leaving them with no desire to waste time.
Lynn had no objections either completing the mission quickly aligned with his interests.
Thus, the three of them, along with the cart, departed from Red Rock City and traveled almost non-stop, resting only briefly when necessary.
The entire Green Forest Province was under strict travel restrictions at the time, which was quite troublesome.
Fortunately, with the passage documents provided by their employer and some extra bribes, they managed to pass through the official checkpoints without any trouble.
In the shadows, some people did try to attack them, but with their superior skills, they easily dealt with these threats without delay.
Traveling at full speed, they crossed through Green Forest Province, traversed across Anda Province, and finally reached the border of Blue Moon Province in just ten days.
Beyond Blue Moon Province lay their final destination the Pale Moon Plateau.
However, just as they set foot into Blue Moon Province, passing through a narrow mountain road, a group of figures suddenly blocked their path.
"As expected."
Lynn muttered inwardly.
He had already anticipated this. The high payment for the mission and the employer's urgency indicated that the cargo wasn't ordinary. Naturally, it would attract the attention of those with ill intentions.
Previously, they had encountered a few harassments, but those were just common bandits, not real threats.
Now, the ones stopping them were likely the same people who had forced their employer to rush them through the journey.
Lynn's gaze swept forward, and his pupils shrank sharply.
Standing at the end of the mountain road was an extraordinary being!
A middle-aged man with white hair stood there quietly, draped in a long robe. His sharp, eagle-like eyes locked onto Lynn and his companions.
His presence was cold and oppressive, making the very air around him feel heavy.
"A second-level wizard Apprentice?"
Lynn quickly assessed the man's strength using the crystal ball in his pocket Mental Power: 13, Constitution: 3.
Such weak stats made it clear that the man wasn't part of the Nightshadow Fortress's allied forces, but his true identity remained a mystery. Lynn refrained from making a rash move.
"Hah! Just run him over!"
Bill and Mena, however, failed to notice anything unusual.
Grinning, Bill tightened his grip on the reins, showing no concern for the figure in their path.
The cart's wheels rumbled over the rocky mountain road as Bill urged the horses forward, charging straight at the white-haired man.
Yet, just as the cart was about to hit him
The man lifted his head slightly, muttering an unknown incantation under his breath.
Suddenly, the air turned icy cold. The ground cracked open, and pale, bone-like branches shot up violently from below, resembling spears piercing skyward!
"Splat"
The sharp branches impaled the horses and the cart, sending blood splattering. With a loud crash, the cart overturned.
The smug grins on Bill and Mena's faces were instantly replaced by horror. The impact sent them flying, crashing hard onto the ground.
Lynn, having anticipated the attack, rolled away instinctively, avoiding the brunt of the force.
Crouching low in a defensive stance, he kept a wary gaze fixed on the white-haired man.
"A wizard… It's a wizard!"
Bill and Mena were trembling uncontrollably.
They had never imagined that the one blocking their way would be one of the feared wizards those who sacrificed blood and feasted on human flesh!
Had the pale branches struck just a little differently, they would have been skewered like human shish kebabs.
The white-haired man glanced at the two fallen mercenaries indifferently, his eyes devoid of mercy.
Then, in a voice as cold as ice, he spoke:
"Hand over the Green Forest Count's cargo."
Bill and Mena exchanged confused looks they had no idea what he was talking about.
But Lynn's heart trembled.
"The Green Forest Count's cargo…"
Taking a deep breath, he swept his gaze toward the overturned cart, finally focusing on the broken cargo crate.
Could it be that the wizard's words weren't meant for them but rather for something inside that crate?
"So, you don't know anything. Open the crate."
The white-haired man's emotionless voice interrupted Lynn's thoughts, confirming his suspicions.
Fixing his gaze on Bill and Mena, the man pulled out an old, tattered bell from his robe.
Ding-ling
A crisp chime echoed eerily through the silent mountain road.
Bill and Mena's expressions went blank, their eyes losing focus as if their minds had been completely erased.
Lynn, too, felt a wave of dizziness his head throbbed as if pricked by countless needles.
Suppressing the discomfort, he forced himself to mimic Bill and Mena's vacant expressions, pretending to be under the spell.
Under the bell's influence, Bill and Mena stiffly turned around, staggering toward the cargo crate.
One step… Two steps… Three steps…
Just as their hands were about to touch the crate
Boom!
The crate exploded into splinters, sending wooden shards flying as a green shadow burst out!
It was a twisted, plant-like creature small and goblin-shaped, but radiating a strange, eerie glow.
Its grotesque face bore a vicious snarl, eyes filled with bloodlust, and its root-like hands were covered in sharp, jagged thorns.
Without hesitation, the green creature raised its massive hands and struck Bill and Mena with brutal force.
The two, still under the bell's control, didn't react at all.
Even if they had been fully conscious, they would have stood no chance.
"Splat!"
The green creature's massive hands came down like hammers, smashing their skulls into a bloody pulp.
Blood and brain matter splattered across the ground, filling the air with a nauseating stench.
The monster let out a deep growl, and in the next instant, it lunged straight at the white-haired wizard!
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