But if things really go as Adeline predicted, reaching the worst-case scenario.
Then her cautious approach will greatly benefit the entire team, minimizing losses to a substantial degree.
A gentle breeze brushed by, stirring a green wave over the lush canopy, with branches swaying and creating a "sasha" sound.
The pale mist carrying magic particles floated gently, making even the chirping of insects in the forest sound blurred.
Hidden deep within the thickets lay a dark and narrow cave.
The unpleasant stench and faint smell of blood wafted from inside.
Accompanied by the piercing sound of air being torn, a slender arrow suddenly shot out from the cave.
Extremely precise, landing exactly on the small open space in front of the passageway entrance.
The strong propulsion released by the strung bowstring allowed the sharp arrowhead to pierce the loose earth almost instantly.
The leather pouch tied to the arrow shaft burst open upon impact.
Turning into a large cloud of brown dust that covered the entire cave entrance.
Immediately after, shrouded in the dust, a small shadow flew swiftly out of the cave.
It was a slightly larger goblin corpse.
Without much disguise, yet enough to distract potential enemies.
Then four figures, almost simultaneously, rushed out of the cave.
Each heading in a different direction.
Breathing heavily, Abi looked tense, using all his strength to move his steps.
To avoid affecting his run, he had sheathed his One Handed Sword.
But that Ironwood Shield remained in his hand, ready for unexpected needs.
Heart pounding fiercely, his mind a blank slate.
He simply followed Adeline’s instructions, sprinting towards the dense forest near the entrance.
Meanwhile, he struggled to spare a thought to monitor the movements behind him.
No roars, no sounds of fighting.
"The plan seems to be proceeding smoothly."
As the dense shrubs ahead drew closer, he still didn’t sense anything unusual.
Abi’s heart gradually grew relieved.
"The leader must have guessed wrong, there’s no ambush."
The fleeting thought flitted through his mind.
Just as he planned to slow down slightly and turn to check on his teammates.
Not far from him, hidden in the shadows of thorns and tall grass.
A sudden flash of cold light.
The unexpected attack caused Abi’s pupils to constrict, only managing to instinctively raise the shield.
The crisp sound of metal hitting wood.
Wooden fibers shattered, with splinters flying.
On the lower right side of his shield, stained with some dirty blood, a dent appeared instantly.
Abi felt a huge force surging through his left arm holding the shield.
His entire arm seemed to lose sensation in an instant.
He fell backward onto the ground.
At the same time, on another side.
After leaving the cave, Xia Nan also followed the plan, running towards the northern forest.
Just a few meters away from the dense shrubs ahead, about to escape danger.
Xia Nan’s expression suddenly froze as if he sensed something, abruptly stopping.
His right hand brushed over his back, the Beheading Longsword already unsheathed, he held it defensively in front.
It took only a few breaths.
Accompanied by a rustling tremor from the shrubs, two fully armed adventurers revealed themselves.
"Kid, you’re quite smart."
"Consider yourself clever, let’s make it less painful for you later."
The two did not attack, but blocked the path from left and right, seemingly waiting for someone’s command.
Xia Nan gave no reply.
The iron-gray gleam of the sword reflected in his dark eyes.
His gaze instinctively swept over the vulnerable neck area between their breastplates and jaws.
"Kegel, is that you!?"
With personnel arranged around the exit, Berg, who ran in another direction, naturally encountered obstruction.
And, more coincidentally, the one blocking him was the gloomy and slender man they’d met at the adventurer association.
Originally wanting to rely on Berg’s old connections to join the team, but Captain Adeline was not interested.
Therefore, a rift formed between him and Berg.
"Hunting Day happens every year, is there a need to go this far, brother?"
Berg took a glance at the other members of his team, speaking with a bitter smile.