They may be dark hunters, but they became one because of circumstances, different from others who do it out of greed. They had people who couldn't fight, even children and the elderly.
'If I sell everything, I should be able to buy some large mounts to make our way there. And with these strong hunters going all the way here, it means they should have cleaned up some of the paths.'
"Leader, what should we do now?"
"Forget about him. We will pillage everything we can, then return back to the base.
He has a point. If we can return to the human city, our lives will be far better.
With our experience, we can make our own guild or make a deal with an existing one."
"What about this lizard?" one of the dark hunters asked as his sword was put on the Dragari child's neck.
"Tie him up, just to make sure he doesn't do anything weird."
Meanwhile, Alex found his head dizzy. He could feel something cold touching his face. The last memory he had was engulfed with blinding light, then everything else turned dark.
'Vesa, what happened?' Alex asked.
But he didn't get any answer. Looking into his inner world, he saw a strange sigil that looked like an eye carved on top of the sky.
"Alucard," Alex called out.
It was clear someone was messing with his soul. With Alucard inside him, this should be impossible to happen, or at the very least, he should have some resistance.
But Alex didn't feel anything other than a blackout.
'My connection with Vesa and MingYue is also cut. Is it that eye being again? Dammit!'
Focusing his senses on his body, Alex could feel his legs submerged under cold water. Opening his eyes, he was met with a view of the forest. He turned his gaze around and then froze.
In front of him was a beautiful maiden with eyes filled with shock. Her body was submerged underwater, but with how clear it was, Alex had no problem seeing everything.
The woman had long curly green hair falling onto her chest. Her emerald eyes looked like those of a reptile, with two draconic horns coming out from her forehead.
"Kyaaa…" the woman screamed and quickly hid her body with her hands.
In that instant, a loud scream reached Alex's ear. If he were just a normal awakener, he was sure his eardrums would burst open, "JUNIOR, YOU DARE PEEKING AT OUR PRINCESS?!! YOU ARE COURTING DEATH!!!"
Alex's lips twitched as the development was something he was very familiar with.
'Just what did I get myself into now… wait, this is not my fault. It's that damned eye, bastard,' Alex cursed in his mind while turning his gaze toward the voice.
He saw an elderly man looking at him with stern eyes. All his hair was white, but his body was still fit like a young man. He wore a white robe with a draconic horn coming out from his head.
Alex just wanted to form a reply when the woman suddenly yelled, "Get out! BOTH OF YOU, OUT!"
The elderly man quickly moved. He jumped, trying to pick Alex and leave the place.
Alex saw the elderly man's hand coming toward him. He quickly responded, deflecting it while jumping out from the river.
"I can go by myself," Alex replied with a nonchalant expression, then began walking deep into the forest.
His actions surprised the elderly man and the woman.
"I will go first, princess," the elderly man said without looking at her, his gaze burning with curiosity about Alex's back.
He couldn't feel any strength coming from Alex, but he still managed to deflect his attack easily. Considering the predicament his clan was in, some ideas started forming in his mind.
"Hey, Junior, wait for me. Didn't your parents teach you to respect the elderly?"
Despite saying this, the man had already arrived behind Alex without any problem.
'When in Rome, do as the Romans do,' Alex thought. With how the elderly man talked, he could guess what kind of culture this world had.
He stopped in his steps, then turned his gaze with an amiable smile on his face. Putting both hands in front of his chest, Alex gave a small bow.
"Senior, this junior is Alex. What happened was just an accident."
"That will be up to our princess to judge, but where do you come from? I've never seen clothing style like that."
Thinking fast, Alex replied, "This junior just has a unique sense of fashion. Anyway, how can I help you, senior?"
Alex already knew he wouldn't be allowed to leave, not that he planned to since he needed to get more information. But by taking the initiative to offer his help, he knew they would look at him in a better light.
This is also why Alex chose to deflect the old man's hand, to show his prowess.
The old man started stroking his white beard. "For now, let's wait for the princess. I am sure she has something to say after what you did."
Alex's lips twitched, 'I know it. Every single old man I meet is a sly fox. He purposely said that to remind me I am the one at fault.'
"I don't know how you ended up suddenly appearing there, but based on your appearance, you seem to be in trouble."
Alex's armor was torn in some parts and painted with dry bloodstains.
"I already defeated my enemy, senior. He somehow teleported me away," Alex replied.
The elderly man frowned since it was different from what he suspected. He thought Alex used a life-saving method, like a teleportation talisman, to escape, but it turned out the opponent was the one using it.
A teleportation talisman should have teleported him to a safe area, usually one with no other living beings around.
'Is his enemy just desperate, trying to teleport him somewhere dangerous? But it's weird; I've never heard this happen before.'