Deep within the Swamp Forest, far from the roar of cannons, two figures stood as still as withered trees blending into the shadows.
One of them twitched his ears slightly and whispered, "The probe failed. The commotion was much bigger than anticipated."
The other person gave a soft, derisive snort.
"The cannon firing intervals are unnaturally short, and the rhythm is off. It's not like the intel said. And the things inside reacted very quickly."
The one who spoke first nodded, pulling a crude leather-bound notebook and a piece of charcoal from his chest. He quickly began to jot things down.
"Eastern Swamp faction threat assessment upgraded. Possesses high-power weaponry, suspected tamed wasp-type magical creatures, demonstrates rapid response capability. Recommend threat level increase from B to A."
After writing, he detached himself from the tree's shadow and moved away from the fortress.
"Let's go. Those three unlucky bastards definitely aren't coming back. At least they were somewhat useful, helping us gauge this faction's threat level."
The other man chuckled softly, his tone laced with mockery. "The deposits from our Blacktooth Mercenary Corps aren't so easy to earn. These money-grubbing, life-disregarding fools will take any job."
...
Outside the fortress's City Wall, the three Adventurers, crestfallen, were herded by the swarm of Poison-stinger Wasps to a relatively open construction area.
After some "friendly communication," Chen Yu, hiding behind the scenes, finally managed to figure out the origins of this group.
Truth be told, the "Skullcrusher" team formed by these three had a certain notoriety in the lawless lands around the Outpost Ruins, though it was a reputation for infamy.
Captain Bal was once a somewhat capable mercenary who later specialized in dirty work. The Dwarf Hank was a warrior exiled from his clan for committing some offense, a slave to alcohol who fought for coin. "Skinny" Rex was a thief and trap expert of unknown origin with vicious methods.
They were adept at double-crossing, ambushes, and backstabbing, making them a headache in the shadowy corners of the ruins.
Unfortunately, this time they kicked a much harder iron plate than they imagined, running into Chen Yu and his Magical Creature Army in the worst possible luck.
And the mastermind behind them was far more complex and dangerous than these three Cannon Fodder—it was the "Blacktooth" Mercenary Corps, entrenched in the shadows of the Outpost Ruins.
Mention "Blacktooth," and anyone making a living around the Outpost Ruins—be it wandering Adventurers, smuggling merchants, or fugitives on the run—would instinctively feel a mix of disgust and fear.
They weren't the largest faction, but they were absolutely the most troublesome and the most brazen bunch.
The core members of Blacktooth were thoroughgoing pragmatists and faithless individuals.
They worshipped no known deities. If they had any faith at all, it was a fanaticism for Gold Coins and a naked submission to and exploitation of raw power.
Their membership was as complex as the ruins themselves: former private soldiers of fallen human nobles, Rangers who betrayed their elven kin, craftsmen expelled from Dwarf guilds for delving into forbidden forging techniques, and even rumors of Dark Elf warriors who defected from the Dark Realm.
They gathered under the banner embroidered with a pair of fangs dyed pitch-black, united by greed and violence.
In the Outpost Ruins, it was almost common knowledge that Blacktooth had a dirty yet solid connection with the Goblin Army.
They acted as the Goblins' white gloves and trading partners—helping to fence plundered treasures, procure food, weapons, and special supplies only available on the surface, and even secretly providing information on merchant caravan routes or vulnerable villages.
But Blacktooth's business extended far beyond that.
Their influence reached in all directions. For the right price, there was no job they wouldn't take and no one they wouldn't betray.
They also procured rare Offerings or materials for certain slumbering Undead dukes of the Dark Realm, and occasionally took on shady commissions arising from internal strife within the human Kingdom.
For the Goblin Army to hire them, they must have paid a hefty sum.
But he had no habit of standing still to get beaten up.
Slimes held grudges.
...
Ironboot Town, Adventurer's Guild.
The last rays of the setting sun filtered through the guild's stained-glass windows, casting mottled patterns of light on the floor.
It was somewhat quiet at the counter. Most Adventurers had already finished their day's work, either heading to the Tavern to unwind or going home to rest.
"Sir Yano, please wait a moment. This is the reward for completing the 'Submit Thirty Grams of Moonlight Moss' commission. One Gold Coin and seventy-five coppers in total."
The receptionist behind the counter deftly counted out the coins and slid them over.
She hesitated for a moment before offering a kind warning. "Also... Sir Yano, the swamp area west of town, near the Riverbank, has been very unsettled lately. That Lizardfolk tribe seems to have gone crazy, becoming extremely xenophobic and aggressive."
She lowered her voice a bit. "I hear they fanatically worship some mud-swamp spirit called 'Putu' and believe the mysterious faction rumored to be active deep in the swamp lately is connected to their deity."
"They are hostile to any Adventurer who ventures into the swamp without permission. Several teams have already had bad encounters. If you're taking commissions recently, it's best to avoid that area."
Yano collected his reward, his face showing surprise and gratitude. "Understood. Thanks for the warning. I'll be careful."
He exchanged warm greetings with the few Adventurers still chatting in the guild, then pushed open the guild's heavy wooden door and stepped out.
The sunset bathed Ironboot Town in a warm orange-red hue. Pedestrians on the streets hurried along, eager to get home and enjoy the rare peace of the evening.
Hearing that a Lizardfolk tribe was spontaneously blocking other Adventurers from venturing deep into the swamp, Yano couldn't help but feel a bit relieved.
Appreciating the town's peaceful sunset scenery, he strolled back to the cheap inn room he was renting.
Ever since he sent Lola and the children to live safely in Jade City, this temporary home felt especially cold and empty.
He missed Lola's stew, which held a warmth called "home."
And then there was the Boss's perfectly seared Moss Monster steak—that was a different kind of warmth.
Thinking about it made his stomach growl.
"Ah, I'll make do with something," he sighed, carefully retrieving the small Slime still "sleeping" from his chest and placing it on the corner of the table as an "Overseer."
He put on an apron, lit the stove himself, and prepared to fry some ham and eggs.
The fat sizzled in the pan, and the aroma began to spread. Just as he was focused on flipping the ham, he suddenly felt a gaze on his back, watching him.
Yano spun around to find the little Boss on the table corner had woken up at some point and was watching his flipping spatula with keen interest.
Chen Yu hopped lightly onto his shoulder, chuckling. "Yano, I never knew you had this skill. A proper househusband, aren't you?"
Yano coughed awkwardly, his hand instinctively rubbing the back of his head.
"Ahem... It seems because of the swamp faction being exposed, there have been quite a few eyes on me lately. I thought it'd be better to lay low and just make something simple at home."
Chen Yu, perched on his shoulder, surveyed the simple yet tidy room and finally "decreed," "Good. Make me a portion too. I want to taste your cooking."
"Right away, sir!" Yano immediately perked up.
Soon, dinner was served on the table.
On the white plate before Chen Yu lay perfectly fried ham, golden sunny-side-up eggs, and mushy boiled chickpeas, accompanied by a small bowl of steaming mushroom cream soup. The aroma was enticing.
Though simple, it was clear care had been taken.
Chen Yu tried each item. The delicious food made his belly swell.
This guy Yano probably pulled out all his best tricks just to entertain him.
How come he never noticed before that this guy had potential as a chef?
Over the meal, Yano talked about today's news, focusing on the Lizardfolk tribe, believing it was inadvertently helping the swamp ward off a lot of trouble.
Chen Yu, in turn, informed him of tomorrow's plan—to go to the Outpost Ruins Camp to gather more detailed intelligence on the "Blacktooth" Mercenary Corps.
When Yano first heard the name "Blacktooth," a flicker of obvious concern crossed his face.
That pack of Jackals entrenched in the ruins was not to be trifled with.
But then it occurred to him—with the Boss along, what was there to fear?
His mindset instantly reverted to its cheerful, easygoing state, and he even began to look forward to it.
Early the next morning, as dawn was just breaking, Yano packed up and set out, choosing the time with the fewest people.
He rented a seemingly docile packhorse from the town gate's post station, prepared rations and water, and checked his necessary gear over and over.
Once everything was ready and the horse carried him slowly out of Ironboot Town, Chen Yu finally poked his round little head out from inside Yano's breastplate, looking around curiously, experiencing the world firsthand from an "Adventurer's" perspective for the first time.
The morning birdsong was especially crisp, and the dew on the roadside grass reflected the morning sun's rays.
As they passed the babbling little river, the sound of rushing water and the moist air felt utterly novel to Chen Yu.
It was completely different from his experience of overlooking his territory from the swamp fortress.
The Outpost Ruins Camp was located further south. Yano basically followed the river downstream.
The further south they went, the more difficult the road became, and the surroundings gradually shifted from woodland to wetter, more dangerous swamp terrain.
At noon, under the harshest sun, he finally saw the bustling camp built upon the ruins.
However, the moment he stepped into the camp's perimeter, he immediately felt countless gazes, both overt and covert, focusing on him.
But when he instinctively looked back, those people hurriedly averted their eyes or lowered their heads, as if afraid of being noticed by him.
Yano touched his own face, somewhat puzzled and amused. "Boss, am I famous here or something?"
"Could you not be? I bet the story about 'Miracle' Yano stripping Adventurers naked in the Dungeon's Mist Zone and having special preferences has long since spread."
Yano, hearing this, felt rather awkward. "Ah, this... Boss, then swaggering in like this, aren't we being too conspicuous? Is there any way to hide our identities?"
"Dummy, don't you know that 'Evaporative Illusion'? Just change your appearance."
"Oh, right!" Yano finally had his epiphany and hurriedly tried to activate that newly acquired power within him.
A barely perceptible layer of steam seeped from the skin of his face, rapidly twisting, condensing, and covering his features. A few seconds later, he transformed into a middle-aged man with a somewhat sharp, weasel-like face and shifty eyes.
Chen Yu examined this new face curiously. "Who's this? You're pretty skilled at the transformation."
Yano's voice came through the Illusion, tinged with distaste. "Oh, this is a neighbor I used to hate back in Ironboot Town."
"This guy was idle all day, never did any proper work, only knew how to come borrow money, and often secretly eyed my house. So I beat him up good and chased him off. Don't know where he's wandering now, probably long gone."
Hmm...
He did sound like a hateful guy.
But Chen Yu noticed that Yano was a bit like him in certain aspects—they both held grudges.
Wearing the face of an "enemy," Yano felt much more at ease.
He navigated through the camp's noisy, chaotic streets cluttered with all sorts of junk and tents, first stabling his packhorse at a relatively reliable temporary stable and paying the boarding fee.
His first target was naturally the camp's most well-informed spot, the Wild Boar Tavern.
However, before he could even reach the tavern's iconic shabby wooden door, right there on the bustling main street, he spotted a figure in a hooded cloak, acting furtively, quietly questioning a hunter at a stall.
He could vaguely catch words like "Eastern Swamp," "magical creatures," "faction."
Yano immediately became alert, thinking to himself, "Boss, look at that guy, sneaking around, constantly asking about the swamp. I find him very suspicious."
Chen Yu looked over. "Follow him."
"Okay."
Yano immediately entered Stealth, his figure becoming blurry and hard to pinpoint, silently tailing the hooded man.
He saw the man finish his inquiries, look around warily, then quickly duck into a dark alley piled with discarded crates and trash.
Yano followed without hesitation.
However, the moment he stepped into the depths of the alley.
In the dim alley, a cold glint of steel silently extended from the side shadows, pressing against his throat.
A voice full of wariness sounded in his ear. "I have no quarrel with you, sir. Why have you been following me?"
Before Yano could speak, his leather armor over his chest shifted. A round Slime struggled to poke out a little head, curiously tilting its "head" to examine the knife-wielder.
He had a feeling this person seemed familiar.
The hooded man, seeing this Slime, was visibly taken aback.
He hesitated for a moment, slowly withdrew the dagger, and with his other hand, pulled back his hood, revealing a familiar face.
Sharp features, keen eyes—it was Kane, who had been missing for several days.
Kane's gaze shifted between Yano's unfamiliar face and the familiar Slime. Finally, he lowered his voice, asking with a tone seeking confirmation:
"Your Majesty... is that you?"