Chapter 38 - Actually, I Have a Cheat Too

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Chapter 38: Thorn Valley

 

 

Ge Yan swaggered back into Black Wolf's camp, having defused the prepared accusations. Even Marvin, the supposed "victim," had nothing to say and could only offer a forced smile of welcome, his resentment clear in his expression. Oddly enough, some in the camp even seemed to warm up to Ge Yan after the day's events.

 

"Isn't the Alice Mercenary group supposed to despise Black Wolf? How did they let you waltz back in so easily?" A voice, slightly sharper than the others, suddenly broke through the amiable atmosphere.

 

Ge Yan turned to see a sharp-featured youth eyeing him with thinly veiled hostility. Ah, someone looking for trouble—just as expected.

 

"I don't know," Ge Yan said with an innocent look. "That woman said our Captain and leader are spiteful and unforgiving, even hinted that they wouldn't want me back. I told her I didn't believe that for a second, and they finally let me go, warning I'd regret it. But I knew she was just lying. Isn't that right?"

 

The youth shifted uncomfortably under Ge Yan's gaze, unsure whether to refute or remain silent. Desperately, he sought Marvin's support.

 

Ge Yan blinked, then asked, "Why are you looking at the Captain? Don't tell me it was he who…"

 

"Stop talking nonsense! It wasn't the Captain who put me up to it!" the youth blurted out, his voice loud in the silence.

 

"I never said the Captain was involved," Ge Yan replied, glancing between the young man and Marvin with a look of dawning realization.

 

Eyes shifted between the two, and a subtle suspicion crept into everyone's expressions.

 

Marvin's face darkened, and he shot the youth a quick, icy glare for his blunder. Then, turning to Ge Yan, he adopted a more composed demeanor. "Jimmy, the leader and I were just discussing how to get you back from Alice's camp. We're glad you returned safely; now we can focus on dealing with them."

 

"I knew our leader wouldn't abandon us," Ge Yan said, his frown melting into a happy smile.

 

A vein pulsed on Marvin's forehead. He wanted nothing more than to sew Ge Yan's mouth shut. To prevent further troublesome remarks, he promptly sent him off toward Rex's side.

 

Reaching Rex, Ge Yan allowed himself a small, triumphant grin, feeling he had executed his mission flawlessly. Marvin and Captain Locke must be fuming by now.

 

"Well done," Rex praised him.

 

Ge Yan beamed. Then, remembering Heidi's earlier offer to join Alice, he mentioned it to Rex.

 

Rex looked surprised, clearly impressed by Ge Yan's unexpected ability to charm even the formidable Daniel and Heidi. "Having one more friend is better than having another enemy. They might be able to help you in the future."

 

Ge Yan nodded, thoughtful.

 

That night in the Magic Beast Forest was devoid of the sound of insects, only the distant roars of magic beasts echoing through the dark. Aside from the night watch, the rest drifted into a restless sleep, each carrying their own worries.

 

The next morning, as dawn broke, the sleeping camp began to stir back to life, bustling once more. Except for a few wandering adventurers, the three mercenary corps remained stationed on the outskirts of Thorn Valley, unwilling to leave until the Dragon's Spit Fruit ripened.

 

Ge Yan followed Rex, who kept pace with the Black Wolf Mercenary Corps, as they quietly slipped into Thorn Valley.

 

As its name suggested, the valley was rife with thorns—far more expansive than Ge Yan had imagined, with thorny plants stretching as far as the eye could see. And these thorns were alive, attacking any who dared enter. Physical attacks proved useless, for they wouldn't die no matter how many were slashed down. Only fire could conquer them.

 

Captain Locke ordered fire mages to clear the way, the higher-ranked mages unleashing flames so fierce that soon all was reduced to ash, even the soil turning blackened and charred.

 

After half a day, they finally crossed the thorny path, only to be greeted by the first wave of magic beasts, a swarm of Illusion Butterflies.

 

Illusion Butterflies were tricky fourth-rank beasts, not particularly strong, but their pollen had a disorienting effect and was nearly impossible to avoid. Even the slightest whiff could cause significant trouble.

 

Ge Yan was safe under Rex's protection, but others weren't as lucky. Two mercenaries accidentally inhaled some pollen; one, trapped in a nightmare, began slashing wildly until Marvin struck him unconscious. The other ended up stabbing his own abdomen, blood streaming from the wound as he screamed himself out of the illusion.

 

The wounded mercenary, pale-faced and fearful, glanced anxiously at his leader, as if afraid of being abandoned.

 

Captain Locke, looking impatient, was about to speak when Marvin subtly restrained him and shot him a pointed glance. Grimacing, Locke ordered two other mercenaries to escort the injured out of Thorn Valley, reducing their numbers by four and increasing the burden on the remaining members.

 

They soon reached a lake, located in the heart of Thorn Valley. As they prepared to cross, they were ambushed by the Demon Fish lurking in the waters. These creatures emitted cries resembling a baby's wail, which could disturb the mind and awaken latent violent impulses in those attempting to cross the water. The further they progressed, the more agitated they became, to the point where even Captain Locke seemed to lose his composure.

 

"Aren't stronger individuals supposed to be less affected?" Ge Yan whispered to Rex, observing that Lock appeared to be the most affected among them.

 

"Emotional instability leaves one vulnerable to such effects," Rex replied, casting a cold glance at Locke, his expression unreadable.

 

Ge Yan, the instigator, immediately shut his mouth, chuckling inwardly at the trouble he'd stirred.

 

Rex gave him a sidelong glance; if Ge Yan had looked up, he might have caught a rare, faint glint of amusement in Rex's eyes.

 

Thorn Valley wasn't a completely enclosed area; a tall cliff stood at its center, with a wide, powerful waterfall cascading down. The river in Thorn Valley originated from this cliff. Though it was possible to enter from above, the skies belonged to the Red-Armored Earth Dragons—a near-suicidal route unless one had the flying ability of a Sword Saint, who wouldn't waste their time on mere Dragon's Spit Fruit. Hence, this route was practically unattainable.

 

By the time they arrived, the Alice Mercenaries and the Raven Mercenaries were already lying in wait, observing the terrain from different directions.

 

The Dragon's Spit Fruit, said to grow in the cliffs behind the waterfall, would release an enticing fragrance when it ripened, drawing the Red-Armored Earth Dragon out of its lair to pluck it.

 

There were only two strategies: either mask the Dragon's Spit Fruit's scent or defeat the Earth Dragon first. The former was nearly impossible—too many lurked in the shadows, all coveting the fruit. No one would be willing to clear the way for another—the method for masking scents was too demanding, so nobody considered that approach. The latter required an alliance, yet the animosity among the three mercenary groups ruled out any chance of cooperation. Luck alone would have to decide.

 

Realizing this, each mercenary group began positioning themselves strategically. Just then, Captain Locke said something that made everyone fall silent.

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