“Report, Most Honorable Blood Vicar,” Haghen came before the red-skinned man that sat on a throne made of lava.

“Speak,” Tobias spoke.

“The Level 5s have been successfully lured away by our comrades. They will keep them busy while we’re moving to Phase 3.”

“Good. We shall proceed as planned. What about the last Level 5? Your father the governor?”

“His fate is sealed,” Haghen smiled heartlessly.

***

Adventurers and the guild that managed them were not fools, after two days of similar happening they tried something different for the third day.

After coming out from the Biome, the adventurers did not disperse. The guild provided an enchanted carriage just at the Biome’s exit. Adventurers that wanted to, could put their earnings inside which they could withdraw later at a safe place.

Other than the carriage being enchanted with extensive physical and magical protections, multiple Level 3s also stood guard protecting the carriage. Viers knew this because the guild spread the word to assure their adventurers. The Level 3s guarding the carriage were adventurers that took the special quest issued by the guild.

Therefore, unlike the explosive situation yesterday, the early part of the evening was pretty tranquil. The fishermen were ready but there were no fish in the pond.

But Viers knew this was the calm before the storm.

Why?

One answer, escalation.

The Biome prevented Level 3s and above to go inside. The artifacts, loot, and unique ingredients inside were also suitable for Level 2s and below. That made the Biome unattractive for Level 3s since it did not concern them much. That was why the conflicts surrounding the matter of the new Biome mainly stayed among Level 2s and below.

But the Level 3s had now stepped up to the stage.

When one side broke the balance, the other would compensate.

Like Mr. Gordon said: We start using semi-automatic, they buy automatic. We start wearing Kevlar, they buy armor-piercing rounds… When the man wearing bat costume descended upon Gotham, The Clown Prince of Crime popped up from a hole on the ground.

It was the classic good and evil seesaw.

Therefore Viers wasn't surprised when he spotted a congregation of gangs and bandits in the city’s outskirts stalking the enchanted carriage like wolves. He knew some of their faces from yesterday. Naturally, they also had Level 3s in their ranks.

Viers didn't know why the Level 3s on the criminals' side were doing it. The value of the riches inside should not be too significant for them. Perhaps it was for personal fame or orders from their superior or something else entirely.

They were well hidden but Viers found out using his Euryale Sight. Their Intentions were obvious and Viers welcomed their presence. He did not join them, opting to examine the situation from a distance. Viers knew full well his reputation was not stellar on both sides.

The carriage was a lumbering weighty thing pulled by eight horses. Viers guessed he didn't have the power to break through the protection of that thing so Viers let the criminals do the heavy lifting. Criminals other than him, Viers was under no impression he wasn't a criminal himself.

The criminals’ plan was simple. As the carriage made its way to Marakkus from the outside of the city, they made a pitfall to stop its tracks before moving in. The criminals must have had a skillful Pathseeker since none of the guardians of the carriage realized until it was too late. A battle broke out, Viers wished he had popcorn to chew on as he watched.

The dark road that the carriage tread on was lit by torches, now colorful lights from various Artes brightened the area like fireworks. Although, even if the lighting was not ideal, Viers had no problem seeing in the dark with his not Sharingan.

He already had a plan. Unless there was something really crucial to him, he wouldn't make a move tonight. There were Level 3s in the battle royal. If the criminals did not launch their attack today, Viers was happy to sit this day out. He had more than enough gains in the past two days.

But they did, so Viers was eager to snatch some benefits if the right opportunities presented themselves.

Munch munch… so those are Level 3s. Quite formidable. They are people that managed to harness the power of their respective Profound Codices, giving unique quirks. Munch munch… note to self: avoid clashing with a Level 3 head-on… Can Freya defeat them? I think some of the Level 3s down there are still weaker than Freya, Viers thought while munching imaginary popcorns.

Viers observed the battle unfolding. The people duking it out down there would add a nice variation in the Grid, taking advantage of his ability to conjure perfect virtual enemies according to what he witnessed. There were more than fifty Pathseekers fighting it out down there, the biggest large-scale battle Viers had witnessed to date with his own eyes.

After some time, the attacking side achieved their goal. One of the Level 3 blasted the carriage open with one of her Arte. The carriage burst open like a volcano, making a rain of coins and treasures.

Arte - Euryale SIGHT!!

Viers was standing by precisely for a moment like this. He invoked Euryale Sight with full power, trying to discern the most valuable treasures.

While Viers was doing that, the battlefield became a free-for-all. Some of the adventurers made a fuck-it-all decision and tried to grab the treasures for their own, just like the bandits did. They acted more similar to beasts than people.

Mmm!? That is… Viers’ eyes were focused on one object.

That is… It has to be! I’m sure of it!

The object was small and had been grabbed by one of the bandits. The surrounding people surrounded that person as the bandit tried to get away.

That thing is mine!

Many people that had grabbed something of value scattered in all directions, trying to lose the pursuers. Viers kept the item in his sight and continued pursuing the one holding it.

***

“The dinner’s ready,” Sandra said. “Come everyone, eat while it's hot.”

“Thank you, Sandra. You guys go ahead and get some rest. I’ll keep an eye open in the meantime,” Bruce the leader said.

“It’s you who should take some rest. You’re still injured from the earlier delve,” Will urged but Norman the tank put a hand on his shoulder.

“Just let him do this. He felt responsible for our losses the past two days,” Norman shook his head.

The Rising Fortune didn't put their loot into the batch because the guild’s protection did not come without a price, even after the 50% tax. So instead they made camp in a hidden area, still in the Marakkus periphery but not too close either. They planned to return to the city in the morning, after the feeding frenzy was over.

“...That’s not his fault,” Sandra commented.

“I agree but he still feels somehow responsible. He-”

“Incoming trouble!” Bruce’s shout cut the conversation short.

Two people were speeding above the treetops, using branches and the like as their footing. One was pursuing the other. Just beside the Rising Fortune’s campsite, the pursuer caught up with the runner and slammed her to the ground.

The female runner was lying unconscious while the pursuer wearing a blue mask stood right next to her.

“Goddess Holy Mother, he’s here!”

“BOOGEYMAN!!”

“How the hell does he find us!?”

The group felt their hearts were dipped in ice-cold water. Viers took a small item from the runner and gripped it tight in his fist. He basked in the exhilaration of success for three seconds before facing the group of adventurers that he met for the third time.

Before he could act, the leader threw him a pouch.

“That is half of our earnings today. Please let us go,” Bruce took the initiative.

Viers stood still for a few seconds, for each second passed, the group became more nervous. Only when Viers left did they exhale the breath they unknowingly held.

“...I’m sorry everyone. That is the only thing I could think of,” Bruce apologized with a miserable face.

“...We managed to keep half. It can cover our expenses for some time. Your quick thinking will keep us afloat. You’ve done good, Bruce,” Norman the tank tried to soothe their leader.

“That is well and good but what do we do tomorrow? Keep delving? Our Victa is too low. We must take some time off to let it accumulate,” Will informed dejectedly.

“...We should change our group name,” Sandra softly said in the middle of the silence. No one disagreed with her.

***

Viers stopped in a cave in the woods to lay low a bit.

I’ve got it. Finally… Storage Ring! Viers opened his palm and gently touched the ring with bronze color. Yes, yes, yes!

After all this time, Viers finally got his hands on a working storage item.

“Congratulations, Lord Viers,” Farley said.

“Yeah, congrats… even though you stole it from some unfortunate guy,” Paina grudgingly said. “Must you also extort the last group though?”

“Well, I didn't actually plan to extort them this time but they gave me things on their own. I won’t say no to free things.”

“You know Viers, there’s a saying that you reap what you sow,” Paina said.

“I am familiar with the saying and the meaning. I-”

The conversation in his mind died down because Viers spotted a figure standing in front of the cave. He wasn't there a second before, it was as if he appeared out of thin air.

“Well, well-”

Viers felt the danger on his skin and immediately tried to destroy the ring in his hand.

But an unexplainable force stopped him from doing that.

“Impressive decisiveness, but useless.”

Viers’ Victa flow was impeded. He was unable to use any Arte. The first thing Viers did, was becoming as calm as a still pond. He kept watching the man who slowly walked towards him. He was a man in his thirties wearing clothes that resembled the city guards’ uniform, albeit nicer.

“The calm and silent type, hmn? Are you not going to say anything?”

What do you want?

Viers constructed the sentence using writing made from water. His body movement and posture showed not an ounce of fear.

“I can kill you as easy as breaking a twig yet I sense no fear from you. I wonder which you are, fearless or mad.”

Your objective isn't to kill me.

Seeing another water writing made the Level 4 scoff.

“You’re right, Boogeyman. I’m here to recruit you and this is not an offer,” Homen said.