Endless Leveling Done Right!

Chapter 517: The Nightmare That Wears A Crown [Part 1]

”Are you all ready?” Ron asked.

”Yes,” Medina replied.

”Ready!” Carlo smirked.

Sitting on top of Alex’s cap, Fran enthusiastically raised her hand. ”I’m ready!”

Alex nodded. ”Ready.”

Ron looked at his party members and briefed them about the latest update on the Shadow Forest.

”In the north, the Demons are very active, so they have frequent skirmishes,” Ron stated. ”But we’re heading east, so we don’t have to worry about that problem. Of course, that doesn’t mean we have nothing to worry about.

”The east is covered in thick fog, and demons who specialize in ambushes thrive in that kind of environment. As a precaution, never lower your guard and always stay within a four-meter range of each other.”

The Swordmaster then glanced at Alex and Fran, knowing that he would be taking them to one of the most dangerous places in their kingdom.

”Alex, stay as close to Medina as possible,” Ron instructed. ”Fran, don’t leave Alex’s side. If there’s a battle, the two of you will go to the rear and support us from behind.

”Alex, do not recklessly engage. Just use your throwing knives or your slingshot to provide cover fire. Fran, use your buffs to strengthen all of us. Do I make myself clear?”

The two younger members of Dawnseekers nodded. They understood that they were heading to a dangerous place and they didn’t want to drag their party members down if a fight happened during their search mission.

”I already informed the Military Commander that we will head East,” Ron added. ”Whether we find Sean or not, our efforts and the risks we are undertaking will be recognised. If we ever get separated, we are to return to this camp to regroup. Do I make myself clear?”

””Yes!””

Ron nodded and led the way to the entrance of the forest. They already have their respective roles, so there was no need to say anything.

Medina naturally took the lead, followed closely by Ron.

Alex and Fran were at the middle of the formation, while Carlo stayed at the rear, protecting their backs from unseen surprises.

After two hours of walking, they finally came across the thick mist that covered the eastern region of the forest.

”Medina...” Ron glanced at the elf lady, and the latter nodded in understanding.

She took out the magical lyre from her storage ring and strummed its strings.

No sound came from the lyre... at least, not sounds that ordinary humans could hear. Medina was using an advanced magic that allowed her to scan the nearby surroundings for creatures both living and... possibly no longer living.

The elf continued to strum as she led the way for the party.

Her long ears paid close attention to any subtle sounds in their surroundings.

”The mist is really thick here,” Fran muttered as the visibility only continued to drop.

Alex could only see about two meters ahead of him, so he made sure to move as close to Medina as possible.

Perhaps because their vision was so obscured, they were all the more sensitive to the sounds of the forest.

From time to time, they heard beasts screech, birds call, and gusts of wind howl. It sounded no different from normal forests... but it had an eerie quality to it.

Every sound made Alex and Fran even more alert. In fact, the teenage boy’s fingers were firmly wrapped around the handle of his dagger, ready to draw it at the first sign of danger.

Carlo followed closely behind Alex, ensuring the safety of their two youngest members.

Finally, after two more hours, Medina stopped strumming her lyre and raised her hand, signaling everyone to stop.

”There are humans ahead,” Medina said in a volume only her party members could hear.

”Are you sure they’re humans?” Ron asked.

”I believe so,” Medina answered. ”However, they seem to be hiding in some kind of shelter. Perhaps a cave.”

”Let’s go to where they are,” Ron said. ”How many are they?”

”I sensed three individuals,” Medina frowned. ”But...”

”But what?” Carlo moved closer. ”Come on. Spill it out.”

”I can’t be certain, but I might be sensing other presences with them,” Medina stated.

”Enemies?” Ron narrowed his eyes.

”I’m not sure,” Medina answered. ”Be careful, everyone.”

She then took out her magical bow, ready to draw it the moment they came across something.

Ron also took out his sword while Alex drew his dagger.

Carlo clenched his fists, ready to brawl at a moment’s notice.

The group slowly but surely made their way to where the other humans were.

Alex soon saw the entrance of a cave, which meant that they were in the right location.

But before they could even peek inside, something flashed in front of him, and the sound of two weapons clashing against each other reached his ears.

The moment something moved toward them, Medina backed away and Ron charged forward.

When they saw Ron’s opponent keep his footing after clashing with the Swordmaster, the party knew that they were not dealing with some kind of small fry.

The swordsman whom Ron was fighting raised his sword and prepared to unleash a powerful attack.

”Grand Cro—”

”Wait, Sean! It’s me, Ron!”

The swordsman who had struck them paused mid-chant.

The mist was too thick. The only thing they could see was the silhouette. However, a voice—part doubtful and part hopeful—reached their ears.

”Ron? Is that really you?”

”Yes, Sean. It’s me. The Guild commissioned us to look for you.”

The fog lightened a bit, allowing Alex to see the person that they had come to look for.

However, when he saw Sean’s current appearance, the teenage boy couldn’t help but gasp in shock. There was a fresh scar on the Hero’s face, starting from his right brow and ending on his left cheek.

”Sean, you...” Ron looked at the Hero, whose right eye socket was empty.

”I know.” Sean sighed. ”Come. It’s not safe here. Our battle might have attracted THEM.”

Without waiting for their reply, Sean moved toward the cave in haste.

Ron made a signal for everyone to follow him and headed to the cave in single file.

Now that the Dawnseekers had found the Hero and his party, it was now time to understand what had happened and why they did not return to the human camp all this time.