Chapter 79
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Chapter 79: The Mutated Forest
The next morning, as the dawn sun rose over the horizon, casting golden light on the densely packed buildings of Tucker Town, a team of over sixty people quietly left the town, heading straight toward the nearby Forest of Gran.
Midi’s proposal received an immediate and enthusiastic response.
These future masters, who would one day be known for their eccentricity, were still just struggling adventurers at this time.
No one provided them with rare materials or high-end treatment. Recipes, blueprints, tools, and funding—all had to be earned through their own efforts.
Their original companions had either perished or fled under the Blood Blade’s attacks. Some adventurers had even come to Tucker Town alone, hoping for a lucky break. Under such circumstances, surviving in the Forest of Gran, now teeming with mutated monsters, was challenge enough—let alone seeking the heritage of the Elven Kingdom.
Now, though the reputation of the Hawk Brigade remained unclear, Midi’s personal combat strength was undeniable.
With the Morning Star Mercenary Corps backing them and Odel’s sterling reputation, hope rekindled among these adventurers.
By the next day, a new team had formed. Morning Star served as its backbone, supported by skilled artisans, with Midi as both spearhead and safeguard. Their combined strength made the group far more formidable.
As this alliance began their new expedition, seven or eight messenger birds soared swiftly over the Forest of Gran.
“Heard a tough newcomer showed up. Took out the Blood Blade in one go, and seems cozy with Odel,” rumbled a bald giant, his iron-like frame standing amid swirling ash and embers near a scorched ruin. His tone was light at first, then sharpened to steel. “But if that brat thinks crushing a minor base makes him worthy of blocking the Iron Blood Mercenary Corps, he’ll learn regret the hard way.”
Clad in crimson armor, this man was Dickson, leader of the Iron Blood Mercenary Corps.
“Name: John. Affiliation: Hawk Brigade. Combat Rating: Level 40 Asura.” Beneath an ancient monument, a middle-aged man adjusted his glasses while reading the report. “His demeanor suggests noble heritage—likely from a great family. Authority radiates from his every gesture.”
Cold-faced, robed in magic-imbued attire, and gripping an ornate staff, this was Kelvin, leader of the Mountain Wolf Mercenary Group.
“A noble? How should we proceed?” asked his deputy.
“We’ll approach him if the chance arises,” Kelvin replied, pushing his glasses up again. “But only if this battle-focused John proves capable of reaching the Palace. Adventure demands more than brute strength.”
While the Iron Blood saw Midi as a rival and the Mountain Wolf considered collaboration, other leaders across the forest made their own judgments as messenger birds delivered news of John’s arrival.
All except one group, which needed no deliberation.
“Our base was destroyed?!” A roar shook the walls of a makeshift tent.
Pierce, leader of the Blood Blade Mercenary Corps, crushed a metal canteen in his fist upon reading the report, water leaking like pale blood from the mangled remains.
The escaped captives meant little—they’d been incidental. Losing a hundred troops? Replaceable. But the emerald leaves, gathered through costly intelligence, and treasures plundered from the Elven Kingdom—their loss was unbearable. Worse, Pierce knew the ruthless higher-ups of the Blood Blade Thieves Guild would never tolerate it.
“John… Hawk Brigade…” Pierce snarled the names, fear simmering beneath his rage. “I’ll shred you to scraps!”
“Such theatrics over a trivial loss.” A voice, icy and calm, cut through the air.
Though expecting it, Pierce still stiffened—few could stay composed with Mason, a dark elf of the Belmar Duchy, lurking like a ghost. Handsome, slender, and sharp-eared, his chilling gaze pierced like frost.
“Lord Mason, the base held sensitive guild intelligence—” Pierce began, masking his unease with deference.
“That John is heading here, yes?” Mason interrupted. “He’ll have your stolen goods with him. Retrieve them, slaughter them all—problem solved.”
“Will you join the fight, Lord Mason?” Pierce exhaled inwardly, relieved. As leader of the Blood Blade Mercenary Corps, he held no authority over this Blood Blade Thieves Guild elite.
“I’ll act when necessary,” Mason said flatly, arrogance lacing his words. “But remember, Pierce—our true mission here.”
Pierce’s expression hardened.
The dark elf gave him a cold look before continuing, "The Elven Kingdom holds a treasure that could shift the balance of power in the Belmar Duchy! Blood Blade must claim it—only we can. This is paramount. Fail this, and no other achievements will matter!"
"Understood, Lord Mason!" Pierce bowed deeply, cold sweat dripping from his forehead as he hid his trembling expression.
As rival mercenary corps prepared with hostility, wariness, or barely restrained anger, Midi’s united mercenary corps began advancing steadily into the heart of Forest of Gran.
The endless Skyfire had transformed the vast woodland. Charred earth stretched endlessly while monsters abandoned their territories to prowl openly. Even under blazing sunlight, armed groups faced constant ambushes.
Familiar ruins now radiated an unsettling aura of Death. The fire-scarred terrain itself had shifted unpredictably.
"Scout team – survey the changed landscape."
"Maintain tight formation. Advance cautiously."
"Logistics team – chart our path and mark withdrawal routes for two weeks hence."
"Gathering team – search soil and magic veins. Rare herbs survived the flames. Our mission’s success rests on your findings!"
Orders flowed continuously from Odel. Despite being newly formed, the united corps moved with military precision, drawing quiet approval from Midi.
In his past life, the Hawk Brigade and Morning Star Mercenary Corps had cooperated superficially—agreeing on strategies but operating separately during actual missions. Now embedded within this team, Midi observed everything firsthand.
By his reincarnated standards, Odel’s command showed occasional greenness and imperfect details, yet displayed remarkable promise. At this point in his previous life, Midi had been an irrelevant level 16 swordsman—a pampered noble. His current influence stemmed from two lifetimes’ wisdom, not arrogance.
Watching the synchronized team, he reaffirmed his evaluation. "The dual pistols unit has real talent," he mused, glancing at Alyn providing flank support. "Even without Elven Kingdom’s heritage, Morning Star Mercenary Corps will thrive under Odel. With Butterfly Dual Pistols developing, their rise seems assured."
The cleanly executed battles reminded him of Hawk Brigade’s contrast. Both lifetimes showed his original group functioned more as a military Legion than true adventurers. Leadership defined a team’s nature—Hawk Brigade’s founders being nobles like Midi and Fina, or the academically inclined Mist Sorceress Alice, naturally leaned toward imperial opposition and resource acquisition rather than pure adventure.
Genuine adventurer teams remained small. Even future elite mercenary corps rarely exceeded thousands after nobility restrictions lifted. This scale let leaders maximize individual strengths—exactly what Odel achieved flawlessly.
"Could Hawk Brigade benefit from such talent?" The thought struck suddenly. Now commanding two count’s territories and ten thousand troops against giants like Empire’s Alchemist Guild and Sais family, Midi’s perspective had shifted. Past admiration transformed into recruitment considerations.
A rustle interrupted his thoughts. A scout emerged from the trees, eyes blazing with excitement.
"Found it! The Elven Kingdom’s entrance!"
