Jake and the others took 8 days to reach the entrance of the town. "Finally we are here" Terry smile. They arrive before the sun or whatever name of their star is, rise up. Annael was about to knock on the adventurer guild but the door just opens with Marfin smiling, "It seems that you got the artifact. I don't want to waste your time but it seems that you are tired, I will make an exception, come inside.
They sit on the chairs with a table near the front desk. Jake place the cat artifact on the table, Marfin smile when he saw the artifact. He went to the back door and came back with a medium pouch and place it on the table while grabbing the small cat statue, "200 Gold coins." Annael and the others look towards Jake and Jake sigh, " We will divide equally, each of us will receive 50 gold." Everyone seems happy about Jake's decision. Terry was the one who divided the gold while Jake asked, " Marfin… why is it that there are only a few guards roaming around, even the main entrance gate, there is supposedly 5-6 town soldier but now I only saw 1 soldier.
Marfin faintly smiles while placing the cat statue inside his backpack, " It started 11 days after you left the town. Some of the people are now missing including some of the town soldiers. Some of the people were relocating to the central city but when I asked my fellow friends in there, they saw some belongings along the way but none of their bodies were found. I personally asked the Count about this but he always told me that I need to wait after the investigation is done..but…" Jake smile, "You don't trust him?" Marfin scan around making sure that no one is listening, " I don't, for the past few days several civilian, adventurer and town guards disappear without a trace. The class guilds branch leader is now holding a meeting due to this disappearance. Two days ago they went to the Count and as usual, the count is very accommodating but the slayer branch leader claimed that count Ragner seems different." Annael nodded, " maybe he just stressed out due to this event."
Jake thought, supposedly in the game, the event should happen 2 months from now, it seems that this upcoming nightmare will happen within this month. Annael was calling Jake, " Are you alright? I've been calling you about this stuff?" Jake faces Annael, "What stuff?" Annael grunt, "It is about the disappearance, it seems that Marfin will move to the big city, what will happen to this town and what will we do?" Jake raised his left eyebrow, "What do you mean, what will we do? We will do nothing as of the moment, we don't have lead."
Marfin places three pages of paper on the table, " this information was gathered by the slayer guild, I will be closing this guild 2 days from now, all adventurers and their families were already on their way to the big city?" "Did they encounter some unfortunate events," Jake calmly asked. Marfin nodded, "Yes…they have, according to them it seems that they where poison, luckily an alchemist was there to help them, that is according to one of my source." Jake nodded, "It will take them several 2-3 months before they will arrive at the big city." Marfin nodded and continue, " Currently they are resting just a few kilometers from the fork of Kuto."
Jake tried to recall the information in the game, the fork of Kuto has two bifurcation. The first bifurcation is traversing to the forest of silence, a dangerous place for a magic user or even non magic user. The other one is just the easier route, just traversing a bridge. "Did they choose the route towards the bridge?" Marfin was surprised, " How did you know?" Jake laughed, "It is the easiest route but dangerous as well." Marfin frowned, "Dangerous in what way?" Jake calmly said, " If you suspect that the Count is behind this event would you really think that he will make someone or at least one reach the big city?" Marfin did not say anything and Jake continue, "He can basically order someone to ambush them when all of the people are crossing the bridge,"
Jake still remember that time, those he did not listen to his request in traversing the forest of silence died in the hands of the members of "Apaniyan" They have a target sign, a rune imprinted on their left butt cheeks. They are composed of Slayer's subclass which is assassin and night walker. They are one of the top 10 underground organization, the majority of their clients are nobles. Jake still remember the headless children both hugging each other and several adventurers who let there love one's escape but…..none of them survive."
Jake sigh, " Marfin, is the alchemist named Rodik?" Marfin widened his eyes, " How the hell did you know his name!," Jake just shrug, " Since he was the one who helps them cure or stop the progression of the disease, the people might trust him more than most of the adventurers. Tell him that let the people know that they must stay in their current location. That location is the safest as of the moment" Marfin still skeptical but he nodded. Jake saw his reaction, "it is better if you personally deliver it to him…and one more thing…please send a scout and stay at least 2 kilometers from the bridge. Let scout monitor that place for a while."
Marfin stared at Jake, "You are so young…but you know such stuff that even I don't know." Jake just smile back, "Annael and Diane, "kindly go with Marfin, You must leave before the sun will rest." Diane smiled, "Sun?" Jake pointed the sun from the window. Diane giggle, "Ah! The name is solis." Jake nodded, " Solis..noted. Anyway, please take all people away from here, I have a feeling that by tomorrow the hunt will be starting." Jake asked for a small paper and wrote something then handed it back to Marfin, "Give it Rodik and tell him it's a dark type. He will know once he will read that."
They were interrupted by Kara's voice outside, he forcefully open the door of adventurer guild and his eyes regain hope when he saw Jake, "My Dad!!" Jake has grim reaction and thought, this event is too early! Is it because I save Annael and Diane?"