"West... Fallen Village". The woman with hood on mumbled at the side.
She doesn't know how real that rumor is, but whether it is true or not, she would go and try to see it for herself.
Afterall, she was searching for that particular group for almost three months now. So hearing atleast a rumor about them, not to mention about their leader, is a huge help for her.
Looking down at her plate, she saw that there are still a lot of food left in them. She doesn't like wasting food, as that was one of the lessons a certain someone thought her, to never waste food as there are lot of people starving outside.
So she needed to be thankful and appreciate that she can still eat three meals a day. And so, she decided to continue her meal, albeit this time, a bit faster.
Meanwhile, at the Mercenaries' group side.
They were still discussing whether the rumor was true or not, the big guy keep saying that it might be possible as only the Fallen Village is where the Empires failed to do a search, while his buddies on the table were still being a bit skeptical about it.
"I'm telling you guys, it is possible, I'm not saying that it's the absolute truth!". The big guy with scars on his chest explained.
"Yeah yeah, so the leader was found as the rumors say, but how about the others? It's been 10 years and there wasn't even a single news about them except for their leader". The guy with the mustache asked.
"Well... That's the weird part indeed". The big guy said while scratching the back of his head.
The others on the same table with them also nodded, it is indeed quite weird. It has been 10 years and the Four empires of the Four major races where searching for them high and low, but they still hasn't found anything about their location.
While they were discussing about that certain group, a waitress suddenly went to their table and delivered the food and alcohol that they ordrered.
Happy with the arrival of the food and alcohol, one mercenary then greeted the waitress.
"Hey melly, you still working here huh?" He said with a grin, while he took one bottle of alcohol from the tray she's carrying.
"Well, yeah. And I see that you are the same alocoholic person as always". The waitress said with a smile.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA. Alcohol is one of men's romance! Ain't that right?!" He yelled at the tavern.
"""OOOHHHHH""". To which all the men in the tavern yelled in agreement.
"See?" The mercenary said with a grin.
"*Sigh* men". The waitress said while rolling her eyes at them, before picking up the tray as she then walked back to the counter to get more bottles of alcohol.
Finished putting 5 bottles of alcohol on her tray, the waitress then marched her way back to the mercenaries' table.
"Here's what you ordered". She said.
As she was putting the alcohol at their table, she suddenly heard what they're talking about.
"It really is possible, but I'm not saying it's the truth!". She heard the big guy said with a helpless expression on his face.
Curious, the waitress can't help but ask. "What truth?"
"You know, about the rumor of the leader of "that" group". The guy with mustache said.
"Group?" Asked the waitress while slightly tilting her head at the side.
Sighing, the big guy with scars on his chest decided to tell it himself. And with the biggest and heaviest solemn tone he has, he announced loud enough for the others to hear.
"The Five Calamities".
For a moment, the whole tavern became eerily quiet, which took the mysterious woman's attention away from her food. Confused, she was about to find the reason why it became so silent as she was too focused on her food to hear anything earlier, when suddenly.
""""""HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA"""""". The tavern was rained with a thunderous laughter.
Everyone at the tavern laughed uncontrollably except for the big guy and the three of his six companions. The waitress also can't help but giggle a bit, which only depressed the big guy and the other 3 mercenaries.
The laughter continued as the others even became teary-eyed because of their uncontrollable laughter. As though they heard the funniest joke, the people at the tavern laughed in mixture of mockery and amusement.
The big guy and the three mercenaries' are the only ones present here in the tavern that was actually unlucky enough to witnessed that cursed day.
But here they are now, being laughed at by eveyrone when they tried to warn them by telling the truth. Sitting there with dark expressions, the big guy and his three companions remained silent.
"HAHAHAHAHA. Just tell the truth that you got scared shitless by the power the Aces showed that day!" One adventurer mocked the big guy.
"Yeah, making you unable to move throughout the mission and hurt that little pride of yours if you are not atleast in the spotlight right?" Another adventurer mocked.
"So you tried to put credits to those clowns to make you atleast the center of attention! Stop justifying your worth! HAHAHAHAHAHA". Said a mercenary from another table not so far away from them.
The guy with the mustache and another guy who's with the big guy and the other three then tried to pacify the situation as it looks like it is getting quite out of hand.
"Mah mah, eveyone that's enoug-". The guy with mustache wasn't even be able to finish his sentence as he was interrupted by the rageful voice of the big guy.
*Slam*
"LISTEN UP! YOU MAGGOTS!!! IF YOU LOT WON'T TAKE US SERIOUSLY!!! THEN FINE!!! WHO CARES IF YOU BELIEVE US OR NOT?! YOU DON'T BELIEVE US?! THEN DON'T YOU DARE COME AND ACCUSE US OF NOT WARNING YOU ENOUGH WHEN YOU DIE BECAUSE OF YOUR OWN IGNORANCE!!!" The big guy yelled with rage.
He had enough of this, they don't want to believe them? Then fine! Let's see if they could live when the "Five Calamities" re-emerge from the shadows they were in!
Finished saying that, the big guy then left Ten Silver coins at the table before marching his way out of the tavern without waiting for anyone.
He was then followed by his three companions who was with him as they too marched their way out without looking at anyone.
The guy with mustache and another mercenary were the only ones left in their table as they were too stunned to catch up on what happened, coming back from his senses, the guy with the mustache can't help but mumble in regret. "How bout this alcohols?"
But even though he said that, he still stood up along with another mercenary and made their way out of the tavern to follow their companions.
"Heh! That guy sure changed! Back then he's one of the strongest mercenary around here, but he was actually reduced into this along with his group!" A mercenary said in mockery.
"Yeah, that day may have given him a trauma of some sort, but he should not go spouting bullshit for the last ten years!" Another adventurer said.
"Uhm, the four empires themselves reassured everyone that there is nothing to worry about, but he's still in his bullshit!" The bartender said in mockery while wiping the mug with a towel.
While everyone was still talking about what happened earlier, the mysterious woman was already nowhere to be seen as she only left a gold coin at her table for her payment.
...
Somewhere at the busy streets of Alca town, a shadow that could hardly be noticed by anyone was following the group of mercenaries earlier at the tavern from the rooftops with the help of the darkness that the night bring.
The shadow was fast and swift as it didn't make any sound everyrtime it moves at inhumane speed.
The shadow keep on following the group of mercenaries until they made their way out of the Alca Town. The shadow observed each movements and action the mercenaries were doing as they seemed to be talking with each other.
After about 30 minutes long of walking, they were finally far enough from Alca Town as they were now in a somewhat desolate place, devoid of any people. Thinking that it is now the right time, the shadow then moved and decided to make its appearance.
*Swoosh*
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[Update: 1 chapter every two days.]
(The update would depend on how much the readers like the story.)