The trio of Mia, Sylvie, and Bane walked in silence, the tension between them palpable. Mia made it clear she considered herself the leader, walking ahead of the others with a posture that screamed superiority. Bane and Sylvie, sensing her animosity, exchanged a glance, unsure of what they had done to earn such disdain. Mia, meanwhile, was silently cursing her luck for being stuck with two members from what she considered a "weirdo" guild.
'Of all the guilds, it had to be that one. Ugh! Mom probably did this on purpose. She must not trust me,' Mia fumed internally. Her thoughts were interrupted when Bane spoke up.
"We are being watched. They don't seem hostile, but stay on guard. I can't discern their intentions yet," Bane said, his voice calm but alert.
Sylvie glanced at him, wondering if he had some kind of heightened detection skill. She remembered the Initiation when he had done something similar as well as when they arrived at the Infinite Light Guild building.
Mia, however, was unimpressed. One of the abilities of her Epic-rated bow was enhanced senses, which had given her a false sense of security over time. She had come to rely on the bow's abilities, neglecting her training as a result.
"I don't sense anyone," Mia scoffed, her tone dripping with condescension. "I'd like to think I have a better perception than some second-rate guild members."
In the trees above, a group of four individuals silently observed the trio. The leader of the group, a young woman with tribal tattoos covering her face and long, pointed ears, raised her hand to halt her companions. She watched the trio closely, her eyes narrowing as Bane and Sylvie slowed their pace. A sly smile crossed her lips as she signaled her group to vanish into the shadows.
Bane noticed the shift in the air. "They're coming. No hostility yet, but be ready for anything," he said, his voice steady.
Sylvie nodded, preparing herself. Just as they crossed a small stream, Mia turned around, her frustration boiling over.
"Look! You two may be little friends, but I'm the leader of this group. You may think you're hot shots because you passed the Initiation, but so what? I did too! So, you will follow my orders. I am the selected leader, got it? Now, I'm telling you there's no one there!" Mia snapped, her voice laced with irritation.
Bane and Sylvie were taken aback by her outburst. Sylvie sighed, recognizing Mia's type—those who judged others based on their guild or background rather than their abilities. It was the same elitist attitude that plagued the GoldenAge guild, where members looked down on those from smaller, less prestigious guilds.
Before they could respond, four figures suddenly materialized in their path, blocking their way. The leader of the group, the young woman with the tribal tattoos and pointed ears, spoke with a teasing smile. "Oh? It seems we've interrupted something. Is this a bad time?"
Mia whirled around, startled by the sudden appearance of the group. The leader was a striking figure, her face partially covered, with only her sharp eyes visible. Despite her youthful appearance, there was an air of seasoned experience about her that set Bane on edge. Sylvie quickly recognized the pointed ears—the telltale sign of a Beastkin. 'Beastkin? They shouldn't be anywhere near us,' she thought, puzzled.
Seeing this as her chance to assert her authority, Mia stepped forward. "I'm Mia Ingard, Warlord 299 of the Infinite Light Guild. We are currently on a sanctioned mission, and your group is obstructing our path. State your intentions now, or we will be forced to act."
Sylvie rolled her eyes but was somewhat impressed that Mia wasn't visibly shaking. It seemed Melody had trained her daughter well enough to hold her composure in tense situations. However, both Sylvie and Bane shared the same concern—Beastkin were notoriously territorial. The fact that they hadn't attacked immediately was a stroke of luck. One wrong move could lead to a dangerous confrontation before their mission even began.
The Beastkin leader, Lora, smirked at Mia's bravado. "Oh? We're obstructing YOUR path? Miss Warlord, it seems you're not very familiar with the outside world. I am Lora, and these are my companions. You're no longer in your Kingdom—you're in Chinbe territory."
The smirk on Lora's face deepened as she observed Mia's reaction. It was clear to Lora that Mia had no idea what she was dealing with. Mia, on the other hand, was growing more frustrated. First, she was stuck with two newbies, and now these four were blocking her way.
"Did you hit your head on a branch? We aren't in any Beastkin territory—I would know," Mia retorted, her tone smug as if daring them to prove her wrong. Bane and Sylvie exchanged glances, both silently questioning the competence of their supposed leader.
Lora's smile faded as she realized Mia's arrogance. "Actually, that little stream back there marks the boundary of Chinbe territory. So, if something were to happen to you here, we wouldn't be held accountable."
Sylvie, trying to defuse the situation, attempted to interject. "Ok guys, let's—"
But Mia swiftly cut her off. "I am the leader here, and I say move or else."
Lora's demeanor shifted. She was familiar with Mia's type—those who looked down on Beastkin or considered them lesser beings. Although most Warlords treated them with respect, there were always a few who didn't. The check-in procedure with the Beastkin was part of a treaty, not only to respect territory boundaries but to gather crucial intelligence on resource locations and beast activity. Mia's refusal to listen was not just foolish—it was dangerous.
Lora, deciding to test the trio, took a step forward. She would not let them pass unless they proved themselves. The woods were filled with high-level beasts, and if these Warlords couldn't handle her group, they had no business venturing further.
"If you want to pass," Lora said, her voice cold and challenging, "you have to face us first."
The atmosphere grew tense as the words hung in the air. Mia, though momentarily taken aback, clenched her fists, her pride not allowing her to back down.