"Walk faster. If you walk so slowly, when will you arrive?"
"Stop talking. Gather."
"If you dawdle any longer, I'll dock your pay."
"Everyone, get ready. We'll leave in ten minutes."
...
Just as Keaton reached the city gate of Soul Suppression City, he saw a familiar figure organizing the formation.
This person was none other than Norton, who had escorted them to Soul Suppression City.
At this moment, Norton was organizing a team of mages. From the looks of it, they seemed to be leaving Soul Suppression City.
Seeing Norton, Keaton could not help but feel a sense of warmness and familiarity. He walked forward and greeted Norton.
"Aren't you Keaton?"
After being patted on the shoulder, Norton turned around fiercely. However, when he saw Keaton, his expression softened.
"Brother Norton, that's right, I'm Keaton."
Keaton smiled and greeted Norton. At the same time, he took out a cigarette from his pocket and handed it to Norton.
Norton was a very forthright person, without any aura of a leader on him.
Not long ago, he had even gathered the students from city and treated them to a drink. Of course, Keaton was among them, and their relationship had been built then.
"Hey, Keaton, you've only been in Soul Suppressing Academy for three months. Why aren't you studying in the school and instead have come to the gate?"
Norton gently patted Kedan on the shoulder and smiled.
"I'm on a school mission to gain experience, it still counts as studying, right?"
Kedan laughed, before asking.
"Big Brother Norton, it looks like you're preparing to lead your team members to exterminate the otherworldly demons?"
Norton waved his hand helplessly.
"Sigh, don't say anymore. Recently, those devils at the edge of Soul Suppression City are too restless. We've already lost a few mages who went out to gather resources, and many of them have even been transformed into servant creatures by those devils."
"I'm unlucky too. The higher-ups ordered me to lead a team to eliminate them."
"However, this is also my responsibility. After all, I'm a member of Soul Suppressing City. Protecting the city's safety is my innate duty."
Unlike Keaton who entered Soul Suppression City from the outside, Norton was a native resident of Soul Suppression City.
Since he was very young, his father had told him that he had to protect Soul Suppression City, as this was the only home he knew.
Under such influence, Norton had extremely deep feelings for Soul Suppression City.
"Oh right, aren't you going out to train? Don't go to the north of Soul Suppression City. I heard that a group of exceptionally strong devils recently appeared over there. They are very fierce."
"Oh yeah, what materials are you collecting this time? I know a few places that are safer. Do you want me to introduce them to you?"
Norton was very enthusiastic. He kept chatting with Keaton.
After a long time, Keaton finally ended the conversation.
"Thank you for your guidance, Boss Norton. I'll take my leave now."
Keaton nodded at Norton. With his current strength as a Rank 3 mage, the surrounding areas of Soul Suppression City were basically no threat to him.
After bidding farewell, Keaton walked out of Soul Suppressing City.
Norton sighed as he watched Keaton leave.
"This boy is quite powerful. Before coming to Soul Suppression City, he was just an apprentice practicing magic. Now, he actually became a Rank 3 intermediate mage. Such advancement speed is simply astonishing."
Unlike other people, Norton knew exactly what Keaton was capable of.
However, he didn't think too much about it. In Soul Suppressing City, while it was uncommon, there were still mages who advanced from apprentice mage to an intermediate mage in just a few months.
"This brat is really bold. After studying in Soul Suppression City for a month, he actually dares to go out and carry out a mission. This brat's future is immeasurable."
After sighing, Norton turned around and continued to reprimand the new recruits behind him.
These soldiers were not his original subordinates, but newbies that were handed over to him.
"Look at others. This Keaton has only been in Soul Suppressing City for a month, and he already dares to go out to carry out missions. Look at you cowards, once you hear that there are devils outside, you're so scared that you don't dare to go out. If anyone dares to dawdle, I'll immediately rip off his head and kick it like a ball."
...
Not long after Keaton left Soul Suppressing City, he summoned his skeleton soldiers. However, he didn't summon all the skeleton soldiers, instead only letting two out.
Apart from that, he also summoned the Centaur Lady.
"Master, do you want to ride on me? This way, you won't be so tired."
As soon as she was summoned, she looked around and realized that Keaton was about to leave.
"Well, riding on you isn't such a good idea, is it?"
Acting on instinct, Keaton rubbed his hands together, stealing glances from time to time at the Centaur Lady's white, smooth face.
"There's nothing bad about it. You're my master. It's my honor to serve you."
Although the Centaur Lady was intelligent, she was still too pure in certain aspects.
She only saw that Keaton would have a tough journey ahead, but didn't consider the possible problems.
Looking at the innocent face of the Centaur Lady, Kedan felt a sense of helplessness.
Why am I thinking so much? I can't possibly have any bad intentions towards her. I should just sit and be done with it.
"Well, since you're all so enthusiastic, I can't say no."
Keaton put away any weird thoughts he had before walking over to the deer girl. He sat down on her back gently.
While the combat ability of the Centaur Lady was not strong, it sufficed to carry Kedan's weight.
"Master, we're setting off."
After Keaton sat on her, the Centaur Lady felt very happy.
"Let's go!"
Keaton did not bother being polite either. He reached out and gently patted the her backside.
Just like that, the man and beast continued to advance. Behind them were the two black-armored warriors.
Using the Centaur Lady as a mount allowed for Kedan to speed up a lot. He headed straight for the outskirts of Soul Suppression City on the west side.
Roar!
An hour later, Kedan heard a rough roar.
Although it hadn't been long since Keaton came to Soul Suppressing City, he was already very familiar with the noise. As soon as he heard this, he knew that there were probably otherworldly demons ahead.
Atop the Centaur Lady, Keaton carefully hurried toward the source of the roar.
Very quickly, he reached the source of the sound.
This was a low-lying area. Currently, Keaton was behind a small slope which allowed him to stay hidden.
In the marshland, eight of those pale faced demons were wandering around, howling from time to time.