About a minute later, a floating bloodshot eyeball with rotten, crooked teeth that had a multitude of tentacle appendages, each having their own measly eye, appeared out of the blue. However, the imp didn't seem too surprised by its appearance, as it just casually leaned back against the tree bark while crossing its flimsy arms.
"Yo, unpleasant to look at floating eyeball, what a pleasure it is to see you!"
"Skip with your displeasing pleasantries, imp. I have come with a purpose that I want to directly state to you."
"Kekeke~! Fine, suit yourself. So, what brings you here, unpleasant to look at floating eyeball?"
"…The young master wants you to head back. He will come here to take care of the mess."
"What? Already? Sheesh, but I haven't had the time to finish the whole show yet."
"Orders are orders. You better carved that into your teeny-weeny brain, imp."
"Kekeke~! Whatever you say, disgusting eyeball."
"That's all I have to say. I'll be taking my leave now."
Afterward, the floating eyeball turned to smoke and disappeared as quickly as it popped up. The imp narrowed its eyes as it looked down at the battle below him.
"How regrettable. I was just enjoying a good show, and now my good mood had to be ruined. I guess I'll see you fellas later, or maybe not. Kekeke~!"
The imp cackled one last time before flapping its wings and taking flight. As to where it's headed, nobody really cares to know.
…
"Young master, I think the beast tide is finally diminishing!"
"I can see that. I guess whatever's causing their rampage has gone away." Valedd replied to the guard.
At long last, after defeating another wave of Mongrels, there were no new ones that rushed into the fray. The expedition team can finally take a breather.
"Is anyone seriously injured?"
"We're fine, Young Master Valedd. We took some healing potions during the fight so it's all good."
"I'm glad to hear that, Draken. Now that the monster wave is over, I think the expedition should end for today. We will head back to town and rest. Somehow, I'm feeling quite uneasy staying here…"
Valedd scanned his surroundings with furrowed brows, a troubled expression adorning his pale red face. It was only natural to feel the way he did, though. The monsters residing here in Grim Rock Woods usually never showed such a manic desire to hunt and kill a particular group of people. What they experienced would hardly happen unless they invaded a monster's habitat or territory and stole something precious from it.
While he was still preoccupied with his own thoughts, he felt a rough hand unexpectedly grab his shoulder. He looked at the black, hairy hand for a second, before turning around and looking up at the person who touched him.
"Young Master Valedd, I agree that we should leave this place as fast as possible. But, may I suggest that we take a short break for a while? I think everyone here is really exhausted after the long fight." Gaius, the Tikbalang gang leader, said to him.
He could see that the Tikbalang was clearly fatigued judging by the look on his face, and yet he didn't know why, but he had this sinking feeling in his stomach when he stared him in the eyes. Somehow, the way Gaius stared at him was ambiguous and likely suggested something else. Unfortunately, he didn't know what, or it could be that he was just too tense right now and his brain was having useless thoughts.
Nonetheless, he thought it over by eyeing the other expedition members' current conditions before coming to a decision.
"Hmm… Okay then. Five minutes, then we set out."
"Thank you for granting my request, Young Master Valedd."
"Mm. Don't worry about it and have a short rest."
"Hahaha! I'll gladly take you up on that offer."
Gaius smiled at him with shady, squinted eyes, then walked away and went over to his group.
'Is this really the right call? I don't know anymore…'
Valedd was just fifteen years old so he didn't have a lot of experience reading into people's words and expressions or dealing with people in general. If truth be told, this was his first time ever stepping out of town on his own without the supervision of one of his close family members. That's why he was hesitant and didn't notice the way Gaius looked at him like he was already one of the dead dogs littered on the ground.
On the other hand—totally feeling a whole lot different to the brooding Young Master Valedd—Casanova and Draken were in a celebratory mood as they happily chatted with one another.
"Vamp Bro, I just got to level 5, baby!"
"What?! No way! Because, hear me out, okay? I just got to the same level as you! No, wait a minute. My eyes must've been blinded due to the sheer emotion of euphoria spreading through my veins like I'm on heroine! I'm actually a level above you—level freakin' 6, baby!"
"What?! You're kidding me! How could that be possible when all you ever did was take my kills from me by last hitting them! You f***ing steal killing son of a b**ch!"
"What did you say to me? You Star Fox rip-off! Why don't you do a barrel roll for me like a good lil' pup and stick your whining up your arse, huh?!"
"Oh yeah? Well then, how about you let this dog just pee on your bed?! I bet you'd like that trick better!"
"You animal!"
"At least I'm not some kill stealing motherf***er!"
By the end of it, they were arm wrestling each other with livid expressions. Meanwhile, the three Tikbalangs—Gaius, Tunok, and Nixon—were coldly watching them while sitting on a chopped-down tree. They were supposed to be in the middle of discussing something very important when they suddenly heard the loud noises coming from them.
"Here goes those two idiots, back at it again. Hmph! They're lucky that I am dead tired right now or else there'd be another thing coming for them." Tunok snorted.
"Just ignore them," Nixon replied. "Anyway, what were you saying, Gaius?"
"Right... I wanted to tell you guys that I've turned traitor and betrayed this expedition." Gaius stated matter-of-factly.
""...What?!""