It looked like Xi Feng refused to work more than necessary because the entire group was teleported behind a recognizable building. It was one of the buildings along the edge of Arcadia's base.
The flames continued to swirl around them, muffling what was going on outside. "I took you to the place containing the most Chaos energy from your original locations."
Nox frowned at the familiar term, "Is something going on outside?"
"It's none of my business," Xi Feng snorted. With an arrogant swish of his scarlet tail feathers, he didn't forget to scold them one last time. "I better not be called by you again. It's annoying to actively work overtime! If I have to deal with your mess again I'll- I'll burn your favorite item!"
Everyone glanced at each other before nodding in understanding.
Huffing out a thin cloud of smoke, Xi Feng lowered the fire barrier surrounding them and disappeared in a flash of red of orange.
As soon as the barrier disappeared, a fierce clang rang in the air, followed by clamoring voices rising above each other in panic. Not long after, the sound of an explosion could be heard in the distance.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Li Daiyu shoved Victor away with unprecedented strength. The young woman ignored her injuries and fled the scene, quickly disappearing amidst the commotion.
"Jiwoo!"
A bulky man ran up to So Jiwoo, minor wounds scattered all over his body. "Thank God you're back! We can't hold them back much longer!"
Lei looked at Nox with wide eyes, "Should I chase after her?"
Nox frowned, glancing at Victor's darkening expression then at the newcomer. It was like the other man didn't even acknowledge Li Daiyu's escape. "...Leave her."
It wasn't the right time or place.
So Jiwoo supported the bulky man before he could fall over, "What happened?"
"That..." The bulky man gasped for a breath, pressing a hand against his rib cage. "Intruders. We're currently fighting them off."
Victor strode forward to stand next to So Jiwoo, eyes narrowed. "Name."
"Captain!" The bulky man started before remembering the situation. He let out an uncomfortable cough. "They call themselves Serpents."
Nox didn't know whether to laugh or cry. It seemed like he had a lot of chances to ask his questions now.
[Rewards have been calculated.]
The light blue screen popped up at an opportune time.
Lei's attention was immediately distracted as she pressed to see her results eagerly. "I got Lucky Dice." A pleased grin spread across her face as she read the description.
Nox hummed, raising an eyebrow at the item he received.
So Jiwoo quickly scanned his results. "It seems like the hammer I took counts as my reward," he smiled helplessly. He quickly exited the screen, turning to Nox. "I need to deal with this issue. Are you going to search for your companions?"
Nox smiled, "I suppose we'll part here."
"We will meet again soon," So Jiwoo laughed, taking Victor and Ari with him to follow the bulky man. "Feel free to kill any snakes." The smile on his face never fell, but his eyes were frigid as he left.
Lei cracked her knuckles, sending little sparks of purple lightning scattering around. "Uncle, where will we find my brother and the others though?" She tilted her head doubtfully.
Nox started walking, gesturing for Lei to follow. "Knowing them, it's where the loudest noise is coming from."
They headed towards the main building, bypassing smaller fights until they found a familiar figure.
Lei's eyes lit up. "Liam! And is that- that's Roscoe?!"
The two stared up in surprise at the towering chubby raccoon.
Liam spotted them quickly, waving as he ran over. "Mister! You're back!"
Lei let out an indignant "Hey!" that was ignored by the young boy as he gave Nox a hug.
Behind him, Roscoe let out a booming chitter as another person was squashed beneath his giant feet.
"Hiiek!"
Nox ruffled Liam's hair. "I didn't know Roscoe grew this fast."
"It's one of Roscoe's skills." Liam's muffled answer was almost drowned out by a loud collision as someone slammed into the building right next to them, causing chunks of debris to litter down.
Lei stepped up to deflect most of the damage. "Liam, what is going on?" she yelled over the noise as another explosion hit the same individual that had been sent flying.
Liam recounted what he knew, "We were going to leave the base when someone said Serpents were invading. Then Claude said that we needed to stay." There was a trace of confusion on his small face. "He said it was important."
Nox took out the Sword of Hearts, glancing at obscured sky shrouded in storm clouds. "Liam, is it still the same day since we left?"
Liam nodded, "It's only been a few hours."
Nox slammed the butt of his sword behind him, satisfied when he heard a painful crunch followed by a howl of pain as someone dropped onto the ground. "Where do we find the others?"
Liam cupped his hands around his mouth, "Roscoe! We need a hand!"
The transformed raccoon was about the size of a two story house. "Krek!" His paw wiggled in a mimicry of a wave when he spotted Nox and Lei, extending an arm towards them.
Liam grabbed the thick, coarse fur without any reservations and started climbing, urging the other two. "Hurry on! Roscoe will let us ride."
Nox exchanged a glance with Lei, scrabbling up after Liam.
The trio situated themselves on the back of the raccoon, using the fur in front of them to anchor themselves as Roscoe ambled forward, slowly clearing their path by swiping at the unfortunate people in the way.
It seemed like almost everyone had already seen the two-story tall raccoon, because they were barely given a glance. The feeble attacks aimed for Roscoe were mostly deflected by Lei's lightning.
A curious head popped out of the side of the raccoon, retreating with a startled yelp before it poked out again. With flattened ears, Kuna scurried onto Nox's lap, complaining with a series of clicks and chirps.
He looked at his familiar in exasperation, "Why do you sound more like a bird than a fox?"
"Chii!" What did his master know about the majesty of fox sounds?
"And you disappear all the time too," Nox scolded.
Kuna twisted his head away in displeasure. His master didn't even feed him enough food, why should he stay around all the time?
Below, someone suddenly yelled, "Watch out!"
Nox looked on as two people retreated in a hurry, only to be snared by a web of vines tangling around their feet.
Their opponent laughed loudly, "It's too late! Who knew our power even surpasses the so-called strongest? All your boasting has only led to your downfall, Arcadia!"
A woman slapped him on the head, "Remember who gave you this power! Don't get so cocky, you brainless imp."
The smile on the man's face faded, replaced by an unsightly scowl. "Who are you calling brainless? Of course I know who. It's only thanks to him that we can become powerful quickly. But if I had another month and I could've done it on my own."
She snorted in ridicule, "How humble. Do better and you might be able to bear his mark." Greed shone in her dark eyes.
A mocking smile twisted the man's face. "I'll definitely earn recognition," he boasted, slamming the two people trapped in his vines back in forth until their faces were black and blue. "If that bitch Li Daiyu could get one, then I definitely can."
The woman laughed, rubbing her fingers together thoughtfully. "I haven't seen that woman around today. Don't tell me she ran away with her tail between her legs?" she sneered.
The man grew tired of bullying the people he caught with his vines, flinging them away in disinterest. "Who knows. We don't need to care about her anyway. The sooner she dies in a ditch the sooner another one of us can receive a mark."
"I heard receiving the mark can make everything rise by ten levels," the woman sighed dreamily. "Who would be a fool to turn it down?"
"You will." Nox stabbed the man from the back, watching him crumple onto the ground. He turned towards the pale woman, "Since you seem to know a lot."
She stared at his flat expression and decisively ran in the other direction.
Nox paused. 'Who is running with their tail between their legs now?' "Kuna. Drag her back for me."
"Chii~" Kuna caught up to the woman in a few leaps, ensnaring her ankle with a tail.
"No-!" The woman fell down onto her elbows, gritting her teeth against the pain to slap her hand against the ground. A shockwave rippled from the point of contact, aiming towards Kuna.
With a growl, Kuna dragged the woman back towards Nox. The shockwave numbed his paws. He sat down, splitting his tail to stick it in the dead man's wound. He absorbed the blood for a split second before withdrawing his tail with a flick of displeasure.
His master finally gave him food, but why did it taste so bad!?
Nox ignored the odd bundle of emotions coming from his bonded familiar, looking at the disgruntled woman.
She stared at the black eyed man warily, her arms straining to release themselves. Unfortunately, although the large-eared fox looked distracted, its tail remained firmly in place.
Finally, Nox spoke up. "Tell me what you know about becoming a Serpent."
The woman stiffened at the uncompromising feeling of suffocation bearing down on her. This man- he was really dangerous!