Not long after taking all the goods inside the carriage, the party departed without any hitch.
There are 8 carriages in total. The six carriages were meant to deliver the goods to the mist village and the other two were for the 3 parties who agreed to take the quest together regarding the safety of these goods.
And somehow, Flux was able to get inside the first carriage with these people.
"Hey, you seemed to be alone, are there any other members coming with you?"
A person sitting beside him said this.
Flux was hesitant to say anything regarding this information. No evidence is saying that these people can be trusted. But in the end, he spoke to lighten up the mood reluctantly.
"Yeah. But they went ahead of me without me knowing That's why I'm heading to the mist village to meet them up."
"Is that so... But it's quite a surprise that a kid like you was left alone, especially in this place."
"I heard this place is quite famous for the new hunters like me. So is there any problem with me being here?"
"Well, you're not entirely wrong with that, but it's quite rare to see a kid like you here alone. Most of those new hunters were guided by their parents if not their friends."
"..."
'They are being suspicious of me' thought Flux.
Ever since he entered this carriage, every people inside have their eyes on him. Not that Flux had a problem with that, to be honest, it's understandable for them to be so cautious not only about the surroundings but the people inside as well.
'This quest was specifically made for 1-3 parties because something bad will definitely come during the expedition. Even without telling me that, I would eventually know.
If this was really just a normal expedition, the rewards for this quest wouldn't be that high. Additionally, these people are not simple on the outside either. They were hired mercenaries to protect these goods if the assailants tried to attack us.
So why would they hire mercenaries if they can just post the quest on the board so that people will accept and protect it without hiring mercenaries? The answer is simple, there is a possibility that the enemies would outnumber and surround them effortlessly on the way. And without any other choice, they hired hunters so that they can lean their back on them. Pretty sure the captains of these parties knew it as well. We're they confident with their skill to protect it? Well, whatever that's not my problem. Just let them die for this'
"... it's not my fault, they left me behind without saying a word to me"
"..."
Hearing that made some of them hide their laughter from me.
"I guess... Anyway, you have to be careful and be cautious of your surroundings, you never know there might be a monster attacking us later."
"... I will keep your advice in mind" Flux nodded softly.
The room went back to its original stillness state.
With nothing to say here, Flux tilted his head to check the surroundings.
Some people were riding a horse and were assigned to guard both sides, five people were in the front to protect our threshold including us. one of them is a party leader. lastly, the people inside the carriage in the rear are the ones protecting the rear.
The grasses around them were so big. As a result, they couldn't see the sun setting, but at this very moment, everyone knew the danger has just begun to intensify.
***
4 hours later.
At this time, the sun had already set and was replaced by the full moon.
The team was moving at a decent speed and after four hours of the journey, they decided to take a break for half an hour.
This decisive decision was not only to prepare themselves before entering the forest of illusion but for the horses as well.
The forest of illusion is a forest blanketed and covered by thick mist. Most people who had gone here alone were lost inside the forest. Some of them had never come back, some barely came back, and some were found dead.
As a result, people made a name for this forest, 'the mist death forest' because of its thick layered fog surrounding the entire forest.
As much as they don't want to enter, they don't have any other choice, rather, they were forced to come. The only way to reach the mist village is by taking this path.
Initially, Flux concluded to stay in the previous place until reaching level 15. However, he reached level 13 in just 5 hours which is just two levels before reaching the said level.
Therefore, Flux deduced that advancing with the plan sooner was not a bad offer either. Instead, it would reduce the time he had to spend if he continued to stay there even for just a day. That also means that by the time he arrived there, all he had to do is to sleep for tomorrow before hunting monsters again.
Why not just teleport there directly using the void? First of all, the enemies residing near that village are not something to be taken lightly, albeit he has a weapon made by a dwarf and a spirit eye that can turn a monster into dust instantly, the mana usage is way too big to use it with his current condition.
And without mana, leveling up may be quite slow compared to what he did earlier. The way he leveled up was too fast just by controlling his mana usage and using techniques that only need a fair amount of mana. If someone had seen that, they might think of it as a dream.
In history, there is only one person who was able to reach level 10 in just a day without any aid from other people.
He was named the red madman after killing hundreds of monsters until he lost consciousness.
Flux also knew him well since his grandchild was his classmate. He is Reon Azkarorg the grandfather of Michael Azkarorg.
Anyhow, Flux is sitting on top of the tree completely close to other people's visions.
But that doesn't mean no one knew his presence there.
Beneath him was a group of people sitting around the fire camp cheerfully eating and sharing their stories with their members.
There was no reason to join with them as he's not quite familiar with these people, and it is strange and awkward to join with them just because you've got the same destination as them.
'I guess I'd wait here. This is also a good time to replenish my mana and strength.'
With that, he started absorbing some traces of mana throughout the entire area quietly.
30 minutes later...
Clapped-
"Okay boys, it's time for us to depart. However, there are a few things I would like to say first, it's something that each of us captains from different parties had agreed."
Each member was curious to hear this excluding the mercenaries who seemingly have a grasp of what he's about to convey.
"As you know, the danger that lies behind the forest we're about to pass into is more dangerous than what we have initially thought during this hour. Therefore, we came to the conclusion that all of us will have to travel as fast as we could."
Hearing this statement, someone raised a hand.
"Uh... But how can we do it? The products inside weigh too much. The horse won't be able to run that fast while carrying that amount of weight"
"We've already thought about that. That's why we have to lessen the weight by placing them on the two carriages that you are sitting at."
"Then what about-"
His words were cut before he could finish them.
"Some of you will have to ride with others using the horse. The rest will follow us through running"
"What!"
They exclaimed in shock.
Then he started explaining again to clear up the misunderstanding.
"Do not worry, we will pick those who are not good with running for a long period to ride the horse. Truthfully, we have already decided on who to run with us."
"Huh, really?"
"Doesn't that mean we're safe?"
"Hey don't speak too loud, he might hear us"
Some were relieved to hear this some had gloomy expressions.
Needless to say, the ones running with us are those mercenaries.
'But...'
"Now then, allow us not to waste time any further and those names who were called will line up here"
As time pass by, people who were called created a line as an indication that they were the ones riding the horse with others.
And at the same time, Flux is just there waiting patiently for his name to be called.
However...
"That's all. The rest of you will follow us from behind."
Leaving those words behind, they began climbing on top of the horses, embarking the product to another carriage, and readied themselves for the departure.
'Sighed... Whatever I just have to stick with them to ensure my safety without putting much effort' thought Flux as he had no other choices.
Then, someone whispered something to the captain. When he heard everything, he glanced in Flux's direction.
"Hey kid, this is a bit late but since it's just you, you can sit inside the carriage.
Everyone glanced at him upon hearing that.
This was a good opportunity but...
"... I appreciate your kindness but I think I'm fine running with others."
"..."
The captain was bewildered for a moment. The others who heard that weren't an exemption from that either.
"You... Are you really-"
"Yes. Do not worry about me, I can keep up with all of you until we reach the village."
It was a bold statement but no one believes that.
Clearly, Flux knew that as well.
"You don't have to worry about me I'm more stronger than what you'd imagined." Flux repeated what he said earlier.
"..."
Undoubtedly, no one still believed what he said.
"Uhm-"
"Captain, I will take care of him. If he happens to slow us down, I will immediately force him to sit inside the carriage"
Someone besides Flux volunteered to take charge of this matter.
"...well, if you say so, I leave him to you then."
"Yes..."
After that, Flux looked at him and they exchanged glances.
To be accurate, it was an awkward situation.
And then, they departed directly leaving some traces behind.