Following Yehken, Lyqeen, and Lyken, Eddie left the initial teleportation point of Morning Twilight Town on the first level and headed swiftly towards the Dragon Valley Path.
Dragon Valley Path had nothing to do with dragons. It was a treacherous fifty-kilometer-long gorge with knife-like ridges. Its sheer walls, studded with spikes and boulders, made crossing over the top impossible.
Not to mention the level three Rock Eagles inhabiting the peaks, making flight across the ridge a death wish.
The only passage was through the valley floor, swarming with endless hordes of giant demonic insects, estimated in the hundreds of thousands. No one had managed to completely eradicate them from the valley due to their rapid reproduction.
Upon reaching Dragon Valley Path, Eddie frowned at the sight of the insect-infested valley.
His strength wasn't the issue, but the grotesque and bizarre forms of the insects, swarming menacingly, made him feel a bit queasy. Anyone would shudder at the sight of such a teeming mass.
Yehken proposed two strategies for navigating the valley.
The first was the conventional method: lighting long torches to drive away the fire-fearing insects, cautiously following the safe path trodden by previous warriors, slowly but relatively safely making their way through the valley. Joining forces with other teams could ensure safe passage in about two days.
The second was the riskiest yet fastest approach: a mad dash through the valley!
"The first method is safer but time-consuming. Spending a night in the valley is perilous; we'd need to find a hiding spot to avoid the nocturnal surge of insects, including level three variants. "
"The second option seems dangerous, but the insects are less reactive during the day and have poor vision in sunlight. If we use strong scents to distract them and clear a minimal path, our chances of success are higher. The downside is it requires immense stamina. "
"The fifty kilometers of rough terrain are exhausting, and we can't stop for rest. If we miss the mid-valley hiding spot and get chased by a swarm, we might not make it through the latter half due to fatigue," Yehken explained, looking to Eddie for his decision.
Eddie set out with Yehken, Lyqeen, and Lyken, leaving the initial teleportation point at Morning Twilight Town, heading rapidly toward Dragon Valley Path.
Contrary to its name, the path had nothing to do with dragons but was a perilous, fifty-kilometer gorge with razor-sharp ridges. The valley, infested with demonic insects, was the only passage through.
Upon reaching the valley, Eddie couldn't help but frown at the sight of the teeming insects. Despite his strength, the sight of these grotesque creatures was unsettling.
Yehken offered two strategies for crossing the valley. The first was the slower, safer approach with torches to ward off insects. The second was a risky but quick sprint through the valley at midday when the insects were less active.
"The first option is safe but time-consuming," Yehken explained. "But staying overnight in the valley is dangerous due to the increased number of insects. The second option, though risky, has a higher success rate if we can maintain our stamina throughout the rough terrain."
Eddie, confident in his abilities and battle skills, decided on the second approach. "We run. I've trained a bit in family combat techniques, so stamina won't be an issue. You have half an hour to prepare."
Yehken, Lyqeen, and Lyken were visibly anxious about the decision, understanding the gamble with their lives it entailed.
Lyqeen and Lyken immediately lay down to conserve energy, while Yehken hurried to purchase necessary supplies with the silver coins Eddie had provided. He returned with good news: the number of insects was slightly lower than usual due to recent clearing efforts by other teams.
"Should we leave the Iron Ridge Demon Wolf here?" Yehken suggested while applying 'Insect Repellent Powder' on Eddie. "It might flee at the sight of so many insects."
"No need. Let it be a test for him," Eddie replied nonchalantly, giving Grey a casual kick. Yehken was taken aback, never having seen a warrior treat their beast so roughly. Yet Grey seemed oddly content with the treatment, wagging its tail.
As Eddie's group prepared to dash through Dragon Valley Path, other teams waiting outside were astonished. "Are you feeding yourselves to the insects?" one team leader called out. Others exclaimed in disbelief at the apparent madness.
"It's afternoon; you can't possibly make it through in five hours!" a mercenary advised. "Better to join a team for safety."
Even the captain of the Silver Armored Guards at the valley's entrance tried to dissuade them. "Every year, hundreds try, but less than ten make it through safely. Think it over."
But Eddie was resolute, ready to face the challenge head-on with his unlikely team.
"You can stay behind if you want," Eddie said, testing the resolve of Yehken and the Lyqeen brothers.
If they hesitated, he would leave them behind and never trust them again. Even if hired, loyalty was essential, especially in the face of adversity. Eddie believed in working with the strong, not the hesitant, even for temporary alliances.
Yehken and the brothers responded with unwavering determination, "No, we are hired by you. Whatever your decision, even if it leads to death, we will follow through."
The Lyqeen brothers didn't speak, but their firm stance spoke volumes.
As Eddie and his team sprinted towards Dragon Valley Path, almost every warrior shook their heads, "Those four fools are done for!"
However, the captain of the Silver Armored Guards disagreed, "No, they might just succeed."
His enigmatic comment about their confident demeanor reminded him of others who had successfully crossed the path. The crowd scoffed at his optimism, unable to believe that confidence alone could ensure survival.
Two days later, when mercenaries emerged from Dragon Valley Path, battered and bruised, they were astonished to find Eddie and his team casually lounging under a tree outside the Mercenary Guild, leisurely sipping chilled beer. "You're alive?"
"Would a dead man be drinking beer?" Eddie responded with a hint of sarcasm. To him, crossing Dragon Valley Path was no more challenging than a stroll in his yard, albeit a bit longer and rougher.
Upon arrival, Eddie had immediately checked at the Warrior Guild and found news of Sophia.
Sophia was safe, tackling her trial in the 'Black Stone Maze' within the Star Realm, expected to return in three days. This news relieved Eddie but also left him feeling restless and bored. "I've decided to undertake a trial mission too!" Eddie exclaimed, fed up with doing nothing while waiting for Sophia.
"What?" Yehken and the others were shocked, as if struck by lightning.
"Cough, cough, to participate in a trial, you need a contracted beast. The Star Realm requires beasts for completion, and mere martial skills are insufficient. An uncontracted creature like Grey can't participate," Yehken explained reluctantly, highlighting the harsh reality.
"Contracted beast? Who says I don't have one?" Eddie retorted, frustrated at being underestimated.
"Your beast is...?" Yehken asked without much hope, thinking that Eddie's options would be limited.
"Thorn Flower!" Eddie declared, leaving everyone dumbfounded.
"Passing the Star Realm trials with Thorn Flower? That's insanely difficult... I'd rather streak through Dragon Valley Path ten times!" The group felt a strong urge to bang their heads against a wall.
"What do you mean 'difficult'? This is the real challenge!" Yehken sighed inwardly.