The team's carriage halted in a forest one kilometer from the Bloodhammer Camp.
It was noon, and they stopped here for a short rest. Up ahead was open ground, where the guards of the Bloodhammer Camp could spot their convoy in advance.
Bloodhammer was Kent's target on this journey. This brutal individual, naturally violent and endowed with immense strength, had been wanted for killing a legion guard on the plateau. His gang reportedly gathered over a hundred members, half of whom were adventurers from the plateau, while the other half were a mixed squad of enslaved half-orcs, barbarians, and other non-human races.
"Boss, this Bloodhammer Gang doesn't rank high on the power chart. Bloodrose ranks tenth, while Bloodhammer is around fifteenth." As soon as they stopped, the guards sprawled in various positions to rest. Splitting Blade took a large gulp of water from a leather flask, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and glanced at Udo, who was silent nearby. He continued, "Bloodhammer's strength lies in numbers, but that's also a weakness. If it comes to a fight, they could easily fall apart."
"It takes skill to gather both humans and non-humans together. Bloodhammer has some ability," Kent remarked.
"Hey, Boss, half-orcs and barbarians are known for brute strength but no brains; they work for food and pay." Splitting Blade chuckled. "Heard a while ago that there was an internal conflict between barbarians and humans. Bloodhammer had to kill more than ten human adventurers just to pacify the barbarians' rage. To survive in the northern wilderness, you have to be ruthless."
Non-human adventurers were not uncommon in the northern borderlands. In this vast, lawless wilderness, there were countless bandits and scoundrels. Some adventurers sought wealth and magical beasts, while others targeted adventurers' riches. Slaver bands roamed freely, their hands stained with the blood of many races.
Half-orcs and barbarians often worked as slavers in the northern lands. The wealthy, wild land offered plenty of opportunities. Non-human slaves could fetch high prices in the human world, and human slaves could also be traded for significant rewards in non-human lands. Skilled human artisans or warriors could be sold at a premium to non-human buyers.
"Boss, what's the plan?" Skinny Stick approached Kent and asked.
"Stick to the original plan: blend in first, then look for a chance," Kent replied.
"Bloodhammer's favorite hangouts are the gambling den and the arena," Splitting Blade said. "The top guards around him are all level-ten or higher. Head-on, we might be no match."
"Even the strongest won't withstand our secret weapon," Kent grinned.
The guards exchanged glances, eyes filled with sneaky satisfaction.
"Exactly..."
"Yep..."
"Ha-ha-ha…"
"I'm actually looking forward to it…"
"Heh…"
Splitting Blade's Satisfaction: +80, +80...
Dry Leaf's Satisfaction: +80, +80...
Skinny Stick's Satisfaction: +80, +80...
"Time to get to work," Kent clapped, rallying everyone. "Prepare to set off."
Everyone began bustling around, preparing.
"Hey." Kent was about to climb onto the carriage when Udo called to him.
He turned to see her standing under the shade, with sunlight filtering through the leaves, casting dappled patterns across her face. This was their first time looking directly at each other. She raised her head gracefully, like a swan, her proud gaze leaving no place to hide.
"Were you serious about that paradise?" she asked, to the puzzlement of those around them.
Kent paused, then realized what she was asking.
"Of course, I'd stake my life on it," he replied with a warm smile.
"Good, then I'll kill Bloodhammer," Udo said with a sly smile. "But if you fail, I'll send you to meet him myself."
With that, she swung herself onto her horse. With a squeeze of her legs, her old nag let out a long neigh and burst from the woods.
Udo's Satisfaction: +90.
She left a group of baffled onlookers behind.
And Kent, sweating bullets.
The old nag under Kent's command, now carrying Udo, suddenly seemed like a frisky young colt, galloping with a rhythm as lively as a song in spring.
Udo didn't even need to hold the reins; the old nag seemed to know the way, trotting eagerly toward the sentry at the gate.
As the convoy emerged from the woods, the guards—hardened ruffians—were already grabbing their weapons, ready for their arrival. A bald brute brandishing a short axe shouted at Udo in the lead, "Hey! Slow down, girl, or you'll fall off. The boss won't give you medicine for injuries!"
"No need for medicine. Just a massage from the boss will cure anything," sneered a one-eyed man.
While cracking crude jokes, they didn't let down their guard. The bald man stepped forward, gesturing as if to stop the convoy. "Tax! Pay the toll! Anyone entering the Bloodhammer Camp has to pay up." He yelled, "One big carriage means ten silver coins."
"We're only entering, not staying," Udo replied.
"Not staying?" The bald man was taken aback; it was the first time he'd heard that response. He scratched his bald head and roared fiercely, "Whether you're staying or not, there's still a storage fee. There are bandits everywhere; don't let them rob you. Ten silver coins, not a coin less!"
"We don't need your storage. If anyone wants to rob us, they're welcome," Udo replied with a sweet smile.
The bald man nearly choked, realizing she was toying with him.
The one-eyed brute examined the convoy's gear, noting the lack of a faction's flag and their shabby equipment. The only giant warrior in the group was carrying a tree trunk, and the woman on the lead horse wore tattered leather and cloth. Even her horse was an old nag.
They looked like a ragtag bunch of adventurers who had plundered a weak tribe somewhere, their carriage loaded with scraps and little to offer.
He hefted his heavy cleaver and approached menacingly. "So, you don't want to pay, huh? Look at you all, dressed in rags. Just a bunch of paupers. Except for you," he pointed at Kent in his black armor, "you can leave that black getup. It's hardly worth two silver coins, but I'll cut you a deal."