"The Bugbear? It's the second strongest in Rank A beasts when it comes to brute force. That's based on what I read," Naisha answered Draven.
"I see. That's why it's stronger than that Mad leader's brute strength," Draven replied. "I think I need to level up my game."
He clenched his fist.
"This is exciting. There are so many strong opponents here."
Since birth, Draven doesn't train to exceed his limitations. For him, no single person on Earth had ever matched him, anyway. So why should he exert more effort?
Meanwhile, while the two walked, Naisha wondered why the Bugbear ended up in their area.
She knew Rank A beasts should not be in the Verdant Expanse's core.
Only Rank F to C beasts and monsters are staying in this layer.
Eventually, she and Draven reunited with Gil and the others.
"I'm glad you escaped," Gil commented as soon as he saw them. "That was a Bugbear. Nobody can survive once it spots you. We must warn the others of its presence, too."
"Don't worry," Draven replied with a weary grin. "We took it down."
The group froze in shock, disbelief etched on their faces.
"You're joking," Felix said, looking between Draven and Naisha. "You killed it? It's a Rank A beast. Even other Slave Hunters evade their territory."
Naisha nodded.
"It's true."
Gil's eyes widened.
"Incredible. That's… amazing."
"Let's focus," Naisha interrupted. "We need to return to the village and inform everyone. It's rare for a beast like that to come so close to our home. We need to prepare and make a plan immediately."
The group nodded in agreement, and they made their way back to the village.
When they got back, they headed straight to a meeting spot in the village.
All their supplies and tents had already been packed and were ready for departure at any moment.
Naisha recounted the encounter with Mother Venice.
"So, what should we do?" Felix asked. "It's dangerous if there are beasts or monsters like that along the way."
Mother Venice nodded slowly, her expression calm.
"We have no choice but to move forward. Staying here is just as risky, if not more. Besides, we'll be taking a different route."
"But what if we encounter more beasts?" Felix pressed. "Draven's injured, and we're not prepared to face something like a Bugbear again. It is impossible."
Mother Venice turned to Draven, her gaze steady.
It was clear she wanted him to decide.
Draven sighed. "Why me?" he muttered. "You guys are more knowledgeable when it comes to this."
"You are the leader of the Verdants. All decisions now are all yours."
Everyone looked at him, waiting for his answer.
Draven sighed. He had no choice but to decide since they considered him their leader.
"I think my head hurts from the fight," Draven replied as he winced and held on to his head. "I can't think properly. Ah! Ouch!"
Naisha shot him a deadpan look.
"It was your back that got hit earlier. Not your head."
Draven straightened himself and shrugged.
"Oh, my bad. I thought it was my head."
"Take this seriously!" Naisha exclaimed.
Mother Venice sighed and handed Draven a cup of water to refresh him.
Draven gulped a lump in his throat as he looked at the cup.
He remembered how he suddenly fell asleep the last time Mother Venice gave him water.
"This doesn't have anything to make me sleepy, does it, Madam?"
"Don't worry," Mother Venice said with a sincere smile. "It won't happen again."
A couple of seconds passed and they kept staring at Draven.
Draven sighed.
"The only question is, do we have a place to go?"
Everyone exchanged glances, but no one could answer.
"To the Riftwater Forest," Mother Venice spoke.
"What is the Riftwater Forest?"
The Grimwood Forest is as vast as a country, divided into seven layers.
The 7th layer from the outskirts is the Hunter Forest, where adventurers frequently take quests from nearby towns.
The 6th layer is the Deeper Ruins Forest, home to various ruins ripe for exploration.
However, this place is already dangerous, even for Rank A adventurers.
The 5th layer is the Sky Reach Forest, serving as a natural wall leading to the 4th layer, the Verdant Expanse.
This forest is inhabited almost entirely by giant Rank B to S beasts, monsters, and other deadly creatures.
No one dares to enter, as an entire battalion would be wiped out instantly.
The 4th layer is the Verdant Expanse, where most of the Verdant people live.
The monsters here are not the same as in the 5th layer, with Rank C creatures being the most powerful.
Even they are rare.
The 3rd layer is the Riftwater Forest. It's a land filled with countless river lines, waterfalls, and fountains.
Before entering, one must first cross a massive river surrounding them.
This place is extremely dangerous.
Mother Venice repeated. "We will head to the Riftwater, the 3rd layer of this forest."
"How will we get there? A gigantic river is in the way," Felix asked.
"There's a hidden underground concealed behind a large boulder that connects to the Riftwater Forest," Mother Venice replied. "Our ancestors built it long ago, and we've kept it a secret to ensure the underground's safety."
"But that place is crawling with Rank A. There's even some Rank S creatures, "Felix interjected. "It's not easy to find a safe zone there. We don't even know if there are."
"Safezone?" Draven butted in.
4th layers have safe zones.
These are places known only to the Verdants and a few slave hunters, where creatures do not dare to approach.
Mother Venice raised her chin, her expression unyielding.
"I know a place where we can stay there," she said firmly. "But our journey will be not easy."
"What's your take on this?" Naisha asked Draven.
"Hmm…" Draven thought for a moment, calculating his answer. "I think it's better to go to Riftwater Forest, Layer 3. We need a hideout that's impossible for the Slave Hunters to find since our mission is a long-term process."
He continued. "I saw some horses outside. Maybe we can send scouts ahead to check the route and avoid any trouble."
"Gil and Felix can do the scouting," Naisha recommended. "They knew their way in most parts of this area."
"Ok," Draven nodded before asking, "So, how long will it take? Can we make it there before nightfall?"
"Huh?" Naisha blinked at him, dumbfounded. "It takes ten days to walk to reach Riftwater Forest. And even longer to get to the specific spot Mother Venice is talking about."
Draven's eyes widened in shock as his jaw dropped.
"You've got to be kidding me! That's more than a week?!"
He looked around for confirmation, only to see everyone nodding solemnly.
"This is insane! Isn't there any plane here?" He muttered under his breath.
"Everyone, prepare yourselves. We leave for Riftwater immediately," ordered Mother Venice, her voice cutting through the commotion.
Everyone began preparing for their departure. They gathered all the rolled-up tents, clothes, and other gear.
The men tied everything into large bags, some bigger than them, looking like they were about to go camping in the mountains.
Meanwhile, the women carried other supplies along with the children.
"All right. To Riftwaters we shall go!" Draven exclaimed with an excited grin.