Chapter 81

The next day, before dawn had even broken, Rod had already led the group to the entrance of Deepstone City. There, Serek was already fully prepared. He was still wearing the white leather armor he had on when he first met Rod, with a magical longsword hanging at his waist. At this moment, Serek finally looked like a mercenary. Seeing Rod's arrival, Serek took a few steps forward and waved at them.

"You're right on time."

Serek nodded in satisfaction at Rod, then he looked at Lisse, Marin, and Old Walker standing in line behind Rod, and finally, his gaze fell on Annie, causing him to pause slightly, a look of surprise flashing across his face. However, he quickly recovered, smiling and greeting everyone, then turned back to Rod.

"It seems you're all ready."

"Indeed."

Rod answered calmly. In fact, when he returned to the base last night and announced the news, everyone's reactions were quite different. Lisse was naturally very worried, but Marin didn't know what the Silent Highlands were, so she was full of fighting spirit. Old Walker complained that Rod was trying to commit suicide and drag them along, but he was helpless to persuade him to change his mind. As for Annie, she seemed completely unconcerned about the dangerous mission on her first outing with the new mercenary group. She ate when she was hungry and slept when she was tired, and from her appearance, it seemed they were going on a picnic in the suburbs rather than to the terrifying Silent Highlands.

"Where are the people I asked for?"

"Right here."

Serek gestured, and soon, four young women in robes emerged from behind him. The oldest was no more than twenty-five or twenty-six, and the youngest was about the same age as Lisse. Unlike ordinary adventurers, these Spirit Mages' expressions revealed fear and unease about the unknown. This was understandable, as not every Spirit Mage was willing to accompany an adventuring team. Most of them stayed in the safe rear—Lisse, who was willing to run around with a mercenary group, was the exception.

"According to your requirements, they can all use group healing spells and the Shield of Protection. Young man, you should know that these are a significant asset to the guild. My old friend reluctantly agreed to your request, but that doesn't mean he will allow you to take them on a one-way trip. I must make it clear that my primary task is to protect them from harm. If anything happens to these girls, I will take them and leave immediately. As for the rest, you will have to figure it out yourselves."

"No problem."

In response to Serek's words, Rod didn't say much. He simply made a gesture of thanks to Serek, then walked up to the four Spirit Mages. At that moment, the four Spirit Mages looked at this young man with a mix of curiosity, doubt, and unease. To be honest, they didn't want to go to the battlefield, but as members of the Mercenary Guild, they had to follow orders—though not unconditionally.

In a certain sense, Spirit Mages were even more precious and delicate than mages.

"I assume you've all heard where we're going."

Rod ignored their gazes and continued according to his plan.

"You know it's dangerous, and there's a chance we might not come back. But I won't tell you that I'll do everything to ensure your safety. I'll only tell you that if you follow my orders completely, you won't be harmed."

At this point, Rod spread his hands.

"Remember, I mean completely follow my orders. Do what I tell you to do. If you can do what I require, you won't face any danger. I know you don't trust me, but the facts will prove it. However, I don't want any of you to disobey my orders, no matter what your reasons are. Without my permission, I hope you don't do anything that will make me unhappy."

Rod paused, then looked around at the four Spirit Mages with varying expressions.

"Lisse will be in charge of you. If you have any questions, you can ask her. I know some of you might be more skilled in Spirit Techniques, but when it comes to group actions and wilderness survival, you are far less experienced than her. If you don't want any problems, follow her instructions."

After saying this, Rod didn't say anything more. He just waved to signal everyone to prepare to set off. At that moment, Serek came up to Rod's side and whispered with a wry smile.

"To be honest, you're a bit too rude to these ladies."

"I'm not interested in flattering them."

Rod shook his head.

"We're on a mission, not on a picnic or a date. I don't have time to build relationships with them. I only need them to follow my orders. After this mission, there won't be any further connection between us."

"Don't be so absolute."

Serek smiled.

"You looked a bit like a soldier just now."

"Really?"

At this, Rod raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, at least that determination and decisiveness in the face of a mission... well, I don't think ordinary mercenaries have that kind of ability."

Rod didn't say anything more, just turned around and walked to the carriage.

The Silent Highlands were not close to Deepstone City, and since many in the group were not skilled at traveling in the wilderness, Serek arranged a large covered wagon for transportation. This wagon had six wheels and was pulled by eight strong Northern horses. The Mercenary Guild, unlike the military, was not so formal, and this was a common means of transport they used to move personnel.

Although the Silent Highlands were also in the path of the wind currents, the Mercenary Guild did not use airships. First, the previous attacks on merchant ships had temporarily halted airship travel, and second, that place had no airship terminal. Moreover, Rod and his group did not have the skills to jump and fly at high altitudes, let alone the fact that there were no parachutes in this world. Even if you survived by chance, what awaited you below might not be a flat, soft ground but the roars of undead and death.

Dying before the mission even began was not something to be proud of.

In comparison, the covered wagon was slower but safer and more reliable.

Unfortunately, things often don't go as planned.

The road to the Silent Highlands was not smooth. Perhaps because almost no one came to this place, it was already overgrown with weeds and uneven. The bumps on the road made even experienced mercenaries like Lisse and Old Walker feel uncomfortable, let alone the inexperienced Marin and the four Spirit Mages. The bumps made them completely disregard their dignity, leaning over the side of the wagon and vomiting uncontrollably. In contrast, Annie remained the calmest, curled up in a corner and sleeping soundly, completely unaffected.

According to the original plan, they should have set out immediately upon arriving at the Silent Highlands, but seeing the ladies who had just gotten off the wagon, weak in the knees, pale-faced, and almost collapsing before even seeing an enemy, Rod and Serek had no choice but to rest for half a day before continuing.

"I hope those guys can hold out until we get there."

Rod looked at the distant, dark forest, a hint of worry in his voice. It was already evening, but unlike ordinary forests, there was not a single bird's chirp or the low growl of a beast. Rod knew what lay beyond, nothing but death. Could those people really hold out until they arrived? Rod wasn't very confident. In the game, he had done similar missions many times, and although he always reached the location, the NPCs didn't always survive. When you struggled to reach the target, all you saw was the NPC's corpse, which was indeed very frustrating.

"Don't worry."

Serek was more optimistic than Rod.

"I know the leader of the 'Victory Wine' mercenary group. He's a very alert young man and won't die so easily. Even if the chances of survival are slim, we must try. After all, we are the Mercenary Guild."

That was their responsibility.

Rod didn't say anything more. The Mercenary Guild appeared to be a powerful organization and was highly respected among mercenaries, but this wasn't just because they had the power to dissolve mercenary groups and elevate their status. Power and responsibility always went hand in hand. Mercenaries followed the guild's orders, and the guild acted for the mercenary groups. Rescue missions like this were one of them. Whether they were alive or not, since the Mercenary Guild received their distress call, they had to send people to help. This kind of reliance and connection in life and death was much stronger than any written contract... In fact, many mercenary groups persisted even in dire straits because of this.

Trust is not without a price.

"I... I can't do it, Lisse."

Leaning against a tree, Marin felt the ground beneath her feet give way, and the sky above her spin. An indescribable nausea churned in her chest, more painful than when she had accidentally eaten a magic plant. The poor girl could hardly bear it. She leaned against the tree trunk, head tilted back, barely suppressing the urge to vomit, while Lisse knelt beside her, using a Spirit Technique to make her feel better.

"Hang in there, Marin. Come, take a deep breath, and rest against the tree."

"Deep breath... ugh...!!!"

Judging by Marin's current state, she was about to vomit up last night's dinner.

The other Spirit Mages weren't much better, but fortunately, compared to Marin, they were more skilled at self-care. However, seeing them lying exhausted on the ground, anyone who didn't know better might think they had already been attacked by undead and turned into corpses.

Only one person showed no signs of distress.

"Ah..."

Yawning widely, Annie climbed down from the covered wagon, stretched comfortably, and the look of contentment on her face made the other ladies involuntarily want to kill her—indeed, comparing oneself to others can be infuriating.

"Ah, Captain, have we arrived? When are we setting off?"

"Three hours from now. Let them rest for a while."

In response to Annie's enthusiastic question, Rod quickly answered, then pointed to the temporary campsite beside the covered wagon.

"Go eat something and rest. We'll be ready to set off at any time. Don't forget your task."

"Of course, don't worry, Captain. With Annie here, there won't be any problems!"

After confidently answering, Annie ran to the campsite, pulled out some jerky from her bag, and leisurely ate by the fire. Her energetic appearance contrasted sharply with the half-dead Marin and the others leaning against the tree trunks, looking as if all their bones had been extracted.

"I never thought you could convince her to come."

Serek, holding two cups of hot water, sat down beside Rod and handed one to him.

"It seems you have some skills."

"Do you know Annie?"

Taking the cup from Serek, Rod asked casually. Serek nodded in response.

"I've met her several times before. The girl is a bit of a headache, but her talent is undeniable. Don't be fooled by her carefree, carefree attitude. It's because there's nothing worth her attention—once she's serious, she's quite formidable."

"I agree."

Rod hadn't had much interaction with Annie, but in the previous trials, he had already sensed the unusual strength of this girl. And...

"Do you know her background?"

Watching Annie easily pick up her shield with one hand and toss it to the ground, the heavy shield made a dull sound and even sank into the earth. Rod raised an eyebrow. He considered himself to have a good physique and strength, but lifting the fully equipped shield, which weighed several dozen kilograms, with one hand was not easy. Before setting out, Rod had given her the Rock Heart Shield he obtained from the Rock of Sighs, which was not a light piece of equipment.

It's worth noting that Annie was thrilled with the magical shield, even kissing Rod in excitement, which made him somewhat amused and embarrassed, but this was just her personality, and he could only let it go.

"I don't know much, but I know the former leader of Markwhite found her in the forest when she was just one or two years old, living with beasts. The old man brought her out of the forest and raised her. It was no easy task. At first, the child was like a wild animal, biting anyone who touched her, and the old man was bitten many times. Honestly, many people suggested the old man sell the girl, as she was of no use. But the old man was very stubborn and insisted on keeping her. He taught her to speak like a human, write, and learn combat skills. He treated her like his own daughter, and she gradually became more human, though her personality... I've heard about what's happening in the Markwhite mercenary group now, and leaving there is probably a good thing for her. At least she won't have to endure the mistreatment... The girl has always had incredible strength, and we suspect she might have barbarian blood, but..."

Serek laughed.

"I've never seen such a slender barbarian, and if she were a dwarf, she would be too tall. To be honest, she is quite beautiful."

At this point, Serek paused, then his expression became serious.

"Alright, let's get to the point. I want to know what plan you have to get us all safely into the Silent Highlands. You said you're familiar with this place, and I don't know if that's true, but I want to believe you. As a companion, I hope to know your plan."

"Of course, no problem."

In response to Serek's question, Rod looked up, a confidence he had never shown before flashing in his eyes.

He had good reason to be confident. In the game, the Silent Highlands was a very challenging dungeon in the early stages, even called a "group wipe sanctuary" by many players, where almost every entry resulted in a wipe. Later, many players avoided this dungeon because the equipment inside wasn't very good, and there were no particularly valuable items, so it was rarely visited.

As the undisputed first-kill king in the game, Rod had cleared this dungeon and created the "9+1" tactic, which later became popular among players.

The "9+1" tactic involved nine Spirit Mages and one class capable of long-range, large-scale attacks. In this dungeon, Rod maximized the Spirit Mages' defensive, endurance, and holy power against undead. With the protection and support of nine Spirit Mages, the combat effectiveness of the undead could be suppressed to the lowest level. The reason he didn't choose a full Spirit Mage lineup was for safety; in case of an emergency, there would be a backup.

After that, the once-feared Silent Highlands became a place for many Spirit Mages to grind experience. Since they were support classes, it was difficult for them to level up outside of dungeons, and the "9+1" tactic allowed them to gain the most experience. Later, it became a trial ground for many player Spirit Mages, whether for PvP or questing. Successfully clearing the Silent Highlands was a sign of mastering Spirit Mage skills.

As the leader of a guild, Rod had often brought his guild's Spirit Mages to level up and practice combat skills here. He knew the way by heart. An interesting incident once occurred when Rod brought his guild's Spirit Mages to grind, and at the final stage, the boss got stuck and never appeared. This was the first time such a thing happened in the game. Rod and his team waited for over ten minutes, but the boss never showed up, and they had to leave the dungeon in frustration. After this incident spread, many players joked that the boss was afraid of Rod and hid.

So for Rod, the Silent Highlands, which struck fear into many, was not something to be afraid of.

Although this time he only had five Spirit Mages, far from the "9+1" requirement, Rod was not worried. He knew the core requirements of this tactic, and the Mercenary Guild couldn't give him nine Spirit Mages, but four was not too few. Lisse, with angelic blood, could cast Spirit Techniques with the power of two Spirit Mages, and there was also a mage like Marin. Theoretically, there should be no problem. Moreover, Serek, a level 40 Swordmaster, was also part of the mission, which was enough to cover the remaining part.

Because of this, Rod was confident in this combination.

"In this battle, the Spirit Mages will be the main force."

"The Spirit Mages?"

Serek's face showed a hint of surprise at Rod's answer.

"Although I guessed as much from your earlier mention... but young man, Spirit Mages are not Spirit Knights. They don't have many combat skills, let alone the fact that most of these people have never been in battle. Are you going to push them to the front to face the undead?"

"Not necessary, they can do better from the back."

Rod shook his head.

"But I hope Mr. Serek can help me watch over their back. The pressure won't be too great, but I'm worried they might have issues, as you said, they haven't been on the battlefield."

"Not too great pressure?"

At this, Serek gave Rod a strange look. Serek had been to the Silent Highlands before, and the endless waves of undead, like a sea, were very challenging even for a Swordmaster. Now, this young man was so relaxed about the pressure?

Does he not know the terror of that sea of death?

Is he just bluffing, or does he really have a plan?

Old Walker emerged from the forest's shadows, his expression serious.

"I found their trail."

He walked up to Rod and whispered.

PS: I encountered a very awkward situation this afternoon. Someone claimed to be my reader, added my QQ, and asked me for a loan, saying he had tipped me and now it was my turn to repay him—I was speechless...