Adventurer

"Don't overthink it, just treat it as a trip," Colin said with a smile, turning back to Bill's complaints.

"Hmph," Bill grunted.

It really was a case of the higher-ranked officer having the final say. Lyon Brown had assigned the mission to Colin, who then directed the other three team members, excluding Bill, to clear the path ahead with their machetes.

The three team members were miserable but dared not speak their minds.

At this point, it was hard to tell who the evil dragon was and who was the good dragon.

Their reconnaissance target was a hilltop about thirty miles ahead. According to the map, the route involved winding mountain paths and crossing swift streams; the journey was still long.

However, for them, as Quasi-Knights, it wasn't a difficult task. Moreover, it was winter, and the vegetation here was much more withered and sparse than in summer.

With the three team members clearing the way, hacking away thorns and small trees to the side, their progress was steady. After half an hour, the group reached the swift stream mentioned on the map.

The stream flowed from north to south, like a white dragon, and the current was indeed very rapid. Although there were several large rocks in the stream, they were covered in moss, making them impossible to stand on.

The Quasi-Knights looked around and finally resorted to survival skills. They found a thick, sturdy vine, tied one end to a tall tree, and then held the other end.

One by one, they swung across like Tarzan.

After walking for another hour and a half, the first squad finally reached their reconnaissance destination, the base of the mountain peak on the map.

"Be careful, there are signs of artificial excavation ahead," Colin looked up at the path ahead, his expression grave. A mountain path, neither too wide nor too narrow, led straight to the summit, and the signs of human activity were unmistakable.

"Captain, this is Oak's Ruins. It's not unusual for Adventurers to be active here. Some Adventurers have no bottom line and will do anything in the wilderness. Let's head back," one of the team members said with a serious expression.

"Let's go back," Colin readily agreed, preparing to retreat. Although this was a quasi-military operation, it was much like a Boy Scout activity in the United States; there was no need to gamble on the moral integrity of a group of Adventurers in the wild just to follow orders.

But just then, there was some movement on the mountain ahead. Immediately, five people leaped down from the tall trees, landing in front of Colin and his team.

Colin's heart tightened. He then signaled his team, drew the Two-handed Greatsword from his waist, and stood at the forefront.

Bill also drew his sword and stood beside Colin. The three team members, however, exchanged glances and all took a step back in unison.

Colin looked up to observe the newcomers carefully: three men and two women. Some wore leather armor, while others wore only short sleeves, their attire very casual. And it was the dead of winter; anyone who could withstand the cold was at least a Quasi-Knight.

Judging by the scars visible on their exposed skin, they were all seasoned Adventurers. As for weapons, they were a motley assortment, carrying whatever they had.

Colin glanced back up at the mountain ahead. If there were five people here, there might be ten more on the mountain.

"Damn it," he cursed inwardly, contemplating an escape plan while maintaining a calm and composed demeanor.

As Colin was observing them, the Adventurers were also sizing up Colin's group. They noticed some clues from Colin's team's attire and felt a headache coming on.

"Damn it, they look like students from Will Knight Academy."

The five Adventurers exchanged glances. One of them, a bald burly man, sheathed his weapon, a uniquely shaped Curved Saber, signaling that he meant no harm.

"As you can see, we are Adventurers. We've come to Oak's Ruins to search for ancient treasures. Are you students from Will City Knight Academy? It's rumored that every November, Will Knight Academy holds a Quasi-Knight Corps operation. Are you participating in this activity?" The bald man looked fierce, but his voice was surprisingly soft.

The other Adventurers spread out slightly, subtly encircling Colin's group and adopting discreet offensive stances.

Colin's heart grew tighter, but his expression remained unchanged. Bill's face turned a little pale, his hands tightening their grip on his Two-handed Greatsword. The other team members fared even worse, trying to hide behind Colin, thinking, If they can't see me, they can't see me.

Who would want to fight a group of fierce Adventurers in the wilderness?

Colin's heart sank, but he knew he had to react quickly. His eyes flashed, and Colin replied with a calm smile, "So, you're Adventurers. This is my first time meeting you. If we were in a city bar, I'd be happy to buy you a drink and hear your exciting adventure stories."

Colin displayed just the right amount of goodwill and then calmly continued, "As you can see, we are indeed students from Will Knight Academy, and we are conducting our annual Knight Corps operation. We are the advance team; our teacher and the main force are about three to four miles away."

Although the five Adventurers had already guessed, they inwardly cursed upon hearing Colin's words.

"Damn it. It really is students from Will Knight Academy. Their academy's leading teacher is at least a Knight."

They were a large group of Adventurers, with their camp located on the mountain ahead. As Adventurers, they didn't mind engaging in petty theft or banditry in the wilderness. Moreover, they had discovered something significant this time and didn't want it exposed. If Colin's group had been lone wolves, they wouldn't have minded leaving them behind. But students from Will Knight Academy were enough to make them wary, let alone a large contingent?

After a basic assessment, the bald man decided to avoid conflict for the time being. He subtly signaled his companions behind him. Then, he smiled kindly at Colin's group and said, "It is indeed a pity. If we were in a city bar, I would also be very willing to share my adventure stories with you."

Colin nodded as well, showing a look of regret. Suddenly, Colin pointed to the mountain ahead and said, "Our mission was to scout this hilltop, intending to use it as a campsite. Since you came down from the mountain, have you established a camp there?"

Bill swallowed, while the other three team members turned pale. "Why is he asking that?"

"Precisely," the five Adventurers were also caught off guard by Colin's question and instinctively adopted offensive postures. The bald man, however, was quick-witted and stopped his companions' actions, answering with a smile.

"That's a real shame. It looks like we'll have to report back to our teacher and find a different campsite." Colin shrugged, then casually waved at the bald man and said, "Goodbye, respected Adventurers."

After speaking, Colin bowed to them and turned back the way they came, his movements unhurried, as if strolling in his own backyard.

Only then did Bill and the others understand why Colin had said that. They let out a collective sigh of relief and quickly followed Colin, making their escape.

However, they also emulated Colin, trying to move as quietly as possible.

"Damn it," the bald man cursed after seeing Colin's group depart. He then said to his companions, "You all continue to guard here. I'll go inform the leader."