Let's Go Get 'Em

A new day has begun.

The rising sun cast a soft golden light upon the surface of the Reed River, dispelling the last vestiges of the night's chill. The closer the day of the impending storm drew, the more tranquil and peaceful the riverbanks became.

For the old beaver, "Kenken," this was the busiest period before the heavy rains.

It had to seize the opportunity to reinforce its precious dam, lest it be washed away by the floodwaters when the storm arrived.

"Snap! Snap! Snap!"

Crisp, rhythmic gnawing sounds echoed along the serene riverbank, accompanied by the growing sound of busy hooves.

"Clip-clop... Rumble..."

A dull, continuous vibration traveled through the damp earth of the riverbank, followed by the clear sound of rolling wheels and the snorting of horses.

The travelers were humans and demi-humans, equally busy.

Ever since the ice and snow melted in early spring, this road had become increasingly "lively."

Previously, perhaps only a small group of adventurers would pass by in a hurry over several days.

Now, from morning till night, the sounds of wheels, footsteps, and chattering voices rarely ceased.

Again and again, like salmon in heat, it was endless.

"Kenken" stared in the direction the carriages had disappeared, its small chest heaving, letting out a dissatisfied grumble.

Hmph, these noisy sounds must be a test for my precious dam.

It wouldn't pay them any mind.

"Kenken" lowered its head, and the "snap" sound echoed along the riverbank once more.

To the south, the Death Swamp.

Withered, dead trees grew sparsely along the roadside. Without the cover of leaves, the drifting mist was only a thin layer. Adventurers who reached this point could still vaguely see the foul-smelling swamp bubbling with poison about fifty meters ahead.

On the other side of the riverbank, however, was a dense growth of weeds and reeds. Yano's adventurer group had temporarily set up camp beside the swamp road. Several white tents could be seen, with adventurers coming and going from within.

"Guild Leader, good morning."

"William, good morning."

Yano smiled and waved at passing adventurers, appearing humble and composed, with a touch of noble bearing.

This adventurer group was formed out of self-interest. Strictly speaking, it couldn't be called a "guild" but was rather a loose organization composed of several adventuring parties.

The title of Guild Leader was merely a nominal one; he could only truly command the adventuring parties under his command.

Most of these adventurers were idle individuals from the Kingdom or rough men who lived by their wits. They were accustomed to a leisurely life. Compared to the disciplined knights of the Border Guard Legion, they were certainly no match. It was already a great feat that they accepted him as their Guild Leader.

Even the quest givers at the Adventurers Guild had to sigh at the charm of Yano, the "Miracle."

Of course, Yano knew very well that the so-called "Miracle" was not a miracle at all. The true miracle was the one behind him.

Yano parted the tent flap and, in the privacy of the tent where no one could see, shed all his noble demeanor. He carefully took out a slime from his embrace.

He asked in a low voice, "Boss, is the signal good?"

"Alm... Almost, I... am... rushing... over."

Yano breathed a sigh of relief, wiping away nonexistent sweat from his forehead.

"That's good."

"According to the intelligence, the Gnolls are still holed up in their tribe and don't seem to intend to help the Lizardfolk of the Scaleclaw Tribe."

"The Lizardfolk of the Rotten Moss Tribe have gone to scout the locations of those Corrupted Lizardfolk. It should be soon..."

Before he could finish speaking, he heard a commotion outside the tent.

He put away the slime and pushed open the tent flap. It turned out to be the Lizardfolk from the Rotten Moss Tribe returning.

But what was worrying was that most of these Lizardfolk had anxious and grim expressions, as if something unexpected had happened.

Adventurers gathered around, shouting noisily, making it impossible to see what was happening.

"Make way."

Magically, as Yano walked through, the adventurers automatically parted, clearing a path.

He could then see clearly ahead—a Lizardfolk lay there, on the verge of death, its thigh seemingly struck by a trap, a bloody hole gushing blood.

Furious Lizardfolk stood around, including the Seja sisters, their expressions grim.

After Yano inquired, he learned that these Corrupted Lizardfolk had set up traps in advance after knowing they were coming and had retreated deeper into the swamp, their location nearing the Swamp Forest.

A sense of vigilance immediately arose within him, and he reported to the little slime mentally.

"Boss, this is bad! Those Corrupted Lizardfolk are lurking at the edge of the Swamp Forest."

"We're going to surround and eliminate them now."

Yano came back to his senses and saw that the adventurers and the tribal Lizardfolk were still arguing.

The content of their argument was simple.

These adventurers didn't want to risk venturing deep into the swamp and suggested coming back in a few days.

However, the Lizardfolk of the Rotten Moss Tribe couldn't wait that long and cursed the adventurers for not keeping their word.

The two sides began to argue.

Yano shook his head slightly. Facing this group of lazy individuals, even the commander of the Border Guard Legion would have a headache just like him.

But as the "Rider" of the Boss, a qualified recipient of Demon's Favor, learning how to incite people with speeches was necessary.

His eloquence wasn't particularly outstanding, so he had anticipated this scene and had already memorized his speech in private.

He raised his hand to stop the arguing adventurers, and as everyone looked, their voices gradually quieted down.

Yano immediately got into character, flashing a calm and confident smile.

"My brothers, have you forgotten who else is here!" His voice suddenly rose, echoing through the camp.

Some adventurers whispered hesitantly, "'Miracle' Yano..."

"That's right!"

Yano took a step forward abruptly, his gaze sweeping over every hesitant face like a torch.

"It's 'Miracle' Yano! It's me standing here, standing before you all!"

He spread his arms wide, as if to embrace the entire perilous swamp.

"A mere mud pit, a few man-eating quicksand pits, a few nests of insignificant venomous insects – do they deserve to be called dangerous? Do they deserve to make us, men who live by the blade, stop in our tracks?!"

"Since I accepted this quest for you, I did so with the intention of making every single person in our adventurer group—yes, every single person!—damn well rich! With the intention of making your purses so full they burst their seams!"

He pointed his finger sharply into the mist-shrouded depths of the swamp.

"Look! Open your eyes wide and see what's in there! Danger? Death? You're dead wrong! That's living, breathing gold, gold waving at us!"

"The swamp, this damned miser, doesn't welcome weaklings! It doesn't welcome cowards who've soaked their pants! And it certainly doesn't welcome—"

"Those paupers who'd rather drink cheap ale in a tavern and are too poor to even buy a wildflower for their sweethearts!"

Yano drew the longsword at his waist and stuck it into the ground.

"Cowards stay behind."

"Those who want to make money, follow me!"

As he spoke, the adventurers' eyes grew hotter, and they drew their swords one after another.

"Damn it!"

"I'm not afraid of these tailed freaks if I'm not even afraid of being poor!"

"You're right!"

"Pah, I get it now. Being a loser is the main reason I'm poor."

"Guild Leader Yano, I'm going with you."

"Me too!"

The adventurers were fired up and followed Yano into the swamp.

The Lizardfolk of the Rotten Moss Tribe caught up, and Seja breathed a sigh of relief.

Behind her, Semiya, carrying her spear, also nodded indifferently.

Inside the Swamp Forest.

"Little Card, charge!"

"Kaka!"

Hundreds of Stinger Bees cleared the path, while the Little Crocodile, carrying a Slime on its back, crawled forward with surprising speed.

It was as if with their leader present, all the dangers of the forest were no longer frightening.

"Wait, Yano sent me a message."

Chen Yu received Yano's message and his rousing speech.

"He did a pretty good job."

"Since those Lizardfolk are at the edge of the forest, we don't need to go this far."

Chen Yu's round little eyes twinkled.

Hmm.

He seemed to have an idea.