These guys' performance was eye-opening. You could say they went from rookie recruits, after some tempering, to upgraded rookies, with improved mental fortitude and determination. They weren't so green anymore.
But they were still just rookies. (The word "rookie" in English means novice.)
Their spirit was commendable, but the results were poor.
They had no horses and no ODM Gear. Their mobility made it impossible to keep up with Lian Ye. And Lian Ye naturally wouldn't wait for all of them to catch up before launching a counter-attack. Doing so would waste too much time.
"Although I wanted to say you didn't need to come with me, since I'm the leader—but since all of you don't want to stay silent, I'll give you a chance to prove yourselves."
Lian Ye said in a deep voice, "You all track the direction of the bandit group's carriage from behind. I'll head out first. Whoever discovers the bandit group's carriage first can fire a signal flare to gather."
Eren and the others exchanged glances, then nodded. They agreed with the leader's proposal; this tracking method was indeed quite effective at the moment.
----However, the only slightly questionable point was why the premise was 'all of them acting together, while Lian Ye set off alone'?
This distribution of personnel was too strange.
But since it was the leader Lian Ye's own decision and personnel allocation method, they could only accept it.
"Alright, it's decided then. Disperse for now!"
As soon as Lian Ye finished speaking, he leaped onto a thick branch nearby. With a few leaps, he disappeared in front of the group. His speed was astonishing, like he was rapidly swinging through the forest with ODM Gear, leaving only afterimages behind.
"Wait, did the bandits not steal Lian Ye's ODM Gear?"
Seeing the astonishing sight before them, someone asked in a daze, voicing the question on everyone's mind.
"How could that be? His ODM Gear was also placed on the horses and taken by the bandits, right? We saw it with our own eyes—and Lian Ye didn't look like he was equipped with ODM Gear just now either."
Armin's mind was still relatively clear, though he had been momentarily stunned by Lian Ye's movements.
"Never mind that. Let's hurry up too. It would be too embarrassing if we all can't keep up with his efficiency."
Eren acted as if he was already accustomed to Lian Ye's superhuman stamina. He urged the group to move quickly.
"That being said, there are many directions for roads that carriages can pass through in the forest. Where should we look?"
"We should go to higher ground at this time. That way, we should be able to see the general direction the carriage left."
Someone made a suggestion. Everyone looked, and it was Sasha Braus, the seemingly cute and almost foolish Potato Girl.
Why would this idiotic foodie come up with such a sensible method? They all probably had that kind of disappointed internal roast.
However, it was true that Potato Girl was an idiot foodie with an almost stubborn obsession with food, making one wonder if there was something wrong with her brain.
But Potato Girl grew up in a mountain village of hunters. Her jungle exploration skills were naturally superior to everyone else's.
----Although, her immature self was still far from matching the ultimate hunter who had just left.
End of this chapter
Chapter 40: No One Can Escape His Eyes
The bandits intended to distribute the Expeditionary Team's ODM Gear and sell it to nobles inland. They would inevitably head to a nearby town's black market to unload their goods, and perhaps their base was nearby.
Of course, where the bandits' base was located wasn't important. What was important was the direction they were heading.
"@!¥!@#..."
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