As the first rays of sunlight spilled over the mountain pass, Anse stirred, suddenly flipping over and sitting up.
He hadn't slept well. Even after attuning to his staff, he'd been unable to fall asleep for a long time. Memories of his past life and the day's battles churned through his mind in turns, leaving him overwhelmed with thoughts.
He'd been too busy dealing with one crisis after another to think much before. The moment things settled down, his mind began to wander. How could anyone adjust to being transported to another world so quickly?
Still, his past life had been dull and exhausting, spent as an office worker, while now he was a Professional who wielded wondrous magic. Compared to the two, this place was far more interesting.
"You're awake." Brat's voice came from nearby.
Anse turned toward the sound and spotted him in a large tree not far away.
He was crouched on a branch, arms folded over his sword as he gazed into the distance. He looked as though he'd been there for a while.
"You're up early."
"Plenty of sleep for me. I sleep well. Besides, if I'd stayed out any longer, the mosquitoes would've drained me dry." Brat flipped down from the branch.
"Are there mosquitoes?" Anse asked, puzzled.
"You've got Dragon Bloodline. What mosquito would dare come near you?" Brat gave him a sidelong glance.
"So that's why." Anse chuckled softly. He hadn't expected Dragon Bloodline to have that effect.
"We should get moving early. Dust Eagle Mountain isn't big, but it's rough going." Brat took food from his pack and handed some to Anse, then passed him a mostly empty cloth sack. "Put it in your backpack. If we get separated, at least you won't go hungry."
He'd long since realized Anse didn't have much experience surviving in the wilderness, and he was a little worried.
"What about you?" Anse didn't take it.
"Please don't question a veteran Adventurer's ability to survive." Brat made a point of emphasizing the word veteran.
"Keep it. I've still got food in my backpack." Anse shook his head.
He might lack experience, but he wasn't stupid. He had all the good stuff in his backpack.
"Fine." Brat glanced at his pack and gave him another warning. "When you're fleeing, food matters more than anything. Sometimes even Dragon Coins won't get you a loaf of bread."
"Thanks for the reminder." Anse nodded.
Dragon Coins were the common currency in Faerun. One could be exchanged for 10 Silver Coins or 100 Copper Coins—small alloy coins—and a Copper Coin could buy about a pound of wheat.
Breakfast was cold bread, Gaud Cheese, and Smoked Turkey Strips. The two ate their fill. They couldn't afford to be short on strength when fighting or fleeing.
By the time they finished eating, it was broad daylight. They packed up and immediately headed down the mountain, then continued east along the Chongsa River.
Dust Eagle Mountain was only two or three kilometers across and several hundred meters high. There were no particularly dangerous beasts, and many locals often crossed it for convenience, so the mountain was crisscrossed with trails.
They made their way along carefully, staying alert for a long time. They didn't see any Underdark Creatures—or even a single human.
Only a few stinking corpses told them the area wasn't safe.
It was the Month of Summer Tides, or July, and the weather was hot. Corpses began to stink quickly.
"At least a day old. Humans did this." Brat seemed accustomed to such sights.
The Underdark Creatures weren't familiar with the area. There was no way they could have found such a secluded spot so quickly.
Anse pressed his lips together and said nothing. After a day of getting used to it, he could now look at the corpses without changing expression, but the fermented stench was unbearable.
More than half an hour later, the ground began to level out.
They crossed a barren little hill, and the view opened up. A dense cluster of buildings lay ahead, mostly low wooden houses, gray, jumbled, cramped, and haphazardly arranged.
Several hundred meters away, a tall bridge stretched across the Chongsa River. Buildings crowded it from end to end. It was called a bridge, but it looked more like a commercial street built over Dragon Rock in the riverbed.
This was the famous Flying Dragon Bridge, and the grand tower at its center was Flame Fist Fortress.
It was a major transportation hub. Livington District lay on the other side of the bridge, while Twin Song District was on this side. Pig's Trotter District lay north of Twin Song District.
Anse had inherited his predecessor's memories and knew the area well, so he wasn't particularly surprised.
Taking advantage of their elevated position, he scanned Twin Song District but saw no trace of Underdark Creatures. There were, however, quite a few people sheltering there.
"Looks like the Underdark Creatures haven't reached here yet." Brat turned to Anse, his eyes asking what he thought.
"Let's go." Anse didn't hesitate. He started down the mountain.
They hurried northeast along the edge of Dust Eagle Mountain, avoiding the city proper and steering clear of the people hiding inside the buildings.
Twin Song District and Pig's Trotter District were connected by a long, narrow road, with low slopes on either side.
As they rounded the foot of the mountain, a broad road, clearly paved, appeared ahead. It wound to the left before vanishing behind the mountain.
At the same moment, a cacophony burst into Anse's ears: howling, screams, roars, and the clash of weapons...
"Something's happened!" Brat stopped and quietly drew his longsword.
"Gray Dwarves." Anse's heart sank. He could hear Undercommon and Goblin Language.
They slowed their steps and crept closer. The sounds grew louder, and as the road curved, a chaotic battlefield came into view.
More than a dozen humans were fighting over thirty Gray Dwarf Slaves. The battle was deadlocked, and corpses and blood were strewn everywhere.
Anse narrowed his eyes. It was the first time he'd seen such a brutal fight. He felt nervous, but also a little excited.
"The Gray Dwarves have made it all the way here." Brat's face was grim.
Anse realized the same thing: they probably couldn't go to Pig's Trotter District now.
"The ones leading them are Paladins of the God of Justice. They're... in trouble." Brat quickly surveyed the battlefield.
Anse looked closer. The human side included not only humans, but also Halflings and Dwarves. They wore no matching uniforms, and seemed to be a team hastily thrown together.
At the front stood two human Paladins. Holy Light gleamed on their swords and shields as they held off enemies several times their number, barely keeping the line intact.
The Gray Dwarves' forces were mostly Goblins. Among them were tall Hobgoblins and Bugbears, along with around a dozen Orcs. Four or five Gray Dwarves stood in the rear without joining the fight directly.
"I know them. Land and Zahir, from the Church of the Final Hope in Twin Song District," Anse said gravely.
His predecessor had grown up in the Outer City and knew the Church of the Final Hope well. He'd often come here to play as a child.
"Should we help?" Brat looked to Anse and waited for him to decide.
By a rational assessment, they should help. If the Gray Dwarves won, they'd surely take the Flying Dragon Bridge, and then no one would be able to leave.
But everyone valued their life. If they could run, why risk it?
"Not yet." Anse focused on the Gray Dwarves.
Duergar Warlord, Dwarf, Challenge Rating 6 Bugbear Officer, Goblinoid, Challenge Rating 3
His eyelid twitched, and he felt like retreating.
Level 5 was a dividing line. For example, a Mage could learn the third-circle Fireball, and their strength would surge.
Professionals from levels 5 to 10 were the backbone of major organizations. City guard commanders were usually around that level, earning them the title of elite Professionals.
Challenge Rating was different from class level. It took a standard four-person Adventurer party to defeat a monster of the same Challenge Rating.
Even the Young Black Dragon had a Challenge Rating of only 7.
Anse steadied himself and turned his gaze to the humans again.
Land, Human, Level 6 Paladin (Oath of Devotion) Zahir, Human, Level 5 Paladin (Oath of Devotion)
"We can take this fight!" Anse thought it over for a few seconds, then decided to help.
The Gray Dwarves were sensitive to sunlight and fought less effectively during the day. More importantly, Paladins wouldn't betray their companions. Even if they were forced to retreat, they'd hold the enemy's main force back to the bitter end.
Anse pulled Brat closer and pointed out the stronger enemies one by one, warning him to be careful.
"Let's go."
"Stay behind me." Brat bared his teeth in a fierce grin and charged forward, gripping his sword in both hands.
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