Drawing a Circle

So that was it. The Goblins had captured so many people not only to lure them up the mountain, but also to use them as sacrifices.

According to Seka Mens, the mastermind behind the scenes seemed to conduct sacrifices only at intervals, and they were ranked as well. Noisier sacrifices would be offered ahead of schedule.

Based on that, as long as they stayed quiet, most of the captives should still be safe. There was no need to worry about failing the requirement to rescue ten trapped people.

Countless similar plotlines rapidly surfaced in Yang Yu's mind.

Following the usual plot, if the mastermind was not stopped in time, it would either summon something impossible to resist or become something impossible to resist itself.

Source Extermination was a race-against-time quest. If things went badly, failure this time would probably mean a direct GAME OVER.

"How you escaped doesn't matter. We came up with the Rescue Corps. After running into Goblin traps and attacks, the Rescue Corps is resting in place and waiting for reinforcements. They sent me out to scout. Do you have any useful information? For example, what the mastermind looks like, or where exactly their base is?"

"They sent you out to scout?" A flicker of surprise passed through Seka Mens's eyes, but he quickly accepted the fact. "Instead of sending a scout in charge of reconnaissance, they sent you. It seems they truly trust you."

"Now isn't the time to discuss that. Answer my questions."

Don't think flattering me will make me happy. You're clearly just an NPC, yet when it comes to stealing monsters, you show no mercy at all.

Whenever Yang Yu finally spotted a Goblin within his execution range and wanted to free up a hand for the finishing blow, Seka Mens would always rush over and spear it to death with perfect precision.

Among all the NPCs, no one stole more monsters or did it more diligently than him. Yang Yu seriously suspected that Seka Mens had been sent by this game specifically to target him and steal his last hits.

"I can understand why you're in such a hurry. My intuition has also been faintly telling me that something bad is about to happen."

Having tried to build rapport only to be shut out, Seka Mens gave a bitter smile and shook his head.

"Unfortunately, we don't have any substantial information. We've never seen what the mastermind controlling the Goblins looks like. We only know that quite a few Elite Goblins frequently enter and leave a large wooden cabin. Whenever they come out, they are always extremely respectful. The mastermind is probably hiding in there. As for their camp, we just escaped from it. Do you have a map?"

Yang Yu took out the map, and Seka Mens drew a circle on it.

"They've set up camp here. Apart from the many Goblins guarding it, their camp is also full of traps. We suffered quite a bit while escaping. You must be careful."

The mastermind was even more cautious than Yang Yu had imagined. He rubbed his chin and looked at the Source Extermination quest again.

With only himself, he probably had no way of dealing with the mastermind. As expected, he still had to rely on the strength of the group. But if he relied too much on the team's strength and failed to land the final blow, he probably would not be able to complete the Source Extermination quest either.

Yang Yu pressed on. "Any other information?"

Seka Mens shook his head. "That's all I know. If possible, could you take me to see the Rescue Corps? I don't know the locations of all their traps, but I still remember the route we took to escape. I can definitely be useful."

Yang Yu waved a hand. "You and your teammates are exhausted. You won't be of much use, so take them back to rest as soon as possible."

Yang Yu's decisive refusal caught Seka Mens off guard.

Yang Yu had no choice. Other than Seka Mens, every member of the Silverwind Squad was at low health, short on stamina and mana, and burdened with the Fatigue DEBUFF. Taking them into battle would be giving their lives away for nothing.

They could be treated with herbs and priests' healing, but the cost of treatment was too high. It was not worth it.

The priests in the Rescue Corps were probably busy treating the wounded from the recent battle as well. They would not have the spare attention to put great effort into healing them.

Yang Yu had plenty of herbs that restored HP, but very few that restored stamina. He had used far too many herbs yesterday while fighting and leveling up, and he had practically cleared the shops of stamina-restoring herbs.

Yang Yu had already decided to save his remaining stamina-restoring herbs for the boss. It was inconvenient to share them with the Silverwind Squad.

"But..." Seka Mens was unwilling to accept it. In all his years as an adventurer, this was the first time he had been so miserable. If he could not personally watch those Goblins suffer, he would never be able to let it go. "Let me come with you! With me there, you can reduce your losses. I still have stamina. Even if I'm the only one, let me go with you."

Yang Yu sighed. "True, you're in better condition than the rest of them. But danger is unavoidable in the forest. You should save your strength to protect your teammates."

Seka Mens looked at his team. They were even more exhausted than he had imagined. As their captain, he truly could not disregard the lives of his squad members.

"I under—"

Before Seka Mens could finish, Qi cut him off.

"Brother Yang Yu, thank you so much for saving me. But I think it would be better to let the captain accompany you. The Goblin camp is far more dangerous than you imagine. There are many hidden traps. I found some of them and told the captain about them. He'll definitely be useful."

"Though the captain can be a little arrogant at times, his strength is the real deal," Iron Wall said. "With him along, you'll have one more fighter."

"[Healing Art]" Luo Keke raised her hand and used the last of her mana and stamina to cast healing, restoring a little of Seka Mens's stamina and HP. Then she used Grand Decree. "Captain, you have to save them. Don't let those adventurers suffer anymore."

"All of you..." Seka Mens's eyes grew moist. He had nearly given up, yet he had not expected every member of his squad to give him their greatest support.

With scene after scene unfolding before him, Yang Yu found it hard to keep refusing Seka Mens's proposal. He handed some of the herbs he carried to the Silverwind Squad.

"Most of the Goblins should be gathered along the route our Rescue Corps is taking now. As long as you're careful, the outer edge of the forest should not be too dangerous.

This time, I'll reluctantly accept your proposal. But I must warn you: rein in your arrogance. Our opponent's strength is unknown. Remember not to lose sight of the bigger picture because of a momentary impulse."

"Yes!"

Seka Mens beamed with delight. Yang Yu could only silently pray that he would not come over to steal his monsters again, especially the final boss.

After accepting Seka Mens into the group, Yang Yu found Bai Jin, who had been standing to the side unable to get a word in. He quietly whispered something into her ear and asked her to lead the Silverwind Squad around the line of sight and safely reach the outer edge of the forest.

In addition, Yang Yu specifically placed the ever-idle He Meng in Bai Jin's care. Smiling pleasantly, he threatened He Meng a little and made her promise to protect Bai Jin at all costs.

"The person who formed a contract with me is you. If I'm going to protect anyone, shouldn't it be you? Why are you telling me to protect someone else?"

He Meng had wanted to refuse, but Yang Yu was offering far too much. She could only sweetly munch on Four-leaf Clover while reluctantly accepting Yang Yu's proposal.