Moduo Peak Forest.
A few Harpies swept across the vast emerald canopy, occasionally descending into the jungle, pretending to hunt while actually searching.
Inside the forest, a group of elite Centaur scouts roamed constantly, investigating traces left by large creatures. But they were destined to find nothing.
Jose knew the enemy was coming and had made preparations long ago. He activated Data Vision and retraced the route he had taken before.
With Data Vision's aid, every trace that might expose the two dragons had been erased. Forget Centaurs—even a Master Rogue skilled in tracking would never discover the dragons' trail from the marks left on the ground.
Wary of alerting the enemy and mindful of the Bloodtooth Kobolds, the Centaurs did not dare approach the Bloodtooth Mines too openly. Time was wasted in their aimless search.
While the Harpies and Centaurs squandered their time, deep within the Bloodtooth Mines, Jose was arranging a performance. The actors gradually made their way through the gloomy tunnels and arrived at the dragon's lair.
Three Gnolls and eight Kobolds.
The eight Kobolds were all Bloodtooth Kobolds who had followed Jose from the beginning. The Gnolls, meanwhile, were bandits he had encountered while abducting Goblins a few days ago and had conveniently talked into coming back with him.
Jose looked down at the brawny Gnoll before him. He vaguely remembered this fellow wielding a rusty single-bladed axe. He was the leader of the Gnoll bandits and owned a Dire Wolf.
"Tell me your name, my servant."
The Gnoll raised his head, his eyes burning with fanaticism. "Honored True Dragon! I am a wandering Gnoll. I have long forgotten my name. My kin all call me Ripper, Riverclaw Ripper."
"Riverclaw?" Jose recalled a game he had played in his previous life. That famous novice-slayer had Riverclaw