Chapter 21: Dangerous Territory

"Let's begin the operation. "

"Are you ready? " Cecil asked our group.

"Ma'am, yes ma'am! " the others replied.

"Alright. Let's take down the outpost asap. "

According to the intel, several outposts are scattered around the region. Taking them down will be vital in sealing the fissure.

"Captain! The monsters are here! " shouted a teammate.

"Lure them towards the forest! We'll take them down bit by bit! " Cecil replied.

A squadron of men charged towards the outpost.

The lizardmen were alarmed, chasing the squadron out.

"That's it! Follow us you dumb monster! " a man shouted.

Through the efforts of the squadron, we were able to isolate a sizable portion of the enemy forces.

"Ready? " Albert asked.

I nodded.

The two of us jumped down from the trees, engaging the enemy in combat.

"Crescent Moon! "

*SLASH*

"Lightning Bolt! "

*BZZZZZZT*

The enemies were fazed. They tried to run away but they were routed by our forces.

"Let's go! " Cecil shouted.

"Roaaaaaaaar!!! "

The shouts of our men echoed throughout the region. To us, it us the sound of triumph. To the enemy, it was the sound of their doom.

We made quick work of the outpost.

"Good work. Let's head back to camp. " Cecil said.

"There's a lot more monsters than I expected. " an ally said.

"Yeah. I didn't think we're heavily outnumbered. " another one replied.

"Though we were able to defeat them easily. The power to think really gives an insane advantage. " said another ally.

We arrived at the command tent.

"Oh! You're here! " the Grand Mage greeted.

"How's the situation boss? " Cecil asked.

"Six of the seven outposts are down. Once the last one falls, we can safely send a strike force towards the fissure. " he replied.

A man suddenly entered the tent.

"Sir, the sixth squad is having trouble taking down the outpost! " he shouted.

"Have the third squad assist them. They've had the most rest out of our forces. "

"Roger that! "

The man left the tent.

"What's with the last outpost? " Cecil asked.

"The last outpost is guarded by lesser demons. Though it shouldn't be that difficult, the survivors from the other outposts probably gathered there. " the Grand Mage replied.

"What about the fissure? Are there any notable changes? " Albert asked.

"There's none. But the magical energy readings are rising. The World Enders might make their move soon. " the Grand Mage replied. "But for the meantime, you should take a break. You have to be at peak condition against the World Enders. "

"Right. "

We left the command tent and headed towards the bonfire.

"Oh! It's the star-ranked adventurers! " I heard someone shout.

"Greetings my lady. You're even more beautiful than what the tales say. " a man said, bowing before me.

"Haha... Thank you for your kind words... " I returned his gesture.

A loud screeh filled the air.

"Kyaaaah! It's Prince Charming!!! "

Albert was swarmed with young women.

"Commander Albert! I'm a big fan! Can I please have your autograph!? "

"Please sign on my diary too! "

"Sign on my forehead Prince Albert! "

Albert was being overwhelmed. He looked at me, asking what the hell should he do.

I gave nothing but a smile as a response.

Sorry Albert. But there's nothing I could do.

The camp's morale is high. People are singing, dancing, laughing, everyone is in high spirits.

When the news about the final outpost reached us, the people erupted into cheers.

The battle wasn't that harsh. We didn't suffer heavy losses. All we have to do now is to make the final push.

"Hey Amelia. "

Someone called me.

I turned around and saw Albert.

"Oh Albert. Do you need anything? " I asked him.

"There's something I need to tell you. "

He looked around before slowly approaching me.

"I don't want to ruin the mood, but doesn't this operation seem too flawless? " he whispered.

"What do you mean? "

"This seems too easy. Everything went off without a hitch. It feels like we're being lured into a trap. Or it's just me being paranoid. "

"It's kinda true though. Everything seemed to fall into place for us. But knowing the Grand Mage, this might be natural for him. "

"Right. We still have a few fallbacks if things head south. "

Albert was staring at the sky.

"Hey! You two! There's some refreshments over here! "

Cecil is waving at us.

"Let's go? " I asked Albert.

"Alright. "

We spent a while around the bonfire, waiting for the final phase of the operation.

*groan* "It's been hours and there's still no hearts! "

*sigh*

"Guess I'll just wait for the next event. "

I turned on my pc.

"I haven't played Paralost in a while. Maybe there's something new? "

*ring* *ring* *ring*

Someone's calling me.

It's Michelle.

"Hello? "

"Did you see the event!?! " she shouted.

"Event? What do you mean? "

"There's a dialogue from the new event that went trending. You need to see it quick! "

"Alright, alright. I haven't played the new event though so I'll just check the forums. "

I opened the forums.

New Event teaser!?! (Spoilers)

"This must be it. "

There's an album of screenshots.

???: She's not here.

???: Stop the search. Let's look for her in another world.

???: There's a world similar to this one. The inhabitants are the almost the same. The only difference is they're unable to use magic.

???: Alright. It still fits the criteria. Where are we searching?

???: Earth.

"Earth?... "

"Yes! The playerbase is excited, but I don't feel good about this. " Michelle said.

A realization suddenly hit me.

If that world is real, then everything about this is real.

"Who's talking in the dialogue? " I asked Michelle.

"The World Enders. "

"The World Enders!?! "

"Yes. After hearing what Merlin said, I just can't stop worrying.

"Then the others are in danger... "

"Amelia and Albert are out there. Who knows what could happen?... "

"Let's just stay positive. Those two are really strong. I doubt that someone could take them down. "

"I hope so. "

Michelle ended the call.

*sigh*

"What IS happening over there?... "

"We are now entering the final phase of the operation. The strike team will be heading towards the fissure. The other squads will man the outpost, preventing enemies from slipping through, as well as providing quick reinforcements. " the Grand Mage said.

"You ready? " Cecil asked.

"Yeah. " Albert replied.

"Yes. " I replied.

"Operation, start! "

On the Grand Mage's cue, all troops moved out.

"There'a a few hostiles to our right! " our scanner shouted.

"Alright. Get ready! We'll take them on! " Cecil shouted.

*rustle* *rustle*

"GRAAAAAAARGH!!!! "

A demon ape emerged from the bushes.

"Fireball! " one of ous mages casted.

The monster was hit dead on.

"GRAAAAARGH!!! "

More monsters appeared.

"Take this! "

*CLANG*

One of our allies crushed a monster with his giant mace.

A monster approached our backline.

"Look out! "

*CLANG*

I made it in time.

"T-Thanks! "

"Go! I'll take care of this! "

The archer nodded. She went to the others to regroup.

"Hiyah! "

*STAB* *STAB* *STAB*

The monster fell down on the ground lifelessly.

"Hah... They're getting tougher and tougher... "

It's understandable though. We're heading deeper into enemy territory. It's natural for resistance to increase.

"We're finished over here. Let's go. " Albert called.

"Right. "

We headed deeper into the forest.

"What's this? " asked an ally.

A thick fog slowly filled the area.

"Cover your nose. This might be a trap. " Albert said.

The group did as he told.

"Oracle, can you check the fog's properties? " Cecil asked.

"Yes ma'am. "

The oracle then cast a spell to monitor the fog.

"There's none. This is just regular fog. " she said.

"Regular fog? "

One of our allies stopped covering his face. The fog seems to have no ill effects on him.

"Ah. So it's indeed just regular fog. "

We proceeded to walk towards the fissure.

"Even though the fog is not poisonous, it's still a massive pain in the ass. " a warrior said.

With visibility this low, there's no telling where the enemies will strike.

*rustle* *rustle*

"Wait! There's something there! " Cecil shouted.

We all took up our arms immediately.

*rustle* *rustle*

*squeak* *squeak*

A rat emerged from the bushes.

"A rat? What the hell is a rat doing-"

*SPLAT*

"GROOOOOOOAAAAAARGH!!!!! "

Before our teammate was able to finish speaking, a demon orc emerged from the same bush, crushing the rat with it's full weight.

"Oh shit! "

The warrior was greatly shocked, he fell down on his buttocks after being screamed at by the orc.

*sigh*

What an eloquent display by our ally.

"Grrrrr... "

Monsters emerged from the surrounding shrubbery.

"Dammit. We can't walk our way out of this one. " Cecil cursed.

"Let's go! "

We engaged the enemy in combat.

"Take this! "

I thrust my rapier into the demon orc.

*stab*

"Tch. "

It's skin is too thick. My blade won't pierce through.

"Albert! "

On my cue, Albert switched places with me.

"Rending Strike! "

Streaks of lightning ripped through the demon orc.

"GROOOOOOOARGH!!! "

The orc swung its club towards us.

*CRASH*

"Triplet Strike! "

*STAB* *STAB* *STAB*

"GROOOOOOOOARGH!!! "

The orc is furious.

"Even that wasn't enough? "

I have to admit. It is a formidable opponent.

*CLANG*

I parried the monster's attack.

"It's too heavy! "

"Mages! Open fire! "

Upon Cecil's command, the mages rained down spells on the monsters.

"GROOOOOOAAAAAARGH!!! "

"Finish him! "

Albert stabbed his sword into the monster's guts.

"Release! "

*BZZZZZZZT*

Sparks flew as the monster was electrocuted.

*BLAM*

After a long battle, the monster finally fell on the ground.

"A little help over here! " an ally shouted.

"Chain Lightning! "

*BZZZZZZZZT*

"GWAAAAAAAARGH!!!!! "

With single spell, Albert turned the tides of battle.

"It's over. "

*SLASH*

The last enemy fell down with a flick of my blade.

"Is everyone alright? " Cecil asked.

"I'm a bit injured, but I'll manage. " a man replied.

"Let's take short rest. Be sure to patch up the injured before we go. "

We camped inside the woods as Cecil ordered.

"The fog is getting thicker. " Albert muttered.

"Yeah. It's getting more difficult to progress. " I told him.

"Do you think it has something to do with the World Enders? " he asked.

"They said that the fog is natural right? Maybe it's just fate playing with us. " I replied.

Albert chuckled.

"If fate really doesn't like us, then I'll cut my way through. "

"Yeah. We have to push forward. "

We don't know what awaits us. All we can do is hope.