Running Away

Things went well in the two weeks since the alchemists had been commissioned.

The production of the new potion had gone smoothly.

Nathan had integrated into the guild nicely, having established a merchant guild as a subsidiary to Black Jaws. It was aptly named "Gold Masters" and only had three members at the moment.

Also, thanks to the work of the children, the guild's archives had been updated to reflect the present and not how things were many years in the past.

A map of the city was made and kept elsewhere by Cabrera.

Cabrera went back to the missionary for a second round of splurging and bought another spatial ring, one costing 2000 platinum. He also bought weapons and armor, all Bronze-rank, for the boys.

Speaking of the guild boys, they had increased their fighting prowess yet again, though not by a significant amount. Most importantly, they had learnt how to conceal their mana and how to manifest it externally, though sloppily and a very small amount.

But not everything was smiles and rainbows. The kids had brought information that Raven Skull and Gold Moles were planning something. And Cabrera was almost certain of what it was.

'They plan to get rid of us, once and for all' he thought, because that's what he would do.

Dark Tooth as a gang hadn't survived till Ezra's arrival because the other gangs were merciful, rather, it was mostly because of Cabrera.

Cabrera was notorious in his prime, his fist skills had ended many lives, and he maintained a cordial relationship with the gang leader of Red Hook.

Meaning that they might have to face the wrath of two gangs if they tried to destroy Dark Tooth.

There was also the fact that Dark Tooth was in the mid-ranks before Cabrera killed all the former members of the guild.

Another fact was that going to war with a gang that had gone inactive was a waste of resources for the still active gangs and they might suffer needless casualties.

This would in turn cause the other gangs to target them.

No one wanted to leave their home weakened for the enemy to attack.

Spending gold in war, only to get copper as the bounty.

Simply put, it wasn't worth the effort.

Which was why the gangs had stayed their hand for a long time, maintaining a period of deceitful peace. Because you can be sure that the other gangs would've destroyed Dark Tooth within five years at best if Ezra hadn't intervened.

But now, things are different.

Gangs like Raven Skull and Gold Moles were guilds that took up mid-rank positions after Red Hook and Dark Tooth regressed.

And it would have continued on like so…if not for a certain reincarnator!

—--------------------

Cabrera sat in his room as he thought of the best way to go about the expedition, especially with two gangs on their tail.

'They don't know our destination, so they won't be able to mount a prepared attack'

'Hmm, but if they wish to destroy us…then they need to know where we are first!'

Which means…

'They'll dispatch scouts to find out our path, but…what then?'

'What will they do once they find our destination? Wait, what would I do?'

His brain churned as he tried putting himself in the foot of his enemies. How would he attack a group on a journey?

'If it were me…I would attack them on the returning journey. I would let the enemy expend their energy first'

And to do so…

'I'll let them relax first, wait till the moment when they think they would've won…and then strike!'

But the Platinum question was…

'How do I counter such a strategy?'

Cabrera held his chin as contemplated his options.

'I could choose to ambush them instead…but that would take far too long'

'I could choose to face them head on…but that would lead to the worst outcome'

'Then…is our only option to run away?'

'But wait, run away, run away…'

"That's it!"

Cabrera suddenly had an epiphany.

'I don't have to run away…I can just run!' he thought, before making up his mind and making his way downstairs.

—----------------------

"Alright boys, today's the day you've all been waiting for" Cabrera said while facing the boys, who were clad in armor all over except for the head.

"As for where we're heading…well, it's a forest. That's all I can say for now"

"But know this boys, things are going to get real dangerous, real soon"

"But boss, how are we traveling?" one of the boys asked.

"Oh, that? Good question. Follow me boys" he said, before moving out of the building and walking towards the north city gate.

—--------------------------

"Hey, who are those guys?" someone whispered.

"Don't know. Some said they're some low-level guild" the other answered.

"That's a low-level guild? Are you kidding me?" the first one exclaimed.

"Shuush-"

The other hastily said.

"-look, that's what I heard. It's unbelievable even for me" the man said as he looked over the small crowd of people in front of him.

All of them were staring at the same thing.

A group of people numbering thirty four, all clad in armor with a sword strapped to the side.

"Boss, too many people are gathering. What are we waiting for?" one of the boys spoke.

They had arrived ten minutes ago. Cabrera had led them a little away from the city gates and told them to wait.

"Any second now" Cabrera said.

"But you've been saying that for the past ten minutes" another protested.

"And you haven't even told us where we're going yet" another added.

"Shut your traps, I said-"

At that moment…

*Bugguum*Bugguum*

The ground shaked.

"-any second now"

"What was that? Is there a monster underground?" someone panicked.

And immediately after…

"Move out of the way!"

"I ain't dying here! MOVE!"

The small crowd of bystanders scattered in a wave of panic and ran in whatever direction they laid eyes on.

"Boss, shouldn't we run too?" one of the boys asked, clearly agitated.

"Calm down, will you? Look over there" Cabrera said, pointing in a certain direction.

"What are you…?" the man muttered as he traced where Cabrera was pointing.

It was the north city gate.

"But I don't get-" the man began saying but Cabrera cut him off.

"The guards" he said.

Well, the guards were there, but what did that have to do with anything?

Seeing the confused expression on the man's face, Cabrera couldn't help but facepalm.

"The captain is a Master-rank Knight, while the others are Expert-rank"

"Do you think they wouldn't have noticed a monster underground?"

"Ohh" only then did he understand what Cabrera meant, but it only caused more confusion.

"But, if it's not a monster, what is it?" another said.

Cabrera looked and responded…

"It's-"

*Bugguum*Buggumm*

The sound of the shaking earth sounded even clearer, meaning that whatever was causing it was coming closer.

And lo and behold, from the farthest extreme of the road, a layer of brown could be seen as the road users quickly made way.

Horses!

"-our ride" Cabrera said as his boys looked at him with wide eyes.

Horses of different colors came marching as if on a stampede.

And it seemed like the guards thought so too, as they shouted…

"Halt!"

At the command, the horses slowed down significantly, before coming to a stop.

At the forefront was a white horse, and on it was a man who couldn't be older than twenty-five, with short brown disheveled hair.

"They say the horses are for a Cabrera?" the boy said, indicating his peasant origins.

"That's me" Cabrera said, before looking at the boys.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Pick a horse and let's get moving!" he said, shocking the boys out of their reverie.

"Yes boss!" they responded, before scrambling to get a horse.

"Ye said your name is Cabrera?" the boy on the white horse asked.

"Yes, I did"

"Then what be the name of the boy you sent?"

"James" Cabraera answered.

The boy nodded, got off the white horse and pulled it towards Cabrera.

"Take care of her" the boy requested.

"Of course" Cabrera said, before mounting the horse and facing the boys.

"Boys, we ride to the Semanis forest!"

"Hiiyaaah" Cabrera shouted, before riding out the gate with the boys following right behind him.

The expedition had officially begun.