Chapter 20: Kidnappers

It's exactly 5 a.m. in the morning. Neerial and I are in the forest where we were supposed to meet with Nova and Jonathan. The forest is covered with a slight mist, and the cold air of nature can be felt through our clothes.

The two of us waited patiently for the arrival of Nova and Jonathan. Silence covered the forest because Neerial and I weren't talking to each other. We are silently listening and waiting for any signs and sounds that will appear in our surroundings.

Ten minutes later, two figures slowly walked through our spot. It's Nova and Jonathan. They're awfully late, considering that they're the ones who need something from us.

"You're late," I said.

"Sorry about that; I overslept," said Jonathan.

I showed a hint of surprise in his reply. To the fact that he gave a respectful response to my complaint. I expected that he'd react aggressively and come up with an excuse or something.

Jonathan gave a glare in his eyes and spoke, "What? I know when I'm wrong. That's why I apologized."

Does he now? He didn't even give me an apology yesterday for his rude behavior. So that kind of attitude is right for him?

"We apologize for being late. But can we focus on our business, please?" Nova interrupted.

"I got it. But first, I need you two to give me an additional 20 gold," I said.

"What?!" Nova and Jonathan replied.

"The cost of getting the location of the shadow pledge is rather expensive. I spent a lot and gave time to acquire it," I said.

"This is ridiculou—" Before Jonathan finished his sentence, Nova stopped him with her hand.

Nova calmly brought out a bag of coins and gave it to me politely. "I expected this, brother; let's be thankful that it's not that expensive."

Jonathan just gave in and didn't say a word. He must've realized that this is how information is gained. I just learned about this last night—that even information can be used as a way to make money. Not bad, Hernandez...

I don't want this to go on any longer, so I laid down the map of Conheart City. The map is not entirely new but is still readable. There's a bunch of red circles on the map, hinting at where our targets were supposed to be. Additionally, there's also a note on what specific task that place is focusing on.

"Based on the information I got, those circles indicate the hideouts of the members of the shadow pledge. The shadow pledge has a lot of members, and they're moving as separated groups focusing on a specific task," I explained.

In other words, Hernandez made it easy for us to determine where we should focus depending on our objectives. Nova and Jonathan want to retrieve their little sister. Which means they must investigate the group that specializes in kidnapping.

There are 6 red circles on the map:

• Food Theives

• Fighting Adventurers

• Kidnappers

• Lookouts

• Fake adventurers

• Raiders

"This map is incredibly detailed," muttered Nova.

"Yeah. Where did you get this?" asked Jonathan.

"I'm afraid I can't tell you that," I replied.

"Anyway, thanks for the help; we'll be going to the hideout of kidnappers right away." Said Nova.

"Wait, we're coming with you two," I said.

"What?" asked Jonathan.

"We don't intend to tell you our objectives, but if you truly are thankful, let us join you. I'm sure you'll want additional help if you can," I said.

"It seems like I was wrong about you," said Jonathan.

Jonathan gave me a smile of what seemed to be approval. He must've hated my guts when we first met.

"If it's all right with you, then we'll gladly welcome you two," said Nova.

I looked at Neerial, and she gave me a nod that tells me she's fine with it. This is just a temporary agreement, but I'm looking forward to working with these two.

.

.

.

Arriving at our destination silently, we successfully infiltrated the hideout of the shadow pledge's kidnappers. The place is filled with a bunch of cages, and the cries of the child can be heard echoing around the place.

It hurts my heart to silently hear their cries and be unable to do anything. I took a look at Neerial, and I can see the anger on her face. She's biting her lips and trying her best to sustain herself.

It's more painful for her to see the sight of these abducted children. For the reason that her family and tribe were victims victim to this so-called slavery and kidnappers. As her friend, I hope I can help her get through this trauma.

"Let's go," Nova whispered.

We moved around the hideout slowly and observed our surroundings. There aren't many people guarding the cage, and the guards are slacking off. They probably aren't expecting any intruders in this place.

Jonathan and I silently knocked out the guards by hitting their necks. We looked all over the hideout, but we couldn't find their sister anywhere.

"She's not here either," Nova muttered.

Jonathan and Nova kept looking for their little sister. However, all they saw were children begging to be freed. I'm still hesitating, but I summoned my magic staff from my book. I was planning to cast a spell that would free all the slaves at once. But Neerial stopped my attempt.

"You can't," said Neerial. "If you do, the shadow pledge will be aware of your existence and will surely aim for your life."

She's right; even if I free all these slaves, they will have trouble finding ways to eat and where to live. This is not something that can be solved with one action.

I turned around and looked into the eyes of the children being held in the cage. They kept asking and crying for help. It's hard to be unable to do anything at the sight of these children. I kneeled down and gave one of the children a pat on the head.

"Sorry, I can't do anything right now. But I promise that I'll be back and free all of you," I said. "That's why, please wait for me."

I'll do something to fix this problem. I'll begin planning for the sake of these children. It's my responsibility as the five class adventurer to do something that will change this current situation.

"What's this?" A figure suddenly said while sitting at the ceiling.

The four of us suddenly turned our focus on that figure. We couldn't hear any movements or sense them. Neerial also didn't hear anything, even with her strong hearing. This person... Is strong!

The figure seems to be a woman. She dove in from above and launched a knife tied to a chain. We dodged it, but it left a crack on the ground. The figure pulled the knife back with its chain and swung it around.

"Sorry, but you have to die here," she said with a smile.

The four of us immediately turned to our fighting stances. I have no doubts that the individual in front of us is extremely strong. Luckily, I already have my magic staff in my hand.

Taking the lead in the front assault, Neerial and Jonathan dashed in to attack the mysterious woman. The mysterious woman deflected their attacks easily with her swinging chain. Pushing Neerial and Jonathan away from her.

After pushing them away, seeing as the two are vulnerable to an attack. The mysterious woman rushed in and threw her chain at them, poiting its knife forward. Aiming to kill them with this wide open chance.

"Ice barrier!" screamed Nova.

Not letting things go the mysterious woman's way, she stopped her attack with a shield of ice. Protecting Neerial and Jonathan from her attack.

"What?!" screamed the mysterious woman.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, I appeared behind the mysterious woman. Her knife is stuck on the ice barrier that Nova created, so I know this is my chance.

I pointed my magic staff at her and cast the spell.

"Blaze Dynamite."

A blast of fire appeared at her feet and exploded directly at her. Unable to dodge my attack, she took the spell head-on. But her body didn't turn to dust.

She's covered with burns from the spell and standing like noodles. Her legs are wobbly and shaking just from standing. But she's still conscious and glaring at me.

I pointed my magic staff at her again and started casting a second blast. However, she fell forward towards me. Leaving her unconscious.

The group gathered around me after seeing the mysterious woman fall down. None of us took any lethal damage, and we handled her just fine. She held on to a great fight, considering that there are four of us.

"That was quick. You're too strong, Christ," said Jonathan.

"I'm not," I said.

"Brother, carry her around your back. We're going to ask her where Seraphina is," said Nova.

Seraphina? That must be the name of her little sister. I silently thought.