Red Scaled Lizardmen (2)

Ryncol soon came back with ten other Lizardmen. He had picked some of the larger males that were on the wood gathering group. Although they were all adult Lizardmen while he was barely an adult, the fact that he was one of the people closest to their leader had garnered him some respect within the tribe.

As Michael was instructing his men on what to do, Eudora took out a long range transmission scroll to communicate with her own people from a distance. In the event Michael was tricking her and Brutus, she chose to keep her cards hidden.

Just as Michael was about to round up his talk, Milizaus took the initiative to come up to him to discuss something.

"Leader... I believe I might know the identity of the Lizardmen with red scales." He chose to speak to Michael in the Lizardman tongue as a precaution against any prying ears. This prompted a raised brow from Brutus, meaning he had been listening in. Michael was sure that he couldn't understand Milizaus' words.

Concerning their communication, Michael had noted that during the tribe's evolution, they had also gained the Interracial Communication Channel that he got when he was still a slime. This enabled them to communicate in an language the game system granted them access to, although they didn't know it and thought it was natural.

"They are a tribe that has plagued our people for a long time. Unlike us, they feature burning claws as their fatal weapons. While we use poisonous tongues to render our opponents unable to move, and even kill them, the Red Scaled Tribe uses their flaming claws to burn their prey alive. Our two tribes have clashed against each other several times in the past." The old Lizardman explained.

"I see... It is good that you have brought this up to me. Knowing more about our enemies would be very helpful in the coming trial." Michael nodded at Milizaus. He turned to return to Eudora and Brutus, but stilled, taking a look back at Milizaus. "You've earned yourself an extra thigh for dinner." He bared his sharp teeth at the other Lizardman before moving on to the adventurers.

"Are your people done with your preparations? My people and I have more important things to do than standing around in the sun." Michael spoke. He chose to withhold the information concerning the abilities of the Red Scaled Lizardmen. If they pair of adventurers had actually ran into the Lizardmen, then that meant they would have seen their abilities, and must have chosen to withhold this crucial information from them. Because of that, he decided he wouldn't say anything either.

After settling all their matters, they party soon left the entrance of the cave, but not without leaving some decently strong Lizardmen to stand guard. They travelled through the forest quickly, passing through the dense vegetation.

"Your men have already scouted out the settlement of the Red Scaled Lizardmen?" Michael switched back to the human tongue and asked Eudora as they ran. He had intended to as Brutus, but the man was still ignoring his presence.

"Yes, but they haven't been able to approach the settlement. The Lizardmen are far too vigilant, and they are also powerful. Their instincts and intuition are too sharp." Eudora nodded as she explained.

"I see..." Michael accepted her answer and didn't ask any follow up questions.

Slowly, as time passed, the vegetation around them began to grow sparse, the trees were in much fewer numbers, and the lush greenery around them gave way for rough, hard earth. They had officially stepped out of the Green Mountains, home of reptiles and herbs. Now, the area they were in was the Red Canyon. Whatever creature that resided within this area usually featured red colored skin, scales, or feathers.

The party took a short break in order to gather themselves and reaffirm their plans. Michael addressed his men once again before they set off. They soon arrived at a massive depression in the middle of a vast plain. At the bottom of the depression, large four meter tall, and two meter wide tunnels were scattered around, leading underground.

"This it it." Eudora spoke as they all stopped at the top of the depression. "The moment we go down, the Lizardmen will be able to sense us. We need to be careful."

"We understand. It's best we get this over with." Michael nodded before leading his Lizardmen down the steep slope. The adventurers shared a strange look between them secretly, but one that didn't go unnoticed by Michael's vigilant eyes. He decided to ignore it, but he still switched to the Lizardman tongue, keeping his voice low and speaking to them.

"Keep your guards up, the humans will surely make some moves against us. Aside that, these Red Lizardmen will surely be strong. Keep together, and help your brothers." He nodded before turning back to the front. By this time, they had reached the floor of the depression. Dark tunnels led into the underground network that was below the Red Canyon. Randomly picking a tunnel, Michael led the Lizardmen there before turning to the adventurers.

"We will go through this tunnel and see what is on the other side. If it leads to a dead end, then we will return here."

"We will do the same." Eudora maintained her position as the spokesperson for her group. A few more people had joined her and Brutus, making their two man party a five man party. There was a fire Mage, a healer, and an another Aquamancer, like Eudora. They nodded and chose a random tunnel, the fire Mage lighting up a fire in her palm as they went in.

A smile spread across Michael's face as he headed into the tunnel. Unlike the adventurers, the Lizardmen didn't need any form of light, instead depending on their Night Vision.

'Red Scaled Lizardmen, here I come.'