Chapter 156: Chapter 156

"You're here so early today?"

Lin Mo had barely stepped back from the crowd when he saw Landon and the other members of the Azure Orchid Team walk through the Association gates.

"Just came early to check the situation."

As they spoke, Finnie followed closely behind, still wearing a plain sister's habit. Even so, the face beneath the wide-brimmed hat was still cute.

Landon glanced at the dense crowd. "Looks like, just as Huck said, a new mission really was posted."

Lin Mo relayed the basic details of the Call to Arms to them. Landon nodded when he heard it. "Mm, that means the reward is indeed fairly generous."

Superior-grade equipment—converted into gold—would be worth at least three to four hundred gold per piece.

"So are we taking it?" Benny asked.

"Of course we take it!"

Besides, the mission's base pay was substantial too. For people like Huck and the others, even without extra rewards, the gold payout alone wasn't small. They might even qualify as having "made significant contributions" and snag an excellent-grade piece of equipment, which would be very good for them.

So without hesitation they answered the call and accepted the mission.

After entering their team information and completing registration, they waited a while and then met Vic, the head of the Silverstream City Adventurers' Association.

Vic looked nothing like his usual slacker self. He had a sword at his waist and his expression was much more solemn.

He stepped in front of the adventurers taking part and said gravely, "Everyone, first, thank you for answering the Association's call and taking part in this rescue operation. But before we depart, I must warn you: this mission carries a great deal of uncertainty. We currently know very little about the cavern... including the bunkers inside, so we may encounter many unpredictable dangers."

"The Adventurers' Association never forces adventurers to undertake tasks. If anyone wants to back out now, you still may."

When he finished, a few adventurers immediately left the ranks. Most of these had joined without even reading the rules and were only looking to ride along; once they heard about the dangers, they naturally retreated.

"Any more who want to withdraw?"

Vic didn't rush. He waited another half minute, and sure enough two or three more people chose to leave.

Vic checked and found fewer than fifty remained. After all, the mission had been posted only yesterday evening; news hadn't fully spread, and the entry threshold was relatively high—so gathering this many people was already not easy.

Though not a huge number, these were capable adventurers: all at professional rank, with several level 2 and even level 3 experts, and even three level 4 adventurers.

One was Landon, another was a level 4 ranger named Lute, and the last was the nominal leader of the operation: Torren, son of Silverstream City's administrative director.

This lineup could match hundreds of city guards. With them going into the bunker to rescue people, there shouldn't be too much trouble.

Vic then went over some important precautions and announced the mission leader. When that name was revealed, many surrounding adventurers expressed surprise.

Torren had always been an active adventurer and enjoyed a big reputation in Silverstream City. Aside from a few veteran-level veterans, the most famous names among those below veteran-level were about a dozen near-veterans.

Some mischievous folks removed a few members who were weak or too old to rise and compiled a "Ten Heroes" list.

Torren was on that list—one of Silverstream City's "Ten Heroes."

Of course, Landon and the other level 4 professional for this operation, Lute, were also on that list. Lute ranked ninth, two places below Torren. As a mage, Landon was listed first among the level 4 professionals and fourth overall—the top three ahead of him were all level 5 professionals.

"I didn't expect 'Iron Sword Torren' to have that status."

"He never mentioned it before..."

"If I recall, the city's administrative director is a first-class baron, right? One step further and it's viscount!"

"A first-class baron's son—no wonder he can be that strong."

"I knew it—he looks like a spoiled rich kid. Of course he's a second-generation aristocrat."

"Well, not surprising..."

Torren, who had just arrived, heard those comments and his expression soured. It felt as if all his achievements were being reduced to simply being "a first-class baron's son." Although Torren admitted much of his current strength did rely on his father's support—skill scrolls, expert instruction, and so on—did that negate all his own effort? Having scrolls still required comprehension, training, and constant combat to grow. And those missions? He had found teammates and completed them himself.

Despite the anger burning inside, Torren forced himself to calm down and ignored the murmurs, smiling as he greeted the teammates he would be working with.

His father had told him that the best response to doubt or slander wasn't arguing but proving oneself through actions. He intended to prove that the "Iron Sword Torren" title was earned by his own strength.

His gaze swept to Lute and Landon in the crowd—his "competition." Though calling it competition in such an operation might be awkward, Torren wanted to outshine them in performance and contribution.

Team One of adventurers soon set off. Vic's work wasn't finished; he had to assemble a second team as fast as possible—there was another bunker awaiting exploration and rescue. The Association also had many follow-up tasks to handle and arrange. Only after finishing that could he, like in his younger days, freely delve into Roland Forest's depths to try to find clues.

Compared with previous rescues, this operation had some differences. The first arose in the journey. Earlier rescues to villages had been by cart because the roads were open and flat. This time they would go deep into the forest—no carts, only foot travel.

It felt like a huge adventuring party heading out together—an interesting experience. With so many capable adventurers, forest monsters kept their distance; apart from occasional goblins, the route was mostly calm.

That left plenty of time for chatting: acquaintances swapping pleasantries, strangers making themselves known. Fellow travelers—one might work together in the future. Contacts matter in any era.

Lin Mo wasn't keen on such socializing, but when others came to speak he couldn't ignore them, so he awkwardly met a lot of people. Among them was Lute, a level 4 ranger on the "Ten Heroes" list like Landon. Unlike the reserved ranger Lin Mo had imagined, Lute was outgoing—more like Huck—instantly chatty with or without a topic.

By contrast, the other two level-4 professionals in the party were taciturn. Landon wasn't talkative, and Torren was blunt—he disliked beating around the bush and was straightforward, a trait well-known among adventurers; few people initiated conversation with him. Landon often shot him looks that were not hostile but almost hostile, not cautious but very similar to caution—something that baffled Landon.

Youngsters, competitive by nature...

Landon shook his head, as if forgetting he had only just left that stage himself a few years ago.

There weren't many monsters en route. With such a large number of adventurers, anything encountered would likely be quickly dealt with, which frustrated Lin Mo—he wasn't gaining much proficiency. After most of a day, only his Wind Blade skill's proficiency had increased slightly. That skill had already reached level 3 previously, still a way from max level, so short bursts of training didn't raise it much.

"At this rate, we should reach the destination before tonight."

During a brief rest, Torren gathered the squad leaders to discuss the next move.

"Do we strike tonight or wait until morning?"

Though eager to prove himself, Torren hadn't forgotten his nominal role and mission. He was the leader in name and responsible for the strategy of so many people. He admitted his lack of experience and wanted to consult the squad leaders.

"Attacking at night... that could be difficult."

"Indeed. We've been trekking for a long time and are fatigued. Resting one night is more prudent."

"But if we wait till morning, the captives inside could face more danger..."

Torren frowned. "We're here to save people. If we wait a night and they die, then killing all the goblins inside afterward would be meaningless."

He was naturally aggressive and disliked waiting.

"That's a reasonable point..." ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ noveⅼfire.net

It was a tough decision. Currently only two or three leaders supported waiting until morning; more opposed it, and others stayed silent, considering.

Torren clenched his brow; this was his first time facing such a situation. His decision could influence whether the mission succeeded, the safety of these adventurers, and whether the captured girls could be rescued. This was different from solo adventuring—charging ahead for oneself wasn't acceptable.

Pressure and dissent pushed him toward self-doubt. Maybe cautious action was right?

"At times , efficiency should take priority."

Landon spoke up. "Visibility in a cavern is low whether it's day or night, so there's no real difference. We're professionals and we're resting now—might as well strike in one go and push in."

Compared to young Torren, Landon was stronger, more experienced, and more reputable—his words carried authority. Once he spoke, many wavering individuals seemed to find a center of gravity.

"If Landon says so..."

"What's there to be afraid of? Do it!"

Support for a night assault overwhelmed the opposition, and Torren could therefore make the decision. He exhaled, suddenly understanding the elders' advice better. He shot Landon a grateful look. Landon returned a knowing smile and waved him off.

Rest over, they continued. Torren stepped up the pace, and before dusk they reached the destination.

The three level-4 professionals stood at the front and looked at the cavern entrance.

Though called a cavern, the entrance was a cave with traces of concealment around the mouth—no wonder it had been hard to find.

Torren, calm now, did not rush forward. He turned back to the adventurers. "We're from different teams, but now we need to form a temporary whole to better handle the dangers. Please take positions according to your professions."

With Landon and Lute's help, Torren quickly arranged the formation. Knights took the foremost positions. The cave mouth was wide enough for a dozen people to walk abreast. Behind the knights were warriors—the largest group—forming a square to protect the rear professions inside. Rangers, mages, and the lone priest Finnie were to be protected.

Torren had noticed the priest and gave her a glance. Though she wore a hat, he thought she looked familiar...

Assassins were awkward in such an operation but, given their small number, were allowed free movement. Lin Mo thought for a moment and chose to join the assassins for maximum freedom.

The other assassins looked puzzled at a man with a long sword at his waist who otherwise seemed like a warrior insisting he was an assassin. The key was, he actually had assassin skills—and more than one.

Torren noticed this odd "assassin" but said nothing, only curious. This young man seemed close to Landon but wasn't part of his team.

Although Lin Mo had earned notable achievements and held the Honorary Third-Class Baron title, his fame didn't match an established veteran like "Gale Landon." Torren had heard rumors of Lin Mo but hadn't paid much attention earlier—the claims sounded exaggerated. Now it seemed there might be some truth.

Torren, having given Lin Mo a quick look, returned to organizing the advance. Field command and personal adventuring were different; Torren, though trained in some nobility-led tactics, lacked experience and stammered a bit. Fortunately the terrain limited concerns—maintain formation and advance steadily.

Entering the cave, the ground sloped sharply downward. Outerside adventurers carried torches, walking while watching the surroundings. Experienced assassins followed close behind the knights to check for traps.

There were many traps—hidden arrows, pits galore—clearly well prepared, as if they had expected them. Still, with numerous professional assassins, nearly every trap was detected, and so far things went well.

"Goblins are goblins—the traps are still too low-level."

"Indeed. They can't hope to stop us with these."

At that moment a deep rumble sounded faintly at first. Only a few assassins became alert; they found nothing initially. Then the sound grew louder and closer.

Suddenly someone shouted, "Behind us!"

By torchlight they saw a massive rolling boulder speeding toward them from the dark behind. The boulder was four to five meters in diameter—a giant.

Not good! That stone was enormous. A level 2 or even level 3 warrior couldn't stop it.

Torren realized this and rushed back, drawing his greatsword and shouting, "Iron Sword Cut!" This was his signature move—an excellent-grade skill in which he had built his reputation. With a heavy downward slash, the huge rolling stone was cut cleanly in half.

The blade barely touched the stone when Torren's face flushed scarlet. A massive impact surged through him, threatening to overturn his organs. He was flung backward, braced with his sword, nearly spitting blood.

But he had stopped it.

He barely had time to smile before the split stone didn't stop; it broke into two halves and continued falling toward the group.

In that critical instant Lin Mo appeared.

He rushed forward and faced a sliding half boulder. Slicing it further with a sword wouldn't help much—shattering it might still injure people. He had his Black Sword, but grasped it reversed and threw a punch.

The Black Sword's equipment bonus activates through attack-type skills, not just sword techniques. Combined with the Black Sword's +2 Strength and Finnie's perfectly timed Light's Assistance buff, Lin Mo's Strength stat surged to a terrifying 52!

With a thunderous roar, Lin Mo blocked the falling half boulder with a single punch. He staggered back only a few steps and then held his ground. The half boulder was riddled with cracks and nearly shattered from the blow.

An ordinary warrior, even with the strength to stop the boulder, couldn't withstand that massive impact—Torren was proof of that earlier. Lin Mo was different: not only strong but with exceptional constitution, so he suffered almost no injury.

Seconds earlier Landon had raised his staff and cast "Gale." A fierce wind blew but only slowed the boulder's descent. Landon furrowed his brow, cast Piercing Gale to bore through it, then Wind Cyclone, directly shredding the boulder into countless fragments.

Those fragments were held aloft and continuously cut by the Wind Cyclone. The spell finally moved away and stopped, leaving only a ground strewn with rubble.

A mage really could solve it without touching the rock.

Lin Mo and Landon's displays left Torren somewhat embarrassed.

Everyone moved aside and let the other half-boulder fall. "Whew!"

With the danger passed, a collective sigh escaped—some remained shaken. In that terrain, had the boulder gone unchecked, fatalities might have occurred.

Torren had been slightly injured but was fine. Finnie cast Healing Art and he recovered instantly. He stared at Lin Mo in shock.

Landon aside, he was more startled by Lin Mo. Torren knew the boulder's weight well. Yet this seemingly younger, unknown lad had held half of it alone and appeared unharmed.

"I remember now—that's the one who participated in the Silvermoon Town rescue earlier, right?"

Someone in the crowd recognized Lin Mo.

"The Lin Mo who outshone Landon with such exaggerated achievements?"

Hearing the chatter, Torren recalled the rumors he'd heard recently. He hadn't taken them seriously before; they sounded too tall to be true. Now it seemed Lin Mo might really have some skill...

"Do you think this rolling boulder was set up by goblins too?"

"But we didn't notice anywhere along the path that could conceal such a mechanism."

"Maybe someone ambushed from outside and dropped the stone once we entered?"

Lin Mo frowned. It was indeed strange. It wasn't even certain the rock was placed by goblins. Perhaps, as he had suspected earlier, these bunkers were bait—or sacrifices—laid out in plain sight.

They would need to be even more careful next.

Torren shook his head. "We can't worry about that now... move deeper. I'm curious what tricks these goblins still have!"

After a short rest, they reformed the squad and pressed further into the cavern's depths.