The three villages were located to the north of Waskin City. The Dire Wolves recently became active in the north, and Sera had warned them that the possibility of the Dire Wolves' activity was caused by the Dire Wolf King. She reminded them to leave if they encountered the Dire Wolf King.
As the group headed toward the north gate, they were looking around curiously. This was a new experience for them, a medieval type of city. If not for they did not have money, they would stroll around to check the shops.
Soon, the party arrived at the north gate. As they were about to head out of the city, "Who are you? State your reason to head out of the city!" The guard was quite strict, questioning them just because they were about to head out of the city.
At this moment, Cao Yuntai stepped forward and smiled at the guard in the silver armor, "We are adventurers, and we are in our way for the quests," the older man showed his wooden badge.
The guard let out a sigh and tapped Cao Yuntai, "Be careful, I heard a big herd of Dire Wolves are very active in the Orin Forest, and winter is near, the beast is more active to search for food," the guard was kind enough as he warned Cao Yuntai.
Dire Wolf was Wood Rank Beast, meaning the Dire Wolf was as strong as Wood Rank Adventurer. However, if the wolf was in a big pack, even Silver Rank Adventurer would have a hard time facing them.
"Thank you, we will be careful," Cao Yuntai nodded while the guard let them pass. A party of five Wood Rank Adventurers entered the Orin Forest under the watch of the guard.
"Hah, we may likely lose five more people. This winter would be hard for us," the guard let out a sigh as he watched the party enter the forest. His friend who was standing next to him spoke, "Worrying for them? Better get prepared for the Beast Stampede!"
Beast Stampede was an attack of the beast horde to the city. Usually, the attack happened a month after the winter started. Each year, the beast would form a horde to attack the city. The city had sent their knight to find the source of the horde which was in the Orin Forest, but they never got any result. Death haunted them when they tried to search deeper into the forest.
Of course, Sera had told the party about the danger of the Orin Forest. But the danger was like a temptation for Tang Shaoyang to enter the forest.
Cao Yuntai led the party in the front while opening the map. He was checking the path to the Durin Village which was the closest to them.
"Following the main road, take the right smaller path, then we will get to Durin Village!" Cao Yuntai told the others the path to Durin Village, "It's one and half an hour if we walk."
"Then we should run!" Tang Shaoyang scanned the surroundings. The road was empty, totally different from the boisterous city, "Take off your equipment, but it's okay too if you want to wear the armor," he stored the battle-ax into the inventory while his armor was still attached to his body.
The main road was empty of people, so they began to take off their armor and stored their equipment in the inventory. They had not figured out if the magical bag existed or not. So they made sure that no one saw them before they ran to their destination.
The road was void of life, no other people could be seen on the road. People said the forest was dangerous, but they did not encounter any beast or monster too. It was a smooth trip until they reached three forked roads.
They stopped for a moment as Cao Yuntai checked the map once again to make sure they were not lost, "Mnn, the right path," confirming the path, they continued their rush to Durin Village.
Thanks to the Ogre Village raid, the rush was much more bearable than the hellish raid in the fourth portal. The one and half an hour supposed journey was cut to half an hour. Soon the sight of the village with a three meters wooden fence came to their sight.
"Get your armor on!" Tang Shaoyang took out his battle-ax while the others put their armor on. Even though Tang Shaoyang was the leader, he let Cao Yuntai lead the party, letting him take care of the boring talk with their client.
Two men wore leather armor and a bow in their hand guarded the entrance. The Dire Wolves' activity caused an unsettling atmosphere to the villagers hence hunters of the village were tasked to watch the four sides of the entrance.
The two hunters immediately noticed an armored group approaching their village. The two hunters exchanged glances before they nodded. A hunter then rushed back to the village while the remaining was holding the short sword on his waist.
"Who are you? State your business?" When the distance shortened to ten minutes, the hunter questioned the group cautiously.
Captain Cao was adept with this kind of situation. He raised his left hand and showed a wooden badge to the hunter with his right hand, "We are an adventurer! Is this Durin Village?" He was proving himself to be harmless while exchanging the conversation with the hunter.
His action eased the hunter a little bit but he did not lower his guard, "Yes, this is Durin Village! State your business coming to our village!"
"We are coming under your village quest! We are here to help you with the Dire Wolves," Cao Yuntai took out the quest paper from his clothes.
The hunter did not lower his guard as he scanned Cao Yuntai and the other four. His gaze stayed longer on Tang Shaoyang, the guy with the big battle-ax. This man gave off a different feeling than others that made him even more cautious.
"You, come alone! Tell your friends to stay back!" The hunter motioned to Cao Yuntai, he wanted to confirm the quest paper.
The older man nodded understandingly as he approached the hunter. He left his spear behind and walked forward. The hunter still had his right hand on the short sword on his waist while taking the paper quest. The hunter scanned the quest paper until he discovered the Adventurer Guild stamp, indicating the paper quest was legit.
The hunter was relieved and handed the quest paper back to Cao Yuntai, "I am sorry, we have to be extra careful since the bandit tried to sneak into our village as an adventurer before," the hunter apologized.
"It's okay, I understand your situation," Cao Yuntai smiled and called the others to come.
"Yeah, not only we have to be careful about the beast threat, but from our kind as well," the middle-aged man hunter said in an upsetting tone.
At this moment, the hunter that earlier rushed into the village came back with more people. From their attire, the hunter was bringing more people with them.
"Please wait a moment," the hunter who had checked the party said as he walked toward the group. The hunter was explaining to his fellow villagers the party was safe, a party of an adventurer who took their quest.
After a moment, the hunter was back with an old man. From the wrinkles, and his white hair and white beard, the old man should be at least in his late sixties or even seventies. However, old age was not an obstacle for the old man as he walked with his upright posture.
"Welcome to During Village. Thank you for accepting the quest," the old man bowed to the party. He was truly grateful that there was a party that received the quest.
Cao Yuntai returned the greeting as he extended his hand to the old man for a handshake. The old man was the Chief of During Village.
The party was brought to the village as they exchanged the formality chit chat.
"Chief Lod, we are in a hurry as we receive the same quest from the other two villages too. Can we borrow one of your village hunters to guide us to the location of the Dire Wolves?" Cao Yuntai refused the kind offer for the reception.
"Are you sure?" Chief Lod asked Cao Yuntai. While talking, he found out the party was Wood Rank Party. He was thinking of sending his hunters to help the adventurer, "What about we send ten more hunters to help you?"
"It's okay, we can handle this much since we receive your money. We just need a guide, and I promise you for your people's safety," Cao Yuntai smiled while refusing the kind offer, "I heard the bandit tried to attack your village too, so it's better if you have more people stay in the village, just in case a situation arises."
Chief Lod's impression of Cao Yuntai and his party immediately rose. Indeed, he could not send many people to help even if he wanted to. The bandit was looming around the less populace region.
"Alright, I wish you success and safety," the chief bowed his head to the party.
After a short discussion, Chief Lod sent the hunter who received them at the entrance. After the guide was chosen, the party immediately departed from the village.
The hunter led them into the deeper part of the forest. Around twenty minutes, the hunter stopped and pointed at the area ahead of him, "If we hunters pass this area, the Dire Wolves will start attacking us! Five hunters died from crossing–"
Before the hunter could finish his words, the bushes around them made a noise, and black-furred wolves started to surround them.