Chapter 53: Cold Plains Waypoint
On the ninth day, I finally reached the edge of the Misty Forest. It was like a wide green river, stretching downwards for an unknown distance, separating the Rogue Encampment from Lut Gholein. The only way to get to Lut Gholein was to pass through the Misty Forest. However, the Misty Forest was full of Traps and perpetually shrouded in a thick fog where you couldn't see your hand. Only a few Merchants knew the safest path through it.
According to Akara, the Cold Plains Town Portal was located in a certain Zone on the border of the Misty Forest. But, unfortunately, I was already lost, uh...
After stumbling around the edge of the Misty Forest for a few days, I finally found a Marker somewhere – dozens of cut-down Tree Stumps forming a shape similar to a Pentagram. I was practically in tears! After all, I wasn't an Amazon, and Operation in the Jungle wasn't my forte. Even with the reminders from my Raven and Poison Creeper, I lived in fear every day and never slept well. I had originally planned that if I couldn't find a Clue today, I would use a Town Portal to go back tomorrow, even if it meant being laughed at by Doug and the others.
Finding the road sign again, everything became easy. At dusk, I finally arrived at my destination. This was a hidden Small Canyon, entered through a narrow Crevice. Inside was an open space of about a hundred square meters, almost completely surrounded by vertical Cliffs. It really was a good place! And a deception spell had been added at the Entrance. Let alone low-level Monsters, even I would definitely have been Deceived past it if it weren't for Akara's reminder.
Inside the open space were two small Tents, and in the middle was a large Campfire. In the innermost part of the open space, a faint Magic Radiance flickered. This should be the simple Town Portal for Teleportation. Naturally, it couldn't compare to the giant Town Portal inside the Rogue Encampment.
At this time, there were 3 people in the open space: two Rogues, and one person wearing a black Cloak who looked like a Sorceress. Their hood was up, making them look like an old black-robed demon. The Rogues truly had the Talent of Archers; they were especially alert. Even in such a dark line of sight, they still discovered my arrival.
"Who?"
I was startled. The Bow and Arrow in their hands had already been raised, but were immediately lowered again.
"Excuse me, are you Lord Wu Fan?" the leading male Rogue asked.
I quickly nodded. Damn, I'd been wandering in the Cold Plains for over 10 days, and I finally found the Organization.
"Welcome, Lord Wu Fan. Lady Akara had already informed us, but Lord Wu Fan, you were late in arriving, so we were worried..."
Town Portal Rule number one: When you are being Pursued by Monsters, even if it means death, do not enter the Town Portal Domain to seek refuge. This act of exposing the Town Portal will result in Pursuit by the entire Continent.
"Haha, my apologies, I was delayed by a little Matter."
I gave an awkward smile. Could I say I was lost?
I followed the two people and sat down beside the Campfire. We chatted for a while, and I learned that the two Rogues in front of me, one named Kaya and the other Tirul, were Soldiers of the Rogue Encampment. The black-robed strange person opposite was Shatov, a Sorceress from the Mage Guild.
The so-called Sorcerers are like Mercenaries; they have received training but haven't been able to become Class Changers. After that, they can choose: one is to become a Mercenary, and the other is to join the Mage Guild. Most people choose to join the Mage Guild, after all, it's relatively safer.
Activating the Town Portal requires a specialized Sorceress, which is why Shatov is here. The other two Rogue Soldiers, Kaya and Tirul, are the Guards here. The Sorceress is changed daily, while the Guards are changed weekly. The system is quite reasonable.
Soon, Shatov registered my Name. From then on, I could use the Cold Plains Waypoint.
"Lord Wu Fan, do you want to return to the Rogue Encampment now?"
Shatov was a relatively silent person and never spoke Nonsense.
I thought about it but still shook my head. Although returning to the Rogue Encampment now, playing for a few days, and then Teleporting back seemed like a very good Idea, I wasn't here for a vacation. This kind of comfortable Thought was absolutely Danger. Moreover, using the Town Portal also consumed a lot of the Sorceress's energy. I couldn't trouble others for such a reason.
Shatov nodded and didn't speak again. Just under his hat, his Gaze towards me held a bit more respect and admiration.
Early the next morning, after the fog had mostly dispersed, I was just about to leave when unexpectedly, Kaya and Tirul took out a large pile of Food and daily necessities and promoted them to me. Their enthusiasm was no less than that of some salespeople from my original world. However, since the customers were all Class Changers, they didn't dare to raise the prices too high, only slightly more expensive than in the Rogue Encampment. I looked at my already half-empty Inventory Space and simply bought everything I needed in one go, making them beam with joy. I only found out when I asked that every Waypoint also served the function of a Transfer Station and Rest Stop. The Rogues here were both Guards and Merchants.
Huh, I thought guarding the Town Portal was a tough job. I didn't expect it to be such a lucrative position!
"Lord Wu Fan, look, if you go straight this way, it leads to the Stony Field. This way goes back to the Blood Moor. You absolutely must not go that way! That is the depths of the Misty Forest. Once you enter, without Experience, you absolutely cannot get out."
Kaya was a lively young man, enthusiastically pointing out directions for me at this time. It seems my problem of being Directionally Challenged was still seen by them, sigh!
"Which way is it to the Burial Grounds?" I suddenly asked.
"What, Lord, you want to go to the Burial Grounds?" Kaya's tone suddenly changed as if he had seen a ghost. Even the faces of Tirul and Shatov beside him turned pale.
"Please don't! Blood Raven's Strength is really too Powerful! Uh, of course, Lord Wu Fan, you are also very Powerful, but it's best to find a few ranged Archers, for example, Amazons. They will be your most capable Companions," Kaya said hurriedly, afraid that I might impulsively run to my death.
"Don't worry, I still have that much self-awareness. I'm not foolish enough to go challenge Blood Raven one-on-one." I smiled slightly, making Kaya and the others breathe a sigh of relief.
It seems Blood Raven is truly infamous throughout the Rogue Encampment! If Bishibosh is the most troublesome, then Blood Raven is the well-deserved melee killer. Her Dexterity Speed is unmatched except by Assassins; no one else's Speed can catch up to her. Plus her superb archery, she is definitely the bane of melee Classes. (Of course, 'no one' here refers to Class Changers of the same level. If you bring a level 60 Druid, you could easily catch up to her and beat her black and blue.)