Clannad's final target

Anticipations of people skyrocketed on the third and final day of the first round.

A large crowd of people gathered at the entrance of the mountain pass after the sun passed its zenith.

Unlike the other two days where participants could register at multiple checkpoints, today they could do so only at the checkpoint at the entrance.

This was done so the crowd could have a bigger visual impact of their heroes.

Multiple tents and temporary shades were installed by the Merchant Union, which were available for rent.

Hundreds or even thousands of people stood or sat, waiting to see the rankings and the winner of the first round.

The banners fluttered in the afternoon wind, displaying the rankings, updated last night.

Not far from the entrance and its checkpoint the town had built a makeshift podium.

The podium was equipped with enough shade, comfortable chairs with a small table beside each of them.

On the podium only the most elite of the town or its most honored guests had a place.

Conrad sat in the midst of the other council members and dignitaries from both the Merchant Union as the Viscount's county.

"What is that grandson of yours doing?" A man with a rotund built, sitting beside Conrad, asked, irritated. "I have betted heavily on him to win this round."

"You are not alone, Tholmund. We all did." Before Conrad could answer, another person spoke up. It was an old crow-like woman, whose face looked like she was annoyed all the time.

These two, as well as everyone else around Conrad, were the leaders of the richest people in Grindeston. Some had acres of woods, some mines in the mountains and some were aligned with the Merchant Union.

Through marriages and businesses all these people were associated with each other. The Glaciaborn family was the oldest family and former rulers of Grindeston.

Though the town was now officially under the baron's rule, Conrad was still unofficially in charge. This was due to the baron rarely showing interest in the town's matters.

Despite feeling everyone's burning gazes at him, Conrad only smiled and sipped from his cold cup.

"There is still time, isn't it? Winners and losers are determined at the final second," he said calmly after a while.

His confident and calm manner assured some but made even more people curious. What was the old man planning?

…

Clannad looked up at the peak of the mountain he was trying to conquer. The peak was shrouded in mist and capped with snow and ice.

He was close yet still far from his goal. His armor was torn in some places and there were splatters of blood all over his body.

All the people under his command were resting not far from him. They looked haggard. Battles after battles had worn them down.

Clannad knew they were tired and close to giving up. But he wouldn't allow it. Not before getting what he came for.

The twins sat beside him, whispering and giggling with each other. The pair of brother and sister were practically fused with each other. They were never seen apart. It was like they couldn't stay far from each other. They even slept in the same tiny tent at nights.

All six Knights were sitting around a pit in which they roasted the meat of a lizard-like creature. This lizard however was two meters in length and had sharp talons and fangs. Its body was blueish and it had spikes over its spine.

Two more figures stood beside Clannad.

"Not getting cold feet, are you?" Elron asked teasingly. His and his partner's hood were down as they too looked at the peak.

His partner looked at him in confusion. "Shouldn't he get cold feet towards the top? The creature has caused a lot of the snow to remain frozen around his layer."

"That was the joke. Idiot!" Elron snapped at his partner in annoyance. He couldn't help but wonder once more why the Dawnbringers always seem to lack normal people.

"Lord Elron. Please don't joke at a time like this," Clannad said coldly. "We are up against a Disaster stage Ice Kobold."

"So?" Elron grinned as he pulled a large vial from his pouch. A blood red liquid swirled inside as if it wanted to escape its cage, if it didn't have the brown wooden stopper. "With this sweet juicy baby of mine I can kill it easily."

"Please don't forget our deal. I will kill it!" Clannad emphasized on the I part with an ice-cold expression on his face.

"I know. I know, seriously," Elron chuckled. "You need its crystal to unlock the next stage of your family's technique. But are you sure it will work? No one, not even that old grandpa of yours has been able to do it."

"I am sure!" Clannad said with confidence. "I will get to that stage. And even beyond it."

"Yeah," Elron said as he cheered Clannad on. "Our boy will be the strongest."

Clannad ignored him and turned his gaze once more to the top of the mountain. His mind was somewhere else this time.

'I hope you survive Hex. Just so you can see why I was and always will be the better one.'

…

Hex looked at the bodies strewn around him. He killed another pack of wolves. The second mountain seemed to be filled with canine beasts.

He had been prowling and searching for beasts all over the mountain. And at the same time he harvested the precious herbs and plants he could find.

Due to the constrained time he focused his energy on high value beasts and plants. He didn't bother with small packs and places he believed to be devoid of valuable plants.

'I have made more than a thousand points, but I shouldn't underestimate my opponents. It's better to hunt till I can.'

Missing one day came at a huge cost. He knew at some point he needed to face Fiend stage beasts just to have a chance at the top spots.

Just as he was about to climb higher, he noticed someone closing in on him. He became alert at once. He pulled his sword, ready to engage the person in combat.

"Relax, it's me." The person was near him as soon as he was ready to attack, but her voice made him halt. Nimbly, she used her long beautiful legs to land on a rock not far from him.

"What's up," Hex said, lowering his sword, but still on alert. He knew Althea helped save him, but he didn't dare to trust anyone. Especially not someone as strong as the lady in front of him.

"I know you want more points," she stated directly. Her voice was calm and she seemed like someone who hated wasting her breath on useless words.

Seeing Hex nod in agreement, she continued. "I want more points too. There is a lair, hidden from sight, not so far. From what I can tell the pack is large and has at least one Fiend stage beast. I can hold it down. Can you kill the rest?"

'It sounds good. Killing so many Demons would get me a good few points and such lairs always have good stuff.' Hex was tempted by the offer. He knew he was still not strong enough to defeat a Fiend. But could he trust her?

She seemed to have noticed his hesitation. "I will be at the front at all times. You are free to flee if you change your mind. And…you are free to attack me if you want."

Her cocky tone made Hex grin. He liked her frankness and confidence. In the short time he knew her, she always seemed ready to face everything.

"Okay. We will split the loot based on our kills and discoveries."

Althea just shrugged and started to lead the way.

"By the way, the Knights have discovered two more suspects in cahoots with your old friend. Those two are Hawks."

"So we have three people with information. Can we kill at least one now?" Hex asked coldly.

Althea didn't turn but her voice drifted over. "After these dogs we can indeed some worms."

Hex quickened his pace.

"Let's hurry then."