Chapter 8:Mastermind(2)
---
The group of new players huddled together, their inexperience written all over their faces. Aris approached them with a confident stride, flashing a reassuring smile.
"Hey, looks like we're all in the same boat," Aris began, his voice calm and friendly. "The Grit Forest is no joke, especially for newcomers like us."
The players looked at him with a mix of relief and uncertainty. One of them, a tall boy with messy hair, stepped forward. "Yeah, we're a bit nervous. It's our first time here."
Aris nodded sympathetically. "I get it. But I've heard a few things from some of the more experienced players. There's a way to get the best cultivation art in the forest, but it's not something you can do alone."
The group leaned in, eager to hear more. "What do you mean?" a girl with short blonde hair asked.
Aris lowered his voice, making them feel like he was sharing a secret. "There's a hidden area deep within the forest where the most powerful cultivation arts are kept. But it's heavily guarded by a beast—a guardian of sorts. If we work together, we can create a diversion to distract it and grab the art before anyone else."
The group exchanged nervous glances. "How do we know you're telling the truth?" another player asked, skepticism creeping into his voice.
Aris smiled, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "You don't. But think about it—why would I lie? If we succeed, we all get stronger. If we fail… well, at least we tried, right? Better than wandering aimlessly and hoping for the best."
The players hesitated, but Aris's charisma was hard to resist. Finally, the tall boy nodded. "Alright, let's do it. What's the plan?"
Aris quickly outlined his strategy, assigning roles to each of them. The plan was simple but effective—split into two groups. One group would create a loud distraction to lure the beast away, while the other group, led by Aris, would sneak into the hidden area to retrieve the cultivation art.
The group seemed energized by the plan, their fear giving way to determination. They were ready to prove themselves, and Aris was counting on it.
**In the Grit Forest:**
The trees loomed larger as the group ventured deeper into the Grit Forest. The sunlight barely penetrated the thick canopy, casting eerie shadows on the forest floor. The sound of flowing water had faded, replaced by the rustling of leaves and distant, unidentifiable noises.
"Remember," Aris whispered as they approached the supposed lair of the guardian beast, "timing is everything. Once the distraction starts, we'll only have a few minutes to grab the art and get out."
The group nodded, their expressions tense. Aris watched them closely, gauging their resolve. He needed them to believe in the plan, at least for now.
The group tasked with creating the diversion moved off to the side, their footsteps fading as they positioned themselves. Aris remained with the others, guiding them through the dense undergrowth. His heart pounded with excitement—not from fear, but from the anticipation of outsmarting everyone.
After a few minutes, a loud commotion erupted in the distance. Shouts, clanging metal, and the roar of a beast echoed through the forest, exactly as planned.
"Now!" Aris hissed, leading his group forward. They sprinted through the forest, heading toward the hidden area he'd described. The noise grew fainter as they put distance between themselves and the diversion.
But as they approached the location, Aris slowed down, his eyes narrowing as he took in their surroundings. He needed to ensure that the other group was fully engaged with the beast before he made his next move.
The other players in his group were anxious, their eyes darting around nervously. "Where is it?" one of them asked, his voice trembling.
Aris pointed to a thick cluster of trees ahead. "Just beyond those trees. Stay quiet and follow my lead."
They crept forward, the forest around them unnervingly silent now. As they reached the cluster of trees, Aris motioned for them to stop.
"Wait here," he whispered. "I'll check ahead to make sure the coast is clear."
The players nodded, trusting him completely. Aris moved forward, but instead of continuing toward the hidden area, he circled back around. His heart pounded with the thrill of deception. He knew the others would be too distracted to notice his absence for a while.
As he slipped away, he heard faint cries of alarm from the direction of the diversion. The beast must have caught on to their ruse. Aris smirked—soon, the players would realize they'd been duped, but by then, he'd be long gone with the prize.
He continued deeper into the forest, following a path he'd scouted earlier. The air grew colder, and the trees became twisted and gnarled, their branches reaching out like claws. This was the true heart of the Grit Forest, where the most powerful treasures were hidden.
As Aris approached the hidden area, the ground beneath his feet began to tremble slightly, and a low, ominous growl echoed through the trees. He slowed his pace, every sense on high alert.
---