Group of Magi

Immediately, the mood in the tavern shifted.

With those robes, everyone knew the identity of the group.

Magi!

The mortals grew quiet. They all instinctively lowered their gazes. Some even turned away completely. Even the woman in the midst of serving someone had immediately rushed to find them a table.

Klyde's eyes narrowed faintly.

He leaned back once more into his seat and raised his hand lazily.

"Another drink, any will do," he said casually to a man close to him, despite it being his first time ordering a drink.

The six Magi sat not far from him.

They didn't seem alert or wary. Instead, they spoke with the unbothered ease of those unconcerned about being overheard.

"This mission's going to be a drag," one of them muttered. "Redspot Monkeys are annoying as hell since they move in packs. We'll have to find a way to split them up."

Klyde's eyes glinted faintly.

'Redspot Monkeys? Those are found in the Everglades. This group seems to be taking on a subjugation mission together to earn magic crystals,' Klyde assumed.

The Everglades was a vast and ancient forest. The further one traveled into it, the stranger and more dangerous it became. Even High-Tier Magi avoided venturing too deep.

Despite the danger, it was also a place where one can find many fortuitous encounters, such as herbs of a similar grade to the Bloodsoul Flower. There's also treasures and artifacts from deceased Magi who lost their lives.

Moreover, in his memories, Klyde knew there was a great mystery which surrounded this forest...

Multiple Magus Academies and independant organisations used the Everglades as a place to hunt and acquire resources. Naturally, there is some friction between academies, a sort of rivalry, which meant there are also established boundaries.

If these Magi were passing through Grey Rock City, then they were likely part of a neutral and independent organisation instead of an Academy.

'If so, this city being used as a stepping point into the forest makes sense.'

Klyde didn't recognise the insignia on their shoulders despite his eidetic memory, which meant they were likely a small organisation, or a secretive one. Though, the latter was unlikely.

He decided to listen in on them for a bit, lest he suddenly encounters them during his mission.

After all, handling a group of Magi was still beyond his current means.

He also didn't have a grasp on any of their abilities, strengths, and level as a Magus.

For all he knew, a Tier 3 Magus could be among them!

'It's a good thing I left the Bloodsoul Flower behind in the room. Right now, I lack the means of concealing or hiding it. If there really were a Tier 2 or 3 Magus here, I don't doubt they'd find it instantly...'

Klyde contemplated and inwardly frowned.

He was still merely a novice!

With his knowledge of the novel, he understood countless threats, risks and dangers that preyed on the unprepared.

But with his current capabilities, what could he do except pray for good luck?

While he knew many ways to reduce such risks, he was still an inexperienced Magus who had just recently taken his first steps.

At this thought, he frowned deeper.

Moreover, there was also another threat to consider.

The goddess he had made a contract with…

He knew such a display would raise suspicions.

'Although I haven't talked to her since our last meeting, I know this woman isn't foolish and the type to overlook things. Moreover, for all I know, she may be watching my every move. Since we already made the deal, even if my facade as a powerful being cracks, it won't be too detrimental, but it'll certainly make things more inconvenient...'

Klyde massaged his temples, half his focus on the conversation of the group of Magi, and the other half on how he should proceed with his interactions with the goddess in the future.

He took a sip from the drink that had been delivered.

The group of Magi continued their conversation, oblivious to his presence.

"We should take the southern route. There should be fewer magical beasts that way, but more wild beasts and a higher chance of encountering bandits," another said with a snort. "They won't be a problem though."

"Unless they've got a Magus of their own," one muttered, to which the others chuckled dryly.

"It shouldn't be a problem. Those trashes don't have any other thoughts apart from money, liquor and women. Once we get the Redspot fangs and the blood, we'll get the full reward."

Klyde raised a brow slightly.

'So they're collecting materials? Their mission is similar to mine then. Of course, Redspot Monkeys are much more difficult to handle compared to Ashfang Hounds as they are solitary creatures.'

He tapped the rim of his cup idly.

'Their route also confirms their destination being the deeper parts of the outer Everglades. An area with a very low chance of encountering strong magical beasts, but still relatively dangerous. This group's strength likely consists of mainly Tier 1 Magi with the strongest being low Tier 2 at best,' Klyde estimated.

After that, the conversation devolved into idle chatter. Nothing particularly valuable.

Satisfied, Klyde downed the last of his drink and stood. He left a few copper coins on the table and left the building.

Once he was outside, knowing he might spend a while in the Everglades, Klyde went to a shop to purchase some rations and water before heading back.

…

Back in the confines of his rented room, Klyde locked the door, placed down the stuff he had purchased, and checked his room to see if someone had been inside it. Seeing nothing out of place, he then walked to the box he had hidden out of sight containing the Bloodsoul Flower.

After carefully disabling the Heat Combustion trap he had set up and opening the box, he relaxed slightly.

'Good. It's still there.'

Naturally, without any magical methods to conceal the box, the best he could do was cause it to self-destruct.

'Although this method is rather crude and would only work on Magi below Tier 2, it's better than nothing.'

After Klyde packed up everything, he was finally ready to head into the Everglades!