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Back at a safehouse Darius and the others were staying at within Blue Moon City, Miya stormed through the door, her face flushed with anger and her fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white. The rest of the group looked up from their planning, their expressions shifting from curiosity to concern as they took in her furious demeanor.

"I'm going to kill him," Miya seethed, slamming the door shut behind her. "I'm going to rip that disgusting, slimy, fat bastard's hands off and shove them down his throat."

Darius raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. "Let me guess. Reginald?"

"Who else?" Miya snapped, pacing back and forth like a caged animal. "That pig has been harassing me since day one, but today—today he crossed the line!"

Lira exchanged a glance with Garret and Jax before turning her attention back to Miya. "What happened?"

Miya stopped pacing and turned to face them, her eyes blazing with fury. "He groped me. Right in the middle of the factory, in front of everyone. And you know what I had to do? Smile! Smile and pretend like it was nothing. Like I was oh so flattered by the attention coming from that disgusting pig!"

As the group continued to plan their next move, Miya couldn't shake the memory of Reginald's lecherous grin or the feel of his hand on her. It took every ounce of self-control she had to keep from snapping his wrist right then and there. But she knew that losing her temper would jeopardize the mission, and she wasn't willing to let that happen.

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Garret's expression darkened, and he cracked his knuckles. "I say we go in there right now and teach him a lesson he won't forget."

"Tempting," Miya said, her voice dripping with venom. "But no. I want to do it myself. When this mission is over, I'm going to make sure Reginald regrets ever laying a finger on me."

Jax, who had been quietly observing the scene, finally spoke up. "As much as I'd love to see you take that guy down, we need to stay focused. We're close to getting all the info we need, and we can't afford to blow our cover now."

Miya shot him a glare, but Lira stepped in before things could escalate. "Jax is right. We're almost there. Miya, the intel you've been gathering has been invaluable. Thanks to you, we've already identified one of Kain's behind-the-scenes competitors. We just need a little more time to connect the dots."

Miya took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "I know. I know we're close. But every day I have to spend in that factory, pretending to be some wide-eyed, naive girl who's impressed by Reginald's 'charm,' is another day I want to strangle him with his own tie."

Darius stood up, walking over to Miya and placing a hand on her shoulder. "You've done an incredible job so far. We all know how hard this has been for you. But you're not alone in this. We've got your back, and when the time comes, Reginald will be all yours."

Miya looked up at Darius, her anger slowly giving way to determination. "You promise?"

"I promise," Darius said, his voice firm. "When this mission is over, Reginald is yours to deal with as you please. But for now, we need to stay focused. Can you do that?"

Miya nodded, her jaw tightening. "Yeah. I can do that. And when this is over, even if I do decide to leave him alive—not sure yet—I will make sure he's so terrified of women he'll never want to touch one again."

The group spent the next few hours going over the information Miya had gathered. Thanks to her efforts, they had a clear picture of the Golden Brew Syndicate's operations, as well as their connections to the Black Vine Consortium, a much larger corporation with ties to a noble household and was primarily based in the Sourthern Region.

Lira began, "Thankfully, Miya managed to get her hands on a list of names—people who are directly involved in the Consortium's interactions with Reginald. If we can hunt them down, we'll be able to obtain more in depth information from their mouths."

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"So is it almost time to deal with Reginald?" Miya asked, her voice cold.

"Reginald's just a pawn who probably doesn't know much about who else is involved aside from the Black Vine Consortium," Darius said. "But he's a useful pawn. We can use him to get in contact with members of the Black Vine Consortium. Once we've got what we need, he's all yours."

Miya nodded, her expression hardening. "Good. Because I'm not sure how much longer I can keep playing nice."

———————–

Thankfully, Reginald presented the opportunity to get into contact with the Black Vine Consortium soon enough.

Since he had plans to move his operations to the Southern Region, and the Black Vine was based in the Southern Region, he would naturally request their help.

And naturally, he took Miya along with him so he could show off his 'handsome and powerful CEO' aura in front of her as he talked business.

Reginald strutted into the meeting room of the Black Vine Consortium's Blue Moon City branch, his chest puffed out and his chin held high. Miya followed closely behind, her expression carefully neutral but her eyes sharp, taking in every detail of the opulent office. The room was a stark contrast to the grimy, mildewed factory Reginald called his headquarters. Polished mahogany furniture, crystal chandeliers, and expensive artwork adorned the space, a clear display of the Consortium's wealth and influence.

Reginald turned to Miya, flashing her what he probably thought was a charming smile. "Stick close to me, my dear," he said, his voice dripping with false bravado. "You're about to see how real business is done."

Miya forced a smile, her stomach churning at his condescending tone. "Of course, Mr. Reginald. I'm looking forward to it."

The door at the far end of the room opened, and two men walked in. The first was tall and lean, with sharp features and an air of cold authority. The second was shorter but stockier, his face set in a permanent scowl. Both wore tailored suits that screamed money and power, and their presence immediately filled the room with an oppressive tension.

Reginald's demeanor shifted instantly. His confident swagger vanished, replaced by a hunched posture and a nervous smile. He dropped all of the arrogant pretense he'd been putting on for Miya and devolved into a snivelling ass-kisser within seconds.

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He rushed forward, extending a hand desperately to the taller man. "Mr. Hawthorne! What an honor to finally meet you in person. I've heard so much about your work with the Consortium. Truly inspiring!"

Hawthorne, the taller of the two Consortium representatives, didn't even glance at Reginald's hand. His icy gaze swept over the rotund man with barely concealed disdain, as if he were examining a particularly unpleasant stain on his polished leather shoes. "Reginald," he said, his voice clipped and dripping with condescension. "I hope you're not wasting our time. We have more important matters to attend to."

Reginald's hand dropped awkwardly to his side, and he laughed nervously. "Of course, of course! I wouldn't dream of wasting your time. I just wanted to discuss my plans for expanding my corporation into the Southern Region. With your guidance, of course."

The stockier man, who had been silent until now, let out a derisive snort that echoed through the opulent meeting room. "Your corporation? You mean your pathetic little knockoff operation? Don't make me laugh calling it a corporation"

Reginald's face turned a shade of red that clashed horribly with his mustard-yellow suit, but he quickly plastered on another ingratiating smile. "Ah, Mr. Graves! Always so sharp. But you see, my operation has been quite successful here in the Eastern Region. With the Consortium's support, I'm confident we can replicate that success in the South."

Hawthorne raised an eyebrow, his expression unimpressed. "Your 'success' is built on cheap imitations and corner-cutting. Not to mention that we know that there has been a poisoning incident recently related to you so it'd difficult to trust in your 'business expertise.' The only reason we've tolerated you this long is because you've proven yourself useful in other ways. But don't mistake that for approval. The entire spiritual beverage market is destined to end up in the pocket of our consortium, and your cheap imitations only serve to harm our future interests."

Miya watched the exchange with barely concealed amusement. The arrogant, lecherous man who had been harassing her for weeks was now reduced to a sniveling suck-up, groveling at the feet of this Consortium's representatives. It was almost as satisfying as the thought of beating Reginald to a pulp herself—almost.

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Graves stepped forward, his scowl deepening. "Listen, Reginald. We don't have time for your nonsense. If you want our help, you'll follow our instructions to the letter. No deviations, no excuses. Understood?"

Reginald nodded eagerly, his head bobbing like a bobblehead doll. "Absolutely, Mr. Graves. Whatever you need, I'm your man."

Hawthorne's gaze shifted to Miya, finally paying attention to the woman he deemed inconsequential, his eyes narrowing slightly. "And who is this?"

Reginald jumped at the opportunity to show off, placing a hand on Miya's shoulder in what he probably thought was a protective gesture. "This is Mary, my new assistant. She's been an invaluable addition to the team. Sharp as a tack, this one."

Miya forced another smile, her skin breaking out into goosebumps under the area Reginald was touching. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Hawthorne, Mr. Graves."

"And her background has been checked?" Hawthorne asked, eyes narrowing in suspicion. Miya resisted stiffening as sweat began to run down her back. She had no doubt that if Reginald's answer did not satisfy him, he'd kill her immediately, and maybe even Reginald too.

"Aahhh, yes. Of course!" Reginald replied while smiling awkwardly.

'I'll do it later. What harm could a little girl without an affinity even do…'

Hawthorne studied Miya for a moment longer, his expression unreadable, before turning back to Reginald. "Keep her out of the way. We don't need any distractions or leaks."

Reginald nodded vigorously. "Of course, of course. Mary, why don't you wait outside while we discuss business?"

Miya hesitated, her mind racing. This was her chance to gather more information, but she couldn't push too hard without raising suspicion. "Of course, Mr. Reginald," she said sweetly, giving him a saccharine smile. "I'll be right outside if you need me."

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As she turned to leave, she caught a glimpse of the documents on the table—shipping manifests, financial records, and what looked like a contract with another company that hadn't previously been on their radar but was famous enough for Mary to immediately place the name—Empire Eats Inc.

Empire Eats was a massive organization that is responsible for supplying and shipping nearly all of the produce needed by the Southern Region's civilians. It was a massive food empire and its potential involvement in targeting Kain was a major concern.

As Miya walked out of the meeting room, she couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and trepidation. She had been playing the role of "Mary" for weeks now, gathering intel and waiting for the perfect moment to strike. And now, it seemed like that moment was finally approaching.

She took a deep breath and closed the door behind her, trying to process everything she had just heard. The Consortium's representatives, Hawthorne and Graves, were clearly not impressed with Reginald's operation, but they were willing to tolerate him as long as he was useful to their interests. And what were those interests, exactly? Miya's mind was racing with questions and theories.

But since she had confirmed that Reginald wasn't irreplaceable or emotionally connected to them in any way, perhaps…

'Maybe we can replace him and infiltrate the larger corporation…'

———————-

"If Empire Eats is involved," Lira said, her voice low, "then this goes way beyond a low-level skirmish between small and mid-sized business aiming to enter the spiritual beverage market. Empire Eats is solidly within the top 10 corporations of the Empire."

Darius nodded, his expression grim. "Which means we need to be careful. One wrong move, and we could tip off the wrong people."

Miya crossed her arms, her mind going back to the thought she'd had earlier. "At the end of the day, this is an exam for a life-changing opportunity. If we just tell Kain all that we've found and get rid of Reginald, would that be enough to prove our irreplaceable worth? I don't think so. I think many mercenary groups that we'd met in the past could accomplish this much. But, what if we don't just take down the Black Vine Consortium? What if we replace them? If we can get ourselves on the inside—become people they trust—we could dismantle their entire operation from within and hand deliver it to Kain!"

The room fell silent as the group considered her words. It was a bold plan, but it just might work.

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For his part, Kain had no idea that the entrance mission that he'd given to Miya and the others had been voluntarily increased from B-level to S-level difficulty by them. He was blissfully unaware of the chaos they were planning on stirring up, too preoccupied with his own responsibilities.

Instead, he was focused on re-integrating back into normal life.

Lord Alaric Veylen, seeming to take Kain's previous visit as a friendly signal was persistent in inviting him to his home and various functions. However, since Kain had decided to take in Darius, Alaric was already a dead man walking to him. He didn't see any reason to waste his time befriending the dead… especially when the man's days were numbered.

Kain stretched lazily on the plush couch in his dorm room (unfortunately still the dorm for the second-ranked second-year), savoring the rare moment of peace. The past couple of weeks had been a whirlwind of creating more beast-tamers, aiding in the repair efforts of the city, and training hard in preparation of the next, and final, re-ranking of the year in 2 and a half months.

Now, finally, he had a chance to rest. The Order typically only assigned mandatory missions every few months, giving its members time to recover and prepare for the next expedition. But with the Abyss growing more active, even these brief moments of rest felt like borrowed time.

He glanced at the stack of uncompleted homework on his desk and sighed. "Maybe tomorrow," he muttered, closing his eyes and taking advantage of the peace to take a mid-afternoon nap.

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But peace, as always, was fleeting…

The summons came early the next morning in the form of a notification to the communication device restricted to Order members:

"Pathfinder Kain, your presence is required at the Order's headquarters immediately. Further details will be provided upon arrival. Priority Level: High"

Kain rubbed his temples, feeling the beginnings of a headache. "So much for a break," he muttered, tossing the communicator aside and heading to the shower.

Unfortunately, he wasn't all that surprised by his break being cut short. With the Abyss growing more aggressive, the frequency of missions had increased dramatically.

Within the hour, with the help of the College's teleportation array, Kain found himself in a familiar setting—a private briefing room deep within the heart of the Order's facilities.

Several other members of the Order were already present, including, to his surprise, Serena who was standing on the opposite side of the room with the other Starchasers, donning her usual composed expression. Seeing her here meant that whatever this mission was, it involved more than just the Pathfinders.

Despite seeing a close acquaintance—friend?—Kain went and sat with the other Pathfinders since it seemed as though they were sitting by department.

Before long, the door swung open, and silver-haired higher-up who had overseen Kain's admission exam into the Order strode in, his presence commanding immediate attention.

He was a tall, broad-shouldered man with a face that looked like it had been carved from granite. His eyes swept over the room, before landing on the most senior member in the room—a relatively famous Pathfinder who had been part of the Order for over a decade named Idrias Tailwind. Kain assumed that he would be the captain for this mission.

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"Good, you're all here," he said, his voice deep and authoritative. "Let's get started." Discover more stories at My Virtual Library Empire

He activated a holographic map that projected above the table, showing a detailed layout of the southern area of the continent, even further below the Southern Province of the Empire. The map was dotted with markers, each one indicating, what Kain assumed to be, a site of interest.

"Three days ago, one of our reconnaissance teams discovered a relic in the far south," The grey-haired man began, pointing to a marker near the edge of the map. "Initial scans suggest it's tied to an ancient civilization that may have developed methods to combat the Abyss. If we can recover it, it could give us a significant advantage."

Idrias leaned forward, aside from the departmental head of the Pathfinders, he was one of the most experienced Pathfinders in the Order. "What kind of relic are we talking about?"

"We're not entirely sure," the commander admitted. "But based on the energy signatures, we believe it to more likely be a Habitat or Trial Relic, rather than a Memory Relic like first believed. However, there are no certainties and there is some indication that it may possess features of more than one type of relic. The major problem is its location. It's deep in the territory of the nomadic tribes, and they're not exactly fond of outsiders. Not to mention, while we have been at peace with them for decades, there is a long hostile history between us and the tribespeople."

He paused to let the fact that even reaching the relic presented an immense ordeal and may result in their death before continuing, "That's why this is a joint mission. The Starchasers will handle navigation and exploration on the way to and potentially even inside of the relic, while the Pathfinders focus on recovering the necessary historical information."

"Due to the nature of this mission being in potentially hostile territory, we can't afford to send a large taskforce, so each of you has been handpicked for having skills we believe to be an invaluable asset to the success of this mission. You'll be leading the team, Idrias."

Idrias nodded lost in thought, likely already running through potential strategies in his mind. "What's the timeline?"

"You leave in two days," the commander said. "We've already arranged transport, but once you're on the ground, you're on your own. The tribes are unpredictable, and the Abyss has been unusually active in that region. Stay sharp."

As the information session continued to outline the mission details, Kain couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation.

This wasn't just another relic hunt—it was a chance to uncover something that could change the course of the war against the Abyss. The stakes were higher than ever, and failure was not an option.

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Kain had little time to prepare, but he made the most of it. With the mission set to depart in two days, he moved quickly to settle things in Dark Moon City.

He informed his professors at Dark Moon College of his extended absence, leaving out the fact that it is related to the Order and instead claiming that the leave of absence is for a mission given by the college.

His family, sadly accustomed to his sporadic departures, didn't ask too many questions. Especially after seeing his ability to turn ordinary people into beast-tamers, they had an almost unreasonable level of confidence in Kain—believing that he'd survive even the most sure-death situations.

As for his businesses, Collin had proven himself more than capable of managing things in Kain's absence so Kain wasn't too worried.

Kain had some regret that he couldn't see the mission he gave Darius and others to the end before leaving, but, after notifying them that he had a mission of his own, they said that they would strive to give him a big surprise by the time he came back.

Most of Kain's time, however, was spent on finalizing his own preparations. His contracts were still in the process of recovering from his previous mission. Bea had only just fully recuperated, while Aegis, who regained consciousness not long ago, was still reconstructing his body. Right now, Aegis only stood as tall as Kain's chest, a significant downgrade from his usual towering size. While Kain was frustrated that Aegis wasn't back to full strength, he had to admit—the smaller version was somewhat cute.

———————–

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The two days passed in what felt like the blink of an eye.

The meeting point for the mission was a secluded teleportation array deep within the Order's headquarters.

As the other members of the mission began to arrive, Kain took the opportunity to observe them.

Benji, Claudia, Clara, and Nadia—his previous teammates—were nowhere to be found in the mission roster. It was no surprise. Benji's contract had been severely injured, and Nadia had lost one entirely. Even though Kain's team had survived, the scars of their last encounter still lingered, and Kain himself was still regaining his full strength.

The five Pathfinders who were his new teammates were strangers to him, their faces unfamiliar but their auras sharp and focused. Any one of them felt as experienced and strong as Nadia who'd been his previous teamleader.

Kain was willing to bet that even the weakest among the was on the brink of advancing to 7-stars.

They carried themselves with the confidence of seasoned veterans, their equipment meticulously maintained and their expressions were constantly unreadable

The Starchasers, similarly, were a stoic group. The Starchasers were impressive, their gear seemed tailored for exploration and survival in a variety of harsh environments. Rather than the more lightweight but more defensively strong armour that most departments typically wear.

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Serena, as the only person Kain was familiar with, was a welcome sight. She caught Kain's gaze and gave him a small nod of acknowledgement which he returned, and they seemed to share some comfort in each other's presence.

Idrias Tailwind, their mission captain, was the last to arrive. He wasted no time in getting straight to the point.

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"All right, listen up," Idrias said, his voice sharp and commanding. "This mission is simple in theory but dangerous in execution. We're heading deep into uncharted territory. Our destination is beyond the empire's borders, so we won't have access to reinforcements or logistical support once we leave. You all need to be ready for anything."

Everyone else in the room appeared calm at this statement, but Kain couldn't help feeling a bit uneasy. He didn't expect things to be easy, but hearing it put so bluntly made the reality of the mission sink in. They were completely cut off from the Order if things didn't go according to plan.

Kain caught Serena's gaze from across the group. Her expression remained neutral, but he had spent enough time around her to recognize the slight tension in her posture.

'Glad to see I'm not the only one that doesn't look like this will be an everyday walk in the park for them…'

"We'll be teleporting to the southernmost city in the empire's Southern Province," Idrias continued. "From there, we'll travel on foot. It'll be at least a week before we reach our destination, possibly longer depending on terrain and if there are hostile locals."

With that, the group moved into position around the teleportation array. Kain felt the familiar surge of energy as the array activated, the world around him blurring and shifting until he found himself standing in a completely different landscape.

The heat hit him first. It was oppressive, a dry, scorching wave that seemed to suck the moisture from the air.

The city they arrived in was nothing like the climate Kain was accustomed to. Even though he was from the Southern Province, his hometown was much closer to the empire's center and had more moderate weather, although it could still get extremely hot in the summers it was nothing compared to now. Here, in the farthest southern reaches of the empire, the terrain and weather were practically another world to him.

The air was thick with dry heat, and the sun blazed mercilessly overhead. The sky was an unbroken expanse of blue, and the land stretched out in an arid, golden expanse, dotted with sparse vegetation. The buildings around them were constructed from stone and clay, designed to withstand the relentless sun. People moved about in light, loose-fitting clothes, some wearing protective headscarves to shield themselves from the heat.

Kain adjusted his coat, already feeling the sweat gathering at the nape of his neck. "Great," he muttered under his breath. "Didn't miss this part of the south."

Serena, standing beside him, seemed completely unaffected by the temperature. If anything, she looked almost at ease.

Idrias didn't waste time. After a brief interaction with the local Order branch, their supplies were secured in their space rings or in small bags if they were unable to fit, and the team gathered at the outskirts of the city. From this point on, they were on their own.

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The journey south was tiring from the start.

The heat bore down on them like a heavy blanket, making every movement feel sluggish—not just physically, but also mentally, as the endless desert landscape created the illusion that they weren't making any progress.

Kain, though already accustomed to a warmer than average climate, found himself struggling more than he expected. The dry air sapped his energy, and the constant vigilance required to navigate the sudden arrival of any threats left little room for rest.

Not to mention that the weather at night didn't make it any easier to relax. The temperature dropped drastically after sunset, the desert air turning frigid and biting. The drastic temperature drop forced them to huddle around fires and bundle up under layers of blankets for warmth. When they got further away from the Empire and the Starchasers decided against lighting a fire, so as to avoid drawing unneeded attention, sleeping at night became even more difficult.

The Starchasers, as expected, took the lead in navigating, choosing paths that avoided obvious dangers such as loose sandpits and were able to easily identify areas with unstable ground or potential threats lying in wait. Many of them also had spiritual creatures that specialized in traversing various terrains, sensing threats, and obscuring the traces of travel by their group.

For the Pathfinders, the travel was more difficult. Many Pathfinders spent their time when not on a mission, in a library or archive. When they did go out, they were more used to trekking through ruins, ancient tombs, and forgotten cities, but the vast emptiness of the desert was a different beast altogether.

Since every Pathfinder was paired with a Starchaser as escort, Kain kept close to Serena, their shared history providing a small comfort in the face of the unknown.

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The first few days passed in a blur of exhaustion and monotony and the team moved in near silence, conserving their energy and staying alert for any signs of danger.

Kain spent most of his time tending to his contracts, particularly Aegis, who was still recovering. He chose to use some rare elixirs and spiritual plants he had on hand as long as it ensured they were in peak condition despite the harsh conditions.

The peaceful monotony, however, didn't last.

On the third day, disaster struck.

The attack came without warning. One moment, they were moving across a stretch of seemingly stable sand, and the next, the ground beneath them exploded in a shower of dust and giant limbs and pincers.

"Ambush!" Idrias shouted, drawing his weapon in an instant.

From beneath the sand, monstrous scorpions erupted, their bodies glistening with hardened exoskeletons that shimmered under the sun.

They ranged in size from small, dog-sized creatures to towering behemoths that dwarfed even Aegis at his full height. Kain's senses tingled as he assessed the threat—most of the scorpions were weaker than himself, some as weak as white-grade, but many were of indigo or even violet grade, radiating an aura that made his blood run cold. Your next read is at My Virtual Library Empire

"Stay clear of the big ones!" Idrias shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Focus on the smaller ones and keep moving!"

Kain didn't need to be told twice. He called on all of his spiritual creatures, their forms materializing beside him as he prepared to fight. Bea easily controlled the smaller scorpions and used them to intercept the larger ones. Unfortunately, their larger parents didn't even falter in their charge when their children were before them, crushing them instantly.

Aegis, after a few more days of Kain's targeted care, was now a little taller than Kain, but still far from his peak. Thankfully, he was able to temporarily integrate the surrounding stone into himself and provide a brief boost to his strength. Moreover, his much smaller body proved to be surprisingly agile. He wasn't as powerful as before, but his smaller form let him evade attacks with ease, his stone fists slamming into scorpions' legs, breaking their balance.

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Kain stayed on the move, close behind him, his spear easily cutting down any of the smaller scorpions that managed to bypass Aegis.

The Vespid Guards formed a loose circle around him and, at his command, assisted his fleeing comrades. Large-scale battles like these showcased the full utility of contracting an insect queen with dozens of underlings.

Particularly, due to the swift flight speed, they helped to evacuate more than one colleague who was severely injured and on the brink of death from fending off the stronger scorpions

For his part Vauleth also did an excellent job of fighting above his level and defending Kain, although he was limited in his movements since the Starchasers had repeatedly stressed not allowing their contracts to fly too high. If their contracts aren't native to the south and are spotted by a large tribe, their entire group may be targeted.

Despite their best efforts, the scorpions weren't relenting. Every time they managed to kill one, more burst from beneath the sand, their numbers seemingly endless. And, worst of all, they weren't tiring.

But they were.

Hours passed, and exhaustion weighed on them. The searing heat, combined with the constant fighting, was draining their stamina at an alarming rate. They were still moving, still fending off the scorpions, but it was clear that at this rate, they wouldn't last much longer.

"We can't keep running!" one of the Pathfinders shouted. "We need to fly out of here! Who cares if a tribe spots us if we die here!?"

"No," Idrias cut in sharply. "Look up."

Kain glanced skyward, his heart sinking as he saw the swarm of vulture-like creatures circling overhead. Their dark forms blotted out the sun, their sharp beaks and talons glinting in the light. Based on their skeletal wings and sickly-green eyes, Kain recognized them immediately:

"Bonewing Stalkers" he muttered in apprehension.

These creatures were infamous in the South. Opportunistic hunters, they thrived by tracking battles and picking off the weakened. They rarely initiated fights themselves, preferring to wait until their prey was too exhausted to resist. If they flew now, they'd be exposing themselves to another deadly threat.

"Great," Kain muttered, his grip tightening on his spear. "Just what we needed."

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The battle raged on, the desert air filled with the sounds of clashing steel, the screeches of scorpions, and the occasional cry of pain from the team. Kain fought with everything he had, his muscles burned as his spear cut down scorpion after scorpion for what was likely hours by now. His arms felt like lead, and his vision blurred with exhaustion, but he couldn't afford to stop.

But the scorpions were relentless. For every one they killed, especially the seemingly endless low-level ones, two more seemed to take its place. The larger scorpions, were particularly dangerous. Their pincers snapped with enough force to crush a fully grown man in half instantly, and their venomous tails struck with deadly precision.

The team did their best to avoid engaging them while focusing on the smaller threats, but it was only a matter of time before one of the larger scorpions caused serious damage to their ranks.

"Behind you!" Serena's voice cut through the chaos and Kain's increasingly morbid thoughts.

Kain twisted just in time, using the shaft of his spear to block the incoming tail strike. The impact rattled his arms, but before the creature could strike again, a streak of silver light flashed through the air. Serena's Starweaver having launched an arrow of starlight that exploded after being lodged in its body , destroying half of its body instantly.

"Thanks." Kain exhaled, already shifting to the next threat.

"We're getting overwhelmed," Serena said, eyes sharp as she parried another attack. "If we don't end this soon, we're going to collapse before they do."

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Almost as if in response to her words, one of the few 7-star Starchasers, a tall man with bird-type contracts only, was caught off guard by a massive scorpion that burst from the sand. Before he could react, the creature's tail lashed out, striking him in the side. He cried out in pain, collapsing to the ground as the venom coursed through his veins. Read exclusive chapters at My Virtual Library Empire

"Medic!" Idrias shouted, his voice urgent. "We need a healer over here!"

Several members of the team, including Kain's Queen at his direction, rushed to the injured Starchaser's side, naturally as a carefully selected squad there were several healers within the team. Kain watched as glowing tendrils of energy wrapped around the man's body, the healers working tirelessly to counteract the venom. But even as the flesh knitted back together, Zareth's condition didn't improve. The poison lingered, its effects spreading despite their efforts.

"It's no use," one of the healers said, her voice strained. "The venom is too potent. We can heal the physical damage, but the poison is beyond our abilities."

However, the battle situation was still ongoing and they had not much time nor energy to preoccupy with their injured comrade.

The battle continued, the team fighting with renewed desperation, this time abandoning any thoughts of running away and putting their all into confronting the strongest scorpions. Either they would die or the scorpion leaders would.

Slowly, the tide began to turn. The scorpions' relentless assault began to falter, their numbers dwindling as the team fought with everything they had. After a few of the largest scorpions were defeated, likely sensing the shift in the battle, they began to retreat, their massive forms disappearing beneath the sand.

The remaining scorpions hesitated, their formations faltering. Without their strongest, they wavered. And then, as if some unseen signal had been given, they retreated—scuttling back into the sand, vanishing as quickly as they had appeared.

Silence fell over the battlefield.

The only sounds were the ragged breaths of the survivors and the distant screeches of the Bonewing Stalkers above. Sensing the battle was no longer occurring, they began to disperse, their dark forms disappearing into the horizon.

Kain pulled his spear free, barely suppressing a groan. His muscles burned, his energy nearly depleted. But they had won.

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Or so he thought.

A sharp cry of pain shattered the moment of victory and reminded everyone that they were at risk of losing nearly a third of their cohort not long into the journey if they couldn't deal with this poison.

Idrias knelt beside the injured 7-star Starchaser, his expression unreadable. "There has to be something we can do."

Another healer shook their head. "We need an antidote—something specifically designed for this scorpion's venom, the generic anti-venoms we tried didn't work. But we don't have anything like that here."

Kain's mind raced. He had some rare elixirs, but none of them were meant for this. If they didn't act fast, much of their team would…

Idrias turned to another high-level Starchaser, Zareth, who was watching in grim silence. "What are our options?"

Zareth exhaled sharply. "There are remedies in the southern territories—certain tribes specialize in dealing with venom like this. The Obari Tribe, for instance is one of the closest tribes to here and is said to have mastered the art of crafting antidotes for even the deadliest desert creatures. But reaching them in time and then managing to successfully obtain the antidote…it's a difficult task." He trailed off, and the meaning was clear.

Many of these people will likely die on the trip to the nearest tribe.

Idrias stepped forward, his voice steady despite the evident exhaustion on his face. "If the Obari Tribe is our only hope, then we have to try. We can't afford to lose anyone, not this early in the mission. If we move quickly, we might be able to reach them before the poison takes hold."

Zareth nodded, "Agreed. When injured in the wild, we've found that no moving the wounded too much can prolong their chances of survival. I suggest that we split into two groups. After we move everyone to a more secure location, one group will stay with the wounded to tend to them and set up a temporary camp. The other will head out immediately to find the Obari Tribe. Time is against us."

Seeing Idrias nod in agreement, Zareth continued, "I'll lead the group to the tribe. I've studied their movements before, and I know the general direction they might be in even if they have moved since we were shown the map back at headquarters. As for the members I plan to take along…."

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Kain wasn't really surprised that Serena had been chosen to travel to the tribe, but he was surprised to be chosen himself. After all, Zareth is a Starchaser and not a Pathfinder, he really shouldn't know much about Kain.

Still, Kain happily joined the small group composed of himself, Serena, Zareth, and a couple others meant to track down the Obari Tribe.

The rest of the team had stayed behind to tend to the wounded, their faces etched with worry as they watched their comrades disappear into the horizon.

The Obari Tribe was one of the largest nomadic groups in the southern desert, known for their mastery of medicine and their ability to survive in the harshest conditions.

But despite their large size, finding them was no easy task.

Each member of the group carried several sets of local clothing in a variety of colours and styles, provided by the Order well in advance, ensuring they could navigate this region without immediately being marked as outsiders. The loose, flowing garments were designed to blend in with the desert tribes with the added benefit of covering much of their faces due to the sheet of fabric meant to shield their faces from sand. Moreover, their brown and cream earthy tones and lightweight fabric perfect for the harsh environment. Enjoy new adventures from My Virtual Library Empire

As they approached the area where the tribe was last reported to be, Kain was disheartened to see the completely barren sandscape. Barely anything was left behind to indicate a large tribe had even been there recently. Moreover, the harsh winds immediately eliminated from the soft sand much of their signs of travel that could be used to follow them. However, Zareth just continued walking as though this were to be expected.

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Eventually, after cresting a large dune, they saw the object of their travels. The Obari Tribe was a sight to behold and nothing like.

Their encampment was a sprawling collection of massive tents and makeshift structures, arranged in a loose circle around a central fire pit. The tents were made from thick, woven fabric dyed in vibrant patterns of red, gold, and yellow, their colors standing out against the pale sands, but not jarringly so.

The tribe was alive with activity. Men and women moved about, their movements purposeful and efficient. Some tended to livestock—creatures resembling larger than average camels and goats that were tethered to posts—while others worked on crafts or prepared food. Children darted between the tents, their laughter ringing out as they played games. Despite the harshness of their environment, the Obari Tribe seemed to thrive, their community strong and vibrant.

Kain and the others stopped at a distance, observing the tribe from the cover of the dune. "This is it," Zareth said, his voice low. "We need to get in, find the antidote, and get out without drawing too much attention. It's best to travel in smaller groups so we will travel in three pairs."

Everyone nodded in agreement and Kain was partnered with Serena. Apparently, their extensive experience going on missions together was known to Zareth and was likely the factor in why he selected Kain to travel with their group.

Kain pulled out a fresh set of local clothing he had been given, choosing a garment in red among the various colours he had since that was the most common colour he could see in the tribe from a distance. In fact, based on the large flag flying high above the encampment, that had a red background and a crossed red sword and shield, red may be the representative colour for the Obari tribespeople and so choosing a red garment would help him to blend in.

Based on the selections of Serena, Zareth, and the others, they shared his thoughts.

Kain quickly changed into the loose, flowing garments. The fabric was surprisingly comfortable, its lightweight design providing relief from the oppressive heat although it offered practically no defensive protection. The others followed suit, their appearances transforming as they donned the local attire. With their faces partially covered by scarves or other head covering and their weapons hidden beneath their robes, they looked like any other group of local travelers.

"Remember," Zareth said, his tone serious. "We're here for the antidote. No unnecessary risks. If we're caught, this mission could fall apart."

The group nodded, their expressions grim. They knew the stakes. The lives of their comrades depended on their success.

As they approached the encampment, Kain felt a surge of adrenaline. The tribe's guards—tall, imposing figures with spears and shields—watched them closely as they approached.

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Just when they were about to cross into the colony, a spear from each guard crossed one another in an x-shape to block their paths.

Kain's heart couldn't help skipping a beat, but forced a pretend calm.

Thankfully, Zareth didn't seem too surprised and reached into a cloth pouch hanging at his waist and handed over 6 gold coins, which Kain was an accepted local currency, one for each entrant.

After inspecting and counting the coins, and saying something that Kain couldn't understand in the local dialect, they were allowed in.

The inside of the encampment was even more impressive up close. The tents were larger than they had appeared from a distance, their interiors filled with colorful rugs, cushions, and intricate carvings. The air was thick with the scent of spices and cooking meat, and the sound of music drifted from somewhere nearby.

Kain's eyes darted around, searching for any sign of the tribe's apothecary. He looked for any universal tell-tale logos or symbols that he'd recognize as being for healers, but didn't have much luck—perhaps it's the cultural difference?

Kain's gaze flicked to Zareth, who was already moving with his partner toward a group of tribesmen engaged in conversation.

He realized that, unlike Zareth, his lack of familiarity with the local language and culture was seriously handicapping his ability to navigate the tribe. He needed information, thankfully, he had just the contract to help him.

As Kain wandered through the encampment, he kept his senses sharp, his eyes and ears attuned to any useful information while looking for the perfect target.

Finally, in an isolated corner between two tents and out of the line of sight of most passersby was an elderly woman sitting on the ground and washing and intricately dyed cloth in a large clay bowl. She only gave off the aura of the equivalent of a 3-star beast-tamer and her age would suggest she'd be quite knowledgeable about the tribe. Serena subtly stood in a position that would completely cover anyone's line of sight into the alleyway while Kain released Bea.

The elderly woman barely had time to react to Kain's presence before she was fully controlled by Bea. The necessary information was transferred to Kain's mind, but in her memories he realized that high-level medicines aren't sold easily to unfamiliar strangers.

'Sorry…I guess I will need you for a little longer…' Kain thought with a guilty chagrined expression as he gazed at the elderly woman standing on shaking legs.

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Kain and Serena watched as the elderly woman, now under Bea's control, unsteadily hobbled through the bustling tribe. Her frail body barely supported by the staff she held in her wrinkled hands.

Kain and Serena followed at a discreet distance, their faces partially obscured by their scarves, their eyes darting around to ensure they weren't being watched too closely.

With every step, her shoulders trembled slightly, and her slow, unsteady pace only amplified Kain's growing discomfort. He could feel Serena's piercing gaze burning into the side of his head, a judgmental silence heavy between them.

Serena shot Kain a sharp glare, her disapproval evident even through the fabric covering her face. "You're using an old woman for this?" she hissed under her breath, her voice low but laced with judgment. "She can barely walk. This feels… wrong."

Kain winced, his guilt flaring up again. He kept his voice equally low as he responded, "I know it's not ideal, but we don't have a choice. The medicine we need isn't something just anyone can buy. Even if we were tribespeople, it'd be difficult to get our hands on it. But her… she's different."

Serena's glare didn't soften, so Kain hurried to explain. "She's lived here her whole life. She's got connections, respect. Her grandson is one of the tribe's rising stars—strong, talented, and well-liked. People here look up to him, and by extension, they respect her. She's not the type to throw her weight around, so when she asks for something, people are more than willing to help. It's our best shot."

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Serena's gaze didn't soften at all, though Kain could see some internal conflict in it. Although she hated to admit it, Kain was willing to bet that she also knew this old lady was one of their best shots. Those who could get the medicine more easily than her wouldn't be so easily controlled by Bea.

The elderly woman continued her slow journey through the encampment, her movements unsteady. Kain and Serena followed at a safe distance, their eyes scanning the area for any signs of trouble. The tribe was alive with activity—children playing, women weaving, men tending to livestock—but no one paid much attention to the old woman or the two strangers trailing behind her.

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Eventually, they reached a part of the encampment that felt different from the rest. The tents here were larger and more ornate, their fabrics dyed in intricate patterns that seemed to shimmer in the sunlight. The air was thick with the scent of herbs and medicinal oils, and the atmosphere was quieter, more subdued. Kain's heart raced as he realized they were close.

The elderly woman stopped in an obscure location not far, but out of view of an unassuming tent, its entrance guarded by two imposing tribesmen. The tent itself was plain compared to the others, but the symbol painted above its entrance caught Kain's attention—a coiled serpent surrounded by a ring of flames.

Kain frowned slightly. There was no universal healer's symbol, no obvious markings to indicate it housed medicine.

'If that's the symbol for this tribe's healers then I never would have gotten it…' Kain thought with a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance at how unfriendly the symbols chosen by this tribe were to the understanding of visitors. But perhaps that was the point…after all, they likely don't want such an important location to be easily found by non-locals.

Taking no chances, Kain reached into his satchel and pulled out the entirety of the gold Zareth had given him. He pressed it into the old woman's palm, curling her fingers around the coins with careful precision. "Use this," he said softly. "I'm not heartless enough to make you pay."

The elderly woman didn't react beyond tightening her grip on the coins, her movements still controlled by Bea. Then, without hesitation, she shuffled toward the guarded entrance.

Kain and Serena positioned themselves at a discreet distance, keeping to the shadows cast by a nearby tent. From here, they had a clear view but were far enough away not to draw unwanted attention.

Kain's breath hitched as he watched the guards tense up at the woman's approach. For a moment, he feared they might turn her away, but then one of the guards recognized her. Their rigid postures eased, their expressions losing their initial wariness. They dipped their heads respectfully and, without a single word, stepped aside, pulling back the heavy fabric entrance to allow her through. One of them even bowed slightly as she passed.

Kain exhaled in relief, his tense shoulders relaxing before he smirked at Serena. "See? Easy."

Serena, still watching, remained silent. Her arms were crossed, her expression still slightly conflicted by their actions.

Kain turned his focus back to the tent. With Bea's connection still active, he concentrated and shared the old woman's perspective with Serena.

The inside of the tent was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of herbs and incense. Shelves lined the walls, filled with jars and pouches of various sizes. Some contained dried plants, others powders or liquids, their labels written in a script Kain couldn't read. In the center of the tent stood a large wooden table, its surface cluttered with mortars, pestles, and other tools of the trade.

The elderly woman approached the table, her movements slow. A man stood behind it, his face obscured by a hooded robe. He looked up as she approached, his eyes narrowing slightly.

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"What brings you here, Elder?" he asked, his voice low and gravelly.

The woman held out the pouch of gold coins, her hands trembling slightly. "I need medicine," she said, her voice frail but firm. "For the Titan Scorpion's venom."

The man's eyes flashed with something strange at her request. Had her grandson gotten stung by the Titan Scorpion? There had been news about their nest being nearby which was why the tribe decided to move, but there hadn't been any news of him being injured.

However, the man decided to not ask too many questions, since her grandson was a potential candidate to lead the tribe one day, he may have been the victim of a secret assassination attempt which would explain the lack of news.

The man's eyes flicked to the pouch, then back to her face. He hesitated for a moment before reaching out to take it. "That scorpion's venom is potent, and so the medicine for it is quite rare and costly" he said, his tone cautious. "Are you sure that is what you need?"

The woman nodded, her expression resolute. "Yes. It's urgent."

The man studied her for a moment longer before finally nodding. He turned and began rummaging through the shelves, his movements quick and precise. After a few moments, he returned with a small vial filled with a thick, green liquid.

"This should do," he said, handing it to her. "Use it sparingly. One drop is enough to counteract the venom from a low-grade scorpion, three for mid-grade venom, and five for those pitiful souls stung by a high-grade scorpion."

The woman took the vial, her hands trembling as she clutched it tightly. "Thank you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

The man nodded, his expression unreadable. "Take care, Elder."

Kain and Serena watched through the woman's eyes as she turned and began to hobble back toward the entrance. Kain's heart raced with anticipation, his grip tightening on Serena's hand, not even aware of when he'd grabbed it. They were so close. Just a few more steps, and they'd have the antidote.

But as the woman reached the entrance, a different set of guards on the inside of the tent responsible for internal security stepped forward, one moved his spear blocking her path. "Wait," he said, his voice sharp. "What's in your hand?"

Kain's breath caught in his throat. This wasn't part of the plan.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you soThe guard's voice was sharp, his spear pointed directly at the elderly woman. Kain's heart pounded as he watched through her eyes, his mind racing. This wasn't supposed to happen. The guards had let her in without question—why were these ones stopping her now?

The elderly woman, still under Bea's control, froze in place, her frail hands clutching the vial of antidote tightly. The guard stepped closer, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized her. "What's in your hand?" he repeated, his tone more demanding this time.

Kain's mind raced. If the guard took the vial, their entire mission would be compromised. They couldn't afford to lose the antidote—not when their comrades' lives depended on it. He glanced at Serena, her expression tense but focused. They needed a plan, and they needed it fast.

Inside the tent, the elderly woman hesitated for a moment before responding. Her voice was shaky but firm, her words carefully chosen. "Medicine," she said, holding up the vial for the guard to see. "For my grandson. He was stung by a scorpion while hunting."

The guard's expression actually hardened slightly, at the mention of the grandson, in contrast to the previous guards. "Your grandson? Malzahir?" he asked, tone harsh and almost…in anticipation?

The woman nodded, her eyes downcast. "Yes. He's in pain, and I couldn't bear to see him suffer. Please, let me take this to him."

The guard seemed determined to refuse when the hooded man glanced at the guard. "When giants fight, the little people suffer. Be careful of making your stance too obvious and bringing disaster upon yourself. After all, Malzahir is still the favored candidate of Lord Sirakhim."

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After a long moment of internal conflict, likely wanting to take this opportunity to get rid of the strong Malzahir and help his preferred candidate for the next chief, he eventually stepped aside to let her pass. "Go quickly, Elder. And tell your grandson to be more careful in the future." He grumbled through gritted teeth with feigned concern.

The woman nodded again, her relief palpable. She hobbled out of the tent, the vial clutched tightly in her hand.

Kain exhaled sharply, his shoulders relaxing as he watched the elderly woman make her way back toward them. "That was too close," he muttered, his voice low.

Serena nodded, her eyes still fixed on the woman. "We need to get out of here before anyone else gets suspicious. Or one of he grandson's rivals choose to take a shot at her on the road to prevent her from 'rescuing her grandson'."

Kain agreed, his mind already racing through their next steps. They had the antidote, but they weren't out of danger yet. The tribe was vast, and the guards were vigilant. One wrong move, and they could be discovered.

As the elderly woman approached, Kain reached out to take the vial from her. His fingers brushed against hers, and for a moment, he felt a pang of guilt. Kain had no idea about the complex political situation in this tribe, and he had no idea if their actions today would put her or her grandson in unnecessary danger later on.

But he pushed the thought aside, focusing on the task at hand. His loyalty was first and foremost to his allies and couldn't afford to spend time worrying about an unrelated foreigner.

"Thank you," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "We'll make sure this gets to where it's needed."

The woman didn't respond, her eyes vacant as Bea maintained control. Kain glanced at Serena, his expression grim. "Let's go. We need to get back to the others."

Not long after they left, the elderly woman's eyes blinked several times before regaining clarity. Gazing around her surroundings in puzzlement, she began her slow walk home, unaware that some less than friendly forces were also moving in her direction.

They moved quickly but carefully, their steps light and deliberate as they navigated the maze of tents. The encampment was still bustling with activity, but the tension in the air was palpable. Kain could feel the weight of the guards' eyes on them, their presence a constant reminder of the danger they were in.

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They neared the meeting location they decided on beforehand with Zareth and the others, while sending a message on the encrypted communication device provided by the Order to let them know that they got what was needed.

They didn't have to wait long before the others also arrived. The third group, which was composed of people completely unfamiliar to Kain, returned unsuccessful in getting the antidote, while Zareth arrived back with his partner, also successfully managing to get the medicine needed. He had been about to purchase the medicine after going around unsuccessfully for a while when he'd received the message from Kain, surprised that the pair of rookies had accomplished the task even faster than him. However, since he wasn't sure of how much Kain and Serena had managed to purchase, he still chose to complete the purchase of the antidote too.

Regrouped, they began to move toward the exit of the encampment in their same pairs, deciding that it drew less attention than one large group.

A team of guards stood near the entrance, their spears crossed as they scrutinized everyone who passed as well as their belongings. Everyone in their group exchanged a glance, their unspoken agreement clear. They couldn't risk being stopped—not now.

Kain reached into his satchel, pulling out a small pouch of gold coins. He handed it to Serena, his voice low. "Be ready to distract them if we need to."

Serena nodded, her expression tense but determined. They approached the guards, their movements calm and unhurried. The guards watched them closely, their eyes narrowing as they stepped forward.

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Kain forced a smile, his tone friendly but firm. "We're just travelers passing through. We paid the entrance fee earlier."

The guard's expression didn't change. "Let me see your belongings."

Kain's heart raced, but he kept his composure. He opened his satchel, showing the guard its contents—a few coins, some dried rations, and a small water flask. The guard glanced inside, his expression unreadable, before nodding.

"Move along," he said, stepping aside. Kain and Serena didn't need to be told twice. They moved quickly.

'Thank god space rings are rare in the south' Kain thought after he returned the bags he'd taken out just for show, while rejoicing in the fact that the guards didn't even consider the fact that he may have a space ring.

Their team of six soon left the encampment behind.

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