'Haa...this route is taking way longer than I expected.' Damien sighed with impatience.
A day had already passed and the group of four had already covered 150 km into the forest where Earth Ethereal Realm beasts resided. The Dark Forest was almost 700 km long and 430 km wide.
Damien didn't expect that the trio would be very careful in picking their route by choosing a longer route which wouldn't lead them to dangerous Sky Ethereal Realm beasts; not that he complained since he also didn't want to get killed because of any slight negligence from the trio.
The group quickly passed through the regions where Spirit Ethereal Realm beasts resided but they slowed down when they entered the region where Earth Ethereal Realm beasts roamed about.
If their destination was anywhere but the Wailing Woodland region, then they could have even circled the perimeter of the Dark Forest more than a dozen times within a day.
But he knew that the deeper they go into the Dark Forest, the longer it would take to close the distance towards the Wailing Woodland. Since, as they travel towards the innermost regions, the more powerful the ethereal beasts would be.
The Wailing Woodland region was still 50 km away since its area was only one-fourteenth of the Dark Forest's area. It was located in the middle of the Dark Forest and was almost a square region with the length and width of the region being around 150 km.
Though it only took a small area of the Dark Forest, it was an infamous region where very few Sky Ethereal Realm beasts are rumored to have marked their territory.
Damien's eye's gleamed whenever the trio killed an Earth Ethereal Realm beast in their way. They couldn't notice that Damien's soul energy was being depleted at a rapid rate nor did they care to notice some of the dead bodies of the ethereal beasts disappearing after a while.
After all, they weren't interested in collecting the corpses of ethereal beasts below the Peak Level of the Earth Ethereal Realm.
Damien saw how Marcus was leading the group while the couple would exchange some sweet moments wherever they are in a safe area. But he noticed how Marcus' eyes slightly twitched whenever he stole a glance at the couple.
'So that's how it is heh. No matter which world, beauties will always attract rats.' Damien seemed to have realized what was going on in Marcus' mind. But he decided not to pay it any mind until things start to unfold.
But seeing the couple reminded him of some memories with Sofie and how he did those same things with her. However, Lily's face suddenly flashed in his mind.
'Am I really…' Complex emotions brewed in his mind thinking about Lily.
The group was now taking a break near a stream where they refreshed themselves by splashing the cool water on their faces while passively absorbing the ethereal energy from the air and rejuvenating themselves.
Damien was simply resting against a big tree but behind the mist, his face already looked pale while feeling light drowsiness.
He wanted this whole trip to end as fast as possible but knew he couldn't rush up things.
However, he could hear the conversation going on between the couple while Marcus looked like a third wheel with a smiling face.
"Leo, when are you going to marry me? It's been more than a dozen years since we got together. Why are you hesitating to meet my parents?"
"Emily, you know it's not because I don't want to. But your father hates me. He thinks I am the reason you refused those reputed and lofty posts the Imperial Ethereal Court offered you, to go around adventuring with me."
"Ugh, I have already buttered up father during these years. Trust me, he is not that angry at you now and he knows how much we love each other. Besides, we are the only adventurers who are earning the most."
"I know, but we are also risking our life for every single trip. Once we marry and have kids, we won't be able to go on adventures anymore. That is also the reason, I was thinking of taking our own time to marry otherwise our families would be expecting grandkids from us. So don't think that it's not because I don't love you enough or because I don't want to marry you, okay?"
Emily sighed and nodded as they both got into a loving embrace.
Marcus seemed like he was inspecting his axe but Damien noticed how his restless fingers were tapping hard against his axe listening to the couple's conversation while having a shifty smile on his face.
Marcus got up and slowly walked towards the couple with a friendly laugh, "Can you guys not be mushy around me? You two are making a lonely bachelor like me jealous hahaha."
Leo smiled wryly as he scratched his head, "Brother Marcus, how can you say that you are lonely? You have us after all and I am sure a beautiful girl is waiting to be conquered by you." He said earnestly.
Marcus' lips curled up as he said, "You are right. A girl is waiting to be conquered by me...very soon." His tone became quite low at the end.
"Huh? Brother Marcus, I didn't catch what you said at the end." Leo asked as he cocked his head.
Marcus' chuckled, "It's nothing, I wanted to tell it's time to leave. We have taken enough rest."
'How are these two idiots so blind?' Damien shook his head inwardly as if he was witnessing a drama before him.
Marcus then walked towards Damien, "Sir Alchemist, from now on we have to be careful since we are nearing the Wailing Woodland and we might come upon Peak Level Earth Realm Beasts before we reach there. But no need to worry, we can take them on with our teamwork."
He said with a confident smile.
Damien nodded stiffly, "I know, lead the way. It's already getting late."
Marcus' didn't mind Damien's grumpy tone since he knew most of the Alchemists were cranky and besides they were taking a pretty long route.
Marcus nodded and started leading the group in the direction of the Wailing Woodland.
Soon enough the group saw a Flame Hog sniffing about the ground, probably looking for some food. It had dark red fur, two sharp tusks, and was about four-meter tall.
Marcus' signaled the group to slow down and soften their steps. He sent a mental transmission to the group, "It's an ethereal beast at the Level Ten of the Earth Ethereal Realm...be careful...Leo and Emily, you both know what to do...follow my lead...Sir Alchemist, please stay here while we take down this beast."
'Obviously, I will be staying here.' Damien didn't say anything and simply nodded.
Damien hid behind a bush after making sure there weren't any other ethereal beasts around. He saw the three unsheathing their weapons, Marcus' had his axe, Leo had a bow and arrow while Emily took out a sharp dagger.
Marcus' charged alone towards the beast shouting, "Hey, dumb pig, come at me!!"
'What the heck…'
Damien was a bit surprised seeing Marcus charge alone while two of his teammates were staying back as if waiting for something.
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