Hearing Boss Mario’s warning, Ban could not help but gulp in nervousness. It seems that he still underestimated the dangers lurking around his own world.

“Alright!” Ban nodded his head meekly.

“Hmmm, so this is an Ant Type monster that’s probably a combat type. Well, for it to help you during the crisis, we could basically infer that it is indeed a combat-type monster. Isn’t that good? You can now register as an Adventurer and complete a quest for huge sums of money. Lucky you, Ban!” Mario said in a tone full of envy.

“You’re right, Boss Mario, I indeed want to register myself as an Adventurer, it seems like fun and wonderful, based on the Adventurers stories in the Inn.” Ban marveled in a cheerful tone as if he could not wait to become an Adventurer anymore.

It was indeed Ban’s plan to register himself as an Adventurer. It has many advantages that ordinary folks won’t be able to experience. An example of that is the matters regarding the selling and buying Beast items. There’s a separate market for it and one would not be able to enter if they did not have an Adventurer’s badge.

Mario nodded his head before replying, “Well, it’s good that you are enthusiastic, but bear in mind that every quest that has good rewards will also have dangers accompanying it in all directions.”

Ban nodded his head, showing Mario that he was trying to etch the reminder deep into his brain. However, Ban already knew of that fact. He did not waste his two years of stay in the city while fooling around after all.

Ban and Mario continued with their little talks. Ban who keeps on fortifying his lie, and Mario who enjoys reprimanding and lecturing Ban in every opportunity that arises.

The Cart Lizard was not idle either as it kept on running without stopping, just so they could arrive in the City as soon as possible.

As the journey continued, Ban and Mario suddenly noticed a row of light lamps in the distance.

Mario ordered his Cart Lizard to slow down nervously as he warned Ban to be alert.

As they grew closer towards the lamps, the more they recognized what or who it was.

“Phew! It’s just the City Guards!” Mario heaves a sigh of relief.

Rows of fully armored people, sitting beside their tents and carriage were on full display beside the road.

Heavy clanging sounds were heard as they grew nearer towards them.

“I think something has happened!” Ban commented inside the carriage after observing the situation outside.

Mario nodded his head as he gulped a mouthful of saliva. Although it was not very apparent, one could feel the depressing aura emitted by the guards around them. Some of their armors were also broken and painted with blood

The guards stared at them as they passed on the road. Aside from sipping the broth present in their bowls, the guards did nothing as their gaze could not even focus on the broth.

“Mario?… What are you still doing outside the City this hour?”

Just as they arrived near the end of the line of broken guards, a sudden and hoarse shout suddenly echoed in the surroundings, forcing Mario to stop the Cart Lizard on its tracks.

Mario then stared at the bald middle-aged man that was approaching with heavy strides.

“Ehhh? Baldo? What are you doing here?” Mario exclaimed as he recognized the approaching middle-aged man.

Mario then jumped down his Cart Lizard as he also moved toward the middle-aged man named Baldo.

And as they met in the middle, they suddenly made a series of high fives, fist bumps, shoulder bumps, and many other strange finger combinations that even Ban did not recognize.

They then ended it with a ‘Pfuuu!’ sound as they sprinkled their fingers away from each other.

“So? What are you doing here?”

The two spoke at the same time.

“You first!” Baldo said after a moment of silence.

“Alright!”

Mario then proceeded to explain what happened to him, the thing about the wild Beast and the robbery, how he met Ban halfway on his journey.

“I see! I see!” Baldo nodded his head as he absorbed the new information that he received from Mario.

“So? How come you are here? Aren’t you only a guard to the inner city? How come you’re out here this late at night?” Mario asked.

There are three kinds of guards in the city. The Inner Guards, who were stationed inside the City. The Wall Guards who are tasked on patrolling the Walls, entry and exit of every people, and the Road Guards who are tasked with patrolling the Roads for the safety of every passerby.

Baldo was the Vice-Captain of the Inner Guards stationed inside the City. And for him to be out here, with the Road and Wall Guards, Mario guessed that it also has something to do with the wild beast in the forest of Lagom.

Hearing their conversation, Ban also came to the same conclusion. And indeed, Baldo confirmed it the next instant.

“Well, at first, I didn’t know what’s going on. The Captain suddenly ordered us to go out of the city for support. And when we arrived here, the Road Guards and the Wall Guards were already fighting the Demon Ants that had suddenly gone rampant.” Baldo said in a dejected and tired tone.

“Even at this moment, some were still fighting with the Demon Ants around a kilometer away from here. Those who could no longer fight were brought here for immediate first aid to avoid more casualty.” Baldo added.

Unlike the Wall Guards and the Road Guards, Inner Guards were not accustomed to fighting dangerous beasts. They were tasked to become the peace and order of the city as their summoned monsters, although also a combat type, were not suited to fight large and savage beasts, such as the Demon Ants.

For example, Baldo’s Fire Lizard was coiling around his left shoulder ever since the beginning.

“Baldo! What are you doing there? Lazing around again? Come here and tend to the wounded.” Just as Baldo was about to speak again, a sudden shout, full of authority suddenly interjected him, forcing him to stop.

Baldo shivered for a second before he replied with a stiff tone, “Yes! Captain coming!”

“Anyways, be careful on your way home, even though the City is only a kilometer away from here, some Demon Ants might have escaped the front line force,” Baldo said as he fist-bumped with Mario again before turning around.

“Oh right! Don’t go out during this period as well, it seems that a Beast Tide will occur soon.” Baldo stopped for a second and added before sprinting away in a hurry.

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Thanks for reading everyone!