When Ren was done explaining what he planned to do, he handed a list of things to do to Lara. It was instructions on how the underworld will work. He even asked both Iselv and Kithra to send some men to Carto Village, to protect and monitor it. He emphasized the protection of his parents and explained that if anything happens to the two especially his mother, then they should expect a harsh punishment.

He also ordered Gregory and Kithra’s men to do some scouting of the big underground families of the nearby cities.

After telling Lara what to do, he also told Valdel to be careful of the scheming nobles.

“Not all battles are fought with swords, some of the more ruthless battles are fought in the darkness.” When Ren said this he remembered his eldest son back in his old world. Unlike him, his son was a master of scheming and preferred to do things in the shadows. That skill of his eldest son was one of the reasons for his death in his previous life.

“Don’t worry Ren, I’m not as naive as you make me out to be.” Hearing Valdel’s response Ren chuckled.

“We shall see… Sorry about this Hilda, I know we just formed this adventurer party, but I need to do this.” Hilda looked at Ren and knew what he was thinking. It was obvious what he wanted to do, and she couldn’t fault him for that. Everyone has something they need to do, in order to keep what’s important to them.

“It’s alright, you are the party leader so I will abide by your decision.” Ren was surprised at how Hilda responded. He thought that she would be less understanding.

“How surprising you aren’t lecturing me” Ren smiled.

“I don’t lecture anyone if they don’t deserve it. I hope you remember that” Hilda pouted.

“Sure will… Well anyway, I need to go and talk with Nezard about some things before leaving.” As Ren was about to leave he felt somebody held his hand, stopping him from moving.

“I’ll go with you.” The one who held him back was none other than Lara.

“I already told you, Lara, I need to go by myself. Also, don’t you have things to do as well?”

“I’ll let Valdel do that. Let me go with you.” Lara once again asserted. Lara’s action surprised the other three since this was the first time Lara went against what Ren wanted and asserted what she wanted.

Ren knew what the girl was feeling and found it adorable as he gently hugged his lover/childhood friend.

“Don’t worry Lara, I’ll always come back to you. No matter where I go and how many more women I get, I will always come back to you.”

Lara was touched to hear the first part of what Ren said, but the last part made her frown. Still, she knew that forcing what she wanted might hinder Ren’s growth so she decided to stay behind albeit reluctantly.

Seeing Lara finally let go of him, Ren kissed her forehead and left the premise.

…

Ren went to the Guild Master’s room and asked for information about a nearby dungeon that hasn’t been conquered yet. Nezzard seeing the guy that made his work harder, demanding for information made him a bit irritated. Still, the main job of adventurers was to destroy dungeons so it might be good that Ren wanted to do this.

Nezzard gave Ren a map and told him the nearest Dungeon was in the forest of mist that was located east of the town. The reason why this Dungeon hasn’t been conquered yet is because no one could find it, since the forest of mist was infested by different kinds of monsters, from Treants to ghostly figures. Not only that it said the forest does something to people that wander in, making them unable to get out.

Of course, there are many theories about why this is happening, but no one could prove which one was true. Due to all these complications as well as the reason that the monster inside the forest does not leave the forest, no adventurer bothered to seek the dungeon.

Still, Nezzard figured based on what Hilda reported about Ren’s personality he would like the challenge. As he expected Ren happily took the map and left the room.

…

Once Ren was done getting supplies he headed out of town to go to the forest of mist. Ren who had traveled quite a distance from town stopped walking.

“Hey, I know you people have been following me since I left town. How about showing yourselves? See there’s no one here to bother us.”

When Ren said this a bunch of people came down from atop the trees. There were exactly thirteen men surrounding him. Eleven were visible and two were still hiding in the shadows. Ren smirked at the laughable way the two concealed themselves. They think that they had him fooled, but if their level of stealth wasn’t the same as Gregory then he could easily spot them.

Not to mention he had Silika who had better senses than him.

“You are as good as he said you would be.” One of the men spoke to Ren. He and his companions were wearing something similar to a robe, but looser. Their weapons were expertly concealed within their garments, but Ren with his superior senses could steel hear the clanking of steel in their robes.

“So what do you want?” The men surrounding him were thinking that Ren was either crazy or stupid. He was still acting like they were just here for a chat.

“Isn’t it obvious we’re here to kill you. If you want to blame someone, blame your own stupidity for messing with someone you shouldn’t have.”

“Oh, I see you’re here to kill me… I thought it was something else, well then come on bring it then. I don’t have all day, I need to reach the forest of mist before sundown so can we get this started already.”

The thirteen men were surprised at how Ren reacted when the leader of the group said they wanted to kill him.. The nonchalant reaction made them stand in position stunned.