“This way, bossman.” Sergio pointed with a grin. “This potion will show us the last places this dwarf has been. Hopefully, it will lead us to the rest of them.”

“You have interesting things up your sleeve.” Nikolai grinned and nodded. “Let’s follow the traces, but be careful. Whatever possessed this dwarf is a powerful one.”

The two nodded in understanding, a wary expression on their faces. Nikolai approved of their attitude and walked toward the body to keep it in his pocket dimension. It might prove helpful later on.

“Bossman! The food!” Sergio ran back and held up the plate for them. Nikolai sighed and took a piece of the rabbit’s meat, and resumed his walking.

They ate as they walked upstream, with the azure vial still in Sergio’s hand. They walked for almost an hour before they found their next clue.

The traces pointed toward a meadow beside the stream. Some footprints were washed away by the rising water, but some signs still existed.

“The traces are showing a different direction now. I guess this place is where the dwarf fell into the river.” Sergio said as the elemental lines began pointing toward the forest.

“Fell? I’d say someone pushed him into the river.” Nikolai looked at the footsteps with a frown.

‘They wanted the stream to carry the body away.’ Yuxi gestured with a frown as she picked up the soil and sniffed it. ‘Blood.’

“What is she saying, boss?” Sergio crouched beside her.

“The scent of blood.” Nikolai nodded. “That’s why I thought that there was a struggle before the body was dumped.”

“If someone wanted him dead, why didn’t they bury him?”

“Dwarves live their whole lives in mountains and caves, close to the Earth Elementals.” Nikolai walked toward the meadow and crouched beside the footsteps. “Burying a person in their lands is an offense, and they can feel the change.”

“So, that’s why they didn’t bury him.” Sergio nodded in understanding.

“They burn their dead, but the culprit didn’t do so for this one.” Nikolai frowned. “It was an impulsive decision. The culprit might also be possessed, and the victim wasn’t before he drowned. The possession only took place afterward.”

“There are more moving corpses?” Sergio’s body shivered. The scene of the dwarf moving despite his skull being cracked open was still fresh in his mind.

“It can be mind-control. Controlling a living being.” Nikolai turned toward the forest. “We’ve stumbled into something far more dangerous than I thought.”

“Should we run away? Maybe we can make it toward our destination on foot.” Sergio walked beside him, but Nikolai stepped away. He still felt nauseous if Sergio came too close to him.

“It would take six months on foot, and the place we’re going to isn’t exactly on the ground. Furthermore, this place is only safe because we’re in the land of several clans. Do you think we’ll be so lucky elsewhere?”

“A flying island?” Sergio ignored his warning and turned ecstatic. “Bossman! Why didn’t you tell me? I always wanted to find a flying island!”

“You’ll change your mind when we reach there.” Nikolai’s lips curved into a smile which made the alchemist shiver. “Anyway, that’s why we can’t leave the wilderness before we find the dwarves. Alias needs fixing, as it can’t fly right now.”

“The elemental traces point this way.” Sergio pointed toward the dark forest.

“Can’t you use the bloodied soil so that we can follow the culprit instead of retracing the victim?”

“I can try, but it might not prove successful.” Sergio crouched and took a bit of the soil using a small spoon. He placed it into a different azure potion and injected his mana.

‘He’s probably the only one who can use this potion to its full potential.’ Nikolai watched the Harmony Element combine the sample into the potion.

“The traces are faint, but it’s there. We can only get a general direction. Do you want us to follow the victim or the culprit?” Sergio turned toward Nikolai.

[Choose a response in thirty seconds!] 

–      [Follow the traces of the culprit!]

–      [Follow the traces of the victim!]

–      [Follow neither and leave.]

‘If I weren’t so broke, I would have used A Wise Choice.’ Nikolai realized that he could use the talent this way. He can see if choosing any of the two would bring him harm or benefit. ‘Each Bloodline Talent has its uses, it seems.’

“Let’s follow the traces of the victim.”

[Quest Initiated!]

[Quest: Possessed Items.]

[Quest Description]

[You found a possessed item in the pockets of a dead dwarf. Find out the origins of this item and the entity that controlled the dwarf. Sharing the information with the dwarves can improve your relationship.]

[Reward: 30 Fate Point.]

‘I see,’ Nikolai smiled. ‘If I picked the other choice, the quest would be to find the culprit who killed the dwarf. If my theory is correct, then both quests would lead me toward the dwarves.’

“Why the victim, boss? I think we’ll find the dwarves faster if we follow the culprit.” Sergio said, which was a valid point.

“We can never be sure who the culprit is, so it’s dangerous to share information with anyone. Not revealing anything would make us suspicious, so it’s easier to investigate where the victim came.”

“I see, alright then.” Sergio nodded and took out the victim’s vial. The elemental traces pointed toward the dark forest, where nothing could be seen. “I’ll trust you, boss, but I’m still scared shitless.”

“Yeah, I know.” Nikolai smiled. “Some things need to be done, though.” He told Sergio, who nodded. “Are you coming?” Nikolai turned toward Yuxi.

‘Do you think I prefer staying here alone?’ Yuxi gestured before smirking. ‘Our lessons aren’t over yet.’

“Maybe it’s better that you stay mute,” Nikolai said and turned toward the forest. “Let’s go in.”

“Boss, why so abrasive…” Sergio sighed and walked behind him. The three walked into the dark forest, which stole the light away as soon as they walked in.

A green light shone from the trees, coming from small mushrooms that grew on their trunks. As the darkness surrounded them, Nikolai felt at home.