The Achievement Junkie

The makeshift party traveled quickly through the forest path. With a clear destination in mind, Rydel led them in silence.

Each rider had their eyes glued to the road. The sound of heavy hooves drowned out the sounds of nature. Four hours had already passed, and their mindless chitchat was long over.

Maynard and Rydel didn't say a word to each other. Not only were they unable to communicate mentally thanks to Jack's unconsciousness, one led to pack while the other held the rear in case of any attacks on the party.

Brunar chatted aimlessly with Troni for the first hour, but Troni soon became a recluse and stewed in his own thoughts. Thinking nothing of it, Brunar let his imagination wander through thoughts of future glory and praise from his growing fanbase.

The illusory guards remained at the wagon's side. They held their post perfectly, keeping the exact pace needed. No emotions were shown, just seriousness or boredom.

Slivia tried to pay attention to the queen and Jack, but it was impossible to look away from the road for too long. With their high speed, she had to constantly guide and maneuver the small team of horses. She handled them very well, showing the expertise she gained as a young farm girl, but she could only afford rare glances into the shaded canopy of the wagon.

Inside the wagon's canopy, the queen's attention stayed on the unconscious hero. After some time, she decided to reposition herself on the floor of the wagon. It was more uncomfortable, but it allowed her to reach Jack, whose padded stretcher was strapped to the center of the wagon floor.

The queen gently extended her hand to the side of Jack's face.

Suddenly, a small head poked out of Jack's cloak and stared at the queen's approaching hand.

With a sigh, the queen pulled back and continued to keep her thoughts silent. She exchanged glances with the fox and could feel the tension behind the fox's stare.

Satisfied with the queen's actions, Bowser hid back into Jack's cloak. He kept himself hidden and as close to Jack as he could, refusing to leave Jack's side from the moment Slivia had taken him to the infirmary.

Slivia occasionally found herself able to look back and would feel her heart swell and heat up. She didn't want to admit it, but she was jealous of a goblin.

The worried cleric would've loved to stop the wagon and sit next to her unconscious hero, but she wouldn't dare disobey orders. And talking back wasn't going to change anything, so she didn't bother.

At the front, Rydel kept his eyes peeled on the horizon. He effortlessly led them through the forest and was aware of within thirty meters of the party. Typically, only small creatures and the occasional wild beast would appear. The hunter wouldn't pay them much attention, not daring to waste time on something pointless.

As rumbling stomachs broke the silence, almost all at once, everyone in Rydel's party retrieved some rations. Other than the goblins, they all did their best to enjoy their humble meal on the go.

"Be ready for anything!"

Suddenly, Rydel's call rang out for the party to hear. Each person glanced at both sides and tried to decipher what the party captain was talking about.

"Here they come," added Maynard, confusing the others further.

Both guards at the side of the carriage nodded as if they were already well aware of the situation.

While the younger party members pondered the meaning of all this, Rydel slowed his pace and gradually came to a halt.

In the distance, about ten meters in front of the party was a small band of hooded figures. They were all on horseback and casually approached the halted party, splitting up and surrounding the party like it was an everyday occurrence.

"To what do we owe the pleasure, Bart?" asked Rydel, staring at the man in the lead.

The man laughed and removed his hood. He had a head of pitch-black hair and a square chin that framed his face. No matter how you looked at him, he'd appear menacing and dubious with his piercing gaze.

"Rydel, since you already recognize us, just give it up," replied Bart. "With your senses, I'm sure you've already recognized all of us."

"Indeed, but what does that have to do with you stopping us for a little chat?"

"I'm sure you've figured that much out. We're here by order of the Royal Court to escort you and that brat back to the city. As for the others, they can go on their way so long as they don't interfere," explained Bart.

"So, you're threatening us?" asked Rydel.

"I prefer the term persuading. Of course, don't think you can stop us with just you and that silly samurai. I'm glad you've finally reached lv. 30, but you two aren't enough to stop the four of us."

"We're not looking for trouble, Bart. So, why don't ya just go back to the city? We'll be there soon enough for the hearing," said Maynard, keeping one hand at the ready.

"Shut up! I'm talking with your captain here. You may be strong, but you take orders from this cowardly hunter. What makes you think you can threaten us?" asked Bart with a dastardly smile.

"As you said, we're only trying to persuade you," answered Rydel. "Trust me, you don't want to try anything. Right now, we're in a hurry."

"Right, right, you're trying to hurry back to heal the brat. Don't worry, we can make sure the best medics and clerics of the Royal Court will tend to him after the trial," added Bart.

"He's fine, but we'd prefer to have him resting in his own bed and not in the middle of nowhere. Bart, I'm only going to ask once, will you let us pass or not?"

"Wow, you're pretty anxious for a coward, Rydel. It seems that advancing has gotten to your head," stated Bart. "If I remember right, you're proud of your eagle eye. Tell me, what are each of our levels, oh great party leader?"

Rydel pointed to the hooded figures one-by-one and said, "Harton and Jayms are both lv. 30, Gradan is lv. 32, and you're finally lv. 34."

"Since your pride hasn't blinded you, why do you insist to disagree? Just give up now and turn yourselves in," said Bart.

Rydel was aware of Bart's indecision to act first. He could tell that Bart was too cautious to risk his life if it was unneeded.

Bart paid close attention to the silent hunter and glanced at the two guards by the wagon. He continued, "Bringing the Balt Guild into this, I don't know what to say. I'm sure they wouldn't want to threaten the Royal Court or rebel against our orders."

Happy that the goblin queen had adorned their illusory bodies in emerald green sashes, Rydel played along. "We're not trying to fight or rebel; we're only trying to hurry back to the capital. I said I'd only ask once, but for your sake, I'll ask once more. Are you sure you want to do this?"

"You two! If the Balt Guild stays out of this, we can reward your loyalty with worthy compensation," shouted Bart.

Both guards were blinked and chuckled to themselves. They nodded without a word, agreeing to Bart's terms.

"Good, at least someone here has a brain." With a silent sigh of relief, Bart threw pouches of gold coins to the ground in front of both guards.

As soon as Bart saw the guards smile, he commanded, "Search that wagon! If the brat is there, take him away by any means necessary."

"Ya can't do that so easily," said Maynard as he unsheathed both katana.

"It's always the hard way with you two," sighed Bart. He quickly dismounted and charged toward Maynard, sure that he was the only one that could hold off the crazy samurai.

Rydel let him pass without daring to stop him. Though he never got along with Bart back when they were both association members, he could at least acknowledge Bart's strength. Instead, Rydel took out his bow and aimed Harton, who was also at the front but at the side opposite Bart.

Harton drew his sword and swung at the flying arrow. Attempting to sliced the arrow in two, he was too late to realize that Rydel's arrow was traveling far faster than expected. He had no clue that Rydel's archery was affected by Jack's passive archery skill, all he knew was that it was too fast to block.

Dropping his shoulder and accepting a small cut from the fletching of the arrow, Harton let out a deep breath as he realized that Rydel was indeed a threat to him.

Bart noticed Rydel's exchange with Harton, but he paid more attention to the swinging samurai sword that neared his head.

Startled to see Maynard ignore the advance of both hooded figures at the rear, Bart didn't know what to think. He was baffled further when he noticed the wagon's guards move and intercept them instead.