Chapter 148: Althord’s Predicament

A/N

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After the meal and everyone was seated and just chatting in the fire, Marcus went over to Althord's side to discuss about Ryu and Seraphina creating another scavenging team. 

Since Althord's group mostly had the able fighters, Marcus thought of pulling one of the halfbreed and putting him in Ryu's group.

"Althord, everyone," Marcus greeted.

"Marcus." Althord made a gesture of a toast in Marcus's way. "Actually, you're right in time."

Marcus blinked. "I am?"

Althord nodded and brought his arm around Marcus's shoulder, and led him to the far corner to talk alone. "I am thinking. For our group to acquire more beasts, we have to venture deeper into the danger zone. But you know how dangerous it is, right?"

Marcus was about to open his mouth when Althord spoke again.

"So I'm thinking that for us to get more meat, we need a healer, and I heard that Seraphina could perform simple healing spells."

Marcus had a bad feeling about this.

"With her in my group, it'll be easier to acquire meat and not to mention faster too since we didn't have to wait for our injuries to heal when we're attacked. We could also go deeper in the danger zone with her around to heal our party. What do you say? We'll make sure to protect her at all times. You have my word."

Marcus heaved a big sigh and removed Althord's hand from his shoulder. "The thing is Althord. I have Ryu and Seraphina formed another scavenging team, and I was hoping that you can spare one from your group to accompany them."

".. . What?"

Marcus repeated, "I said––"

"I know what you said," Althord cut in with a hissed, "What I want to know is why?"

Marcus's face turned solemn. "Althord, are you really asking me that?"

At Marcus's suffocating aura, Althord took a step back.

"Don't think that I don't know that you eat most of the meat you acquired instead of bringing it here."

Althord crossed his arms and held his ground. "So what if I am?" he admitted. He was not hiding it anyway. "I have no obligation to feed those useless slaves and halfbreeds of the meat I acquired through my blood and sweat."

"Ours, Althord," corrected Marcus, "Without those useless halfbreeds and slaves, do you think you can last outside?"

Althord gritted his teeth. "So what you're saying is, you're kicking me out? Is that it?"

Marcus shook his head. "You can stay if you want to. But I need to pull out Halfjack from your group."

Althord's jaw dropped. "He is one of my best fighters!"

"You have plenty more."

Althord was speechless for a moment. Halfjack was indeed a halfbreed, but he was half-hugbear and half-human with a bear's face and a human's body. His hugbear side was ferocious, and his sturdy bulk was useful as a shield in battle.

"You think that it's enough for the three of them to venture outside?" Althord sneered. "That halfbreed is just a pretty face. Who knows if it could even punch?"

"The both of them survive their first Islet that neither you nor I achieved yet. I think it's enough to place my trust in them."

Marcus then turned his back.

Althord's fingers were burning from clenching so hard. "What made you think that you can just get one of my servants?"

Marcus didn't look back as he said, "I'm still the leader of this group, remember? I think I still have that right. And Halfjack isn't your servant. "

Leaving the fuming Althord behind, Marcus made his way towards Halfjack and the others.

Marcus! Althord was burning with furry. It was one thing to ruin his plans with Seraphina, but he also wanted to take away Halfjack! It was akin to taking one-fourth of the strength of his group! 

Halfjack was always his vanguard, and the bear took on enemies upfront while he stayed a safe distance to finish the enemies off. But the one thing that he liked about him was that he was a simpleton that was easy to control. All his orders, Halfjack followed without questions. Truly a wonderful servant!

Without Halfjack, who was going to take most of the brunt of the enemies?

"Damn it!" Althord glared at Marcus's back. If Marcus was going to be difficult, then maybe it was the right time to move allegiance.

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While everyone was busy chatting outside, Ryu couldn't wait to go to Lizzaforth.

But then his eagerness was soon followed with a frown. What would happen to his body if he went to Lizzaforth? In Faux and Oroborough Tavern, his body was protected because he had Ferris. But what about now?

Ryu shook his head. This was not the time to hesitate. Maybe his body would be protected while his soul traveled to another dimension.

Maybe. . .

Ryu cracked the Lizard's tail and was about to eat it since he didn't know what to do with it. But before he could open his mouth, a large puff of smoke engulfed his room, and a giant Lizard's head appeared in front of him. And before he could take a closer look, the Lizard shot out its tongue and swallowed him whole.

.. .

.. .

After a short silence, the Lizard disappeared, and Seraphina entered Ryu's tent.

"If you're going to travel to another dimension, then at least learn to hide your body."

Seraphina squatted next to Ryu's sleeping face and poked his cheek. "So careless."

.. .

.. .

Meanwhile, it was just a moment of darkness inside the Lizard mouth before Ryu found himself in a strange house in the middle of the forest.

"Oh my, a new face?"

Ryu's gaze shot to an old man with a long pointy nose and Lizard eyes. "Are you Lizzaforth?"

Lizzaforth continued to water his plants. "Yes. That is me."

"Do you know Ferris?" Ryu asked straight to the point. "She's been asleep and wouldn't wake up. Maybe you know how to wake her up?"

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A/N

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