The Etveya's Intersection Clearing was a massive patch of grassland that connected all of the known routes inside Etveya's forest via forest trails built by adventurers from nearby towns and travelers from other kingdoms. What was known as the safest area of the forest, where adventurers from various towns could rest without fear of being attacked. After a long day of travel, travelers and traveling merchants would occasionally stop at this sanctuary to rest. A clear shallow river ran through the middle of the green grassland, providing water to the people who were resting there.
As darkness fell over the starry night sky, the clearing was filled with light from the campfires built by the adventurers who were resting there. Some were dressed in armor, while others were dressed in robes. They gathered while singing along to guitar and tambourine music. There were also some people dancing while holding a wooden cup with booze in their hands. Making the place much more lively at night than it was during the day.
One of the campfires at the edge of the clearing next to the river, where the Super Explosive Marvelous Troopers were resting. Each of them sat on a cut tree log lying on the ground, lit up by the warm fire on the campfire in the center of them. All of their enthusiastic eyes were fixed on the person telling them the story, and they didn't take their gaze away from him.
They had just finished their dinner of roasted boar cooked by Vien. Which Gideon thoroughly enjoyed after days of eating only Ilagina fruits. After seeing Gideon's satisfaction with the food Vien cooked, they persuaded him to tell them about his journey thus far.
"So, that's how I survived the attack of that giant snake... what did you call it again? Ah, Black Ahaz. Those three-tailed monkeys helped me," Gideon explained, recounting some of his adventures in the forest.
However, he only revealed a few details about himself. He didn't tell them where he came from or how he ended up in Etveya's forest, including the summoning. He simply told them about his adventures as he traveled through the forest. Just enough information for him to avoid appearing suspicious in the eyes of the people he'd just met. Ordy, Mian, and Halini told him the names of the creatures he encountered based on the descriptions he gave them as he told them the stories.
"And the next thing I knew, I was being chased by massive ants... and then I met you guys," he shrugged. "That's it; as I said, my story wasn't particularly interesting."
He got a synchronized clap from the four people who were nodding and listening to his story. Gideon was sitting alone on a tree log, with Ordy sitting beside him. Across the campfire from Gideon sat the log on which Mian, Halini, and Vien were sitting.
"Oh, if my interpretation of your description is correct, you're talking about the Noir Tailed Garavons," Halini stated.
Gideon slowly nodded when he heard the name. "Noir Tailed Garavons, huh?"
"Yes, but I heard Garavons are extremely hostile creatures, widely known to attack humans simply by seeing them. Just like Unicorn Wolves, Vile Devourers, and Bristle Boars, they are Class E monsters when ranked individually, but when in swarms, Garavons could be Class D or much more. It surprised me to hear that they did not attack you, much more saved you from the Class D monster, Black Ahaz," Halini added.
The classes of monsters were determined by the monster's individual danger level. However, due to certain special circumstances, some monster species may be more dangerous than others in the same class. For example, the Noir Tailed Garavons were graded Class E individually, but because of their proclivity to attack in a relentless swarm, they were deemed more dangerous than other Class E rank monsters.
Furthermore, the monster classes were unrelated to the adventurer classes, which graded an individual adventurer based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to achievements in adventuring-related activities.
Gideon placed a hand on his chin. "I was wondering the same thing."
"I heard there is a way for the Garavons to be neutral to a human, but it is extremely difficult to perform," Mian said, drawing everyone's attention. "It has been accomplished by a small number of people, indicating that it is not impossible. According to my understanding, if you are successful in luring enough Unicorn Wolves into the Garavons' territory, the Garavons will regard it as a gift from you as a sign of peace and friendship. Knowing how fast Unicorn Wolves can be, luring them alone was a difficult task... But what makes it more difficult is that whether the Garavons accept your friendly approach is entirely dependent on their mood." She moved her hands close to the fire and stared at it with her jade green eyes. "You must be quick... quick enough to outrun the Unicorn Wolves and lucky enough for the Garavons to accept your offer."
Gideon leaned back, his enlarged eyes fixed on Mian. "That's a difficult requirement to meet; from my experience, Unicorn Wolves are extremely fast; is it really possible to outrun them?"
"Of course, it is possible," Halini responded immediately. "But, unfortunately, I can't," she chuckled as she scratched her head and hugged Vien, who sat next to her, silently listening to them. "Vien can outrun a pack of Unicorn Wolves; after all, she's our party's fastest member, right, Vien?"
Vien just nodded. "Yes, I can, but accomplishing such a feat is something I find extremely difficult and dangerous." Vien directed her attentive gaze to Gideon, which she immediately removed by looking down. She was having difficulty maintaining eye contact with anyone. "How did you pull it off, Mister Gideon?"
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Gideon paused for a few seconds after hearing it. As he stared at the campfire, his eyes twitched. Having a deep thought about something, but deciding to keep the realization to himself in the end. He raised his head again and laughed lightly as his gaze wandered to the people around him at the campfire. "Perhaps it was just a stroke of luck."
Ordy's laughter followed as he rested his arm on Gideon's shoulder. "See? What did I say? Gideon here is an exceptional young man." He made a dramatic gesture and raised his fist. "A fearless young man who ventured into Etveya's dangerous forest with nothing but his clothes and an unwavering desire to explore. He fought in many perilous battles! The mighty Unicorn Wolves formed an alliance with the well-known violent three-tailed monsters, the Garavons, and fought the formidable, black, sadistic, river-dwelling serpent side by side... The black Ahaz! That very day, the war cries of victorious warriors rang out throughout Etveya's vast forest, celebrating the victory of such a valiant young man... and now, here he is," he said, pointing to Gideon. "The magnificent warrior who was kind enough to lure the Fire Ants for us, Gideon, the champion of the Garavon tribe!"
The sound of clapping from Halini, Mian, and Vien was followed by the clapping of the adventurers near their campfire who had overheard Ordy's voice. Some even shouted encouragement to Gideon while waving their wooden cup of booze. The crowd grew loud for a few seconds before quieting down, leaving Gideon looking down and rubbing his palm against his nape.
"Ah... you made it sound more epic than it was," Gideon remarked.
Ordy, on the other hand, returned Gideon's gaze with a delighted smile. "May I ask, Gideon, where do you intend to go after this?"
Gideon paused before shaking his head slowly. "To be honest, I still don't know where I'm going next; I haven't planned it out yet."
"Then, why not stay in our town for a while while you think about it?" Ordy suggested. "Our town is filled with kind people, and you can take quests as an adventurer to make a living. Furthermore, if you come with us and accompany us as we claim the reward for the Fire Ants eyes we collected, you will receive your share. What do you think?"
"My share?" Gideon asked.
Halini nodded several times. "Of course, you're the one who lured them in for us."
Mian, on the other hand, simply crossed her arms and nodded slowly in agreement to what had just been told. "There are inns in our town where you can stay for a while while thinking about your next destination, just like Vien is doing right now."
Gideon's shoulder was tapped by Ordy. "Or, if you prefer, you can stay in the orphanage where I grew up and am currently residing; however, you must be good with children because you will be living with a large number of them; they are my family." He smiled.
Gideon fixed his gaze on everyone. His normally lifeless eyes glowed for a split second before nodding. "That's a good idea—I mean going to town and staying in an inn—children are cute, but I'm not good with them," he said, staring at Ordy.
Ordy laughed and tapped Gideon on the shoulder twice before turning to face everyone. "Have you heard? Gideon has decided to visit our town and join our party!"
Gideon immediately dilated his pupils. "Ahm... I don't recall ever discussing joining a party, let alone yours."
Gideon, on the other hand, received words of excitement from those around him. Particularly from Ordy and Halini, the party's most vocal members. Mian was simply staring at them, a small but joyful smile on her pink lips. Vien, on the other hand, just silently watched them, and when her eyes and Gideon's questioning eyes met, she just shrugged as a response, which Gideon laughed at, discovering how the three had recently convinced Vien to join their party.
However, as he observed and heard the laughter of those around him, a thought occurred to Gideon...
He was no longer on his own.