Ten days had passed since Quinn and the others—Vorden, Erin, Amy, Sarah, Ray, and Michael—set out to locate the only faction on the red portal planet.
It had been an arduous journey.
Relentless beast attacks. Constant movement. Battles of survival fought as one.
Seven people moving together like a single pack.
Each of them was equipped with a weapon forged from hard-earned kills, and together they had faced waves of Rataclaws and Deathbats. Alone, any one of them might have fallen, but through there collective effort, they conquered them all.
Erin wielded the advanced-tier Devilfly Scimitar, its edge cutting through beast with terrifying precision.
Amy carried an intermediate-tier shield imbued with a healing effect—limited to herself, yet perfectly complementing her previos healing ability.
Sarah fought with a golden spear crafted from an advanced-tier lion hybrid, granting her increased speed and strength.
Ray and Michael piloted the two mechs, their control and efficiency improving steadily with each passing day.
Quinn was the all-rounder.
He flowed constantly between offense, defense, and healing—reinforcing the front lines, stabilizing allies, and striking when openings appeared.
Vorden and Erin formed the spearhead of the group.
Erin's blade carved through monsters without hesitation, while Vorden unleashed lightning and fire, delivering devastating bursts of damage.
Ray and Michael protected the rear, crushing infiltrating beasts beneath steel and artillery.
And Quinn—using earth, water, hardening, and his advanced vampire martial arts—delivered finishing blows with efficiency.
Over those ten days, the pack had grown significantly stronger.
Not just individually—but together.
Their coordination sharpened. Their teamwork solidified.
Now, the group rested within the shattered remains of a broken city, forming a makeshift camp amid crumbling stone and twisted ruins.
They had enough food pills to last several days, and Quinn's water ability kept them hydrated. For the first time in a while, they could breathe.
The fire burned brightly as Erin added more wood, warmth spreading through the cold night air.
"We'll rest here," Quinn said calmly. "Then move toward the base."
He glanced at the holographic map.
"We're close now. According to this, we'll reach the faction soon. But we rest first—recover our strength."
The group nodded.
"We'll take turns on lookout," Quinn continued. "I'll take first watch. Everyone else, get some sleep."
No one argued.
After resting, the group resumed their march.
Four hours passed.
The number of beasts they encounted here was fewer, and fortunately, they didn't come across any advanced-tier monsters or above.
As they continue walking a distant fire flickered in the darkness.
"Guys… I think there are people there, there is really a faction, I couldn't believe it, that Logan guy is amazing," Michael said, his voice trembling with emotion. Tears welled in his eyes.
"Finally… we can go home."
Adrenaline surged through the group as they picked up their pace.
Soon, they reached the faction's base.
It was a temporary settlement—thick earthen walls shaped by earth abilities, a raised flag fluttering above. In the moonlight and firelight, they saw the emblem clearly:
A massive claw mark carved over a skull.
Their sudden approach put the camp on alert.
Men stiffened. Weapons were drawn—swords and axes gleaming as they aimed them at the newcomers.
Ray and Michael nearly shouted with relief and joy.
Erin's face, however, was cold.
"Stay right there!" one adventurer barked.
"Who are you?" another demanded, irritation heavy in his voice.
"We come in peace," Sarah said quickly. "We've been lost on this planet. We're asking for help—to leave this place and return to Earth."
Hope filled their expressions, though the faction members didn't share the same.
Their faces were cold, almost annoyed.
And all of them were men, clad in intermediate-tier gear.
Suddenly, the tent flaps parted.
A man stepped out—his armor thick and brown, clearly advanced-tier, perhaps even higher. An A-rank adventurer badge hung from his neck at his chest.
But it was his gaze that made Quinn's stomach churn.
Those eyes moved slowly across the group—measuring, assessing.
They widened at the sight of the two mechs… then lingered on Erin's scimitar and Sarah's spear.
"Well now," he said, smiling. "what a surprise! I didn't know there were people here. I'm Grazer Dor, faction leader of the Scavenger Guild."
He chuckled.
"What are a bunch of kids doing on a red portal planet?"
Quinn stepped forward.
"We're military students. We were accidentally transported here. We need your help to return. Please."
Grazer laughed.
"Well, that's new."
Then his gaze slid toward the girls.
"Sure, kid. I can help you."
His smile twisted.
"All you need to do is give us one night with the girls."
"Then we'll make a deal."
Silence fell, making their faces twist with shock.
"I knew it," Erin muttered, disgust dripping from her voice. "Bastards."
"Oh, watch your tongue, lady," Grazer sneered.
"But really—it's a fair offer."
He laughed, and the other adventurers joined him.
"Or," he added casually, "we can just take you by force."
Erin raised her sword, pointing it straight at him.
"That blade's beautiful," Grazer said, eyes gleaming. "Almost as beautiful as your face."
He chuckled.
"Advanced-tier weapons, huh? Rich kids."
Quinn's breath caught.
How did he know the grade of the weapons… just by looking?
"Even my men don't have gear like that," Grazer continued. "Which means we'll gladly take it from your corpses."
The group froze.
They had come here seeking salvation.
Instead, they had found something worse.
"Mind your words, you scum," Quinn snapped. "These are my friends. I won't let you touch them."
Grazer sighed theatrically.
"Well. Atleast you would know I gave you a chance."
He turned to his men.
"Fellow adventurers—first one to kill can get to keep their gear."
The Scavenger Guild members exchanged looks.
Then they rushed forward, like mindless beasts, their weapons raised, as they moved with a war cry.
Grazer laughed, an ugly, satisfied grin stretching across his face.