Chapter 14: What an Interesting World
"I wanted to go to Reaif City, but I ran into a sandstorm along the way. Now I'm lost in the desert and don't know which direction leads to Reaif City."
"Reaif City isn't far from here. May I ask what brings you there, brother?" Abel sized up Mord and spoke.
"To set sail," Mord answered truthfully.
Reaif City was a port city. If one wanted to travel from the Yorbian Continent to another, taking a ferry was indeed one of the only two options.
Jin, the head of the Black Rose Merchant Guild nearby, nodded upon hearing this. With the martial arts expert Abel present, he smiled and said, "What a coincidence. We're heading to Reaif as well. Since fate has brought us together, young man, why not travel with us?"
Gratitude flashed across Mord's face as he smiled. "Thank you all, then."
Abel had more questions, but since his employer had already spoken, he said nothing further. Instead, he raised his hand in a gesture, and someone immediately brought forward a camel.
Jin took the reins and handed them to Mord.
"No need for thanks. Everyone faces hardships when traveling. Hop on, lad. We'll reach Reaif in another day or two."
Without hesitation, Mord climbed onto the camel.
He glanced back and saw a dense line of over a dozen more camels, each heavily laden with goods.
The desert was nothing but sand, its arid climate allowing almost no other plants to grow, making it difficult to navigate. Moreover, the strong winds often kicked up sand, leading travelers astray.
Having an experienced team to guide him now was a stroke of luck.
"There's still some time before nightfall. Let's push forward a bit more!" Jin rode his camel back and forth along the caravan, shouting loudly.
These were the invaluable lessons he'd learned from years of traveling this trade route.
The caravan pressed on until the sun set and darkness fully descended.
At the front of the group, Jin turned and called out, "Lads, you've endured the wind and sand these past days. Tomorrow, we'll enter Reaif City's territory. Once we've delivered the goods, I'll take you all to the Azure Paradise for some well-earned rest. Tonight, we'll camp here."
The members of the Black Rose Trading Company burst into laughter. They led the camels into a large circle, then set about lighting fires, roasting meat, or resting.
Everything was orderly.
Two or three others patrolled the perimeter, keeping watch.
It was clear this was a seasoned team.
Mord sat by the campfire, lost in thought, when a waterskin was suddenly thrust toward him.
He looked up to see a young man from the Black Rose Trading Company named Lot III—called "Little Three" by the others.
"Thirsty? Don't hold back. If you need anything, just ask." Lot pressed the waterskin into Mord's hands and sat down beside him.
"Are you setting sail to find work?"
"Something like that," Mord replied, uncorking the bottle and taking a sip.
"Times are tough. Among the northern cities of the Yorbian Continent, only Reaif has thrived thanks to its port. The others are too underdeveloped."
Lot looked up into the distance and spoke, "Setting sail is indeed a good choice. I once considered going to sea myself—after all, the ocean holds a romantic allure for men."
"Once? What about now?" Mord handed the water flask back and asked.
Though their conversation had been brief, Lot inexplicably felt a natural affinity toward Mord. Perhaps it was because they were both young, or maybe he admired Mord's courage to traverse the vast desert alone.
This must be what they call kindred spirits.
Lot III took the flask and drank as well.
"I want to keep gaining experience, eventually establish my own merchant guild, and then carve out a trade route through this endless desert—a path that can connect the northern mountain roads of the Yorbian Continent. Once that happens, the specialties of the northern cities can be continuously shipped to other continents through the Port of Reaif. That way, we can change the backward and impoverished state of the northern cities."
What an ambitious ideal.
Mord thought to himself. In the world of hunters, it wasn't just hunters who carried all sorts of dreams—gourmet hunters, ruin hunters, gem hunters, phantom beast hunters... Even the most ordinary people were the same.
What an interesting world.
"It's almost my turn for patrol. I'll take my leave now, Mr. Mord." Lot bowed politely to Mord before running off into the distant darkness.
Mord smiled faintly and turned his gaze to the roaring campfire.
The flickering flames cast shifting shadows across his face, his thoughts unreadable.
After some time, a sudden scream pierced the night from afar.
In the camp, the merchant guild's manager, Jin, paled instantly.
"That's Lot's voice!"
He stood up and shouted toward the other side, "Mr. Abel!"
Before he could finish, Abel had already reacted, sprinting toward the source of the scream.
Abel was fast, but by the time he arrived, a massive human head had already traced a graceful arc through the air, landing right in front of him. It buried itself face-up in the sand, revealing its features.
It was none other than the Black Rose Trading Company's guard, Lot III!
Abel looked up to see dozens of desert bandits closing in from the distance, his expression darkening.
The Black Rose Trading Company's guards soon caught up, drawing their weapons one after another, glaring fiercely at the enemy.
However, the bandits clearly had the upper hand in weaponry—many of them carried rifles.
Abel glanced back at his companions, his face grim. It seemed he'd have to go all out tonight, or else none of them would make it out alive.
"Hand over everything you've got, and we'll let you leave with your lives. Otherwise, not a single soul will be spared," the leading bandit bellowed after exchanging a look with a black-cloaked man behind him.
"I'm Abel from Saint Modo City. Consider this a token for drinks—I hope you'll give me face tonight."
"Mr. Abel..."
Abel raised a hand to stop the red-eyed Jin, pulling out a money pouch from his robe and tossing it forward.
Jin understood Abel's intention—to settle things peacefully. But the thought of his subordinate dying so unjustly right before his eyes was unbearable.
Jin couldn't help but clench his fists, yet he knew circumstances were stronger than men. At times like this, one could only bow their head.
One death, or risking everyone's lives for so-called dignity.
As the head of the merchant guild, the choice wasn't difficult.
Just then, a figure suddenly moved forward from the back of the group.