3000 PS = 3 Chapters

Total Chapters left = 7

"Halt!"

"What's wrong?" Ragnar asked when the Orcs just looked at the fork like their life depended on it.

"We don't stray too far from camp," said Orakh. "Let's go back."

However, Draki wasn't moving the slightest, and he addressed the Orcs. "From all our scouts, we haven't gone past here. There might be something out there."

Ren and the others extended their neck to see what lay beyond the fork. One path was littered with bones of fresh kills, carcasses, and blood of beasts or something more. It reeked of predators and danger, while the other was crowded with poisonous mushrooms and unknown plants. Aggressive plants overgrow the path, entangling and ensnaring any who would walk through them. Blood smears, scratches, and other signs of a monster's place devouring.

The two paths looked ominous, and neither option looked exciting to enter.

Orakh shook his head firmly. "The path to the right leads to the lair of the Toad God, Obulg. It doesn't like to be disturbed. The other led to the house of a nasty old hag. Both are apex domains."

"Apex domain?" Ren and the others shifted their attention to Orakh.

"Most apex predators will leave clear signs that their territory is their own. Those corpses and bones are a symbol of warning," explained the head Orc.

"The hunting range of a Tyrantmaw; the Hills and areas ruled by high beasts and creatures; the sacred lair of Gods are all apex domains. This is dominated by a single creature with the power to reshape the lands."

"We don't go there," the others added.

Draki stood his ground, tusks on full display. "Bunch of cowards. That's why our life doesn't change in our camp. There might be something out there that can very well change our circumstances."

Orakh faced Draki, but the latter didn't even flinch or look away. "Draki, I respect you being the Chieftain's son. You're a good warrior, one of the best in the clan. But some things aren't meant to be explored. There's a fine line between bravery and recklessness."

"I know that you're only looking out for your fellow clansmen Orakh, but nothing will change if we don't take a step forward. Being scouts and warriors, it's our job to check every suspicious things."

"Nothing is suspicious in there, Draki. It's clear as day that that's an Apex Domain, one which your mother, the Chieftain, specifically said not to venture into."

". . ." Draki stared Orakh in the eyes. Even if he was smaller, he didn't back down. "Your cowardice nature is unbecoming of the leader of the warrior Orcs, Orakh. Maybe it's time for you to vacate the position and let someone . . . younger and braver assume the leadership."

Orakh wasn't backing also. "I have long gone turn my back on my reckless behavior. Ever since I became the head Warrior, my priority shifted to the safety of my clan members above all else."

The Orcs split into two. Some backed Orakh, while the remaining went to Draki's side. There was static tension between the two important NPCs and one wrong move could ignite a fight.

At the side, Ren and the others remained as a spectator.

"What should we do now?" asked Evie.

"Don't worry. Everything is going according to plan," Ren replied.

Before the argument could escalate into a fight, however, Orakh proposed for Ren and the others to make the choice.

"Us?" Ragnar wasn't sure about that.

Evie was tight lip, and both stared at Ren for their next move.

Every eye was pressured on Ren while the latter knew exactly what option he would choose from the list presented.

His head tilted to the side and beamed. "Of course, we will check the fork to the left side."

. . .

. . .

If he chose to back out now. What was the point of going all the way here?

"Ren . . . are you sure?" Evie wasn't the least bit thrilled with Ren's choice. The path he chose was ominous and definitely not something she wanted to explore over.

Ren threw a resolute glance over at Evie. "Yes, I'm sure."

Orakh shook his head in dismay. "I can't say I'm not disappointed."

[Your relationship level with Orakh decreased!]

[Your relationship level with Draki increased!]

"Good choice, sprite." Draki laughed heartily. "I thought you were a coward like Orakh, but it seemed that I misjudged you."

Ren wanted to roll his eyes. "Should we go? Dark will be upon us soon."

The others had no choice but followed Draki and Ren when they led the way to the left fork.

Drawing nearer to the sanctum of a corrupted Hag, the area was full of crows, vultures, wild wolves, and scavenging goblins who feed on the Hag's kills. They found oozes, slimes, and twisted, experimental creatures, altered by dark magic, all of which were defeated by the Orcs but not without casualties.

While Ren and the others remained beside Orakh's group, defending and helping when necessary. It hadn't been an hour's worth of travel into the Old Hag's lair when half of the Orcs were already injured.

"Isn't this bad?" Ragnar didn't like the situation one bit. Each of the warrior Orcs had high ATP, but the monsters crawling at the place were too many to give them any breather. Not to mention that once in a while, a powerful beast or creature would spring into action and launch a surprise attack.

If it was just them and some other players, they might not have lasted this long. The only thing that was keeping them alive was the Orcs. And if they die, then there was no stopping the monsters in here from slaughtering them.

Ren didn't comment. These parts of the map were forbidden and inaccessible to players without meeting the required ATP for it. But with Orakh's quest, they could temporarily access the area.

"Let's retreat while we're ahead," said Orakh. His face was serious and coated with sweat.

Draki ignored Orakh and pressed on.

"Draki!" Orakh didn't know what to make of the situation. But one thing was for sure. He couldn't just allow Draki to go into the Old Hag's lair on his own. If something were to happen to him, Sharina would have his head.