“Are we leaving this place?” Dao asked.

“Yeah, we have to do it again,” Upgrade said as entered the room.

Everyone looked at Upgrade’s room door with confused feeling. Elisia, who saw it again, felt guilty. If she had not chased after Fraaman yesterday, perhaps she would have lived a quieter life. However, if that never happened, Elisia would live a vagrant life in this Glomouth village with no one knowing.

“Risk, do you guys always do this?” Elisia asked curiously.

Risk glanced at Elisia with a straight face. “Yes. We always get into trouble on our way, so we have to live by moving places. Even though we didn't have any problems, we keep moving because we had our own goals.”

“Goals? Where are you headed?”

“Rhino wants to go back to Kasdali to go home and I wanna go to Siraca to sort out some problems,” Risk replied.

“Then how about Upgrade and Dao?” Elisia asked again.

“I don’t know. They have their own goals.” Risk walked into the kitchen. Elisia followed him.

“Rhino, what groceries did you buy at the market earlier?” Risk asked.

“I bought cabbage, potatoes, and carrots. I also bought some chicken. We can make delicious chicken soup,” Rhino replied.

“I will help you.” Risk takes a knife and a board. “Elisia, you can help Upgrade or Dao for tidy things up. If you want to bring something, you can use the small bag in my room.”

Elisia went to Risk's room. There, she found a few scattered items. She saw a small bag hanging by the window. Elisia picked it up and walked into the living room. She took [Hex Aegis] book and put it in the bag. Then she placed the bag on the table.

Elisia turned around to tidy up other things. She ran into Upgrade, who was carrying a lot of stuff from the room. Elisia helped him. They walked to the back door to put down a box full of weird stuff.

“Upgrade, these strange items are yours?” Elisia asked curiously.

“Yeah, these things are my failed creations. I put them in this box so that one day I can fix them. But I don't think that day won’t never come because we have to get out of here,” Upgrade explained.

“Can't we just stay here and fight them? At least we can repulse them so they don't come again,” said Elisia, giving a solution.

“You don’t know who we are dealing with right now. After all, we are explorers. We don't stay for long. We're changing places.” Upgrade checked the contents of the box. “If you don't want to come along, we can find a safe place to live around here.”

“It would be better if I went with you guys, because my mind says I have to go somewhere,” Elisia replied. “I promise I won't get you in big trouble again.”

“You don't need to talk about that anymore. It's not your fault.” Upgrade checked every electrical component he found in the box. “Take this thing!”

Elisia received a small tool from Upgrade. The name written there was [Communicate Panel]. She didn't know what it was, but its bracelet-like appearance attracted her and she wore it on her right hand.

“What is this thing?” Elisia asked.

“Press the red button on it and Dao will help you. Actually, it's a digital calling device that could only be use on robots,” Upgrade said.

Elisia became confused. She didn't understand what a robot was, but it likened hearing Dao to a robot made her wonder who the real Dao was. Just thinking about it, Dao came over to Upgrade.

“Upgrade, Dao has checked every location within a 50 meter radius of this house. No one spying on us for now. I also found a small route through the forest. Dao think we can go that way,” Dao reported.

“Okay, we'll talk about that later. Now pack your things!” Upgrade command.

“But Dao only carries a few things, including Dao swords. Is Dao allowed to carry your belongings or something else?” Dao bargained.

“It's up to you what you want to bring. I won’t forbid it," Upgrade replied.

“Okay, thank you Upgrade.” Dao entered the house. Elisia just looked at it with a big question mark on her head regarding Dao.

Upgrade moved and hold some electric tools. Elisia was getting more and more curious about the tools, but she had to focus on herself, especially her luggage. This escape would definitely be a long journey for Elisia. This girl could use this opportunity to see the wider world. Maybe she could find something interesting and fun.

“Upgrade, what is that thing?” Elisia asked.

“This thing? I will use it as a trap. We'll see that later.” Upgrade came in, followed by Elisia.

The pale white man walked into the room. Elisia sat on the dining chair to have a drink and thought about what she would bring again. Looking back, Elisia didn't really have anything but a pendulum around her neck and a wool jacket, plus a spear and [Hex Aegis] book. Maybe that was all she'll bring later.

In Elisia's mind, she imagined how the outside world really was. Life in this village was fun, but traveling to new places allowed her to learn about life there. With her little knowledge and her new friends, she was sure that she could get through all of this. All she needed was to believe that she could do it. Elisia also promised herself not to trouble her friends again.

Food was ready to be served. Everyone had gathered in the dining room. They took turn picking up bowls and ladling soup. Then, they ate it together. Elisia noticed everyone's faces that looked serious. The girl did the same thing to speed up eating. After everyone had eaten, they cleared the dining table and Dao picked up a piece of paper. He put it on the table.

Upgrade opened the conversation. “Well. It seems we face the same situation that we often face together. In the afternoon, right after sunset, we will start the movement. We can't be late, or they might catch us.” Upgrade glanced towards the Dao. “Dao, submit your report earlier here!”

“Dao has been monitoring at a radius of 50 meters from our house. No scouts or spies for now. Dao also found paths that cut through the forest,” Dao explained.

“I know the path. I used to look for dandelions there. The path will take us to the village of Grasswood. We'll probably be safe there,” Rhino said.

“Good, we use that path as our escape,” Upgrade said. “Elisia, you will come with Dao to go through that path first. You will wait for us in a quiet hidden place. Remember, do nothing!”

Elisia and Dao nodded. “Fine, Dao will take care of Elisia and bring her to safety place.”

"I understand. I won’t do anything,” Elisia continued.

“Rhino, I need your help with your camouflage shield. Disguise me so I can install a trap wire so they can't get in here,” Upgrade said.

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“Fine, I will prepare my shield soon!” Rhino replied.

“Risk, did you predict their arrival?” Upgrade asked to Risk.

“My Aura Detector has caught that they are looking for their leader to the west side of the village. I'm not sure, but I think they will come here this afternoon,” Risk said.

“Alright, we will prepare ourselves from this second. Take everything out of the house. Remember, our meeting point is on that path. If things get messy, split up and stick to common ground. Got it?” Upgrade wanted to close the conversation.

Everyone nodded. Elisia didn't really understand, but since the task was quite easy, then she could do it. Everyone stood up and moved. Each of them packed up their belongings and prepare their weapons. Elisia also halped Risk to tidy up the books that would pick up by the librarian soon. They moved all the books to the front porch and waited for him. Risk still used his ability to track Fraaman and Fred's aura.

Elisia saw Risk, who closed his eyes and leaned against the wall. The man's behavior made Elisia curious.

“Risk, Upgrade said that you can track the auras of those bandits. What are they doing right now?” Elisia asked.

Risk opened his eyes and glanced at the girl who asked. “They are meeting their leader. I'm sensing that they're planning an attack here.”

“Then, we should pack up after this!” Elisia said.

“Don’t worry about me. I've been making preparations without you knowing.” Risk approached the librarian, who carried his books in each pile.

Elisia tilted her head. As she recalled, Risk was out while she was packing. Looked like Risk has already cleaned up his things. Elisia had also done so, and left nothing behind. She put the wool jacket on; the spear was near the small bag, [Hex Aegis] was in the bag. According to her, all the things she had prepared.

After finishing his business with the librarian, Risk invited Elisia to came in. They met Rhino and Upgrade, who were preparing trap devices to be installed around the house.

“Trap ready to set?” Risk asked.

"Almost complete. I just need to connect the cables.” Upgrade mounts the wiring on the circuit. “Get your things out! Once this trap set, you cannot enter this house again!”

Elisia immediately draped the small bag and held her spear. Suddenly, the spear smoldered and disappeared. She was shocked and looked here and there. The girl panicked by losing her spear. She checked her stats.

Elisia Naumann

Level 3 (250/800 exp)—Vanguard

Max HP : 682/682

Stamina : 540/540

Skill Point (SP) : 106/106

ATK : 350

DEF : 173

RES : 10,1%

Agility : 45

.

Skills

1. Molten Flame (level 1 (350/400 exp)

SP Requires : 45

ATK +30% and every attack gains 40% chance to ignore 10% Enemy Def

Duration : 26 second

2. [Unknown]

3. [Unknown]

4. [Unknown]

5. [Unknown]

6. [Unknown]

.

Equipment

1. Wool Jacket (equipped)

2. Fire Dublin Spear (saved)

3. Flame Pendulum (equipped)

.

Elisia breathed a sigh of relief. Apparently, the spear stored in her inventory. She stepped to the back door and looked at all the things her friends had. It turned out that their luggage was only a little, even though they lived in this fairly large house. Elisia looked at the wheat field that was blowing by the gentle wind. She felt bad.

Risk came out of the house with all the equipment. He only carried a medium-sized backpack and two swords on his left and right waist. The man also wore a long black robe and a pair of thick and tall shoes. Risk's appearance amazed Elisia.

“Risk, you look superb!” Elisia praised.

Risk looked at his robe. “Stop praising me! This is my explorer outfit.” Risk walked towards the field.

Elisia followed him. “Risk, is all your equipment complete?” she asked.

“I have brought little gear with me since I became an explorer. Only these two swords have stuck to me,” Risk said as gripped the hilts of his swords.

“Really? Then how do you survive on equipment like that?” Elisia was curious.

Risk smiled at the little girl's question. “If only I hadn't encountered Upgrade and Dao in the first place, I wouldn't have survived. Maybe I'll become a bandit like Fraaman and Fred.”

“Are they your friends?”

“They are not my friends, but I know them because of what they always do. Act like a ruler with protecting a leader who has more power. They were filthy thugs!” Risk said.

Suddenly, Dao appeared before them like a person moving as fast as lightning. Risk even almost drew his left sword and Elisia just jumped back. Both of them sighed in annoyance at the presence of their friend.

“What's wrong, Dao? Did you find anything?” Risk asked.

“Nothing. There aren't any scouts around here so far. Dao suspecting the bandits are using tricks to make us look ready,” Dao replied while holding his chin.

“I guess I thought about that, too. I can feel their aura moving here,” Risk said.

“I will tell Upgrade!” Dao left again quickly.

“What are we going to do now?” Elisia asked, who was getting worried.

Risk was silent with his eyes looking straight at the village's main road that could see from where they were standing. He sniffed softly and his eyes widened. The man grasped Elisia's left hand and pulled her to run. Elisia, who knew nothing, moved to her feet. They ran until they were quite far from the house and came to a halt in a small hole.

“Elisia, wait here! I will call Dao to meet you and take you away from here. Keep in mind Upgrade’s word!” Risk left, leaving the girl alone.

Elisia worried about the state of her friends. She gripped the pendulum and closed her eyes. She remembered something and pressed the red button on the bracelet on her left hand.

Unbeknownst to the little girl, several hands wanted to catch her. Moments later, all of Elisia's limbs grabbed. Elisia's mouth and eyes were also closed. Elisia couldn't see anything, other than feeling that her body was being lifted and carried away by someone...

...

Meanwhile, Upgrade and Rhino were installing electrical devices to trap the bandits. Dao appeared near them. Upgrade instantly asked Rhino to turn off the camouflage.

“What is wrong, Dao?” Upgrade asked.

“Dao wants to report that there aren't any scouts around here. Dao feels that the bandits are using tricks to get us ready,” Dao explained.

“Is it true? But we have set this trap for them,” said Rhino, annoyed.

“Hold on, Rhino! They could have come here,” Upgrade said.

Suddenly, Risk came in a hurry. Everyone was a little surprised. “Dao said was true. I felt their auras getting closer and…” Risk's eyes widened. “The direction is not from the village!”

“What? That means they already know our moves!” Upgrade said. “We have to move. Where's Elisia?”

Dao held his head. “Dao picked up the signal from the bracelet you made. I feel like it has released a red signal on me.”

“Bracelet? Oh, I gave the bracelet to Elisia.” Upgrade surprised. “That means, Elisia is in danger!”

“What?! Oh my liege!” Rhino cried.

“I left her in a little hole in the field. Follow me!” Risk started running, followed by everyone.

Everyone moved towards Elisia's place, which was in the middle of the field. Anxiety filled their hearts. Arriving at the location, Elisia had disappeared. Several footprints were visible there, but none of them pointed in any direction. Risk sniffed again. Elisia's presence could not smell or felt her aura. Those bandits must have used an aura barrier trick to keep Elisia from being tracked.

Dao kept looking for anything suspicious. All he found were a few footprints on the grass. However, he found a paper containing a message. Dao read the message.

It seems we are moving ahead of you guys. We bring your little friends to play together. If you want to see her, meet us at the barn that once belonged to farmer Frank.

Dao gave the letter to Upgrade. “Upgrade, this seems to be a clue to finding Elisia.”

Upgrade accepted the paper and read it. Then his head straightened. “Used barn?”

“Yeah, Dao never knew that Farmer Frank had a used barn,” Dao retorted.

“The former Farmer Frank's barn? I think I've heard of it,” Rhino said. “It's a large barn outside the village, close to Grasswood village.”

Risk of sniffing was getting stronger. “The letter was true. They were on the south side of the village. But I can't trace them any further because I know they use an aura barrier.”

Upgrade hold his chin. “We have to think of a way to save Elisia. Let's go back home!”

“Wait, didn't the house have a trap set?” Rhino asked.

“We haven't installed it properly.” Upgrade continued on their way. “Come on, don't waste more time!”

They returned to the house they had wanted to leave. Their hearts felt anxious about Elisia's current state. They worried that the bandits would do things to the little girl they considered a young member. They went straight into the house and sat at the dining table.

“Okay, we already know where Elisia is. But they must have expected our arrival, so we have to move very carefully,” Upgrade said, opening the conversation.

“What I've seen before, the barn was huge with a wide yard. There were several barn buildings, as well as several ponds and a grain mill. Barn had three entrances; one in front, one behind, and one on the side,” Rhino explained with his memory.

“We can get in through the side door, but we need a baiter,” Risk replied.

“Dao can be a baiter. Dao can move quickly,” Dao replied volunteered.

“Good. We will use Dao as a baiter. So, he will go to the guards at the front door and they will chase him. After that, Risk will enter through the front door and Rhino will enter through the back door using his camouflage shield. I will monitor your whereabouts from afar and set some traps so they can't escape. Do you understand?” Upgrade explained.

Everyone nodded.

“Good, time for action!” Everyone started moving outside the house to prepare.

Risk drew his two swords and check their flexibility. Dao tested his running ability. Rhino adjusted his shield. Upgrade started removing the previously installed electric traps and creating new ones.

“Hold on, Elisia! We'll save you,” Upgrade muttered.