Never overestimate your own strength.

Even the Blue Maiden Mercenary Company, the strongest force in the city of Huaores, was in a sorry state when facing a pack of third-level magical beasts.

The mercenaries charged through twenty miles of mountainous terrain before they finally escaped the hunting range of the demon-devouring insects.

When Cains ordered a halt, each mercenary collapsed to the ground, too exhausted to even stay alert to their surroundings.

Arthur, panting heavily with sweat streaking down his face, managed to keep up with the group solely through sheer willpower, despite being only a second-level mercenary. His once pristine leather armor was now stained with blood and dust.

Though disheveled, Arthur was in relatively good condition compared to the others, whose leather armor was skewed, and personal belongings lost, with many sustaining injuries. Only Cains, the captain, and a few other high-ranking members were still able to stand.

Cains looked around vigilantly, knowing he must be the strongest among them; as long as he stood, the mercenary company would not fall.

Yet, when his gaze fell on his fallen brothers, a barely noticeable sadness flashed in his eyes.

"Tony, tally the losses."

"Boss, thirteen didn't make it, and seven are badly injured. This mission was a huge loss," Tony reported, his face a picture of gloom.

Cains felt as if he had been struck hard; though Tony did not spell it out, everyone understood the fate of those thirteen mercenaries.

Cains closed his eyes in pain, knowing well that this was the life of a mercenary, destined from the day one joins the profession, but losing brothers was something no one could face calmly.

When Cains reopened his eyes, he had made a decision, "Angus, take the injured brothers and find another mountain path back to the city. The rest will rest for half an hour before we leave. This place is not safe to stay."

Angus hesitated, then said in a deep voice, "Let Tony lead them back. I'm more familiar with the mountain paths, and without our supplies, having me, a hunter, will make finding food easier."

Tony immediately protested, "What are you implying, Angus? In what way am I inferior to you in survival skills?"

After a brief consideration, Cains continued, "Our mission must go on, and indeed, Angus is more suitable. Tony, you lead the way back."

"Boss!"

"Tony, that's an order. We've already lost a dozen brothers; I don't want to lose anyone else. Bring them back alive."

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Tony, wanting to argue, was silenced by Cains' stern look and reluctantly nodded.

With the decision made, Tony no longer delayed. After discussing the route back to the city with Angus, he led the seven injured mercenaries and three caregivers, supporting each other, to set off first. As Cains said, this was not a place to linger.

After walking a dozen steps, Tony suddenly turned back, walked straight to Arthur, and hugged him tightly, almost suffocating him.

"Kid, be careful! Big brother Tony will have wine and girls waiting for you at the Nightingale Bar. Don't lose your life while still a fledgling."

Tony's words drew laughter from the mercenaries, lightening the somber mood.

Arthur, blushing, didn't know what to say and just nodded dumbly.

Tony waved his hand and turned to leave, his slim figure quickly disappearing into the undulating wilderness...

...

Shortly after Tony's departure, the mercenary company hit the road again.

The team had shrunk by nearly a third after the battle. Having just experienced loss, many mercenaries were in low spirits, and the journey was largely silent.

Cains and Angus, along with a few others, became even more cautious. Even Ilaya, the elf who usually kept to the fringes of the group, began to participate in scouting. Each stop involved repeated scouting and confirmation of the surrounding area.

Fortunately, no further accidents occurred in the following days. However, having abandoned their supplies, meals and camping became troublesome. Every meal consisted of roasted game, and at night they could only find sheltered spots to sleep in their cloaks.

Arthur was now truly experiencing the hardships of a mercenary's life.

This was the true face of mercenary life, unlike the glamorous side of drinking, eating meat, and frequenting brothels and casinos. Few knew that the glamor of a mercenary's life was bought with hardship and life itself!

When the mercenary company crossed a low mountain covered in shrubs, the sound of flowing water softly reached them.

Between two mountains, at the foot of the hills, lay a clear stream a few meters wide. The banks were covered in purple-red reeds about a foot high, with furry animals drinking at the water's edge.

Joy appeared in the eyes of all the mercenaries, and the spiritual fatigue from days of marching seemed to vanish. Yet, no one rushed towards the water, instead gripping their weapons tighter.

The experienced mercenaries knew well that not only humans but almost all intelligent beings are drawn to water, making riverbanks often fraught with danger, with many creatures turning them into hunting grounds.

"Where are we now? How much longer?" Cains suddenly asked.

"Sorren Gorge is directly south of the main peak of the Orlando Mountains, Mount Saint Sword. Legend has it that Sorren Gorge was split open by a divine sword during the great war between gods and demons. The largest river in the Orlando Mountains, the Donnie River, originates from Mount Saint Sword, flows through Sorren Gorge, and continues southward to our human kingdoms. This stream must be a branch of the Donnie River. Following it to its source, it should take about three days to reach Sorren Gorge."

As an experienced hunter, Angus had the map of the entire Orlando Mountains memorized.

Then, melodious flute music came from the riverside. Without waiting for Cains' command, the mercenaries rushed towards the water, some even stripping off their armor as they ran.

The flute music, unique to the elf Ilaya, signified joy and cleanliness, indicating the vicinity was safe.

The mercenaries plunged into the stream, washing away the grime accumulated over many days and the mental fatigue.

Watching the mercenaries frolic in the water, Cains, standing by the river with only Arthur and Adeline remaining beside him, showed a rare smile on his face these past few days.

Cains turned to Adeline, "Won't you find a secluded spot to wash? I can keep watch for you."

Adeline glared at the bearded captain, clearly not amused by Cains' crude joke.

Rebuffed, Cains laughed off his embarrassment.

"Look! What's that?" Suddenly, a cry of alarm came from the mercenaries in the stream, accompanied by a tremor underfoot...