Somewhere along the Atled Delta.

10:30 pm, 17 th Peniel 1091.

Under the half-moon, a dark silhouette sailed on a silent river, its inhabitants thankful for the cover of night. Hektor sat on the ship’s main deck with his back resting on the main mast. He winced, stifling a cry as Kashi tightened a bandage over his injury.

"That ought to stop the bleeding," Kashi said as he patted the teen on his shoulder. "You really need some armor though. It would be foolish to perish because of a stubbed toe."

Hektor nodded, then lay down on his back. He closed his eyes, and his breath evened out as he drifted off into sleep.

Kashi looked around the deck and nodded when he noticed Iason and the rest were also asleep, having followed his instructions to get some shuteye. He walked up to the stern where Jero held the steering wheel, eyes peeled on the narrow river.

"How do you suggest we attack?" Jero asked, glancing askance in Kashi's direction.

"Not sure yet," Kashi replied. "What do you know about Merswamp?"

Jero's brows furrowed in thought. "Not a lot. I heard it had been abandoned on account of Froggers and stalkers."

"Stalkers?"

"Yes. Terrible creatures that dominate the swamps south of Merswamp,” Jero explained. “During this season they migrate... no, escape further north."

"Escape?” Kashi’s brow rose. “What are they escaping from?"

"It's the season of the Geruk Frogs,” Jero clarified. “They are too dangerous even for stalkers."

"I see." Kashi rested on the railings, enjoying the night breeze. "How long until we get there."

"Three hours at the most. Half that if the wind stays on our side," Jero replied.

"Okay then. Go get some rest. I shall take over."

Jero relinquished the wheel. He observed the daeben as he took the wheel and gently but surely took control. "You have experience?"

Kashi chuckled. "Not exactly. Learned a bit from someone I know. I can only navigate open rivers in calm weather though. Anything beyond that and I am no better than a baby."

"Still, it's impressive." Jero watched for a bit longer. When he was sure they would not crash in their sleep, he sat down and rested on the railings. He promptly fell asleep soon after.

Kashi looked down at the half-elf, then back to the river ahead of him. ‘ How should I do this?.’

Ping! Ping!

A sharp sound resounded in Kashi’s left ear as a window opened in front of him.

Accept Call From Strike?

YES NO

Kashi chose yes, recalling the energetic boy. L.N.E’s call function only worked between Summoned on each other’s friends list. Also, rather than voice, it sent a transcript of what each person said in real time.

-Hey! Kashi, what's up?!

-I'm well. How are you doing?

-Slamming. We just finished clearing a dungeon. Where've you been?

Kashi hesitated, wondering if he should let Stryke in on his activities. He got an idea a few seconds later. ‘ I went South. There are some nice quests down here.’

-Eh? But I heard the villagers are poor and don't give any quests.

-Go to Ranad. Tell them you're a friend of mine. They should be more friendly.

-Ranad? ...You're doing far more than you're telling, aren't you?

Kashi laughed nervously. He had to admit that the kid was smart.

- It's okay though. We'll take you up on your offer. Thanks, bro.

Bro? Kashi nearly lost control of the wheel in shock. -I-it's fine.

- Oh, Sara says hi.

Kashi frowned. He was at a loss for what to say to that.

-Um... tell her I said Hello?

-Sure. He says hello – Ow!

-You okay?

-"Yeah. Nothing major broken," Stryke replied in a high pitched voice.

-"Okay, good. I'll see you soon."

-"Sure! Thanks again for the info."

-"Anytime."

The call ended, and Kashi looked up to the starless sky. "That should speed things up."

Somewhere along the Atled Delta.

1:42 pm, 17 th Peniel 1091.

Three hours later, Jero opened his eyes. He looked to the side and saw Kashi still steering the ship. He stretched as he rose to his feet and looked around, taking in their location. "We're but a few miles away."

"That was a short nap," Kashi remarked as he observed Jero.

"It was more than necessary,” Jero replied. “During the Great War, I was forced to got many days without sleep."

Kashi turned to him. "How was it? The war I mean."

A shadow crossed Jero’s face as he recalled in a gravely voice, "It was hell. I have never been as terrified as I was during my years of service."

Kashi’s brows rose."The daeben were that strong?"

Jero placed his palm over his face, eyes wide in horror. "Strength had nothing to do with it. The daeben were excellent strategists, and from the dwarves, they obtained superior weaponry. Despite that, we would not have faltered if it were not for their unimaginable cruelty."

Kashi opened his mouth to speak, but decided against it. "I am sorry to hear that."

"No need to apologize," Jero said replied and sighed as he leaned on the railings. He looked down to the deck where the rest of the team lay. "…You have done more for us in a day than we have done for ourselves in the past ten years."

"We are far from done,” Kashi replied. “I will be relying on you until the end."

Jero turned to Kashi with a half-smile on his face. "I will answer your call, now and forever. You have my absolute loyalty."

"That is good to know." Kashi noticed an open bank ahead of them. "We shall weigh anchor over there. Please wake the others. We will go the rest of the way on foot."

"...And the stalkers?"

Kashi turned to Jero, a look in his eyes the war veteran recognized. "If it comes to that, we fight."

As its name implied, Merswamp was a town built upon a dense swamp. Thin trees and bramble bushes dominated the region, with muddy stale waters inhabited by several beasts. These beasts were famous for their diseases and poisons, making it infamous among adventurers.

Kashi and his men waded through the murky waters cutting a shorter path to the town. Kira led the group, alert for any hostile smells.

"Schkuck!" Hektor cursed as he dragged his feet through the mud. The moist earth sloshed between his toes, leaving him with a nasty chill. "Why're we going on foot again?!"

"Because we do not know how much security there is at Merswamp," answered Jero. "It would be foolish to attack head-on." He pushed a bramble branch out of his way, and it smacked Hektor's face.

"Graa!"

"We are almost out," Kashi called. He could make out flickering lights in the distance and knew they must be coming from the village. They came to a halt in front of a large wall made from large tree trunks. "A walled village... The local beasts are that dangerous?"

"Yes. We have been fortunate not to have encountered any." Jero said.

"Nothing to do with luck," Iason cheered. "Kira here must have avoided them all." He patted her head. In reply, Kira shook her body and tossed the accumulated mud onto Iason and Hektor. Iason spat out mud, eyes furrowed. "Well, that's the last time I compliment you."

Kira grinned, revealing her large canines.

Jero looked at the village then asked Kashi, "How do you propose we approach?"

"Down!" Kashi yelled.

Everyone fell flat on the ground as a large beam of light hovered over their position. It lingered a spell, then passed over them. It scanned the swamp, then disappeared as fast as it had appeared.

"A searchlight..." Jero whispered. "It came from that tower over there." He pointed to a guard tower at the left edge of the wall. "That's odd. I thought the village would have been abandoned."

"It’s not the villagers," Kashi said as he took out a spool of rope from his inventory and tied it an arrow shaft.

"What're ya doing?" Hektor asked, puzzled by the daeben’s actions.

"If there is a guardpost..." Kashi said as he notched the arrow onto his bow, and drew it to its full length. "There are guards." He released the bowstring and the arrow shot through the night stabbed deep into the top of the wall. "We cannot go through the front as it would attract their attention." He pulled on the rope until it was taut, then tied it around a tree trunk.

"You can't be planning..." Iason mumbled.

"Exactly," Kashi confirmed then hopped onto the rope and ran along it. He was too fast for his weight to fully bear down on it, preventing it from breaking. Seconds later, he was up and over the wall. He landed on a raised platform used by guards when patrolling, then beckoned for the others to follow.

"Wat da flying fuck?!" Hektor yelled as loud as a whisper would let him. "Y'all ain't gonna attempt dat righ-" The twins jumped onto the rope, skipped across and joined Kashi's side. "Dat's jus-" Jero followed after them, his feet barely touching the rope. "No... seriously!" Paris hopped onto the rope, somehow managing to look majestic as he ran across.

"Guess that leaves us then," Iason said, chuckling.

"Uh.. huUH!" Hektor nearly screamed in disbelief as he watched Kira take a few steps back, then also dash across the rope line, using long leaps to compensate for her poor footing.

Hektor and Iason stared at each other, then at the rope… then back at each other.

"Screw dis! Imma burst through da front," Hektor proclaimed and huffed. "Only cowards sneak in the back anyway."

"Uh… I'll stick with the kid," Iason said. "Don't wanna let him come to any harm right?"

Kashi could not hear him, but he understood the message. He nodded and waved for them to do as they wished.

"Will they be all right on their own?" Narkis asked.

"They will be fine. Those two are strong," replied Kashi. He looked to his right where the watchtower sat. "Wait here," he said to the group then lightly jogged to the tower's base, looking around to make sure he was not being followed or watched.

Kashi climbed the watchtower’s ladder, taking each rung carefully. It would not do to spook the target so soon. He peered into the tower and saw a figure leaning over the half-wall. It looked odd, so his pupils narrowed to improve his sight. He made out bulging muscles with fins along its underarm and back. This was no human.

"I smell you, elf. Show yourself." The being had a throaty voice like it was gurgling on water.

"Heeh? You have an excellent nose eh?" Kashi praised as he climbed into the small square post.

The thing turned around, and Kashi felt a chill run down his spine. Red bulging eyes glared at him from a large round head that could only belong to a frog. Its muscles comprised of huge lumps of fat that rolled over each other, with a protruding belly. It wore a loincloth and nothing else and held a primitive bone spear in its hand.

"Now, before you do anything-" Kashi ducked under its swing, then dashed forward and speared it onto the wall. Unfortunately, the Frogger’s slippery body caused him to lose his grip. It drove an elbow into Kashi’s back in retaliation, and he fell under its overwhelming strength.

The Frogger kicked him with its webbed feet, and he crashed onto the opposite wall. It made to impale Kashi with its spear, but Kashi rolled on the floor towards it, dodging the strike. The daeben looked up into the Frogger's eyes and paled as it opened its mouth and spat at him.

Once again, Kashi quickly rolled away, but his retreat was blocked by the spear. He suppressed a cry as the spit dropped onto his arm, and burned it with the ferocity of an acid. Grinning at its trapped quarry, the frogger spat at him again.

This time, Kashi kicked against the wall which pushed him back and away from the spit’s fall zone. He would have slammed his head against the other end if it were not for his quick reflexes. The daeben placed his arm in an arc onto the floor, and pushed against it, propelling himself into a handstand.

Kashi dropped as the acidic spit harmlessly struck the floor and slammed the heel of his right boot into the frogger’s surprised eye. The frogger opened its mouth to scream, but Kashi quickly twisted and delivered a rising helicopter kick to its jaw, effectively shutting it up, then kicked once more and sent it crashing against the wall.

Kashi righted himself and kicked the frogger’s chin once it stood up, sending it over the half-wall. The frogger fell to the platform, and he followed after, jumping onto its abdomen from the tower. The impact caused the frogger’s mouth to snap open in a soundless cry and Kashi grabbed its tongue. "This is for my arm," Kashi whispered as he ripped out its and stomped on its face.

The frogger burst into light petals then floated into the sky, leaving behind a small bottle with a clear liquid in it. Kash picked up the bottle and used [Identify] on its contents. "Identify."

Frogger's Venom

Poison from the Venomous Froggers.

-100 HP on Impact.

-30 HP every 5 s for 5 Minutes

Kashi smiled, pleased with the find. He looked at his left arm and tried to move it, but it refused to respond. It seemed he had let a bit too much poison hit it in one go. Ripping out the frogger’s tongue turned out to be a double-edged sword.

Annoyed by his carelessness, Kashi took out bandages from his inventory and wrapped them around the arm. He violently tightened the bandage as if to punish himself then received a system prompt that told him it would take a few hours for the arm to fully heal. After completing the First Aid, Kashi jogged over to his team after ensuring no one had heard the brief scuffle.

"I saw something fall. Was that you?" Jero asked.

"Something like that," replied Kashi. "The guards here are Froggers."

Jero tensed. "You're sure?"

"No doubt about it. Just defeated one. Be careful down there,” Kashi warned. “They spit poison."

Kashi jumped down from the platform onto the earth and was intrigued by its softness. He bent down and examined the soil and found it was moist, yet firm enough to hold weight. The villagers probably sand-filled the swamp with clay.

Kashi brushed his hands then dashed through the town, followed closely by his teammates. He motioned for them to spread out and they combed through in an upside down V-formation, with him leading the charge. The village was empty as they had guessed. However, there were no signs of the Froggers.

A loud shout caught his attention, and Kashi dashed towards the village’s main entrance where he found several Froggers surrounding Hektor and Iason. Blood seeped from the men as they parried blows from several directions and struck back. If it were anyone else, they would be dead by then, but both Iason and Hektor were tough men with tough skin and abundant health. Perfect tanks.

Kashi's men attacked the froggers from behind, slicing away at them mercilessly. The froggers had not expected the attack and instantly fell into disarray. The men took full advantage of this and rode their momentum to slay even more. On Kashi's signal, Kira also joined the fray, knocking the frogger's over with her massive build then proceeding to rip at their throats.

Kashi watched the skirmish with calculating eyes. So far, everything had gone to plan. He had purposely let Hektor and Iason go around to the front as a gamble to test their strength and endurance. Knowing Hektor, they would draw the enemy's ire, leaving the enemy vulnerable to an attack from behind.

Kashi did not feel any superficial pride or joy from using them the way he did. He just instinctively knew tough decisions had to be made by any leader worth their position. There would definitely be those who would curse him for his leadership style, but he did not care. He only used Hektor and Iason because he recognized their skills. It would be an insult not to.

"Grr-bit!"

Kashi turned to the source of the growl. A hulking frogger almost twice his height burst through a building wielding a massive club. Several froggers followed behind, cheering it on. Kashi frowned. This was bad. The others were only riding their momentum in the fight. If their rhythm were disrupted now, they would surely be routed.

Kashi left the comfort of the wall he was resting on and stood in the monster's path. "How about I entertain you?"

"Darkling.. injured. No.. challenge," the monster boasted and roared in his face.

Kashi held his breath as the monster's putrid breath breezed past him. "I do not need my hand to—" He was cut short as the monster's club slammed against him, crushing his left arm. It sent him careening through the walls of a mud house, and the derelict building collapsed on top of him.

"Hmph. Darkling... dead,” The monster stated and turned away with its followers to head towards the fight. A few steps to its destination, it heard a cry behind it. It turned around and frowned as it saw its followers on the floor, bursting into myriads of light. At their center stood the daeben with a mocking smirk.

"Did you never hear the expression, Don't turn your back on your enemies?" Kashi taunted.

"Gruuuaaa!" It swung its club with all its might, but Kashi stopped it with his right hand. Confusion, anger, and fear registered on its face as the daeben clenched his fists on the club. A large crack ran from the point his hand was on, all the way through the weapon. The Frogger stumbled as it saw Kashi’s confident eyes through the falling splinters.

"My apologies. You seem confused."

The monster panicked and searched around as the daeben vanished from its sight, but then it suddenly felt heavy pressure on its head. It reached above its head to grab the daeben, but once again he was gone. "Urk!" The frogger cried as a bone-crunching punch penetrated the fat in its belly and sent a shockwave through its body.

"Don’t worry too much," Kashi said as he kicked its back. The monster cried in pain and whirled around, but he was gone. "You are not the first to wonder why they are losing so badly." Kashi punished it with an uppercut to its chin, then disappeared from view once again. "And you won’t be the last,” Kashi teased as he appeared in front of the monster, and it let it punch him.

Pa!

Kashi caught the punch with his right hand and locked the monster's fist in place. "The reason is simple really. I’m stronger than you.”

The frogger roared as it clenched its left fist and hammered down on the daeben. In response, Kashi released the arm he’d held hostage, and the monster stumbled back from the unexpected recoil.

Kashi then pulled out an arrow and jumped onto the monster’s face. "Have a taste of your own medicine," Kashi said as he stabbed the arrow into the frogger’s eye. "You are already dead," Kashi said and walked away.

The frogger predictably cried out in pain and thrashed about, thrashed about, crashing into walls and buildings. It fell to the ground and held out a hand to the daeben, calling out in a weak voice, "Ab..sa...lon-sa..ma....."

Alarm bells rang out in Kashi’s head as he dashed to the frogger and grabbed it. "What did you just say?!" It did not answer, its good eye slowly clouding over. "Hey! Wake up!"

Kashi’s efforts proved futile as the Frogger burst into light, leaving behind a parchment. The froggers seeing their chief fallen, began to flee, having lost the morale to fight.

"Do we chase or not?!" Jero called to Kashi.

Kashi clenched the parchment in his hand and said as he read the message. "Let them run.” His voice was dark, carrying in it malice so thick, it made them shudder.

"Forget eight days. We end this farce tomorrow," Kashi declared as he squeezed the paper in his hands. "Absalon..."