After the encounter with the thugs of Mellico Corp. While also meeting Vale in a less pleasant way, then originally intended.

Something tells Collin that this wasn't the last time he would meet Vale and his goons.

The tribe looked depressed at their balance after being forced to pay the toll. Collin's balance got reduced from

220 RTP to 170 RTP just like that.

"Those assholes really dared to still rip us off. Even after we exposed them and their fake claims right on the spot! Just like that a big chunk of our hard earned money ended in the hands of the damn corporation! This feels really familiar to how it was in the old world." Sophie said furiously and was ice bearing around a bit.

"Well there is one big difference between the corporations in the old world and the new world. We are now able to make a difference and aren't forced to live in their shadows!" Ronald said in reply to Sophie and then tossed over her rod to Sophie.

Collin smiled and then decided to store his minions again within Sandy. So that they could recover a bit more. It has been a long day after all and even though their robots. It is obvious that they have emotions.

At least from what Collin had seen from the time he spent together with his robots. So he likes to think they are sleeping fast within Sandy and dreaming about everything that happened so far. So that they are ready for whatever adventure awaits them next once they wake up.

With a spark of motivation within the tribe once more. They continued their path back to their base. Following the old rotten sign with 'Galley village' barely visible on it.

However as they entered another path which slips back into the forest. The three thugs from earlier suddenly jumped out of the bushes and started attacking the tribe. The assault started with an arrow being shot at Sophie into her shoulder. With it being a sneak attack it was a guaranteed critical hit.

Sophie 15/25 HP left.

The same was happening over at Ronald and Collin's side. Ronald was stabbed in his shoulder out of nowhere. While Collin got stabbed with a knife that flew out of the bushes. Both of them also received critical damage from the sneak attack.

"Aaargh what the hell is this for you damn assholes!" Sophie said while grabbing her rod and raising it to the sky.

Ronald 14/22 HP left

Collin 12/26 HP left

"Where did that even come from! I thought my years of experience would at least help me a little bit. In a possible sneak attack!"

Ronald yelled while tossing his knife into the bush where the knife came from that was thrown at Collin. But to no avail cause the rogue was long gone already.

Afterwards the swordsman drank a yellow potion and then shouted some strange words. He then plants his sword in the ground. Which ends up having electric roots strap around the legs of the tribe. Paralyzing them and dealing 4 damage to each of them.

Sophie 11/25 HP left [paralysed]

Ronald 10/22 HP left [paralysed]

Collin 8/26 HP left [paralysed]

The swordsman thug. Who seems to be the leader of this trio stepped forward, with sword in hand.

Sophie tried to move but couldn't move an inch. Making her furious. The other two were also struggling but realized it was no help. They then also noticed the paralysed for 4 minutes alert. So they looked helplessly but furious at the guy who looks to be the leader. Who just started laughing at them.

"Now don't give me that look you three. After all this is your own fault. You shouldn't have tried to swindle us. By using that high tech gadget of yours."

He then turned around to his pals and raises his arms wide and laughed

"Well let's see how much help that gadget of yours is right now!"

He then unsheathed his sword.

"This is for having influenced the higher ups into lowering our salary. And making them demote us to nothing more than 'reserves' for the expedition team!"

The thugs then each went to one of the members of the tribe and sheathed and charged their weapons. All aiming at the tribe's heads. When suddenly a familiar voice was heard.

"There are those scrums captain."

The thugs then lowered their weapons, scared at hearing those words, in that voice. That was when Vale entered with a lady wearing an Tactical outfit and having two swords sheathed. And also a young man with a staff on his back following them.

"Arrest those deserters. After rebelling for having their pay check lowered. With a valid reason for failing to do their job. They now dared to flee and even decided on their own accord to attack a bunch of innocent villagers."

Vale said loudly and the captain nodded and arrested the trio of thugs. Vale then told the priest to heal and cure the tribe members. Which he did quickly and the turned to the captain.

"Captain, may I suggest an opportunity for those three?"

"Sure you might Vale, what do you got?"

The captain replied.

"Let's settle this little conflict between the two groups with a duel. Just a fair fight between the two groups on even grounds. If our men win they will be promoted back to their former positions. If they lose they will be forced to work at the servant quarters in the quarry. Until the trio earned a total of 2000 RTP."

The captained nodded

"That sounds like a great plan and a good alternative to butchering random villagers that did something wrong. I do expect that you keep their safety as your top priority though Vale."

Vale did a short bow

"You have my promise miss captain. I will make sure they will safely arrive at Lareyville city."

He then turned over to the group who just looked confused.

"Of course I don't want to let you three get through all of this for nothing. So I will make sure to have some rare accessories for all three of you in case you win."

Collin first thanked the priest for healing him and his tribe. Then went to discuss it a bit with his buddies. They were fine with participating in the duel.

After all, they got a chance for revenge on the group who had tried to get rid of them two times already.

They even get compensation and even if they don't go in on their word. They can still explore a bit of Lareyville City to get a bit of an overview of how it is going there at the moment. Without the worry of getting attacked by random people.

So Collin walked back to Vale.

"We are fine with participating however I would like to request that my minions can join me in the fight. Because my class isn't strong on its own which would make this fight unfair." He said truthfully, Vale nodded and replied with a counter.

"Alright but 5 vs 3 is also unfair. So I will add two more, lower level captured enemies of the Mellico corp. to make it fair for both sides."

"Very well it is a deal then" Collin replied accepting the challenge.

Which satisfied Vale, he was happy he could still have a decent conversation with them. After two blunders happened so far.