Lucy hated the stench in the swamp air, reminding her of rotten eggs covered in vomit. Morning has arrived except dark gray clouds appeared over the black skeleton trees. Ivy said the weather has always been like that as if the witches cursed the island to stay dark forever. Good atmosphere for an island full of voodoo and dark creatures hidden in the wet bushes and rivers.

Tall torch posts stood along the wet road, which still shined during the day and night. Considering the island was always dark, it was a good thing there were torches to keep the path visible.

A wide river stretched through the road, but a bridge stood over it. So far Lucy didn't need to worry about getting her feet stuck in sticky stinky marsh water.

"It's been a while since I walked through here," Ivy mentioned, leading the party over the bridge.

"What do you know about this place?" Lucy asked.

Ivy glanced back at her. "Oh, very spooky. If you travel alone, bandits, snakes, creepy crawlers, ghosts, plants, and bloodthirsty hyena savages will get you. Frogs too and meat-eating fishes in the water."

"I thought frogs are friendly?"

Ivy pointed at the woods. "Not these buggers here. They attack anyone who enters their waters. Their skin is coated in poison. Sometimes they rub dart on their skins to poison their victims. My guess is, their own poison made them crazy."

Charles glanced around. "Hum. Anyone could turn savage if they live here for too long."

Ivy rolled her eyes as she stepped off the bridge. "There are plenty of settlers here who still have their sanity. Even a few wild hyena tribes are friendly. But don't lower your guard here. Anyone can disappear on Blackmare forever." She swallowed. "Goodness, I hope the bloody captain is alive."

From the bridge, they entered a forest with a muddy group and leaves coated in slime. Thick moisture clouded the entire surrounding, but more torches lit the way toward the end.

How could anyone keep trailing through here? Lucy thought.

Lucy paused when she heard something chuckled behind the trees. “What’s that?”

Charles turned toward her. “You heard something?”

Lucy glanced around. “Yes, behind the trees. It sounds like-”

More chuckles echoed from the darkness, cutting off Lucy.

Ivy pulled out a Whitworth rifle, a long musket with a telescopic sight. “Get ready, lad, and lass. We are about to meet an unwanted company!”

Lucy drew out her cutlass and faced her back toward Charles and Ivy’s back. They watched their surroundings, not letting their guards down.

From the trees, four black furry hyenas dropped and landed around Lucy, Charles, and Ivy. They pointed their spears out while holding up shields. They wore loincloths and white paint coated their faces, drawn like skulls. Above their heads, their character status appeared with the same data for each of them. However, none of them have their own names.

Skull Face Bandit Level: 10 Race: Hyena HP: 100 Non-player character Skull Face Bandit Level: 10 Race: Hyena HP: 100 Non-player character Skull Face Bandit Level: 10 Race: Hyena HP: 100 Non-player character Skull Face Bandit Level: 10 Race: Hyena HP: 100 Non-player character

"Give us your loot or die!" One of them ordered.

Charles grinned. "You can try, scumbags!"

The one bandit who spoke charged toward Charles, but Ivy aimed her musket and fired one shot. Her bullet pierced through the hyena's forehead, and he vanished in a green flash.

Instant kill!

Lucy swung her blade toward her attacker. He blocked with his wooden shield and poked his spear into her torso.

Lucy HP: 115/120

"Ouch!" Lucy jumped back, touching her belly. She didn't bleed, but the spear's sharpness arched through her flesh about one second.

Pain keeps everyone on their feet in combat. Without it, players or non-players could die before they knew it.

She shuffled into her stance and pointed her blade at her attacker. "Come here, you twig!"

The hyena laughed and charged.

Before he reached her, gunfire echoed behind him and he fell to the ground before he flashed away.

Lucy glared at Ivy.

The catgirl lowered her musket. "What!"

Lucy wanted to kill her attacker to get his experience points. If an NPC kills another NPC, neither of them receives the EXP. But there were two left, and both of them were trying to strike Charles as he leaped around, dodging their attacks.

Lucy charged toward the hyenas and slashed one of their backs.

Skull Face Bandit HP: 85 /100

The hyena screamed and growled at Lucy. While his companion focused on Charles, he charged toward Lucy. "You're dead!"

The cocker spaniel grinned and slid aside, dodging the hyena's thrust. She struck his back again. He swung as she ducked and slashed through his legs.

Skull Face Bandit HP: 55 /100

When the hyena fell to the ground, Lucy leaped on top of him and stabbed him down to zero.

Skull Face Bandit defeated! You received 100 EXP!

The other bandit was still trying to attack Charles, swinging his spear. Charles ducked and poked the hyena's foot.

The bandit cried and hopped on one foot, rubbing his arching foot. With his chance, Charles swung his sword through the hyena's neck.

His attacker vanished before Lucy's eyes.

Lucy sheathed her sword, giving glares at the wolf. "Really?"

Charles chuckled. "What's wrong? Did I steal your kill?"

Lucy shook her fist up. "I could have killed him!"

"Sorry, but I got him first."

Lucy growled.

"What is your problem?" Ivy approached her while placing her musket on her back. "I also saved your skin."

Lucy sucked in a sigh. "Sorry….. But I needed to kill him. I am almost close to my next level "

Ivy held up her hands. "Hold up." She directed her fingers toward Lucy. "You can level up?"

"Yes! You saw my status, right?"

Ivy rubbed her chin. "Sorry, I didn't realize that. But I was only trying to help you."

Lucy pointed her finger at Ivy. "Then don't help me next time. I can handle another on my own."

"Can we move on before more bandits show up?" Charles asked.

Ivy gave Lucy a dirty look and continued down the road. Maybe Lucy sounded too harsh, but she doesn't want to lose any more chances of getting stronger. She won't let herself fail when she encounters Captain Flipper.