Chapter 339: Strangers
As Eman approached the forest, the first thing he noticed was a strong repelling force that seemed to push him away. Compared to the last time he came here, the pressure he felt at this moment was stronger. Although it was not enough to make him change his mind and return, it bothered him a little.
When he arrived inside the forest, he noticed the big changes. He was surprised by what he found out. There were more mutated monsters now than the last time he came there, and they seemed to be far stronger too.
Using his agile and hush movements, he headed to the area where the hive was located. He had to be extra careful in advancing because the more he advanced, the more mutated beast appeared in his perception range. He couldn't make a blunder like last time.
After a long leap, his feet landed on a tree branch silently.
Scouting from above the tree, he discovered the mist around the tree, where the hive was hanging, was darker and denser. There was also a dense gathering of monsters around it. In such condition, he had no way to approach it, especially when they could sense him if he was too close. It was very risky to come close to them.
His reason for coming to the forest this time was just to investigate a little and see if there were any changes from before and this time. Also, the reason why the bees suddenly mutated, he wanted to learn the truth behind it.
Yesterday, after the fight against the mutated bees, he sent samples such as the mist and a bee carcass to Elder Dark Priest, and according to his study, the mutation wasn't due to the mist. Eman was happy after hearing it. The mist had direct contact with the townspeople, so Eman worried if the mist were the real cause of the bees' mutation, it could have a bad effect on the people as well aside from diseases. After hearing that it wasn't the mist that was the cause of the bees' mutation, this made him sigh in relief at least.
But still, knowing that the cause was still unknown, it couldn't put him at ease for real. That's why he needed to learn the truth.
Looking at the big changes in the forest, Eman came to conclude that the bees' mutation was connected to what was happening in the forest. He needed to investigate a little longer.
As he was strolling around the forest, he suddenly stopped on his track and focused his attention. There was a disbelief expression on his face. He caught another presence that seemed like not from the mutated beasts.
The owner of the presence was undoubtedly a person. Wait. There wasn't only one. There were two of them!
It was coming from a hundred meters away to his right. If his memory was right, there was a ridge in that area. He had never been in that place but he saw it when he was flying with Sphin before.
With hushed movements, he approached the area where he sensed the presence. It didn't take long for him to locate the owner of the presence.
On a high land, two silhouettes were standing.
'Who are they and what are they doing?' These were Eman's thoughts when he saw them.
If they were people from the town, he needed to warn them about the danger of this forest. But looking at them, they looked like they were not one of the town folks. Their attires were very suspicious. Cloaked in dark clothes that hide their appearances. Also, what kind of ordinary town folks would come here at this hour?
It was strange that someone would come here in such a condition of the forest.
Moreover, how come they were not attacked by those mutated beasts? In short, there was definitely an unordinary reason behind this.
'These two are probably no ordinary people,' Eman thought.
With silent movement, he moved closer to hear them. He hid behind a tree. The two seemed unaware of his presence. Eman then started listening to their conversation using his acute hearing.
"It's already been a couple of days but it still hasn't reached the required energy. I think we need to take action to speed up the process. What do you think, brother?"
"Let's wait for a while. We don't need to rush."
"But we're already a couple of weeks here, and if this continues, I'm sure the townspeople will notice."
"What are you saying? Of course, they already noticed what is happening in this jungle."
"But why haven't they taken action yet? They're not even sending personnel to investigate here?"
"Perhaps the Miasmatic Colony caused too much damage to them so they don't have enough resources to do that. However, we should not be complacent. By the way, what's the news about the man we sent to investigate the disappearance of mutated bees in the town--" suddenly after saying that, a silhouette appeared from the shadow in front of the two.
"Speaking of the devil."
"Oh, he's here."
A person in a black cloak appeared in front of the two.
"How is your investigation going?" Asked one of the two.
"My investigation went well, boss. Also, you can rest assured that no one learned of my presence there."
"Then it's good. So, did you find out what happened and how the mutated bees disappeared?"
"According to what I heard, they were defeated by the town's savior."
"Bastard! What do you mean by town's savior?"
"I-It means as you heard, boss."
"You mean there are people who managed to kill the mutated bees?"
"Yes, boss!" The man nodded furiously.
The two knitted their brows.
"Saviours my ass! I bet they are imperial soldiers?"
"But that's impossible, brother. We have already crippled the empire's forces. There was no way the imperial palace had enough soldiers to send this place unless the great noble families cooperated with them."
"No, I heard that none of the great noble families made a move. In the time of crisis, those crocs in politics would not spend their resources for the benefit of others."
"Hmm… you have a point, brother. But aren't there branches of Guardian and Mercenary Guilds in the town, so they are probably the ones who helped them, no?"
The person in front of them shook his head slightly.
"According to my investigation, these people who have defeated the bees are just guests of the town and not part of any guilds in the town."
"What? You mean they are outsiders?! What they are doing there and why they are helping the town?"
"I'm not sure of their reason and intention but to my investigation, I learned that they were also the ones who helped cure the disease of the townspeople."
"They healed the disease that the Miasmatic Colony caused?!"
"Yes, boss!"
"That's impossible! We have received information that the empire was running out of medicine supplies! How come they cured them?!"
"Hmph! I don't care about what they did and how they cured the townspeople, but if they keep intervening like this, then we have no other choice but to get rid of them."
Their eyes shone with malice and killing intent.
Eman, who heard them, deemed these people connected to what was happening in the forest and the town.
His eyes shone red. He finally found a trace that could lead him to uncover more secrets regarding the current crisis.