Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

Alaric was dumbfounded when he saw the changes to his mission.

So there is actually something above 'hard' difficulty?

All this time, he thought that 'hard' was the highest level of difficulty.

Since the mission difficulty was adjusted, this means that the creature my father was talking about really exists.

While he was absorbed in his thoughts, everyone was already scared by what Lucas had said.

"I also hope that this creature does not exist, but we must be prepared for the worst," Lucas remarked with a grim face.

Suddenly, King Garandel seemed to have remembered something crucial.

Wait! I sent Elder Neo to follow the goblins!

"Oh no! I sent Elder Neo to follow the escaping goblins to their camp!" He no longer bothered to hide his anxiety.

This was related to the safety of an important pillar of the kingdom.

Everyone's expression changed.

"I am the fastest here so I will go and get him!" Rosalie volunteered.

King Garandel nodded with a heavy look. "Please bring them back safely, Grand Elder Rosalie!"

Rosalie took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty!"

She then turned around and left with great haste.

After she left, Garandel shouted.

"Let us clean up the battlefield before we return to the kingdom!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Everyone helped with the cleanup to increase the efficiency.

The possibility of there being a monster capable of commanding the goblin monarchs made everyone feel unsettled.

***

Meanwhile, Neo's twenty-man team had already caught up with the escaping goblin warriors.

Just where are these things headed?

He thought with a frown.

They were about to enter a dangerous marsh inhabited by some of the most poisonous plant species.

Few creatures dared to venture into this place. Even highly skilled elven warriors like him were always cautious when passing by this area.

This was because there existed a highly dangerous plant that was so toxic that it could kill a Transcendent with its venomous thorns!

Thinking about this particular plant, Neo gestured at his men to be careful and to always watch their steps.

The group had already left their mounts a long time ago for this place wasn't ideal for riding.

Neo marked the trees they had passed by to keep track of their location.

They had already ventured deeper into the marshlands and there was a high chance that they would be lost if they followed the goblins trail without marking their path.

A while later, they finally saw some form of settlement in the middle of the marshlands.

The goblins use the trees that thrive in the area to create a simple camp surrounded by fences.

Although the structures of the camp were simple, they noticed that there were thousands of goblin warriors staying in this camp!

"Go and observe their camp, but make sure that you will not be discovered," Neo commanded in a whispering voice.

Ten elven warriors went to separate locations to observe the goblin's secret camp, while the remaining ten remained.

Just then, he suddenly noticed a goblin monarch patrolling near the fences of the camp.

He immediately gestured at his men to conceal their aura.

The goblin monarchs were very sensitive to mana so just the slightest fluctuations would be sensed by them.

While he was closely observing the goblin's secret camp, a hand suddenly grabbed his shoulder.

He turned around and was surprised to see Rosalie.

"Grand Elder?"

Rosalie made a 'shushing' gesture and said. "We need to go back, Elder Neo! This place is dangerous!"

Elder Neo frowned. Half of his men had just left so he couldn't leave.

With a shake of his head, he replied. "I can't, Grand Elder. Some of my men are still out there to make some observations on the goblin camp."

Rosalie's face darkened. "Elder Neo, this is an order from His Majesty!"

Neo calmly stared at her and remained firm in his decision. "I know, but I can't just leave my subordinates here."

Seeing how stubborn he was, Rosalie felt a little bit annoyed. With a cold voice, she muttered. "The human warriors said that there might be a monster more powerful than a goblin monarch commanding the colony!"

Hearing this, the faces of Neo and the elven warriors abruptly changed.

"What?! That's impossible!" Neo found it ridiculous.

"We will stay here for a while and wait for them to return, but if they are not here within an hour, you must follow me," Rosalie spoke in a non-negotiable tone.

Neo took a deep breath before he responded with a nod. "Alright."

He could only pray that those elven warriors would return within an hour.

While they were waiting, Rosalie observed the camp with her powerful vision.

She sensed a large number of strong auras. She wanted to make a thorough investigation, but she didn't dare to observe the central parts of the camp.

She was afraid that her aura would be noticed by the goblins so she only inspected the outer parts of the camp.

Just the outer layer of the camp, there are already more than five goblin monarchs. Though most of them are newly evolved, they are still a huge threat to us.

She thought to herself, her expression becoming more unsightly.

Although it hadn't been confirmed yet, she felt that there was a high possibility that Lucas was right. There was no way that the arrogant goblin monarchs would coexist this peacefully.

An hour passed by just like that, but there was still no news from the elven warriors who had left earlier.

Normally, they would be back within thirty minutes, but they have been gone for too long.

Neo's face darkened.

He felt that an accident had happened.

"Elder Neo, we must go back now before it is too late! I think your subordinates have been discovered by the goblins." Rosalie urged him.

Hearing this, Neo turned his gaze toward the goblin camp and gritted his teeth. "Let's return."

Everyone heaved a sigh of relief. They didn't want to stay in such a dangerous location for too long, especially after they heard Rosalie's words.