The group moved through the dense forest carefully, trying not to get caught and surveying the area. So far, they had not met any obstacles apart from some weird-looking deer and other animals.

  “Those damn goblins must have come from somewhere.”

  “They must be under that monster master.”

  “What monster?”

  Adeline turned towards Fang with a confused expression.

  “The one that seriously wounded you long ago, he killed most of your followers and took the majority of your nd, leaving you only a small portion,” Fang expined with a tinge of regret and sorrow. This annoyed Adeline, a person not used to losing. She was not only defeated but also embarrassed. This was now personal; her pns moved from locating the goblins to enacting revenge.

  “Scales, I have a mission for you. Find where that person is and tell me how many they are and their location. If you feel like you’re about to get caught, run away and come back to us.”

  “I will execute your will without fail.”

  Scales got down from her neck and disappeared into the thick growth. Adeline looked at the trees around and got an idea where to set camp.

  “Fang, can you climb trees?”

  “No, master, but I can try.”

  Adeline selected the biggest tree and quickly scaled it to a suitable height, with Fang trying his best behind. Satisfied, she made herself comfortable and started to rest on the branch. Fang held on to the trunk and volunteered to stay awake. She ate some leftover magical cores and slowly drifted to sleep.

  She was awakened by the warm sunlight. She surveyed the area below to make sure there were no enemies. She stared off towards the general direction and saw patches of dense forests and open nd. It was truly beautiful but also eerie at the same time.

  “Fang, are you awake?”

  “Of course, master, I never closed my eyes.”

  Fang was still holding on to the trunk for dear life, which drew a small ugh from Adeline. She skillfully descended down the tree, while Fang fell ft on his face but was not injured.

  One of the nearby bushes suddenly shook. She raised her fists, ready to fight, but Scales wriggled out. She quickly scaled her and wrapped around her neck, feeling like a hug.

  “Master, I found them. There are too many monsters, the ones you call goblins, and there are also many of Fang’s kind and one very rge one. They have made a big cave out of trees and stone not too far from here.”

  “You did a great job. Once we are done here, I will cook you an entire deer.”

  “Thank you, master, but we have to leave. It’s too dangerous.”

  “Don’t you worry, I have a pn.”

  “Fang, start digging rge holes around this area and cover them with branches and trees. Make sure you hide them properly. Scales, take a mental note of where these holes are and also keep watch in case the enemy gets close.”

  “Yes, master!”

  Adeline spent most of the day producing makeshift torches and spears. She applied Scales’ poison to the tips of the sharp spears and pced them inside the holes, making a deadly trap. Once they were done, they all huddled up and told the group of her pn.

  “I am going to burn down their camp. They will pour out, looking for the culprit, and they will see Scales. They will chase Scales towards the trap, where she will turn to her small size and lead them towards the traps. Fang, you will sneak from behind their camp and deal with those who remain. I will deal with the big one and any other orcs.”

  “So Fang kills the ones who stayed. What if I run into strong ones?”

  “I will give you some torches, so just burn them alive and run.”

  “I understand, master.”

  “Should I fight also, or just use the traps?”

  “Once they are greatly reduced, feel free to fight them if you think you can win.”

  “Always py for your life. You’re no use to me if you’re all dead. Remember that.”

  “Yes, master.”

  “Let’s climb the tree and wait for nightfall to attack them. They will learn what true dread is.”

  In the dead of night, Adeline skillfully moved from tree to tree as she edged closer to the enemy camp. With her improved vision, she was able to see all the enemies. It was a mixture of orcs and goblins who roamed around the area, with some entering their fortress of sorts. Scales was not exaggerating when she said that there were a lot of them.

  She lit the first torch and threw it towards the fortress and hoped it would catch fire. Some time passed, and nothing happened. She lit her second torch and threw it again and waited; the results were the same.

  ‘Third time’s the charm.’

  She threw a third torch and waited once more. Smoke started to appear in three different areas, which slowly turned into a raging fire. Chaos ensued as they ran in all directions. That was when Scales appeared. She was as tall as a tree, making sure everyone saw her. They broke chase and ran towards the serpent as she retreated. A rge orc, surrounded by a group of orcs and goblins, emerged from the fortress and started yelling out instructions, pointing in various directions. It held a rge sword and had scars all over its face and menacing teeth with sharp eyes.

  Adeline stood up and threw another torch near the rge orc, who started to look around. She descended down the tree and lit another torch, making sure he saw it. In a fit of anger, they gave chase towards her. In the dark, they looked around for her, sshing everything in their path. That was when a rge circle of fire was lit, trapping them. The orcs started to run around in panic, trampling the small goblins, while others got pushed into the fire. The rge orc roared, trying to regain control of the situation, but it was too te. Adeline descended and plunged her entire hand into the chest of a nearby orc, then ripped it in half. She then dispatched the remaining orcs, leaving behind the rge one. They both stared at each other as Adeline circled her prey.

  “I should have killed you, such a stupid demon.”