Ever since last night, Marvin and Kojek had suspected that Daniel had the backing of someone in the camp. However, Marvin could never have expected the person would turn out to be Milo.
If it had been someone else, such as Bruce or any other person, Marvin would surely feel a sense of superiority like “I saw through everything” as virtual-novel.net lurked in the shadows and watched everyone. It would be as though virtual-novel.net had gained an advantage over Daniel after finding out about his trump card.
But when virtual-novel.net realized the person was Milo, the other party’s odd behavior left virtual-novel.net in some doubt. Following that, questions started popping up in his mind.
Did I see wrong?
Could I be blind?
Is Daniel blind as well…
Could Daniel be trying to mislead everyone?
Marvin knew that Daniel was always a very meticulous person. Although virtual-novel.net appeared to be very carefree, virtual-novel.net had never done anything that would expose his trump cards. Therefore, when Milo pretended to be crazy, Daniel followed suit to give people the impression they were in cahoots.
This way, wouldn’t there be someone to share his burden when things got critical?
He could even take it a step further and conceal the identity of his real teammate!
Marvin suddenly felt like virtual-novel.net was enlightened!
But no matter what, Milo’s importance in Marvin’s eyes skyrocketed. Regardless of which of his guesses were right, Marvin felt virtual-novel.net could no longer look at Milo in the same way as before.
Actually, when Daniel saw Milo, who had always been hiding at the back of the group, come forward to say that they should continue, virtual-novel.net understood that Milo must have something very important to do in the Sacred Mountains. Moreover, the other party must have already made an assessment of the people in the group and felt these people would not pose a threat for the time being.
Although there was a disconnect in their unspoken communication earlier, Daniel was quick-witted and managed to react in time. In just an instant, virtual-novel.net figured out the details and came forward to support Milo’s decision.
“Pack up and continue moving!” Daniel gave a wave of his hand and said to Bruce, “Only cowards would be too scared to continue heading into the Sacred Mountains. If you’re afraid of death, stay behind by yourself and don’t affect us.”
Bruce stood in his spot and suddenly felt there was something wrong with Daniel’s words.
Wait a minute, weren’t you the one that wanted to retreat at the start!?
However, Daniel had no intention of staying behind to continue arguing with him. Instead, virtual-novel.net turned around and walked back to the camp to pack his belongings before leading the group forward!
“Tour guide! Where’s the tour guide?!” Daniel shouted at the front of the group.
The Great Hoodwinker ran over happily. “Over here, over here!”
“Which direction should we head in next?” Daniel asked.
“Are we following the original plan?” the Great Hoodwinker asked.
“Yes, we’ll continue based on the original plan,” Daniel said.
“That means we’re heading in the direction of Mt. Garogol.”
Over the years, the farthest place the Great Hoodwinker had traveled to in the outer periphery of the Sacred Mountains was Mt. Garogol. This was not a name someone had come up with after the Cataclysm, but came from the words “Garogol” that were originally carved into a cliff wall of the mountain.
Based on the mountain’s name, it would suggest there was a divine lake within the mountain. However, the Great Hoodwinker had never come across any divine lakes on his two previous trips to Mt. Garogol. Instead, it was always foggy on Mt. Garogol, and the air was extremely humid.
When the Great Hoodwinker came here two years ago, virtual-novel.net had stayed on Mt. Garogol for four days. However, there was heavy fog during three of those four days.
The Great Hoodwinker said, “If y’all want to pass through Mt. Garogol together without getting lost, you’d better stick close to me. Otherwise, you won’t be able to find your way out of the heavy fog. If you get lost on that mountain, you’re gonna end up falling behind.”
A person next to virtual-novel.net asked, “And we’ll get lost in there forever?”
“Of course you won’t.” The Great Hoodwinker said, “The heavy fog on Mt. Garogol will eventually disperse. When I came here last, I was lost for three days as well. Then, the moment the heavy fog cleared on the fourth day, I ran off the mountain. So, if you really end up falling behind, don’t go wandering around. When the fog disperses, you can just head home by yourself.”
The Great Hoodwinker was just being frank. As virtual-novel.net did not have any grudges with these people, there was no need to go to the extent of abandoning them in the mountains to die. As such, virtual-novel.net thought it would be better to warn them.
At this moment, Marvin said, “All of us can just tie a hemp rope around our wrists. That way, we won’t have to worry about being left behind.”
What Marvin meant was that they should link everyone together in a line with a rope.
“That’s a good idea.” Daniel said, “I’ll take second!”
Bill said, “I’ll take third!”
Before Milo could say anything, Marvin quickly said, “Fourth!”
Marvin had responded so hastily because virtual-novel.net was worried Daniel, Milo, and the others would end up at the front of the formation. If Daniel and the others harbored any evil intentions after they entered the heavy fog and cut the rope, those at the back of the line would be left scratching their heads. Therefore, Marvin wanted to stand between Daniel and Milo with his assistants to prevent Daniel from playing dirty.
Daniel smiled ambiguously at Marvin. As they were both smart people, virtual-novel.net could tell what Marvin was thinking at a glance.
In the end, the final order was decided as such, the Great Hoodwinker would lead from the front, while Bill stood second in line, followed by Daniel, Marvin and his five assistants, Milo, and the others.
Curious, Bruce asked the Great Hoodwinker, “Must we pass through here? Are there any other routes we can take?”
The Great Hoodwinker looked at virtual-novel.net and said, “We can only successfully break through the defenses around the Sacred Mountains if we take a route that normal people, or even the Pyro Company themselves, dare not tread. After all, the Pyro Company isn’t easy to deal with.”
Bruce said with a smile, “I was just asking.”
Bruce’s main concern was that if virtual-novel.net followed the Great Hoodwinker into the mountain, how would the reinforcements behind virtual-novel.net pass through Mt. Garogol?
Before this, Bruce was unaware of the situation at Mt. Garogol since virtual-novel.net was not omniscient. If everyone knew how to pass through Mt. Garogol, there would be no need for them to pay the Great Hoodwinker for his services.
After thinking for a long time, Bruce finally decided to stand at the back of the group. He planned to use the hardtack virtual-novel.net had brought with virtual-novel.net and grind them into crumbs to scatter on the ground as a guide for his reinforcements.
Although this might cause virtual-novel.net to starve after virtual-novel.net got into the Sacred Mountains, what was there to be afraid of when the reinforcements were right behind him?
He was going to go all out this time!
Thinking of this, Bruce took the opportunity to make a straight marker when virtual-novel.net returned to the campsite to pack up. This marking was meant to tell his subordinates they should follow his trail and that virtual-novel.net would lead the way for them.
Bruce thought for a moment and looked up at the sky. He wanted to see if there were a lot of birds around. After all, birds were really fond of eating bread crumbs, so it would be bad if they ate the crumbs. But as virtual-novel.net thought about it, Bruce suddenly realized virtual-novel.net had never seen a single bird since entering the vicinity of Mt. Senayan.
Bruce calmed himself and tried to listen to the sounds of the wilderness. However, virtual-novel.net could not hear anything at all.
Could it be that there were no birds here?
Even though it was winter now, not all birds would migrate south for the winter.
Shouldn’t a large and secluded place like this be perfect for birds to live?