Chapter 123 – Being Followed.

“Skreee…”

A screeching sound echoed through the thick forest as a monstrous spider crashed to the ground, its many limbs twitching erratically, its head missing. The spider-infested forest was a labyrinth of shadows and silk, its air thick with venom scent. Glistening webs stretched between gnawed trees, some draped like curtains shimmering faintly under the slivers of moonlight that pierced the dense canopy. The ground was littered with the husks of unfortunate prey, picked clean by the forest’s eight-legged inhabitants. Amid this eerie stillness, a group of cloaked figures stood still, their dark robes blending seamlessly into the night.

“Is this the right way, brother?”

One of the robed figures called out while glancing down at the dead spider. Many similar carcasses lay amidst the twisted underbrush, some that were still falling from the many trees above them. A second figure stepped forward, lowering his hood slightly. The faintest sliver of moonlight illuminated a pale wrist, revealing a tattoo depicting an ornate scythe nestled within the cradle of a crescent moon.

“Yes”

The tattooed one murmured, his voice quiet and raspy.

“The target passed through here… of that, I am certain.”

A third figure crouched down, running gloved fingers over the trampled undergrowth, revealing a faint indentation.

“Another footprint left behind… the weight is still odd…”

He remarked, studying the barely visible impression. He traced it lightly, his expression hidden beneath the shadow of his hood.

“Light but still large. A person of this size should weigh much more…”

The depth of the footprint suggested that whoever they were tracking was unexpectedly light, despite having a shoe size belonging to a much larger individual.

“Let’s go.”

The robed figures exchanged glances before continuing their trek through the forest. Their movements were eerily silent, their presence blending seamlessly with the dark surroundings. The deeper they ventured, the thicker the webs became. Pale strands clung to their robes, stretching and snapping as they forced their way forward. The chittering of unseen creatures echoed from above, but none dared descend upon the group. Whether out of fear or instinct, the spiders kept their distance.

The group moved on, undeterred. At last, they arrived at a hidden cave, its entrance concealed by overgrown vines and tangled foliage. One of the cultists knelt, tracing a finger over a faint indentation.

“He went through here. No prints are leading out, so he could be still inside…”

The others nodded in silent agreement before drawing their weapons – curved daggers that gleamed faintly in the dim light. Without a word, they slipped into the cavern, vanishing into the darkness. Their eyes glowed red as they followed the trail of their prey.

******

Night had finally draped Ferndale in shadow, the last embers of twilight giving way to a chill that seeped through every crumbling stone. Deep within the basement which was Rusty’s newly claimed domain, the sound of metallic footsteps echoed. The large suit of living armor was pacing around the basement looking over every old stone, his guides Aburdon and Alexander in their glowing orb form floating next to his head making him appear as some kind of ghost knight.

“Now that I look at this palace, perhaps we were too hasty…”

Alexander examined the rubble and cracked stones, many of which would likely need to be replaced or reinforced to prevent the entire structure from collapsing.

“I told you, but no one ever listens!”

“It’s too late now. Just tell me what I need to prepare, and we’ll start tomorrow!”

Rusty replied, watching as Gleam tugged at the bodies of defeated rats, dragging them toward the hole leading to the chimney. These little creatures spread disease, which could be a problem for his future customers. It was best to burn them, along with any other vermin they found upstairs, before attempting to restore the place.

“You sound quite enthusiastic about this, Rusty”

Alexander remarked, floating around and casting a soft glow over the area.

“Why wouldn’t I be? I have my own lair, and those people above don’t even know I’m a monster!”

To Rusty, this was a major victory. Things were progressing much smoother than he had expected. Now that his lair was secured, he just needed to check out the dungeon outside. Perhaps he had been too hasty in purchasing this place without first surveying the surroundings, but he was confident that making more money wouldn’t be a problem, thanks to his storage system.

If things took a turn for the worse, he could always leave and search for other opportunities in this vast world. However, before making any big moves, he needed to keep learning. From what he understood, much of this world was ruled by kingdoms and empires. It was home to various races, with humans, elves, and dwarves being the most prominent. The fourth major race consisted of beastmen, like the young woman who had sold him the deed.

If this was to be his true lair, he needed to be aware of potential enemies. Many powerful organizations existed in this world, and he had to determine whether any of them operated within this settlement. While the town was not particularly large, it had been around for many years, meaning there was a chance a thieves’ guild had already formed. It would be wise to investigate, and with the right amount of coin, he might be able to protect his new home.

Apparently, it was possible to pay a small fee to safeguard a building from being targeted by the guild’s members. While it would cost him, it was better to pay protection money than constantly worry about being robbed. After all, he was still in the slums, where the rules were more relaxed. Just like in the previous town, the guards did not patrol here often, meaning most disputes were settled by the residents themselves, which could easily lead to fights.

“Maybe we should first get some logs to act as support pillars so it doesn’t collapse on us. There might even be some outside, why don’t we…”

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Alexander was in the middle of his sentence when they heard the upper floor creaking. Someone had entered the building in the middle of the night. Rusty froze and glanced at Gleam, who skittered to his side, trying to remain silent. Both of his guides quickly floated back into his helmet to avoid being discovered. After casting a silencing spell, they made their way toward the stairs leading up.

‘Who are those? Goblins perhaps?’

He asked while peeking through one of the holes of the door leading to the basement he was currently in. Rusty could easily see in the dark and he spotted a group of small creatures creeping into his home. They were the size of goblins but after further inspection, turned out to just be four children dressed in tattered clothes.

‘Those are just children Rusty, probably homeless orphans trying to find shelter, put your sword away.’

Alexander informed him as the small group of street urchins gathered beneath a collapsed window, seeking refuge from the bitter night. Their eyes, wide with both fear and hope. They followed one another as they huddled together among dusty remnants of what had once been a home. It was clear that they believed the place to be abandoned, unaware of the metallic master who now claimed it.

“Are you sure we are safe? What if they find us? We didn’t meet the weekly quota…”

“It’s going to be alright, they won’t find us here.”