Two miles from Nicholas’ position, the Paladin leading a small group toward the northern sector spotted a white birch tree in the distance.
The five-man team showed wear on their tunics and armor, though their health remained at full strength. During their trek, they had battled numerous enemies attempting to block their advance—which had actually boosted their morale, since resistance meant they were heading in the right direction.
Following the Paladin’s instincts was finally paying off.
"So there really was something here," one of them muttered, and the Paladin's chest swelled with pride.
"Well done, Henry." Another teammate clapped his shoulder plate in appreciation.
That's right. We made it. Henry strode forward confidently. My instincts are telling me the Guild Master is here. This was the least obvious of the three locations. While the others waste time saving those NPCs, we'll secure victory by completing the main objective.
They entered a clearing dominated by the solitary dead tree. Up close, the wood looked hard as iron, with a human-sized hollow carved into its center like a doorway.
The silence felt oppressive, but for a group that had not lost a single member, they treated it as cause for caution rather than fear.
"What's our move, Henry?"
"Life Check."
"On it... Nothing detected nearby."
"Cast defensive buffs in case of an ambush."
"Roger. Ice Charm—Frost Armor."
A visible chill enveloped each member as the System confirmed their Vitality boost.
Henry nodded approvingly before addressing the group's largest member. "Lewis? What's your read on this?"
The Monk stepped forward, cracking his knuckles. "My read? This place stinks." He smirked. "Cover me. I'll be right back."
The six-foot-three man disappeared into the tree hollow while the others maintained watch.
"Think the other teams know about this place?" someone asked.
Henry shook his head. "Eventually. But you saw the resistance we faced getting here. They're probably still fighting bosses at their locations. It’ll take them time, so we still have the advantage."
Minutes later, Lewis emerged supporting someone over his shoulder. "Hey. Need healing over here."
The stranger collapsed to his knees before the group, too exhausted to stand. His health bar showed a critical 5%.
"Is he...?" one of the healers started.
When the rescued figure lifted his head, revealing a pale face and wolf ears, everyone recognized him immediately: One of Phantom Seekers’ NPC: Fabio.
The same thought crossed every member: Since Alan Warden served as judge, Fabio might be acting as this test's Guild Master.
More than one healer moved to cast a spell, but Henry raised his hand, stopping them. He then crouched before the NPC. "Who are you?"
"Phantom Seekers' Guild Master. Call me Alan," Fabio replied, confirming their suspicions. "Please, help me escape this place. I know the way out, though it's dangerous. I ask you to bear the risk with me."
Still catching his breath, The Shaman asked the group for critical injuries before casting Life Check.
Someone nearby was struggling at 5% health.
He gasped and rushed toward them. "Hold on, I'm coming! Are you—" He stopped short. An NPC with cat ears lay among the golem's scattered remains. "I found her! I found the missing NPC!" he shouted to his team.
After healing her completely, the female NPC slowly opened her eyes before gasping. "Oh! Thank you for saving me! Where are the others? Where's Anastasia and Alan, my Guild Master?"
"Easy now, a rescue team went to help your friend," the Shaman explained gently. "As for your Guild Master, we don't know his location. Do you have any idea where he may be?"
The group held their breath. According to Clara Domínguez's instructions, only one of the two lost NPCs knew the Guild Master's whereabouts.
"Yes, yes! I know where Alan Warden is!" the NPC said brightly, making everyone sigh with relief. "He's northeast of here. When they captured us, he managed to send me a private message before I was knocked unconscious. Oh, where are my manners? I'm Bella. Nice to meet you all."
"They captured you?" he asked, narrowing his eyes. "There's a mastermind behind this, right? Any idea who?"
"The Swamp Witch! Very powerful. We might not stand a chance if we encounter her. Please, avoid confrontation at all costs."
After sharing this information, Bella fell silent, as if leaving the next move up to them.
"We know where Alan Warden is, Edward. Let's head there immediately," one teammate suggested.
"But what about the other NPC? Won't the judges award bonus points for rescuing her too?" another added, looking at Edward.
He listened to both sides before responding. "Consider this: even if saving Anastasia grants extra points, we'll win decisively by completing two of the three main objectives. The other group may have found her, but she doesn’t know Alan Warden's location. Let's maintain our advantage. Everyone agrees?"
He turned to Bella with a sympathetic expression. "I'm sorry, but we can't spare looking for Anastasia. Our priority must be saving your Guild Master. Is that okay with you?"
"It's okay." Bella smiled softly, clutching the fabric at her chest. "If you say someone's already rescuing her, then I can leave this swamp at ease. I'll see her eventually, right?"
"I guarantee it," Edward said, maintaining a reassuring smile for any watching cameras. "Let's move out!"
The group mobilized immediately, healing each other en route to full strength.
But as they traveled toward their goal, something nagged at Edward's mind.
How strange. Why include random chance in this test? We were lucky to find the right NPC, but what if we hadn't?
Nothing indicated which location was correct... If I were to lose this competition just by simply choosing wrong, I'd be damn furious.
Let me think about what Clara said initially...
1 - Rescue the Guild Master.
2 - Two NPCs are lost in the swamp.
3 - One knows the location, one doesn't.
That's all. She never mentioned conditions like 'one always tells the truth, the other always lies.' So I can trust Bella's word without question.
He smirked. But why am I overthinking this? It's not like we're in the other group's position... Blame your bad luck, I suppose.
*
Having finished his preparations, Nicholas turned to the group of undead Users and the rescued NPC.
"Anastasia, right? Do you happen to know where the Guild Master is?"
"No, I don't," the lavender-haired NPC replied bluntly, making Nicholas scratch his head.
"Well, I'll be damned."
"You don't seem that upset, Nepopod," Undead Maude observed while testing her restored body control. She turned to Oliver the Cleric, who flinched under her intense stare. "You. You're 'online' too, right? Unlike the others."
She glanced at the remaining team—three gray-skinned undead automatically controlled by whatever system in charge of Nicholas's necromancy spell.
"Yes, I'm here," Oliver muttered nervously. "I was curious how things would play out too."
"And now we're buddies," Nicholas said, slinging an arm around Oliver's neck. "How about drinks when you respawn normally? My treat."
"T-That sounds nice... Thanks."
"Hey, what about me?" Maude protested. "I'm sticking this out to the bitter end too, aren't I?"
Nicholas sighed loudly. "Fine, fine. Drinks on me to celebrate my inevitable flawless victory."
"Flawless?" Maude sneered. "Didn't you hear her? We got the wrong NPC. I bet the other team is marching toward the Guild Master's location right now. You lost! Best you'll get is some points for escorting this girl to safety.”
Nicholas maintained his smirk throughout her tirade, which only irritated Maude further. "What?” she grunted. “If you have some secret plan, spill it!"
"I may have marked one of the healers who went the opposite direction," Nicholas said teasingly. "Amazing what a few bloodstains on someone's cloak can accomplish. One of the perks only Dark Magic offers!" He turned to Anastasia. "And something tells me our friend here knows more than she's letting on."
Maude snickered. "Oh please! What kind of information could she possibly—"
"You're correct, Mr. Laflamme. There's crucial information you'll find helpful if you intend to leave this place alive alongside my Guild Master."
Maude stared at the NPC in shock. Whoever designed this challenge—well played! This NPC never intended to elaborate unless specifically prompted. She glanced at Nicholas, who wore the smuggest grin imaginable. And he prepared a backup plan on the fly in case he found the wrong NPC… Who the hell is this guy?
"Well, don't leave us hanging!" Nicholas chuckled like a delighted child. "Tell us what you know."
Anastasia held the information a moment longer, ensuring all three Users were paying attention. Then, with grave seriousness, she said: "Someone is currently impersonating my Guild Master."