Chapter 37: Chapter 37 – Liquor, and the Mysterious Entrance.

"It looks like a team's already strolled right on through."

"I see that, Tam. The littered, decaying corpses are a dead giveaway." A deep, female voice said.

The man laughed. "Dead giveaway, get it?"

"I can't believe you were assigned to this team." A sigh followed. "It begs the question just what the hell the Humanity Corps are thinking."

"Get a grip." A curt voice said. "Scavenge what's left and we'll move on. I'm not wasting time on someone's sloppy seconds."

"Aye, Captain."

"Wait, there's movement below."

Astrid could feel a swirl of mana from above.

"Alright guys, don't go blasting us down here. There ain't much room to dodge." Daniel shouted. With a leap, he landed onto the church's floor.

Astrid and the others pursued.

"Who are you lot?" the captain said.

He sported a buzz cut, a gash left a scar into his bushy eyebrows. His polearm was tightly snuggled into his armpit as it rested against the floor. He had a mean look etched onto his face as he eyed Astrid and the others up with caution.

The man named Tam had middle-parted, long hair. He displayed an amiable smile as he nodded towards them.

"Wayfarers." Daniel raised his shoulder, displaying his badge. "Looks like a jumbled crew you've got."

The only woman within the group said, “I could say the same about you, bringing a Sinwen around. Besides, not everyone has the luck to pick their own team.”

"It's not all that bad, Gwen. It's always a pleasure to see some unfamiliar faces." Tam said.

Astrid glanced at the others within the group. Many of them refused to come over, preferring to remain in their own company. Now and then, they would look over at the team of Wayfarers while they whispered amongst themselves.

Astrid frowned. If there was one thing she hated, it was people talking behind her back. It was the same with her cousin, Freya. Astrid preferred more–direct methods. Besides, this was a place where trust was paramount.

“Seems like the rest of your team is shy.” Brett sent them a wave.

“They’re my men. I've been with them a long time.” The captain said.

“And who are you? There's few faces I don't know who are at the captain level.” Rachelle crossed her arms.

“The name’s Fletcher. Me and my men are from Mount Hullbeck, while the others are from Rebirth.” Fletcher motioned toward Gwen and Tam.

“Mercenary?” Daniel said.

Fletcher nodded. “We’ll join you. Better to be a bigger group in this place.”

“And that’s where I’ll stop you, mate.” Daniel shook his head. “See, I wander on the path of caution. We’ll be going our own way.”

“Suit yourself. Don’t come crying to us when you’re in trouble.” Fetcher turned on his heels.

“I’ll say the same thing back to you. If we run into each other again, I will not be so polite.” Daniel stood with his back straight, his hand firmly pressed against his blade's hilt.

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Fletcher scoffed as he left the church.

“It’s a pleasure meeting you all.” Tam smiled, “there’s a lot of groups here, isn’t there?”

“Too many.” Daniel nodded towards Tam.

Silence was the only sound that remained once they had all left.

“Are you suspicious of them?” Astrid gazed at Daniel.

“It’s not suspicion, but caution, missy.” Daniel said. “Any moment I get to reduce the chances of me having a dagger in my back, the better.”

Astrid nodded. The stories of pirates plundering were fresh in her mind. It was the gossip most common between the noble children, after all. Astrid had heard everything when it came to the Bubbled Cities, good–and bad.

A sudden clap made Astrid’s shoulders jump. She sent a scowl towards Brett.

“Well then! What’s the plan now? Venture forth and kill some more ghouls. Have a nice little rest? There needs to be some liquor around here.” Brett smiled.

“It would be called moonshine in these parts.” Rachelle corrected him.

“It would be called moonshine in these parts.” Brett repeated in a higher-pitched voice.

A fireball flickered to life as Brett swiftly stood behind Rob.

“Mmmm.” Rob frowned through his helmet.

“She started it.”

“He started it.”

“We’ll head deeper into the town. Lisa, make sure we’re not following that other team.” Daniel said as they all left.

They were met with a thick fog once more, sprawling across their vision like an endless woollen blanket. The Wayfarer team skulked their way through. They stayed next to the buildings for cover. It also allowed Astrid and Lisa to scan their surroundings. If there was something inside, they would know about it.

Astrid and the others approached a larger wooden building that had a balcony on the second floor. It had long been devoured by the swamp as vines climbed and entered the slits between the wooden planks.

Astrid and Lisa notified Daniel that there was something inside, with a nod of acknowledgement. They entered. Four small blades levitated out of the sheaths on her belt, with a command from her mind–they shot forward and pierced their dense skulls.

Once Astrid killed a few, and the ghouls noticed their existence. The other Wayfarers took action, swiftly taking care of the rest of them. With a quick scan of the matter, she couldn’t detect any of the undead monsters left. Lisa, however, spotted a few that were sleeping upstairs.

Why don’t they have red hearts, dammit. Astrid pouted as Brett vanished, a few striking noises later. He returned. His beady eyes locked onto the bar at the back-middle of the room. Bottles were placed and displayed behind the counter.

“Jackpot!” Brett leapt over the counter as he started shaking the bottles. All of them had spoiled, however, until his eyes landed on a single display case. The bottle had a golden piece of metal coiled around it. Brett’s fist shot through the glass as he cradled the newly gained bottle in his arms.

“Oi, before you go drinking it, let Astrid Identify it.” Rachelle stormed over as she stole it from his grasp. “Here you go.” Rachelle smiled.

With that smile, she must think it’s worth a lot. Astrid nodded.

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