After hearing Balen's words, Aris and her friends began preparing to leave the Green Forest. They treated their injuries first, and before leaving, they collected the valuable materials from the Razorhog's body.
Even though the Razorhog was a Tier 2 Uncommon Beast, its body still contained many valuable materials that could be used in alchemy and armor making.
After confirming that everything was in order, they started walking out of the Green Forest. Along the way, no one spoke. It was the first time Aris and her friends had gone through such a situation, so they needed time to calm themselves.
After an hour of walking, they finally came out of the Green Forest.
Aris looked up at the sky as soon as they emerged. The sky was orange, and the sun was setting.
Inside the forest, very little sunlight could pass through the leaves, so it had been hard to tell the time. After coming out, they felt relieved to see that it was not yet night.
"Thank God we came out of the forest safely. But the sun is about to set, so we don't have much time to waste. Start walking. We have to reach the city before sunset," Balen said while looking at the sky.
"Yes, Mentor!"
Aris and her friends answered together. They quickened their pace as they followed behind their mentor.
They walked in silence along the dirt road leading back to the city.
Balen walked in front, his expression calm but heavy. His steps were steady, yet his mind was far from peaceful.
Aris held Snow Pup close to her chest. The little creature was already asleep, its breathing soft and steady, as if the battle had drained all its strength.
After some time, the city walls finally came into view.
"We're almost there," Balen said.
Only then did everyone truly relax.
When they passed through the city gate, the sun had already sunk halfway below the horizon. Warm orange light covered the streets.
People on the road turned their heads when they saw them. Their torn clothes, bloodstains, and tired faces made it obvious that something had gone wrong during the mission.
But they did not linger for long and soon walked away. Seeing Awakeners in torn, bloodstained clothes was common in the city, so people simply treated Balen's group as another unlucky party injured by monster beasts.
After a few minutes of walking, they reached the inn where they were staying.
"You all go freshen up and treat your injuries. I'm going to the guild to report this," Balen said after they arrived.
"Yes, Mentor."
"Yes, Mentor. We'll take care of ourselves."
"Don't worry about us, Mentor."
Aris and her friends spoke one after another. They felt uncomfortable wearing torn, bloodstained clothes and wanted to take a bath first.
"Alright. Take care of yourselves. I'll be back soon," Balen said.
After that, Balen left them and walked toward the guild.
Aris and her friends stood there, watching their mentor leave. After he was gone, they entered the inn. When the inn staff saw their torn, bloodstained clothes, they quickly called the inn healer to treat them.
After some time, their injuries were treated and they took a bath.
"Hah! I finally feel good after taking a bath," one of Aris's friends said.
"Yeah, I felt so uncomfortable wearing those torn, bloodstained clothes. Now I feel much better."
"When I was being chased by the Razorhog, I thought I was going to die."
"I felt the same. Thank God Aris's tamed beast saved us."
"Yeah, Aris's little beast really saved us."
Aris's friends chatted among themselves. One of them glanced at Snow Pup in Aris's arms, a hint of envy in her eyes.
"If I also had a beast like that, I wouldn't have to worry about getting into danger."
"Yeah, if I had one too, I could fight back against a Razorhog."
"Why didn't my brother give me a cute and powerful beast too… wu wu."
Aris felt embarrassed when she heard her friends complaining.
At that moment, Balen walked into the room. His face looked dim. He had gone to the guild to report what had happened, but he found out that the guild leader was not present and would only be available the next day. So he returned from the guild.
He came to Aris and her friends' room to check on their condition. After all, they had faced Razorhogs on their very first mission.
"Good evening, Mentor!"
Aris and her friends greeted him when they saw him enter the room.
Balen nodded at them and swept his gaze across the room.
"Let me see how you're doing," he said.
Everyone quickly straightened up and sat properly. Their earlier chatter disappeared.
"Are your injuries treated?" Balen asked.
"Yes, Mentor."
"The healer already checked us. We're fine now."
Balen nodded, but his expression remained serious.
"This mission was not normal. You were supposed to face only Tier 1 Common Beasts. Instead, you encountered a group of Tier 2 Razorhogs."
The room fell silent.
"That means the information I bought was wrong," Balen said slowly.
"Someone either made a serious mistake… or deliberately gave false information."
Aris and her friends felt a chill run down their spines.
"Mentor… was that because of us?" one of the girls asked nervously.
Balen shook his head.
"No. This has nothing to do with you," he said, lying.
If someone were targeting him, they would not send only Tier 2 Uncommon Beasts. He could fight them or retreat if needed. That meant the target was not him.
They were targeting his students.
They wanted Aris and her friends to die in the Razorhog rampage.
This was Balen's conclusion.
His gaze shifted to Snow Pup in Aris's arms.
"…And this little one saved you."
Aris lowered her head slightly.
Balen studied Snow Pup carefully.
"A cub that can use an ice attack and restrain a Tier 2 beast… that's not normal. Where did your sister find it? If our guild also had cubs like this, they could help us cultivate young talents."
Snow Pup blinked its icy-blue eyes.
"Yip?!"
***
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