Villain Ch 1873. Unusual Escort Mission
Allen exhaled, low, sharp, almost a sigh. He wasn't in the mood for fairytales. His gauntlet flexed once, fingertips gleaming wet from a paladin's blood that hadn't fully dried.
He tilted his head, eyes narrowing at the absurd farmer. "Uh, nothing. Just…" His smirk edged sharp. "We accept your quest."
The system pinged immediately, red and cold across everyone's vision.
[Companion Quest Accepted.]
[Escort Greg the Garlic Farmer across the Whispering Forest.]
[Failure Condition: NPC Death.]
Greg's grin widened, bright as if someone had nailed the smile onto his face. "Oh, splendid! Splendid indeed! Follow me, fine heroes! Garlic bless ye!"
And so, somehow, they did.
The eight of them—monsters all—followed a man with dirt under his nails and garlic hanging from his basket like talismans. They moved like predators behind prey, silent, cloaked, smirking. And yet, the air itself shifted.
