NOVEL WEB Chapter 968: Three Scouts
Deeper into the Greenwood Region, Max came across a checkpoint guarded by several members of the Void Soul Tower. They were young but disciplined, their eyes cold, scanning the area while crystal orbs floated above them like watchful sentinels. Each orb flickered with violet light, designed to pierce through concealment techniques.
Yet Max moved like water through the shadows, timing his steps perfectly between the sweeps of the light. He passed right through their line of sight, his heart steady, his expression calm.
Further ahead, the Thunder Monarch Hall's influence became clearer. Strange, buzzing sounds filled the air—their surveillance devices, shaped like insectoid constructs of lightning and steel, darted from branch to branch, their bodies crackling faintly with arcs of electricity.
Max lowered himself flat against the earth, his invisible body blending seamlessly with the undergrowth as one of the constructs flew right over him. He remained perfectly still until its buzzing faded into the distance, then pushed himself up and continued forward.
Every step was calculated, every breath measured. The Greenwood Region was alive with traps, surveillance, and killers in waiting—but Max was a ghost, unseen and unfelt. He was not rushing; he was hunting.
And as he slipped deeper into enemy territory, past layer after layer of defenses, he couldn't help but let the faintest smirk curl his lips.
'They've truly set up traps everywhere,' Max mused as he leapt lightly from branch to branch, before finally crouching atop a thick tree limb. From this vantage point, he could see the faint glow of formations etched into the ground below—concealed sigils woven with energy, ready to trigger at the slightest disturbance.
Despite his caution, he had deliberately stepped on a few weaker ones earlier. He wanted to see who would come. And now, his patience was rewarded.
The faint rustle of movement reached his ears. Three figures emerged from the undergrowth, their dark uniforms marked with the crest of the Void Soul Tower.
Max's Blue Soul restricted his aura to nothingness, while his Invisibility skill cloaked his form entirely. He stood silently, invisible in plain sight just above them, the branches creaking faintly beneath his weight. Not one of them looked up.
The leader of the three was a tall man with short-cropped black hair and a scar running across his jawline. His eyes were sharp, predatory, scanning the ground with practiced efficiency. His name was Victor Kane, and the way the other two deferred to him made it clear he was the one in charge here.
Victor's voice cut through the silence, low and commanding. "Some of the traps here were just activated. Someone—or something—passed through this area. Look around and report back to me in three minutes."
The two subordinates responded immediately, their voices quick and obedient. "Yes, Boss."
The first was a lean, wiry man with restless eyes, clearly the scout of the group. His name was Darius Flint. The second was broader, stockier, with a heavy axe strapped across his back and the casual stride of someone used to brute strength. His name was Gareth Holloway.
The pair dispersed quickly, combing through the undergrowth, checking the trigger points, sniffing for signs of blood or beast tracks
Max watched them calmly from above, his body utterly still, his breathing controlled to the point of silence.
Minutes passed. Finally, they returned to Victor one by one.
Darius shook his head, irritation flashing across his face. "Boss, I found nothing. No footprints, no broken branches, not even a faint trail. Whoever set it off left no trace."
The bulkier Gareth stepped forward next, holding a squirming creature by the scruff of its neck—a small rabbit-like beast with three furry tails, its beady eyes wide with fear. "Boss, I found this three-tailed rabbit chewing on insects near one of the trap points. Could've been this thing that set it off." He gave the creature a little shake, earning a squeal.
Victor's eyes narrowed as he considered the report. After a moment, he gave a short nod. "That makes sense. There are too many beasts in this forest. I've heard reports of other traps being set off by wandering animals as well."
He gestured for Gareth to toss the rabbit aside, and the little creature bounded away in a blur of fur and tails. The three men relaxed slightly, lowering their guard.
High above them, invisible and silent, Max's lips curved into the faintest smile. 'A scouting team of Void Soul Tower. Careful enough to investigate—but not careful enough to look up.'
"Boss, do you know what's going on? Why so many traps have been set up all of a sudden?" Darius asked, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the surrounding forest. His voice carried a note of unease, betraying the tension even someone like him couldn't fully suppress.
Victor Kane exhaled heavily, shaking his head as he adjusted the scarred leather straps of his armor. "How would I know? I'm as clueless as you two are. They've told me nothing. My only orders are simple—set off the alarm the moment I notice anyone suspicious in the area. That's it."
"But Boss," Gareth spoke up, his voice pitched low, almost a whisper as though the trees themselves might carry his words to unwanted ears. "It seems like something big is happening here. I've seen members of the Thunder Monarch Hall around… and they're not fighting with us, they're cooperating. Us and them, together. When has that ever happened?"
Victor's expression hardened. "Yeah. That's not normal. The Void Soul Tower and Thunder Monarch Hall usually glare at each other like dogs over scraps. Even though we weren't total enemies, we weren't allies either. If they're working together… then something very big is moving behind the scenes."
Before silence could settle, Darius leaned in, his voice trembling slightly. "Boss, what about those masked individuals? The ones in black hoods who came a few days ago?" His eyes darted around as if expecting one of them to materialize from the shadows. "I only saw one from afar. Just a glimpse, and it felt like my heart froze solid. He didn't even look at me, not directly… but it felt like if I so much as twitched the wrong way, I would be killed on the spot. They're… they're terrifying." His words ended with a shiver, his hand unconsciously tightening around the hilt of his blade.