Hello, is this a letter addressed to Demon Fortress?

The old man's family members kept a close eye on the hunter who was filming them.

His eyes were filled with trepidation and anticipation, and his palms were sweaty.

They were afraid the other party would suddenly change their mind or lower the price.

The "Sharp Edge" team is a veteran bounty hunter team that has captured photos of elderly people.

Commander Ryan was almost startled by the coughing sound.

That's over 800,000 gold coins!

That's almost all of their group's operating funds.

If the guide is gone right after the journey begins.

He would lose everything.

"Pastor! Go and see!"

Ryan hurriedly shouted into the group, his voice trembling.

A young girl dressed in a white priest's robe stepped forward quickly.

She bent down to carefully examine the old man's condition.

The fingers, shimmering with a gentle blue light, were pressed lightly against the old man's chest.

After a moment, she raised her head, her expression softening slightly.

"It's nothing, I just choked a bit and feel a little weak."

"His physical condition... is about the same as we assessed before."

Upon hearing this, Ryan and his teammates all breathed a sigh of relief.

Several team members couldn't help but complain in hushed tones.

"That scared me to death..."

"It took us so long to scrape together this money."

"Grandpa, you must hang in there!"

Ryan wiped the sweat from his forehead, his heart finally calming down.

After this commotion, he no longer intended to delay.

He was the first to approach the Blackbeard Dwarf.

Make a final confirmation of the route before leaving.

Blackbeard unfolded the hand-drawn map, its markings faded and worn.

His stubby fingers expertly traced the name on it.

"Should we follow the 'western ridgeline'?"

Ryan nodded, his tone certain.

"Yes, stay close to the wall, safety first."

"Our main focus this time is exploring the middle section of the spine."

"We went about 40 kilometers deep to record the changes in the terrain."

Blackbeard grunted and pointed to several shadows.

"The fog is relatively thin in that area, and there are fewer demons there."

"However, there are several depressions in the terrain, which can easily attract evil thoughts."

He tapped several red crosses on the map with his fingernail.

"You must avoid these places."

"Last year, one team didn't listen to advice and got wiped out."

Ryan looked serious and carefully took notes.

Their "sharp edge" is not meant to penetrate the Wailing Wall.

Instead, they were a reconnaissance team employed by the Dwarven capital for a long period.

They specifically went deep inside the Great Firewall to explore geographic information.

Record changes in terrain and patterns in fog density.

And the specific distribution and activity range of spirit demons.

The Dwarven Royal Court will buy this intelligence at a high price.

That's how they make a living.

After confirming all the details, Ryan carefully put the map away.

He saw that Blackbeard was holding a wine glass, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back.

Curious, he pressed for an answer:

"Lord Blackbeard, is there anything else you wish to say?"

Blackbeard shook his head and drank the ale in his glass in one gulp.

"It's nothing, it's just..."

He paused, then sighed.

"Forget it, they've probably given up."

"After all, we're looking for a city-state within the Wailing Wall..."

"That's still too ridiculous."

He smiled, his tone laced with self-deprecation.

"If there really are living people there."

"Do we really need to issue so many expansion missions?"

"They're still hoping to pave the way with a large number of dying people."

"Should we force our way through the Wailing Wall?"

Ryan was somewhat confused, not knowing who he was referring to.

Blackbeard waved his hand, saying nothing more.

But he couldn't help but think about what happened a couple of days ago.

Lin Gui came to see him specifically, and his attitude was very serious.

I requested information on almost all the teams that might be entering the Wailing Wall in the near future.

Especially since it passes near the "Blackwater Ruins".

It seems they want to select one and cooperate to enter the market.

Blackbeard actually agrees with this idea.

In his opinion, Lin Gui and his two companions were not top-tier in strength.

A high-ranking mage, plus two extraordinary girls.

Such a combination is too risky to force its way through the Wailing Wall.

Partnering with a seasoned bounty hunter team is much safer.

The other party is experienced, has a guide, and is familiar with the route.

All Lin Gui and his men need to do is follow along and pay them some money.

This is the safest approach.

So Blackbeard seriously recommended several teams at the time.

He also specifically mentioned the Witcher Cass.

Cass's route will pass right by the vicinity of the Blackwater Ruins.

Moreover, he is strong enough to be considered a legendary figure.

With fewer people in the group, they are a smaller target and less likely to be targeted by demons.

If you can follow Cass, your safety will be much higher.

only……

Blackbeard recalled the moment he made that suggestion.

The long-eared, white-haired elf beside Lin Gui.

The way he looked at me was very displeased, even hostile.

It was as if he had suggested a terrible idea.

Blackbeard didn't think much of it at the time, just assuming it was a young girl's temper.

Now, the selection process is over.

He looked around the venue carefully but couldn't find Lin Gui and the other two.

"That's really strange..."

Blackbeard stroked his beard and muttered to himself.

I asked so many questions and prepared so much.

But when it came to the most crucial moment, the person didn't show up.

Surely it's not like he suddenly had a breakthrough and gave up?

Blackbeard sighed.

If you finally understand and give up, that would be fine.

I'm afraid he'll just barge in with two girls all by himself.

What's the difference between that and sending someone to their death?

There were three groups that entered the Wall of Sighs on this trip.

Cass's Witcher Squad.

Ryan's "Sharp Edge".

There was another group of guys that Blackbeard had never seen before.

This group of people made Blackbeard feel very strange and uneasy.

The leader was a woman of extraordinary strength who had risen to power.

She introduced herself as Jesse, her expression indifferent, her eyes unusually calm.

The two men beside her were even more suspicious.

A man with an inhumanly handsome face, pale skin, and a constant smile on his lips.

The other one had an empty, eerie look in his eyes; Blackbeard glanced at him and felt a chill run down his spine.

What made Blackbeard most uneasy was the group of "knights" following behind them.

Those people moved stiffly and in unison, their iron boots clattering loudly as they walked.

They were covered in armor and their faces were obscured by helmets, so their features were not visible.

He exuded a cold, deathly aura that did not belong to the living.

Blackbeard had seen a similar aura underground in the Dwarven capital.

In that ancient forbidden area known as the "Dragon Bone Cemetery".

That's the smell of those undead creatures that have roamed for countless years.

But now the sun is shining brightly, and the light is dazzling.

If it were really that kind of thing, how could it possibly be standing in the sunlight?

Blackbeard instinctively gripped the handle of the battle axe at his waist, his muscles tensing.

I really don't know what these strange guys want to do in the Wailing Wall.

Could it be that he's going to go looking for Avalon like that kid Lin Gui?

Blackbeard shook his head and tilted his head back to take a big gulp of ale.

The spicy liquid slid down my throat, but it couldn't dispel the doubts in my mind.

No matter what the other party wants to do inside.

Actually, none of this has anything to do with him.

There were so many strange things happening in this city-state era.

He was just a dwarf envoy stationed here; he couldn't manage it all, and he was too lazy to bother.

What Blackbeard didn't know was...

What he saw today were things he considered insignificant.

This will subtly foreshadow the destruction of the dwarven capital in the future.