As their journey continued in temporary silence, Alcard pulled his horse's reins, slowing its pace until he finally came to a stop in an area that appeared relatively safe. The place was surrounded by towering trees with thick, interwoven branches, forming a natural canopy that shielded them from the gaze of any creatures lurking in the darkness. Twisted roots and large branches sprawled across the ground, marking this as a place rarely touched by humans. Here, perhaps for the last time before entering the Orcal Mountain region, they could rest briefly before facing even greater dangers.
Alcard turned to his group and raised his hand, signaling them to gather. The Outcast novices followed his command without hesitation. Their faces showed exhaustion from the long journey, but also an underlying tension they could not fully conceal.
One of them, a young man with a nervous expression, finally voiced the question that had been troubling his mind. "Boss, why do the monsters here feel far more terrifying than any I've ever faced?" His voice was hesitant, but the curiosity in his eyes was genuine.
Alcard studied the young man for a moment before replying in a flat tone. "Because they are different," he said, his gaze drifting toward the ever-darkening forest around them. "The monsters you encounter in Middle Earth are mere shadows of the real threat. They are wild creatures born from the natural world. But in the south… everything is far more dangerous."
He let his words hang for a moment before continuing, ensuring that all his men were paying attention.
"Listen carefully," he said. "The monsters we face at The Wall and in Middle Earth can be categorized into three levels."
He began explaining the first level, his watchful eyes scanning the forest.
"The first level consists of common monsters," he explained. "These are creatures found throughout Middle Earth, unaffected by the southern influence."
Some of the Outcasts nodded, recalling their past encounters with such creatures.
"Direwolves, Trolls, and regular Goblins from Middle Earth are examples," Alcard continued. "They're dangerous, but their attack patterns are predictable. As long as you have decent weapons and combat experience, you can defeat them without too much risk."
After explaining the first level, Alcard's expression grew more serious as he moved on to the second.
"Then, there are the monsters that have started to mutate," he said, his voice deepening. "They have been affected by the southern power, but they haven't fully transformed yet."
The Outcasts listened intently. They knew these creatures had already attacked The Wall before.
"They're usually found near the southern forest border or close to The Wall," Alcard added. "Mutated Ogres and Goblins that attacked the Central Headquarter are examples of this category."
He noticed some of them tensing up, recalling the brutal battle against the Mutated Ogres not long ago. The minor wounds and fatigue they still carried were proof that these monsters were not to be underestimated.
"Their bodies are larger, their skin often loses its natural color, turning either black or pale with glowing markings," he continued. "They are more aggressive, wilder, and far more unpredictable than ordinary monsters. But with proper strategy, they can still be defeated."
Alcard took a deep breath, allowing his words to sink into his men's minds. Then, he moved on to the final and most terrifying category.
"The final level," he said in a graver tone. "Monsters that have undergone full mutation."
Several Outcasts visibly tensed. They knew this category was something they had never faced before.
"Monsters at this level have been exposed to the southern power for years—or even longer," Alcard explained. "They are no longer like the creatures you know. Some of them have even lost their original form."
Fear was now evident in the eyes of his men.
"They are much larger," he continued. "Some have near-immortal regeneration. Others display intelligence far beyond typical monsters, as if they can anticipate our tactics and act like trained warriors."
Alcard looked at each of them, ensuring they understood just how deadly their potential enemies could be.
"The Mutated Ogres we fought earlier were only in the second tier," he stated. "And even defeating them required all of our strength. But the creatures deeper in the south… they are far worse."
A heavy silence fell over the group. Some were beginning to grasp that this mission was far more dangerous than they had imagined.
"The deeper we go into the south," Alcard continued, "the higher the chances of encountering fully transformed monsters. If we see them, we run."
One of the Outcasts swallowed hard, his voice trembling slightly as he asked, "Then… why are we still going forward, Boss? Isn't this too dangerous?"
Alcard turned to him, his voice cold but firm. "Because we have no choice," he said. "If we fail, the supply of Bloody Potion at The Wall will run out. That means our strength will weaken, or worse—we will die from withdrawal. And when that happens, these monsters will invade Middle Earth, and no one will be able to stop them."
The Outcasts remained silent. Though fear still lingered on their faces, they were beginning to understand why this mission was so crucial.
Alcard observed their expressions before finally giving the signal to move forward. They quickly prepared themselves, checking their weapons and supplies one last time. Their footsteps resumed, more cautious than before.
A thick fog began to settle over the path ahead, hanging low between towering trees. The faint rustling of movement echoed from the distance, seemingly coming from every direction.
Tension filled the air once more. But no one spoke. They knew there was no time for hesitation. No room for retreat.
Before them, the dark silhouette of Mount Orcal loomed in the distance—the place where true monsters awaited.
****