Taking the Mafia to the Magic World
chapter-996

A few days later, Vicente's group was traveling through the dense woods of eastern Light Cay.

While the journey between Ponddown and Ravengarde would only take a week by plane, the path Vicente had chosen would take over two months if he intended to complete it without extended stops.

However, Vicente wasn't in a rush. After departing Ponddown with Bert, Garin, and Rex, they were nearing the westernmost part of the expansive Fallsor Bluff area.

As they approached the large forested region indicated by the Elder of the Flaming Lions, Rex became increasingly cautious.

Vicente sensed his beast's unease not only through their spiritual connection, but also from Rex's tense demeanor.

Rex's behavior heightened Bert's and Garin's alertness and concern, leading to their current situation as Vicente paused for a refreshment by a stream.

"Rex, something is bothering you. You should share your concerns," Vicente said, noticing the little lion gazing in the opposite direction of the water stream before him.

It was a warm night, and the breeze from the waterfall, a few hundred meters away, provided a slight cooling effect for the group.

As Bert and Garin breathed more easily, despite their tense states, Vicente listened to his beast. "As I mentioned before, master, the last time I was in Fallsor Bluff, I was nearly killed. I had to flee without looking back and quickly return to the tribe. But I didn't even venture deep into that place. I believe this journey could be too dangerous for our group right now."

The little lion knew Vicente's abilities better than anyone. Connected to his master's essence, Rex understood Vicente's magical foundation well. Even so, he wasn't confident.

"Don't worry, I have methods to get us out of danger quickly. Not only that, I can also conceal our movements and avoid trouble before it even reaches us."

Fortunately, the Manifold Family had provided him with a very up-to-date map, highlighting territories to avoid. Using the digital device he had with him, Vicente could zoom in on different areas of the island and check the map for pertinent information.

Fallsor Bluff appeared in detail on the Manifold Family's map, marked with red areas and warning triangles. He didn't need to understand the family's methods to know this likely indicated tribes or areas dominated by 8th stage creatures.

'I will investigate areas with the potential to have the mark left by Dark Hands and the types of beasts in this forest. If I find something compatible with my abilities and within my limits, I won't hesitate to advance my hunt. Otherwise, I'll retreat to avoid unnecessary risks or after establishing a method to contact the group.'

With his decision made, Vicente led his small group back into the wilderness, embarking on a few more days of relatively peaceful travel with the two magicians and his beast.

Despite the dangers lurking in the forests of Light Cay, having a 7th stage beast of mid-level was a significant advantage. It would be challenging for a creature, even one at the late 7th stage, to approach such an unusual group without a compelling reason. As for 8th stage beings, they were confined to specific areas, making encounters with them outside those zones as rare as meeting Archmages traveling the roads of Polaris Realm.

...

Almost two weeks after leaving Ponddown, the three magicians and their beast reached the border of Fallsor Bluff and the independent area they had traversed.

In this border region, many signs and warnings to keep away were prominently displayed, a common sight on this island. While the magicians here weren't particularly formidable, their technology was impressive. Even in enemy territory, they maintained devices that alerted lost individuals or those hunting for pentagrams.

Vicente appreciated the well-developed forces of Light Cay for this, easily aligning the map he carried with his current location.

"We're inside Fallsor Bluff, master," Rex announced after crossing a dividing line that separated a greener, more tranquil area from a darker, more foreboding one.

Vicente narrowed his eyes, sensing his surroundings and feeling as if he were entering a familiar domain.

With a clench of his fists, the surrounding mana shifted, and the shadows of the forest enveloped their movements, muffling their footsteps as their figures blended seamlessly into the night's darkness.

"Let's move forward. Don't be afraid. We'll be safe," he assured the two magicians, who now realized that Vicente's powers ran deeper than they had imagined.

They did not know that Vicente could control darkness as proficiently as they were experiencing.

Suddenly, the dark surroundings seemed less threatening, and their figures melded seamlessly into the realm of darkness within the area.

Initially, they hesitated, moving forward with uncertainty and the same caution as before. But after passing close to powerful sleeping creatures—beings that would have posed formidable challenges—they gained the confidence to continue.

Even Rex, who was well aware of the origin of Vicente's powers, felt a twinge of concern, vividly recalling his experience of being chased by a creature intent on devouring him.

Beasts hunted magicians to feed and grow stronger. But when not preoccupied with pentagram hunters, they fought among themselves, vied for territory in the forests, and even for mates within the same tribe.

If human relationships were complicated, beast relationships were two or three times more chaotic and difficult to comprehend.

Beasts were even more cautious about venturing into the territory of other powerful beasts than magicians were. While magicians were naturally rebellious and inclined to challenge the prevailing order, beasts were much more respectful of the jungle's hierarchy of power.

Despite his background, Rex gradually calmed down as he observed creatures that would have easily noticed him letting him pass as if he were merely the night breeze.

Intrigued by this sensation, he momentarily let his guard down—a brief lapse, but enough for him to be startled by a firm hand grabbing his back and pulling him into a tight embrace.

Vicente's eyes widened as he clamped Rex's mouth shut, simultaneously using his electromagnetic abilities to paralyze Bert and Garin.

In front of them, a group of specters stared at them in an unsettling manner, clearly aware of their presence despite Vicente's best efforts to remain concealed.

Swallowing hard, Vicente felt his heart race as he faced 7th stage specters, even stronger than those he had seen his master banish from the realm of the living.

His companions grasped the gravity of the situation, becoming even more anxious than he was.

Specters were ten times worse than powerful beasts!