Defiance of the Fall

Zac could only leave it be for now and add it to the list of things he would squeeze out of Ogras if he found him . After a final check he left southbound . As he walked he noticed that the foliage in the surroundings unfortunately hadn’t turned back into normal trees and bushes . They were still sickly-looking from the influence of the red pillar . He could only hope that the area would gradually heal now that the incursion was turned off .

He kept going through the valley , and after some trial and error he found an ascent leading up to the forest . Soon he was walking familiar paths south he had walked many times before . There still were quite a few barghest in the forests , but it seemed that the war thinned them out somewhat at least . Or perhaps they left together with the surviving demon army .

More surprisingly , he found out that the reward had lessened substantially when he killed one . The remaining ones still were hyper-aggressive , and he was forced to kill one that came rushing toward him with a kick . After killing it he actually gained less than 30 Nexus Coins . It was disappointing , as he had actually considered rounding them all up somehow and then kill hundreds of them with his Chop] skill . That would have netted him quite a decent income , while simultaneously cleaning up for his town .

He saw two possible reasons for the decrease . Either the reward from killing demons lessened now that the incursion was over , or the reward lessened as his level increased . He had gained quite a few levels in the mountains and tunnels , and now the System maybe didn’t want to award as many resources for killing weaklings .

Zac actually hoped it was the second . Then he could at least save a lucrative grinding area for other people . If the barghest could actually breed on the island he could have a perpetual farming ground going . But if it was the first he simply had a nuisance on his hands .

After half a day of jogging , he finally was in close proximity of his camp . He started his usual sweep of the area and actually found some worrying signs . There were footprints in the ground around where he battled the demon party , and even though he was no expert tracker it looked like multiple sources .

At the same time the illusion array was untouched , and he quickly equipped his amulet as well . He had actually removed it earlier in order to avoid getting any experience , and forgot to put it back on . The familiar warmth from the amulet told him that the mother-daughter array was still working as well .

With a heavy heart he retrieved his axe and got ready for battle , and he also took out the shield he had found in the caverns . He held the shield in front of his head and madly dashed through the illusion barrier . Zac even charged up his Chop] ready to swing at everything in the camp even if he had to cut his beloved camper in two .

You natives truly are barbarians , so aggressive . - A familiar voice could be heard from the vicinity , followed by a helpless sigh .

Even though it wasn’t completely unexpected the voice gave Zac pause . He quickly glanced around the camp , his axe still at the ready . What entered his vision made Zac visibly groan and lower his shield .

It was the mysterious demon comfortably sitting in an opulent chair , lazily eating fruits that were placed on a golden tray in front of him . The tray was placed on a large table even more intricately designed than Zac’s own ostentatious table he had stolen . Did all demon noblemen walk around with obnoxiously over-the-top furniture just to be able to posture at any given time?

Thinking about the annoying smile of the demon right before escaping the poison inferno Zac couldn’t stop himself and cleaved the table in two with a swing . The brows of the demon rose a bit in alarm , but he quickly regained composure when he saw Zac didn’t continue .

Zac removed a chair from his own pouch and sat down as well with a grunt and retrieved some dried meat .

Ogras? - he questioned , still finding it a bit hard to find the words after months of silence .

The demon looked slightly surprised , then it seemed he realized something .

The very same . I guess you visited Camp Rezak on your way back . Ehm . . . Are my subordinates still alive? - Ogras asked , looking a bit troubled , but not to the point he was ready to come to blows .

They are alive , I just caught a few to ask some questions . Why are you here , and how did you find the outpost? - Zac asked , still with a guarded expression against this unpredictable demon .

You’re using an F-grade illusion array for protection , any decent skill can detect it . We actually found your home a few days ago after investigating your… activities . - Ogras answered with a dismissive wave of his hand .