The city passed quickly, the roads still fairly clear after all the prep they did to first approach the dungeon. A couple of ants fell but Leo barely got involved.

Just before they exposed themselves at the dungeon, Cecelia spoke quietly to everyone. “Should we perhaps try and get to a more advantageous position, or maybe scout it out for a while?” Her face was stern. “I do not want to end up like before.”

“It’ll be fine, let’s just go,” Leo said confidently. “We aren’t here for a fight. Plus, if it did turn into one it would end much worse for them this time.”

“I understand that your level allows you to be confident but—”

“Cece. Honestly, they won’t attack.” Leo smiled.

She sighed. “Very well. Take the lead.”

Leo nodded, then walked out into the open area. There were none of Cain’s men in the immediate vicinity so Leo briskly walked to the dungeon entrance just around the corner.

Two men were still standing guard over it, and upon seeing Leo they drew weapons and then stopped stunned.

“Wh-what do you want?” one of them managed to say, stumbling over their words.

They weren’t tattoo covered convicts, they looked far less dangerous.

“Take it easy,” Leo said, holding his hands up. “I’m not here for a fight.”

The men visibly relaxed, but not by much. They kept sharing glances, almost like asking the other one what they should do. Leo’s friends arrived just after him and the two men immediately lost their wills after seeing they were outnumbered and extremely outmatched.

Leo glanced backwards, then repeated his words. “We’re not here to fight.”

“What do you want then?” one of them asked.

“My friends are going to go into the dungeon. You guys are going to take me to see Cain.”

They visibly shook when Leo mentioned Cain, then clamped onto the first bit. “We were told no one was to be allowed in.”

“That’s unfortunate, but still doesn’t change what’s about to happen,” Leo said, shaking his head. “Let’s go see Cain.”

“If you push any harder they’re going to faint,” Ashley said, walking up beside him. She addressed the two men. “He’s just going to speak to your boss, make sure things aren’t leading to an all out bloody war. Okay?” She gave them a smile that would have melted the toughest of men in an instant. E-grade beauty at its finest.

They didn’t relax, they slumped. They stored their weapons and started walking. “I’ll just be a moment,” Leo said quickly.

He turned to face his friends. “Good luck in there you guys. Hope you get some good loot. Remember to take it slow and steady, things kick off immediately though.”

“We’ll be fine, son—I mean, probably,” Bjorn said, voice laced with concern. “I’m more worried about you.”

“Yes,” Cecelia agreed. “Perhaps going together would be best.”

Ashley leaned against him, arm on his shoulder like he was a nearby wall. The height difference made it look a bit strange “He’ll be fine, won't ya, hero?”

He gave her a winning smile. “Of course! When am I not?”

Her face dropped. “Okay maybe you’re right Cecelia, what am I even saying?” Ashley said, sighing.

“Come on! I can’t wait any longer!” Gordon said, almost running straight in.

Leo and Bjorn chuckled.

“See you guys later.”

The group started walking into the portal, Cecelia being the last, she turned briefly to look at him, nodding.

“Oh, I’ll make sure you guys don’t get ambushed when you leave!” Leo called.

Cecelia quickly spun, somehow not realising it could be an option, but it was too late. The portal took her.

“Alright guys.” Leo approached the two men. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”

The two men were not very talkative as Leo walked with them. He tried to start conversations a few times, just to pass the time, but they would barely answer. Whenever he mentioned Cain and asked about him they clamped up entirely. Leo could feel just how scared they were. He didn’t ask again.

There was no reason for Leo to be acting so casually—especially with potential enemies—but these two were not cold blooded killers out for his head. They were just two guys trying to survive rule under a short tempered beast. Or at least, that was the feeling he got from them.

“It’s just up ahead,” one of them said hesitantly, Leo found out his name was Don.

“Wait,” Leo said. The two men stopped and turned to face him.

His eyes were tough but fair as he spoke. “If things turn ugly, don’t attack me.”

They looked at him in confusion.

“If you don’t attack me, I won’t be forced to kill you.” His words had them nodding. They knew just how strong one had to be to survive a dungeon with Cain. Not to mention coming out the lesser injured of the two.

“Good. Continue.” Leo nodded ahead.

Leo was surprised to find the camp was walled, and in an area that seemed more like a field. Thick stone walls cut off any further advancement. There was a makeshift gate built into the stone that a woman and man stood in front of. Leo saw their level was in the low 30s.

“Stop!” the woman called, then she seemed to recognise them. “Don? Luke?” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “What are you two doing here? If Cain finds ou–”

Her eyes locked onto Leo. He waved. “Hey.”

“What is this?” The man called, pulling a crossbow. “You led him here?!”

“What choice did we have? You know what he can do!” Luke said, shaken.

“I’m not here to cause a fuss,” Leo insisted. “I’m just looking to speak to Cain about what happened at my camp.”

The man and woman looked at each other, faces unsure. Leo rolled his eyes. “I get you guys are worried about consequences and all that, but I’m going in there no matter what. You just have to choose whether it's through the gate or over it.”

The woman sighed, then signalled for the man to go in and inform Cain. Leo wasn’t even sure why they bothered with a gate. The wall was barely taller than he was, it would hardly stop anything.

Guess it makes people feel safer though, old traditions and all that.

“I’m not going to go speak to Cain! You do it!” the man said.

“It’s your turn!” the woman countered.

While the two people bickered on who would tell Cain, all while giving Leo apprehensive looks, Leo turned to his escorts.

“I won’t tell Cain you guys led me here if you want to go back,” Leo said to Luke and Don, realising he could be getting them killed—not that he’d just sit back and allow such a thing.

“Thanks… But we’re dead men walking already,” Don said, face blank.

Leo frowned. He didn’t like how this place was being run. Based on what he’d heard second hand from Alex, Cain ran this camp on a ‘one strike and you’re out’ kind of place. And what constituted a strike was based on his mood. But there were some inaccuracies in his tale that Leo wanted to make sure of.

“Were you two part of the attack on my camp?” Leo asked, eyes cold.

They shook their heads immediately.

“Well then.” He smiled. “Why don’t you go back to our camp? As long as you contribute you get to stay, whether it’s fighting or profession stuff. You guys seem like decent folk.”

They shared a look. “Can you guarantee our safety?” Don asked.

Leo shook his head. “No one can guarantee that, mate. All I can do is give you a safer place to grow.”

“I’ll go,” Luke said.

“Luke!” Don exclaimed.

“You said it already man, we’re dead if we stay. I’m not sitting around to find out.”

“Camp’s that-a-way,” Leo pointed. Then he changed his direction. “Wait, that way. Tell them Cecelia said it’s okay. No one here should know her name. Worst case, ask for Nolan or Hector.”

The man guarding the gate had left a while ago, losing the battle of rock paper scissors while Leo was talking with Luke and Don.

An aura suddenly washed over the camp, like a stalking beast searching for its prey. Leo smiled.

“You guys might wanna go,” he said, walking to the gate.

The two men hurriedly ran out of view of the camp, likely towards his own. Possibly back to the dungeon. Poaching people could cause issues, but If Cain was likely to hurt or kill them, then it shouldn’t be a big deal.

Although, Cain doing the normal thing can’t really be counted on…

The gate swung open but it wasn’t Cain that greeted him, it was the man who’d gone to speak to him. His face was pale, like someone had sucked the soul out of him.

He managed to speak. “Cain will see you now.”

“Thanks,” Leo said, unphased by the bestial aura washing over the area.

“One way to rule a camp, I guess,” Leo muttered to himself.

He crossed into the camp and was quite surprised by what he saw. There were lots of people, all doing their own thing. Whether it was crafting or training, there wasn’t an idle hand in sight. The atmosphere was relatively upbeat too, but Leo did spot some bulky and aggressive looking people walking around the camp like guards.

They were much higher level than the average level of fighters and crafters. Likely Cain’s strongest. Enforcers. He could have sworn he recognised a few from the attack, but decided to ignore it. They certainly avoided him.

There were sporadically placed shacks that people were going in and out of, some wooden and basic, others with foundation and more intricate stonework. Leo assumed the nicer ones were for the higher level members.

Walking through the camp, Leo followed the man who’d let him inside. People slowly stopped their tasks, being distracted by the newcomer and his intentions. Quiet murmurs and concerned looks were shared, likely by those who recognised him, but Leo paid them no mind. He didn’t come here to assert his dominance, he just wanted to talk.

He was inwardly glad the place wasn’t like his own camp when he’d first found it. If he saw any sign of taking advantage of helpless people then… Well, he would be forced to do more than just talk.

Arriving at what seemed to be a large tent, Leo was a bit confused at how basic it seemed. Stepping inside, it was indeed extremely basic. There was no furniture, no windows, just some torch stones and a man sitting on the floor. His shaggy hair made him immediately identifiable.

Both of his limbs had fully regrown at this point, but Leo knew firsthand it wasn’t something you immediately bounced back from. Taking a day made sense.

“Why,” Cain said, looking up at Leo.

“You know why,” Leo said, meeting his gaze. “Your men attacked, I killed one, not exactly a truce.”

Cain scoffed. “I don’t care, just stay out of my half.”

This was a surprise. One Leo struggled to hide. He’d expected Cain to be angry, to demand blood or retaliate in some way. Maybe demand it from Leo himself. According to Cecelia, the mage had demanded just that on behalf of Cain. Not to be apathetic to the whole thing like it didn’t concern him.

“So you aren’t going to send another assault at my camp?”

“Not now.”

Leo trilled his lips, exhaling. How could he forget how fun it was to talk to this dull beast.

“Leave,” Cain said, slightly growling.

“Woah now, last thing,” Leo insisted. “We need to talk about the dungeons.”

Cain didn’t say anything, Leo took that as a “Okay Leo, tell me about your idea! Nice armour by the way, you’re looking fly!”

He smiled to himself, then let it drop before Cain saw it. “More than one group can enter the Cinder Bastion now, so my people will start going in there to train up. I’m asking you not to interfere and just allow access.”

“Fine.”

That was easy.

“Now, about the other one…” Leo began, and Cain was suddenly very interested. Eyes fixed.

“Mine,” Cain growled, aura flaring as his eyes turned a bestial yellow. The room felt like it grew smaller for a moment under the concentrated effort of his aura. Leo just let him postulate. Flaring his own aura would just make things worse, and possibly cause a fight.

Okay, definitely cause a fight.

“Fine, you can have the first clear, unless you want to party up again?” Leo wiggled his eyebrows.

“Fuck off.”

Leo chuckled. “I’ll go by it in a few days then, you should have cleared it by then if it’s the same level requirement as the Cinder Bastion.”

Cain closed his eyes, resuming whatever meditation he was doing without a word. Leo took that as his cue to leave, but before he did he asked a question.

“Mind if I take a look around?”

Cain didn’t open his eyes, so Leo took it as a yes, walking out.

Went better than I could have hoped, I guess. Cain doesn’t seem to care about these people at all unless they cross him. Time to make sure things aren’t a facade.

“It’s investigating time now, Ells! Want to join me?” Leo asked internally.

Before he had even finished his sentence Ellie materialised, startling the man who had led Leo here. She stretched her legs after being in the soul-space for the last few hours. Gazing around, Leo spotted some people talking casually. They looked approachable so he gave it his best shot.

“Hey,” Leo greeted.

The man and woman both looked at him and their faces dropped. “What do you want?” the man asked.

He was maybe in his thirties, short cropped hair and a plain face. Identify showed his level being 27, and judging by his armour, Leo would guess he was a crafter.

“Just looking to find out what it’s like around here. Making sure people are being treated okay.”

“We’re fine,” the woman said quickly. She held onto the man after saying it, then dragged him away.

“That was weird,” Leo said to himself, looking down at Ellie, the dragon just kind of shrugged. It was very cute.

That theme continued as Leo walked around the camp. Every person he tried to speak to that looked friendly either refused outright or politely declined before leaving.

He did try to speak to one of the bulky people walking around, some tattooed bald guy, but all that guy did was spit on the ground. It landed much closer to Ellie than the guy was expecting and his eyes went wide as the dragon growled and shot a small flame at his foot. He ran after seeing Leo’s gaze sharpen.

Quickly, his enthusiasm was dropping. No one wanted to talk so he decided to just leave. As he was walking out, he heard a voice, gruff and raspy. He picked it out through the sound of metal being hammered. “Givin’ up’s the best idea son.”

It would barely have been audible to anyone but him based on the distance, but his improved hearing—that he was still trying to get used to—picked it out. Approaching the sound of metal on metal, the first thing he felt was the heat.

Sweltering and oppressive, it was like the bastion he had just cleared. His Fire Essence made it so he could stand it, but Ellie kicked up her Frost Shroud.

“Oi! Don’t bring Ice in here, I need the temperature!” the blacksmith scolded, quickly noticing the cooling atmosphere.

“Turn off the frost Ells, or just pop outside for a bit,” Leo kindly asked the dragon. She acquiesced with a grumble and strode out.

“Sorry about that, she’s used to doing that when it gets hot.” Leo looked upon the blacksmith, and was instantly reminded of Bjorn. Bald head, bushy beard, and built like a house with legs.

“Ya should just go, son,” the blacksmith said. His accent was a little foreign, almost like he wasn’t speaking English but the system wasn’t correcting it, so it must have been.

“Can I ask why you said giving up is the best idea? I’m guessing you were referring to me.”

The man stopped his hammering and turned to look at him with a raised eyebrow. “Those ‘er some ears ya got if ya heard me yappin’”

“Perks of the system.” Leo smiled kindly.

“Aye, a’ said it.” The blacksmith sighed. “Ya might mean well, but nob’dy dares go against Cain. Shoulda’ seen tha look on the hairy bugger’s face when he got carried back wi’ nae arm and nae leg.” He shook his head.

“Damn near bit some poor bloke’s heed aff when they asked about some pugilist.” He looked him up and down. “Guessin’ that’s you.”

Leo nodded. Deciphering the accent wasn’t easy but he could make out the jist of it. Scottish, if he had to guess.

“Ye’ve become somewhat of a taboo. Uttering the name ‘Leo’ is like asking fir a swift endin’”

“Makes sense,” Leo mused. “Shit happened in that dungeon I'm guessing Cain wouldn’t want to be found out.”

The blacksmith held his hands up. “Don't tell me, less a’ know the better.”

“Fair enough,” Leo agreed. “Apart from the obvious crazy person leading the place, is everything else fine? No one being treated like slaves?”

The man looked like he considered it for a moment before answering. “No sure what it’s like out there now, in the city a’ mean. In here, if ya keep out his way and do as he asks, life’s no bad.”

“No one being abused then? Killed by the tyrant in a bad mood?” Leo asked. He needed to find out for his own sanity. Leaving these people to be tortured or worse was against who he was. Alex spoke of the place like it was a labour camp. It seemed like nothing of the sort.

“Nah. Only folk that get really fucked up are the ones who commit crimes. Some lad tried to have his way wi’ a’ young lass. Cain tore that fuck from shitter to sternum. Even made sure the lass wasny hurt.”

That earned some wide eyes from Leo. Apparently, Cain had a good-ish side to him after all. Or, at least, a human side.

“Now, ya better leave ‘fore ye get me in trouble.”

“One more question,” Leo said. The man winced.

“Make it quick, please,” he said.

“When I first met Cain, he killed someone just for speaking for him. That doesn’t seem like the kind of stable leader that could run a camp.”

The blacksmith frowned, considering it. Then came to a realisation, snapping his fingers.

“Ah, must have been Jack.” The blacksmith spat, it sizzled in the heat.

“Jack?” Leo asked.

He nodded. “He was a lippy fucker, talked a lot of talk, ya know the type. Apparently, the guy was a bit of a predator before aw’ this, locked up in prison for abusing some wee lads. Heard it after the fact tho, from Matilda.”

“Matilda?” Leo asked. He had so many more questions.

“Nuh uh. That’s all yer gettin’. Beat it,” he said, then paused, almost remembering who he was talking to “Uh… Please.”

Leo thanked the man with a light chuckle and made his way out, somewhat satisfied that he could leave the camp for now. While he knew that some people had been killed, and that people were scared to speak against Cain, no one was being held captive or being abused. In fact, it was looked down upon to do so.

It was confusing for sure. He had this idea of Cain’s camp being run like a dictator running a country. Oppressing them with his will. Not just chilling in a tent, punishing evildoers. If Leo had found out one of his camp members used to be a sexual predator, would he have let him live? He doubted it.

Man, why is Cain suddenly more reasonable than I thought. Still tried to kill me a bunch though. Yeah, he’s still a dick.

He scooped up Ellie into his arms suddenly, shivering as the frost rippled against him. He tried to radiate some warmth and gave Ellie a look of challenge. She grinned with her big dragony maw and pumped out even more frost, coating his skin until his hairs froze. Leo activated his armour’s ability in retaliation.

They both walked out of the camp, and the woman was relieved to see him leave, followed by immediate confusion and shock as to why the man was so casually on fire.