"For an axe would say it's one of the trees just because its handle is made of wood."
After a month-long expedition and preparation, the party—consisting of twenty plus more groups of adventurers, a well-balanced structure of multifaceted individuals—split their forces into three large groups.
"Mount Catan is a two-cone-shaped mountain with tiny mounds suspected to even home some of the monsters. It is completely necessary to split our manpower to close off all possible exits for the monsters and completely annihilate those trying to escape."
The chief, an astute leader of his former battalion that led a kingdom war to victory, stood proudly in front of everyone. Beside him was his assistant, holding a planned procedure of their foolproof strategy.
"Why don't we just cast a huge mountainous barrier around Catan so that no monsters could leave?" asked a bald man as he raised his arm in the air and looked around while he nodded, as if trying to get approval from others.
"We plan on prolonging the battle because every nook and cranny of Mount Catan will be searched. The estimated minimum days of completion is twenty days and the maximum is thirty-five days, so your idea of putting mountain-sized barriers is gonna take a huge toll on our mages. Moreover, this would completely render them unable to participate and treat those who would be wounded, which I don't invoke on happening."
Upon realizing how bad his idea was actually, the man backed down and listened intently.
"All of you are free to say your ideas. Don't be shy about speaking your thoughts, but if none of you are gonna be raising your concerns, then I shall proceed with the plan."
His assistant, Camie, handed out a map of Mount Catan and was given a quill dipped in black ink. Androv, the chief, rolled the map open on a wooden table in front of him. What was presented was a detailed topography of Mount Catan with colorful detailing of the mounds, rivers, caves, mountain peak, and residency of the villagers. It was done so as to easily distinguish the parts of Mount Catan.
Androv carefully picked up the quill and began circling parts of Mount Catan. In the northwest there will be eight groups, in the southwest seven, in the southeast were four groups, and in the northeast only two groups.
Most would not see the map, especially those from behind, so Androv spoke instead of showing the plan.
"Since the northeast is near the sea and is completely isolated from most of the mountain, only two groups of fairly skilled adventurers will be stationed. Camie and her scout units had already scoured the northeast, so it will be less dangerous." He cleared his throat. "Your assigned groups can be seen in the map, and because not everyone can see it from here, only the group leaders need to come forward to take a look."
Many of the groups did not assign a leader, but that spur of the moment made them decide on one. Each chosen leader of the group stepped forward, those from the back being given way.
"Those who have concerns, you may raise your hands and I'll hear them out."
A woman raised her hand. "This isn't about where we will be positioned but by our approach in this matter."
"Okay, speak up."
"Mount Catan is two connected mountain ranges and the said northwest and southwest areas are actually located in the middle of both ranges. Would it not bring casualties to our side, considering the monsters can come from the far west?"
"Great insight, woman!" praised Androv, clapping three times to applaud her. "Worry not! Aside from the twenty-one groups here right now, two more independent groups will be joining to hold off the pouring monsters from the other mountain. This way it will prevent danger from those assigned in the western locations."
Mount Catan is a two-mountain-range sloped earth wherein its eastern part harbors the astonishing waves of the sea while the western part continues to stretch near the barren desert of the undead. Despite the danger from the desert, the undead never reached the mountain, for these resurrected monsters were bound only in the desert. And at the far end of the sandy land of necromancy lies the kingdom of Arbolius, a neighboring empire.
Because of the desert, Androv did not need to stretch their forces to the very end of the mountain in the west. Even if the monsters decide to set foot in the desert, they will soon reach Arbolius's territory, which would deal with loose ends since their army was guarding their borders. This much information is known to the adventurers since some of them were from the neighboring kingdom.
"If that's the case, then I have no other concern."
Her inquiry needed to be addressed since her group will be located in the northwestern part of Catan and one of the main forces. Moreover, the guild will be responsible for all casualties since they are the one handling all plans and procedures. However, each of their lives is their own responsibility.
"Moving on," continued Androv, now setting aside the map and the quill to focus solely on the participating individuals. "Our main objective is to eliminate all monsters within and outside of Mount Catan. Rescuing villagers comes second! Also, we will send scouts simultaneously to scour the area we are heading into to prevent unprecedented encounters! That will be all! If there are additional tasks from the guild, everything will be relayed to their group leaders via Hangnail!"
Hangnail, although irrelevant from its real meaning and description, is a type of a magical earpiece inserted in the ear for proper distant communication. It is originally a small piece of a magical core of a sound beast, which was then manufactured by the Magus Societous.
Twenty-three Hangnails were distributed once Androv was done speaking, with everyone plugging their ears with the item.
Low but vivid, Androv spoke through Hangnail and every leader of the group heard his voice.
"Am I clear? No need to talk through the Hangnail now, but all of you can just raise a thumbs up if you do."
And so every group leader lifted a hand in the air and Androv was relieved to see nothing was wrong.
Fire arrows were shot in secret, signalling the commencement of the raid.
"It's time," said Camie, gritting her teeth in anticipation of what's about to transpire. "We must move, chief."
"Maalak, Ar'tha, and Povenu! You three are the leaders of leaders! I'm counting on all of you! Now move!"
Maalak will handle the matters in the southwest, while Ar'tha guides the adventurers of the northwest, and Povenu has the authority over the southeast region while the northeast will remain independent. The latter can either hold off their grounds against the pouring monsters or proceed to a higher point to further increase their speed of annihilation.
"You heard the chief! Get your asses moving!" Maalak hurried towards their location. Behind him were numerous adventurers who were eager to fight and slaughter the pests of Catan.
Depending on the location, each part of the mountain has a different terrain which separates itself from the other. The difficulty of traversing each slope varies on where you are and how good you are at mountain climbing.
As soon as they reached the northeastern area of Mount Catan, the two groups took the initiative.
"My group will make progress towards the peak. You can either follow us or deal with whoever gets past our reach!"
Just like what the group leader said, the members casually agreed and headed from the sandy shore towards the grassland and up the hill.
"What are we to do now, leader? The northeastern part is really small. Just two groups can cover the whole part since it's near the ocean and the other group has already progressed up the stream ahead."
Out of all twenty-three groups, only these two groups remained independent. Chief Androv didn't assign them their handler but was given full independence on their approach regarding the raid. However, they are still to obey Chief Androv's words if an emergency or a sudden turn of events occurred.
"We are given the opportunity to take leisure in such an important raid. We'll take it and clean up after the first group. There's no need for us to exert much effort when the pay is already set in stone."
"But didn't the chief say something about [special rewards] for those who contributed the most?"
"Incartius isn't here for fame and glory or the wealth that will be provided but for experience. Also, we have other matters to deal with."
In the southeastern region of Mount Catan, Povenu prioritizes the safety of each adventurer but still gives them the autonomy they need.
"This Hangnail is really convenient! Imagine, just a single earpiece can let individuals communicate from afar!"
With a smile on his face, Povenu swipes away at hanging branches and leaves to clear the path. Upon setting his foot ahead, he was welcomed with a sudden gust of wind. The air was so brazen it instantly removed the obstacle for Povenu's group members.
"Woah! What was that?"
Ahead were another group, which they recognized from the same region assigned to them. Despite being in the same assignment, the group did not report any of their discoveries and went to fight enemies all on their own. It turns out that the sweeping breeze was from the swings of the blade and retaliation of the monsters.
"Another group is already fighting the orcs!" said Povenu as he put his arm above his eyes to cover them from the bustling series of wind. "Prepare yourselves! We are helping them!"
Through the Hangnail, Povenu spoke: "We are joining the fight! My group will provide assistance from the back!"
Instead of taking the hand that reaches out for the group, their leader refused—saying, "Your assistance isn't needed here! My group alone can take care of some measly orcs!"
Confused as to why the group rigorously refused the offer for help, Povenu and his group reluctantly backed down.
"It seems our help is not needed then," whispered Povenu. "Boys, stay back."
A crest on the sleeves of the adventurers flashed in Povenu's eyes and he was struck by a vague thought.
"Where have I seen that synthetic crest?" he thought to himself as he pondered more about the logo. And then he was reminded of the synthetic crest. "It's the synthetic crest of House Valant! But what is a powerhouse group doing here in Mount Catan?!"
It should be of no concern to House Valant, Mount Catan that is. However, the powerhouse of Valant seemed to have shown interest in participating in a big raid. Their purpose is not clear, but Povenu was certain about a hidden agenda from House Valant since they are a cunning group from the far south of the Kingdom.
In front of Povenu's group displayed a complete extermination of the monsters against Valant's group. Their overwhelming presence brought about uncertainty and confusion towards those who witnessed their compelling force.
Huge pines and channeling caves composed the southwestern area of the front mountain. Calling it southwest is an inaccurate point; rather, it should have been the southcenter most part of Mount Catan since they stood between two mountain feet.
While the frontal mountain of Catan seemed unbearably vast, its other half remained almost half of its size; thus the need for only two additional groups, which were top tier adventurers from a high rank guild.
"Good job, Troy," praised Osmol as he finished flaying a grey orc and storing its hide in a spatial ring. "Grey Orcs' tough skin nourishes the crops when cured and powdered."
Troy and Osmol are members of the two supporting groups assigned for holding the rear line. Their purpose is to hold the influx of monsters once disturbances in Mount Catan happen.
"It's good that we split the groups into duos to cover as much area as possible for assistance to the main forces."
"Germin insisted on that. Seems that he wanted to be alone with Alura."
Troy stood up with a smile on his face and a piece of belly meat in his hand. His armor and arms were covered in blood with his all-pointing hair standing up as well.
"Guy is really head over heels, huh?"
"Who wouldn't be? Alura has that alluring appeal even though men seldom notice her."
"It's the nonchalant and timid vibe!"
Raiders arrived with weapons on hand. They saw their butchered fellow monsters and instantly flew into a rage. Despite the anger, they didn't lose their cool but rather used that as a leverage to draw more strength and resolve to avenge their fallen brothers.
"For some reason, the monster's forces are focused on where the groups are. I've heard reports from each leader that they are engaging in a skirmish against orcs and ogres."
Osmol felt a sense of urge to contemplate and seek different possibilities as he meticulously dodged and counterattacked the driving assault of Raiders. (Orcs + Sewage Rats or Ogres + Sewage Rats. The size of the Sewage Rats were fairly increased or decreased by the Lich for suitable mounting of monsters, depending on their sizes.)
"This large scale raid ought to bring something worthy for the Guild. They have mobilized and handpicked warriors capable of exterminating the termites of this Mountain."
"There's gotta be something valuable here for them to go this far. They even hired us, House Cronies."
For the danger is imminent and safety slowly dissipates, the adventurers of Mount Catan gradually march toward an inexplicable predicament where those who will persevere might come out alive.