Summoned with an SSS-Rank Portal Skill

Seated around the crackling campfire, William's gaze lingered on Omar, the most seasoned of their guides and the one who seemed to know more about the bandit hideout than anyone else. The firelight cast flickering shadows on Omar's weathered face as he leaned back, his expression unreadable.

"Just how dangerous is it going to be to retrieve that artifact from the bandit hideout?" William asked, his voice steady but laced with an edge of unease.

His companions froze mid-bite and lowered their drinks, their attention snapping to Omar. This wasn't just another casual conversation around the fire—it was a matter of life and death. The success of their mission, and perhaps their survival, hinged on the information Omar was about to share.

Omar took a long, deliberate swig of his beer before answering, his eyes narrowing as if weighing his words. "Dangerous enough to make you rethink your life choices, boy. You're looking at 30 to 40 bandits, maybe more. And their leader? He's not the type you want to cross without a solid plan. Brute force won't cut it this time."

The unspoken warning hung heavy in the air: charging in through the front gate would be suicide. William clenched his jaw, trying to push down the rising knot of anxiety in his chest. Overthinking wouldn't help—not yet, at least. He needed to see the hideout for himself, to study its layout, count the bandits, and figure out their patrol patterns. Only then could he start piecing together a plan that didn't end with all of them dead.

The night had been mentally draining for William. No matter how hard he tried to push thoughts of the bandits out of his mind, they kept creeping back in, relentless and unwelcome.

The desert night was cold, and after everyone had retreated to their tents, Louise appeared. She stood in front of William's tent, her silhouette framed by the faint glow of the dying campfire.

"Can we talk for a moment?"

Of all his companions, William knew Louise was the most suspicious of him. Yet, turning her away would only make him seem even more suspicious.

"Of course, come in," William said, his voice calm but guarded.

Louise ducked slightly and stepped into the leather tent that William and the others were using. She sat down beside him on the ground, her movements deliberate but uneasy.

William remained silent, his eyes fixed on her. She was the one who had come to talk, after all, not the other way around.

"Don't you think this mission is too risky?" she asked, her voice low but urgent. "I know we need the money, and having the best guide to cross the desert is important, but there are other ways to earn money. And we could always hire a cheaper guide."

Her words had merit, but unlike the others, William needed the money. He was stranded in an unfamiliar continent, and he had to find a way to leave. Sure, he had a few goals before he could go—like exploring that place where demons were said to have lived long ago—but again, for that, he needed money.

"I do believe it's risky, but that's exactly why we're here, right?" William said, his tone calm but firm.

Louise, however, saw things differently. "Look, I'm going to be honest with you. Thank you for everything you've done for us, and we agreed to give you a ride to the central part of the desert, but this is too much. Remember, you're not the one leading this group. You're someone we found on the road and decided to help after you helped us."

William knew exactly where this conversation was heading. He wasn't angry about it—she was speaking the truth, after all. He didn't have the authority to make decisions or dictate what the group should do.

"I understand…" William said quietly.

"Come back with us? It'll be impossible for you to get the artifact alone," she insisted. "We can find other ways to earn money."

Despite her suspicions that William might be more powerful than he let on, she had no proof. And according to William himself, he wasn't particularly strong in combat.

"I'm sorry, Louise, but I really need this money," William said. "I think it might be time for us to part ways."

Louise was taken aback. She had been certain William would agree to return with them. Risking his life for money didn't seem worth it.

"I see… Well, at least I came to warn you and try to convince you. I guess this will help me sleep a little better if something happens."

She then moved closer and hugged William. "Take care, okay? Maybe we'll meet again in the desert capital."

"I will. You all take care too. This desert is dangerous."

After that, Louise left. Stuart, William's small magical rat, peeked out from his pocket and said, "Now that we're alone, the reward money is all ours. Maybe this is for the best. Besides, this way they won't be putting themselves in too much danger."

"You have a point," William said, "but we can't forget that they were decent in combat too. That means taking on that bandit hideout alone will be even harder."

Stuart tried to reassure him. "Let's think about that when we get there. Besides, I'm here to help you, so you're not alone, my dear friend."

"Thank you…"

After a while, William lay down on his makeshift bed inside the tent and finally managed to fall asleep. By morning, he received the news that some of the guides who had been with them had returned, taking his former companions with them.

Omar was still there. "Looks like your friends thought better of it and left. Are you still planning to stay?"

He couldn't believe that a young man like William was willing to risk his life to complete a mission proposed by some lord—all for money.

"I'm staying," William replied firmly.

"Alright. Let's get moving, then."

Everyone who remained worked together to pack up the tents, put out the campfire, and prepare for the journey.

Before leaving the site, they ate a quick meal and double-checked that everything was in order. Now, they had truly entered the desert.

The situation had just gotten more complicated.

The speed at which they were traveling had drastically decreased, not because of the terrain, but because they were navigating the treacherous sands of the desert.

However, it wasn't the sand itself that slowed them down. They were riding camels, but these were no ordinary beasts—they were magical creatures, perfectly suited for traversing such harsh environments. The real problem was the desert's inhabitants: dangerous, unpredictable creatures that lurked beneath the surface or roamed the dunes.

Omar and the others accompanying William were seasoned guides, tasked with ensuring a safe passage through the desert. They knew the land like the back of their hands, moving with an ease that left William in awe. He tried to understand their methods, knowing such knowledge could benefit him greatly, but they guarded their secrets closely.

It was clear they were using some form of magic to navigate. Omar could read the desert like an open book, spotting tracks and signs invisible to the untrained eye. He effortlessly identified the safest paths, while William often saw nothing but endless sand.

"We'll head east for a while longer before returning to the main route," Omar announced, his voice calm and authoritative.

With the guidance of these skilled navigators, William eventually arrived at a small, notorious town. This settlement was infamous for being a haven for criminals and outlaws.

"The bandits' hideout is near this town. We'll leave you here," Omar said, his tone firm and final.

William's face twisted in confusion. "Wait, you're not staying to help me get back? How am I supposed to return on my own?"

Omar shrugged, unmoved. "Our lord only ordered us to bring you here. The return journey is your responsibility. I'm just following orders. Sorry, kid. You might find other guides in this town, but be careful—most of them are bandits."

With that, Omar and his companions turned and left, leaving William standing alone at the edge of the town. He felt a pang of betrayal. The lord who had sent him on this mission had conveniently omitted the part about being stranded in the middle of nowhere. But William knew better than to take his frustration out on Omar and his men. They were just following orders.

"Calm down, we'll figure this out," Stuart, his ever-reliable companion, chimed in. "I've been observing Omar closely. I think I've picked up on some of the magic he was using to navigate the desert."

"Really?" William asked, hope flickering in his voice.

Stuart had proven himself invaluable time and time again, his mastery of support magic often saving them from dire situations. His words brought a sense of relief to William, who took a deep breath and steadied himself.

Before entering the town, William donned a long brown cloak with a hood, concealing anything that might draw attention. His demonic sword, Asura, was hidden beneath the cloak, its ornate sheath replaced with a plain, unremarkable one. He couldn't afford to stand out in a place like this.

The town had no guards at its entrance, and it was clear that anyone could come and go as they pleased. The moment William stepped inside, he was met with the sight of shady characters lurking in every corner. The air was thick with tension, and the atmosphere was unmistakably hostile.

'This place is going to be trouble…' William thought, his hand instinctively brushing against the hilt of his concealed sword. He would need to tread carefully if he wanted to survive long enough to find a way back.