I had already planned to leave the slums and find a decent place to settle.
I needed to travel efficiently, so I couldn't afford to carry too many people.
"Okay."
Masha didn't say a word, but her eyes flickered as if she understood.
"Masha, can you take me to the other kids?" I asked in a low voice.
"Of course, follow me I will lead you there"
The three of us slowly walked into the backyard.
After just a few steps, I found myself face-to-face with five thin children in ragged clothes, gathered around a small handcart.
I could feel their curious gazes as I approached.
Just as Troy said, they were really just kids—each younger than me.
There were the twins, Eli and Erza, around eight or nine years old, whom I had met shortly after transmigrating.
With them were three other boys I didn't know, even younger than the twins—probably four to six years old.
"Soren! It's you!" Eli exclaimed, her short hair bouncing as she smiled.
"I didn't know you were the friend Troy was talking about. I thought you already left."
Erza, her long hair messy, peeked out from behind her sister, clearly happy to see me too. The others stayed silent, watching carefully.
Seeing the twins genuinely made me happy. Aside from Troy, they were the only ones I could talk to—always answering my strange questions about the slums.
The adults never bothered with us.
They only stared like we were dead weight, speaking only to give orders. They treated us like servants, forcing us to beg in the market to prove our worth. We had no choice but to obey.
"Not yet," I said. "We checked the base to see if anything valuable was left behind.
Luckily, we found a few things hidden under the rubble." I pointed at the sack Troy was carrying.
"So that's how it is," Eli said. "We also found half a sack of grain and a few things—but only thanks to Brother Ren."
"Brother Ren?" I scanned the children—who were all much younger than him—but couldn't spot anyone who fit the looked like that. "Who's that?"
Masha answered, pointing at the handcart, "That's Taren, Keran, and Malik you're looking at. Brother Ren is lying there."
I immediately looked inside.
A young man lay unconscious beside a sack of grain and a few small pots. His eyes were closed, his body thin and injured. I hadn't noticed he was here he looked about twenty.
"Is he…?" I asked.
"Yes," Masha said. "He's unconscious. His legs were injured, so the others abandoned him.
We found him later. He promised us the grain he hid if we helped take him to his village. We had no food, so we agreed. After he led us to his supplies, he collapsed."
"I see," I said quietly. "So that's what happened."
I looked at Masha.
"So, what's your plan?"
Masha seemed thoughtful, glancing at me.
"First, we'll help him get to his village as we agreed." She pointed at the young man. "Then we can join you, if possible."
She seemed very determined to help him, nothing like those who would break their promises.
"It's possible to let you all join me."
They only have six people, so it's probably fine to let them join… maybe with a bit of guidance, they could be helpful too.
"But I have a condition—you have to obey my orders. Is that okay with everyone? If not, we can separate now."
Hearing this, the atmosphere immediately brightened.
"Yes, we will obey."
"Yes, it's okay."
They seemed eager to follow—perhaps because I was the oldest, aside from the one unconscious.
"Have you all gathered everything? If so, it's time to leave."
"Yes, Brother Soren."
"Yes, Already done Soren."
I didn't know where I would settle yet, but as long as it was far from this town and as long the place is safe, I could settle anywhere.
Troy also loaded the sack I had given him onto the handcart.
The group had only a few provisions, so the cart wasn't full—half the space was taken by the unconscious Ren.
We immediately set out. I walked in front, Masha and Troy pushed from the back, while the others walked alongside the handcart.
According to Masha, our destination was Hollow Village, on the western side.
Meanwhile, a few hours after Soren and his group left, Bloodhook's main base was invaded.
A group of people, armed with all kinds of weapons and sporting black skull tattoos on random parts of their bodies, entered.
The bald leader, a man with a skull tattoo on his head, stepped forward, sword in hand, surveying the desolate Bloodhook base.
He was Valkos, leader of the Black Skull.
"Did they escape?" he asked without expression.
A short member stepped forward.
"Yes, boss. They were probably too scared to face us after we killed their leader and many members."
"I see."
"So, what's the plan, boss? Should we send people after them? According to the intel, they should be heading north to another town."
"No. Our manpower is limited, and though we could win with an ambush, many of our side were injured. For now, we'll just claim their territory and set aside other matters."
"Understood, boss. I'll gather our people immediately to declare Bloodhook's territory now belongs to Black Skull."
Shortly after, the claim was made, marking Bloodhook's territory as now under Black Skull control.
*****
Meanwhile, near the entrance to the forest path.
Soren and his group had been traveling for over two hours since leaving the town.
"Let's rest for a bit guys."
"Okay."
"Okay, Boss!"
Sweat dripped down my back as I sank onto a large root under a tree.
Masha, Troy, and the others also rested, placing the handcart in the shade.
We hadn't rested for the past two hours, traveling as far as possible to avoid being spotted by the Black Skull gang.
So they're probably long tired by now, just afraid to speak out.
Initially, we had traveled along the main road to blend in with other townsfolk and avoid drawing attention.
Once safely out of town, we changed direction toward the forest path.