Return of the Woodcutter

The team traced back their steps. With their previous carnage, the streets were free of hobgoblins turning the road back into an enjoyable walk if it weren't for Rey driving Ogoro mad. 

Arriving in front of the cathedral a bit before sunset, Aito asked the siblings to go ahead, saying he had a few things to discuss with Rey. 

Ogoro accepted gladly. Sheyla looked back at Aito with curious eyes, then followed her brother silently.

"What is it you wanted to talk about, young lad?" Rey asked. 

Aito took out a few indigos and a piece of dried meat. "You tell me, Allan Meyer." 

Being called by his true name made Rey smirk. His appearance changed. Instead of an old man, there was now a brown-haired man, probably in his thirties. 

"I see, black challenger indeed," Allan said, with a calmer voice. 

'Why the fuck does everyone attribute everything I do to my damn title?' Aito wondered, then said, "Had fun today?" 

"Hoho, very much so. It's been a while since a team of challengers accepted my 'guidance.' Well, even though I change character from time to time, challengers aren't dumb enough to accept any stranger's help. But posing as a friendly, suspicious guy is also part of the fun," Allan said. His eyes then laid upon the food, "Haha, no need for those. Watching you guys fight was payment enough."

Aito stored the food. "You led us to dangerous areas on purpose, didn't you?" 

"I'd rather call them entertaining areas, if you don't mind," Allan said. "You handled yourselves quite well, though. Good teammates, you have there. You're only missing a mage class to balance out your team."

"Thanks for the advice, but I'll choose my teammates according to their trustworthiness first and then by their abilities," Aito said. He then shifted the subject to something more beneficial for him, "Anyway, don't you think our labor deserves a reward?" 

Allan's brow lifted, then he burst out laughing. "Ahaha! How bold of you! Well, you have a point though. I've been entertained greatly today. I can't exactly give you anything, but answering a question of yours is within my means." 

'Hum? That easy? Alright, I'll take it,' Aito thought before saying, "Where is the hobgoblin with the invisibility cloak?" 

"Aaah, you're looking for the Ninja," Allan crossed his arms, pondering. 

"The Ninja, who the heck named it Ninja…, right the gods." 

"Haha, yeah. A term from our home planet they thoroughly enjoyed, I suppose," Allan said, his face appearing slightly grimmer. "How I miss watching animes, *sigh*"

'So, the moderator is also a revived human from Earth,' Aito thought. What did that mean? Well, everything and nothing. But it surely meant that Allan had been a challenger before becoming a moderator and a mage. 

According to Gwen's knowledge, Allan Meyer was a powerful level 6 Airbender. With his abilities to control the wind, he could create dreadful win blades, walls, etc, or just simple illusions. 

Airbenders could twist the air to their will and modify what could be seen with the naked eyes. Their illusions weren't as realistic as Illusionists, but it was enough to trick challengers. 

The moderator of the fifth floor wasn't a bad person, just someone who liked to play tricks on challengers. If the group he had chosen to entertain himself with got into trouble, he would take responsibility and help them without breaking the rules.

After all, killing challengers wasn't the goal. He could even get reprimanded for that. Challengers dying on their own was one thing, but challengers dying because of him was another. 

That's why Aito hadn't been that worried about playing along with Allan's scheme. 

"*Sigh* Anyway, I don't know where that sneaky hob ninja is," Allan said. "I mean I know where it is right now, but it always wonders around. Telling you about its current location wouldn't be of any help at all. But I can tell you when you'll find him, though." 

Aito frowned, "When? I didn't know moderators could predict the future." 

"Haha, no one but the old Farsighter can do that… and maybe the gods, I don't know," Allan said before smirking. "You'll find it for certain during a Bloody Eclipse. The hob ninja is leading the other hobgoblins, so you're bound to encounter it during one. Well, it is dangerous but searching for it in this entire city is like searching for a needle in a haystack." 

With those words, Allan gave him a thumbs up and then flew away, only to come back as if he had forgotten something, "Ah yeah, here's a little bonus piece of advice. Rest well this evening. See you next time, young lad." 

Aito watched the moderator fly away with envy as he looped in the air before ascending far above the city. Allan appeared to enjoy himself. 

Aito muttered, "I want that skill."

***

After joining the siblings inside the cathedral, the team went to eat dinner with George's team, because why not? 

The bulky man looked like a decent guy. He also talked a lot. With such a rock-like voice, it could be intimidating, but the content was sometimes interesting. 

On top of spending an enjoyable time with George's team, Aito gathered infos on the fifth floor or on challengers. It was a win-win. 

For example, the latest rumor coming from the challengers who had come back recently from the Square was about the fourth floor. 

There were two versions of the rumor, both involving the black challenger. One rumor talked about the black challenger shamelessly taking advantage of his strength to steal treasures other challengers had discovered on the fourth floor. Which made him a walking treasury right now that could attract the greed of others daring enough to provoke him. 

Aito clenched his fist when he heard that, for he knew who might have started it. 

However, the second rumor opposed the first one. In that version, the black challenger bravely saved challengers that had been held captive by filthy goblins. There were also more people attesting to the authenticity of this version. 

The simple fact that some challengers that had disappeared a few days ago reappeared after some time proved it to be right. That's why more people were leaning towards this version.

It eased Aito's anger. 

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