Iya Continent: Card God

Raguel, the deputy leader of the Iron Teeth Gang, was leading more than twenty of his bandit brothers toward the main road.

Thinking about the upcoming kidnapping, the vice-captain couldn't help but reveal a chilling smile. He remembered Captain Fies's orders, but how things would actually unfold was up to him.

Among the surging band of thieves, there was one exception: a guy who had absolutely no interest in taking hostages.

Maren, a former thief.

Since meeting Linta and his group in Sandel City and experiencing the murder at the magic item shop, Maren has stopped being a thief. As for why he joined the Iron Teeth Gang, it wasn't his choice.

"Once we cross the mountain pass, the road will be easier," Raguel said encouragingly, and his brothers were overjoyed.

Unbeknownst to them, the area in front of the mountain pass had already been ambushed by Linta and the Flame Fox Mok. The left and right flanks were blocked by two silver-level experts from other families, while the Nasiz Knights brought up the rear.

Linta and Yanhu Moke hid in the bushes, holding their breath and ready to strike at any moment.

Linta remained calm, without much of a stir. After all, this was nothing compared to fighting monsters alone. He had a bunch of helpers by his side. And even if he lost, it wouldn't be his problem. The one he should be most worried about was the Flame Fox Knight, Mok Besson.

Suddenly, Lin Ta's heart was in turmoil, and his emotions surged.

Because he spotted an acquaintance among the bandits.

Malen!

Linta's eyes widened suddenly, and she rubbed them to make sure she wasn't seeing things.

Are you sure you're not mistaken? What's that guy doing here?

He's a thief, so joining the Iron Teeth Thief Gang is somewhat reasonable. But didn't he say he wouldn't do this anymore?

Lin Ta's expression shifted slightly, his back teeth clenched, and he cursed inwardly. But he quickly calmed down.

Upon closer inspection, Linta noticed that Maren was different from the other bandits. Everyone else seemed enthusiastic, but he alone appeared unwilling to participate. Why?

Puzzled and confused, Linta had another idea. Why not ask him?

How should we ask? Should we defeat all these bandits and then ask? No, that won't work; the Flame Fox Knight won't let him off the hook because of his identity.

"Knight Moke, is that the captain, Fiss?" Linta suddenly asked Flame Fox Moke.

Moke stared at Naraguel and replied, "His demeanor is completely different from the others; he has the air of a leader, which is very likely. But it's hard to say. In short, we can't let him escape, that's all."

"Yes." Linta nodded in agreement, "That's absolutely right." He continued, "I'm new to Silver, so I'm afraid you'll have to deal with that person who's suspected to be the leader yourself."

Flame Fox Moke said proudly, "That's natural."

"As the commander-in-chief, I will naturally be the one to capture and kill them. You only need to be careful with those petty thieves."

“Okay,” Linta agreed.

He said all this to distract him and prevent him from noticing Malone's presence. This Flame Fox Moke had seen Malone before. Although so many months had passed, he might not remember him, but what if he did?

After all, he had planned to make Maren disappear from this siege...

Before long, Raguel led his bandits closer and closer to the mountain pass.

At that very moment, the command was given.

In an instant, soldiers and knights attacked from all directions.

"The Vásquez family is attacking bandits! Lay down your weapons and surrender immediately!" Flame Fox Moke drew his sword and shouted.

The sudden appearance of everyone startled the Iron Teeth Gang bandits.

However, the deputy commander, Raguel, reacted calmly and immediately led his men in a charge, attempting to break through the encirclement.

"Follow me and fight your way out!"

"Pfft! Whoosh!"

A flame swirled, transforming into a fiery fox that charged towards Raguel.

Moke, the Flame Fox Knight, charged forward with his sword, unstoppable.

"Clang! Clang!" "Ring ring!!"

The two immediately engaged in battle, their magical powers surging.

The remaining soldiers were also fighting with the bandits, and the situation was quite chaotic.

The thief, Maren, was terrified and fled amidst the flashing blades. Suddenly, a gust of wind howled, and his body went out of control, as if some force had grabbed him. When his vision cleared again, he was far from the battlefield, dragged into a nearby forest.

The figure that appeared before them was none other than Lin Ta.

“It’s you…” Malen was a little excited.

Linta immediately covered the other person's mouth and said solemnly, "Keep your voice down, I can't stay out here for too long. Explain to me quickly, what's going on?"

Maren nodded repeatedly, saying with a bitter expression, "I didn't want to join this Iron Teeth Gang either. I was tricked. I met up with a colleague I knew, and before I knew it, I had joined them without really understanding what was going on. Now that I'm in, I can't leave..."

The Iron Teeth Gang's rule is that once you join, you cannot leave unless you die. After all, no one can guarantee that you won't reveal the location of Mount Misty Swamp.

"Why should I believe you?" Linta retorted.

Malen cried out, "Why...? Just because... I told the Duke's family about this place."

"Hmm!" Linta was surprised. Ted knew about Misty Swamp Mountain because of his leak?

Maren said, "I was thinking that if the Vázquez family came to conquer this place, I would have a chance to escape in the chaos."

Linta pondered for a moment, then asked, "That ferocious leader, Iron-Toothed Fies?"

“No, he is the deputy commander, Raguel,” Malen replied.

Lin Ta asked, "Why are you here? Where is the commander?"

Maren said, "The commander was in the camp, and Raguel was ordered to lead his men to hijack the caravan."

Linta's eyes narrowed, sensing that something was amiss. However, he couldn't quite put his finger on why.

Such a coincidence?

If they're going to abduct people along the main road, they'll have to take the mountain trails, which means they're bound to run into us. Once we see these Iron Teeth Gang bandits, we'll definitely attack them.

“Aren’t you going back? You’ve been gone for too long, they’ll notice. Don’t worry about me, I’m escaping now,” Maren warned.

Fortunately, Linta brought him out of the battlefield; the current chaos is exactly what he wanted.

“I’m not going back. Take me to the Misty Swamp Mountains,” Lin Tajian said firmly.

"Huh?" Maren was stunned, his face filled with despair.

……

Misty Marsh Mountain.

The mountainous region is dotted with swamps and shrouded in miasma and fog. Without a guide, one is destined to suffer greatly in the fog.

As a member of the Iron Teeth Gang, Maren naturally knew which path led in and out. Although he knew, he usually couldn't get out at all.

“Cross this swamp and you’ll enter,” Maren said, pointing to the mist-shrouded swamp ahead.

Linta's expression hardened slightly. The path in and out was so treacherous that anyone who couldn't fly would likely fall into it. Even if one could fly, the fog obscured the view below, making it impossible to see anything. No wonder the Vasquez family hadn't been able to find these bandits all these years.

"How did you get out before?" Linta asked.

Maren said, "The Iron Tooth Gang has a magical wooden boat made of swamp wood that can travel on swamps. Whenever it's time to leave, someone will row the boat out. When it's time to return, they will contact each other with a secret signal, and the boat will come back."

"What's the code?" Linta asked.

Maren smiled wryly and said, "I don't know that code."

Linta rested his chin on the back of his hand, lost in thought.

How do I get in?