My Muscle System in the Mage World

Chapter 181: Forced Mission

"Let's go," Aur said firmly as he caught the rabbit and glanced at Darcy.

Darcy seemed to be in a daze, but she quickly snapped out of it. "Yes... yes, Aur," she stammered, nodding her head.

"If you ever leave our sight, your tribe will be slaughtered," Aur stated coldly, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

The woman covered in leaves nodded in understanding.

Aur's group proceeded to find more rabbits, eventually catching a total of ten. Aur skillfully knotted and tightened their bodies with a string attached to his right hand.

"We've caught all the rabbits required for the mission," John reported, counting the rabbits with satisfaction.

"I thought these academy missions would be more challenging, but it seems they're rather just so-so," John remarked, his expression reflecting a mixture of disappointment and relief. "We've travelled for two days just to reach these places, but apart from that, everything seems to be going smoothly."

Aur nodded thoughtfully at his own suggestion.

"Let's return these women to their tribes before we leave the forest," Aur stated decisively, preparing to depart.

Though John had been eyeing the women with interest, he couldn't disobey Aur's command.

"Remember, there are parts of this wilderness we haven't explored yet, so we need to be cautious," Aur reminded, casting a pointed glance at John. "This path leads directly to the other villages, and it's forbidden for us to venture there unless there's a mission. Unfortunately, the rabbits are only found along this route, so we don't have much choice."

John quickly averted his gaze from the women, his expression turning startled as he scratched his head in embarrassment.

Darcy chuckled at his reaction, while the other two looked at him teasingly, further adding to his embarrassment.

"Alright," John conceded helplessly, acknowledging Aur's instructions.

"Let's hurry up before night falls, if they do. These ten bunnies would soon be a terrifying creature if that happens," Aur reminded them as he took out a small pouch.

Under the stunned gaze of the others, Aur retrieved a fat squirrel from the beast bag.

"Oh, when did you get a pet, Aur?" John asked with a surprised expression.

"It's not my pet," Aur simply replied as he patted the fat squirrel.

"Then what is it?" John asked, rolling his eyes.

Aur didn't reply. Instead, he gave a firm pat to the squirrel, causing it to dart forward. It glanced back momentarily with pitiful tears in its eyes before disappearing into the forest.

"You're freeing it!?" Darcy exclaimed in shock. Despite its plump appearance, the squirrel's two canine teeth and distinctive intelligence hinted at a bloodline of some kind.

"Hmm?" Aur looked at Darcy with a surprised expression, noticing her overreaction.

"Why?"

"You didn't see its obvious signs that this is a creature with the vampire bloodline!" Darcy exclaimed.

"Although its bloodline is probably thin, it could greatly help and even become substitute material for spells."

"Oh," Aur nodded his head in understanding.

Darcy felt a sense of frustration at Aur's seemingly indifferent response.

"Forget it," she sighed helplessly, realizing that she couldn't change Aur's attitude.

"Let's return to the tribe first; it's impossible for us to return to the village so soon," Aur commanded, and with that directive, everyone began to depart.

After a lengthy walk, they finally arrived at a simple wooden house riddled with holes, allowing sunlight to filter through. There were about ten such houses in total.

As they approached, the inhabitants of the village became instantly wary, casting tentative glances at Aur and the others. All of them were adorned with leaves, serving as makeshift clothing.

"How dare these wild animals!" John exclaimed, releasing his presence suddenly, causing the villagers to nearly stumble to the ground.

"Do you dare not greet us?" he demanded, his tone authoritative.

Suddenly, an elderly man emerged, his eyes widening with fear as he caught sight of the female figure accompanying Aur and the others.

"Please forgive us, immortal masters," the elderly man pleaded, bowing deeply. He wore a makeshift crown fashioned from a ring and three leaves.

"They are ignorant and dared to point their weapons against you," he explained, his voice trembling with reverence and fear.

Hearing the words of the old man, the expressions of the others turned pale with fear.

"Hmph," John's expression turned extremely ruthless as he casually glanced at one of the villagers and made a slashing motion with his hand.

Swish!

A blade-like gust of wind shot forward, swiftly beheading the villager who had been staring at them aggressively. The body collapsed with a sickening thud, staining the grassy ground crimson.

"Please spare us, immortals, please…" the old man's complexion grew even paler as his body trembled with pure terror, bowing repeatedly before them.

"Give us a place to rest for the night, and we will depart tomorrow," Aur spoke in a cold tone.

"Yes, immortals," the old man hurriedly agreed, his voice quivering as he led Aur and his group, his body hunched with fear.

The other villagers, both male and female, could only grit their teeth, their faces twisted with pain and anguish.

"Elder, you cannot…" one of the women with black hair began to protest, but she fell silent immediately under the stern gaze of the elder.

"This is the best accommodation we can offer in our humble tribe," the elderly man said with a sigh. The hut was slightly larger than the others, and as they entered, a warm fragrance filled their senses.

Aur surveyed the luxuriously decorated hut with satisfaction. "I will be staying here," he declared, stepping inside. "As for the rest of you, choose your own accommodations."

John was stunned. "Th-these…" he stuttered, unable to find the words.

"Hey, show us another place," John commanded.

"Yes, immortals," the elder replied resignedly, his expression showing his disappointment. This hut had been his newly built residence, and he hadn't even spent one night in it before the immortals had arrived once again.

The elderly hurriedly guided John and the others.