The man, small like a mouse with a pair of whiskers, was the contact for the smuggling route known as Raven's Beak. Most people called him Gray Mouse.

"Is everyone here?" Gray Mouse's voice was hoarse and deep, like sandpaper scraping.

Old Scar nodded, glanced at Duke, and then said to Gray Mouse, "It's up to you now. There's been a lot of talk in town lately, so you'd better hurry."

After he finished speaking, he returned directly to the tunnel leading into the Land of Filth and vanished into the darkness. His task was complete.

Gray Mouse's gaze swept over Duke, Scarface the mercenary, the fiery woman, and the merchant hugging his package. He said in a deep voice, "Listen up! I'm Gray Mouse, responsible for getting you across the border. The rules are simple: follow my steps, keep quiet. If you fall behind or cause trouble, don't expect anyone to save you—it's your own responsibility."

The aura around him wasn't simple either; he was evidently a first-level Awakened, though he seemed weaker than the mercenary and the woman.

But there were no easy people who traveled this road for years, and the others didn't underestimate Gray Mouse despite their greater strength.

The fiery woman chuckled lightly, her voice carrying a lazy magnetism: "Understood, Boss Gray Mouse. Frey won't cause trouble."

She casually twisted her waist, her fiery body exposed under the starlight, but her slightly upturned seductive eyes flashed with a snake-like coldness and scrutiny, quickly scanning Duke.

The merchant-looking man nodded repeatedly in nervous fear, holding his package tighter, his voice trembling: "Un-understood, I'll be obedient!"

The mercenary and Duke said nothing, merely glanced at Gray Mouse, waiting for his next move.

Seeing no objections from the four, Gray Mouse said, "Follow me, keep your distance, and watch your steps!"

He then turned swiftly like a nimble goat, traversing a barely discernible path along the steep mountainside, heading north.

Duke looked around at the surroundings, quietly using the Coordinates Earring to record the coordinates here.

This location was quite remote, and close to Goose Peak Castle, making it easier to sneak in later.

The group followed Gray Mouse, walking on this extremely narrow path, with a bottomless abyss beside them and a brilliant starry sky above, cold night winds whistling past the mountainside.

Duke, the mercenary, and Frey were at ease, able to keep up with Gray Mouse's pace effortlessly, moving quickly without much pause.

All three were first-level beings, making this path virtually easy for them, almost like a leisurely stroll.

But for the merchant, it was difficult. Ordinary people lacked the courage and physical ability to traverse this path.

Before long, the merchant fell to the back of the group, nearly hugging the mountainside, his legs weak, moving very slowly.

Unable to resist glancing at the abyss beside him, his heartbeat instantly quickened, and he quickly shut his eyes, clinging to the mountain.

Just then, a gust of wind blew up from the depths below, scaring the merchant into immobility.

He was now in the middle of the path, with extremely narrow roads ahead and behind, on the verge of collapse.

"Gray Mouse! Help me! Help!" the merchant cried out, sobbing.

Gray Mouse frowned, stopped, glanced back at the distant merchant, and said, "I was only paid to guide you, not carry you. Figure it out yourself."

With that, he turned and walked away without looking back, disappearing around a bend.

The merchant was stunned, not expecting Gray Mouse to disregard him entirely.

Duke and the others naturally wouldn't go out of their way to help. Those who took this route had their own business to attend to; who would bother with someone they had no connection to?

They quickened their pace, soon leaving the merchant far behind.

Duke and the others clearly understood that the merchant would inevitably fall behind sooner or later, it was only a matter of time.

This path wasn't one ordinary people could traverse. The road was narrow now, but if they encountered any demons later, the merchant stood almost no chance of survival.

For the merchant, the wisest choice now was to turn back, return to Goose Peak Castle.

But judging by his demeanor, he was likely fleeing for his life from Goose Peak Castle, and going back probably wouldn't end well either.

The merchant's cries were weak and desperate against the howling mountain winds, soon drowned out, vanishing into the darkness along with the fear swallowed by the abyss.

Gray Mouse's steps didn't pause, as if merely shaking off a speck of dust.

Scarface the mercenary maintained a stoic expression, his gaze fiercely scanning ahead and beneath his feet.

Frey emitted a barely audible scoff, her red lips slightly curled, her thoughts unknown.

The group continued in silence, their pace faster than before.

With no hindrance, Gray Mouse, Scarface, and Frey, as first-level Awakened, fully displayed their abilities, moving with ease over the treacherous mountain path.

Duke remained at the back, neither lagging nor too close, like a silent shadow.

The night deepened, the mountain winds colder.

They crossed a steep ridge, and ahead lay a downward sloping hollow shrouded in thick, damp mist.

The air carried a faint, musty stench, like decaying plants mixed with mud.

"Ahead is the edge of the toxic marsh," Gray Mouse stopped, his voice lowered further, "Stay alert, this place is troublesome. There are venomous leeches in the water and various poisonous insects; the mist likely hides venomous bees, and the ground is riddled with traps. One misstep and you might not come out again. Follow my footprints, and absolutely don't touch anything!"

Duke had already studied the map of this area; it was an absolute death zone for ordinary people, with no chance of crossing it.

But for the Awakened, it posed only minor risks, and baring exceedingly bad luck, generally wouldn't pose too much of a problem.

All the while, Duke compared his mental map as he walked, confirming that Gray Mouse was on the correct route, so he continued following.

Though somewhat troublesome here, it indeed allowed for quicker access to the Toulouse Territory, with direct entry into its interior.

Once inside, identity wouldn't be a concern, having crossed the border inspection barrier, anyone's identity in this era without household registration wouldn't be questioned further.

Gray Mouse took a deep breath, pulling a small leather pouch from his bosom and spreading an acrid, spicy-smelling dark green powder on his trousers and boots.

"Keeps insects and miasma away, though the effect is limited, better than nothing." He offered this explanation, evidently not sharing any with the others.

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