Vlad took the core from the Frostspine Centipede's cold body and, without another word, sprinted through the snow-laden expanse.
It took him four minutes to reach the dead woods. The tall and bare trees loomed like skeletons, and the branches were twisted in frozen agony. He reached the treeline quickly, and as he slowed, his sharp eyes spotted the group ahead.
Elisha, Jade, and Fritz were already there but were not alone. A second group of seven players stood with them, armored and armed, their expressions ranging from curiosity to veiled irritation.
'It looks like they have company,' Vlad thought, eyes narrowing slightly.
'Well… I expected that much.'
Elisha spotted him immediately and stepped forward.
"Sir," she said quickly, glancing back toward the other group, "They refuse to sell me the Wolf's king core, so I..." Before she could finish, a tall man in dark steel armor, massive and broad-shouldered, tossed something toward Vlad.
