“What, what is it? What’s so funny?” Apoline was confused by the sudden burst of laughter that filled the tavern.

The Cassiubia League members paid no attention to her and continued to boisterously laugh. Then they soon went back to talking amongst each other as if nothing happened. Of course, there were a few monsters who were still looking at the expedition members. One of them stood up—it was a lizard covered in scales with a physique similar to humans.

“What…what’s up with everyone’s reaction?”

“Of course they’ll act like that.” While Apoline was dumbfounded, the lizard approached her with staggering steps and said, “How can you not laugh when a group of nobodies suddenly appear and ask for a skilled guide?” Judging from the lizard’s slurred voice, they seemed a bit tipsy.

“A group of nobodies?”

“Hey, hey, don’t get me wrong.” When Apoline glared at them with sharp eyes, the lizard said, “Whoa,” and took a couple steps back and laughed. “I’m not just talking about you guys. I can say that about a lot of us here as well.”

“But we’re not nobodies.” Apoline protested.

“Hehe. I understand. I was like that at first too. But if you get taught a harsh lesson and return—”

“Ha.” Then a cold sneer interrupted the lizard. “You sure talk a lot for someone who already failed the expedition and barely managed to save your life.” Emmanuel gave the lizard a contemptuous look. It seemed he was just as offended as Apoline.

The lizard’s eyes became sharp at Emmanuel’s obvious mockery, but they soon laughed dryly and said, “That’s what everyone says. At first, they all confidently enter the forest, saying they’ll be different, but do you know?” The lizard snickered and continued, “None of those who made the same claim ever came back alive.” The lizard looked at each and every one of the expedition members and said, “Do you think the temporary entry ban has been imposed for no reason? What do you have to say about that?”

The expedition members...