Antonio dashed through the streets of Autumn Leaf in search of people but couldn't find anyone and it seemed like the city was deserted. He was roaming around the city for a while but couldn't find a single person who didn't belong to the clan of Raven Cleave. He immediately called the others to give the report as well as take theirs.

"Antonio here, I found no one in the Southern part of the city, What about you all?" asked Antonio.

"Arnold here, Antonio, this place seems deserted. There is no one in the western part of the city," reported Arnold.

"Chris here, It seems the people in the city have vanished from the face of this world," growled Chris.

"According to my knowledge, the direction we haven't checked yet is north, people of this city must have had been captured and held hostage by the enemy there," informed Antonio.

"I think Antonio is right, what do you say, Chris?" asked Arnold.

"I agree too. What should we do now? asked Chris

" Let's look for them," replied Antonio.

"But, where?" questioned Arnold.

"Do you all see that fortress in the Northern Part of Woodrow?" asked Antonio.

"Yeah, I can see it," replied Chris.

"Yeah, It is situated in the banks of river Tompo," said Arnold.

"Let's move there, I am sure we will find a clue out there," suggested Antonio.

"Yes, let's meet at the entrance of the fortress," said Arnold.

"Ok, let's meet there." agreed Chris.

"Then, it's decided. we all are going to the Northern part of the city." all of them cried in unison.

Antonio cut the call and dashed towards the fortress. The building was a huge five-story, made with stones and cement. It was situated on the crest of a low hill in the Northern Part of Woodrow City. It used to be the fortress of the Baron who was the local lord of the city before it was captured by the clan of Raven Cleave. Now, it was upon Antonio to seize the city from Hector and made the city his stronghold.

After sneaking from the gazes of the guards, Antonio reached the bottom of the hill where others were waiting for him. It was getting dark as the sun had set behind the clouds and the temperature decreased by bit as the pleasant breeze started to blow. The trees and bushes were lined in a row leading to a narrow path that leads to the top where the fortress stood.

"Wait! I want everyone to hide in the tall bushes" cried Antonio.

Everyone immediately hid behind the tall bushes as soon as they heard Antonio. They all waited for forty seconds and saw that a small brigade of players was coming from the narrow path in their direction. They all had worn full plate armors and had either spears or swords sheathed across their back.

"They are probably players from Raven Cleave send by Hector to patrol. This makes me even surer that the people are held in that fortress," commented Antonio.

"What are we waiting for then, let's kick in and kill them now," suggested Arnold.

"Yup, I am into this with Arnold. I hadn't had the privilege to kill even a single monster since we embarked on this new journey." 

"No! I need everyone to stay at their positions and I would handle these goons on my own.

"But Antonio, we just want to help you out," argued Mia.

"Look, Hector doesn't know that I have you guys supporting me. Also, I messaged Leon and Luke to come for aid and they replied that they would reach here very soon since they have their dragon mounts. I just want you all as an element of surprise." explained Antonio as he stood up from his place.

Antonio activated his [Stealth] skill and ran in the direction of the guards. He knew that the stealth skill has only one counter skill in the whole Eternal Battlegrounds which was [Magic Sense] and it would take a player ten points alone to unlock it which would be too costly for new players. He sneaked behind one of the guards and used a skill  [Cut throat] which cut through the guard's throat instantly depleting his Hit Points.

[System Warning: Antonio just killed a player outside the battle zone, The Life Force is depleted to One.]

"Huh What! How do I forget this, Leon and Luke had told me to unlock the Survival Skill called [Battle Frenzy] before fighting off zones," exclaimed Antonio.

"If I can't kill them then, I know what I can do. Wan! Please activate the skill called [sleep incense]." He ordered.

Immediately, the whole area around the radius of five meters covered into a dense fog. All of the party members of Antonio were at a distance of seven meters so, it wouldn't affect them. But, the guards who were at a distance of three meters started falling on the ground. The sleeping incense can put anyone to sleep for an hour. It could be used as an escape skill if anyone is heavily disadvantaged in a battle.

"Come on out guys, We should rush towards the fortress. I have a score to settle with a dear friend of mine," shouted Antonio.

"Okay, We are coming," yelled Chris on behalf of everyone.

All of them ran through the narrow path that ultimately led to the fortress. They all were confident that they wouldn't be bothered by anyone until they reached the entrance of the fortress. But, soon they were proved wrong as they heard a thundering roar from the dark pathway and a huge black hound with three faces blocked their path. And from above, A tall guy of around six feet yelled something and jumped onto the ground.

"Where you think you're going, to the fortress?" asked the giant and started laughing.

"Indeed, please don't block our way, we have to save people from imprisonment which was forced to them by Hector," replied Antonio.

"Tell me something I don't know, and if you want to pass through then, Duel with me, right here and now."

"Apologies great sir, But, I need to do this," said Antonio in a low tone and used the skill, Sleep incense.

"Trying to use Sleep Incense, unfortunately, it won't work on me." laughed the giant and used his bone club to hit Antonio in his gut.

"Ugh, you can't do this to meh," said Antonio between the breaths.

His Hit Points were depleting slowly but, it seemed like he was paralyzed and he saw his friends falling asleep due to the effect of his skill. He saw a purple drop mark in the top left corner of his vision field. It marked that he was poisoned. His Hit Points were depleted slowly but steadily. Antonio lost more than half of his Hit Points before he saw the Giant guy walking towards him slowly.

"I want to live, I don't wanna die. Please, let me live." pleaded Antonio as his eyes filled with tears.

"This is the end for you, Dragon Knight. Nice meeting you and killing you." laughed the Giant.