As the bartender watched Vivian, and soon Pieter, return to their seats, he called up a few acquaintances of his before calling the cook to round them up a feast. The food came and the group settled into eating well with a conversation that opened their livebooks to each other, giving an account of who they were and their reasons for traveling as an adventurer. Sashral expressed her feelings on being a captive slave, which confused Vivian and Trae somewhat with how composed and grateful she was in such a horrible position. The difference of opinion was strange, but that one account gave the group a better understanding of the mysterious Bugbears. Emma told of her sorrowful issues at home, only to step away for a moment to compose her sadness alone.
Soon though, the task of getting to know each other ended as Markus returned and the food continued to vanish from the table. While the group rested, three locals stepped towards the group and humbly asked Vivian if she could spare a few coins for their poor families. When Vivian declined to assist them, since she's decided to fully invest in the ones who saved her life, the three men simply departed. Relieved, Vivian was happy they'd left, but Trae knew that wasn't the case. An ambush was likely waiting for them upon their exit. They needed to plan a new way out.
Suddenly, a hooded figure stepped to them, agreeing with Trae and explaining how he's already witnessed the three locals successfully harassing other travelers that day. He questioned why the three men were targeting Vivian, which she only replied that she's revealed her money pouch and obviously they decided that if they properly ask - she would share.
The man reveals that he has a plan to assist their escape from the tavern, to which the group voice their opinions. After realising that several members seemed at unease, particularly Vivian, he questions the intentions of the group. Trae introduces him to Markus, their leader, and informs him that they just wish to assist one another in finding their own paths. Satisfied by the response, the man finally asks them if they all share the motive in an attempt to draw a response from Vivian. Feeling insulted, Vivian defends her purpose by stating that if she didn't share their objective, she wouldn't be there. The man leaves Markus to make the decision on whether to trust him or not, leading to some of the group discussing their wish to place their faith in him in order to escape as well as Vivian apologising for seeming troublesome. Trae takes it upon himself to request the man's assistance and states that he believes the needs of the group is the most important thing.
The man presents to the group two plans which they could use to escape the tavern - to flee together and leave the thugs to continue plundering or to divide the group and surround the thugs. The group turns to Markus for his opinion, who believes that they should avoid fighting, however Vivian bravely offers herself as a decoy, much to Trae's delight.
Splitting into two parties, the group make their exit, with most of them heading through a secret corridor around the back while Vivian and the man walk straight into the thug's ambush. When the thugs vilely suggest that she hand over her coins and her skirt, Vivian reveals to them that she is neither alone nor willing to negotiate, and proceeds to manipulate the mind of a thug who finds humour in her words. Taking a hold of their will, she makes one thug laugh himself to death while manipulating the other into seeing an illusionary monster and killing his own friend in a vain attempt to save him. However, Vivian is taken by surprise when a thug attacks her from behind. The hooded man reveals that he is also an illusionist by taking a hold of the thug's mind and culling it into a deep sleep, before painlessly killing him and paying his respects. Vivian then compels the hysterical thug to strangle himself while the final one takes his own life.
Meanwhile, as Markus and his companions make their way out of the tunnel, it seems that more thugs had lain out an ambush for them. Sashral fiercely slays one of the bandits with a swipe from her claws, however, Colette is unable to resist the thug attacking her and is impaled through her heart by her opponent's sword. Angered, Trae leaps onto the thug's back and beat him to death with his hammer, causing Serei to flee in fright. Toma manages to wound the bandit who he is facing, albeit with grave wounds himself, and he perishes. Witnessing this, Pieter also flees the scene for his own safety. The bandit also manages to bury an axe in Axin's back, only to have his throat slit by Markus' blade. After clashing with a half-orc thug, Sashral tears out his gut and drives her pitchfork through the half-orc's skull.
With the thugs dead, the group splits up again, with half of the survivors searching for Serei while Trae and Emma go to assist Vivian. Trae informs them of the deaths of Colette, Toma and Axin. The hooded man also informs Trae that Vivian was to thank for their success, and voices the good impression that her skills have given to him. When the pair reach the group, they realise that Serei and Sashral are absent. The hooded man hurries to Sashral's side and manages to spot Serei, who has attempted to take her own life. He persuades her to return with them. Discussing Serei's fate with Markus, Trae is pleased to see that the girl has survived and Vivian tends to her wound with oils made from a flower from her homeland.
Markus thanks the hooded man, who introduces himself as Simon Ashstill, for his help and tells him that he is welcome to join them. Though grateful, Simon kindly refuses the offer, but agrees to seek out the group once he has fulfilled an obligation.
