The next day not everyone showed up to the morning meeting.
"T-seeker," the leader read aloud from the note that had been left behind, "Sorry about disappearing so suddenly, but now's not the time for me to be traipsing around dungeons with you. Plenty of other guilds are going to need help after running into that big boss, so I'm going back on call at the clinic. Yeah, I know how much you'll miss having me around, but you haven't needed me quite as much. And I know you're not going deeper into the labyrinth just yet. When you do, and you think you'll need me, drop by and I'll see if I can make time to join the active expedition again. In the meantime, I think you'll be alright. Good luck out there, Gabriel" There was a long pause while everyone took this news in.
"I don't believe this!" Maurice cried out, "He's part of our core team! He can't just leave whenever he feels like it!"
"Frustrating," the leader commented, "But it seems he has. We all knew that unlike the rest of us, he has obligations outside of the guild. We shall just have to make due without him."
"Ah, I've been practicing a restoration technique," Kylie piped up, "How can I explain… It works differently than his, but it will help keep our injuries in check."
"...Very well. Francis Crowe, you wait here. The rest of us will investigate other areas of the plains."
Francis nodded silently, but then noticed something. "...What of the Skyship? We used the Geomagnetic Pole to return to town, and left it at the labyrinth entrance."
"Ah, I was wondering when someone would remember that," the leader smiled. "I had attempted a spell that would connect the Skytalon to us, so that it would be transported nearby whenever one of us transported through the field. If it worked, then it will be at the dock now. If not… then we'll need to go back to the labyrinth to pick it up."
There were three more quests posted at the bar.
"Find the headwaters: There is a large river in the Windy Plains that flows near Tharsis. I need to know the exact location of its source. Reward: Warding bell x2."
"That is another request from the Outland Count. This time, he wants you to find a source of water. You can learn more by talking to him at the Grand Court." the proprietress noted.
"It looks simple enough," the guild leader noted. "What about this one?"
"Atelier Request II: It's me, Wynne from the Berund Atelier! I need some Dragon's Blood for a new item. Somebody please get some for me! Reward: Poison Blade"
"That request was submitted by the Berund Atelier," the proprietress recalled, "They said they crafted a new item using Dragon's blood. If you would like to know more, visit the Atelier."
"Dragon's blood..?" the leader muttered, "I'll take that one too then. And the next?"
"I found a hole on BF2 of the Lush Woodlands… I looked inside at night, and a monster jumped out! I'm so scared! Reward: 1000en"
"This is a request specifically to investigate B2F of the Lush woodlands. It mentions a large hole on an unnaturally caved-in area on the southern path… Have you seen this?"
"No, I'm afraid not."
"The client took a lit torch at night to look inside, and was met with an unknown monster springing out. My hopes are that it is merely a misunderstanding… but someone must look into it. If that will be you… Then I await your swift return. The woodlands are dangerous at knight, so be on your guard."
Meanwhile, Maurice was speaking with some of the other people at the bar.
An explorer spoke up to her, but wouldn't meet her eyes. Instead, he was focused on the map he had out for planning. "Seems like you're having a rough time in the Lush Woodlands. I just cleared B1F, but that second floor… I'm thinking I should scale back and train a while at the Small Orchard right next door to the woodlands. But then again, the Small Orchard has that horrible monster that charges twice as fast as you can run.I don't know… I feel like it's the devil I know or the devil I don't," he slumped over and sighed, "Maybe I should just stay home."
Maurice looked away so that he couldn't see her expression. The information was nice, but he seemed too timid to make it far as an explorer. Obviously, he'd "cleared" the Lush woodlands on T-seeker's heels, after they'd already cleared away the barricades.
A visit to the court found the Outland count preoccupied. "Ah, hello. I'm sure you've heard, but a red-furred monster was last seen in the lower reaches of the lush woodlands. It has claimed the lives of many of our soldiers. Left unchecked, it may prove a menace to you explorers, too. I've issued a mission to subjugate the beast. It is the most dangerous task I've requested, but it must be done. If you believe your skill to be up to the challenge, then by all means, accept the mission."
"Very well," the leader said, taking a pen and signing T-seeker up for the mission, "The more guilds take the job, the more likely it will be completed." Although, he didn't plan to make a serious attempt for a while.
"Until now, the greatest threat we'd known in the Lush Woodlands were the black bears… the Cutters," The Count continued, "But now we're getting reports of a bear with red fur, as if stained with blood. It seems much more fearsome. Encountering new species means, on the one hand, that our explorations are advancing, but we can't celebrate yet. Not after these casualties." He seemed a bit disheartened at the price of progress, but quickly riled himself up again. "It's safe to say that this red-furred beast has the run of the lower floors. And so I have issued a mission to Eliminate the threat lurking in the Lush Woodlands! We must secure our explorers' safety by eradicating whatever thwarts our search, starting with this beast. The mission will be more dangerous than any you have faced, so it would not do for you to be unprepared. I have asked the Guildmaster to supply you with something that will help you stay alive in the labyrinths. Stop by the Explorers Guild and see him before you go any further. That's all from me! Best of luck, then."
"One more thing…" The leader spoke up, "I realize that you're occupied, but we've also taken your request regarding the river."
"Hmm? Ah, the request! Yes, yes, are you the ones who accepted it?" The Count brightened up as he remembered this lighter mission, "Then I dare say I can ask for a large favor. Do you know the wide river that flows around the city? That river's water has long sustained our people. What I want is to discover the river's source. It's bound to be somewhere in the Windy Plains. If you can find it, report back to me here. Though if you already know where it is, there's no need to wait!"
"Not yet, unfortunately. But it shouldn't be long."
As they left the grand court, they passed by a young girl.
"Wynne?" Olivia was the first to speak, "I'm surprised to see you out of the Atelier."
Wynne responded with a smile. "Wow, didja have some bidness wit the Outland Count? He's all fired up about dis mission. I got da big shipment of Pole Stones and Silver whistles he ksed for. Iunno if ya know, but Pole Stones carry ya to da last stairs ya used. An da Silver Whistle takes ya clean outta da labyrint. Kinda like da Ariadne Thread, akshally. I got em out in da store, so c'mon and take a look-see if ya wanna!"
In a brief visit to the Explorers Guild:
"There y'are, T-seeker. The Outland Count told me a bit about what you'll be facing," the Guildmaster spoke up as they entered the guild, casting a critical eye over them. "The red beastie on B2F of the Lush Woodlands… you're a mite lacking in strength to be hunting that thing. That's why, as overseer of the guild, I've got a new kind of skill for you." He handed over three bound scrolls, labeled Dual Fangs, Shield Tactic, and Book of Flight. "That there's a Burst Skill. The essence of the techniques your forebears used is written down in it. There are more to find, and I suggest y'do. Burst skills will do a lot to up your survivability in the wild."
It turned out that the spell to bind the Skytalon to T-seeker through the Geomagnetic field had been a success, and they soon headed off, passing around the Burst Skill scrolls to try to memorize them. As the airship drifted along, they were lucky enough to fish up a Sakura Trout, which they traded to Kirjonen for a Harvest Charm.
Afterwards, they followed the river up past the Lush Woodlands, and spotted a grove of brightly colored fruit trees on the opposite bank. Many animals seemed to flock there to feed on the fruits. It was exciting to think of what they might find with a closer look. But, the leader announced that they would continue further on to find the river's source before investigating.
Eventually, they arrived at a quiet spot surrounded by cliffs. There was a cool wind here, and the green cliffs sheltered them from the sun. On a closer look, the water seemed to be gushing from cracks in the cliff face.
"So, this is the river source we were hired to look for," Kylie said, "You know I have to admit I like these simple quests."
"It is rather relaxing," the leader said, "...Discovering a simple truth like this can only make people happy.
"Wow," Maurice muttered, "That's surprising coming from him."
After a quick lunch, the skyship landed at the Small Orchard.
The explorers stepped off from the ship onto a small, winding path. They hadn't expected to find anyone, but as they turned a corner, they spotted a Tharsis soldier.
"Hm? Do you have business in this labyrinth too?" His voice and expression were both cheerful, even through his helmet. "The worst this place has are a few weak fawns, so this'll be a breeze. I'll finish up quick and hit the bar!" He seemed dubiously confident for a man in a dangerous labyrinth. He left, whistling to himself.
"I guess we shouldn't have much to worry about, then," Kylie said.
"No, that's wrong. What about that really fast monster we heard about in the bar?" Maurice protested.
The guild leader hmmed, "...Fawns seldom leave the protection of their parents," he finally said, "...Not even Furyhorn fawns."
"...An FOE?" Olivia responded.
"I'd need to see one to be sure. But hold your fire if we see them. The ordinary monsters will be bad enough without provoking more."
A little further along, they spotted one grazing in the distance.
"As I thought, FOE," he muttered, "These "Furyfawns" are closer to our capabilities than others we've seen. But it would be better if we didn't provoke whatever guardian they have. This way," He led the group down a different path.
They found another hammer in a treasure chest. This one was a poison hammer - useful if they wanted to make their weapons poisonous. Continuing on, they were able to reach a spot where a Furyfawn had been grazing, and pick up some uneaten fruit. Some was a type of nut called a Shea fruit. They planned to move on, but Olivia noted that another tree nearby had been chewed on, causing red resin to drip down. The leader cradled his head as he recalled that this plant was colloquially known as a "Dragon Tree". Which of course would make its sap "Dragon's blood". And here they'd been worried that quest would take ages to get around to.
The leader estimated that they had mapped half of the small maze when disaster struck. James hadn't been standing up to the enemies as well as usual - Kylie's Regen Waltz was quite slow-acting. So it should not have been such a surprise when he crumpled when two frogs jumped on top of him at once. Kylie tried to boost their defenses to make up for his absence, but she didn't last long herself. Maurice fought valiantly, but the giant frogs were durable. By the time the leader had focused a spell to finish them off, he and Olivia were the only ones still standing.
"Damnation…" he said, feeling for a pulse on Kylie, the most fragile of them, "If we don't get them magical healing, then they are dead," he stated.
"We were careless…," Olivia muttered, "But we can get that. An Ariadne thread-"
"Of course. But one last thing…" He pulled the escape item out of their pack, and whispered a few magic words as he unrolled it…
"What was that about?" Olivia asked, as their surroundings faded away to be replaced by the streets of Tharsis.
"I'll explain later. No time now," he responded rushing towards the clinic while dragging Maurice and James' bodies behind him.