A/N: Welcome back to Demon Slayer, the author needs to do everyone a favor and get good.

Theawesomess: Wishing you the best of luck with school!
bitchbot: The Kirito hate should ease off :P he's an old meme here
NetherOrbit: Yuuki isn't a yandere, cause yandere's have a love interest :P
Den3424: I'll try to persist in other POVs, just remember who the MC is :D
Doctor: Holding your precious Bill hostage till you give my story a -83/10
Tbunderwolf: the red aura will be revealed in due time :3

Enjoy! Remember to review!

Thou who witnesses a [Tauran Dance] taking place should learneth the word patience. Interrupting such an event will result in harsh punishment from they who neigh. The results of each dance vary, move thy legs!

Moon Dances are performed upon every full moon. Slow and smooth, it's meant to celebrate feminine energy, fertility, and good luck in foraging.

Dance of Throws are performed before every battle between tribes. Quick and loud, stomping hooves will be thy greatest hint to go-ith away.

Dance of Claps, an eloquent plea for rain. Vertically raised hands, spinning, why'd they steal ballet? Warning: the more Tauran participating, the more likely rain will arrive within hours of the ritual's end.

Cow Dance, exactly what it says on the can, nimrod. They dance for their [Trembling Cow], apparently to prepare it for milking. This milk is not for sale, nay it is either for their young or a newly anointed chief. Impersonating the struts and trots of bovine, thou wilt never find such a ritual performed without said cow.

-Godfree, The Beta Tester's Survival Guide. December 5th, 2022

November 22nd, 2022 - Garr

Curled up in a sleeping bag, a nightlong mental bombardment slowed to a stop. I was wrong, I knew it the second I left our cave. It was hard to stomach, but Lisbeth cared about me. She showed it over and over, despite every reason to remain suspicious. I was rushing out there, my sense of inadequacy entrenched. I thought I ended Miakane's cult, but I hadn't. People continued to die, cause I didn't go far enough. Every death his minions caused, was on me. It was hard to sleep at all, I had to go. If we turned on the [Aetherial Tether], we'd save them.

Waking without rest, I found Lisbeth already up, looking over to me with a soft gaze, curly hair brushed.

"Morning," she said, her feet turned fully my way.

I repeated, watching as she closed in, footsteps small, hands cupped together. Seating herself beside me, she lowered her voice.

"That was...real sweet of you."

"What was?" I shrugged, climbing out of my bag.

I knelt for a push-up, inching away from Lisbeth. God, I was looking pathetic, muscles had to be shrinking. Strength training activated, its menu requesting me to choose a starting workout as I rose. Past its opaque background, however, she stepped through, standing mere inches from me, her eyes wet and big, those freckles so brilliant. Had to admit, sharing similar height made eye contact easier.

"Go ahead and die, I won't have any use for you!"

To consider myself so expendable to Lisbeth cut me deeper than anyone's sword. It was petty, it was stupid, I didn't need anyone to gauge my self value. Glancing to her though, my lips pressed together, chest tightening.

"It's...been a rough couple days for us," she brushed a curly bang aside with a trembling finger, "I said somethings I didn't mean and...I'm sorry."

Her lip quivered, shoulders drooping.

"Going out and getting me that stuff," she nodded weakly, "even when you shouldn't have."

Well, this was new. Here Lis was, standing there and apologizing, humbling herself when I said mean things too. Looking down at her feet briefly, I cleared my throat.

"Doesn't make what I said acceptable," I blinked, fingers curling, "You didn't deserve that."

She nodded, wiping her eyes with a brief sniff.

"My idea was stupid," I rubbed my goosebump riddled arms, "wasn't thinking straight."

"Why though?" she said, "you just kinda went up like that."

Laughter from a long dead kobold echoed, spurring on a shiver. Only I could hear it, a uniqueness I'd give away if at all possible.

"I...guess my mind's still back in that cave," I brushed my hair back with stiff fingers, "after everything we did? Knowing it didn't stop them? I feel responsible for it."

Lisbeth nodded, eyes alert.

"Can only imagine how the others must feel," I shook my head, "if only I had broken their morale."

"But you did," Lis spoke with sureness, "like I said, they're disorganized now."

"Then I completely missed that," I face-palmed, "oh well, least we're okay, right?"

"Aye," she smiled softly.

A brief pause fell between us, an inner heat building. I had to admit, Lisbeth was at times a very reasonable person, patient even. If anything, maybe it screamed just how immature it made me look in comparison. She was recovering from an addiction, yet had a strength I never found in others. What was she doing here?

As if commanded by underlying programming, my arms outstretched, seeking to envelop. Instead of reeling back, Lisbeth leaned forward, accepting my offer. She was cool, perfect for snuggling up with, curly hairs brushing my ear as we stood, warming each other as emotions simmered down. Her heartbeat was quick, energetic, ending with her release a minute or two later.

"H-How about some breakfast?" she stammered, "Made you a couple of eggs."

Took me a second to answer Lis, was ready to fall asleep for some reason.

Baking under an open sun, we stopped a few minutes in our westbound trek, my gaze trimming over our horizon. A vast desert of tan laid ahead, mountains of sand tall as high-risers, steep too. Opening my menu, it indicated our entry into Floor Five. Couldn't stop looking behind us though, fracking [Drifters] scared me.

"Hm," I rubbed flecks of dust off my cheek, "yea, this complicates things."

"How so?" Lis said, her voice sounding drained.

"Simple, outlying societies. It's pretty clear that we'll be in need to watch all sides, not just one."

"Mm," her head tilted lazily to one side.

Turning east, her eyes remained foggy.

"Lis?" I smiled, "If you became a super-villain, what would your hideout be?"

Was looking to draw her away from whatever burdened her, misty eyes clearing a little, looking ahead.

"Maybe a prison," Lis said, hands bobbing in her pockets.

"Why there?"

"Cause," she shrugged, "it'd be the last place a hero would look. The place nobody wants to be."

"Ah," I nodded, "clever as usual."

"Thanks."

While her lips lifted, it was so obviously fake. Every nerve in my brain read past it, she was still hurt. Her feet no longer paced close to mine, orbiting behind me like a car's backseat. Still, she might've wanted alone time.

Our path to Urbus was littered with armored [Red Spotted Beetles], an opportunity I took feverishly. Flipping and hacking as they came, Lisbeth cursed and hid behind me, despite her possessing the more effective weapon. Upon my first stab, however, something hissed. My eyelids clamped shut, arms shaking, Kobolds flashing in my mind.

"Uh, Garr?"

I shivered, gaze snapped towards my planted [Siege Blade], grimacing as smoky air plumed, the beetle long gone in a puff of blue.

"Its blood was...god," she said, "Oh I wanna kill you right now. Dipping it in acid."

"Goddammit!" I held up my Zweihander, noting etches along its mass, "You just fixed this."

"Sh," she slapped my arm, "Don't wanna bring that spider over."

"I'm not gonna lose you again!"

Glancing over my shoulder, my sights set on any nearby trees. Golden grass, hot sun, and glory holes, a savannah stretching out all around us, with an even harsher domain of sand and grit to our left. Damn heat would kill us if the bugs didn't first, no wonder elves didn't hang here.

"How long have you known?"

I bit my cheek, stepping into an emotional minefield. Shit, I didn't know how to handle this. Well, best to drive into it like a tank, slowly.

"Around two days, since we've met."

Looked like Lisbeth was swallowing a grenade, continuing to work fingers in her pockets.

"Can't even imagine how it must feel," I slowed to her pace, "waking up, thinking you're the worst."

Lis said nothing, continuing to walk without looking at me.

"Truth is though, you're far from that. What you're dealing with right now, it's not a moral flaw."

"How is it not?" Lis shivered, "Garr, do you have any idea what I've done before now?"

"Do you think it'd change my mind? Lis, you've been really...nice to me."

A cloudless savannah sky bored down on us, baking us.

"I know I've said mean things to you, and I might be the cringiest man alive to say this, but..."

Her eyes set on me again, shutting me up.

"Mm. I...might need a minute to word it right."

"Hm," she looked away nodding before easing sight back to me, "What's your name? Garr's kinda hard for me to say with my accent."

I was about to answer her, but it'd leave me with little to work with. Cause she had a riddle to her name, why not a little question for me?

"Depends," I rubbed lips together, biting a corner, "maybe if you answer a question."

"Shoot," she smiled, "oh...and nice blush."

Hearing her quip almost commenced a sympathetic detonation, cheeky devil!

"In the big picture," I exhaled to slow my racing heart, "is the individual ultimately responsible for their actions and decisions?"

"Nah," she crossed arms over her sizable chest, "we've got others to blame for our shit. Why think about consequences?"

Sarcasm was bursting out of her like pressurized water, her answer lightening my very step.

"Anyone can make excuses," Lis continued, "but ultimately, it's you who has to make a choice."

She paused, digging hands in pockets again. From my point of view, she spotted hypocrisy, thinking herself just as culpable. This alone though, spoke volumes about who Lis was. A column of air jammed in my lungs, her words repeating. A sensible woman, introspective too.

"Aiden," I spoke, only to be silenced by a crack in my voice.

Of every creature I ran into, she was absolutely the worst. She had to be that gorgeous, a ruby my sights wouldn't leave, and be reasonable. All of it, and she lived so far away. Screw me, she's a twelve.

Miles ahead, we stumbled upon wind eroded stone pavement, shrouded by a thin layer of sun burnt dirt, whose pale, lifeless husks scraped against leather soles. Resting taller than trees, however, a mountain of serious girth appeared north of our position. Round like a mound, several squat stone structures poked out.

"Built inside a mountain," I said, "Big crater right in the middle and several layers of buildings," I grinned, "Defense for days."

"Wonder if it's really a ghost town," Lis tilted her head, "Mean, they were wrong about horses."

"Hope so. Last thing we'd want is another non-human power to answer to."

Following this tarnished road, we reached Urbus' front passage. A tunnel of chiseled, dark stone led into unlit lengths, its entry blocked off by a thick portcullis, sitting tall over its mouth with arrays of rusted iron. Grabbing individual bars, I tried pulling, hoping to bend, open a gap.

"Uh," Lisbeth tilted her head.

"Just testing," I breathed, face heating as I tugged.

"You're not pulling that, mate."

"Don't doubt me!"

Tried lifting with thick quadriceps, bending my knees, only to find myself groaning, arms wobbling as my legs burned. Groaning, I stepped off without success.

"Dammit," I stumbled back, gasping, "Okay, maybe not."

"It's a big metal gate," she shrugged, "what gave you that idea?"

"I don't...accept many limits," I caught my breath, "never listen to the meek."

Looking up and around this opening, however, I saw only a serious issue, heights. My knees bent, mind transporting and falling from merely considering an actual presence up there. Shit, there had to be another way inside.

[To Argo: How many entrances are there to Urbus?]

[From: Only one in its original design. Course you could climb right? Haha]

This Argo person could die in a fire. My eyes narrowed, legs going heavy. There's not a chance I'd climb something as tall as what stood before me, not without falling.

"What's wrong?" Lis peeped.

"Our only way in is up," my face turned cold.

Christ, I had to be the most disappointing guy ever. Afraid of heights, what madness was this? With a sizable lump in my throat, I had to fight off a weight pulling me down.

"Huh, alright then."

Lisbeth walked towards a near vertical face, grabbing and lifting herself a little before glancing down. Dammit, I couldn't let myself be so weak, I rushed up grabbing some surfaces.

"Wait," Lis said, "I'm checking something."

I jerked a bit, my grip tightening, body clinging. God, I was gonna fall! Hearing scraping shoes, a hand was extended.

"Need a hand there?"

I blinked for a moment, but denied her hand.

"N-No."

"Why not?"

"Cause I...gotta toughen up."

I tried stepping up, my shoe dug partway into a pocket, only to loosen. Cursing out, I slammed myself forward, clawing into stones. Ya, keep letting others down, Aiden. It's not like they're dying out there, waiting for you to grow a pair. God, if only I wasn't so scared of such a little thing, Audie Murphy wasn't afraid of stuff like this, he fought two hundred German soldiers by himself! Something thumped, stopping beside me. I glanced right, finding Lisbeth smiling softly.

"Wanna learn how to climb?"

Sun Dancer

-Lisbeth

Our ascent was as slow as a snail's death by salt shaker, but Aiden was stubborn. He'd often slip, freezing in place, his fingers tight as rope. Much as he tried denying any need for help, I could tell how scared he was, pausing with every strong breeze. It didn't bother me though, I was actually glad I could help him with something.

Reaching a flat point an hour in, we both sat to breathe, its smooth surface rough on my fingers.

"So far so good," Aiden nodded, wiping his brow.

"Aye," I rested my head, looking up, "Course, now we got a new problem."

Surfaces as smooth as marble laid above us, with only a few cliff ends sticking out. Worse yet, they were over eight feet high. Attempting a jump, however, I found myself failing to reach, sliding slightly.

"Shit!" I jerked back.

"Lis," Aiden bent his knees, cupping his hands and splaying them, "I'll lift you."

"But, you might lose control," I shuddered, looking down, "I ain't taking a fall like that."

"I'll be gentle, come on."

Bending over, he let me climb on those massive shoulders, lifting me high up. While he wobbled a little, I was able to grab on, our combined heights succeeding in reaching the next spot. Hauling myself upward, however, I paused. Had to figure out a way to get Aid up too.

"Wait," he looked to our wall, "What if you mined this?"

"Oh my god," I facepalmed, "Why didn't I think of that!"

Raising a pick, I swung, my answer being [Landmark - Cannot Mine]

"Yea...not happenin',"

"Dammit," Aiden's head dipped.

"Hm, try jumping?" I laid down, offering a hand, "I can catch you."

"Girl you're not lifting me, I'm too heavy!"

"It's a game, you gotta trust me!"

He looked down, arms drooping, locking up inside.

"Hey, hey," I waved a hand, "Don't look down, just jump and grab my hand."

"And what if you can't lift me up?" he grimaced.

"I'm not lifting you. I'm only providing a grab point."

He glanced back and forth, sweating harshly.

"Don't worry, you can do it!" I motioned my outstretched hand, "Jump, it'll be okay!"

He shivered, looking around, legs bobbing. Must've terrified him, being so high up, his body low. Glancing back up at me though, he nodded, muttering to himself as he curled his lips in. Sweeping his arms back and forth, he prepped to jump, going for a three count. Moving my other hand over, I smiled, nodding in hopes he'll do it. Watching his legs extend, I almost forgot how strong his legs were, cause I ended up grabbing his elbow instead mid-flight. Aid flopped a little, scrambling as his hand latched onto stone, climbing over me to reach safety.

"Oh god, it worked," he cheered weakly, "It actually worked!"

"See, I knew you can do it," I sat up, "Mm, course we got another five steps to go."

"Okay, okay, okay," he waved his hands, "I can do this...come on, let's move."

While our next two times were as long and hard as the last, it got easier. Aid would haul me up, and I would grab his arm long enough for him to find an edge. While hours passed, we eventually returned to surfaces we could grab onto. My fingers grabbed hardened pockets of stone, shoes gently kicking me upward. Wind scratched around this mountain's pale stone, its surface covered in notches.

"Back home, I'd climb trees everyday after school," I breathed, "Was slow at first, but got better every time."

"Was gonna say, you're really good at this." Aiden stumbled, "Takes a good sense of balance to do this. Hey, bunkers."

Peaking out of portions around us, low structures of sand-colored stone peeked out. Keeping squat, their slits allowed for viewing outside. Aid examined one, his knees relaxing.

"Wow, this looks pretty modern, well minus their slanted top. Could fit right through if we wanted to."

"Oi, let's not get distracted!" I said, "We're almost there."

Aiden followed, his sluggish ascension cautious. Wind blew through those buildings, howling as it slipped through abandoned alcoves within Urbus' defenses. Passing by another abandoned post, only Urbus' rim remained. Getting back alongside me, Aid froze again, eyes bulging.

"Lis," his breath hitched, "Don't. Move."

Crack, crack, something stirred on these slopes. Glancing to one side, my throat cut off a yelp, a [Drifter] standing no more than maybe a dozen meters away, eyes set on us. My body clung to stone, eyes tearing as my jaw clenched. Aiden whispered slowly.

"Move into that bunker. Now."

Fearing for my life, I slipped down, my arms and legs working their hardest to reach inside, Garr using himself as a shield to protect me as I shoved myself through. The bunker's slit was plenty wide, allowing me to cram in the farthest corner I could manage. Aiden's fast motions stirred our stalker, its building long legs clacking against rock, dust spilling from our ceiling as it crawled atop old roofs, whipping arms inside to find us.

His [Siege Blade] swung wide, the anger in his voice loud as it crashed against its means of inspection, his back pressing me away. Joints popped, but no damage was done, his shouts enticing it to keep trying. Only when a leg was severed did it stop, pulling away without any hint of damage, its lifeless limb limp.

"That's weird, thing's got bones inside...not out," Aid kicked it.

Clack, clack, it moved again, down Urbus' wall, jumping off with only a light whiff of air to indicate. Racing up to our only window, my eyes trailed down to where it landed, something running away. It was another Tauran, too far for me to make out features, but enough to see its stalker. The long-legged [Drifter] drove a limb forward, impaling the poor horsie. My feet cemented, eyes unable to turn away.

Lifted to its torso, the [Drifter] unsheathed a mosquito's proboscis, jamming it right through, no matter how much its target screamed. Its body shrank, its parasite growing, turning a deep red as its little body swelled. My stomach protested at it, turning my eyes away.

"Jeez," Aiden rested his [Siege Blade], "It's growing a new one."

Gagging, I wanted to hurl, to expel what filth I had witnessed. A [Drifter] grabbed me once only yesterday. To imagine it as how I would've died, left me shivering horribly.

"Well, now we know."

I winced, how was he not scared?

"W-Why didn't you pull me away?" I choked, "I shouldn't...ugh."

"We needed to know what it can do," he put a hand on my shoulder, "Now we do, so let's not go there."

"Aye," I nodded.

Aiden peeked outside a second time, releasing me.

"It's gone right now. You good?"

Tightening my stomach, I peeked out too. Clear of threats, I slipped out again, offering him a hand out. Taking it, his grip hardened.

"Hey, too hard."

"Oops," he said.

He eased, releasing me and latching onto rocks. Clawing with fingers, we ascended what little remaining distance we had left, stopping as I stood on Urbus' cliff, my eyes widened to what stood around me.

"Wow."

So much was visible from up here. From a really dense forest northeast, to large camps shy of them in distance. A large force was occupying there, no clue who or what though. Vast deserts covered the west, an utterly massive mountain bulging northwest, couldn't even see its edge.

"I dunno about you," Aiden smiled, "but I'd eat up here. Bacon cheeseburger, avocado...spice sprinkled fries."

"Mm," my eyes narrowed, "Now I want one. Good goin', Aid."

His face reddened a bit, looking outward. It was so cute, watching him squirm at a mere mention of his name. He's gotten really sensitive since I answered that question of his, wonder why.

"Is it truth?" Aid cupped his chin in a hand.

Ha, he was still trying to solve my riddle. Seemed a bit unfair though, mean he did give me his name. Ugh, but toying with him was too fun!

"Would you like another riddle?" I leaned, narrowing my eyes.

"No," Aiden said sternly, "quitting's for wimps."

"To be fair," I tossed my hair gently, "I gave you a hard one."

"Worth it."

Aiden stopped, as if triggered by his own words. I couldn't hide my grin though, knowing my name meant that much to him, despite everything.

"Suit yourself," I feigned indifference, "as for me? I'm taking a break."

Taking a seat, we kept eyes to what surrounded us, catching our breath.

"Damn, surprised I made it up here," he said, "Thanks Lis, really. You really helped."

"Sure thing, mate," I readjusted, "That was some..."

Looking down, past Urbus' edge, I covered my mouth. Its streets were crawling with bugs, hundreds of them. Roaming on so many legs, so many buzzing. Long, slender legs stuck out of some buildings, [Drifters], more than five, scurrying around with those creepy feet.

"Nope," I covered my mouth, backing away.

Spotting what I did, Aiden too stirred, but he remained still. Urbus had no quiet corners, a total mosh pit of insects. My skin crawled, eyes shutting as I shook it off. Crawling on me, biting me.

"Hm."

"No," I shook my head, "I'm not going in there."

"Good," he glanced back down, "with what intel we have presented, we'd be forced to engage in building to building combat."

He groaned, eyes sweeping Urbus' corners.

"Heath's not gonna like this."

"Those bugs will tear the assault team apart if they got in," I shivered, "We have to clean it up."

"More rubble, less trouble," Garr nodded strongly, "how about taming those Red Hooves?"

Thinking about it, my mind clicked. He was right.

"How?" I said softer.

"Judging by standard rules of 'barbarian tribe', I gotta show myself as stronger than them," he brushed his head, his hair too short to be moved, "I'd imagine I'm a bit low leveled though, nothing we couldn't fix, aye?"

"Well first thing, I want down," I paced, "Those bugs are way too close."

Our way down was pretty much the reverse of whatever trials we had to partake. With those smooth faces, Aiden would climb down first, reaching up and catching me, letting me land in those massive arms of his. Course during the climb down, I'd help keep him stable, but he was calmer, sticking by me the whole way. More hours skipped by, our descent slow. On our way down, however, we spotted a watering hole west of Urbus.

A series of small ponds rested, mist blanketing its premises. A trio of trees nestled, nice flat branches available for napping. With a flock of those idiotic birds around, hours were spent with Aiden and I crushing mobs. It got pretty fun actually, with him learning to guide them towards me, vice versa. Ambushes, double teams, even sessions where we just punched things. We'd trade off hits too, me hitting every time he struck, though he again seemed to know more about that kind of thing. We were smiling, laughing, tossing feathers at each other. Hopping back a bit though, I scooped up some water from a puddle, giggling to myself as I heard him stomp over.

"Out of rounds already?"

I flung wide, splashing Aiden without hesitation, laughing I heard him curse.

"Really?!" he laughed, thrashing water off himself.

My laughter had me captive, letting him get some water himself. Taking handfuls, he threw twice, my back shivering, my chuckles stopping when my hair got wet. Bastard, my hair always got poofy when damp! Giving my darkest expression to him, Aiden's smile twisted with concern.

"Nope!" he turned.

I chased him like a mad cat, his slow arse struggling to keep distance, laughing as he watched me close in. I wasn't aware of it at first, but I was...happy. I was enjoying myself, running around without a care, his giggles infecting me. While it wasn't long till I had him in my hands, he fought me, rolling around to be freed, tickling me whenever I got a handful.

Didn't take long though to realize how silly an idea it was, wrestling such a musclebound figure. Easily pinning me down with those big hands of his, I could barely move, no matter how much I squirmed. To be honest, I kinda liked it.

"Gr," I tried rolling, "No fair!"

"Lis, I will drag you around allll day, the way you're goin!" he chuckled.

Pausing to look up, his honey colored eyes caught me with a fresh surprise. They turned a dark green, mixing with his golden hues, breaking free of chromatic bonds. They were beautiful, wild, warm. Only when I took another breath did I stop, eyes widened. It was sunset, with Aiden on top of me, hands on my arms, his bronze eye color returning.

"Oh."

His breathing softened, smile fading as he climbed off. I let my guard down, I shouldn't have let it escalate, he knew what I was. Warmth drained from my face, fingers curling as I stared up at an orange sky. This wasn't right, I had to pull myself together.

"Contact."

My back stiffened, his low voice saying everything. Investing attention to where he looked, a [Drifter] stood behind a tree, staring directly at us, hunching its legs to mesh. Dark red in color, my heart pressed against my back, warmth leaving. We were not safe. It was hunting us, stalking us. A freezing cold gripped me inside, mouth drying.

"I want you...to lay low, I'm pretty sure it only sees me," Aiden whispered, "Keep slow, prone. I'll shout if it's coming at you."

I said nothing, going on my hands, fingers stiff and frigid. I heard him rise, grass parting as he stepped aside, his shadow casting over me for a moment.

"Maybe it's full...assessing us."

Aiden kept facing it, backpedaling as I stepped away. Watching Aincrad's sun drop, I once again was shivering. Not from a physical cold, but an internal.

It's gonna follow us.

It won't go away.

It got harder to see as dusk came.

I couldn't even hear it.

Only when I saw our mine did I run, faster than I ever had in my whole life. Aiden raced in behind me, shielding me as our stalking predator jammed limbs forward, sharp tips punching through like pikes. Roaring angrily, Aiden sent its legs back with hard chops, a pop sounding off as tissue broke, their retreat smooth.

As we dove deep in our hideout, we slowed, returning to near lightless depths, gasping and cursing. Aid's hands were on his hips, glaring down at our feet.

"Aid," I shivered, "That thing's gotta go, I'm sick of my bum bein' chased around."

"It will," he wiped his brow, "gonna use tactics reserved for vehicular units."

I nodded, letting him pace our space.

"First, gotta cripple its mobility. Sadly it possesses multiple means of approach...so charging would be stupid. Considering its anatomy and flexibility though..."

Couldn't understand much of what Aiden was saying, but he sounded confident. He paced around, putting hands on stone, staring blankly.

"Do we have rope?"

"Actually yes," I nodded, quickly pulling out an armload, "General store sold this cheap."

Inspecting it, he nodded.

"Alright, now we need a hard point, a stalagmite or boulder. What we're gonna do, we're gonna tie one end of rope around said hard point, readying another loop to ensnare."

"Oh?" my head tilted.

"It won't be able to pull free, especially if it's in this cave. With it tethered, we can take our time, cutting off its limbs enough to bring it low."

"And once it's reachable," I smiled.

"We get him."

I searched and mined our cave, finding the biggest rock I could offer. Stones as large as cars were found, requiring Aiden and I to push, rolling them towards open moonlight. Settling them near our entrance, a tight diagonal knot secured its grip, another open and ready. Aiden didn't hesitate to be bait, stepping out and shouting as loud as he could, cursing and frothing. Minutes later, our [Drifter] rushed forward, legs thrusting in our cave like spiked fingers.

"Wrap it!" he swatted other legs, using the broad side of his sword to entice.

A spear like tip flew forward, my body lurching to avoid, eyes watering, hands shaking. God, I hated bugs!

"Come on, Lis!"

What if I got caught? What if it pulled me out? My mind whirled around, throwing the rope loop around as it swept around. Grabbing a loose end, I yanked, the rope twisting around, closing tight like a toothless jaw.

"Got it!" I jumped back.

Aiden whipped back his [Siege Blade], his tremendous strength hacking away at other legs, resulting in popped joints, function lost as he cut away. Right as our [Drifter] tried pulling away, however, it buckled, our tied boulder barely moving. Despite it being strong enough to lift a Tauran with its limbs, its angle was too harsh to move, just as he said.

As limbs were chopped off, its means of attack were reduced, resorting its remaining limbs to stay upright, trying to pull away. A viscous substance left every severed leg, but refused to drip. Forming cylindrical shapes, I shouted to Aiden, watching as lost portions regrew, the beast's red color fading.

"Lis, help me chop these limbs!"

He raced outside, pulling back and throwing his weapon wide, nearly knocking himself off his feet as its great length swept.

"But I don't have a blade!" I paced rapidly.

"I'll pass my [Siege Blade]! Be ready to catch!"

I nodded, joining him outside. The [Drifter] made a sort of echoing buzz as it wriggled, unlike anything I've heard. Its dark color left it almost invisible for us looking up, with only its limbs to signify its presence, contrasting sharply with tall, golden grass. With Aid's chops, it thrashed a leg, whipping at him, sending him tumbling aside, weapon left crashing on grass.

Screaming out his name, I rushed in, grabbing our means of elimination, back arching heavily. Lifting all seven feet of it was cumbersome, not due to its weight, but its length. Seriously, my whole body wanted to shift wherever it pointed, and it wobbled too. Thank goodness I invested in [Strength] too, otherwise it would've been bloody useless. Yanking it back like a baseball bat, I spun, gripping it tight as it crashed against the [Drifter's] leg, the very air cracking around me.

A loud crunch later and its leg popped off, its red color oozing out, yet still no damage!

"Pass it!"

Finding Aiden with my eyes, I lobbed it pommel first, our captured bug swatting me down face first with a winding snap.

[HP: 65%]

"Stay down!" he roared, "I'll aggro!"

Another leg went pop as I crawled away, Aid going for a central balance point without pause. Slashed and severed from its stilt-like legs, the [Drifter] fell on its side, abdomen crashing against grass with a sharp thud, fluid bobbing wildly like a water bottle.

"Crush it," he shouted, "mash its fracking brains out!"

Its ugly, hairy body wriggled, its waxy sac flapping against soil like a beached fish. I was so tired of this bug chasing us around, I raised my [Mace] without second thought, battering it down, gripping my weapon with both hands. Only when glass broke did I let my hammer drop, a mist of blue glass bringing a great smile.

[Lisbeth has defeated a Young Drifter!]
[+3,000 Cor]
[x36 Drifter Bones]

[Level Up!]
[13 - 14]

"Yes!" Aiden threw fists high. "Suck it!"

I shivered, we did it.

"How you like me now?" I kicked where it fell, "Huh?!"

I hollered wildly, cursing it for hunting us, cheering as we rushed back inside our cave.

"Now that," Aiden nudged, "is damn right!"

He paced about, using the spider's limbs for firewood, jumping with brief fits of elation.

"Did you tell Argo?" I sat down, "he'll wanna know this for sure."

Aiden quickly arranged a message, our warmth easing off as we cooked more of that [Ostrich Meat], his eyes once again a dark green. Nodding and clearing his throat, he looked over at me.

"I think I know what to say now."

My eyes must've swelled like sponges, watching him fumble about. Was he getting romantic with me? My gut wanted drinks, though it was...easier than I thought it'd be. I dunno, ever since I started saying how I loved myself, things have been a little smoother.

"If I'm gonna die out here, I..." he paused, "I want to know your story."

My face burned hot, it wasn't what I thought he'd ask. The whole vibe he was giving was a 'I want to go out with you' kind of thing. This was sweeter though, more than what I expected.

"Really?" I said with a growing heat in my hands.

"Yea," he said softly, shoulders coming together nervously.

He wanted to know who I was, I couldn't believe it.

"Okay," I smiled softly, "it all started when I climbed the wrong tree."

Like bears? Me, I only like 'em as gummies.

You can find Godfree's twice separated (yet somehow hairier) cousins around the northwest edge of Floor 3, around the border of Floor 4. Despite there being such a vast space further south, I've been trying to consider why these big furballs don't venture further than say fifty meters into floor 3?

-Argo, The Beta Tester's Survival Guide. December 8th, 2022

A/N: Finally a somewhat happy conclusion, had it coming! Hey guys, be sure to drop a review, it'll help me build a better story as time goes on.

See you all next week, college is keeping me busy!