Hey! So sorry! Essays and work and all!

It's been a motivation killer and I've been trying to get a 'flow' on my stories and other fanfics I've been wanting to write. The wind isn't blowing through the sails these past few weeks, but here I am!


Chapter 6: The First Steps

Miach focused his dark blue eyes on Link, his divine aura enveloping him as he delved beyond his physical form. His expression turned into a deep frown, and he brushed aside a strand of his long, dark blue hair.

"This is... a very powerful curse. Extraordinarily so. I can't imagine anyone outside of a God or an extremely powerful Spirit casting this on someone," he finally remarked, his attention shifting to Link's replaced arm, looking slightly surprised. "This arm... I see," he murmured to himself, then turned his attention elsewhere. "The curse itself seems to have seared into your soul, but it looks like you were able to resist most of it," he said, looking deeply impressed. "Part of the curse looks like it's been undone, loosened, if I were to describe it."

"Is there any way to completely undo the curse?" Zelda asked, standing beside Link.

"There is," Miach replied. "The first and most likely way is to develop a potent purifying elixir. We can create one, but we need several rare ingredients, and the methods to brew an effective medicine require precise measurements and control." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "It'll be a slow-working remedy, considering how deeply the curse has branded itself into your soul. You may find yourself in a coma for a few days, given the severity of it. However, the larger issue lies in obtaining the rare ingredients."

Miach's only familia member, Naaza, who had dog ears and a tail, looked a bit stiff as she added, "Procuring rare ingredients is also expensive."

"There might not even be a seller who can fulfill all the demands for what we're looking for," Miach said. "If I recall correctly, most of the ingredients are found near or beyond the middle floors of the Dungeon."

"Is there another way?" Zelda inquired. "Link's recovery is of crucial importance. I believe we have some time to spare, but is there a way to ensure a swifter recovery?"

"The quickest would be letting me use my Arcanum to cure him."

"You'll be sent back if you do that!" Naaza exclaimed, her eyes widening.

The Gods were forbidden from using their divine powers in the lower world. If they did, they would be instantly banished back to Heaven. It didn't matter the reason; this rule was absolute. Unless...

"That is, if I am given permission to do so," Miach assured her, giving Zelda a knowing look.

Yesterday, Hephaestus and Zelda approached Miach with a request regarding a Spirit of the Master Sword that needed healing from the divines. While the Spirit was slowly recovering, there was something urgent that needed to be addressed by it, making its recovery crucial. But it's going to be a bit complicated than that due to the Spirit's physiology. It'll require the expertise of Hephaestus and Goibniu to handle the 'sword' portion of the Spirit for a complete restoration. All of this hinged on Ouranos's approval.

They had to wait for Ouranos to determine whether the request would be granted or not. Until then, their options were limited.

"I feel like I've gone too long without accepting a quest," Link suddenly said, implying that he was ready to take on any challenge until a better solution was found.

Zelda smiled at his remark. "Ah, yes. The three certainties of life: death, taxes, and quests." She turned to meet Miach's eyes. "Until we find another way, we can help gather those ingredients for you, Lord Miach."

"You mean just me," Link added with a knowing grin, acknowledging his usual role as the one doing the heavy lifting.

"I'll see what I can do on my end," Zelda said, playfully flicking his ear. "Lord Miach, we'll help gather those ingredients. We also understand that you are facing financial burdens, and we wish to assist you while we're at it." Both Link and Zelda felt grateful for Miach's willingness to help them without asking for anything in return, and they saw this as a perfect opportunity to repay the God and his familia for their kindness.

"That's..." Miach and Naaza were left momentarily speechless.

"We insist," Zelda affirmed, her determination clear.

"I appreciate your willingness to assist. But I must warn you, the ingredients are in the middle and deep floors of the Dungeon. Venturing there alone can be extremely perilous, even for the highest leveled adventurer."

"Thank you for your concerns, Lord Miach. But I'm confident in my abilities," Link replied. "I've faced far greater threats than endless hordes of monsters and trap-infested dungeons."

"We'll do whatever it takes to aid in his recovery," Zelda said firmly, her determination unwavering.

Miach studied them for a moment, sensing no lies from Link, while Naaza couldn't help but see a reflection of herself and Miach in their two guests. Just like how Miach had given away just about everything to replace her missing arm, they were willing to do whatever it takes to help their most cherished ones.

"Still, it'll be difficult for you to venture alone into the Dungeon's lower floors. There's a reason why any expedition requires many people," Miach explained.

Zelda frowned. "Are there any familia planning an expedition soon, then?"

"From what I've heard, the Loki Familia," Naaza spoke up. "You'll need to consult with them if you wish to join their expedition."

"I see," said Zelda. "Nonetheless, I need to find a way to help Link regain his strength." She turned her attention back to Miach. "We'll gather the ingredients for the purifying elixir if possible."

Miach nodded, acknowledging their determination. "Very well. Naaza and I will provide you with a list of the required ingredients and any additional information you will need."

/-/

From the shadows, Phantom Ganon observed with twisted satisfaction as his dark influence tirelessly spread across the mountainside and forests. The once thriving landscapes succumbed to his malevolent power. Demons joined his growing army, their wickedness amplified by his corrupting touch. Even the innocent animals were transformed into grotesque monsters, now serving as his mindless minions. Unfortunate settlements within his immediate vicinity faced a cruel fate, reduced to ruins and their inhabitants slaughtered without mercy.

The air reeked of malice as Phantom Ganon reveled in the unfolding chaos. His wicked laughter echoed through the desecrated land. With every passing moment, his dominion expanded, swallowing all traces of hope and purity.

With his forces and power steadily growing in strength, Phantom Ganon turned his malevolent gaze to the lands beyond the mountains and forests. He knew he must continue to expand his domain and regain his full strength. Only then would he be able to confront the prophesied hero who threatened to put a stop to his ambitions.

It is time to spread his influence far and wide.

/-/

Bell's heart was still pounding with adrenaline as he caught his breath after slaying the goblin. It was his first encounter with a monster in the Dungeon since receiving the blessing of Falna from Goddess Hestia. He felt a sense of accomplishment and newfound strength coursing through his veins. Standing beside him was Link. His keen eyes scanned the surroundings, ever watchful for potential dangers.

"Thank you for escorting me to the Dungeon, Sir Link," Bell said, feeling a sense of gratitude towards the Hylian warrior. "I think I can handle myself from here. It's just the 1st floor, though Miss Eina warned me not to be careless."

"Just Link will be fine," the knight replied with a nod. "You've got this. Remember that everyone starts somewhere. Even me." He ruffled the boy's hair. "Don't be too recklessness. You wouldn't want to make your Goddess sad if you never return."

With those encouraging words, Link started to make his way deeper into the Dungeon. Bell watched him for a moment, admiring the knight's confidence and strength. He knew that he still had a long way to go on his journey to become a hero, but he was determined to prove himself and make his Goddess proud.

As Link vanished from sight, Bell took a deep breath and turned his attention back to the Dungeon's dark depths. He tightened his grip on his weapon and felt a surge of determination, ready to face whatever challenges awaited him. The Dungeon was a place of trials and tribulations, but it was also a place of growth and discovery. Bell was determined to rise to the occasion and embrace the path laid before him, for he knew that every step he took would shape his destiny and lead him closer to becoming the hero he aspired to be.

/-/

Roars and snarls echoed throughout the Dungeon as Link hacked his way through a large pack of monsters.

Despite their size and fierce appearance, the monsters on these floors were lacking compared to the creatures he'd fought in Hyrule. A swift double slash cut off a minotaur's arm and head. A downward chop split a hellhound in half, and a spinning attack sliced ten almiraj into ribbons as they tried to rush him. Link moved with grace and precision, his sword dancing through the air, leaving a trail of defeated foes in his wake.

"Hraaah!"

GJIIII?!

With his last foe vanquished, Link raised his right arm and began extracting the magic stones with his Ultrahand ability. Green beams of light grasped the monster's corpse, lifting it into the air. With slight concentration, he severed the magic stone within it, causing the corpse to turn into ashes, leaving the magic stone for easy retrieval. He repeated the process for all his kills and, while doing so, went over the list of ingredients and materials for the Miach Familia quest. Each entry had a general location, a small illustration that was enough for him to make out important details, and some of its properties.

Notably, he noticed that the majority of the ingredients were listed as poisonous, which wasn't much of a surprise to him. Considering how certain poisons can be extracted and made into medicines, he knew he should be careful in handling them, especially for some of the ingredients that came from monsters themselves.

Having reviewed most of the list's entries, Link put it away as he was nowhere near the floor where the components were to be found. Instead, he set out to gather materials and test some of his craftsmanship.

According to Tsubaki, distance is one of the many important factors when exploring the Dungeon. Being able to find a quick way to traverse the Dungeon is an extremely rare luxury, and it's one he can offer through the construction of various contraptions his mind can think of, as well as his Ascend ability that allowed him to move up entire floors very quickly.

The only real limitation for building his contraptions is a power source, for which the magic stones can be used as substitutes for Zonai batteries.

Link's eyes lit up with an idea as he slashed a large rock formation into four pieces, intending to create a rough vehicle with the limited resources available on this floor of the Dungeon. He began crafting the rocky-looking vehicle using four uneven oval stones for wheels, a slab of stone for the body, and two stalagmites fused into the slab to act as the reverse, accelerator, and joystick steering wheel. In short, it did not look like it would be the most elegant mode of transport, but it was something that could serve its purpose, considering the limited materials available. The vehicle looked like an oversized, misshapen four-wheeled scooter, something an amateur Goron might make out of sheer boredom with a bunch of rocks they found.

However, for Link's purposes, it would do the job for now. He knew that he could find higher-quality materials beyond the 20th floor where there's a biome that resembled a forest. His plan was to reach that floor and harvest the necessary materials and resources for the Miach Familia and himself.

Once he completed the rough structure, Link focused on the placement of the magic stones.

"The magic stone goes here, and here," he muttered to himself, fusing several magic stones and slapping them onto the slab of stone that held the entire contraption together.

Yet, there was another challenge he faced— the efficiency of using magic stones. They tended to burn out quickly if exposed, leaking energy into the air. Link attempted to enclose them in a container made out of stone, but it proved ineffective in stopping the leakage and only degraded the container as the magic that seeped into the container was unable to handle it.

Link made a mental note to consult Tsubaki about using magic stones as fuel, especially since flying contraptions utilizing them existed. The example of the Tower of Babel was a testament to their potential in preventing structural collapse.

With some trepidation, he hopped onto the vehicle and activated it. To his surprise, the 'car' was far more unbalanced than he anticipated, and he immediately found himself fighting for control to keep it on a straight path. The erratic movements made it feel more like a wild rodeo ride than a reliable mode of transport. Link adjusted his posture, leaning into the turns and using his body weight to stabilize the contraption. Slowly, he gained better control and managed to keep the 'car' moving on a more stable trajectory.

It wasn't perfect, but he was determined to make it work.

/-/

"I'm truly sorry, Lady Hephaestus, but Lord Ouranos is preoccupied," the fat Elf named Royman Mardeel profusely apologized. "Unless it's an urgent emergency, Lord Ouranos specifically ordered us not to disturb him."

Hephaestus frowned slightly. She knew that the powerful God was often secluded in his prayer room, focused on suppressing the Dungeon and dealing with various divine matters. However, he would usually grant an audience if there was a significant reason. She concluded that something important or dire might have occurred, and she decided not to push the issue for now.

"It can't be helped then," Hephaestus said, crossing her arms. "Please let him know that I would like an audience with him as soon as possible. There's an artifact in my possession that I believe he should be aware of."

Royman's eyes widened at that, having heard about the potency and significance of such artifacts. These powerful items of the divines sometimes found their way to the lower world.

"A-an artifact?!" He mopped his brow nervously.

"It's in safe hands, and I have no plans to use it," she assured him. "But there's someone interested in discussing it with Ouranos whenever he's available."

"Of course, of course." Royman bowed deeply with relief. "I will notify him when he is available."

"I'll leave it to you. Have a good day, Royman." Hephaestus bid him farewell and left his office.

She walked toward the reception area, where Zelda was waiting. The Demigoddess looked up from the book she was reading to pass the time and stood up to greet her.

"How did it go?" Zelda asked the divine smith.

"Bad timing, I would say," Hephaestus sighed, placing a hand on her forehead. "There seems to be something happening behind the scenes that's preventing him from seeing visitors. But at least we'll be notified when we're able to arrange a meeting."

Zelda nodded in understanding. "I hope it's nothing too serious."

Hephaestus shrugged. "It's hard to say. Ouranos is often preoccupied with his duties, but this feels different. Whatever it is, we'll have to be patient."

"Then onto our next course of action: meeting with the Loki Familia."

"Yes, to secure your knight a spot in the expedition should it be needed," Hephaestus replied, understanding Zelda's reasoning. "But I must warn you, Loki is quite the eccentric Goddess."

"Eccentric in what way?"

"Well, for starters, Loki has a mischievous and playful nature," explained Hephaestus. "She enjoys pranks and tricks, and she's known to be a bit of a pervert."

Zelda's eyes widened in surprise. "A pervert?"

Hephaestus nodded with a hint of amusement. "Yes, Loki has a fondness for interesting and attractive individuals. So be prepared for her playful antics and compliments."

"I'll keep that in mind..."

"Don't worry, she means well. She's just a bit... quirky."

/-/

"What is that Elf doing?" Bors asked one of his colleagues, watching with bemusement as Link tinkered with his peculiar, self-moving wagon.

"He's trying to fix his wagon, I think," replied the other adventurer. "He's been gathering broken round tables and discarded items for it. Talk about cutting costs."

The adventurers of Rivira couldn't help but be both amused and intrigued by Link's arrival on his misshapen stone wagon, seemingly pieced together from random rocks found in the Dungeon. It was a wonder how he managed to navigate the treacherous 18th floor with such a contraption, given its difficult-to-control nature and the lurking dangers. The self-driving wagon boasted impressive speed, but watching Link attempt to speed his way towards the town was both hilarious and tension-inducing as it swerved around and nearly flipped over on numerous occasions.

"Bah. Elven nonsense," Bors grumbled, stepping out of his stall. "He could easily buy a wagon wheel with his magic stones, or even an entire wagon! He's got a backpack full of them. The design is horrendous!"

Link, focused on his creation, looked up in surprise as Bors approached him, clearly unimpressed with the sight.

"Bors," Link greeted, and continued examining a fused wooden round table.

"What are you doing?" Bors asked, exasperated.

"I'm making something to help me move through the Dungeon faster," Link replied calmly. "It might not look great, but I think it'll get the job done."

Bors snorted in disapproval. "You're wasting your time, Elf. That thing will fall apart in no time. Leave the engineering to us humans and focus on your magic."

Link appeared puzzled by some of Bors' words but shrugged it off. He was proud of his tinkering efforts, even if they were unconventional. He set down the fused round table and picked up a broken bar stool from a bar fight.

"This will make a good steering wheel," Link remarked.

Bors rubbed his forehead in annoyance. His pride as a smith was hurting just looking at the makeshift contraption. "Your wagon can't even drive straight. Look, instead of working on something not meant to be, why not just buy a brand-new wagon with some of those magic stones you have?"

"Tsubaki warned me that prices here are tripled their usual cost. If not more," explained Link, aware of the monopolistic pricing in Rivira. It's the reason why he hasn't been interested in buying wooden planks as the seller had charged him for an unreasonable price.

"I'll give you a massive discount!" Bors offered, throwing his hands in the air. "Please, stop working on that abomination!"

/-/

"Phae, Phae!" Loki, a red-haired Goddess with a mischievous demeanor, ran and waved at Hephaestus with a cheerful look. "You came to see me~!"

Hephaestus delivered a tap to the Goddess' head. "Hello, Loki."

"How mean. You never visit me like this... It's been a while, hasn't it?" Loki turned her attention to Zelda. "And you even brought me this beautiful... Elf?" She raised an eyebrow upon closer inspection, sensing faint divinity from her. Her frown turned into a grin. "You're not... Oh? Oh?! How interesting!"

"Um, hello, Lady..." Zelda began, but she was cut off as Loki instantly appeared at her side, wrapping her arms and hands around her. "Eeep!"

"Oh-hoh~! What's this? What's this?" Loki asked, a playful glint in her eyes. "I never met someone like you before! Let's go inside, in private."

"Knock it off!" Hephaestus whacked Loki over the head.

"Gah! Hey!" Loki held her head, releasing Zelda. "I just want to get to know her better."

"And here, I was hoping one of your children would keep you in check." Hephaestus sighed, looking around. The Twilight Manor, home of the Loki Familia, was quiet with few members in sight.

"Hmph! Nearly everyone is already getting ready for the next expedition for the month ahead." Loki grumbled and crossed her arms. "And Finn is locked in his office with all that paperwork I ain't touching, and nobody is keeping me company." She turned her gaze toward Zelda with a playful smile. "So, won't you keep me company, pretty lady?"

Hephaestus shook her head. "Sorry, Loki. We're not here exactly for a social visit."

"Oh, no fun!" Loki pouted, but her mischievous glint remained. "Fine, fine. Let's talk then. What's so important that you had to drag this lovely lady all the way here?"

Zelda regained her composure and smiled politely. "Nice to meet you, Lady Loki. I am Zelda, princess of-"

Loki placed a finger on Zelda's lips, interrupting her. "I wanna savor this myself. Let's hear what you have to say inside my cozy abode." Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she motioned them to follow her. "This sure is getting interesting. It's far better than standing out here in the open."

Hephaestus and Zelda followed Loki into an empty room filled with various trinkets and books, reflecting the Goddess's playful and adventurous nature. Loki motioned for them to take a seat on plush chairs and took her place on a couch across from them.

"Okay! Spill it, spill it! Tell me what brings you here," Loki said, leaning forward in her chair.

Zelda started to recount their extraordinary journey, carefully selecting the relevant details for Loki's ears. She spoke of how she and her companion, Link, had stumbled upon an ancient underground ruin in their homeland of Hyrule. Inside, they had encountered a powerful entity sealed away for centuries, which had unexpectedly transported them to the distant land of Orario. With a composed demeanor, Zelda continued, leaving out unnecessary subjects, such as the Master Sword. Instead, she focused on the purpose of their visit to the Loki Familia—the quest to find rare ingredients for a potent purifying elixir. She explained that Link had been afflicted by a curse that hindered his true strength, and their search for these special components was crucial to his recovery.

"An ancient ruin, a powerful monster of some sort, and a cursed companion... Your journey is far from ordinary," Loki remarked, her eyes shining with genuine interest. "And all you ask is a spot in my familia's expedition?"

Zelda nodded. "We were hoping you could consider including Link in your next expedition. Some of the rare ingredients we need are said to be in the Dungeon's deeper floors."

"Hmm, an expedition with my familia may not look like much, especially for a single person..." Loki tapped her chin, considering the request. "But as Finn kept telling me, a single person, an outsider, can be a burden not just to the expedition, but can be a costly expense too."

"I assure you, Lady Loki, Link is more than capable of holding his own in battle," Zelda said confidently. "The curse may have weakened him, but he's still a formidable knight."

"I'll ask Finn. He'll need to know if your knight in shining armor is able to pull his own weight. Well, we can always put that to the test." Loki grinned widely, crossing her legs and clasped her hands. "I heard why you're here. Now it's my turn~! What are you, Zelda?" She asked the Hylian princess with great interest. "You have divinity in you, and not just because you're hiding it. You're part divine. Why is that?"

"If she tells you, will you let Link follow you on your expedition?" Hephaestus interrupted, understanding that Loki will try to pry them for more knowledge and leverage without offering anything in return if she doesn't call her out for it.

"Fine. I'll tell Finn to make space for him. Not a problem." Loki waved her hand dismissively. "I'm starting to get very bored these days. It sounds like there will be plenty of interesting things happening with you around, Zelda."

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The 19th through 24th Floors are known as the Large Tree Labyrinth. Its unique feature lies in the walls, ground, and ceiling, which are all made out of wood, creating the illusion of being inside a giant tree. Instead of phosphorescent light, the floor is covered with radiating moss that emits a calming blue glow. In the Large Tree Labyrinth, one encounters a diverse array of insect-type monsters, some of which are significantly stronger than those found on the upper floors. The perilous environment is further accentuated by the presence of creatures that can inflict poisonous attacks. According to Naaza, the abundance of plant life on these floors offers valuable ingredients used for crafting healing items, leading to numerous resource-gathering quests in the area.

Link had heard tales of the 24th floor, where rare trees supposedly produced precious gems. His curiosity was piqued, wondering if these gems were anything like the Rupees he had encountered in his own world. Eager to find one for himself, he ventured to the perilous floor, knowing that Green Dragons are said to guard these valuable resources.

BZZZZZT!

"Hut! Hyah!" Link sprang into action, swiftly kicking off a twisted tree and slashing down a Deadly Hornet. The monstrous insect boasted a powerful stinger, capable of piercing heavy armor and bringing down an adventurer in a single thrust.

Utilizing his Ultrahand ability, Link skillfully levitated the Deadly Hornet's stinger and hurled it at a nearby Dark Fungus, a peculiar mushroom-like monster was notorious for its poisonous spore attacks. The stinger effortlessly pierced through the Dark Fungus, causing a chaotic burst of spores that spread in every direction, coating the stinger with the harmful substance. Undeterred, Link skillfully grabbed the spore-coated stinger at a safe distance. Whirling it around, he used it as a weapon against nearby monsters, delivering poison-infused attacks to his foes.

MRRIIIII! A Sword Stag, poisoned and furious, charged relentlessly at Link, aiming to take him down.

Swiftly and fluidly, Link evaded the attack by sidestepping and ducking low. With a masterful strike, he sliced off two of the Sword Stag's legs, causing the creature to tumble and crash through a tree. This impact revealed a hidden entrance, a hollowed-out and steep natural passageway leading into the large tree.

Taking a moment to assess the hidden entrance, Link's attention quickly returned to the battle as a towering Hobgoblin approached. Although formidable, this monster's strength paled in comparison to a Moblin, posing little threat to Link. He skillfully deflected its crude weapon and swiftly dispatched the creature.

With the immediate threats eliminated, Link turned his focus to the sword Tsubaki had lent him. The blade's edge had begun to dull, a result of cutting through materials rather than monsters.

"Something tells me she won't be too pleased if she finds out I've been using this as a woodcutter," Link mused with a hint of amusement.

As he continued to survey his surroundings, Link sensed that he was being watched. Swiftly, he turned around, his eyes sharp and instantly spotted four people standing atop a tree branch. Among them was a handsome young man with gray hair, orange eyes, wolf ears, and tail. He sported a blue tattoo on the left side of his face and had a muscular physique. The werewolf grinned at Link and leaped off the tree branch, landing several meters away from him.

"Yo. Pointy ears. Been watching you handle the small fries on your own," he greeted with a wolfish grin that somehow didn't feel malicious.

"Bete! Don't act like you're going to rob him!" One of his companions followed him, jumping down from the branch. She was a young lady wearing revealing clothes, with dark green eyes and long black hair. "The Loki Familia's reputation has wavered because of your boorish personality!"

"What was that?!" He snapped back at her.

"You heard me! You've been giving my sweet captain a headache with all your crassness!" She shot back.

"That's rich coming from an Amazoness!" He fired back, the banter between them apparent.

The two quickly butt heads and exchanged insults, while the remaining two strangers joined them. One of them greeted Link with a friendly wave. She resembled the Amazoness who was arguing with the young man, likely her younger sister. They reminded him of the Gerudo back in Hyrule.

"Hey! You're the guy who suddenly popped out of the ground with Tsubaki yesterday!" She placed her weapon behind her back and studied him. "You're pretty strong, able to solo this place like that!"

"Thanks." They didn't appear to be bandits or have any hostile intentions. "And you are?"

"I'm Tiona." She then pointed at a doll-faced girl with blond hair and golden eyes. "That's Ais. You probably heard of her, the Sword Princess and all." Then she gestured towards the two arguing over there. "That's my older sister, and that stupid mutt is Bete."

"Link," he introduced himself, feeling a bit more at ease now that they seemed to be engaging in friendly conversation.

The sound of fists connecting with someone's jaw and a sudden silence in the midst of the noisy banter drew Link's attention. Bete was on the ground, twitching while Tione rubbed her knuckles, the ones she used to silence him.

"Stupid mutt," she growled, then quickly replaced her expression with a casual one as she turned to Link. "Sorry about Bete. He's stupid and arrogant, getting worked up about all sorts of small things." Tione tilted her body to take a look at the hidden entrance leading deep under the tree. "Guess you've found those rumored trees that produce gems. If that's true, there's supposedly a Green Dragon guarding it down there."

"Oh, oh! Let's all go in!" Tiona bounced excitedly near the entrance.

Tione turned to Link. "Are you alright with that? Anything of value found down there is yours. The Loki Familia is loaded anyway."

"I don't mind." While he didn't completely trust them, he could at least tell they didn't have any hostile intent.

"What about that?" Ais finally spoke, pointing at his modified wagon he had bought from Bors.

"I have it covered."

He raised his right arm and began reconstructing a makeshift cage from the bundles of wood he had collected by cutting down trees. He placed the wooden barrier around the entire wagon, using his magic to keep it hidden from the less-than-intelligent monsters. It might not be the sturdiest defense if one decided to break it apart, but it was unlikely, as the monsters would likely consider it part of the terrain.

"Been seeing it for a while now from afar, but to think it's nonverbal magic?" Tione remarked, eyeing his right arm. "Or is that arm of yours a magic tool?" She paused. "Ah, you don't need to answer that. Everyone has their secrets and stuff."

"It's cool, regardless!" Said Tiona excitedly, while Ais remained silent, studying his right arm with a slight frown.

"Argh! Shut up!" Bete suddenly shouted at Tiona, as he got up and massaged his face. "You damned wretched..."

"Serves you right," Tione said dismissively. "Come on, let's go in. I'm curious to see what we'll find in there."

So am I. He fastened his backpack, containing his gear and essential items, and took the lead, venturing deeper into the unknown.

"Oi! Collect your damn kills first!" Bete shouted, pointing at the surrounding corpses of monsters.

But first, he needed to harvest his gains.


This could had been written a lot better.