The sun rises on a bright morning, Roxy the Beastman wakes up after the morning dew made the fur on her tail cold. Her normally thick bushy tail is matted from the tangles, and is not helped with water buildup. She looks over and notices Phoebe, a young woman with jet black hair, ruby red lips, a pear body shape and is well endowed and is cuddled on the right side of Jacob. A young man with a defined scar on his face over his left eye that leads slightly into his nose. He is fit, with a typical athletic build. On his left Sylvie, an elf with short silver hair, a slim body is cuddled with him. Roxy looks forward and sees Inki. A tall red skinned Oni with shoulder length dark spiky hair and one horn, sits with her kanabo guarding them as they sleep. She has a fit body and is also well endowed and one of her teeth on her lower jaw sticks slightly out.

Roxy: Good morning Inki.

Inki: Morning, how did you sleep?

Roxy: Stiff, I think I was on a root.

Inki: Haha, would you like me to pop your back?
Roxy: Please, just don't break me.

Inki: I won't.

After cracking Roxy's back Inki notices her fur on her tail and ears are rough.

Inki: Do you not have a brush for your fur?
Roxy: During that battle with Victor it got destroyed, I didn't notice till we camped out the first night after leaving Pendle.

Inki: I'm sure we don't have much further until we reach Falcon Haven.

Roxy: I hope not, I really need to groom my fur.

Slowly the other girls stir awake hearing the commotion, Phoebe rubs her eyes and Sylvie stretches out.

Phoebe: What's happening?

Inki: Just a little girl talk, wanna join?

Sylvie: I'm in.

The girls get into their conversation laughing while they do, unbeknownst to them Jacob is stirring in his sleep. It's almost as if he's having a nightmare. In his mind he's standing in the white void, confused as he looks around when he hears a voice in the distance.

Voice: Jake.

Jacob: Hello?

Voice: Can you hear me J?

Jacob: Yeah, wait J?

As he looks around he sees a figure standing a short distance away, he walks towards it. The figure becomes more familiar the closer he gets.

Jacob: No way, Ron?
The figure turns into Ron, one of Jacobs' friends who arrived in this world with him. When they arrived Ron had a simple haircut and was slightly muscular from all the farm work he would do back on Earth. Now his dark hair was shorter, his muscle tone evened out to that of a runner who occasionally lifts weights. He has a prosthetic left leg now but still has his bright demeanor.

Ron: Long time no see pal.

Jacob: Yeah long time, where are we?
Ron: Don't recognize it?

Jacob: It looks like that void we were in when we were summoned to Rayer.

Ron: Bingo.

Jacob: How are we talking?
Ron: One of my teammates, Lisa, has a telepathy skill. She's helping me use it to get in contact with you.

Jacob: That's a cool skill.

Ron: Yeah, I've been trying for days to get in contact with you and Marco.

Jacob: Have you gotten him yet?
Ron: No, Lisa says it's possible that his distance might be harder to reach. Remember I went down the right path and he went down the left.

Jacob: Yeah and I went down the middle.

Ron: Basically the distance between you and me is closer than me to Marco.

Jacob: Well by that logic I'm closer to Marco. Would it be easier for me to try and contact him?
Ron: Not unless you have a telepath on your team. Do you?
Jacob: No. By the way, what happened to your leg?

Ron: Oh I fought a demon not too long ago that took my leg in it's dying gasps

Jacob: Oh yeah the demon I fought did say something about his two teammates being killed by you and Marco.

Ron: Wait, all three of us fought a demon?

Jacob: Yeah, the one I fought left my whole body scarred and took my eye.

Ron: Oh damn, I wonder if Marco and his team are okay?

Jacob: Speaking of team , how's yours looking?

Ron: I gained three members, it took awhile but I got a dark elf named Lyla, Filly a lizardman, and Lisa of course is a tiefling. How about you?

Jacob: Of course you remember Phoebe. After her a forest elf named Sylvie joined. Roxy, a beastman and Inki an oni joined me.

Ron: Wow a beastman, I've heard they're very animalistic.

Jacob: I haven't met any other beastman other than Roxy, but she's sweet and shy but very caring.

Ron: Really, that's good. All the info I have is third person I haven't met one myself.

Jacob: Yeah, the prejudice is bad.

Ron: But an oni as well, I heard female oni's only join those they are defeated by.

Jacob: Yeah and female oni's are tough.

Ron: Isn't there something in their culture that says if a man defeats a female oni they become engaged.

Jacob: Don't remind me.

Ron: So you got engaged, when's the wedding?
Jacob: I was able to talk her down to just date for now.

Ron: How does Phoebe feel about that?
Jacob: She's fine, I'm dating her too.

Ron: Damn man two girlfriends.

Jacob: I'm dating all of the girls on my team.

Ron: Holy, how did you get that lucky?

Jacob: I have no idea but apparently I have four more joining me.

Ron: Wait, does someone have clairvoyance?

Jacob: No after my fight with a demon that took my eye I met the god who gave me my power.

Ron: YOU MET A GOD?!

Jacob: Yeah, they gave me a new eye, and told me some of my future. Which involved how many wives I'd have.

Ron: Damn why couldn't the god who gave me mine talk to me and give me a new leg. Wait wives, as in plural?

Jacob: Yeah they said I'd have eight.

Ron: God bless you my friend.

Jacob: Yeah, that's a stressful thought.

Ron: I personally would love that luck.

Jacob: Are you not dating any of your teammates?
Ron: I wish, but I don't think they'd try polygamy like yours.

Jacob: Who knows.

Ron: Huh, okay. Hey J, Lisa is running out of mana. I'll get in contact again and hopefully Marco will be with us.

Jacob: Alright, it was good to see you man. I missed you bro.

Ron: Missed you too bro, good luck, oh by the way the first time leaving a telepathic conversation might hurt a bit.

Jacob: What?

The white void began to fade, taking Ron with it. Jacob shot up with sharp pain in his head.

Jacob: Ow damn!

The girls snapped their heads over to see him gripping his head. They ran up to him concerned, Phoebe began using her healing on him.

Roxy: What happened? You were sound asleep then out of nowhere you were right up.

Jacob: That asshole. Had to tell me as I was waking up.

Sylvie: What, who?
Jacob: Ron. He has a telepath on his team and he was able to contact me while I was asleep.

Roxy: A telepath, those are rare.

Phoebe: only 1 in 100,000 are born with that ability.

Jacob: Well Ron has one and he decided not to inform me until the end of the conversation that ending a telepathy conversation hurts. Asshole.

Roxy smiled at Jacob, when he looked at her he asked what she was smiling at.

Roxy: It's just I've never seen you talk about anyone like that in a loving manner, you must really have a close relationship with him.

Jacob: Yeah, Marco, Ron and I have been bestfriends since we were kids. Until we got here we were inseparable.

The girls smiled, they loved that his interaction with his friend who hadn't seen in months hadn't changed. They wished they could meet his friends and see their interactions in person.
Phoebe finished healing Jacobs head but he seemed deep in thought.

Phoebe: Dear, what're you thinking about?
Jacob: Ron told me his telepath Lisa was tiefling, could telepathy be common in a specific race.

Inki: Tiefling, I thought they were extinct.

Phoebe: The tiefling race were hunted down hundreds of years ago for their similar appearance to demons. By the time the kingdom got word it was believed the tieflings were completely annihilated.

Jacob: I guess some got lucky and went into hiding.

Roxy: Well if your friend is like you, she's safe.

Jacob: Oh a hundred percent, he's a good guy. We should get going, I'm hoping we make it to Falcon Haven today.

Roxy: So do I, I really need to buy a new brush.

They pack their gear up and move out back on the path.

In Falcon Haven Ale the avian princess whose feathers are bright red and her hair is azure sits on her throne very uninterested at everything going on around her. Her father Rie the king has a distinguished beard, his feathers which were once a brilliant shade of blue are now fading in color from age, he looks at his daughter with sad frustrated eyes.

Rie: Ale, dear you need to pay attention to the possible suitors.

Ale: Father, I just don't see the point in this. I don't love any of these men.

Rie: That is why they are here to try and win your heart.

Ale: I'm sorry, I will try my best.

Rie: That is all I ask.

She tries her best to pay attention to the men who are trying to court her. The group of men range from avians like her, to humans and oni's. They try to show off different skills such as speed during flight, power, and skill with weapons. Unfortunately none of them can keep her attention for long. After a few hours Rie sees it's going nowhere.

Rie: Uh thank you gentlemen we will be in contact for future prospects. Have a fantastic day. The men all leave some disappointed, some confident they will win her heart. Rie looks at his daughter who seems sad and wanting to leave. He sighs at the sight.

Rie: Darling, are you okay?
Ale: I just don't find anything those men do interesting let alone attractive.

Rie: Ale, I won't be here forever, I just want to make sure you're taken care of.

Ale: But I still have big bro Gria.

Rie: He will be busy leading our village once his training is done and I retire.

Ale: Yeah but.

Rie: Darling, he'll eventually get married and start his own family. You need to understand that you're not children anymore, he will take over the nest and we will have to leave it and find our own. Just like my father before me and his father before that all the way back to the founding of our village, once a new chief takes over the old goes on his own.

Ale: I know, but we've been at this for months. Maybe I should find someone on my own.

Rie: If that will help you find someone who you will fall for and go be with, I have no choice but let you. But be careful.

Ale: I will, thank you daddy.

Ale stands up and flies out of the open sun roof. Rie smiles a sad smile worried his daughter won't find anyone and will be all alone, he sits on his throne with his face in his hands frustrated. As he sits there a shadow walks into the room.

Jacob and the girls finally arrive at Falcon Haven. The town is designed to have a ground level for those without wings and a sky level for avians specifically in the trees. Many different races of people are walking around the ground level including ones Jacob hasn't seen before. Halflings, Dwarves, Ogres, and Orcs are walking around shopping for supplies. Above avians were flying around landing on platforms to do their shopping above. Jacob was concerned, seeing this as separation of class.

Jacob: Is this okay? It seems like the avians don't want any interaction with other beings.

Phoebe: Oh quite the contrary, avians love most other beings, there's more intermarriages in the avian race than any other.

Jacob: So they actively seek partners in other races?

Sylvie: All the time. My cousin Siora married an avian male.

Jacob: Really, that's cool.

Sylvie: She does complain that he perches too much.

The group laugh as they pass Ale who is in a hooded robe trying to disguise herself. She wants to see what the other races do on a normal basis. She notices a dwarf and halfling inspecting weapons from a blacksmith. She sees an ogre and orc sitting in an outside restaurant ordering enough food to feed a family of ten. She doesn't know why but seeing how other races interact with the world excites her, she continues and walks into the towns branch guildhall. Inside she sees so many different races hanging around. A female dwarf has out drunk a male oni who is unconscious under the table. A dark elf and human woman are inspecting the quests on the board, she's so amazed she doesn't notice when she bumps into a female goblin.

Goblin: Why don't you watch where you're going.

Ale: I'm so sorry, I wasn't paying attention.

The goblin girl grunts and continues with requesting her job. The receptionist Gushi is a fellow avian with snow white wings and orange hair, she's on the older side having minor crows feet, but aside from that one would consider her a pinnacle in beauty.

Gushi: Alright remember that's a C rank you'll need to be careful.

Goblin: Oh I'll be fine I'm almost a C rank adventurer now.

Gushi: Oh really, that's wonderful. Be safe.

As the goblin walks out Jacob and the girls walk in. Roxy was able to buy a new brush and take time to brush her fur, making it puff and shine. Ale stares at Jacob hypnotized by his scar and golden eye. The group walks up to the counter where Gushi welcomes them.

Jacob: Hello, we just got into town and we were wondering if we could check out levels?

Gushi: Of course, I'll get the crystal.

Roxy steps up and puts her hand on the crystal, the status screen shines bright showing her level.

Name: Roxanne

Species: Beastman

Level: 43

Roxy: Wow I gained quite a few levels.

Sylvie steps up next to check her stats

Name: Sylvie

Species: Elf

Level: 55

Sylvie: Me too this is amazing.

The rest followed after.

Name: Inki

Species: Oni

Level: 59

Name: Phoebe

Species: Human

Level: 62

Name: Jacob

Species: Unknown

Level: 77

Phoebe: Amazing Jake you've gained so many levels since Pendle.

Jacob: It was one hundred percent that battle with that demon that almost killed us.

Overhearing what was just said, Ale is intrigued she has thoughts in her mind. "Demon" "Pendle" "Battle", she was wondering what their life has been like up till now. Unlike the men who were trying to win her heart and were boring, this group at least had her attention.

Inki: Jake my love can we train, I want to increase my level. I can't let Phoebe be ahead of me.

Phoebe: Inki my dear I've been ahead since you joined our party.

Inki: Not for long sweet priest.

Jacob: Girls girls we came here to take missions and refill our money so we don't starve.

The girls agreed. Jacob looked back at Gushi to ask for their A and S Rank quests.

Gushi: Yes, unfortunately we don't allow any adventurer who is not S rank to take S rank quests, even though your levels are high enough to take one your quest completions are not.

Jacob: How many quests would we need to take to rank up?
Gushi: Let's see, if you were to do around ten A Rank quests you'd rank up and be able to take the minimum S Rank quest.

Roxy: Ten, that's quite a few.

Inki: I'm excited, A Ranks mean more action.

Sylvie: I'll get to use my new poisons on monsters.

Jacob: Alright, we'll take a look at the A Rank quests.

Gushi smiled, nodded and pulled out a stack of paper all labeled A Rank.

Roxy: That's a lot of A Rank quests.

Sylvie: Do the adventurers here not take them.

Gushi: I'm sorry, most of the guild members who come here are C Rank. You're the first A Rank adventurers to come here in some time.

Jacob: Oh well, more fun for us.

The group takes the stack to a table to look for one they want to accept.

Roxy: Werewolf attacks. Feels like the stigma of werewolves gets dropped on beastman.

Sylvie: I've got a banshee quest here. Wouldn't that be interesting.

Jacob: Aren't they ghosts?

Phoebe: Spirits technically, so we'd need to use exorcism magic to deal with one.

Jacob: Sounds like you'd be perfect for the job.

Phoebe stops looking through the paperwork and her smile fades into a sad frown. Jacob notices and puts his hand on hers.

Jacob: Hey, you know that wasn't your fault.

Phoebe: I know, but it still feels as though I could've done more.

Jacob: I understand your guilt, trust me I feel it too. But Victor was poisoned by that demon and even if all of us had the power to use exorcism magic it wouldn't have helped.

The other girls also put their hands on top of hers to comfort her. She tears up but wipes it away and goes back to looking through the papers. They look for a few extra minutes until Jacob spots one that is offering 1 platinum piece, or 1,000 gold pieces.

Jacob: Holy, check this out. 1 platinum piece.

Inki: What's it for?
Jacob: It says here five Griffins have been running a siege on several small villages, and the villagers are requesting they be dealt with.

Roxy: Five of them, that seems like a lot.

Sylvie: You weren't here when it happened but Jake took out a Chimera in one attack.

Inki: That's what that horn was?

Jacob: Yeah it was all that was left when I fought it.

Phoebe: It wasn't much of a fight. You hit it once and it died.

When Ale heard that her eyes almost popped out of her head and she started sweating.

Ale: I've never heard of anyone defeating a monster of that caliber in one hit.

Jacob: I think we should take this one, Griffins might make a good challenge and there's five of us so we could take one each.

Inki: I like that, I agree.

Roxy: I'm not really looking to fight a giant lion bird.

Sylvie: It would be a nice challenge to test my new poisons, I say we do it.

Phoebe: Sorry Roxy, even if I voted with you we'd be out voted so I think we're doing it.

Roxy's ears droop from sadness, she would've preferred to fight any other creature. Jacob smiles at her and pats her head.

Jacob: We'll be okay Roxy, you just gotta trust your strength.

Roxy: O-okay, I will I promise.

The group gets up from the table and returns the paperwork to Gushi.

Gushi: So have you decided on a quest?
Jacob: Yes, we're going to take the griffin quest.

Gushi: I would recommend you take a couple of other high rank adventurers with you, griffins are notoriously dangerous. Even one could kill multiple high ranking knights with little difficulty.

Jacob: We'll be okay. Thank you for the concern though.

Gushi: A-are you sure?

Jacob: Yeah, we might not look like it, but we're pretty capable.

Gushi: W-well your levels were some of the highest I've seen in years. Okay but please be careful.

Jacob: We will, thank you.

The group leave the guildhall to go on their quest, Ale followed keeping her distance wanting to see how strong they were. Using her birdlike skills she was able to maintain a distance of several hundred yards while keeping an eye on the group as if she was right behind them.