Rex's odd question had the girls tilt their heads in unison, not quite understanding his point, untill, to elaborate, he picked up the three crystals and pointed his other hand at them. "I mean, I know I killed it all by myself and all, but we are supposedly a party, and while they sound quite enticing, my unique circumstances make them less valuable than for most others. And, since there is only three, while our party consists of six, it has to be decided on how to split them."

"Wait, what?" Alurial asked, a dazed look on her face. Rex gave them yet another few moments to recollect themselves, untill Samanta spoke up.

"Rex, we think you are a wonderfull person. You are both strong and reliable in a fight, so much so that we are afraid we would only be slowing you down, should we cling to you further. We had a talk among us and came to the same conclusion. We all would feel bad, if, due to our own greed, your potential would be crippled." A guilty and regretfull look adorned their faces, making it obvious that the decision was not a simple one, yet, due to their inherently kind nature and general like for him, it had to be done.

"Well, I suppose you are right. And I have to thank you for your good intentions. Though, that is yet another reason why I have to ask, so, how do we split this? While we will be parting ways rather soon, as it now seems, we were a party when the beast was felled. And besides, this would be a gift from me to you. The question is, would you be willing to take two and sell third in an auction to be split and used as funds. Since, while I have little need to consume it, I could totaly use large amounts of spare money to be used when necessary. Do think it over, yea?"

Another moment of silence took over the cavern, the girls deep in thought for a moment. Then, they nodded and turned to each other, talking over who should be the ones using the other two crystals. From what Rex could tell, their party was tight knitted, planning to stick together for seemingly forever, thus, helping out their weakest member to gain additional potential was a logical course of action. Eventually, their agreed on Meru getting one and the second going to Ria. As their only frontliner for the moment, Meru was an obvious choice as strenghtening their main defender was only logical. In the same manner, empowering Ria would allow them to hold out longer and maintain their health during longer and harsher quests or delves.

"You sure about it?" asked Samanta before the girls consumed the two crystals. And, after recieving a single, yet certain nod, she gave the 'ok' sign to her party, becoming to empowerment crystal poorer in the process. It was a quick event without any special light shows or floating bodies. Ria and Meru swalled the relatively small, glowing crystals, then closed their eyes and stood like that for a few moments. Then, both, with heavy breaths exhaled, as if releasing their weakness out of their bodies.

"So, how does it feel?" Rex asked, curiosity flashing in his eyes.

"Stronger." both replied at the same time, earning a small giggle from Alurial and Samanta.

"So, dibs on the next one?" jokingly spoke Veena, earning a round of laughter from everyone present.

"So, lets get going home yea? We can figure the logistics of the last one when we are back at the inn. We could use the rest and fresh minds for it." Samanta spoke up, clearly feeling the exhaustion creeping in more and more.

With that agreed upon, and choosing Rex as the holder of the last crystal, something he took seriously, quickly depositing it in his space storage, they proceeded to the gate that was just a few hundred meters further ahead, beckoning them home. Once through, they saw the light of the stars, night having long since creeped in on this world. Sending signal to their carriages to come and pick them up, they relaxed for some thirty or so minutes before boarding and getting brought back to the city.

-------------------------

"How's my favourite adventurer party?" cheerfully asked Luna as soon as Rex's and the girls stepped through the door, drawing a slight smile from them.

"Exausted, but clearly better now that we have been recieved with such warmth." Rex smoothly replied, ,earning even brighter smile from Luna, a small mischievous glint in her eyes.

"My, my. You sure know how to flatter older ladies. Be carefull, one too many such compliments and one might just eat you up."

"Oho? Is that an offer I hear?" Rex found Luna to be quite magnificent, both in looks and personality. Add her killer cooking skills, and it was no wonder he did not mind playing around with the mature lady, in more ways than one. And her having a teenage daugher, with no man around, ensured she would be of a stronger character.

"While I would love to, I will unfortunately have to decline. For both our sakes. Dryads are extremely possesive after all, and I doubt you are the kind to be tied down by little old me alone." she innocently blinked a few times in Rex's dirrection.

"I suppose another time then." Rex just shrugged, moments later starting another laugh, acompanied by Luna. Even as he ws flirting with their hostess, the rest of the group was already on their way to their rooms, not in the mood for more shenanigans. Only Meru and Ria had more energy in their systems, clearly due to the empowerment crystals they had consumed earlier. After a few more minutes of conversation with Luna, Rex too retired to his own room, taking a quick bath beforehand, as ussual performing his daily storage expansion, reaching a solid size of couple bag spaces by now. It was good enough to start working on his second space, ensuring he would not have to unload everything each time he wanted to work on expanding said spaces, always keeping one empty for exactly that purpose.

The next morning was rather slow. Rex woke up early as ussual, and after a single mana pulse, noticing that there was absolutely no movement from his party members rooms, he returned to his own devices, strenghtening his body using his culvitation arts, coursing mana through his veins and powering the runes he had engraved from within, ever so slightly strenghtening himself. It was around noon that he heard a knock at his door.

"Sorry Rex. We were even more exausted as innitially expected." apologized Samanta as soon as he opened the door, clearly feeling guilty.

"No worries. I assume you ar all well rested at least?" he asked in return, not in the least worried about the time lost. He had a rather productive morning after all.

"Yes. Muscle sores for some, but nothing unexpected."

"Good. So,a quick breakfast, then return here for a team conversation in one of your rooms? I dont trust to speak of the subjects at hand out in the open." Rex questioned.

"Yes, that is exactly the same as our thoughts." Samanta agreed with Rex, leading him downstairs where the rest of the girls awaited. Then, with everyone present, they left the inn, quickly finding a diner where they could fill up their grumbling bellies. Rex, once again made his party wonder, just where does he stuff all that food, as he was only done after five servings, each and every plate presented before him having been cleaned of food entirely.

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"I suppose with what we saw you do yesterday, it is only natural that an equivalent amount of food should be consumed." With a shake of her head and light smile on her lips, commented Samanta as they returned to the inn, their spirits lifted after a hearty meal.

Once back at the inn, the group moved into the largest of three rooms, each member finding a spot to sit down. They were about to have some rather serious discussion after all. What followed next were the plans for near future for Light's Oak, as well what Rex had in mind for his own adventures. While at it, Rex handed every girl a rather small amulet like acessory. He had created them during his morning openings while the rest of his party still slept, none other being a morning person. Rex also explained that they served as a desperate call for help that he could be reached through. All they had to do was to crush on of the amulets, and he would, with his utmost speed, come to help. He did also note that while he would be made aware of the call, he would still need some time to reach the place of distress, depending on the distance he would be from them at the time of activation.

"Think of it more like a method of contact rather than 'save us now'." he explained.

They also decided that Rex should be the one to hold onto their last empowerment crystal, since he was now past this place and should look for a much more viable place to grow stronger. And capital, with its large size and numerous powerfull parties would be the perfect place for him to find aproprietly powerfull help. As for the funds that were supposed to go to the girls, the ysaid it did not matter, since they already got two thirds of their loot, and since Rex was the only one to actually fight, they had been rewarded already more than enough, though if he really wanted to, he could just go to the adventurers guild and request that however much money he wanted to, he could transfer it to their party. That was one of the ways some nobles sponsored parties, or adventurers they found to be rather promising after all.

With all of that covered, Rex decided to not waste much time, prepearing to leave as soon as possible, though not before cashing in some of the favours he had earned up untill now. So, he spent the rest of the day, fooling around with Ria, cashing in his next date with teh beautifull buxom blonde before time, since neither of them knew when they would meet. They explored the market, stopping at many different stalls and tasting whatever looked delicious on display. Rex also bought her a simple but nice hair pin that emphasized her beautifull eyes. They had wanderd around the town utill evening, laughing togeher.

"I do believe I will miss these." Ria spoke up as they walked up the stairs to her room, sun having alrady set some time ago. "It is so much easier to enjoy when you know your date enough to feel relaxed and safe."

"Cant comment on that, thought I have to agree it is nice, just relaxing and having fun, especially so in the presence of a beautifull lady. I bet that the lack of expectations on my part, besides obviously us both having fun , also brings forth an extra layer to all of it." Rex chimed in.

Neither of them having any desire to push their current situation any further, Ria being worried where it would take them, while Rex simply having had enough fun for the day, they bid one another good night before retiring to their respective rooms. Rex did hear quite the commotion and numerous teasing remarks the second Ria was inside hers, getting punced on by her party members, demanding each and every detail of their day. Rex left them to their own devices, well aware that neither of the girls would push it too far, or so he reasoned. They were on extremely good terms within their party. While not exceedingly rare, it was still joy to see as such incredibly high trust and cohesion was a rather safe bet on the longgevity and safety of any such group. With their date over and his next few weeks, at the very least, occupied with what would likely be boring travel, he used what little secure time he had to once again expand his space storage and work a bit on his body refinement and once done with that, he sank into a meditative state, resting for a few hours.

His morning was rather monotone. As ussual, he woke up earlier than the girls, using the few extra hours to comprehend the profoundities of soul and space, seeking whatever new insights he could glean. Yet, having achieved no tangible results by the time the a knock resounded on his door, he left it at that and joined the girls already waiting for him, well aware that he was likely already up and ready to go, waiting for the ladies.

"Last breakfast then, yea?" Veena asked, a forced and quite fake joy in her voice. Sure, she was among the ladies who interracted with Rex the least, but that did not mean she had not come to enjoy his presence. Still, it was obvious he was in a league of his own, resulting in the current situation.

"Indeed it is." Rex nodded in acknowledgement, the smallest of smiles on his face. "Fret not Veena, for once I am strong enough, I will take your party under my wings. We can mess around then once again." he added, knowing grin now adorning his face.

"He is right you know." Samanta chimed in, clearly in an attempt to lift the mood of her teammates. "Not only is this temporary, we even have ways to contact him, should the need arise."

The following breakfast was rather calm, some jokes and funny memories of their short time toghether brought up, bringing smiles to their faces. Rex was not holding back either, joking and laighing along with them, enjoying the rather light atmposhere that had taken over the place.

"Am I right to asume you will stick around here for quite some time still, yes?" he asked once the laughter and jokes had mostly subsided, a rather pleasant silence having taken over, with only the sounds of an occasional sip or a snack being munched on resounding around them.

"Yes. I think that is the smartest thing to do. Have any insights on the matter?" Meru asked in return.

"Nothin new. Just asked to make sure I am up to date with your plans. I do have to agree with your decision though. A good choice. If you want a suggestion from me, take on two extra front liners. That will shore up your front in a much more reliable way. Plus the addition of two, allows to pick less experienced ones, opening path to earn their undying loyality and trust. Established adventurers are quite headstrong and could be hard to work with. Grab two fresh orphan gals and become their family."

A few rather loud minutes passed by, the girls animatedly discussing his proposal, weighing pros and cons, eventually reaching the vote. Though it was rather trivial, with them all liking Rex suggestion. Though once that was done, Alurial looked to Rex with quite the suspicious gaze.

"Are you perchance using us for your nefarious plans?" she asked, eyes squinted in suspicion while a small and mischieous smile was tugging on her lips.

"No way. How harsh of you!" Rex grabbed his chest with both hands, exageratedly acting as if his heart was wounded. "In no way shape or form have I even considered to use your party as the tool to collect possible candidates for my harem. No sir!" His overly exagerated actions, as well as the fake tone of voice earned him a round of laugh from the girls, dragging him in along with them. Eventually though, it had to ome to and end, and before departung alone towards the coachmen guild where he would hire them to bring him to the capital, he spoke.

"Do take care of Luna and the place for me though. I have come to like the dryad quite a bit. And if she ever offers to cook for you, take that chance. As someone who has experienced it, I guarantee you, it is well worth it."

With the advice out of the way, and their goodbyes said, he thanked Luna for her hospitality and the pleasant company she had been for him, asking her to not hesitate to use the charm he had made for her to call for him, should the need arise. He also shamesly admited that he asked Light's Oak to look aafter her and her place. Earning a friendly smile from the motherly dryad and kind words of farewell, he left the place, leaving the girls behind and moving out.

It was not long after that he was in the coachmen guild, ironing out the details of his trip and paying extra to ensure they would leave in a timely manner. Rex was a rather famous persona in the upper echealon of the local circle, at least for the coachmen, since the info he shared about the magic had spread as well as his actions in tracking down the acursed cultists were spoken about. Thus, he was well recieved and treated as an important guests, going so far as being brought dirrectly to the manager of the local branch. There, recieving praises and warm compliments from the man in charge, he formulated his request, while sharing some small snippets of knowledge he had spoken off before in the presence of the coachmen who brought his party here, giving just a little bit extra, ensuring that this transaction would be profitable for both parties.

"We wish you safe journey and fortuitous encounters in the future." The branch manager bid Rex farewell, once the two were informed of the readiness of his trip.

"Thank you for your quick and efficient work. I hope that my meager knowledge will be of help." Rex replied as he made a small nod towards the man in charge, quickly following the attentant to head out. A new chapter in his life would begin now, hopefully just as interesting and vivid as thus far, maybee even more so.