Watching her enter, the two glanced at the carcass. Cassie had a soft smile, while Dayo gave her a, “Oh, not bad.”
Rolling her eyes, Dayo was just a person that worked for Cassie. They got along, and he was able to get unlimited funds from her. This was in part due to his work being extremely profitable. On the side of Cassie, who had connections to do easy and niche business that required connections and high starting capital.
Since he knew she was Cassie’s student, knowing her identity as a Grade B. Everything else was simply lip service. He knew nothing about her abilities. Having the opportunity to watch them spar, he would opt out as he would find it boring.
Without saying anything, Cassie glanced at him, sensing this, he looked over before he rubbed his chin. Finally, after a moment, “Alright, if you’re willing to give me the leftover bits, I will cook that for you.”
Thinking about it, Jessica finally consented. The razor checkered giant fur had some uses. Only it was second to the meat. This creature turned the soft exterior into a sharp, razor like substance. Going so far as to entirely change its dietary habits to increase its substance to change to an extreme.
The outside became a product that could be processed into a lot of things. While the insides had been softened to a degree that left the cooked meat delicious. The problem came with their speed combined with their sharp fur. Just coming into contact would often cause injury, while it could move at incredibly speeds.
Ultimately, this wasn’t a terribly difficult thing to overcome. Especially for a Grade D, thus, Cassie wasn’t overly impressed. In the end, she hunted it as its value was higher.
The day continued to pass. It was only at night that a disturbance caused them to look at the perimeter. A large black horse could be seen walking the exterior, unsure of how to proceed.
Other than that, night fell. It was a quiet night that ended with Dayo and Jessica sleeping outside. Cassie enjoyed the special tent she had.
When morning came, the official start of her training started. Walking out while stretching, Cassie had her trademark smile on. “Are you ready for your first task?”
Nodding her head, she waited for Cassie to tell her what she wanted. From her understanding, she was to look for and deliver the goods she asked for. Jessica believed that depending on the difficulty would determine her time limit.
“You will be going into the second layer. Just the peripheral. I had you familiarize yourself with the first layer so as to not be disoriented when you leave after completing your task. Of course, this will also allow you to retreat if you fail to complete it on the first try.”
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Without waiting for her to say anything, “You should go into this with a serious demeanor. As while Dayo had entered earlier and didn’t notice anything suspicious. That isn’t to say that everything will be the same forever. So you should be ready for anything.”
Speaking with a serious face, it was a bit strange for Jessica. Cassie had always been cautious and tried to instill it into her, but to say it again almost seemed like she would be doing something more difficult than she originally believed. At least for her first task.
Tossing over a crystal, “Your task is to track down what this leads to.”
With such a vague description, Jessica could only probe the crystal with some mana. As soon as her mana entered the crystal, a vague shape appeared. An arrow pointing west. It was blurry and not very distinctive. Looking up at Cassie, hoping to get some kind of hint.
Seeing her look back with big innocent eyes, she could only sigh, “How long will I have to complete this task?”
This time Cassie didn’t answer immediately, “Well, I originally designed an entire game. Having you familiarize with the first layer. You would be told to enter the second. While sounding absurd. Very few things are ever completely known. Like the monkeys you have come across, by familiarizing with the first layer, it would make it easier to retreat.”
Without pausing, “Slowly, you would have to scout the much larger second layer. There would be real danger that could really push you. By sending you in for little things. Experience would be built up. In the end I would have you complete this task. Depending on your overall score, the ending would be a happy or a sad one.”
With a mischievous smile, “However, that remains the same. You will be given a few months. As it will take you time to understand the second layer bit by bit. You will need to slowly probe. Ultimately, if you fail, you will be walking back without a ride.”
Seeing the strange look on her face, as she rarely did. Cassie sighed, looking up at the sky, “Mother found something concerning deeper inside. Because of this, we will be busy and won’t have time to complete the game with you. So take your time and complete this task before we return. I have full confidence in you.”
Knowing better, Jessica didn’t ask further. She had no right to ask when she wasn’t outright told. Knowing would do her no good. Taking one last look at the camp, Jessica left as she headed out to find a new place to stay. Planning to use the entire day for this.
With them leaving, this place would lose its formation and its safety. She had plenty of time to complete the now single-player game Cassie had made for her.
Watching her leave, it was only once she left that Cassie’s smile was gone. Turning around, she saw her mother watching her with a bit of worry. Shaking her head, she watched as everything slowly shined before it disappeared.
Using her unknown method, Helga had collected both the tent and everything that was inside the camp. Once done, Dayo moved to the four corners before taking out four shining crystals that were embedded into the ground.
With one last look at the direction Jessica had left, Cassie turned as Helga grabbed her waist before they moved. Dayo watched them leave as he turned and ran in the opposite direction. Quickly disappearing, after leaving the forbidden zone, he took Billy and left the area.