"Damnit…" Devon growled.

I stared at the notification, letting the words sink in.

[ALERT] EMERGENCY LOCKDOWN OF LOCAL NODES.

NEXUS LEYLINES CLOSED.

URGENT QUEST AUTOMATICALLY ACCEPTED.

…

…

…

[ALERT] NEW QUEST ACQUIRED: HUNT THE MONSTER THAT THREATENS THE NEXUS! Eliminate ALL Threats!

"Devon, what does this mean?" I asked after minimizing the notification.

Devon sighed and walked over to the nearest tree. Alice and I both stared as he moved to the thickest trunk and promptly used it as a backrest, sitting down with his legs crossed.

Alice glanced my way but subtly shrugged and began picking up wood to make a fire. While I wanted an answer, I decided to follow along and collect dry leaves and broken branches. It took less than a dozen minutes, but we returned to camp to find Devon resting with his eyes closed.

Alice helped make the pit, and I added the fuel, stacking the logs to cook something. To cook what, I didn't know, but it was becoming a habit. I slid my hand underneath the logs and placed it on the small stack of dried leaves. My mana pool responded, and I let the barest amount of flames exit my palm, igniting the leaves.

Flames erupted, and wood smoke began to waft into the air, filling the campsite with a distinct smell of oak.

After lighting the fire, Alice settled in front of a tree, and I took a spot near the flames, letting them play over my fingers. They were warm but didn't burn or hurt. I resisted the urge to test my limits; despite my apparent flame resistance, I didn't want the scent of singed flesh to replace the comforting aroma of burning oak.

Yet still, it made me happy in the dumbest way, like a kid realizing he could do something cool.

At least it'll be a neat party trick…

Rustling to my left brought me out of my introspection, and I looked around to see Devon staring into the fire. They danced across his blue eyes, his expression stormy.

"We won't be returning to the Warren for a while. Not until we clear the quest," he started. He waited until Alice sat up and was paying attention before continuing. "The nexus node we use to anchor our portals is closed for this section of the world. Until the threat is eliminated, no portal magic will work, none that require the leylines or the nodes."

"So we're stuck here until we find this random monster? Why wouldn't the system tell us where to go."

I could almost see Devon's teeth begin to grind, the vein in his neck bulging out.

"Because the system attaches to people, not the surroundings. The only control it has is the nodes itself and the immediate area around its carriers."

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

That's… dumb.

"So it can lock down the entire area like a security feature, but not track where the problem is. And it can only do so because none of us are near enough to the monster to track it?" He nodded, and I scoffed. "I expected more from a magical system that expands across worlds."

"Or maybe our system's goals are different from other systems' goals…"

That made me freeze. "There are other systems?"

I shouldn't have been surprised, but I had never stopped to think about the idea that our version of magic couldn't be the only version.

"Yes," he said deadpanned.

"Okay... What does this mean for us? If we have no idea where to go, how do we find this threat?"

Devon remained silent and stared at Alice. I looked over and paused, finding something off about her posture. She seemed… angry. Her eyes were hard, and she gripped the grass underneath with clenched fingers.

"I don't know the world's geography," Devon said slowly. "But there should be a village another three hours down the road. From there, we head towards the capital. If we're stuck, it means the other Grimm is stuck as well. If they don't know where to look, we can enlist the king's help."

Alice thumped her head back and closed her eyes, and both Devon and I watched before he stood up.

"Need me to do anything?" I asked.

"No. I'll be back," he replied.

"Alright."

He walked away, disappearing behind the trees, leaving me alone with an all too silent Alice.

Right. I'll… be here.

One of the logs popped, and a piece of hot coal hit my cheek. I quickly brushed it away and sighed.

This is going to be fun, I can tell.

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

Devon came back sometime in the morning. By the time I woke up, he had four rabbits on a stick, roasting over the flames, dripping juices into the fire that sizzled with every drop.

He tossed me two, silencing my protesting stomach. Despite the hunger calling for me to ravenously consume the meat, I kept it in check and chewed slowly.

After pausing, I looked up to see Devon watching me.. I swallowed the chunk in my mouth and washed it down with my canteen. "What?"

"Did you level? I know Alice has."

"Oh, uh.. yeah. Is that weird? Doesn't it seem too early to level that quickly?"

"Perhaps, but the Erlking and his shadow troll, combined with the corrupted beasts and kobolds, should have been enough to boost your Lore high enough," he explained. He waited until I finished eating and held out his hand. "Toss me your axe."

Unsure of what he wanted, I pulled the axe from its sheath and handed it over. He caught it and inspected the blade, running his thumb over its edge before pushing down. It took a surprising amount of force for the blade to pierce his skin. As red began to bubble out of the cut, he tossed it back.

I caught it, barely. After glaring at the man, I resheathed it and waited.

"When we're at the capital, we'll get you a new axe."

"Why? This one works just fine."

He shook his head. "Besides how poorly you've taken care of its edge, the head is too light. With your stats growing as fast as they are, you'll be able to handle a heavier weapon that lets you wield more force behind each blow."

Now that he pointed it out, the chip glared at me. Maro would no doubt have something to say when we returned to the Warren.

"Do we even have the money for it?"

In response, he reached into his satchel and pulled out a large pouch. When he tossed it over, I felt the weight in my hand and opened it. Filled nearly to the brim were stacks of silver and a couple of gems.

I whistled softly. "This seems a lot more than what Thelassa owed us. You didn't rob them blind, did you?"

His face remained unamused.

Kill joy.

"The town leader hid away sizeable chunks of money. There should be more than enough to get you a new weapon made."

I handed the pouch back.

"Sweet," I replied. I hesitated and glanced at Alice. "Is she asleep again?"

"Yes."

"Any idea on how I should spend my points?"

"I won't advise you on that, do what feels right to you."

"That's not nearly as helpful an answer as you might think it is."

"And I shouldn't have to tell you to fix your weaknesses, pup. If you're lacking in something, then fix it. Be happy that you can choose at all."

There was heat in his voice, and I let the matter drop. I didn't mean to sound as bratty as I did, but it slipped out.

In. Out. In. And out.

"I'm sorry."

"Forgiven. Now finish your food. I'll wake Alice, and we'll head out once she's done."

At least he's explaining things now.

Devon stood up and woke Alice. As always, she woke up ready to attack, only to have Devon diverted her swings at the last second. From there, she said nothing and ate her breakfast silently while I forced myself to finish mine in drawn-out bites.

Once she finished up, she left to clean up in the nearby river, and I pulled up my status.

Now, where to put you…