–Still in the past–

Inside a tavern, whilst eating their fill, Zephyr is currently in deep thought. Along with him and Sophia, is one of the founding members of their currently little cluster. The one known as the {Impenetrable Spearhead} in the future and vanguard of [Grim Fate]: Hywel Wayneflet.

Upon noticing Zephyr’s behavior, Hywel nudges Sophia and asks her in a hushed voice: “Hey Sophia, what's Zephyr on about now? Did you two run into something interesting back then while I was doing what's supposed to be our job alone? Care to share?”

As a response, Sophia lets out a sigh and gently puts down her utensils. “Come now, stop nagging. I successfully finished the negotiations, didn't I?” Her glance then fell towards the thinking Zephyr. “Reading Zep’s abstract mind is one of the few tasks I am struggling with, you see. But since you asked, I might as well give my opinion about the matter.”

Sophia then adjusts her glasses as if she's about to begin the history of the great Zephyr.

“He has discovered a new potential ally. One that he thinks, on par or maybe more powerful than Star rank hunters.”

“Hooh?” Hywel chugs down a full mug of grape juice he's been holding. “I do not see the recruit anywhere though, did he– no, it's Zep we're talking about…what do you think is his plan?”

“I don't know the full structure of his master plan, but I guess it has something to do with what we have heard on our way here.” ← Sophia

“The rumor of a spawning dungeon right in the middle of this town?” ← Hywel

“Yes. We don't know exactly if it's true or not, but if it is, what kind of dungeon would it be? Also, there has been an unprecedented occurrence. We haven't seen anyone from the official hunter’s law enforcements (present day GEO) to warn the villagers about it, instead, a group of unknown researchers just entered the vicinity. Knowing them, they must have known about the upcoming dungeon formation already, yet they fail to mention it with the chief.”

“A deliberate withholding of information, huh? So, have you figured out their plan?”

“Quite. Judging from their recent interactions inside the village, they seem to take interest in the potential ally I mentioned. That's where Zep’s plan should come in, I guess. I believe he can already foresaw how this will turn out, so I'll stick with him until he asks for my assistance.”

Meanwhile, the master planner Zephyr is currently looking out for a seat nearer to the fireplace. ‘I already drank two cups of hot cocoa but my skin is still freezing…I need that fire!’ No plan or anything inside his mind.

As the night passes without any incidents, Zephyr took the opportunity to visit the tavern early and not miss out on their breakfast meal: a nice combination of steaming hot triple cheese toast and a cup of piping hot cream coffee. ‘Alright, to reward the two, I should reserve some for them. I can at least do this to thank them for their hard work!’

Inside, however, was a huge crowd, also thinking of the same thing.

“What the–? Nooooo, my triple cheese toast!” As Zephyr laments, a stranger’s hand just lands on top of his shoulder.

“Hey there little man, I see you’re also aiming for that hearty breakfast. Too bad it looks like it will be out of order soon due to this crowd.” It was Roderick who happened to be around at that time as well.

“Ah…haha, yeah…looks like I have to give up.” Zephyr shrugs all the while gently brushing off the man’s hand from his shoulder. ‘Creepy guy. Might as well give up the breakfast than have a conversation with him.’

“Oh, but lucky for you young man, I happen to have myself an extra set. I wouldn’t mind giving it to you.” As soon as he said it, one of his members frowned as the meal was his to begin with.

“Oh boy, thanks!”

Though Zephyr willfully accepted it. After all, Zephyr was still a child. A bargain as cheap as this is all it takes for him to bite. Roderick on the other hand is an experienced adult who knows how to deal with some individuals.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“Don’t mention it. It will be much more for me to bear if a child can’t get even simple things such as this.” Without any more hesitations, Roderick poses a question.

“So, I saw you yesterday accepting some sort of satchel from the lady shopkeeper. Big brother is curious about its content.”

“Mmm?” Zephyr’s inner conscience is telling him to be wary of the man in front of him, but his other conscience is guilt tripping him due to the fact that he has received a satisfying gift from this man without asking anything in return. ‘Ahh what to do. I mean, the content of that satchel is just a handful of gold. Like, she’s passing her responsibility to us to take care of her daughter. Well, might as well just tell the truth.’

“Err, it’s a handful of gold.”

“Gold…as in currency?” Roderick slightly raises his brow, seemingly not buying Zephyr’s words. ‘This little kid might just be harder to please than I thought. As if that witch would give charity to strangers even if they’re kids. I’ll buy his bluff for now.’ Unknowingly, however, to Roderick, it was the truth.

“Oh, I see! She’s such a good lady, helping promising younglings such as yourselves. So, did you hide it well? I wonder though, you kids don't seem to be that much in need of currency, you look like well off after all, haha. Big brother is a researcher, a curious person you see. I'm wondering why she did that.”

Roderick continues to pressure Zephyr into telling him the truth even though he already did.

“I wonder too, it's not like we asked her to give it to us though, I swear we're not that kind of people!” Zephyr shakes his head just to signify his point.

Roderick, however, on the other hand:

‘T-this kid…!’ He thought that Zep was playing the fool with this act. ‘I should have the upper hand in this conversation, and he's a goddamn kid! How can he withhold the only information that is making him useful for me!? I see, he shouldn't be underestimated. It feels like he knows the situation well.’

With a pat in the back, Roderick whispered something behind Zephyr’s ears: “Adult business should only be dealt with by adults, kids should stay off.”

“...?”

He doesn't show it, but Zephyr fails to comprehend what's the meaning behind those words. He paused for a while, trying hard to give a response, but then a thought occurred to him. Something only he could come up with

‘Is he perchance…thinking that I'm hitting up with the older lady!? Wait, he's there first before us, that means…he's hitting her up while Sophia and I interrupted them!?’ Truly, a mind to behold.

‘No no, I shouldn't let him misunderstand me after having accepted a delectable gift! However, I shouldn't be too defensive. As Sophia said, confidence put in words will make a man believe!’ Zephyr looks him in the eye and responds back with a carefree smile, making Roderick a bit bothered as he translates it as a face with a plan.

“You misunderstand me, Mister. I'm not interested.”

“Huh?” Roderick replied with one of his eyebrows raised.

“In fact, I will not be involved at all. If you pursue her enough, she will finally give you her answer.”

“.....” Roderick’s smile fades into a frown and thinks to himself: ‘He means that if we poke our nose further, she will finally retaliate. And he doesn't even need to make a move of his own. A clear threat, huh. Too much arrogance for a child, unfortunately for you, no matter who or how young someone is, I will get rid of them in pursuit of knowledge.’

They then made their last eye contact inside the tavern. The following events will be revealed later on as the present story progresses.

–Present Time–

Alice smirked, an evil smile etched on her face.

“Let me tell you something that even [Grim Fate] possibly haven’t thought of. A way to enslave the monsters!” The gigantic hole then begins to spawn a surmountable amount of various monsters, from goblins to trolls, and golems.

“How is something like this possible…?”

As a response, Anastasia prepares her countermeasure, raising obsidian spikes from the ground to impale the dropping monsters.

“But weak monsters like that are no threat to me.” As she says so, the spikes begin to take care of the falling goblins and trolls, however the golems just destroy the obsidians.

“!?”

This piques Anastasia’s curiosity, her eyes show suspicion as she knows for sure that most golems should not have high resistance to magic, moreover, her own tier of spell.

“Surprised aren't you? The monsters here operate on a different scale than the normal ones. After all-” Alice then completes her spell with a final chant: “GnghuTaj!” (Reform!) A language derived from dungeon inhabitants.

“These monsters are creations derived from my own concept!”

As the chant was conveyed, Anastasia’s surroundings began to transmute. The nature-like environment she was in withered within seconds, transforming it into a wasteland. Dark and dry, it was an ecosystem unfit for the living. It was indeed a finalized dungeon, materialized by none other than Alice herself. Anastasia then breathes in as if trying to relax her system.

“To be able to achieve this feat…Alice, her genius really is something to behold. But then-”

Anastasia looks around, trying to search for Alice as she disappears from sight. She then closed her eyes for focused mana detection whilst remembering something.

‘This situation feels like…back when Master Zep guided me on the dungeon outbreak from our village.’

A quake suddenly jolted her concentration as the dungeon inhabitants made their way towards her. Anastasia then opens her eyes clutching the ring Zephyr gave her.

“If this is your final resort to defeat me…then I shall gladly answer you in kind.”