Hazel proceeded to cast [Mana Bolt] on the dirt ground right next to her shelter hole. Her staff was pointed at the dirt before a rod of condensed mana was hurled down, striking the ground and kicking up some dirt in the process. Some of the dirt got on her face, so she wiped it away with her sleeve while continuing her digging.

As she did, Astrid watched silently, as if observing Hazel’s magic and the way she was using it. The mage could feel the Dark Elf ranger’s stare, making her a little uncomfortable. Nevertheless, she continued, determined to expand the hole so both Astrid and she could rest without worrying about keeping watch of monsters.

“So, you possess the Mage Class?” Astrid suddenly asked.

Hazel paused upon hearing this, before nodding in response. “Yes, I chose it since I love magic.”

She could literally go on for hours about her fascination for magic from the types of magic to the different uses of it. In fact, she had done this before with her friends back in high school. Sadly, since she was the only one who possessed such an interest in the topic, it was usually just her talking about it while her friends simply listened before moving on to another topic.

“So, that means you were a magic user before the system appeared?”

Hazel’s face fell awkwardly as if she wasn’t sure of how to answer that. “…No, I wasn’t, though I wish I was.”

Astrid tilted her head in confusion. “Does that mean you did not possess an affinity for magic before the system?”

“Something like that yeah,” She rubbed the side of her head, chuckling lightly.

“I see. I guess it was hard to see other people using magic while you couldn’t.”

“Huh? But none of the people in my world can use magic.”

This time, Astrid was confused as she stared dumbfoundedly at Hazel. “What? T-then how do you know about magic and would like to use it?

“Oh, that’s because of certain pop culture media like Books, movies, and even TV shows. There are hundreds or maybe even thousands of books that involve a variety of different types of magic.”

Hazel learned about the concept of magic after finding and reading a certain novel series where a boy is chosen to go to a school for wizards. She even saw all of the movies too, and is praying for a TV series to be made. Ever since then, Hazel had been reading and watching all kinds of things that involved magic. It’s practically one of her biggest hobbies now.

Listening to Hazel, Astrid cocked an eyebrow curiously.

“What’s a Movie and TV show?” She asked, completely clueless regarding the terms.

Hazel stifled a laugh after hearing her question. Right, since she was from another world, the dark elf did not know Earth and its culture. Of course, the same applied to the mage, since she knew next to nothing about Astrid’s world and its customs.

“Well, a Movie and TV show are stories caught on film and displayed on a screen. And there are a variety of them like action movies, romance, drama, etc. My world has lots of movies and shows, so you can pick and choose whatever you like.”

Astrid’s eyes widened with interest and awe. “Your world was able to do that? Incredible…”

Once again, Hazel did her best to hold her laughter back, bearing no desire to make fun of Astrid’s innocent naivety regarding Earth’s culture. She did find it interesting that the dark elf was so interested in her world. It also made her a little embarrassed since she looked so invested in the topic.

It reminded her of when she first learned about magic and wanted to know more. A look of interest and curiosity was plastered on the Dark Elf’s face, which was a bit surprising since she looked so stern and worried before.

“What exactly is your world like?” Hazel asked, still firing mana bolts into the ground, molding her new shelter into what she desired.

Since Astrid and her were somewhat bonding, it probably wouldn’t hurt to ask her some things about her world. If it was anything like Earth, then she likely knows a lot.

Astrid paused, wearing a pensive yet pondering look. “There isn’t much that I know about my world in its entirety. I only know about the forest that I live in along with a couple of kingdoms outside of it. The Forest that I was born in is called Brimlock. It’s where most of all the elf tribes reside. Like my Greyvolk Tribe.”

Hazel carefully listened, wanting to know more. “How many tribes are in Brimlock?”

“To my knowledge, over fifteen.”

“Over fifteen?!”

Astrid let out a chuckle and lightly smiled. “Brimlock is a very large forest. So much so, that it’s considered a country in its own right.”

“S-seriously?”

This was extremely major news. Since Earth and Astrid’s world were being merged, that meant Hazel had a chance to go to Brimlock. Though, she wasn’t sure if that was possible if humans were forbidden there.

“So, I’m assuming that there are more than just dark elves living in Brimlock?”

Astrid frowned a little upon Hazel’s next question. “There are, but none of them are exactly friendly with us Dark Elves. There are the Original Elves, the Moon Elves, and last but certainly the least are the High Elves.

“I guess the High Elves don’t like Dark Elves, huh?”

Astrid scoffed. “You have no idea. Those arrogant, high, and mighty bastards are the most obnoxious out of the four elves I mentioned.”

“Makes sense,” Hazel nodded. “Considering they’re called High Elves; it stands to reason that they would be incredibly arrogant for their own.”

Hazel knew a little about High Elves thanks to some of the books she read that involved them. They were a species of Elves that were superior to the original in every way from their physical prowess like speed to even their intelligence. And with that intelligence came with an over-inflated ego.

They were considered extremely prideful to the point where they viewed every other race before them as inferior in every way. Especially regular Elves. So, if Astrid’s high elves were anything like the ones in Hazel’s books, then she was in for a ride when she returned home.

“Those guys are beyond arrogant,” Astrid spat. “They possess such a superiority complex that they consider themselves gods. What’s worse is that they’re perfectionists, so they view any species lesser than them as inferior, to the point where the rest of the species are considered lower lifeforms to them. Thankfully, aside from Dark Elves, the High Elves are just as hated. I would say even more so since they have done a lot of terrible things in pursuit of perfection.”

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“Geez…I don’t want to run into those guys.”

“You really don’t. Especially since you’re a human. High Elves are known for enslaving your kind. They’ve been doing it for centuries in my world.”

Hazel’s face turned pale. “Y-yeah, I’m never going to encounter one for as long as I live…”

She’s seen enough slavery in her books to know that she never wanted to become one. Especially if her so-called Masters were the high elves. Hazel feared that being one of their slaves was most definitely a death sentence. Or worse.

And since Astrid’s world was merging with Earth, that meant she was going to be seeing them a lot. And considering their excessive ego along with their god complex, Hazel had a sneaking suspicion that those High Elves were going to be stirring up a lot of trouble in the newly merged world.

“Hazel...” Astrid uttered the mage’s name in a low tone.

“What’s up?” She asked, halting her digging to catch her breath. She could feel that she was reaching her limit while feeling an irritating throbbing headache slowly form in her skull.

“I...want to apologize again for my actions earlier. I was being reckless and foolish. That isn’t how I should act as the future Tribal Chief.”

“I already said it was okay, Astrid. Plus, again, if I were in your shoes, I would act the same way if it was my family that was in danger. Hell, I’m worried about them since they’re both likely in their own separate dungeons, enduring who knows what kind of hellish experience like me.”

Knowing that her brother and mother were both possibly suffering from the same brutal dungeon tutorial like her, Hazel could feel a nasty, dreadful knot forming in the pit of her gut. Her mind was swarmed with fearful and horrific thoughts of what was happening to them.

“Your family should be fine, though,” Hazel noted. “You guys know how to hunt and fight, so surviving the dungeon tutorial should be more or less simple since you’re trained.”

Unlike Hazel’s family, Astrid’s were born in this kind of lifestyle. They face off against dangerous beasts and monsters all the time back in her world, while the most threatening thing Hazel had to deal with was College exams and reckless drivers. That and robbers, but those are rather rare in her case.

Compared to her family, Astrid’s family members had a much better chance of surviving the Dungeons. Or so she thought...

“You’re wrong...” Astrid said with a trembling voice. “There...is no amount of training in the world...that could possibly prepare us for this.” She hugged her knees with a sorrowful expression. “The system...this tutorial...the merging of worlds...none of us could brace ourselves for such a thing. Not even me...”

Hazel remained silent, uncertain of how to respond. Before she could, Astrid continued.

“I’m worried about my father...my mother...most of my siblings. I have no idea what they are going through right now. I...I don’t even know if they’re even still alive.”

“Don’t say that. You can’t fret over something like that. It will only make it more difficult for you to move forward.”

Even though Hazel preached this, there was a part of her that would always think of such morbid thoughts. What if her mother or brother died in their dungeons? What if she could never see them again?

These grisly thoughts constantly plagued her mind. As if ridiculing her efforts to keep going because if her loved ones were gone...then what would be the point of all of this? Why even try to survive when you have nothing else to live for?

But Hazel couldn’t let these thoughts dissuade her. She had to keep moving. She needed to find a way out of this dungeon and find her family. It was her strong conviction to accomplish this goal that kept her from descending into despair.

“You have to keep moving, Astrid,” Hazel asserted. “You need to remember that you need to push through. If not for yourself, then for your people. You can’t assume the worst. It will only discourage you from leaving this place.”

“I...don’t think I can...” Astrid muttered, looking lost; her eyes staring absently into the woods.

“You can. And you will.”

Hazel stood up from the edge of her hole and walked over to Astrid. Standing in front of the dark elf, she placed her hand on her shoulder, gripping it firmly.

“Astrid, you need to remember that you are a Captain of the Greyvolk Legion. You said before that you have a duty to protect your people and your home no matter the cost. So, you need to stop fretting over what could happen and focus on the here and now. You need to think about surviving so you can go home and fulfill your position as a Captain. That is all that should matter to you.”

What Hazel just said felt very abrupt to her, but she also knew that it was necessary to keep Astrid from losing her will to live. The dark elf couldn’t let her dark thoughts get the best of her. Once they did, it would be all over.

Hazel continued to stare at Astrid, waiting for her response. As she did, her attention was immediately drawn to the dark elf’s sickly appearance. She looked a lot paler than usual, and that said a lot considering that she had gray skin. Her forehead and neck slightly glistened from the sheen of sweat rapidly being produced as they slowly trickled down her body. Faint and shallow breaths escaped her lips as her chest heaved weakly.

“Astrid...?” Hazel said with a worried tone. “Are you alright?”

Astrid listlessly raised her head to look at Hazel, her eyes cloudy and unfocused like she was high. It didn’t even look like she was staring at the mage, but something else through her.

“Ha...zel...”

“W-whoa, Astrid!”

Uttering Hazel’s name, the dark elf suddenly collapsed, falling to the side before the mage hastily caught her just in time. But she had bigger issues at the moment.

“W-what’s wrong...?” Hazel questioned before her eyes trailed over to the blood-stained wrap around Astrid’s ankle. “Your wound...”

Her ankle injury must be the cause of Astrid’s sudden collapse. Because it wasn’t treated until Hazel ran into her, the injury likely festered enough to where it was likely infected which Astrid’s body was beginning to strongly respond to.

And if Hazel didn’t do something soon, the dark elf might die.

“Dammit...what do I do?” Hazel’s mind raced, trying to figure out a solution. Then, she suddenly remembered the Healing potion.

It should be able to fix Astrid’s wound since it’s able to restore injuries and the like. But was Hazel willing to sacrifice her last potion to save Ranger Elf?

The mage anxiously stared at Astrid, watching as she lay there in pain, taking shallow breaths followed by a raspy wheeze every so often. Hazel closed her eyes tightly, desperately trying to make a decision that could result in Astrid’s death or survival.

Hazel wanted to save Astrid, but she also couldn’t risk losing her healing potion. Not when there was the possibility of her getting severely injured in the future, and her only way to survive was by using it.

And yet...she also couldn’t let Astrid die. Not after hearing her fears and desperation to return home. Not when she saw how similar she and the dark elf were when it came to prioritizing their family.

Hazel wanted to help Astrid return home. She wanted to get her out of this dungeon. It wasn’t just to preserve her own life, but to also do something for the dark elf, who just wanted to go home as well.

Realizing this, the mage let out a heavy sigh. “There’s no going back after this. And yet I’m okay with it.”

Making her decision, she stood up and rushed over to her hole. She reached in and grabbed her bag, bringing it out of the shelter, and began to rummage through it. It didn’t take long before Hazel got the potion and rushed back over to Astrid.

Her eyes observed the pale and sickly dark elf, a hint of hesitation slowly building up. But it was soon washed away as Hazel took a deep breath to steel her resolve.

“You’re not dying on me like this, Astrid. Not on your life, you hear me?”

While declaring this, Hazel uncorked the bottle and went over to Astrid’s leg. Frantically unwrapping the bandage, the mage saw the grisly wound on her ankle. Blood and puss leaked from the wound while her foot twitched every so often from the pain.

Hazel took another moment to collect herself after seeing this before immediately pouring the potion on the wound. The red liquid splashed on the injury and then soaked in like it was a sponge.

A moment after, nothing happened. Then the wound on her ankle began to slowly mend back together. A few seconds later, the grievous wound was completely gone, leaving only remnants of its presence through the blood and puss still clinging to her skin.

Seeing the wound vanish in the blink of an eye, Hazel heavily sighed. She leaned back on the ground and lightly laughed. She then took another look at Astrid, noticing that her complexion had returned to normal as well, along with her breathing.

“Thank god I’m not too late, or I would’ve been real upset for wasting that potion...”

With Astrid saved and healed, Hazel successfully prevented the dark elf from meeting her end. At the cost of her last remaining potion.

Which meant now...Hazel and Astrid were sticking together till the very end. By saving Astrid's life, Hazel made her decision to not only trust Astrid but also do everything in her power to help her.

The dark elf didn’t know it yet, but she just unknowingly obtained a true ally.