The group eventually arrived back at the Metal City, just as it was getting dark. Alice seemed to have calmed down and was in the middle of explaining how Shira could evolve BB. However, Shira wasn't able to understand a single word of what Alice was saying.

Devo was still fixated on why BB was in the Ethos Forest and was even deep in thought. He looked up to ask Alice something but realized that Alice, along with Shira and BB, had disappeared. He looked around but couldn't see any of them in the nearby crowds. He opened his map and realized they had taken a left while he had gone straight.

He rolled his eye and turned around. However the moment he fully turned around, he collided with a cloaked figure and both of them nearly fell over.

"Watch it asshole! Oh it's you Devo.". After he recovered from the impact, Devo realized the person he had bumped into must be Echo. He figured it was her based on the sound of her voice and account she was wearing her favourite Black Dragon Scale Scarf that went down to her knees.

"It's been a while hasn't it Devo, it's rare to see you in any populated area.". She pulled her black hood down and brushed her long pure white hair out of the way of her face, revealing the metalic silver blindfold covering her eyes.

"So, what've you been up to recently? I check your mini-status and noticed you've lost some of your HP, and MP; have you been in a fight?". Echo looked around Devo's body. She spotted scratch/scuff marks and leaves on his clothes and hair. She even noticed small bite marks on his head which made her chuckle as imagining what small creature could've caused the marks.

"You seem awfully cheerful given the current situation.". Echo shrugged in response.

"Well, what can I say, this is like a dream come true for me. Oh, and check this out". She moved her hair out the way of her ears, revealing her elven ears. She started to playfully wiggle her ears.

"Aren't they cool and aren't you supposed to have wings, a tail, or horns, given you're a demon now?". Devo quickly glanced at his map and noticed the others had stopped by a crowd before looking back at Echo.

"You're thinking of the Hangmen Demon evolution. My one's the Spirit Corruptor remember?". Echo had a flash of realization before scratching her right ear slightly somberly. Devo lifted an eyebrow in response.

"Something wrong?". Echo shook her head.

"No... I just remembered you chose the boring evolution that only has the magic wings.". She noticed the cyan dots on his map and asked him who they were. Devo informed her they were Alice and Shira; he even told Echo a summarized version of the day's events. Echo nodded her head as Devo recited what he did today.

"You've actually fought a group of monsters already? I wish I could have joined you instead of having to listen to Xeno's theories. Say since you're going to meet back up with Alice mind if I tag along?". Devo just started to walk and told her to follow him. She happily followed behind him; she asked him what combat was like as the two of them made their way to Alice and Shira.

Meanwhile, at the gathering Alice and Shira were at, Shira was trying to get a good view of the person talking on the stage but couldn't see anything, because the majority of the people in the crowd were double her height. Alice tapped Shira on her shoulder to get her attention.

"You need a lift?". Shira nodded in confirmation. BB climbed onto Shira's head before Alice grabbed onto Shira's hands and started to float upwards. Shira and Alice now had a clear view of the stage. Alice instantly recognized the people, especially the person in the middle, on stage.

The crowd was still muttering and mumbling among themselves, wondering what the group on stage were up to. The woman, who was wearing a full set of silver and gold paladin tanker armor, in the middle of the stage, was trying to get the attention of the crowd but her voice couldn't overpower the volume of the crowd. The woman let out a fed-up sigh and lifted her foot. She violently struck the stage and sent out a shockwave, silencing the entire crowd and getting their undivided attention.

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"Now if I may continue, Lord Luminous has received a message from an unknown messenger. The message in question stated that in exactly five days someone will appear on top of the statue of the lady Angelica and will explain what's going on.". The knight also added that for the time being people shouldn't go too far from the city until they have more information.

"But shouldn't you guys be more proactive, given you're part of the highest-ranked guild?" one of the people in the crowd asked. The knight calmly informed the crowd given they don't have a single lead or clue as to what's going on, other than they're not unable to return home. The knight also added that if anyone else has any questions, she'll try her best to answer them.

Members of the crowd started to raise their hands and the knight started to answer them. Alice realized that the speech was over and started to float downwards. Alice placed Shira on the ground and let go of her before landing on the ground herself.

"That's quite interesting right De...vo?". Alice looked around and realized she couldn't see Devo anywhere. She tugged on Alice's sleeve and asked who the person on the stage was.

"Oh, she's Nova the Vice-Captain of The Lumos Knights and member of the Luminasity Guild which I happen to be a member of," Alice stated proudly. Shira was about to ask another question but got distracted when she noticed Devo approaching. She pointed at Devo, causing Alice to turn around and spot him too.

"Where'd you run off to?". Alice crossed her arms waiting for a response.

"I got distracted and didn't notice you guys went left, but I did happen to run into Echo.". Right as Devo mentioned her name, Echo popped out from behind Devo and greeted Alice by giving her a bear hug.

"Alice, I was so worried when I didn't see your charac... I mean you in your bed and you weren't online I thought you'd been kidnapped or something." Echo joked while spinning around in circles. She placed the dizzy Alice down, who quickly snapped out of her dizzy state.

"I could say the same thing to you, Echo. You hardly ever leave the house without me.". The two continued to catch up before Alice turned back to Devo. She asked if the two of them happened to hear what Nova said.

"We didn't actually hear what she said but we did hear some people talking about what she said.".

"Oh that's good, that means I don't need to repeat what she said and we can just head back home.". Devo agreed which Echo and Shira seconded. So without anything else to discuss, the group followed Alice, who periodically looked at Devo to make sure he was following her, to her home.

After a few minutes of walking, Alice stopped at the foot of her house and spun to face the others.

"Welcome to my and Echo's abode.". The building seemed to be a triple storey house and unlike the majority of building in the city was in excellent condition. The house's wall had the same appearance commonly seen on fantasy cottages. Devo found it odd that the wooden framing seemed to be curved and twisted, but realized that they were just giant tree roots. Alice gestured for the other to enter.

The group entered the building and instantly spotted the giant red sakura tree that went up to the third level. The tree was situated in the middle of the room. Shira looked around the tree and saw that there was a staircase that lead to a walkway. The walkway had doors running alongside it. The design of the room reminded Shira of a stairwell but extremely stretched out.

"Well it's pretty much nighttime, so I'm going to call it a night, cya lot tomorrow.". Echo waved to the others before jumping straight from the ground level to the second level and entered her bedroom.

"I guess she's right, though it's kinda funny for a vampire to be going to bed at nighttime.". Alice remembered something important. Devo and Shira noticed Alice frantically searching through her inventory.

"Is something wrong?" Shira asked. Alice shook her head and asked Shira if she had any sleeping attire. Shira awkwardly informed her that the only clothes she owned were the ones she was currently wearing. Alice wasn't entirely surprised by Shira's response and got an idea.

"If you'd like we could go for a day out tomorrow and see what's going on around town .". Alice found the item she was looking for in her inventory.

"I suppose that could be fun.". Alice took a red rabbit onesie out of her inventory. She offered it to Shira, who happily took it. Alice apologized that it was a few sizes bigger than her but Shira said she didn't mind.

"Say Devo, would you like to join us tomorrow?". Devo sat down by the sakura tree.

"Sure.". Devo crossed his legs and started to meditate which puzzled Shira. She followed Alice up the stairs and they stopped in front of a door.

"This is one of the vacant bedrooms. You just need to click the gem and you can claim the room.". Shira followed her instructions. The gem glowed and a projection of her name appeared from the gem before the projection retracted back into the gem.

"Ok, if you need anything else I'll be in my room," Alice added while pointing at the room next to Alice. Shira thanked her before heading into the room. Devo watched Alice gleefully skip to her room and enter it. Devo just sighed and continued to meditate, causing both bold green and blue numbers to pop up around him.