As Zycor butchered the mana bear’s remains, the trio of adventurers watched on in horror. As he finished, Zycor lit a fire and began to roast the meat. Leo, with an expression of disgust, inquired, “S-sir, are you really going to eat that? IS it even edible?”

“Yeah, I thought I read something about how mana corrupted creatures were toxic.” Sorin elaborated, filled with intense aversion.

Zycor sat down on a log he rolled near the fire and responded frankly, “If you are not hungry, you don’t have to have any.”

He glanced over at the three of them with a smirk, “So, what’ll it be?”

Before either Leo or Sorin could respond, Vala walked over and sat on the log with Zycor. After a small chuckle, Zycor looked back towards the boys. Leo clenched his fists and went to grab his own seat as Sorin tried to stop him to no avail. With a heavy sigh, Sorin gave in and followed suit.

“So,” Vala began to inquire, “What were you doing so deep in the forest?”

Stoking the fire, Zycor responded, “I was traveling back to the guild in Abros.”

Vala jumped out of her seat and exclaimed, “Then, does that mean you are the Zycor!? The guild master's son?!”

Zycor, momentarily shocked, chuckled, “Yeah, I suppose it does. Though, I am not certain I am that popular…”

Pausing, Zycor’s expression shifted to one with mild concern as he continued, “Unless mom decided to spread rumors about me.”

Leo chimed in, remarking, “Well, if you are that Zycor, I heard about you from master Baz.”

Zycor stared at Leo, stunned. After an awkward few seconds of silence, Zycor began to chortle aloud, “Haha! Master Baz?! Ha! Now that is funny.”

Becoming irritated, Leo angrily retorted, “Hey, what is that supposed to mean? You think I’m lying? That I’m not good enough?”

Doing his best to calm himself down, Zycor wiped a tear from his eye as he explained, “No, no, it has nothing to do with you or your ability. I just cannot for the life of me see that oversized brute taking on an apprentice.”

Zycor looked over at Sorin for an answer, but he just shook his head. Removing a piece of bear meat from the fire and began eating it. He tossed another chunk to Novos who was lying away from the fire.

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Sorin, breaking the silence, asked Zycor, “So, what were you doing so far north?”

Zycor gulped down his food and, while he dug through his pack for some water, replied nonchalantly, “I had traveled rather far north to clear a dungeon on my own.”

Dumbfounded, Vala questioned, “When you say you cleared a dungeon on your own, what rank was it?”

Finally finding the water and undoing the top, Zycor candidly said, “It was a D rank. I think I heard from people who lived around there that it was about to experience a dungeon break.”

In unison Leo, Sorin and Vala, terrified, cried, “A dungeon break!?”

Sorin continued the thought as he hurriedly asked for clarification, “When you say dungeon break, you mean when a dungeon gets so overcrowded that the barrier sealing them inside breaks, releasing a horde?”

Swallowing a large gulp of water, Zycor shrugged, “Maybe? I think that’s what Aisha told me it was.”

Sorin sat down speechless next to Leo who was in the same state. Vala, uncertain as to if Zycor really understood what that meant, inquired, “Sir Zycor, if I may ask, are you aware of what a dungeon break means for a dungeon?”

Zycor shrugged again and replied, “Honestly, no. All I know is apparently it’s a big deal. Not that it matters to me, it only means I get to fight more monsters and gain more experience and practice.”

“My goddess, master Aislin was right, you have absolutely no clue about the wider world, do you?” Vala murmured under her breath.

Upon hearing the mention of ‘master Aislin,’ Zycor did a spit-take as he exclaimed, “Wait, big sis got an apprentice as well?! Is the world ending?!”

“I would appreciate it if you would refrain from insulting my master.” Valla, with great irritation, requested.

“My apologies. After hearing about Baz I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised.” Zycor apologetically responded.

Sighing, Vala continued her explanation about a dungeon breaks effect, “From what master Aislin has told me, a dungeon about to experience a dungeon break can actually go up a rank temporarily. Although the monsters don’t increase to the strength of the next rank of dungeon, their numbers make up for it. That means if you cleared a D-ranked dungeon about to experience a dungeon break…”

Vala paused as she realized the gravity of what the situation meant. “Sir Zycor,” Vala re-iterated, “You clearing a D-rank dungeon experiencing a near dungeon break means… you cleared the equivalent of a C-rank dungeon. On your own.”

“Huh, neat. You hear that Novos? Guess we cleared a C-rank dungeon instead, you think mom will be angry?” Zycor explained, looking over at Novos who gave a dismissive chirp as he continued to try and nap.

Sorin and Leo sat quietly as they ate, far too shocked to recall what it belonged to. Polishing off the meat, Zycor stood up and expressed his gratitude, “Well, it has been a pleasure, but it is time for me to head back to town. I want to thank you all for spending time chatting with me, it was entertaining. You have also given me some ammo to harass Baz and big sis with. If you want to head back now, I will walk with you.”

Exhausted, Leo, Sorin and Vala looked at each other and nodded. They gathered their things, or what was left, and packed it up. Zycor whistled and Novos got up with a stretch and walked to Zycor and wrapped himself around his neck. Once everything was in order, the group began their trek back to the city, a smile on Zycor’s face.

“It sure has been a while huh?” Zweicor commented.

Zycor closed his eyes and excitedly responded, “It sure has! I cannot wait to see everyone!”