“With a strength stat of 8, you can perform this kind of feat!”

Seated around the campfire, Sans and the three girls watched Claude demonstrate a solid punch against a tree. Talru stood beside his brother with his arms folded while wearing a silly grin.

The branches and leaves lightly shook from the impact, and after removing his fist, Claude revealed an indentation within the tree’s trunk. Rubbing his hand tenderly, he gave a small bow while the women cheered and applauded.

In contrast, both Talru and Sans were mute silent, both unintentionally sharing the same thought.

I can hit way harder than that.

Sans eyed the impact point with rapt concentration.

With a single punch, I’m confident I could easily topple that tree.

His train of thought was broken when Talru’s husky voice called out next.

“Big bro, you’ve really improved! Now let me show them what 12 strength can do!”

Claude joined Rosa on her quilted blanket. She embraced her fiancé with a gentle smile and a kiss on the cheek, causing Claude to flush crimson.

“Hyah!”

With a powerful turn of his body, Talru swung his massive fist at the same impact location. Splinters shot outward, while loose branches and leaves rained down from above. Talru’s fist was firmly embedded within the thick wood, causing a fissure to stretch vertically from the hole.

Talru’s strength stat is 12, as opposed to Claude’s 8. That’s a 50% increase in strength, but is the damage inflicted also 50%?

Sans squinted his eyes at the damaged wood. At the same time, Talru brushed off any debris that collected on his shoulders. With a triumphant smile, he patted Claude’s shoulder before stooping over the cooking cauldron at the camp’s center.

“Is Talru also a D rank adventurer?”

Sans spoke up, asking no one in particular.

“Each of us here, besides Meysi, are all D rank adventurers. Don’t be fooled by Meysi’s shy and awkward demeanor, but she’s a C rank adventurer.”

Claude was the one who responded, while Meysi blushed and looked away. It seemed as if she were trying to hide her face with her hair.

“I might be strong, but Meysi is the local genius from our village. She has already learned two different elemental spells to the C rank level.”

Talru put Meysi on a pedestal without a thought while ladling a double portion of soup into his bowl.

“Maybe if you guys read more books…”

Meysi mumbled under her breath as Talru took a seat beside her. As if it were some sort of signal, the rest of the group also helped themselves to the fragrant soup.

“Feel free to eat as much as you like, I can make much more soup if we run out.”

Rosa proudly gestured to Sans and Elsie.

“Thanks! I can’t wait to try your lovely creation.”

Elsie didn’t stand on ceremony and immediately procured two bowls from thin air before filling them with a serving each. Despite her mottled grey cloak, the rest of her appearance was breathtaking, making her seem like a homeless angel lost in the woods.

Receiving his portion from Elsie, Sans sipped the broth with glowing eyes. If there was one thing that he appreciated, it would have to be good food.

“Sans and I also want to become adventurers.”

Elsie nonchalantly mentioned between a mouthful of steaming vegetables.

“We do?”

Sans dumbly stared at her, only to catch a warning glare.

“I mean, yea. We do!”

He refocused his attention back onto his soup. It didn’t really matter what his thoughts were. He knew Elsie would drag him into her plans regardless.

“That’s easy!”

Rosa piped up as her fiancé was busy stuffing his face.

“We’ll arrive at Kenchi City by tomorrow evening. Although the city is a little packed right now, you shouldn’t have any issues signing up with the adventurer’s guild.”

She sipped on her soup with a hint of elegance.

“Adventurer’s guild? What kind of place is that?”

Elsie continued to probe Rosa with questions, her eyes bright and sparkling.

“Y-you don’t know about the adventurer’s guild?”

Rosa asked in surprise to which Elsie merely shook her head.

“Well, let me explain this. The adventurer’s guild is as old as time. It goes by the name Millennium Dragon and is a prominent force on every floor of the tower. They give all kinds of missions for every level of adventurer.”

A mouthful of soup followed Rosa’s explanation.

“They say that the founders of Millennium Dragon are still alive today, but that’s hard to believe.”

Meysi said while fixing up her sleeping area.

“Why is it hard to believe?”

Elsie glanced at Meysi with a thoughtful look.

“Because Millennium Dragon is as old as the tower itself. There isn’t a single historical document that says otherwise, at least none that I know of. The founder’s must have passed away long ago.”

Sans froze after hearing Meysi’s response.

As old as the tower itself? Just what is the origin of the tower then?

His eyes lingered on Elsie, who innocently revealed a light smile.

“Ahh, Rosa, your cooking is as amazing as ever!”

Claude cried out while waving around an empty bowl. While the others were in discussion, Claude and Talru had devoured the remaining soup.

“It’s time we get some shuteye. Talru here will keep first watch, and I’ll be taking the second watch. Ladies, we have a long walk through the forest tomorrow. Be sure to get ample sleep.”

The leader stretched his limbs while everyone found sleeping spots for themselves. Ironically, Meysi was already visiting dreamland as if none of it had anything to do with her.

Sans took the opportunity to draw closer to Elsie. He whispered to her as quietly as possible.

“Elsie, I don’t think we should stay here with them.”

She cocked her head to the side with an inquisitive stare.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

“Why not?”

“I just… bad things happen to good people when I’m around. I don’t want to trouble them.”

Sans hesitantly spoke his thoughts, but Elsie merely stifled laughter instead.

“You’re around me all the time. Does that mean you are worried about bad things happening to me?”

“What could possibly happen to you?”

Sans gave her a deadpan look before coming to a certain realization.

I see… it doesn’t matter if bad things happen, because Elsie can just as easily take care of it… I think?

“Right, what could happen to me? Don’t worry too much and just enjoy our adventure. There’ll be plenty of time for you to worry about me later.”

Elsie elbowed her servant before lying down on an old blanket. If she didn’t look so beautiful then she would have truly seemed downtrodden and unfortunate.

“Who said I would ever worry about you?”

Sans snorted before lying down on the dirt and grass. He knew it would be impossible for him to sleep this night and opted to just rest his eyes. Even with his eyes closed, he was more alert than ever before, a heightened state that he stayed in till morning’s early light.

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

Birds tweeted back and forth, while insects scavenged the dirt floors. The occasional critter leaped from branch to branch, creating an immersive sensation—the forest was alive with activity.

“We were only able to collect the single sample of Zizeroot, but at least it’s something.”

Claude held a long and thin branch in one hand, using it like a walking stick and rhythmically tapping it against the floor out of boredom.

“Even a single sample counts as mission success. Don’t worry too much about the small stuff!”

Talru slapped Claude on the back, preventing him from releasing his umpteenth sigh of despondence.

“You guys were collecting this… Zizeroot? And you said that no one usually accepts this mission?”

Sans inspected the bag within his hands. At the bottom was a lonely plant that somehow seemed alive with the way it slowly squirmed.

“That’s right, but we only accepted it because we didn’t have other options.”

Claude answered the boy and retrieved the bag, stowing it in a larger sack that slung over his shoulder.

After marching all morning long, Kenchi City was only a couple hours walk away, and yet the remaining distance seemed to stretch on forever. Even with the playful antics between the group of friends, the walk was dreadfully dull.

Despite Sans’ lack of enthusiasm, Elsie was an endless fountain of energy. She hopped over to a raised tree root like a hyperactive bunny.

“Sans! Sans! Look here!”

Elsie crouched down onto her toes and beckoned her servant, who grumbled as he made his way over.

What is it now?

“I hope whatever you’re showing me can kill me.”

With a sarcastic and lazy tone, he crouched beside her.

“Don’t worry! It can for sure!”

Elsie procured a small twig and prodded at a multicolored snail. Its yellow membrane was streaked with swirls of amethyst hues and blotches of charcoal black. Sans inspected the snail curiously.

“Can it really?”

Just as he asked, the twig in Elsie’s hand began to rapidly disintegrate. It was as if the twig had caught fire and was being consumed by a miasmic purple fog. Elsie quickly dropped the piece of wood, and it disappeared with a puff.

“See! … What do you think it tastes like?”

Her eyes shone like radiant diamonds. Sans, however, scrunched his nose and backed away from the poisonous snail.

“No thanks. Even if it was a normal snail… yuck.”

“You don’t know if you’ll like it unless you try it!”

Elsie stuck her tongue out and stood up as well. Before Sans could retort with a witty comeback, a shout rang out from Claude.

“Ambush! Stay back!”

Elsie and Sans glanced in the adventure group’s direction, who had strayed some distance away. They were just in time to witness a large man swoop behind Rosa and whisk her away like a doll.

“Ahhh! Claude!”

“Rosa!”

Just as Sans was about to intervene, Elsie grabbed on to his hand.

“Let’s watch for a minute.”

She whispered before dragging him away to hide within the foliage. From their new position, they easily made out a group of six men surrounding Claude, Talru, and Meysi. At the side, a seventh man firmly gripped Rosa’s wrists and kicked her down to her knees.

“Berel, what is the meaning of this?!”

With a savage glint in his eye, Claude raged out at the foremost man.

“Don’t blame me, Claude. Blame Rosa. If that bitch took my proposal to heart, then none of this would have come to pass.”

“Berel! Tell your sidekick to let me go!”

Rosa cried out and struggled against her captor’s grip. The man named Berel scratched his thick black beard with sausage-like fingers. On his head he wore a cap at a diagonal slant, while his leather padded armor failed to prevent his belly from spilling through the gaps. It wasn’t just Berel, but each of his men also wore a similar looking hat.

“Ehh, look lass. I offered you good coin for a good time. You rejected me. Told me you had a husband, you did. This is the solution.”

Berel signaled with his hand to begin the attack.

“How could this possibly be a solution?! You pig head!”

Rosa spit in Berel’s direction with all her might while frantically calling out. The group of men advanced forward with swords drawn. At the same time, Claude, Talru, and Meysi each prepared for the upcoming battle.

“Well is easy! I kill ye’s husband, and then I take you home with me. Bahahaha!”

Berel cackled like a maniac while slapping his enormous belly. His bulbous neck fat jiggled from side to side as his entire body shook with laughter.

“Berel, I’ve known you for some time now. I know you’re shady, but this is a new low. Aren’t you afraid of getting caught by a passing patrol? We’re very close to Kenchi City.”

Claude tried to reason with the man.

“Green behind the ears you are boy. I can smell opportunity a mile away. The city guard is busy with some fancy do-gooder prince fellow. There be naught a soul around here to tell the tale.”

Elsie nudged Sans with an excited glint in her eye. She whispered to him in a low voice.

“This is our chance! Come, come!”

Sans made a mirthless smile and shrugged his shoulders.

“I don’t understand why you can’t just blast them away or something.”

“What? Where’s the fun in that? Where’s your sense of adventure!”

Elsie stood up and tugged at Sans’ sleeves. He had no choice but to follow the whims of his master.

“Stop right there, heathens!”

Elsie stood in a power stance while pointing an authoritative finger at Berel. Within the encirclement, Claude and his group gained renewed hope as they heard Elsie’s voice.

“Yea. Stop whatever you’re doing.”

Sans yawned and waved his hand as if to shoo away the burly men.

“Uh, who are you people?”

Berel narrowed his eyes with a frown and took a wary step back. It seemed he had miscalculated greatly, not expecting Claude’s group to have gained new followers.

“We are adventurers of Millennium Dragon! It is our sworn duty to report criminal activity. Once Kenchi City has been alerted, word will spread everywhere and none of you will have a place to call home!”

Elsie shouted at the top of her lungs like a squeaky koala. To Berel and his men, she was like an adorable yet annoying animal that they couldn’t do anything about. Both Sans and Elsie were far outside their encirclement, and giving chase to them would basically be leaving everything to chance.

“Boys, we was just kidding. Right?”

The men backed away a couple paces, while Rosa was finally set free. She frantically ran toward Claude and hugged her fiancé anxiously.

“Yea, it was just a joke.”

“We were only testing you.”

“Don’t mean much but be more aware next time.”

Each of the men gave a random excuse and dismissed themselves. Berel was an intelligent and cautious man, which was the only reason why he was able to achieve some small success as an adventurer.

“Rosa dear, just because I let you go today… don’t mean nothing.”

Berel gave her a drooling smile before walking away with loud laughter. His henchman joined together and followed suit. After Berel and his men disappeared into the forestry, Claude and his group each let out a sigh of relief.

“Are you guys okay?”

Sans walked up to the group and inspected each of them. Other than being slightly shaken, they were otherwise untouched—besides, of course, Rosa.

“Boy oh boy. I don’t know where we would be if it weren’t for you two. Looks like karma has graced us for our prior good deeds!”

Claude nuzzled his face into Rosa’s hair, who refused to let him go.

“This is all my fault. I never thought rejecting that man would have caused all of this.”

Rosa fought back tears as she hid her face in Claude’s chest. He had no choice but to give a series of soothing pats.

“Don’t worry about a thing Rosa. Even if it came down to a fight, me and Talru would have at least taken that fat bastard down with us.”

Claude thought his words would lighten the mood, but only brought more tears from the distraught woman. Meysi bonked Claude on the head before confronting Sans and Elsie.

“Thank you.”

Meysi awkwardly glanced between Claude, Rosa, and Sans. Her eyes traced over Rosa’s figure, which was locked within Claude’s tight embrace. Meysi then stared back at Sans’ open chest and made a small, hesitant step forward.

Before Meysi could complete the action that plagued her thoughts, Elsie nimbly threw herself at Sans with wide open arms.

“My hero! You were so brave and wonderful!”

Elsie danced with the poor boy, spinning him around in circles. Seeing this interaction, Meysi’s shoulders drooped low. She shook her head, incidentally, catching sight of a hulking man staring off into the distance.

Talru stood with upright shoulders, his massive frame almost blending in with the trees that surrounded them. His hands rested on his hips, while a pensive expression was written upon his face.

Meysi glanced between Sans and Talru, before hiding a small smile and making her way toward her good friend.

“What’s on your mind, Talru?”

“Oh, hey Meysi. Maybe you might know, but how did Berel and his boys know we would come through here?”

Hearing his question, the group went silent. Even Rosa no longer sniffed and cried as they pondered his question.

“You said no one takes this mission. I wouldn’t be surprised if it especially stood out when you accepted it. Also, this mission only has one location, which is the entrance to The Valley of Eternal Rest.”

Sans offhandedly mentioned when Rosa’s eyes suddenly lit up.

“Talru, when you accepted the mission… who suggested that you take it?”

Rosa asked the giant while the rest of the group glanced in his direction.

“Eh? Now that you mention it… an odd fellow. He wore a hat on his head like those guys from earlier.”

Claude let out a sigh before placing a reassuring hand on Talru’s shoulder.

“My brother, you’ve been had. Those guys set us up for this. Fortunately, it ended well. So don’t think too hard on it.”

“I-I’m sorry…”

Talru mumbled as he connected together the dots himself. Just then, Elsie streaked through the group with the same level of energy that she never ceased to maintain.

“Well, let’s go! Sans and I still need to sign up as adventurers at the Millennium Dragon guild!”

She was like a comet blazing a trail through each of their lives. The group could only put the near-death experience behind them and follow after her graceful figure.