Either way, some fairness played an important role for every Challenger, even if they might be confusing. There were many ways to find out if there was a portal in the Ip'ur Mountain and all of them went through Lisa's mind.

“No portal is known? Great... Excellent. Do I have to find it like a pioneer or detector? Where or how to start? Should I begin digging with my beak? Give me a couple of centuries and I will create another mine. The Token has a limiting range so...” Murai said coldly, quacking as if he exaggerated, but he didn't.

Lisa didn't know how to respond to him besides giving him what he wanted. It wasn't because she lacked the clarity or voice. The timing was important like the eyes from above.

Thankfully, no one should understand his quacking, so stating specifics out loud was within her understanding.

She played her role well and sneered in secret.

“Finding it is the plan from the start. I didn't speak of it for your benefit. Worries are tough for you. Look around. Everyone wants your 150,000-point skin next. Alive or met with End, it sounds glorious when you hadn't even gotten 10,000 points from the previous Gate. Sounds unfair, right?”

“Says 200,000 ghost points flowing before me. Can't I catch you and get those points, hm? That sounds even more glorious!” Murai said and laughed at her face which skipped some interesting emotions.

Lisa almost did the same thing, knowing the perfect counter but didn't say it. “You wished. It doesn't work for the Challengers. We fight the Hunters. Show me that badge of yours.” Lisa ordered David.

Murai remembered David showed him some round object he always kept on himself. It was during their meal time so he didn't pay it much attention.

“Only Hunters can come at us, and those are denizens, beasts, military. Anything. That's my point. And even then, there should be some... rules. Limits. Extreme shouldn't hunt some fodder or early beginners in Laws, but some great talents might get accepted in unique opportunities. Bounties adhere to that principle, giving weight. Six digits are within the Law boundaries. The first number points to others. What does it make us? A joke... It is like a reputation instead of power, so the rules are the same as ever. We have our problems, whereas our bounties are their problems. The highest ceiling of power we can meet is Ultium, so... My bad... I am overthinking it again,” Lisa thought she wouldn't get this far when she met Ultium and David for the first time.

She should've reconsidered their balancing factors. However, after getting to know them, she realized David would never leave Ultium aside and their worth was better than nothing. Then, the last knock on this idea was her complete detachment and unbothered idea to screw the rules and go onwards.

Hearing her, Murai frowned and no longer glanced at the map. “So you do think... Are we going to Ip'ur and look for it from there or what?”

“Since there is no way to do it from the gatherers, or Challengers, that means there has been one covered ever since this cave formed. It is either new because it is supposedly an older kind of portal, or it could be a false hope. We shouldn't hurry and rest and do this instead.”

Lisa already said plenty about this to him, but not to those above. She had yet to mention what mattered and touched two things: their vague goal and Ip'ur Mountain for some reason, that no one should believe to be their goal.

Everything went as planned.

“Supposedly... Is it yet another guess?” Murai sighed and kicked the ground.

“Better than being blind. Oh, and it should work with us anyway. Your Token can wait or do what it ought to do. It will activate in the proximity of the portal. Around a hundred meters around you is the limit, with more obvious acts, the closer you are,” Lisa said, perking up with her further explanations that Murai doubted were fitting. He already knew about this thanks to David and Bagus, so he figured this was her play.

Above, Crows and someone were watching this show with many shameless acts that moved a little bit closer. Perhaps they heard everything even when they were hundreds of meters away.

“Lastly, the politics on the way there are problematic. One of the biggest mining mountain ranges sounds glorious, so I say we go show some respect to the rocks below. A lot of tries to get there should give us even more benefits. Not some killings, or some fights. They could arrive too, for all I care about.”

With how forced, arrogant, and loud she acted, Murai picked on her joke and looked at her like a jester in some play.

Mining? Did he have time for that?

“With vast mines and ownership and wealth, the next Province is never safe and nice for most visitors, let alone Surface Challengers looking like bandits. Thus, I assume the best one next. Ip'ur Mountain! That is our next stop before the great last run to our target,” she slammed the map. “Shifts in the ownerships created a big headache, or so David said. There will be enemies. Quite a few of them. Non-including the Hunt behind or around that is yet to arrive, being Hunted is next. That is what awaits us, but we can hide there and mine as well. Then, we can slowly chip them away and kill them in a good pace and space.”

“So... nothing new? You've wasted time on all of this? Just to pull a bait and switch yet it is our true target? I don't think this is workable if the opposition might know it. Mindarch and Levandis clearly allowed this to happen.” Murai argued to her head, oblivious to everyone's eyes looking at their strange debate.

“Yes. I am glad that you understand me and agree with me.” She lied.

“Hm? To tell the truth, it isn't my point to argue about you. More problems will flow like water to the sea. That's how it will go. I don't care if more enemies come at me like fools. If this includes me and others so much, what then? The path is somewhere, and... you spoke of something reasonable, but now are trying something silly. What sense is there in this game? Be mindful, or I will snap at you with my Will!” Murai demanded.

“There is a Guardian at the end. Only you will fight it.” David said hesitantly as if he understood what Murai asked, even though he didn't understand a quack. It was either an intuition of experience, or he got the idea to speak up thanks to his face or Lisa's forceful words that he understood. He was wrong, but this topic was interesting enough to shift Murai's attention

Glancing at David, whose belly was a little fuller after a hefty meal from his own pockets, asked. “What was that? Guardian? Some stupid tool won't stop me either. She will!” he pointed his wing at Lisa.

“It is a problem that isn't before us yet, but since you have your Token and Mindarch spoke his rules, there is no point in complicating it. Other things already did it. Razmund views this Hunt as a chance to pinch you between others and himself. He waits for now, but for how long? There is no big news about him. He should be impatient, yet he is with Ozeki, so I say there is something nasty going on, and going underground isn't bad. He won't beat everyone, but he might be the toughest because of clashing interests. Perhaps Ozeki is the same.”

“Hunt... All is about those Hunts! Some Encounter can fuck off as well,” Murai mumbled before suddenly realizing something he had overlooked. “Wait. Wait. Wait! What about the source? This... Give me a second.” Murai tried his hardest to use his beak as a tool, picking a small object from his left pocket.

After some battle against the hoodie, he showed the Token, a badge for invading Challengers. The badge was a personal item under every denizen, acting as their counseling and an important tool for collecting essences from dead or killed people, or various resources. It had its limits that spoke of their powers, political position, or overall gift witnessed by Mindarch or Levandis. A weak badge did very little and couldn't touch others beyond its boundary. Its upgrades moved up with people and reputations.

David showed off his badge which was a deep black round handful object with a big skull portrayed in the middle. It was at the seventh tier and allowed him great internal essence storage and capabilities to snatch essence from deceased beings up to Level 80.

Murai's Token was temporary and different. Badges were under every person living in this place like their personified Guide. Even if they decided to try their luck and become Challengers, most natives to this temple use them for everything. Their signature won't ever get lost unless they lose everything.

Surface Challengers had limitless ideas, which was one large bait. That little thing in Murai's beak can eat and store nearly endless amounts of essences and touch any soul under this temple. And he won't keep it. It was a treasure granting benefits as Illak mentioned and Lisa briefly overlooked. Primarily, its purpose was to find the portal, and its other powers and benefits acted as a Guide and a great opportunity.

“It is useful to not cause problems, am I right?” Murai asked. “Illak said it is a protection item.”

“Protection item?” Lisa almost laughed when he heard his joke. “That's for the poor and insignificant amateurs. Hunt is why. Its worth is so out of the current norm because everyone wants you or that Token. Why? Either way, it is a Hunt, so who cares about it? Nothing will give it some thought when you have such a big bounty. When they get your little Token, they gain half of your points or the entire bounty, and you won't find your portal. If they gain you alone, kill you, and lose your Token, there might be some enchantment like a double bonus or something like that. If they gain both, it might be even more elevated, but unlikely. Why? Do you think your party is for eating and running around you? Not at all.”

“I don't care. No one will kill me. I get it. My point is different.” Murai stomped the ground and barely registered every little rule that Mindarch or Lisa overlooked. It was common sense to most of those coming to this Gate at any point. Weaklings usually met their End in previous Gates, so those coming to this place were quite good.

“If that's the case, do you think someone will care about your point? What is free to take? We are all targets. Everyone is. Also, your Token's defensive position works just in the Pivotal Cities. Scorching Light won't care for it, as it is a lawless zone without any such city. And even if we go to one, so what? Even with small towns and interest in following Sectors, it is more like a target worth your head. Sector 45 with our portal will be wild. We don't move for no reason. Are you that preoccupied in your head to not discover that? By now, after days passing according to my plan, you should get what I want. We aren't meeting many people for a good reason. We killed bugs for now.” Lisa argued, brightening her eyes in wondrous lights.

She picked an excellent bait. Now, the one listening should think through her important words.

There were four portals in Sector 45, and none in Ip'ur Mountain.

It was futile to give Murai some reason because he didn't catch her intent. For him, it seemed she was taunting and mocking him because he didn't know the correct information. Did others know?

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Some anger perked up Murai's feathers and his eyes squinted. He didn't like how this sounded, but he had no choice but to trust her words. It was his mistake to argue with Lisa or get a portion of the whole picture. He lacked the details and didn't like how she acted right now.

Glancing up, some noiseless birds should just disappear to obscurity like their ancestors.

“Tsch. Useless piece of garbage. Can't I toss it... Nah. This or me, it doesn't matter. The mere idea this shit is worth my head hurts my pride. Tsch! Disgusting,” Murai sneered, itching the ground, and storing his Token into his pocket. “So much for the rules and voiced reasons. Is that right, Mindarch? I haven't forgotten your moronic tones!” Murai screamed to the ceiling—and at the Crows—yet nothing happened or changed.

“Silent, huh? Is that what this pretty pig wants too? I am not some bloody animal, but if you show me the fangs, I will bite your face off of your head. That would be disappointing, wouldn't it? You are the same, Lisa. It's the same thing every time. Nothing changes in this fucked up loop. It's a complete mess.”

“I kind of agree,” she muttered, nodding in affirmation as if she tried to understand his idea. She had no regrets about this; she played with him because of the eyes above. Nothing else. Perhaps they were being watched by numerous people and those Crows were just an eyesore. It wouldn't be against any rules if some Extreme were to eavesdrop on them without doing something nasty. They wouldn't get it too since there were many ways to spy. It was possible as long as they wouldn't act like fools or move wide enough to get noticed.

This wasn't part of Lisa's plan either, as she hoped no such things were around. No Extreme. That was her lowest acceptable idea. She also genuinely believed Murai should stay focused on his improvements and training, leaving the rest of this mess to his team, her included.

What did her play even create? Murai was pissed it might've done something.

“Hm, a storm is brewing.” Ultium suddenly said, listening to their conversation while watching the flock of Crows.

Alas, the time for nods and words disappeared when a small breeze spread out of nowhere. It lifted, touched, and wavered everything before a push of wind from above scattered the campfire and everything on the ground. Some of them barely felt any impact, while some flew away. Murai was the first to do so, followed by Itrosh. Bagus caught Murai with his tail, wrapping him up as he stood like a mountain in a morning breeze. Ultium flexed his butt-cheeks, pulling his left leg up first and penetrating the rocks with his feet to stay on the spot. Second soon followed and he stood arrogantly with his single arm in his pocket and other ready to fight.

David stood on the spot, huffing for breath that he stored everything in time, and that his weight was still good. Lisa was completely unaffected by this force and glared up and forward in a few seconds. Her bait finally caught something.

Breezy yet sudden like a lighting, a burst of laughter, and some voice echoed in the air. The wind's outburst carried it away, followed by a loud thud. A figure landed between them, kneeling in place, and obliterating pieces of charcoal, wood, and rocks to dust.

A nice ambush, Murai thought as he took this storm from the safety of his hoodie but lacking feet. He could tell this force wasn't sharp, acting more like a cushion, or his natural defenses dealt with the most force. Considering Ultium had to move his legs, perhaps his stability was better than he thought. But his little feet couldn't take this wind push that great since it had some Wind Law, or was there also some gravity?

Murai's greed showed. He wanted to clutch gravity like his flame!

However, he would have flown out of this stone platform if it hadn't been for Bagus, and if he hadn't, Lisa was still around.

At the moment, she wore a serious expression as if she was a huntress ready to catch her prey. Her body stayed and sona wavered in the wind. Most of her sons skipped a beat, giving cracks to her hands and eyes. Murai might be the weakest in terms of defenses, but his depths were unknown. Similar to him, Lisa had herself and a lot of words and acts under her sleeve.

Killing Murai should be a priority for many Hunters and it was almost an easy assignment.

Alas, there was one big blunder that Lisa could fake and couldn't fix. Fighting might be the worst choice for her right now. She was brittle, weak, and not adjusted at all. She had some unimaginable advantages thanks to her race and form, but her limited physicality was a burden waiting for more time. She had restricted offensive power like a ghost waking in the void. Her only great advantage was kind of... laughable. Due to her physical limitations, it should be nearly impossible to catch her. Perhaps she was the best out of this group in that regard.

Murai can be immune to a lot of pressure thanks to his Robust Spirit, while his magic wasn't all so bad either. He also had his unknown hoodie that did handle this pressure like a sneeze. That much Lisa had seen with her own eyes. Robust Spirit abilities were a trump card he was yet to spend unless it couldn't be helped. So far, he doubted his timing, as he felt and Read the person who dropped from those crows.

In this sort of clash, the person could have as mighty a soul as he could, but physicality mattered much more when death could be an End, and finishes had simple acts. Not many people could do much against the harsh reality of power.

However, many things didn't go according to plans. Lisa had her guesses, or did she overestimate herself? Why had she let those Crows watch them when others offered to get rid of them? Murai didn't get it.

Well, Lisa had some questionable ideas that might be worth it in the short term. Only a fool would take this bait.

And that fool landed.

Who arrived was someone quick like the wind and silent like a leaf falling from the tree.

“Hey! None answered my question. I asked a question. How rude. How rude. Couldn't you hear me or what?” a cheerful lady said, proclaiming her statement as if she asked a question, yet her wind carried her voice away. She knelt, but as she spoke, her right arm spread and she pointed to everyone around her, leaving flickering energy waves and gushes of her long air flying around her. Surrounded by white breeze and gray fog akin to space and strange flame, it was a manifestation of Wind Affinity that grew to the Laws of Wind.

None replied, apart from some murderous aura that spread around the surroundings. She took it as if a dog barked, and didn't want to give Ultium a chance to bite.

“Alright. I figured the wind carried my voice. No need to bark. I came to haggle. Haaaggle!” She laughed as she put her right arm over her mouth. The fog and wind subsided, before turning sharper. She pounced from her position, arriving less than a second later close to Murai. Bagus was aside, but because his tail was long, he wasn't quick to react.

Dexterity-based foes were hard to read, while that Wind hadn't vanished. It just shifted to cover her barely seen legs that hid under a clock. Bagus snorted and if he can't protect his prize, someone else will. He flickered the base of his tail and tossed Murai away without thinking. It was the best action. Murai quacked a shrill sound. In a second, he found himself in the hands of the most questionable being he knew.

Lisa clutched him with both hands, cracking them and increasing their volume. It hurt her; not because of Murai, but because Bagus tossed him too much and Murai was no longer a petty duck. She bet Bagus would shatter boulders with such a nice toss and ball.

Murai wouldn't laugh if he did it, or heard his offer to toss him. He didn't even like the current mood. He almost felt the touch of that maddened woman who came to haggle and play.

Right away, others tensed up. David and Ultium were ready and Lisa floated far away from this person and used her form well. The quick woman grunted at her failure, so she backed away before Bagus caught her with his tail. It almost wrapped her neck, snapped at her clock, or crushed her legs in a bunch of quick swipes.

He wasn't quick enough. Her body carried experience and Dexterity of many layers and changes. Where was Ultium? Well, he pushed his feet far too deep into the ground, so he couldn't move as quickly. But his arms were long ready to attack. He didn't do anything for some reason, even if he could've done so long ago.

It was a shame no one heard him. He warned everyone. What a shame.

“Attack?” he wondered.“She said to haggle. Is it a business?” he asked innocently, turning to David.

David sighed. “No. No. But it could be that,” he knew that their general profile should be the most popular item for private businesses and purchases. Communication was nonexistent without the Network and Mindarch, but that didn't mean their years in the Hellscape didn't give denizens many chances to seek everyone. Abilities or weaknesses, most companies have considerable archives and profiles of potential enemies.

Lost Brothers weren't some famous group, but there was no need to be one. There were bigger companies that had done far worse than David. Then, there were small, or similarly sized companies that did much better. It depended on their members, acts, and reputations, and some of them could be quite thrilling. Lost Brothers were one of many mercenary-type organizations, and these always looked at competition with discerning eyes, or with secrecy in mind.

“Let's see who is barking first,” Lisa said, her eyes glowing in azure corners and white light in the middle. Most of her face and wavy hair stood up from the rest, including the arms that clutched Murai's hoodie by now. She handled him like a little annoying kitten.

In the middle of the group stood a woman not the least casual, or shameful. She was no devil, demon, or someone rare from the Surface. Her voluptuous chest swayed in the wind, while her tight clothes did resemble some kind of military for sure. But without emblems, flags, or any kind of adhering token, she seemed to be an adventurer instead. Her cloak covered her back, while her legs were long and covered with twisting waves akin to tattoos in the air.

Her face put a lot of attention to her, while her keen eyes glared at everyone. Then, her mouth curved in a confident smile. She was wearing a leather jacket with barely anything underneath, giving wind access to her skin. It almost overflew from her out to the world, pushing the debris and rocks away from mere standing. The ground even cracked under her feet, yet she was smaller than anyone living here.

She wore trousers in tatters, and her almost bare legs were quite a catch as well. She wasn't a devil or a demon, but a human from the naked eye. Lisa kept her spying on them for a while and wondered if this was the true start or not. If so, that was peculiar indeed, and not unexpected for some people in this group.

Now, where did this woman want to go with her assignment?