- After -

Aki feast her eyes on a magnificent grand view that not many would have the chance to see in their lifetime.

Blue skies, fluffy clouds and a horizon that never seemed to end. Aki spread out her hands and enjoyed the wind that brushed past her and at the corner of her lips lifted into a little smile.

“PIYA!!”

The black dragon huffed as it carried Aki through the skies, flying higher and higher, almost at the speed of a jet plane. Unlike Aki who was enjoying herself, Kit Kat on the other hand was clinging onto Aki’s head like it was clinging onto its life.

After getting knocked out by Aki, the dragon passed out for a night and right on top of her was Aki who decided that the dragon was not only cooling but soft enough to sleep on. Such great benefits of being a cold-blooded creature, Aki thought, not realizing that she was even more cold-blooded than her makeshift bed.

And that was how the dragon found herself when she woke up.

Insulted, the dragon threw a tantrum, stomping around and making the cave shake violently. Knowing that it could not beat Aki, it had resorted to a childish tantrum. The dragon observed the Aki who was coolly looking at it from the corner of its eyes, and just when it thought its tactics had no use, Aki whipped out a bar of chocolate.

The dragon paused.

It- It has never smelled anything so delicious!!

This bar of chocolate was found in a shop that produced all sorts of sweets that were commonly found in Aki’s world. Probably a business made by an Other Worlder. It seemed like a booming business but the money still can't be compared to what Aki earned from hunting herbs.

Aki who thought: "Wouldn't it be nice to have a flying mount" and thus officially named the dragon as Cadbury. And Cadbury, who was addicted to that sweet morsel, followed Aki after packing up all its treasures in an ultra super big magic bag.

The dragon sped up and turned 360 degrees, making Kit Kat cry out in fear and despair. Aki felt like she was at the top of the world on a roller coaster. A rare trace of excitement bubbled up in her - an intense feeling she had not felt in years.

~~~~~~~~~~

- Before -

The steaming stew sent a tantalising smell that made Aki's stomach rumble. She picked up her spoon and licked her lips in anticipation. But just before her spoon touched her stew, someone called for her.

"Aki! Here you are!"

Aki’s hand paused. A bright red mop of hair popped up in front of Aki. And something as vibrant as that hair was the pink fluff on it.

"Sorry. I got carried away and forgot to return Kit Kat to you. Hope you weren't worried."

Stolen story; please report.

Aki grunted and finally ate her first spoon of the stew. A strong flavor burst forth in her mouth. Besides the creamy broth and the freshness of the vegetables, the monster meat carried its own unique taste, making the whole dish something that Aki had never tasted before.

Rory made himself comfortable opposite of Aki as she continued demolishing her stew.

"How is it Aki? Isn't my stew just the best?"

Aki gave Carol a thumbs up as her mouth was busy chewing. Aki was eating at the inn that she was staying at ever since she tripped here. Carol was the daughter of the Innkeeper and was in charge of the meals served. They had gotten acquainted when Aki needed help with the shower that used magic stones to activate.

"Sooo… Um Aki, are you free today?"

Rory asked timidly as he scratched his head. Aki looked up at him questioningly and prompted him to continue.

"Actually we saw you yesterday with another group selling some spoils. Aki you… know how to fight?"

Aki placed down her bowl that she had lifted all the way up to get the last drop of the broth. Aki wondered if Rory was here to borrow money from her. Or if he wanted some thank-you-for-helping-me fund?

Rory suddenly clapped his hands together forcefully and bowed which startled Aki.

"Please can you party up with us? Just this once is enough!"

Aki was puzzled. So they did not want a reward. But from what she knew, the traffic light gang was quite an established party. They didn't seem like they needed any help.

"We picked up a quest to defeat a goblin in the forest. However, it wasn't an ordinary goblin at all! It was a King goblin! The employer purposely did not specify and if we cancelled, it would cause us to incur a penalty."

"Ahh…. so you didn't check the details out properly before accepting…"

"I know it's our fault but please if you can help us!!"

Rory bowed again.

"So? Where's the other two? Why are you the only one here?"

"Well... I'm the leader so it's kind of my responsibility in the end…"

Rory looked ashamed as he said it. It could be seen that he placed a great importance in this leader role. Still, Aki frowned, it should be a collective responsibility. After all, the others also didn't remember to check properly.

After thinking for a moment with Rory bowed, Aki decided to help them out as they did for her. With this they would be even.

Aki downed her drink and stood up.

"Let's go. "

"Th.. Thank you!!"

The overwhelmed-with-gratitude Rory stood up and jogged to catch up with Aki that had already left.

After meeting up with Adam and Flynn at the edge of the forest, they began their trek. Since it was a forest close to the city and the nest the goblin had made wasn't too far off, they did not have to prepare extensively.

Before this, Rory was running about in town, gathering potions and supplies that were needed as Aki observed. Adam and Flynn only showed up when everything was prepared. When Aki asked why didn't Adam and Flynn help out, Rory laughed awkwardly and brushed it off saying it's the leader's job. Again.

Now walking through the forest, Rory took the lead, with Adam behind with Flynn. Aki covered their backs. The arrangement was logical with Flynn being an archer and Adam being adept at mid range attacks.

However as the journey continued, Aki felt that it was a little strange.

Rory, who was acting as the tank, was vigilantly scouting ahead. Yet both Flynn and Adam looked as if they were taking a leisure walk through a park instead of a place where monsters could appear unexpectedly. Instead of their surroundings, it felt like they were more concerned about each other instead.

A rustle of the grass sounded. Rory sensed that something was not right and stopped.

"Rory, what's wrong?"

"I'm not very sure but…"

"There’s no need to be soooo careful Rory. I mean we have been here so many times. There isn't a monster here that we cannot deal with."

"Adam's right. And that goblin. We could have just taken it down on our own. There's no need to trouble Aki."

"But we never know if anything unexpected will happen…"

"That's why I said to stop overthinking it."

Aki leaned against the tree a distance away as the traffic lights launched into a discussion, distracting Rory from staying alert.

"We are classed as a A class party but recently after we got promoted, I felt that we are falling short in some areas. For this quest I just had a bad promotion so I wanted to ask you for help as a reassurance."

Now Aki could understand what Rory was talking about. Maybe after achieving their goal of being an A class party, Adam and Flynn gradually gained confidence over their abilities. Too confident of their abilities perhaps.

Aki, who had been aware of the monster that was stalking them ever since they stepped into the forest, wondered what Rory wanted her to do. To save them? To help him change their party?

The cat-like monster that was peering at them from the bushes grew impatient. Seeing the girl who it deemed to be the highest threat standing away from the group, the cat pounced on the weakest looking one.