The first light of dawn cast a warm glow over the deserted city, heralding the start of a new day. Yome and Elara had rested well in the safety of the old guild hall, their strength renewed. They gathered their belongings and prepared to continue their journey.

As they stepped out into the streets, Yome noticed an unusual calm. "There don't seem to be as many monsters around today," he remarked, looking around warily.

Elara nodded, her expression thoughtful. "It's because of the Blood Moon. Most monsters are exhausted after the night's frenzy and need to rest during the day to recover. We'll have a bit of respite, but we should still be cautious."

Yome listened intently as they walked, eager to learn more about this new world. "You mentioned something about cycles last night. Can you explain them to me?"

"Of course," Elara replied. "The day cycle affects the strength and behavior of monsters. During the day, they are generally weaker and less aggressive. At night, especially during a Blood Moon, they become much stronger and more dangerous."

"And what about mana?" Yome asked, curious.

"Mana has its own cycle as well," Elara explained. "During the day, mana regenerates more slowly. At night, the mana flow is stronger, especially during special events like the Blood Moon or a Mana Surge, when magical abilities are significantly enhanced."

As they continued their conversation, Yome couldn't help but notice Elara's height. She was tall and elegant, her long blonde hair catching the sunlight. "You're quite tall," he said, giving her a playful smile. "And, if I may say, very beautiful."

Elara blushed deeply, clearly flustered by the compliment. "Oh, um, thank you, Yome." In her embarrassment, she accidentally activated her Flame Burst skill. A burst of fire erupted around her, sending Yome flying into a nearby building with a crash.

"Oh no!" Elara exclaimed, rushing over to him. "Are you alright? I'm so sorry, Yome!"

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Yome groaned, sitting up amid the rubble with a wry smile. "I'm fine, really. That was quite the compliment you returned."

Elara giggled nervously, helping him to his feet. "I need to be more careful. Let's check out this building. It looks like an old temple."

Yome nodded, brushing off the dust. They entered the temple, the air inside cool and still. The interior was dark and filled with ancient carvings and statues, some of which had crumbled with age.

"Should we look for loot?" Yome asked, glancing around the eerie space.

"Yes," Elara replied. "Old temples often have hidden treasures or artifacts. Let's see what we can find."

They explored the temple carefully, searching for anything valuable. As they moved through the halls, Yome asked, "Elara, why were you in the city?"

Elara's expression grew serious. "Well um... Several members of my tribe have gone missing recently. We fear they might have been captured or worse. I came here to search for any clues or signs of them. It's dangerous, but I had to try."

Yome felt a surge of admiration for her bravery. "Your tribe must be very important to you."

"They are," Elara said softly. "We live in a distant forest, hidden from most of the world. We've tried to maintain our way of life despite the dangers. Our history is long and filled with strife, but we've always endured."

As Elara spoke, they continued their search. They found a few ancient artifacts and some useful items, including a small cache of potions. Yome added them to their inventory, grateful for the extra supplies.

Just as they were about to leave, the floor beneath them creaked ominously. Before they could react, the ground gave way, and they plunged into a black abyss below.

Yome's heart raced as they fell, the darkness swallowing them. He reached out, trying to grasp anything to slow their descent, but it was futile. Elara's scream echoed in his ears, mingling with his own shout of fear.