Inside Yoshi’s tent, he, Lyra, several warriors, and a traveler from Shimonoseki concluded their intense discussion on their plan to secure the fabled Treasure of Knowledge. They had crafted both a main strategy and several contingency measures, ensuring that if one plan faltered, another would take its place.

“When we reach Shimonoseki, we’ll go over the full plan with the rest of the warriors. Understood?” Yoshi commanded. The group responded in unison before they prepared to disband.

As the others began to leave, Yoshi noticed a faint blue glow emitting from Lyra’s hair—a fragment of energy that seemed foreign yet oddly familiar. He approached her gently. “Lyra, there’s something here in your hair,” he said. She gave him a nod, allowing him to pull the glowing fragment free.

Just as he removed the small, blue fragment from Lyra's hair, she noticed a similar piece in his. She carefully reached over to pluck it out. They exchanged curious glances as they inspected the tiny fragments together, each instantly recognizing the distinctive energy signature.

“Isn’t this something Joseph uses for his transformations and tricks?” Yoshi mused, examining it closely.

Lyra nodded, her eyes thoughtful. “Yes, I believe he calls it XPT. These must have somehow attached themselves to us when he freed us from the monster’s control.”

“Right,” Yoshi replied. “He seems to be low on XPT lately. That would explain why he’s been holding back his usual displays. This might come in handy for him—I’ll hold on to it until I can give it back.”

Yoshi considered Joseph’s struggles and how difficult it must have been for him to operate with his powers sealed and his resources depleted.

“I’ll let the others know the plans,” Lyra said, giving him a nod before stepping out of the tent.

Once alone, Yoshi held both blue energy fragments in his hands, pressing them gently together. The two pieces instantly fused, forming a single, vibrant shard. He tucked it away carefully, deciding to surprise Joseph with it when the moment was right.

Outside, Lyra emerged into the quiet laughter and chatter of the camp. Her commanding presence stilled the group as they turned to her, awaiting any orders.

“It’s best you all get some rest,” she advised. “We’ve got a challenging journey ahead.” And with that, she left them to their preparations, readying herself for the trials to come.

The next day, the journey continued. Each evening, just before dusk or once the sun dipped below the horizon, the group would set up camp, take time to rest, and regain their strength for the coming day. Their pace was steady, but the thought of what lay ahead urged them on, knowing they were drawing closer to their destination.

Finally, they reached the gates of Shimonoseki. As they approached the city, they were warmly welcomed by the city lord and several of his key council members. The city was known for its wealth and strategic importance, and the group had come with high hopes of securing aid in their quest for the Treasure of Knowledge.

They made their way into the grand City Hall, where they were led to a large gathering room for discussions. Inside, the city lord and his council awaited, eager to hear the strategies and ideas that Yoshi and Lyra had formulated.

Among the gathered group was a traveler, a resident of Shimonoseki, who had accompanied them for a portion of their journey. She presented herself to the council with respect, her presence drawing a few curious glances as the discussions began in earnest.

Yoshi and Lyra presented their plans to the council, outlining their strategy to infiltrate the fortress where the Treasure of Knowledge was kept. Their proposal was met with thoughtful nods, and the city lord himself spoke up.

“Well, this is indeed a great plan,” he said, his voice filled with conviction. “A strategy that, if executed perfectly, could help us retrieve the Treasure of Knowledge from the greedy monster who hoards it.”

However, he quickly shifted tone. “There is, however, a major issue. The monster has devised a countermeasure of its own. Using the knowledge it has gained from the treasure, it has created a protective barrier around its fortress. This fortress is now heavily fortified, complete with traps and monsters that view it as their god.”

A murmur of agreement passed through the council members. “Truly, knowledge is power,” one elder said solemnly.

The city lord continued, his expression darkening. “The dungeon is now filled with deadly traps, and its layers are like a labyrinth—an ever-shifting puzzle created by the monster and its accomplice. Our hunters ventured into this maze weeks ago, and the results were... astonishing. Many did not return.”

A hushed silence filled the room. The city lord’s words held weight, and the council members listened intently.

“However, one of our finest warriors, a knight huntress, was the sole survivor of one of those expeditions,” the city lord continued. He gestured toward the woman standing at attention beside him. “Hina Rika.”

The room fell quiet, all eyes now focused on the warrior. She stood tall, her posture regal, as she acknowledged the council’s attention.

Hina Rika, as the city lord introduced her, was now the commanding officer of the hunters, having taken over after the previous leader’s tragic death in battle against the monster in the labyrinth.

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With poise and authority, Hina Rika addressed the assembly.

"I am Hina Rika, knight huntress of rank E (Tier 11), a lower-level shieldbearer, and newly appointed commander of the esteemed warriors of Shimonoseki City, entrusted by the monarchs of the Fujimori Wisteria Forest Kingdom. It is a great honor to serve this distinguished community, and I do so with unwavering loyalty, dedication, and respect.

I was among the last group to venture into the dungeon, and we faced horrors beyond imagination. Yet, from that dark ordeal, we gained invaluable knowledge. The monster’s labyrinth is not merely a physical maze—it is a crucible for the spirit, a trial of will where only the strongest will emerge victorious.

I stand before you today, not only as a guide but as a testament to the strength we can all find in the face of adversity. Together, we shall navigate this challenge."

The group sat in awe as Hina Rika spoke, recognizing her strength and determination. The city lord nodded approvingly, his eyes now fixed on Yoshi and Lyra.

“We are grateful for your help, Hina Rika. Perhaps you will be the key to leading this group through the monster’s labyrinth,” the city lord said.

The group, now knowing they had a seasoned guide in Hina Rika, began to form a more concrete plan. But little did they know, within their midst, a traitor lurked—someone who would soon betray them all to the very monster they sought to defeat.

After Hina Rika’s introduction, she returned to her post, her sharp gaze never straying from the proceedings. While the council continued to discuss the best course of action to infiltrate the monster’s fortress and reclaim the Treasure of Knowledge, Hina Rika listened intently. She had once meticulously mapped out the dungeon's shifting labyrinth, a blueprint she had created during past expeditions.

The group poured over the blueprints, observing the unpredictable patterns within the dungeon. They realized the maze shifted at an alarming rate, making it nearly impossible to predict its next form. Some levels of the dungeon, they noted, were even designed to cancel out any aura-based abilities—another obstacle that made it even more treacherous. It became clear that the labyrinth wasn’t just a physical challenge; it was a test of strategy, precision, and timing. The group would need to stay vigilant, adapting quickly to the ever-changing layout.

Once the meeting concluded, Yoshi pulled Hina Rika aside to further discuss their plan of action. Together, they laid out the finer details of the strategy, ensuring everyone knew their roles and was ready for the trials ahead. After their discussion, the plan was clear: the group would be split into two teams—one led by Hina Rika and the other by Yoshi. Their goal was to explore the dungeon, avoid traps, and ensure the path remained as safe as possible.

Lyra, meanwhile, would stay behind in the city, helping protect it from any potential attacks. The remaining warriors would remain vigilant, keeping the city safe while the others ventured into the dungeon.

Once everyone was gathered, Hina Rika and Yoshi addressed the warriors, going over their respective roles one last time. They all knew the risks, but they also knew the importance of this mission—success meant the return of the Treasure of Knowledge, something that could change the fate of the entire city.

With a final nod, the groups set out toward their destination, determination fueling their steps.

Arriving at the dungeon’s entrance, the atmosphere grew tense. The dark, twisted opening of the labyrinth seemed to stretch endlessly ahead. Hina Rika, familiar with its deceptive nature, studied the shifting walls and floor with a careful eye. Yoshi, on the other hand, felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise. His senses tingled—there were traps ahead, concealed and waiting.

“This is it,” Joseph said, his voice breaking the silence as he turned to face Yoshi. “Where we split up into groups.”

Yoshi nodded. “Right. You go with Hina Rika and the other hunters. I’ll lead the second group.”

Joseph flashed a grin, about to leave with his team when Yoshi’s voice stopped him.

“And Joseph,” Yoshi called, his tone light yet serious.

“Yeah?” Joseph replied, turning back.

“Don’t die,” Yoshi said with a smile, his words carrying a weight of genuine concern.

“Got it!” Joseph responded, his grin widening before he motioned for his group to follow him into the dungeon.

With a final exchange of glances, Yoshi and Hina led their respective groups into the depths of the labyrinth, ready to face the challenges that lay ahead.

As both groups ventured deeper into the labyrinth, the tension grew palpable. The dungeon seemed to breathe and shift around them, its eerie, labyrinthine corridors twisting and turning, hiding both danger and mystery at every corner. Yoshi’s mind wandered for a moment, and it wasn’t until he heard the distant echo of footsteps from the other group that he remembered something important: the blue energy core. He had intended to give it to Joseph, but had forgotten in the heat of the moment. A sigh escaped his lips. “Guess I’ll have to give it to him later,” he muttered to himself, refocusing on the mission ahead.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the dungeon, Joseph walked alongside Hina Rika, his curiosity about her heritage burning brightly. They had been traveling together for a while now, and the silence had begun to feel heavier. Seeking to lighten the mood, Joseph finally spoke up.

"So! You’re a vampire!" he said, his voice filled with a mix of disbelief and intrigue.

Hina Rika glanced at him briefly, then nodded. “Yep! I am,” she replied, her tone casual as if she had grown used to the comment over the years.

Joseph chuckled nervously. "Well, it's not my place to say or judge, as reality could be different from one place to another. But… do you get burned by sunlight? And do you… you know, drink blood?"

At the mention of blood, Hina Rika scrunched up her face, visibly disgusted. "Eww!!! Drinking blood is disgusting," she said, almost as though the very idea repulsed her. "I don’t know much about other vampires from the other lands, but vampires here don’t drink blood, and we don’t burst into flames when the sun comes up."

Joseph’s eyes widened in shock. “Wait, really? But… you’re a vampire! How is that possible?”

Hina Rika gave him an amused look. “Yeah, I know. Vampires in other places, like the Katsuragi Victory Empire, follow the more traditional vampire ways. But here, in the Fujimori Wisteria Forest Kingdom and its regions, it’s different. Vampires don’t get burned by the sun, and we don’t suffer from those other traditional weaknesses like garlic, holy water, or crosses. We’re protected by our aura levels.”

Joseph blinked in disbelief. "That’s... that’s wild! But wait, you do have fangs, right?"

“Nope!” Hina Rika replied quickly, her voice light and teasing. “I don’t have fangs. Just regular human teeth, no claws that retract and contract, none of that. Like I said, vampires in these parts are different. Some of the other lands, like Katsuragi or Akakawa the Red River Kingdom, have more traditional vampires, but here, we’re unique."

Joseph tilted his head, intrigued. "Okay, so no fangs, no burning in the sun, but what about all the other things? Super speed, mind reading, super healing, and the other cool stuff vampires can do?"

Hina Rika burst out laughing at Joseph’s barrage of questions. “What? Where are you getting all that from?” she asked between laughs. “You’ve been watching too many stories from other lands, Joseph! That stuff isn’t here."

Joseph gave her a sheepish grin. “I’m just trying to figure out how much of the vampire lore applies to you. You know, all that superpower stuff."