Chereads / Shinda Kokoro / Chapter 18 - Chapter Six: Fetch The Goose Egg

Chapter 18 - Chapter Six: Fetch The Goose Egg

Chapter Six: Fetch The Goose Egg

"Hold up! How'd you even get so far that fast?" I'm out of breath from running down the street to catch up, the gate to exit the city is right ahead.

"Sorry! It's our first quest so we're excited!" Azula continues running with the other two.

"Yeah man keep up!" Juzo's footsteps are heavy.

"I'm winning!" Eva quickly glides down the street.

"Coming through!" Eva waves at the guards as she glides past.

"Thank you!" Juzo yells as he runs by.

"Keep protecting the city you're doing great!" Azula yells as she passes. The guards smile and wave.

"Sorry It's our first quest and we're excited! Thank you!" I yell as I pass them.

"Good luck on your quest! Thank you! Finally someone appreciates us!" They cheer while blushing and crying.

We run past the bridge and there are plains surrounding a lake with trees spread out like freckles. I can see into the far distance where the forest starts, it looks dark and gloomy, I turn my head away from it and see the three have gotten way ahead of me so I hurry to catch up. There seems to be no enemies around, a few Adventurers are in the area, some laying in the grass on a blanket, some headed towards the forest. The three are squatting down, staring at a tree as I catch up, "What are-"

"Shh." Azula holds her finger against her lips. And then points to the bottom of the tree. I squat down with them and there are two red eyes glowing with such intensity inside a hole in the bottom of the tree, a small figure slowly makes its way out, "No way."

"You have to be kidding." Juzo says.

"Oh my." Eva's face gets super pale.

"No way! This is too good!" Azula says as we begin laughing nervously.

"Quack! Quack! Quuuaaaaackkkk!" The goose walks on two really buff legs, it has a twelve pack of bulging muscles, the upper body of a world champion bodybuilder, all of this in the form of a two foot goose, it has a black headband on, it clenches its fist and energy begins flowing and spiraling around it.

"What the hell is this?" I take a few steps backwards as it quickly disappears.

"Juzo look out!" Azula yells as the goose appears behind him, viciously karate chopping the side of his head, his health bar doesn't take any damage but the force from the hit sends him flying into the distance, rolling in the grass.

"Quaaaack!" Eva quickly runs away.

"Sorry!" She screams, taking a seat next to Juzo who is rubbing his head.

"Look the egg is in the tree!" Azula points to a shiny gold egg, "I'll distract it you get the egg!" She tells me and I nod.

"Feint! Feint!" I try to get to it as fast as I can, Azula is busy fighting the goose, but as I reach for the egg my hand is blocked by the fist of the massive goose.

"What?" I look back at Azula, who is still fighting it, but I can feel it, the goose is running back and forth, fighting and holding my hand. I am lifted up and pushed backwards. I roll in the grass and stare at Azula fighting while trying to catch my breath, my head spinning.

How does it even move that fast? A combo of vicious kicks from Azula returned with a combo of vicious punches by the goose. It opens the buff mouth and a beam of water shoots out, Azula quickly dodges, "I swear if you mess up my hair I'll kill you! Fireball!" The flame and water collide making mist around the area. Both of them continue to punch and block. Azula uses flames to boost her punching and kicking speed. The battle rages on all day. Both the goose and Azula are panting while clenching their fists. I'm sitting on a blanket in the shade as Juzo and Eva take a nap nearby, I'm watching silently as the two clash again and again. It seems they're both at their limit, "Azula the sun is beginning to set, we should get a inn and come back in the morning." I don't want to be outside the city with no weapon at night.

"You got lucky I have to leave! I'll come back tomorrow! For now this is a draw!" Azula wipes the sweat from her forehead.

The goose points at her, "Quaack!" It punches his fists together and walks into the tree and the hole closes.

"What a jerk!" I pour Azula some water as she sits on the floor, "Thank you love!" She gulps it down.

"We should wake them up and leave." I say, the sky beginning to turn violet.

"Yeah we should hurry!" Azula rushes up and shakes the two violently, "We have to go it's getting dark! Hurry!"

The panic in the sleepy faces of Juzo and Eva are priceless.

"We have to run!" Juzo begins to sprint.

"Did you beat it?" Eva asks Azula as we run after Juzo.

"Don't even ask!" Azula's face turns red.

I begin laughing as we continue to run, I stop abruptly as she glances over, her gleaming eyes staring through me, "Oh look the bridge! And it's about to close too!"

Juzo waves at the guards, "Hey! We're back!"

"Welcome back! I hope you had fun! How did it go?" The guards are friendly and waving.

"We fought a buff goose! I lost so bad!" Juzo scratches the back of his head.

"Same." I say, sulking.

"I ran away!" Eva gives a thumbs up and winks.

"I'm going to crush that goose tomorrow!" Flames in her eyes.

"You aren't doing Fetch the Goose Egg are you?" Their faces are pale.

"Yup!" Juzo says.

"No one in history has completed that quest, let alone lasted more than a minute fighting that oversized goose." The guard wipes sweat from his forehead, "It's not following you is it?"

"No I fought it all day but it was a draw and we have our rematch tomorrow. I'm gonna merc it!" Azula cracks her fingers.

A sigh of relief, "Oh good, that goose destroys everything in his path."

"I'll beat it tomorrow!" Azula punches her fists together.

"Well good luck!" The guards say as we walk through the city gates.

"What should we do now?" I ask the group.

"We should look for a cheap inn, and then I'm pretty hungry but we should save our Food Pills for dungeons." Eva says, playing with her hair.

"I'm sure we can find something around here." The city lights are lit up with large chunks of Glow Stone. There are many Adventurers walking around and talking. The area that had all of the merchants is empty as we walk down the sidewalk, Azula and Eva talking about the goose. Juzo walks in silence, a sweet familiar smell kisses my nose.

"Right here." Juzo is already pulling aside the small tarp that covers the shop, "Hello there!"

"Why hello Adventurers! What a wonderful night isn't it?" The small bearded man who stands on a stool hands us menus as we take a seat on bar stools.

"This smells so good!" Azula sits next to me, Eva next to Juzo.

I look over the prices, "Noodle and boar meat broth for eight Silver, drinks for two Silver. We can afford that." I turn to the three who are drooling over the menu.

"I'd recommend number eight. It gives a relaxation boost, then our lemon-lime drink is really good, almost a familiar taste from a different life. Aye, a different world." He rubs his beard, lost in thought as I look over to the three.

"Yes that sounds great!" Juzo says, handing him the menu.

"Same for all?" The man asks, looking at us as we nod yes, "Aye that'd be forty Silver."

I count them out and set the Nugz on the counter, "Thank you."

He nods, "Food'll be comin right up!" His hands move quickly, placing five large wooden mugs on the counter and pouring a bubbly clear liquid into them, then five bowls of noodles mixed with herbs and meat, "Ye be new Adventurers right?"

"Um yes today is our second night but we've been through so much already, it's a life of adventure for an um Adventurer hehe!" I scratch the back of my head nervously.

"Aye you lads protect yer women! The days will be long an hard, the battles many. You all have the smell of battle and Lightning Ape blood. Tis heroic to have survived a battle with one of those." Azula and Eva begin smelling themselves as the man laughs, "Worry not, for I have the nose of a wolf. We shall eat and drink heartily young Dragon Slayer and brave friends! Oh yee my name is Rex, us Dwarves enjoy good food and battle, but I am too old to fight any longer, so food it is!" He is very cheerful.

He holds out a closed fist to all of us and we put ours to his, "Nice to meet you Rex I'm Juzo!"

"Eva!"

"Azula!"

"Umbra." I bump his fist and he quickly places the bowls in front of us and himself, then passes out the drinks and holds his up.

"We'll make a toast!" We hold our cups up as he stands on his stool, "May the Gods bless young Dragon Slayer and his friends! To the freedom of being an Adventurer! To the glory of battle! To treasure! To friendship! To good food and drink! Aye! Aye! Aye!"

We put our mugs together, "Aye! Aye! Aye!" I take a big swig of my drink, it tastes bubbly and familiar.

"It tastes just like soda!" Eva says, but gets quickly confused.

"Mystery words again!" Juzo laughs.

"So good! There should be an explanation to these words." Azula says.

Rex rubs his long beard, "Throughout your travels you will hear or say many words that you will not understand, it's best if ye paid no heed to them. Eat up before the broth gets cold!" We use metal forks to eat the noodles, they're so thick and long.

"So yummy!" Eva is eating so fast.

"This is so good! Thank you Rex!" Juzo devours his bowl and drinks all of the broth and exhales.

"Refills are four Silver!" Rex drinks from his bowl, a single noodle hanging from his beard, he looks down, "I be saving that for later aha!" He grabs it and eats it while laughing.

"How about it Leader can we afford more?" Juzo asks, I look at our bowls and they're already empty as well as our drinks.

"You buy fresh bowls I'll throw in drink refills for free!" Rex gives two thumbs up and a smile.

"Aww yeah!" Azula chugs the rest of her drink.

"Thank you Rex!" Eva says as I set the Silver on the counter.

"This food is great!" I quickly eat the noodles, the flavor melting my taste buds.

"Aye thank you! It was a long process to get it this good, but I'm glad I get ta feed new Adventurers like yaselves! Never let the hard battles extinguish your flame ya hear!" With our bellies full and the mugs and bowls empty we rub our bellies.

"Thank you Rex! We'll see you soon!" Juzo says before bumping fists and leaving the shop.

"Safe travels and do come back!" He is so cheerful.

"Thanks!" Azula leaves.

"Thank you!" Eva waves goodbye.

"Aye be careful out there Dragon Slayer!" I bump his fist and leave a extra 20 Silver.

"Thanks for the hospitality! See you soon Rex!" I wave and leave the shop, Juzo is stretching his legs on the sidewalk.

"That was so good! I'm so full!" Eva rubs her belly.

"What's next oh yeah the inn!" Azula points down the street to the many inn signs.

"Cheaper the better right?" Juzo looks up at the skyscraper looking inn.

"Nope too fancy." We continue walking.

"Nope." A inn with a large lake and boats.

"No." A inn made out of crystal.

"This one?" I say after saying no to countless inns, the one in front of us has a broken dusty sign, "The Boar Inn."

"Yeah it looks cheap and run down. Perfect." Eva says, staring at the massive building that is lit brightly by many Glow Stones.

"Well let's see how much it is." I say as we walk up the pathway into the entrance.

"Why hello there! Welcome to the Boar Inn! It is one Gold per night, breakfast included, that's the cheapest price around here." A young elf woman says as I look over to the three and they nod yes.

"One room please!" I put the gold coin in her hand and she flips it with her thumb.

"Okay follow me this way! Doors are protected by a magic barrier so only those with the key can enter. There's one bed and one shower unless you'd like to pay another Gold for a room with two beds? Sorry I forgot to ask." She smiles and lets out a nervous laugh.

"Is two beds fine or one?" I ask the three.

"I'm a big guy, I don't think we would fit on one bed but the girls could and us men could sleep on the floor?" Juzo has a good point.

"Yeah who knows how many days it would take to finish the quest. We should save our Nugz." Eva says while looking up at the wooden ceiling.

"Yup! As long as I can shower!" Azula stretches her arms.

"Then yes one bed will be fine!" I tell the woman and we continue walking.

"You'll be on the twenty-eighth floor, there's thirty in total, with ten rooms on each floor. If you get lost there are lifts on each side of the hallways. Please watch your head." She steps into the lift and we follow.

"Wow that's so many rooms! What room number is ours?" I ask so I can remember.

"Room two hundred-eighty three, please be sure not to break anything please! The rooms are also soundproof for um various reasons hehe! Going up!" She presses the button twenty-eight and the lift begins to go upward. The sinking feeling in my stomach feels familiar. The light shows a number and as we pass a level the number rises and all is silent as we reach the twenty-eighth floor.

"Here is your room! There are alarms for when breakfast is served and here is your key." She hands me a small crystal, "Just place it against the door and push. Have a great night and do call if you um need anything! There are also single use Cleaning Crystals that freshen your clothes, those are in your bathroom, just hold them above your clothes and armor!"

"Thank you." It seems as if there is no door but I push the crystal against the number and it opens to reveal our room.

"Thanks!" Juzo says, following behind me.

"Thank you." Azula bows.

"Agh a shower, thank you!" Eva waves as the woman leaves and I shut the door behind us, it makes the sound of a large metal vault being shut.

Azula and Juzo are tearing off their armor, "Girls get dibs at showers first!" She yells.

"Guys shower faster we should go first!" Juzo pleads, looking at me for backup.

"I've been fighting a goose all day! I smell like goose!" Azula clenches her fists.

"Juzo." I say trying to warn him.

"But we have the manly sweat of men to wash off with a nice warm shower!" He is cracking his neck.

Eva stands next to me, "It's like two bears fighting for meat."

"It's like scary." I take a deep breath, "Feint! Feint! Feint!" I move into the bathroom and lock the door. I can hear the confused gasp of Azula and Juzo, followed by the hard footsteps of the two and the pounding on the door.

I look into the mirror at my face, my skin is so smooth and my eyes are shining blue, my hair long and blonde. I unstrap my armor as the pounding stops in defeat, I turn the water on hot and as I wait for the water to heat up I look around the room and it's as if something is missing. There is cabinets and a sink along with the mirror but something. Something is missing, "Toilet?" Whatever that is I'm certain we don't need one. I remember what Rex told us and I shrug it off. I step into the shower and pull the curtain closed, the warm water against my skin feels so good, the grime, dirt and blood of the little time we have been here washing away. There is a large bottle filled with liquid and I pour some in my hands and cover my body with the soap. My hair and body becoming smooth. I stand there soaking and relaxing for a while and then turn the water off. I step on the floor mat and use a towel to dry myself. I grab one of the four small blue Cleaning Crystals and hold it above my pile of clothes and armor. It breaks and the pile glows light-blue and then returns to normal. They no longer smell and the armor looks as if it was shined and polished. I put on my clothes and take a deep breath before I walk out of the bathroom.

"Woah you smell so good! That was like two minutes! Juzo you can go next aha!" Azula smiles and gives a thumbs up.

"Take your armor too, the Cleaning Crystal also cleans your armor, just put everything in a pile." I say while setting my armor down, "It feels weird not having my sword. We should finish this quest quickly." I sigh, laying down on the bed, "So comfy!"

"Okay I'll be back in a few!" Juzo gives a thumbs up and closes the door.

Azula and Eva sit in chairs at a small table, I curl up in my blanket and can feel myself falling asleep so I move to the floor and let my eyes drift. I must be tired, oh yeah Rex's food gave relaxation buffs, or maybe that nice shower or being in a secure room filled with a constant flow of cool air. This feels so nice, so very nice, "Umbra." I can feel my body being pulled back, "Umbra. Pssst! Umbra wake up." My face is softly slapped awake.

"What is?" A hand covers my mouth.

"Shhhh." It's Juzo, "Just listen." There's a huge grin on his face.

"No way." My face becomes hot, "I can't thank you enough." We both listen to the giggles of the girls as the bath water flows softly, we can hear them splashing around.

"Oh my Azula yours are so big! That's so much soap too!" A high pitched squeal and loud splashing.

"I'll get you back!" Azula says as Eva begins to yell loudly.

"Is this paradise?" I say to Juzo who gives me a thumbs up and wipes blood from his nose.

"This is the life." We laugh at each other.

"What is?" Azula and Eva smile while walking out of bathroom with towels wrapped around their head.

"Um nothing! Just adventures and actually staying in a safe room!" Juzo looks over at me.

"Yeah! It feels nice to not have to worry about monsters." I smile and laugh nervously, "Goodnight!" I curl up in my blanket and pretend to sleep.

"I'm about to fall asleep too!" Juzo says while curling up in his blanket.

"Thanks you two for sleeping on the floor!" Azula and Eva climb into bed.

"No problem!" Juzo says as I curl up and get comfy.

"I'm going to merc that goose so bad tomorrow!" Azula laughs to herself and I let sleep take ahold of me once more.

I awake to two soft pillows being shoved in my face, oh my what could these be? I softly squeeze them and open my eyes, "Azu-" My mouth is covered by her hand.

"Shh they'll wake up." She whispers in my ear, I look over to Juzo and Eva sleeping peacefully.

She's on top of me in black silky underwear, my body is hot and flustered as she begins to lick my neck like a cat girl, "Oh Azula that feels so good!"

"What is he doing?" Juzo's voice is loud.

"Shhh don't ruin this, don't move."

"Oh my god."

Azula disappears and I suddenly wake up with my lips against Juzo's back while my hands are gripping both of his buttcheeks, "Good morning sunshine!" Azula's on the bed laughing and wiping tears from her eyes, "What kind of dream were you having pervert!"

"Hey um Umbra you can let go of my butt now." Juzo laughs so loud and I let go.

My face is probably red, "Sorry Juzo."

"This is how you start the day!" Eva's face is bright pink as she rolls around on the bed.

"I didn't know you were a butt guy Umbra! Ahahaha!" Juzo stands up and looks at me while cracking his knuckles, "My turn to grab your butt!"

"Noooooo! Feint! Feint! Feint!" I dash around the room as Juzo chases me. Who knows how long this goes on for, but Azula stops us.

"Boys we have to leave! The alarm sounded by the way we should get breakfast and then head out. I have a goose to crush!" There's a evil aura surrounding Azula, we both immediately stop.

"Yes!" We rush to throw on our armor and pack our things and rush out of the door.

"I wonder what food there is?" We walk into the lift and make our way down.

"Who knows? I'll eat anything. I'm going to eat that goose after I murder it." The most evil gleam in Azula's eyes.

The three of us laugh nervously as she chuckles like a maniac to herself. The lift opens and we are greeted by the delicious scent of breakfast. There are signs that direct us to the food hall, there are so many Adventurers walking along the hallway. The hallway opens up and there is a massive room with long tables that have plates filled with food and cups with drinks and bowls with refills of both in the middle of the table. There is so much noise and talking from everyone, the innkeeper yells while holding up a massive wooden mug, "Sit wherever there is an open seat! Eat as much as you would like and thank you for your Nugz! Please come again and fight hard no matter what difficulties lie ahead! Thank you! Cheers!"

"Cheers!" The hall echoes with clapping and yelling.

"Cheers! Woo!" The four of us go wild and then take a seat at the edge of a long table, the wide benches we sit on are made of wood and cushions. The drink in front of us is that drink Rex gave us last night and the food is an assortment of steamed vegetables, eggs, toasted bread, brownies, muffins and rice.

Azula and Juzo pile their plates high with food, the bowls refilling themselves instantly, "Agh this is so good!" Azula shovels eggs into her mouth.

"Yeah this is so good!" Juzo is eating three pieces of toast at once.

"This is!" I'm eating so much as well, this is what we should be eating like, my goal in this place is going to be focused on food! This is so good!

"Aghh!" Eva has a pile of rice and eggs on her plate, shoving spoonful after spoonful in her small mouth, her cheeks becoming filled and puffy like a chipmunk.

It seems as if we eat for hours and everyone is cheering and singing songs, it's a fun place to be, "You four have fun today ya hear? And if ya needa stay again I'll be sure ta save the same room!" The innkeeper is drunk as she rests her arms over Juzo and my shoulder, her massive boobs hanging in a low cut shirt near our faces. I glance at Juzo's face and it's bright red, I can feel the evil aura of Eva and Azula next to us.

"Thank you miss!" Juzo and I yell.

"Miss Leona be me name! Aye how soft you look, but glad ta see ya doing well, not many survive a Lightning Ape. Fight on and fight strong!" She smiles and flexes her bicep. She walks away to a different table.

"Well that was um, different." I laugh nervously but I can feel the intense energy from Azula and Eva.

"Yeah haha! Um I'm going to leave now." Juzo slowly inches away from the bench.

"What were you staring at Juzo?" Eva slowly says.

"Yeah Umbra you too huh?" Azula has fire in her eyes.

"Let's go!" We start running away from Azula and Eva who sit there with evil expressions as they watch us run away.

"Oh that was a close one." I say, both of us out of breath, holding our knees as we stare at the open hole in the tree trunk.

"We ran here so fast. The guards were happy to see us too." Juzo wipes the sweat from his forehead.

"Ooh look at these two, I'm still mad at you but I have to fight so you're off the hook for now!" Azula smiles and winks at me.

"You too Juzo! I expect a back rub later!" Eva kisses his cheek.

"Yes Eva!" Juzo blushes.

"Me too Umbra!" Azula stretches her arms and legs.

"Yes Azula!" Juzo and I are sweating bullets.

"Come out you stupid goose!" Azula punches the tree.

"Quaaack! Quaaackkk!" The buff goose emerges from the hole and they begin fighting again. It lasts all day and three naps in the shade later the sun is beginning to set again.

"Azula we have to head back now." I yawn loudly as Juzo and Eva finish packing their things.

"I'll get you tomorrow goose!" Azula is out of breath and so is the goose, who points at her with his buff finger.

"Quack!" He rushes into the tree and slams the door shut.

"I'll get it next time for sure!" Azula is steaming mad.

"I'm sure you will!" I cheer her on and yesterday's events repeat itself, eating with Rex, renting the inn, eating in the morning, Azula fighting the goose, it being a draw. Six days pass in this order and we have five Gold sicty-four Silver left. It's morning time and we're eating at the hall again, "The same food for a week sure is getting to me." I say to Juzo who is hardly eating.

"Yeah same here, it's already been so long. Should we just give up?" Juzo slowly shoves a spoonful of eggs in his mouth.

"I can beat it! Today will be the last day!" Azula clenches her fists.

"I believe you!" Eva smiles and takes a bite of bread.

"I'm going to take some bread with us today so we can snack on it." I put some away thinking about food expenses.

"Good idea!" Azula smiles and we finish eating.

We leave the hall and make our way back to the tree trunk where the fighting continues on throughout the day.

Azula drops down with both feet, then throws a massive uppercut that is barely dodged by the goose. The goose does a summersault and shoots beams of water that are easily dodged, "Azula! Food!" I yell, pulling out toast and eggs. Juzo and Eva are sitting on the blanket as well.

"Okay! Um timeout goose!" The goose nods and sits in the grass in confusion. Azula quickly sits down and we begin to eat, the goose has a sad expression on his face as if he is being left out. I glance at Azula who is having an internal battle in her mind, "Here! You gonna sit over there by yourself or you gonna eat with us? You need strength to fight don't ya!"

The sad, gloomy expression is replaced with a huge smile as the goose makes his way over and takes the bread and egg sandwich, "Quack!" He takes a bite and tears flow from his eyes, "Quuuaaaackkk!"

"Awww in a way he's kinda cute for a super buff goose!" Eva says smiling.

"I've never seen someone so happy before haha!" The goose quickly rushes into the hole in the tree and returns with a golden egg and hands it to Azula, "Quaack!"

"I think this is the item we needed. We could've fed him this whole time." She bumps his fist and gives him a thumbs up, "Thank you for helping me become a better fighter!"

"Quack!" He sits and eats with us for some time and with the sun still high in the sky we say farewell as he returns to his home. We make our way back to the city gate.

"Hello Adventurers! Did you fail again?" One of the guards says.

"Nope! We actually got the egg!" Azula holds up the gold egg.

"Woah nice! Did you use a super move to beat it?" We pass through the gate.

"Nope! Not all battles need to be fought to be won." We wave and walk into the busy streets, "Agh I'm going to miss this city."

"We'll be sure to visit again, I'm going to miss showers!" Eva twiddles her hair.

"Oh yeah and safely sleeping too." I picture us sleeping in some cave on edge, staring into the darkness and fearing attacks from monsters.

"And constantly having to worry for our lives." Juzo has a stern look on his face.

"Well we'll have plenty of Health Pills!" Azula pushes open the shop doors.

"Hello Adventurers! Back I see. Did you befriend it like I advised you to?" The old man chuckles.

"We um tried fighting it for six days." I laugh and scratch the back of my head.

"I was close to beating it too!" Azula smiles and hands him the egg.

"As tempered as ever I see, thank you for completing the quest, here is your reward." The old man hands the jar of Health Pills and places our weapons on the counter, "And here are your weapons. Please have a safe journey on your travels. Feel free to look around. If you want to buy items I will give you a discount. Thank you."

"Thank you so much!" We say and bow to give thanks.

"The store is so big, what items did we need again?" I ask Eva who is usually on these things.

"We got the armor, Healing Scroll, Health Pills. Um some seasoning for meat, no shield for Juzo since we're focusing on attack power, some rice would be good and then we can save our Nugz. Sound good?" She smiles and puts her finger to her lip.

"Seasoning and rice, sounds good. Juzo and Azula anything else?" We walk past many rows of items on a shelf.

"That sounds like enough." Juzo says, looking at the prices of the bags of rice.

"Yeah true, here's a cheap seasoning for forty Silver. It smells good too." Azula holds a large bottle in her hand.

"Okay yeah that does smell good." I point to a large bag of rice, "This is two Gold but it'll last us a good while?"

"Yeah better to have food than to starve to death!" Juzo says, giving a thumbs up.

"Okay we're all set then!" Eva says as we make our way to the merchant.

"These two items please." Juzo places the large sack of rice on the counter.

"This would cost two Gold and forty Silver but I will give it to you for one Gold and fifty Silver!" He smiles, "I'll also give you two Water Crystals to cook the rice, on the house! Split!" He holds his hand over the bag and it splits into four smaller bags along with four small Water Crystals, "The storage system is flawed, if you get split up and only one of you has food that would be unfortunate. Fight hard and fight strong okay!"

"Thank you so much!" I hand him the Nugz and I put the items in my satchel.

"Thank you!" The three say as well. We wave before walking out of the shop.

"He had a good point on the items. Let's split the Health Pills we just got too." I pull out the jar and divide them, "I'll keep one less, Eva should have one extra because of her low defense."

"That works fine!" Azula says, putting her items away, "The sun is still high, we should head out to the next dungeon." The flames of adventure in her eyes.

"Yeah let's get going!" Juzo says, punching his fists together.

"I can finally heal!" Eva screams while floating around.

"Time to fight for survival again." I grip the handle of my sword.

"Bye friends! We'll be back!" I wave at the guards as they begin to wipe tears from their cheeks.

"Fight hard and don't you die okay! Farewell!" They both wave.

"See ya!" Azula and Eva wave bye.

"Stay buff!" Juzo flexes his biceps and they flex theirs as well. We take a deep breath as we stand in front of the treeline, the towering trees ahead of us once more.

"Entering dungeon! Caution! Entering dungeon!" The NPC warns us as I look over to the three.

"Let's do this!" I draw my sword and we walk into the treeline.