Back near the Gaming Dungeon, in front, amidst the flickering whistle of blowing wind and the hum of fresh afternoon sun, Rederic gathered with his new friends, the Baron Maids and the muscle men, in a circle.
He felt grateful as he looked into their tired yet hopeful eyes.
"Thanks, everyone, for being here, and touring me to the whole Toraz town" Rederic said sincerely, his words showing how much he appreciated them.
Earlier, Rederic had been so shocked by the unknown benevolent dungeon and the mysterious Baron, Wallace. However, after the maids and muscle men showed him around, his heart, head, and spirit felt relaxed.
Although he didn't want to admit it, he really needed it.
The Baron Maids, with their aprons dirty from their hard work, responded with soft reassurances. "No, you don't have to thank us, it's fine... it's fine..." They spoke gently, their polite voices filling the air with refreshing breath.
Meanwhile, the muscle men, their muscular bodies contrasting with their shy expressions, scratched their heads in an adorable way.
"It's fine, you actually helped us, hehe hehe hehe," they said together, their smiles growing wider.
Rederic couldn't help but share in their infectious joy, his own smile appearing on his face.
In that moment, a feeling of generosity sparked within Rederic. He quickly took out a handful of valuable Magic Crystals from his pocket. These crystals were rare and precious, shining in his hand and would normally captivate everyone who saw them, but he didn't show it to them as he threw them fast.
"Here, these are all for you," Rederic said in a gentle tone, his throw of the crystals was towards the Baron Maids and muscle men. The gems floated through the air, catching the faint light and bringing a glimmer of hope.
Confusion initially appeared on their faces, but as the crystals landed in their hands, their expressions changed. Their eyes widened, their jaws dropped, and they let out a collective gasp. They realized the significance of Rederic's gesture and the extent of his generosity.
Caught in a moment of silent gratitude, Rederic knew that words weren't necessary. He turned around, his hands raised in a reassuring gesture, as if to say, "Don't worry, I have plenty more. These treasures are all yours..."
And with that, Rederic left to play Gaming Dungeon, feeling lighter in his heart.
"I didn't find anything strange," he mumbled as he thought the Baron was giving him a clue of something, "But had fun and felt refreshed because of it."
However, just as Rederic approached the entrance of the Gaming Dungeon, a chorus of urgent familiar voices filled the air, creeping into his awareness like a spooky premonition.
"Sir Rederic!"
"Sir Rederic!"
"Sir Rederic!"
The repeated pleas of the maids and strong men echoed with a touch of panic, making his heart race in his chest.
A mix of curiosity and worry flooded through Rederic as he turned his head, in that moment, his eyes widened in disbelief.
What he saw before him was a sight that made no sense, leaving him completely stunned.
Held tightly in their left hands were futuristic bracelets that looked exactly like the one on his own wrist.
It was an eerie similarity that sent shivers down his spine, a chilling reminder of Baron's Gaming Dungeon.
…
Earlier, Butler Mendez and Captain Dylan stood strong, their faces determined as they denied Ellenair's request.
That time, Ellenair felt the air crackled with tension, their denial was like a solid stone she felt she couldn't crack.
Now, in the deep part of the Crawler forest, where shadows danced among old trees, Ellenair found herself surrounded by a circle of guards.
She became their guide and expert on the forest because they knew her knowledge of the woods was unmatched.
After all, she often comes here, which is why she is often messy.
The guards would occasionally let her be because she always came back safe and sound.
As they ventured deeper into the forbidding forest, a flood of memories washed over Ellenair, threatening to overwhelm her determination.
Her steps faltered, her forehead creased in frustration. "Hmm..." she murmured, lost in thought.
It wasn't her usual choice to accompany the guards.
Ellenair cherished her solitude, enjoying the freedom to choose her own path. But when she heard the name "Baron Wallace," a strange and irresistible urge took hold of her.
Something about his disappearance tugged at her heart, pulling her toward the guards and come with this dangerous expedition,
"Why did I agree?"
Ellenair whispered to the rustling leaves.
The events today slowly replayed in her mind, like a storm brewing within her.
First, the discovery of her parents and half-sister abandoning her, a harsh truth to accept. Then, her friends leave, leaving her feeling lost and uncertain. And finally, the appearance of a new Baron, who unexpectedly allowed her to enter his treacherous dungeon with a small payment.
"Why did he allow me to enter the dungeon when he said I needed twenty-five Neutral magic crystals?"
She mumbled, remembering the dungeon.
In that dungeon, she had experienced moments of excitement, moments where she had pushed herself to the limit and emerged stronger.
She had reached level eight, feeling triumphant. But a lingering mystery remained, a question that piqued her curiosity.
Why had she survived while others perished?
Why was she still alive?
The desire to unravel the mystery of her survival burned within her, an unquenchable flame that drove her back to where it all began.
And so, here she was, surrounded by the anxious presence of Mendez, Captain Dylan, and the gate guards, deep in the heart of the Crawler forest.
Panic gripped their hearts, their pace quickening as they searched for any sign of Baron Wallace.
Not long after, Ellenair kept dreaming and dreaming until…
Ellenair slowly opened her eyes, feeling a bit confused. It was as if she had been lost in a dream about the new Baron Wallace.
"Why am Thinking of him?"
She thought as the world around her appeared blurry again, as if covered in a fog of confusion. But then, different from the rest of her daydream, through the haze, a voice broke the silence.
"Hey, little girl..." Mendez's voice whispered, filled with fear. His eyes darted around nervously, scanning the forest as if anticipating an unseen danger. Ellenair's heart skipped a beat, and she instantly became wide awake.
Before she could fully understand what was happening, Captain Dylan gently tapped her shoulder, sending a jolt of energy through her. She turned to face him, her eyes filled with anticipation. "Ellenair," he urgently whispered, his voice barely audible over the rustling leaves. "Is it normal for this forest to be so quiet?"
Confusion briefly clouded her mind, but Ellenair quickly composed herself. She knew that these woods held dangers that were anything but ordinary. "No," she rushed to reply. "As soon as you step inside, you'll see plenty of dangerous animals affected by radiation." Her voice trailed off, and she tensed up as a sudden realization hit her.
However, Captain Dylan seemed oblivious to her unease, his gaze fixed on the seemingly peaceful surroundings. "But we've been walking for a few minutes," he frustratedly remarked. "Why haven't I spotted any radioactive creatures?"
Horror filled Ellenair's eyes as her mind raced to find an explanation. Something was definitely wrong. The eerie silence of the forest, the absence of movement or sound—it all hinted at an impending danger.
A cold shiver ran down her spine as she realized they were being watched, stalked by an unseen predator.
Just as she was about to warn Captain Dylan, a low growl and a piercing shriek echoed through the air, sending chills down their spines.
Greeaaaakkkk.