Minutes passed in silence on top of the barren plateau, yet the group did not leave the place of their arrival. Instead, they made the uniformed decision to set up their first campsite here and make this elevated ground their temporary base.

Besides the strategic value of holding such grounds in a world where every step could spill your last, it was also the place the portal appeared. Even though they now all realized that the missing young master, Aiden was also in this place somewhere far away, Lily and the rest of the girls did not want to leave.

Hoping that perhaps the young master's separation may have been due to a mistake on the organizers' part, the girls clung to the hope that they would allow the boy to traverse the [Gateway] again and be reunited with them.

Though the chances were minuscule at best, the girls in the adventurer's side were desperate and pleaded for at least a few days of wait before setting out. During that time, they didn't need to waste the days completely, as they were seemingly placed in the midst of a vast wasteland. Barren dreadful dark orange sand covered the ground for all directions their eyes could take them.

What surprised Captain Don, the temporary leader of their combined group was that not just the young maidens from the adventurers but even some of his own team, most of the women agreed on the notion to wait for the handsome little youngster. The bashful gazes of their mature eyes were a shocking sight for the captain, he was baffled at their reactions.

Even Krone, the most indignant and wild, unfettered of them all, seemed to have made a 180 shift in his attitude. Like the ladies, he too wanted to stay and wait at least a few days in hopes of their young leader to arrive to rejoin them.

Thus, under such opposition, even if Captain Don would have wanted to set out and venture in some direction, he could not. In the end, he sighed, revealed a wry look on his aged face, and agreed with the groups' proposition.

Hearing his agreement, the group jolted in excitement, quickly sprung into action in the next moment. Even without the need of commands from their Cap, the team hurriedly set up their campsite, making sure to keep the area where the portal should appear clear of any obstruction.

Not even a quarter of an hour later, several tents were pitched under the stress of the powerful sun. Yet, none were resting, several three and four-manned groups were formed, ready to set up to a chosen direction and explore the grounds under this brutal daylight heat.

…

"You guys will go towards that way!" Standing in front of a trio that had 2 ladies of his Silver Howl mercenaries and that brutish, blonde muscle-bound woman strapped in what seemed like some thin straps of animal fur, barely covering her delicates pointed towards the south.

"Make sure to not stray too far and that you will get back before nightfall! We have no idea what dangers does this place holds, so before anything make sure you are careful!" He instructed, his face revealing hints of concern and worry. Though he had barely had anything to do with these adventurers, he knew they were an honest, and good bunch of kids. Together with their mysterious leader, he already held a certain sense of care towards them.

Though their first introduction was strained at best, he held no malice or ill-will towards these boys and girls and was already starting to think of them as part of his own group.

The three ladies revealed a similar-looking mischievous grin over their faces as they hummed and nodded at the captain's fatherly tone, causing Don to stretch a strained, bittersweet smile over his face.

It seems the trio had a similar mindset, and knowing the nature of those two devilish girls, Don could only hold his head and sigh in defeat. He already knew that this trio will be the cause of a lot of headaches in the upcoming days.

"Don't worry cap, we will not stray too far!" One of the girls, a black-haired girl assured amidst her wide grinning expression. She looked at her two partners, and as if they already understood each other without the use of words, the other two also nodded at the elder.

"Kate… and you two, Angela… for the love of gods, try to behave!" Don sighed, shaking his head, already knowing his words wouldn't reach them at all. Then as if he was about to dismiss them, realizing that they now had a third partner, he added. "Also, don't make this young Naybeah fall down with you! She is not like you two, little devils!"

As if hearing their father praising them, the girls only giggled mischievously, before turning towards the appointed direction and setting out. Their chuckles could be heard for quite a while even as their figures were gradually distancing as they reached further and further towards the horizon.

Looking at their receding silhouettes, Captain Don could only heave a long, heavy sigh and shake his head with a complicated smile stretched across his face. He knew that he would be up to for some stressful moments as the girls will surely claim that new joiner in their ranks…

…

Eventually, almost everyone in the camp had grouped up, forming teams of three and sometimes four, and set out towards a director appointed by their captain. In the end, only Don, and Krone were left guarding the place, all the rest were away.

The duo was standing at the edge of their claimed plateau, looking towards the northwest where the young miss, the sister of the missing Young Master claimed his current location would be.

"Cap, what do you think, is that brat really okay alone?" Breaking the ensuing silence first, Krone asked with a heavy tone.

"I…" Don hesitated, not sure what to answer. Still, after a moment, recalling what he had seen from the boy so far, he shook his head as a thin smile slightly curved the edges of his lips. "I think he is. That girl and his friend… that Galina seems to have some weird connection with him. Though we are not sure of what extent this thing stretches, I am sure that they would know if that boy would be in danger."

Don sighed, as he added.

"Besides, even if he was in danger, what could we do from here? We have no idea how far he actually is, or even know of how to get closer to his location."

Krone furrowed his brows as he listened to his captain's words. He wanted to refute, but as he slowly scanned the distance, he could only sigh no matter how unwilling he was inside his heart, he couldn't do a thing.

They were in an alien world, filled with dangers. Apart from the rest of the groups of the other pillars, they were told that countless threats laid hidden in the dark…

---

AN: Hey there Readers!

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