The horizon is slowly being dowsed in orange hue as the darkness creeps. Yet Bob’s mind wander to the ring on his finger. Looking closely at it like he did dozens of times earlier, hoping to find something that he didn’t notice before.

Before the sun completely sets, he notices a figure on a distance. An adventurer. He took a deep breath before trailing this.

On a closer look it is the same adventurer, wearing the same clothing but this time with an enraged expression, moving swiftly in the direction of the cave. Swiping the air in front of him.

Bob quickly left his position and meets the adventurer, making it look like they encounter each other on the road.

“Adventurer! You’re alive.” Bob exclaims

“Pfft. No thanks to you. You shot me!”

“I’m sorry, I was only trying to help.” Bob grips his axe in case the adventurer attacks him.

“I don’t have time for you. I need to get back to the cave.”

“I’m afraid it’s too dangerous adventurer. You see the explosions have alerted the cave’s guardian and it’s now roaming the entrance.”

‘Cave’s guardian! What am I talking about?!’ Bob shouted in his mind while maintaining his worried look.

The adventurer scratches his head “Well I left something there I need to retrieve it.”

Bob immediately knows that it’s the ring.

“Let me accompany you adventurer, I could at least be of some help.”

“Fine but if a fight occurs, do not engage or so help me I will kill you.” He threatens the farmer.

Without showing his expression Bob nods. The gaze startles him that he almost trips when he took a step back. Cold sweat made tracks on his back when the adventurer utter those words, he knows that those words are not mere jest.

Before arriving at their destination, Bob whistles a tune different from what he uses to call Agta, a combination of low and high note in immediate succession. The adventurer looks back at him suspiciously.

“An animal might be nearby. I still haven’t had dinner, have you?” Bob defends himself.

The adventurer shrugs and continues to walk.

“I don’t see anyone; they probably went inside.” The adventurer said peeking from the tall grass that surrounds the cave.

“Alright listen.” He turns to the farmer. “Whatever happens stay there.”

Bob could only nod in agreement despite the agitated and menacing look from the adventurer has already disappeared. The adventurer then pulls out a lamp from his inventory and slowly crept towards the mouth of the cave, took a few steps back then scours the entire ground.

Moving slowly, Bob notches an arrow and shot it inside the cave and the occupied adventurer is not able to see it.

After a short moment a golem emerges from the cave. Bigger than the earlier ones.

‘Alright Zuli, the same on how you would destroy a golem’ Bob observes from the distance.

“Adventurer behind you!” He shouts, waiting for the golem to hurl something first.

The large stone hits the adventurer causing him to roll over. He curses then grabs something from his inventory

[Napalm]

He hurls a red colored vial at the golem causing it to spread fire upon contact. The adventurer then follows up with another throw.

[Bomb]

The simultaneous throw causes Zuli to stagger and fall to the ground but it is clear to see that the adventurer was barely able to make any damage.

[Corrode] [Bomb]

He throws another one on the fallen golem.

Bob notices that despite fighting Zuli the adventurer is still keen on searching for the ring. This time he is feeling bad for not telling him about it.

“Where is it!” The adventurer frantically shouts while scouring the ground right next to where he drops the lamp when Zuli appears.

Still clutching to his bow, he notches another arrow and shot it inside the cave causing another one to emerge from it.

“There’s another one!”

Zuli is still on the ground, scorching. The golem that recently emerges from the cave lunges at the adventurer. But this time he was quick on his feet and was able to avoid it. Drinking another one of those red liquid vials; the cuts all over his body disappears.

‘They’re too slow… and how many of those vials does he have?’ Bob observes.

Bob notches another one and aims it at the cave but before he could release it a shout came from the direction of the adventurer.

Pummeled by the golem, the adventurer died. Despite being crushed by the golems’ solid arms the body didn’t look like the bones were crushed or mangled at all. Bob inspects the body to see other anomaly—there was no blood, either on the ground or on his clothes.

“Great work Obi, Zuli. Go join Emi inside the cave and guard it.”

Without hesitation they both went inside the cave, while the fire on Zuli’s body slowly disappears as they vanish in sight.

“No variation from the first one.”

Jack’s sudden appearance startles Bob as he was just seeing the golems off.

“Where were you hiding?” He asks in a humorous yet suspicious tone.

“Inside. But I find it appropriate to exit from the other side of the cave with Atga’s help. I understand her great interests in the cenotes.”

“Have you finished inspecting the new core?”

“Of course. The new core is far stronger than the old ones combined. I am yet to absorb it as my own.”

“If only we have those instruments to measure its’ strength.” Bob sighs softly while glancing at the disappearing body.

“I doubt the adventurers have it.” Jack walks over to the spot where the body disappears without leaving any trace.

Only the lantern was left behind. Lighting the dark woods and the scorched ground beneath them. Making it difficult to notice the fireflies surrounding and lighting the leaves that rustles as cold wind brushes against them.

“In the letters you sent me, you mention a Citadel at Cinder City. Do you think we could obtain something useful there?”

“It would be foolish to rule it out. But I was treated with great hostility by the guards, therefore I couldn’t get anywhere near it as the place is crawling with them.”

Bob’s face grimace as he gives up on the idea of going to the city or have Jack return there. Yet, as he looks up the sky, the hope that something will turn up still remains.