Elisia took out a spear from her pendulum. She swayed her neck in all directions until her bones rubbed against each other. She told Gray to be near the tree. Risk also swiped his two swords. The gazes of the two eyes were very straight, saying that this fight would be very painful.

Risk advanced quickly behind Elisia. The girl immediately turned around and held the sword swing. Elisia's body slightly pushed, then ran with the spear pointed forward. Flames ignited in the spear's blade. Risk jumped to the right, but Elisia swung her spear at Risk quickly. In a very short time, Risk could block the attack even though his clothes charred.

Elisia seemed to split the air. Heat sparks created. Elisia could feel the heat rushing through her body. Risk ran towards Elisia with the sword folded in front of his chest. A few feet to reach Elisia, Risk jumped. His two swords spread out to create a double slash.

Elisia raised her spear very high. Flames blazed even more from the tip of the spear. Then she slammed the spear very hard. It created a wave of fire, causing Risk could not hold it in. As a result, the Man threw quite far. He did air parrying to keep it from slamming on the ground. His eyes stared at Elisia, surrounded by flames.

Without realizing it, Elisia was already behind Risk. The man was wide-eyed with his eyes glancing to the left. The spearhead caught his eye swinging at him. Quickly, Risk blocked the attack with his left sword. However, the attack was too strong to made the left sword slip out of grip. Risk jumped further to set up another strategy.

“Elisia, I admit you are getting stronger!” Risk said.

Instead of smiling or returning a compliment, Elisia ran towards Risk. The man estimated the direction of Elisia's attack. According to his eyes, his opponent would swing the spear from the left with estimated deal huge damage. Risk raised his right sword to chest level, in case the attack made.

Elisia launched the attack, and it was just as Risk predicted. His right sword swung to block the fire spear. It created the two weapons clashed and a small explosion. Risk smiled and prepared to attack. However, Elisia pushed the tip of the other spear towards her opponent's body. Risk didn't expect it. He hit by an attack and threw to the ground. His right sword slipped from his hand. When he wanted to stand up, Elisia's spear pointed at his face.

Risk smiled and lay down on the ground again. “You beat me!”

Elisia's fire ability extinguished. She also removed the spear from Risk's face, then helped Risk up. The girl felt that her abilities were getting stronger with time. Without having to be guided by Risk, she could master every move with ease, including the feint attack she did earlier. However, she felt her chest feel hot. When seen, the fire seemed to burn it. Quickly, the girl tapped her chest repeatedly to make the fire go away.

Risk cleaned his dirty clothes. “Looks like you don't really need basic guidance from me anymore. Our practice will be more serious than before. I guess you're always ready for it.”

“Of course. All of this for the sake of being a protector for you all!” Elisia said excitedly.

Risk smiled. “I like your spirit. Maybe after this, we'll learn how to recognize your enemy, then some practice with Rhino and Dao.”

“Really? I will train with Rhino and Dao?! I can't wait for that to happen!” Elisia jumped for joy.

“Save your strength! Our journey tomorrow will be quite tiring. Make sure you get enough rest tonight.” Risk stepped back to Tevanny's house.

Elisia watched as Risk continued to walk. The girl saw a great ability in Risk, which she had never seen before. Thanks to her [Six Sense] skill, she knew what to do when faced with all kinds of enemies, including Risk.

When she wanted to approach Gray, a message appeared in front of her face.

“Congratulations, you have completed the Battle Training!”

“Result:”

“1 × Risk = 600 EXP”

“Total EXP:”

“600 + 50% = 900 Player EXP”

“50% × 900 = 450 Skill EXP”

.

“Congratulations, your level up to 6!”

“Bonus: Def +8, Max HP limit +16, Stamina limit +10, Skill Point limit +6”

“Max HP, Stamina, & Skill Point restores”

.

Elisia felt that no one had told her about this battle simulation. Maybe it wasn't there to surprise her. At the very least, her level increased again and her abilities increased even more. She checked the stats.

Elisia Naumann

Level 6 (750/1100 exp)–Vanguard

Max HP : 730 /730

Stamina : 570/570

Skill Point (SP) : 124/124

ATK : 370

DEF : 194

RES : 10,2%

Agility : 45

.

Skills

1. Molten Flame (level 3 (250/600 exp))

SP Requires : 42

ATK +50% and every attack gains 40% chance to ignore 15% Enemy Def.

Duration : 28 second

2. [Unknown]

3. [Unknown]

4. [Unknown]

5. Sixth Sense (level 2 (150/500 exp))

Can see the level and basic stats (Max HP, ATK, Def, and Res) of other characters.

Duration : Passive

6. [Unknown]

.

There was an increase in her abilities and skills. Elisia was happy, especially since her [Sixth Sense] skill gave another ability. She saw Gray sticking out its tongue. It had some information.

Gray

Norwegian Elkhound–Level 0

Max HP : 100/100

ATK : 20

DEF : 5

RES : 0%

Agility : 45

.

As Risk said, Gray was a Norwegian Elkhound. She hugged her dog tightly, and the animal responded with a lick in the face. Her current rapid improvement elated Elisia. She felt that time was running quick. Previously, she was still training with Risk on basic attack techniques, now she could defeat her own mentor. It etched a pride into her heart, but she remembered Risk's words about great power. Many challenges were waiting for her to be completed.

Elisia walked after Risk, who was far away. She was eager to use her passive ability to see Risk's stats, which was at level 40. Her steps quickened a bit and her eyes focused on Risk's body until a stat appeared in front of her.

Risk

Level 40–Swordman

Max HP : 2078/2078

ATK : 967

DEF : 345

RES : 20%

Agility : 70

.

It amazed Elisia when she saw Risk's stats. His attacks were quite painful with better defense. Elisia remembered her first fight with Risk that left her badly injured. She remembered how painful Risk's attack was that slashed her body three times. Elisia trembled as she remembered that again.

Elisia watched the trees as she passed. The fruits started popping up after Forgotten died. It seemed the Kryptadium radiation emitted from it had a profound effect on nature, though she couldn't feel it directly. After her return journey from the forest, she would ask many questions about Kryptadine and Kryptida.

Arriving at Tevanny's house, Dao was already in the front yard. Risk and Elisia approached him.

“Have you taken a sample of the rock?” Risk asked.

Dao showed a small pouch containing pieces of Kryptadine. “Upgrade only asks for a small sample, so Dao picks up the stone shards that are scattered there.”

“Are there signs of life there, like humans or other creatures?” Elisia asked curiously.

“There is nothing. Dao only found human skulls that had overgrown with Kryptadium. Dao also discovered this.” Dao showed a purple stone that looked different from the blue Kryptadine.

Elisia reached out to touch the stone. However, Risk patted the girl's hand. Elisia held the part that Risk hit. The skin there looked red.

“Don't carelessly touch anything you don't know!” Risk said. “If I see it, I think it's Kryptadium too. Only the shape differs from the others.”

“Upgrade once said that Kryptadine has many variations. This stone-flavored is also a variation of Kryptadine,” Dao replied.

“Hey, what are you guys talking about?” Tevanny asked, who was standing beside them.

Dao turned around. “Dao only explains Dao finds in the Forgotten cave.”

“Explanate it later. Now let's eat first.” Tevanny saw Risk's dirty clothes and the wound on his face. “What happened to you? Did you fight a beast?”

Risk touched the part of his face that was injured by Elisia's attack. “Just a minor wound from training with Elisia.”

Tevanny turned around. “I'll treat the wound later. Now, time to eat!”

They followed Tevanny to the other side of the house. It had provided a table made of logs, complete with food that had been serving on it. Cooking smoke came out of the food that had just been removing. The aroma made anyone tempted, including Risk and Elisia. They sat in their respective places with their hands on the table. Tevanny prepared a base as broad leaves. She served food on it.

Elisia's stomach immediately rumbled upon seeing the food she had never encountered in her life.

[Smoke Bird]

She cut the meat with her bare hands. A puff of smoke immediately escaped from the flesh. The color of the meat was dark and dry looked appetizing. She took a small piece and fed it. The meat was tough but still good to eat. She devoured it full of hunger.

After eating the food until it finished, Risk looked at Tevanny's face. The woman looked back at him and made Risk look away. Elisia, who saw it, thought there was something wrong with her mentor. She pulled Risk's robe gently to call out to him.

“Risk, what's wrong?”

Risk is a bit surprised. “Huh? There’s nothing!”

“Eemm... Mr. Risk, is there something you want to tell me?” Tevanny asked surprised.

Risk surprised. “Eee…, I just wanted to ask…, is the night trip here dangerous?”

Dao patted Risk's right shoulder. “Didn't we go on a night trip yesterday? Nothing dangerous, right? Everything is fine.”

“So you want us to take a night trip back to the village?” Tevanny asked for clarity.

Risk nodded. “Yeah, I think we get to the village soon.”

“Yes, Dao should bring this rock sample quickly to Upgrade,” Dao continued.

“Okay. I'll pack things.” Tevanny got up from the chair. “But what about your wound?”

“Don't worry about my wounds. I'm fine.” Risk got up from the chair and left.

Tevanny surprised by Risk's behavior and whispered to Dao. “Is your friend okay?”

Dao shrugged. Then Tevanny turned to Elisia. However, the girl also shrugged.

“I don’t know. Before, he wasn't like that,” Elisia replied.

After tidying up the cutlery, everyone prepared the equipment for the trip that would take place soon. Tevanny cleaned the house one last time, made her miss the house she built herself. Elisia, who saw Tevanny, silently approached the woman and held her hand.

“The people at Grasswood are more worried about you, including Mr. Tivet. Your return will make them happy,” Elisia comforted.

Tevanny smiled and turned to Elisia. Her hand began to caress the left cheek of the blonde-haired girl. Elisia felt comfortable. The touch of the hand made her remember something, which made a memory flash again. In that memory, there was a woman who also did the same thing as Tevanny. That soft hand was exactly the same as the one in her memory. But, she couldn't see the woman’s face.

Elisia regained consciousness again and went back to cleaning the house. The girl also felt the same, where this house felt comfortable and far from settlements. The environment was very calm, even though many birds were chirping above. But, they had to return to the village. Their return was more important than anything else.

Elisia and Tevanny came out of the house with little equipment. Tevanny only brought stored herbs and wooden utensils. Risk and Dao were already waiting for them with the equipment they had brought from the village.

“Are your gear ready?” Risk asked.

“Ready. I only brought a few things,” Tevanny replied.

“Let's start the journey! Follow Dao!” Dao stepped in first, followed by the others.

The journey back to Grasswood village began. Dao would lead them along the path he took when departing, which was to the south. Everyone walked leisurely while enjoying the cool air during the day and the trees growing their fruit. Several animals seemed to follow them, from squirrels, birds, to small insects. Gray barked at them to leave.

They penetrated the shady trees decorated with chirping birds. Elisia stepped carefully because many tree roots were growing out of the ground. She also picked up the fruits that fall from the trees. But, most had destroyed by hitting the ground.

She wanted to eat the hair-skinned fruit that looked hard to open. Tevanny teach how to open the fruit called rambutan, and the flesh looked clean. Elisia ate the flesh of the fruit and removed the seeds.

They had traveled quite a distance until they were in a dense forest. There was no sign of a wide field. All they found was a small field. They stopped to rest. Gray immediately lay under the tree.

Dao stared at the sun, then stuck a small stick into the ground. The shadow of the stick appeared on the ground. Dao nodded his head and plucked the trunk from the ground. Then he turned to everyone.

“Looks like it's getting evening. We can still continue our journey before nightfall,” he said.

“Can we rest first? I'm so tired," Tevanny pleaded.

Risk looked at Tevanny, who was sitting leaning on a tree trunk. Her legs seemed to be straightened. Her breath was also heavy. The man sighed.

“Okay. We can rest for a while here,” Risk said.

Elisia sat beside Tevanny and gave a small massage to her feet. Tevanny closed her eyes, feeling good about the girl's massage. Elisia pressed the part along the knee to the ankle. While massaging, Elisia saw a pair of hands massaging the other leg. Elisia looked up, it was Risk. The man gave a massage on the soles of the feet.

“Massage on the soles of the feet can make all the muscles in the body relax. It can relieve fatigue in a short time, but the point that pressed must be correct,” Risk explained while continuing to press Tevanny's feet.

Elisia wanted to try it, but was afraid to hit the wrong point. She didn't want Tevanny to be in pain. Finally, the girl kept massaging her calves. While massaging, Elisia noticed Risk's face, which smiled more often when he was near Tevanny. The girl felt they had a closer relationship during their time in the forest.

After massaging, Elisia sat leaning next to Tevanny. She saw the sky covered in tree leaves, looking orange. There were several dark clouds that covered the orange sky. Gray seemed to move her body closer to Elisia, as if frightened.

“Dao, the sky become dark,” Elisia said to Dao.

Dao got up and looked up at the sky. He immediately shocked and packed his things.

“Guys, looks like we have to move again. It will rain soon,” Dao said.

Risk walked over to Dao to looked at the sky. “Didn't Upgrade ever say that Nusantara region was experiencing a dry season?”

“Dao doesn't know. Back then, Upgrade used a rudimentary tool to check the weather. Dao thought there was an error in estimating,” Dao explained.

“In that case, we must leave immediately! We don't want to get wet in the rain. Especially Mr. Dao, who could damage by water.” Tevanny packed things and started walking.

“Dao system is immune to water. The Dao often washed down many times, but not damaged.” Dao said, but no one paid attention.

The return journey continued, hoping they could find some shade if the rain couldn't wait to fall. They explored the dark forest because of the black clouds that covered the sky. Dao took out a flashlight and shone in all directions. There wasn't anything that could not use as a shade. At least the edge of the rock ravine is enough.

They could hear rumbling from the sky. Flashes of light illuminated some parts of the forest. The air immediately felt cold. Luckily, Elisia's pendulum dissipated heat again so her body didn't shiver. Tevanny snuggled closer to Elisia's body after feeling the heat radiate from her. Gray also attached its body to Elisia.

Dao stopped in his tracks and highlighted the trees. He found a place that looked like a cave. Dao led the way to that place. A few steps later, Dao's vision was correct. It was a cave that not too big. Dao inspected the cave with a flashlight. After that, he raised the left hand. Risk asked Elisia and Tevanny to came in with Dao.

The cave wasn’t too deep. There was a wall at the end of the hall. They put things down again. The air in the cave was so cold that it shook Tevanny's bones. She even hugged Elisia, who was continuously emitting hot energy. Risk entered the cave by placing wooden sticks.

“Elisia, can you use your ability to light a fire?” Risk asked.

“What? Light a fire?”

“Risk, did Risk forget to bring a lighter?” Dao asked for sure.

“To be more precise, I dropped it on the road when we were leaving,” Risk replied.

Elisia stood up and took out her spear. She activated the [Molten Flame] skill until the tip of her spear spouted fire. After the fire appeared, he lit up the pile of wood. Finally, fire created. Tevanny immediately thrust her hands towards the fire. The cold cave air turned warm.

It was raining outside the cave. The roar that sounded loud enough to startled everyone in the cave. Looked like they had to spend the night in that cave. It was a good opportunity for Elisia to asked the people here many things.

“Risk, can I bother you?” Elisia asked.

“I'm not doing anything here. What is it?”

“There's something I want to ask you.”