Breathing in a rapid manner, Tarax finally got back where he left the girl. Even with all the trees chopped down only small bits of light shone into the forest. The spores lost color upon meeting the sun and slowly landed on the ground. Only a few experienced such fate, as seemingly they avoided light.

– Are you alright? – Chase appeared from behind a tree and quickly rushed to his pal. – Did you find any enemy?

– No, not a single one.

– Same here… the others?

– They should be somewhere around here.

Walking a few meters, they saw Aeren sitting on the ground and Katsumi resting on his thighs. The girl had an almost transparent aura around her shining with a dim red light.

– Damn, sonny got it good! We shouldn't disturb them while they are…

– Guys! Are you alright? – Tarax's shouting shook the earth.

They stood up, Katsumi a bit slower than Aeren. She still felt dizzy from all the crying. To her surprise, that was the only bad thing she felt. The pain and bleeding all disappeared.

– No! Katsumi got attacked while we were away.

– Really? – Tarax turned to the girl. – Are you alright?

– He gave me some sort of healing potion, so… I'm fine, thanks.

– I shouldn't have run away… tell me happened!

– A bunch of titans jumped me. They had a leader with them. I killed… two, I think? The last one got shot by an arrow, the same type they shot at us. There was also this dude, I think he was a leader or something. His name began with 'Gla' or 'Gle'.

– Glechoma?

– Yeah, that! He was some kind of brawler or something… I managed to stab him in the stomach, though he almost killed me.

– Where is he now? Where did he go?

– He disappeared with the rest of them. Corpses too.

Tarax didn't give an answer. He gazed into the distance, lost in thoughts.

– This happened last time too! – Aeren stepped in front of her. – When they found us, there were no corpses and all the cultists suddenly disappeared.

– Really now? – Chase's question was doubtful, almost mocking. – And who told you that? If I remember correctly, you were unconscious when they found you.

– Yes, but Miss Katsumi told me they disappeared! She isn't lying, I promise!

– You say so? Dogs have a good nose and I didn't feel the scent of enemy nearby. In fact, the only thing I'm smelling is bullshit, all coming from that girl!

– Pardon? What are you trying to imply here? – she approached the dog.

– You're a liar. You came along just for the money, but when it comes to a fight you 'suddenly disappear' and then reappear with 'wounds made by the enemy'. I think we should leave her behind!

– Hey, asshole! I'm in a bad mood right now and I won't think twice before punching you!

– Like I care! You can't even…

Bang! She punched him right in the nose. Chase took a few steps back whimpering. Aeren didn't know what to do and hid behind Tarax.

– Don't fuck with me.

– You little…

Chase tried punching back, but Tarax stood between the two of them. Katsumi looked up at his face and saw the disappointment in his eyes. He pushed both of them away, looking at neither one.

– This expedition only just begun and you're already fighting. Not that I was waiting for much, yet you still managed to disappoint.

He turned his back on them and silently continued into the forest. Chase yelled at the top of his lung, asking for permission to punch the girl. Katsumi on the other hand stayed quiet. She was sad, as the titan clearly didn't believe her.

– Miss Katsumi? – Aeren grabbed her hand. – I bet both of them will crap their pants when they see how cool you are!

– Ah… yeah. I'm sure too. – she smiled. – Let's go.

Delving deeper into the forest their only source of light were spores. Chase had an old oil lamp on his side he filled with a cloud of them. He led the group, as some parts of the forest were pitch-black. It was not only dangerous because of the possible enemies lurking in the shadows, but also because of the ravines.

Titannica was built in a valley, surrounded by mountains. Outside these mountain walls in the opposite direction of all civilization was a long and tall mountain range. What hid there is unknown as expeditions into darkness usually ended with the party never being seen again. They had to be careful, otherwise the depths become their coffins.

– Hey Aeren. – Katsumi whispered.

– I'm listening.

– Do you like boobs or asses?

– As the cooked part of chicken?

– No, you virgin! Wait… you cook the rear of chickens?

– Stop harassing the boy! – Tarax said without turning towards them.

Katsumi stayed calm for a few seconds, then leaned down to Aeren and whispered even quieter.

– When looking at a woman… what do care about the most?

– Easy! Their happiness! I want everyone to be happy, even women!

– Oh Aeren, you're such a good boy! – she hugged his neck, choking him a bit. – But seriously now, if you were to see a girl naked, what would you look at first?

– Huh? Why are you asking this?

– Come on already, we're almost the same age! Just two dudes, talking about women!

– I'm pretty sure there are a lot of other subjects we could talk about, but if you insist… I actually really like…

– Halt! – Chase put his arm out.

Katsumi quietly screamed, but paused at the sound of a branch breaking in the distance. Their only light was in the hands of Chase who was loudly sniffing the air. Outside that little circle around him was nothing but the black void.

Tarax slowly brought forth his axe, Aeren his bow and Katsumi her knife.

– What are you smelling? – the titan spied the darkness.

– I thought I heard a land-dragon, a pretty big one. They have distinguishable stepping sound. It's much deeper than that of other animals. Thuuunk. Something like that.

– Where is it now?

– I don't know. I don't smell anything nearby.

– Maybe your nose is broken. – Katsumi said mockingly.

– That is impossible. I've been in this business for fifteen years now and never once did it fail me. This won't be a first.

On his belt hung a plethora of different items. One of them was a weird looking silver box. Katsumi watched the dog grab it with both hands and hold it like a gun.

– Is that a grappling gun?

Chase didn't answer him, but Tarax did.

– He prefers the name grappler. He has some weird bond with it. Not that it's something he should be looked down for. Usually he's childish and unpredictable, but when that weapon is in his hands, he's a different breed of dog. That was a joke, please laugh.

– I don't get it. – Aeren said, before shooting an arrow into the void.

It shined with a bright white light before disappearing in the distance. From that small flash they caught a glimpse of their surroundings.

– Did anyone see anything?

– I think I did. – Katsumi aimed her knife towards the emptiness while trembling. – I'm not gonna' lie, it almost made me shit my pants.

– What was it? – Chase rushed in front of her.

– It looked like a dog, a really long dog. Its spine was like a sausage.

– Oh momma, how many eyes did it have? – his voice was filled with desperation.

– Three on both sides, really close to each other.

– Okay, get ready boys! Not only is a land dragon, but a corrupted one!

– H-How much worse is that than a non-corrupted one?

– Hah, just check the required level for this area! It's twice that.

– W-Wait! How is it possible? How do you know about that mechanic?

– What are you talking about, are you dumb? Everyone can check it with their system! It comes with the first level!

– He's right, Miss Katsumi! – Aeren readied his bow. – After I became level one, I got my own little dot in the corner of my eye! I can see my abilities now.

Katsumi was shocked by this revelation. What she was experiencing wasn't unique just to her. This meant two things. One, she could ask others for guidance. That is a good thing. Second, while the experience wasn't unique, something was off about her. She came into this world already able to see her system. Could it be related to Esidezhu's blessing?

– So if I concentrate really hard…

/// Area Info ///

Name: Supekuta Forest

Territory: Wilderness

Level Requirement: 20

Possible Loot: More Information Needed

– What? But… we've never been here before! How do our systems know about this place's requirements?

– Systems have a special way of information sharing. Clairvoyance allows us to see information otherwise hidden, but also collects data on its own which later it can share with other users. Think of it like a message left behind by someone previously going through this area.

Something moved on their right. Synchronized like ballet dancers, they turned towards the source. Aeren shot another arrow, which illuminated the huge beast for a second. Its fur was pitch-black, just like the darkness it hid in.

– This is bad! It's way bigger than it should be. We should probably run!

– Let's bet! – Tarax lowered his weapon.

– Don't even think about cutting it down, you won't stand a chance!

– No, I'm not using my axe. – he threw it aside and approached the invisible beast.

– Are you insane? Are you out of your mind? Listen to me, we can still run away!

– No need to.

– Tarax!

Chase rushed after him but stopped at the sight of the huge beast. It was three times the size of the titan, who just casually walked up to its face.

Growling, bubbly saliva drooling down its mouth, sharp teeth getting ready to kill that man…

– Bad dog!

Tarax gently slapped the beast. Chase couldn't move from the fear he felt, watching the titan's hand come close to the beasts face, then go right through it as the monster suddenly vanished.

– What? T-Tarax, what did you do?

– Thought it was pretty funny how it just stood there without actually attacking. Then I realized it's just an illusion.

The two lower level adventurers dropped to the ground with teary eyes, Aeren to pray to his new titan god and Katsumi because her legs gave up from fear.

– I'm going to die, this man is insane… – Katsumi nervously laughed.