Hera stayed another day in Burtois, most of it was in her grandmother's house. They talked about everything that went on during the last months, and Hera even offered to pay for a level up for her grandmother and her dad. They told her that there was no need for that. For one, grandma Triss was too old to want to gain a level, and Eridan had no intention of becoming an explorer. However, Hera pressed the matter. She had enough to pay for one level up even if they opted not to join the training and, if she started going around in deeper layers of the MAZE, it wouldn't take long for her to get enough for a second one. Despite that, grandma Triss refused the offer. Eridan, on the other hand, became interested but asked for some time to think. Hera promised to check if he could get a role without actually becoming an explorer.

Comparing to the shit show that was the previous day, this was much more pleasant. By the end, Hera felt a bit sad about leaving, but it was time. Even before being stuck in Boothudurn, staying outside the MAZE felt odd. Things were too different here on Earth, and small problems seemed to be much bigger than they actually were. Not to mention that walking around without her weapons and armor made her feel uneasy. It wasn't like anyone would attack her in the middle of the street, but having her handaxes on her waist calmed her mind.

After leaving grandma Triss's house, Hera went back to the hotel and went to bed early so she could start the trek back to Boothudurn soon. Early morning, she took the first train back to Brilansis to go through the doorway in the guild. It took about four hours to reach the city and another half an hour to reach the guild. Despite all that, she arrived at the guild before noon. Now that she was a bit more focused, Hera took a moment to notice the differences in the building. The structure itself was the same, even if the decorations had changed a bit. The most significant change was the number of people walking around. There was double the number of clerks and five times more recruits walking about. The training rooms were also completely filled. To make matters worse, the entire east wing of the guild was off-limits. Apparently, one building on the side was bought out, and the branch was under renovations to expand its facilities.

Hera walked straight to the back of the building, to where she could head down to the doorway. When she arrived in front of the elevator, there was a line waiting to go down. She stepped to the back of the queue and waited for her turn. By the number of people here, it seemed like it would take two trips before she could head down. Hera wanted to get her gear soon. Since her armor had an offensive option, she couldn't walk around Earth while wearing it. That wasn't an absolute rule, some circumstances would allow her to move around fully equipped, but none of them applied at the moment.

To distract herself, Hera was replying to the messages she had on her tablet. That worked so well that she didn't notice when a man with a bright pink mohawk approached and violently grabbed her by the arm. Instinctively, Hera spun around and tossed whoever was trying to grapple her on the ground while preparing a flaming poison rain spell to attack her assailant.

The man moaned on the ground, "Sorry. I just needed to talk to you."

Hera let go of his hand and took a step back, keeping the spell ready. She recognized the man as being the same one that attacked her when she did her first level up, "What do you want?"

"I… I wanted to apologize for what happened. What I did was unforgivable, and I'm happy it wasn't enough to harm you,"

"Wasn't enough? I got a scar on my back because of that! I got lucky that the system fixed me, or I would have that scar forever."

"I know. It was… a huge mistake. I was trying to get a safer job as a bodyguard for the prime minister's kid, but the little shit only wanted a thug," the man forced himself to get up.

"Am I supposed to feel bad for you? You attacked me when I was getting out. I don't give a damn about your reason. There is no excuse for what you've done."

"I know… it's just…" the man tried to speak, but no words came to his mind.

"Just nothing. You fucked up. Stop trying to justify your mistakes. And stay the hell away from me. I want nothing to do with you," Hera waved him off.

"But I…"

"Don't care. Stay away," Hera replied in an icy voice.

The man clenched his fists and walked off, knowing that there was nothing he could do to change Hera's mind.

"Well, well, well. I have to say, I never expected that shy girl I met a few months ago to be this brave," a voice came from Hera's back.

She quickly turned around and saw a familiar face with dark hair and a pair of futuristic-looking rings tattooed on her face.

"Becca!" Hera gasped, surprised by seeing her here.

"Hey Hera, how are things going?" Becca Swan got closer and gave Hera a small hug.

"Well… a lot has happened," Hera didn't even know where to start.

"I know. You found two rooms, discovered a civilization, and even helped them to be a part of our world," Becca smiled, "Did I miss anything?"

"Only some personal news. I can tell you, but that will be off the record," Hera chuckled.

Becca laughed, "You're learning fast. I'm going to have some trouble for your interview."

"Luckily for me, I don't have to worry about that for a while, right?" Hera scratched the back of her neck.

"Actually. A meeting I had today was just canceled. If we could have that interview today, it would help me a lot. What do you say?" Becca asked.

"I mean… I really don't like doing interviews. I'm not good when I'm in the spotlight, but if I don't have a choice, that's fine," Hera sighed. Last time she didn't have a choice but to do the interview. Right now, maybe she could sneak out of that.

"Well, last time, the guild wanted to use you as a poster girl of sorts. This time we are only talking about the new rooms. If you wanted to say something about Boothu…. Boothu…. Boothusomething that would be the best opportunity to say it. Now, if you really don't want to do the interview I can talk with just your friend. Her name is Pamella, right?"

"Yeah, but she'd rather be called Blue. Also, what did you mean talking about Boothudurn?"

"Well, these types of interviews are not that uncommon. When an interesting room shows up, whoever discovers it gives some warnings and some advice. It can go from telling people about the dangerous monsters around to talking about a specific place that you should avoid or just be careful with. Considering that there is an entire civilization in this room, an interview could be a great way to give people some good first impressions," Becca explained.

"I see…" Hera was deep in thought. If she managed to say the right things, it could help the people of Boothudurn to have a better relationship with the humans. However, it would be tricky. Saying the wrong thing would make the dwarves seem gullible, and praising them too much would just make it seem like propaganda, "I know it's a stretch, but can I ask your help with whant to say?"

Becca looked at her tablet, "Sure, my plans fell through today, anyway. We can talk while we wait for your friend to get here, if she can come, of course. Let's go to a private room."

Hera had failed to notice how everyone in the line to the elevator was staring at her and Becca. Seeing one of the most famous reporters in the MAZE talk to a random person made those around them quickly connect the dots. During their small discussion, a lot of people had gathered around and started taking pictures of the two women talking. Despite her distraction, Hera still noticed one figure with a bright pink mohawk watching her from the other side of the corridor.

"Yeah, let's go. I don't want to deal with that guy anymore," Hera nodded towards the man who attacked her.

"You mean Ashe? I heard about what he did to you and… well. I can't blame him for wanting to talk to you."

"What? Do you think he wants to apologize?"

"In a way," Becca started guiding Hera to a private meeting room, "I'm guessing you don't know how his punishment works."

"He has to work as a custodian here while he's under probation, right?"

"That's just part of it. He still has to get one more thing before being reinstated as an explorer when his probation is over. Your forgiveness."

"What?"

"When an explorer has put a civilian in harm's way, part of the punishment is having to receive permission from the people they hurt to become an explorer again."

"But… didn't the guild thought I was dead?" Hera asked.

"Yes, meaning that he wouldn't ever be able to become an explorer again."

"Isn't that a bit unfair? Like, if you make a mistake and get unlucky, you might be doomed for the rest of your life."

"That's the point. Harming a civilian or breaking one of the guild laws can make you lose all your explorer's privileges. Even if they return to the job, they will get a red guild card to signal that they committed a crime."

"Really? But then how can we know if they hurt someone, stole something, or, I don't know, murdered somebody?" Hera asked.

"Well, for one, murderers would be in jail. If they have a red card, they did something minor in comparison. Mostly assault and stealing. Other things wouldn't let people go back to the MAZE. Anyway, he has to get a written and a verbal statement from you accepting his apology and telling the guild that you are ok with him being back in the MAZE."

"That seems like a lot."

"It is, but it's a system that works most of the time."

Hera didn't have much of an opinion about how all that worked. This was her first interaction with those types of proceedings, and everything still seemed a bit strange. Still, even if Ashe had hurt her, letting the man lose his livelihood didn't feel right. She was thinking about that while Becca found a nice room with a couch and a coffee machine that no one was using. This could be a good place for the interview, even if she didn't have her entire crew to help. Just as they sat down, Becca pulled up her tablet and smiled.

"So, I sent a text to your friend, and she's coming. It will take her about one hour to get here, so we have some time," Becca put the tablet on the table, "Now before I help you spin your story. I'm going to have to ask you for a favor."

"Spin the story?" Hera sat on the couch.

"C'mon Hera. You know how this works. Reporters can direct the story in a way to get a different reaction from the public. If I'm being candid, it's all about manipulating their perception. It may sound bad, but that doesn't mean you're hiding something or lying. It's just what we call it when we have an objective for a story. Like when we talk about a big development in a city to make people excited before talking about a tax increase."

"Oh, right. I mean, it's one of those things that we know but don't talk about it," Hera nodded. It was hard to think about any news outlet that didn't direct their stories in a certain way.

"Exactly, and I can help you with that, but in exchange. I want you," Becca smiled.

"Come again?"

"Sorry, bad phrasing. I meant that I want you to give me any exclusives you get. Any big events, discoveries, anything newsworthy that you end up being a part of. I want to know and interview you about it. It doesn't have to be a video interview all the time," Becca said.

"I mean, that seems fine. But why me?"

"Call it a bet. Finding the wendigo was lucky, or unlucky depending on your point of view. We can chalk that up as a lucky coincidence. However, if you end up in the middle of a third big event, that is a pattern, my friend, and a pattern like that can be very profitable for you and for me."

"But… there is no guarantee that I will get anything else that can help you. I mean, most people never become news material. That deal seems a bit too in my favor. Why are you doing this?" Hera asked.

"Call it a hunch. You made news twice in the same year for very different things. I'm betting on you to make more waves around the MAZE."

"Well… I don't think you will get what you are looking for, but I don't think I have anything to lose on that deal," Hera said.

"Great. Now, what do you want people to feel about Boothudurn?"

Hera explained her worries and how she wanted to make sure the dwarves were safe and not taken advantage of. Becca had some ideas to help with that and some warnings about what not to say. They talked for a while, with Becca giving Hera pointers about how to phrase her words during the interview to get the result she wanted. About one hour later, Blue arrived, and Becca set up everything to start recording. While that was going on Hera took a deep breath to get ready for this ordeal once more.