Max and Emi arrived in Lullin near midnight. Alia, Celenia, and Isaac were safely tucked away in Max’s Pocket World he had still yet to name. A name had been brought up by Isaac because calling it “Max’s Pocket World” was becoming stale, something shorter would be appreciated by the group.

But that care free casual attitude had been wiped away from Max and Emi the moment they completed the teleport to the partially destroyed city. While they wanted to have fun and to go with the flow, the subject matter of their arrival was direly serious.

Lullin was a relatively small walled city. Again, the categorical diction of village, town, and city still eluded the Lost Lord, at least until he saw the guard presence. High in the air on an Immovable Platform the duo stood watching the folk below through a spatial magnifying spell.

Guards, a lot of them, walked along the walls of their city. Each were alert and on edge, something of which would be untrue if the ailment of the deaths were done by plague. The guards’ movements told Max and Emi that someone was responsible for the city’s destruction.

But they already knew as much.

A quick teleport to a dark alley below put the duo out of the wandering eye. They didn’t pass through the gates; they didn’t alert anyone of their presence. If Salae’s [Knights] were still around, hopefully this level of stealth would keep unwanted attention away.

Wearing jet black baggy robes gave Emi enough room to hide safely within Max’s attire. It had been discussed if Emi was to stay within the Pocket World, but the argument had been made that if something happened she would be able to act faster while with Max. Hopefully no one noticed her, a little blue monster bond was rather telling.

Max walked through the streets, relaying his sights to Emi in almost real time. They had been practicing their bonded connection over the last few weeks ever since they discovered the amazing combative effects of fog. Having four sets of eyes that didn’t take much extra brain effort and was a formidable boon.

Packs of a few men and women of various races walked the street caring lit torches and or mana lights. Each had a single armed guard within the group acting as a body guard of sorts. The groups moved with rushed steps and hushed whispers.

This would be strange even in day light, but the midnight sky usually meant people were asleep. Walking around in the dark with armed guard could mean many things, none of which were good.

Max followed a particular group of six down a particularly dark street. He jumped and blinked short distances, keeping pace with the citizens but remaining in the cover of darkness. Each short teleport the duo could hear bits of the quiet conversation.

A slender man was speaking, “It’s been… attack. [Knights] assure… gone. Then why… still being pro… If the threa… Salae would leave…”

A woman scoffed before replying, “You saw… They all were… I’ve never seen anythi… my life… Clear skin, what kind of… The beast will… is why they are staying…”

“But it’s been four days… a howl has sounded… [Knights] don’t have any…”

“They are protec…”

“Us from a Lost Lord?... no it was a beast… you heard the howls… night…”

The man’s last statement gave Max pause. It sounded as if Salae was telling the citizens that he was the cause of all of the deaths. But the citizens heard howls and a beast. Humans don’t howl, Beastkins maybe, but not Humans. Salae was blatantly lying to these people.

Max and Emi spent the next hour eavesdropping. From piecing together multiple broken conversations, they found out a few things. The attack was four days ago at the dead of night. The death toll was pushing fifty three citizens at this point, they were still finding bodies in odd places – alleys, stables, attics, and a few others. The ‘Beast’, as most called the attacker, howled and grunted but was humanoid, at least partially.

Partially humanoid didn’t make much sense to Max or Emi. While monsters that looked like Humans or Drakes were rather common, monsters that returned a class when Inspected where almost nonexistent. Creatures like high-level goblins could live long enough to receive a traditional class or beings like true Eldritch could be born with classes, the fact of the matter was that monsters with classes were rare.

Sentient monsters like Emi were even rarer, and sentient monsters with access to the System were almost nonexistent. Emi technically had her own class, but Inspect sill simply showed her as Emi.

So when a guard was telling a frightened group of teenagers that he personally Inspected the beast and it returned with Elf, [Locksmith], it caused Max to listen a bit more carefully.

One of the teenagers replied with, “Not true… Mother told me… beast was a Human, [Artist].”

Another joined in, “Uncle said it… Elf, [Seamstress].”

The guard shook his head, “That can’t be true… many sightings incite panic.”

This, to Max and Emi, raised plenty of questions. Vast Empire were known to use citizens as ignorant hostages. The magic would sit dormant for as long as the caster wanted and explode on command. Was this the same thing but in a different format? Living Sacrifices but instead of explosions, a magical plague?

If that were true, then Max would have guessed that others would be sick by now. Or at least showing symptoms of anything.

The duo also found out the reasoning why so many people were out at midnight. The easy answer was that they were scared. The city had held a massive meeting the day after Salae arrived – about eighteen hours after the Beast’s attack. During the meeting it was decided that small groups of citizens would travel with a guard escort through the streets looking for anything out of the ordinary.

The idea was that if the Beast was truly a monster, the guards on the wall would be on overwatch. If the Beast was a mage or something similar, then the patrols coursing the city would sooner or later find a trail. The only issue was that the guard was lacking in numbers to do such a thing, so the city decided to add able bodied citizens to the mix.

This had caused plenty of grief, a lot of which Max and Emi overheard. Even after tragedy complaints were something everyone could rely on.

A few hours went by with nothing of note. At least, until a scream pierced through the silent dark sky.

Max and Emi were first to arrive to the sudden shriek, other than the members of the patrol that caused the disturbance. A group of five stood around a small wooden shed large enough to fit a few larger tools… or a dead body.

A hysterical woman was sitting down in deep sobs while two others consoled her. The other two patrol members were carefully removing the body. Without gloves or sanitary protection, Max noted.

Are they ignorant of disease or magical plague? He asked Emi rhetorically, or do they know something we don’t.

Emi didn’t respond, but nudged Max’s focus on the far side of the street. Three other patrols were rushing towards them at high speeds.

Truthfully, the small shed was in an awkward spot in relation for stealth, that is. It was within a small garden, one behind what looked to be an administrative building. There were a few trees to hide behind or a nearby roof to crouch on, but the garden would soon be swarming with others. Max decided it best to leave and look around the surrounding area unmolested.

The scream must have been heard six or seven streets over. Everywhere they went, within a certain area, was devoid of patrols. This allowed them to play with just how much stealth they needed.

They teleported quick, into alleys, behind stables, and thought about jumping into attics. They wanted to search everywhere they could for clues or potentially overlooked details but breaking into homes and shops didn’t seem very moral.

But that was a discussion for another day.

Under a rundown small foot bridge, Max and Emi found something. Or rather, a trace of something. They felt the instantly recognizable dark feeling of vile magic. It was something they hadn’t experienced since Esmel, since searching sacrificial runes, since combing through decomposing bodies, and since holding a Book of Pestilence.

They felt the presence of evil – the presence of Slow Death, the presence of the Divine.

Max had never knew why he could feel this connection to gross magics, but his link even passed through his bond to Emi. But in this moment, Max made a guess. He had met a few Gods at this point, each having their own unique mana signature. This, this feeling he and Emi could find and latch on too, was the signature of Ikzag.

Whether it was the God himself or a marked follower, Max and Emi didn’t know. The only thing they did know, was that the infinite beach was swelling into a storm.

Danger was a foot.

Max teleported away. Far away.

Vel was lounging on her special comfy reclining chair. Since Max, Emi, and Celenia left, she had been spending most of her time sitting around not doing anything. Without her student, the elderly [Water Arch Mage] had excessive amounts of time.

She thought about assisting Bishop with Clammy and Reep, but the Drake seemed to have everything covered. In fact, Vel wouldn’t be surprised if Bishop soon joined her in lounging around. Clammy and Reep were starting to grasp training on their own, even going so far as to create new regimens and spells without instruction or help.

While teaching others magic and how to fight was fun while it lasted, Vel always knew that her students would eventually out pace her. She knew as much the first time she met the Humble Titans, in fact.

She remembered rushing through the forest towards an unknown situation. Back then she had assumed the worst, that Max was dead and Clammy in a worse state. But the newborn Lost Lord had surprised her, and the two girls for that matter.

Walking into that clearing was something she would always remember. Three bodies, one with bones jutting out of skin, burst organs, and embedded into the grass. The second a pin cushion of an [Archer]’s revenge.

And the third, a young girl on the verge of death with a young man sat over her healing her wounds with non-existent magical experience.

All expectations for Max, Clammy, and Reep were thrown out at that moment. Did Vel expect the trio to make friends and create an adventuring team? No. She expected them to go their separate ways and create lives for themselves solo. But she was glad they didn’t do such a thing.

Only the Heavens knew what Vel’s life would have become without her students. But one thing was for certain, her need as a mentor was growing to its end. Old age was finally catching up to the frail headstrong woman, Vel expected her left to life another thirty years, however. Thirty years of non-physical work.

Maybe it was time to get an administrative job in Lesterwood. She knew better than anyone what this city meant. She knew how much it meant to Lester – and since he wasn’t around, maybe she could fill the void.

Vel smiled, No one could fill his void.

It was a sentimental thought, but one that wasn’t fully true. There was one who could take Lester’s legacy and thrive. And well, he was running from a royal family – just like Lester did.

The similarities between Lester and Max were almost impeccable, Vel realized. Such is the nature of the Lost Lords, huh? She asked herself.

Maybe she wouldn’t waste the day sitting on the couch. Maybe she would head over to city hall and see about a job… Nah. That sounds awful.

Vel squinted her eyes and slowly shook her head. An administration job? Who was she kidding? What was she thinking? Over her dead body would she push pencils and file paper work. No, Vel would do as she always did and fight… but that left the question, how?

The lights of the mansion flickered as if to punctuate her internal thought. A moment later, Icarus’s illusionary body formed from the nearby lights.

Vel had a tough time looking at the bonded bird elemental. He was a reminder of Lester, of her husband, and that he was still alive and alone. Anger always built in the back of her mind when Icarus was around. The bird was keeping secrets. Secrets that Lester ordered not to be spread.

“Veline.” The light familiar said, “A letter has arrived for you.”

“From whom?”

“Max, I assume. It appeared in the kitchen suddenly.”

A golden leaf floated silently through the rooms to Vel. It carried the letter in question. She snatched the folded paper and quickly read through the scrawled lines. The boy needed to learn better penmanship or to swallow his pride and use magic to write.

Even so, Vel couldn’t help but smile.

“What does it say?” Icarus asked.

“A general update about his vacation as well as a description of an attack. It looks like Vast Empire has made another move. This time a city called Lullin.”

Vel would always be a fighter. Did she always have a fight to battle in? No. But given enough time, something would pop up.

The letter proved as much.

Max watched his letter disappear and the magical after effect of long distance teleportation. Normally, he was the one being teleported that far, which made it so he didn’t get to see the final effects. Sparks of materialized space mana growled with uncertainty before snapping back to their true location. The snap actually created a quiet pop.

Was there an answer to how to better his spells in watching the effects? Maybe, Max knew the Divine teleportation spells didn’t make sparks or sound… But solving for the missing variable would be too time consuming. He had more pressing issues to take care of.

Max and the others were inside his Pocket World far from Lullin. The Pocket’s entrance was stuck open high into the Ire mountain Range. While traveling to Hunlun, Max and Emi decided on multiple places that would be considered safe havens.

The idea was that if they were ever being tracked, teleporting around the wilderness to dangerous locations would be their best bet to outrun someone. If tracking magic could follow across the world, then their best course of action would be to go to very dangerous locations. Hopefully this ideology would sway [Trackers] from following.

This current safe haven was a high altitude lava pond. It originally caught the [Space Mage]’s eye simply because how odd it was. From overhead, the snowcapped mountain randomly had a large patch of charred trees and orange-red superheated liquid rock.

The pond was not natural to any extent, unless one considered monsters natural… Which technically, they were.

Infernal hag wyrms were relatively high-level creatures pushing the upper forties and lower fifties. They were thick stubby massive worms with the face of an old woman or man. They spewed lava and fire like a caught puffer fish, thus turning the snowy landscape into a mock Dimension of Flame.

Honestly, the location would be a great level hunting ground for tier ones. Maybe Celenia, Reep, and Clammy would enjoy the boons. But that was for another time.

Emi had long explained the situation to Celenia, Alia, and Isaac. She took over the verbal retelling of her and Max’s time in Lullin while he wrote the letter to the mansion. Alia and Isaac’s reactions were mixed.

The eldest princess of Salae asked plenty of questions and spoke of ways the administration could better their search efforts. The Immortal man was much more resigned. Even going so far as to blankly stare after Vast Empire and Ikzag were mentioned. He didn’t want to ignore the issue at hand, but rather he was forcing his temper to dwindle. There was no reason to get mad at the messengers.

“Everyone caught up?” Max asked.

Nods went around, but Emi spoke, “We need to gather equipment and resources.”

“Indeed. We can’t trust in Vel or Lesterwood for help. The risk for them is simply too great.” Max added, “Vel might come herself or send help in some way, but I wrote in my letter for Clammy and Reep not to get involved.”

“Why not?” Isaac asked, “Are they not your teammates?”

“They are, but I don’t want them to get tied with us traveling around the continent. Vel has enough forethought to know what she is getting herself into. I know it’s not fair for me to tell them not to come, but I know they would and I don’t want them to suffer for wanting to help.”

Celenia nodded, “What can we do?”

“Nothing.” Max said after a long exacerbated pause, “But, I need to confirm one more time that all three of you are giving your consent for me to fight – if the need arises.”

Three warry nods came next, everyone in agreement.

Emi spoke up, “Then we will travel to a major city in the morning. There’s something we need.”

Truthfully, Max and Emi had enough provisions, weapons, and magical devices to tide a small adventuring team over for a month. They had collected, almost hoarded, any and everything they could buy or morally take during their time on Nava.

A [Bandit] team tried to hijack the Humble Titans? All their weapons were now Max’s. Millennia old caves deep within the infinite beach that housed treasures o’ plenty? Into Max’s inventory and sold at multiple stores across a city. There were times being the pack mule had its moments.

The group disappeared after setting a course for the morning. Alia and Isaac went back to bed, but Celenia stayed up with Max and Emi.

The Elf was annoyed with herself. She had been given an item worthy of a Divine Favor, and still couldn’t assist her boyfriend on dangerous matters. Her attempts to open her senses had all fallen short of the mark, just like her [Druid] training.

“I want to help.” She said, not meaning to speak aloud.

Max looked up from an engraved ring, “What did you say?”

Emi, who was attempting to shift, spoke up, “She said she wants to help.”

Max scrunched his eyes, “I’m not sure if you can help with creating inventory rings. I guess you can trace some patter-“

“No, I meant with Lullin. With fighting in general, but I’m not...” Celenia trialed off.

“Oh. I see.” The Lost Lord thought for a moment. “Okay, let me attempt this real quick then we can focus on you.”

Max didn’t let his girlfriend respond even though he knew his word would leave her with questions. Instead he focused on the ring he gripped with the tips of his fingers. This would mark attempt number forty-three – it was a good thing he bought a box of nearly a hundred of scrap jewelry pieces.

With a rune cared into the casting and a mana regulator engraved as an inscription, he was ready. The runic formation and regulator were all inefficient and oversized, but he was working towards a proof of concept rather than a sellable item.

Space collapsed in on itself before expanding out into a nearly perfect rectangle. A moment later a third dimension was formed, creating a pocket of space in the shape of a box. The box would only hold a few small items, but again, Max was going for practicality for his trials.

Without hesitating, which always resulted in failure, Max pushed the box into the runic formation and ring. At the same time, he pulled on the regulator to keep everything balanced. The box was nearly embedded, but the ring grew incredibly hot before cracking.

Max sighed, swept up the pieces, and turned to Celenia, “Okay, ready to gain some levels? I know of a few dozen infernal hag wyrms that you can kill.”

Before she could respond, Emi chuckled, “Nature magic versus lava and fire. It is going to be difficult.”

“Exactly. This is going to be a great experience for fine tuning battle spells. If you can use a leaf to kill a monster of magma, then you can use the same leaf for any fight.”

A nervous guilt formed in the pit of Celenia’s stomach. She had never truly killed a monster. Sure, fighting against the monster waves at Lesterwood technically counted, but having the safety of plenty of other fighters and the protection of a stone wall changed the scope of monster hunting.

This was something she wanted to do, however – level-up, grow in strength, help Max and Emi fight.