A month later and numerous battles as well that tested their strength as well, they reached Lily City once again and reported to Alena, well at least Sain was since the others decided to take off for personal reasons.

“So...where are the others? I would have liked to see them after two months” she asked with a smile on her face.

“Haha...”

Sain could only let that small laugh out as her smile currently reminded him of the same one that she used while ordering unreasonable tasks onto them....it was a truly frightening that could not be forgotten.

“They said that they had something to do so they all left before I got here” he answered, “Though they are probably somewhere close by.”

Alena let out a chuckle and said, “And you are right. They are hiding behind the entrance spying on you.”

“....”

Sain did not know whether to laugh or not now. Were they using him to see how shallow or deep the waters were in case they would drown with him? Honestly there were some things he needed to say to them after this about teamwork...where he would not be the only one to be dragged down.

“Anyway” said Sain ignoring that. Since they didn't want to come in, then he would proceed as if they weren't there at all, “We completed the quest.”

“Good job” said Alena with a dazzling smile on her face until anything Sain saw before.

If her smile before was a normal one, then this one was an angelic one. It was completely different to the point that they were like heaven and earth.

Sain felt refreshed by just seeing this smile as he blushed red seeing this. However that feeling only lasted a moment as there was an extreme chilling feeling coming from the door...

With a cough Sain then said, “During the quest we found a lab like the one we found in the mines before...we didn't destroy it but there may be more.”

Alena nodded and then said, “I'll report this to the Kingdom immediately...say...did dad contact you at all?”

“....”

Sain thought about the meaning of those words and decided it was best if she didn't know the content of what Eden wanted with him.

“No.”

He told a lie like that but knew that if he said 'Yes' instead and that was the wrong choice...

“What now...?” he asked.

“....”

Alena did not respond to that question and Sain felt that she knew that he lied then though she did not attempt o pursue it.

Both Sain and Alena did not talk but looked at the door. Seeing that they were there, they would be able to provide from conversation and led on to what to do next. Sain for one wanted to end this training since he did not like the uncomfortable feeling he had for the last three or so months.

“Come in” Sain eventually said in a cold tone seeing that the rest of them did not want to come in willingly.

Eventually one by one, the rest of the group came walking in. To be precise only Lyndis, Miriel and Serena did. Raven and Shadow seemed to be missing.

“Where are those two?”

“Oh those two are having a male bonding session now” said Lyndis with a laugh. However when several eyebrows were raised she corrected herself to say, “They went out to eat together” and with the eyebrows still raised she once again corrected herself and say, “They logged out to check up on something.”

“I see, don't tell lies like that” said Sain though he could feel Alena's stare coming down on him.

With everyone's eyebrows lowered Lyndis could only mutter, “Why couldn't I be allowed to have some fantasies...?”

“Because those fantasies are quite immoral in your mind” replied Miriel with a harsh tone.

“Come on! Don't tell me you haven't had any at all! Plus how would you know?!” retorted Lyndis while whispering in Miriel's ear, “What about ones with Sain in there?”

Turning red, Miriel pushed Lyndis away and said, “I had no such thoughts! Especially with male on male action...though sometimes....I'm a girl as well all right! I have the right to have those kinds of thoughts no matter how unnatural they are!”

“Actually I find it quite natural to think of those things...as long as they only remain as fantasies and nothing more” Alena added her input as well.

Serena being the youngest one though at the stage where such conversations would be new to her was brimming red as three females exchanged words involving their tastes.

Lyndis seemed to prefer the direct male on male contact with...omitted from Sain's mind due to such mature content.

Miriel on the other hand rather had them romantically involved emotionally with...omitted from Sain's mind due to shock.

Alena was a balance of both...

Finally the conversation went on and Lyndis asked Serena, “What preference do you have?”

“Umm...” Serena did not know what to say but in the end she said, “Couldn't they just hold hands?”

“Lots of innocence there! And when they get closer!”

“Don't corrupt Serena's mind like that.”

“Now now, it is fine as long as no one else knows.”

As the conversation raged on...Sain could only think that somehow something strange is happening and that he sympathise with Shadow a bit now. Being ignored was hard...and even more so when the other side was talking about you as well...

“How did this conversation drift away like this...?” he sighed (And how the hell did I get here from 'Male Bonding'?), “You know that I am still here right? Is it all right for you to be saying what you like and such in front of me? Especially since I am a guy?”

It was only then that those four chatting away noticed his presence again. While looking away a bit to avoid eye contact with him, Miriel said, “R-Right! We need to report in the quest!”

“I already did that.”

“Y-Yeah...” Lyndis looked away as well, “It's better can imagining you as-”

Miriel quickly covered Lyndis' mouth before she said any more though Sain already heard all of it from before...not that he wanted to recall any time soon.

With several coughs from someone...Sain looked at everyone else present. Lyndis was being suppressed by Miriel who had a desperate look on her face, Serena was still a bit red and confused and Alena was ever smiling as usual.

“....”

He decided to ignore what happened in the last minute or so for his sanity.

“Now that we are back on track, what about out training Alena?” asked Sain to the woman who was about to make the excuse of needing to check on her child to leave quickly. Right now her child was three years old and was learning how to walk and talk slowly.

Seeing the child only made Sain remember his past where he had to take care of those younger than him all the time. Those memories were something he did not want to remember.

“Ah yes...it's been three months now and you still managed to slay a Chimera of level 180 while weakened like that. I suppose we can end the training here since it would do you no good anymore” she said.

“Yes but I don't recall ever learning how to erase my presence like Shadow.”

“....”

Alena's face went from smiling to one that was uncomfortable with what was said and back to her smiling face quickly enough...though now Sain more or less knew that Alena usually had a poker face on with them.

It really did not frighten him that much anymore...he hoped.

“I need to get some things in order to take those devices off you. They were originally designed to weaken prisoners so...yeah.”

Alena started walking to the storage room where she kept all of the things that weren't being used right now. She took out several large keys and undid the training devices that were on their bodies one by one.

Released from Muscle Restraining Tool

Released from Gravity Bracelets

Released from Magic Restraining Bracelets

With these three messages, Sain's body felt especially lighter right now. He felt like he could jump and hit his head on the ceiling...though he would never so that, the feeling was what that counted.

Finished 3 month training from Alena!

- The following stats increased due to the training: 20 strength, 30 agility, 10 vitality, 20 endurance, 20 stamina, 20 intelligence and 30 wisdom

“Oh?”

Sain was slightly surprised at sheer amount of stats that they got from this. Looking at the other three stats, Sain could tell that Lyndis got roughly the same amount of stats from the training as him.

Miriel and Serena on the other hand had half the stat game on the physical side but almost double on the magical side. If things were the same for Raven and Shadow they would have gained nothing on the magical related side and their physical related stats would be around double of his.

Soon enough Shadow and Raven appeared.

“What's going on?” asked Shadow. To that, Alena gave the same smile that made Sain blush a bit to Shadow though his reaction was the polar opposite to Sain's with him shivering in fear.

Seeing that Shadow might break down due to this one day, Sain said, “The training tools are coming off. Hurry up and let Alena release you.”

Shadow first looked at Sain, then at Alena who was still smiling and back to Sain and eventually nodded. And Alena released them from the training as well with that. Sain also took this chance to at everyone's status windows again.

Status WindowSainShadow[quart=Race: Human,Race: Human]Type: Neutral,Type: Neutral[/quart][quart=Level: 166,Level: 165]Class: Shaman,Class: Rogue[/quart][quart=Title: Unexpected Leader,Title: Silent Stalker]Fame: 835,Fame: 820[/quart][quart=Health: 6601,Health: 6420]Mana: 2829,Mana: 1064[/quart][quart=Strength: 221 +30,Strength: 236 +46]Agility: 246 +60,Agility: 618 +70[/quart][quart=Intelligence: 215 +24,Intelligence: 15 +13]Wisdom: 251 +48,Wisdom: 15 +13[/quart][quart=Vitality: 220 +13,Vitality: 209 +13]Stamina: 113 +16,Stamina: 155 +16[/quart][quart=Fighting Spirit: 78 +21,Fighting Spirit: 89 +21]Endurance: 47 +13,Endurance: 53 +13[/quart][quart=Leadership: 25 +33,Leadership: 5 +13]Luck: 9 +13,Luck: 35+23[/quart][quart=Offense: 237,Offense: 245]Defence: 81,Defence: 50[/quart]

Status WindowRavenLyndis[quart=Race: Human,Race: Elf]Type: Neutral,Type: Neutral[/quart][quart=Level: 164,Level: 164]Class: Shield Footman,Class: Sword Priest[/quart][quart=Title: Unmoving Tower,Title: Bomb Maniac]Fame: 810,Fame: 810[/quart][quart=Health: 11451,Health: 6556]Mana: 1144,Mana: 2254[/quart][quart=Strength: 408 +59,Strength: 395 +45]Agility: 264 +25,Agility: 274 +20[/quart][quart=Intelligence: 15 +18,Intelligence: 205 +41]Wisdom: 20 +18,Wisdom: 47 +16[/quart][quart=Vitality: 399 +58,Vitality: 209 +13]Stamina: 165 +21,Stamina: 120 +16[/quart][quart=Fighting Spirit: 105 +26,Fighting Spirit: 95 +19]Endurance: 80 +38,Endurance: 50 +12[/quart][quart=Leadership: 5+18,Leadership: 5 +13]Luck: 5 +18,Luck: 7 +13[/quart][quart=Offense: 370,Offense: 144]Defence: 430,Defence: 86[/quart]

Status WindowMirielSerena[quart=Race: Night Elf,Race: Half-Elf]Type: Neutral,Type: Neutral[/quart][quart=Level: 166,Level: 166]Class: Magician Bard,Class: Druid[/quart][quart=Title: Tournament Winner,Title: Born of Blood]Fame: 1025,Fame: 830[/quart][quart=Health: 2904,Health: 2690]Mana: 4784,Mana: 4352[/quart][quart=Strength: 30 +30,Strength: 29 +47]Agility: 218 +50,Agility: 225 +30[/quart][quart=Intelligence: 574 +59,Intelligence: 406 +23]Wisdom: 223 +35,Wisdom: 406 +48[/quart][quart=Fighting Spirit: 42 +28,Fighting Spirit: 32 +24]Endurance: 35 +23,Endurance: 35 +13[/quart]Concentration: 40 +22Concentration: 49 +13[quart=Vitality: 35 +23,Vitality: 35 +13]Stamina: 80 +26,Stamina: 75 +28[/quart][quart=Leadership: 5 +23,Leadership: 5 +13]Luck: 5 +23,Luck: 7 +13[/quart][quart=Offense: 56,Offense: 59]Defence: 84,Defence: 59[/quart]

Since the beginning of the year, Sain's health went from the late 5000s to mid 6000s like that. His mana only increased by 400 points but that was enough to cast a number of spells. This was the same for Shadow though his mana only increased by 100 points to just over 1000.

Raven on the other hand went over the 10 000 health point and was sitting halfway to 12 000 health from 11 000 instead. Like Shadow his mana increased by 100 points due to the level ups. Lyndis made a similar leap in health as Sain and Shadow though her mana increased by 200-300 points from the beginning of the year.

Finally there were Miriel and Serena. Both their health points increased by 300 and sat on the mid 2000s in terms of health. Mana on the other hand increased by around 600 points instead which made Miriel's mana pool increase to the upper 4000s while Serena's mana pool went over to almost mid 4000s.

This was the amount of progress that was made in 4 months and they only gained 14 levels during this time as well.

xXx

“Anyway is there anything new on this side?” Shadow suddenly asked.

“Not yet” Sain replied, “What were you two researching on the other side...else were you, as Lyndis said 'Male Bonding'?”

“....”

Shadow sighed and touched his forehead a bit before saying, “What the hell exactly happened here?”

“Well the girls were discussing wh-”

“Nothing at all!” both Lyndis and Miriel covered Sain's mouth up quickly. They especially did not want Shadow to know about their 'overheard' conversation just then. Sain was one thing but Shadow was another thing entirely.

With several coughs from Lyndis, glare from Miriel and a bright smile from Alena, Shadow did not dare ask what was going on.

“So what did you find?” Sain asked again when he could talk again.

“Oh we were researching some things about the increased monster activity from this part to the western continent.”

“And the results?”

“It started from one part of the Central Continent...though no one noticed since-”

“It was like that from the very beginning right.”

Both Sain and Shadow looked into each other's eyes ignoring the strange stare that Lyndis was giving them...did Lyndis awaken something recently or was she always like this and he was just noticing this...

“Yes, anyhow since around just before we got that quest to get rid of that Chimera, the areas in which there were high monster activity now were still fine and in normal range” he said, “The only problem I found was that the majority of the areas in which now have extremely high monster activities all had one thing in common. That is, their monster activities were in normal limits until recently and that they will experienced a large increase at the same time.”

“Which is a big problem for the Kingdom” said Alena, “Recently for a number of years there was nothing major going on so the number of guards and knights decreased a bit.”

“But shouldn't there still be a large amount of forces stationed to protect the Kingdom?” asked Sain confused on this point. A Kingdom this large should have a large number of troops to protect it as well.

With a sigh Alena explained some things to the group, “Things changed a lot. What you are talking about is before the unification of the Kingdom. Mass drafting and conscription isn't something common anymore.”

“Compared to now, the number of troops to citizen ratio was larger?” Sain more or less figured that point out quite quickly. Even if the number of troops the Kingdom had was still the same, the increased number of citizens may make it harder for them to protect everyone.

“Yes....back at the eve of the unification war, the ratio of troops to citizens sat at a 1:10 ratio which is actually quite low for that time especially when it came to war. Usually it would increase to 1:5 or even 1:3 if things goes badly” Alena explained without smiling this time.

“And the ratio now?”

“It depends on whether you include the Independent Guilds in there as well...but it goes around 1:50 right now.”

“So low!” Lyndis exclaimed hearing the large difference. Alena shrugged seeing that reaction and said, “The population grew around four to five times since then and the number of cities, towns and villages grew as well.”

“Which usually means more troops would need to be recruited to maintain order” Sain pointed out.

Alena gave a sad smile and said, “With our Emperor, do you think that is possible?”

“Ack...”

Sain remembered that the current and only Emperor Weed was an extremely cheap person when it comes to money. It is a wide known fact that he would not spare a coin, even a copper coin when he could.

However at the same time he made several, no a large number of investments everywhere though in the end, the profits went back to him, everyone was more than happy for it.

“True....but shouldn't there be a need to still get some in order to stop rebellions and revolts from happening?”

“Ah, that is true” said Lyndis once again when she could not keep her mouth shut. Miriel sighed and decided to enter the conversation as well saying, “The problem is that there were none since everyone was more or less happy at the time that the war ended and Weed had a reputation of being a fair and just person.”

Alena let out a chuckle and said, “Until that one month where all the taxes were shot up so high you thought it was a dream. That was a fun time according to what mum and dad told me. You would think people would complain but it was the opposite and people were shouting on there was some large investment coming up soon. That Weed was actually pressured in doing so and took the money he got from those taxes in that month which were literally hundreds of millions gold and formed the 256 areas project.”

“That...” Sain remembered that Simon, that butler as well as Eden if he recalled correctly mention that though in a different way.

“This 256 area project thing...what is it?” Miriel asked not familiar with the term and thus frowning.

Alena was slightly surprised that Miriel did not know this and started explaining, “Ah, one day Weed decided managing all those cities and such were too troublesome-”

“I know that part, what are the other details?” Miriel interrupted and asked again.

“Well...” Alena was a bit taken back on Miriel aggressive behaviour....she would expect this from Lyndis but not Miriel...

“The Kingdom was split into 256 points of interest. These points of interest would be given an area to govern and they will report in to the Kingdom. Before that, the administration almost died with all the work they needed to put in managing the Kingdom.”

Miriel and the others nodded. Even managing a city was hard work, a Kingdom was worse and an unified Kingdom was a step higher in terms of paperwork needed.

“As such to make it more interesting, a certain trio suggested to make this project into a game as well instead of work to encourage the administration to work better” Alena let out a embarrassed laugh.

The group could tell which trio suggested that...

“Because of this the 'Area Wars' began.”

An explanation on what is being talked about. There are 256 areas in the Kingdom all over the continent. These areas may include only a few towns and villages at remote places to several cities in more crowded places.

Due to the fact that there would be no more wars else a rebellion or revolt happens, knights and guards were fearing for their future as something necessary. Because of this, the 'Area Wars' were suggested to keep up livelihood while at the same time allowing something unique to happen in the game.

“The 'Area Wars' is basically a way for two or more areas to compete against each other. They will bet either items, supplies or even territory and fight in a mock battle. Whether it is a large scale battle or a small duel is up to them.”

“I see, that way people would rather focus their energy in these 'Area Wars' instead of fighting the Kingdom because they are bored” Lyndis made a serious face as if she figured out the murderer in a case and said that which proceeded to Miriel chopping her head with a sigh.

Lyndis must be very bored to be doing this, was the thought Sain had.

“Anyway, the interesting part of these 'Area Wars' is that Independent Guilds can take part in them as well growing their influence. Winning one of these would equal to completing a Guild Quest” Alena further explained.

“I see...in that case there are Independent Guilds that focus on these 'Area Wars' right?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm...that would make sense. Getting a Guild Quest is one thing but trying to find one is almost impossible since they come to you...” he muttered.

“Maybe later on you will take part in one as well...but for now, focus on getting stronger okay~? Take a break for today as well~” Alena ordered in a cheerful tone before leaving to care for her child now while muttering something about how it was bad to be raised without a father in sight...

And whether he would cheat on her during this period...

All of which the group did not need to hear.

xXx

“So what should we do now? Sain asked as they were walking on the streets of the city. They were right now wearing their cloaks but were not hiding their faces.

It was simply that their outfits were a bit too flashy and attracted too much attention. As such this was the perfect way to counter it.

The first person to answer was Lyndis as always saying, “Hunt monsters?”

“No can do, I want to do something other than that since we just came back from a trip for that” Shadow denied that route quite desperately. Two months on travelling alone...only to spend more than a week on hunting a monster.

Plus they were restricted with the training tools on their bodies at the time which made even walking more difficult.

It was only just that Shadow wanted a slight break from all of that. Taking a break after three months of that training was fine...or so he repeated to himself. Only that there were several training demons here that only loved to train in the group...

“Hmm...” Miriel started to pondered and got an idea saying, “Why don't we go to the Basic Training Centre then.”

“Why would we go there? Didn't we finish what was equal to their course through Eden?” asked Lyndis.

“Is there another reason?” Serena asked after her.

“Of course” Miriel made a look that said 'We know each other for so long and you haven't figured it out yet?'

Sain thought about it as well. Other than for the basic training course, people would go there for testing out new skills and such. But they were quite familiar with their skills right now...which only left.

“Is it testing out our bodies after the training then?” asked Sain.

“Something is wrong if the first thing we do on a break is go train...” Shadow muttered to himself then.

Miriel nodded to Sain ignoring Shadow and said, “We gained around 10 or so levels worth of stats which means Alena was quite right in that her training would at least make us twice as strong.

Picking up on what Miriel's intentions were, Sain agreed and said, “Sure...though afterwards...”

Miriel grew silent and nodded. After that would be time only for them...

Annnnnd the rest of the group more or less figured it out seeing the two as well...but dared not tease them about it right now. Both of them could become demons in the future if they did which would in the end only make them suffer the most.

While training was fine, doing hell training for the next few years was another thing entirely.

Shadow tried to look at his comrade in not wanting to train that much, Lyndis. However her expression was of one that was similar to her trying to do something interesting...to which Shadow could only sigh. He would have to follow them either way.

“Well judging by things, Alena will give us a quest tomorrow anyway...” he could only mutter in deep regret.

Being adopted and then kidn-enrolled in a school, he thought he would have a lot of spare time. He was wrong...

xXx

At the basic training centre, there were only a few people hitting scarecrows at the moment. Due to the increased number of players, monsters were becoming rarer by the year. As such, the only other way to be stronger was to grind stats like this.

However even so, many people would rather wait a little longer than use this method to get stronger.

Compared to the past, the number of combat related players in terms of percentage dropped. Even though many new players would choose to have a combat related class, later on they might change to a non-combat one though the other way around only rarely happens.

This thought in Sain's head made more sense with what Alena said of there being more citizens than troops in terms of percentage ratios. The game was slowly stagnating here. Even with major events and battles, most players wouldn't be affected at all.

B rank quests were now minor, A rank quests only got minor coverage since there were more of them now. Only S rank or higher quests would gain major attention even if they were especially rare.

Royal Road had become part of society now...which meant that it's newness and excitement was dying a bit. However rather than thinking of that now, Sain was more surprised of how much easier it became on moving his body.

“Ohohohoho, those are some fine moves boy” the instructor of the basic training centre came up to him and the rest of the group seeing what they were doing.

“There are barely any wasted movements there” he continued to compliment them.

“Wasted movements? What are those?” asked Lyndis causing several people to stack over in shock.

“Lyndis!!!!” Miriel was especially angry at her seeing that 'Wasted Movements' and such talks were everywhere to the point it was common knowledge now.

Sain ignored the two whom were 'bonding' and asked the instructor who was the typical veteran soldier looker, “I'm sorry but can you tell her? It's hard to explain...” he let out a sad laugh.

The instructor gave him an understanding look since explaining things to those who had little common sense was difficult.

“Well little girl” the instructor said to Lyndis who was strangely pinned down by Miriel right now, “Wasted movements are movements the body does that are inefficient. Have you felt that your sword swing can be faster or stronger?”

Lyndis nodded.

“In that case getting rid of excess movements and making yourself go faster and stronger without increasing stats or skills is the process of getting rid of wasted movements.”

“I see...oh so that was it was. I've been doing that for a long time now” she said nonchalantly as if it was nothing.

Sain could feel a sigh coming up looking at Lyndis. Out of everyone, she was the hardest to read as she was quite unpredictable. It was like she knew nothing but what someone tells her...though it looks like someone did a pretty good job so she seemed normal at first.

It was only later that Sain released that Lyndis more quite abnormal in her behaviour. Whether it was not knowing something as common as what was the use of a sleeping bag or knowing something was uncommon as how to cut up a lizard and turn it into food.

“This is quite surprising little girl. It usually takes a few more years to in order to start to get the same control over the body as you. Which means you did training involving it” the instructor said.

“3 months of Alena's training does that” said Lyndis back at him.

“Alena?” the instructor was quite startled hearing that name, “You mean that smiling devil?”

'So she is called that to others as well...'

This thought floated into the group's minds naturally. After looking at the group again, the instructor quickly said, “If you need anything, call me over...otherwise don't tell Alena I called her a smiling devil.”

“Who are you calling a smiling devil?”

“I-I-I...I...”

The instructor turned around in fright seeing Alena looking at him smiling the entire way...the group could feel a chill come up at that moment as well.

“I need to talk to them so can you leave...please?” Alena made a cute gesture but the instructor looked like he was running for life.

“....”

The group looked at the instructor with pity...for what would happen later on when no one was looking...Alena would 'ask' for 'favours' to the point that you wished you were dead. This was because though they thought they had not insulted Alena before, she would still quite cruel in her training methods.

With the instructor gone, Alena turned to the group and said, “To think that you would come here on your break...” with a sigh.

Shadow agreed and said with a sneer, “Isn't there something wrong when someone suggest we come here? I would think she would rather prepare for her da-”

“Ice Bolt!”

“Wah!”

Using his reflexes that were beyond normal, Shadow managed to dodge the attack though he shivered a bit seeing the ice cold feeling that Miriel was emitting from her entire body.

“That is no good” said Alena in a worried fashion.

Shadow thought that Alena was going to stop Miriel from killing him...as he was about to speak, what Alena said shattered this.

“Shadow you must not talk about what and what not when it comes to girls” she patted him on the shoulder with that smile...

“Damn! Why the hell am I the one being told off when I'm the one who almost got killed?!” he shouted.

“That is because your mouth is the source of the problem here” said Lyndis.

“Tch” Shadow turned his head away seeing that nothing would be done like this and that he would lose if he challenged right now. Though he hated to admit it, Lyndis was stronger than him in a fight.

“Anyway what are you here for?” Shadow asked Alena drawing to the next conversation.

“Oh I'm here with work.”

“....”

The group thought they had a day break...

In fact it was only a few minutes of a break? How much of a devil Alena was to do this to them? They also only got back from the previous quest that she gave them and that took 3 months!

“Isn't...this a bit too soon for another quest from you?” asked Sain. He was clearly troubled by the fact that Alena would give them another quest so quickly.

“A quest?” Alena asked confused but then gave them an understanding look, “Oh you mean the thing I'm going to give you tomorrow. I'm here with some minor tasks that can't count as one.”

“....”

The group could only stare at Alena who did not seem to know that taking a break means not doing anything...though right now they seemed to be training.

“What are with those looks?” asked Alena, “You guys have enough time to train rather than have fun so I supposed that you wanted to do something more interesting. It looks like as if you didn't want to do more work.”

Her words matched their thoughts exactly.

“Actually...” Miriel spoke up, “Me and Sain have...”

Alena nodded with a smile and then said, “Of course” while patting Miriel on the shoulder, “I understand. You two can take a breather while everyone else can take on your load as well.”

“Thanks~!” Miriel made that cheerful sound that was completely warm and fluffy. The others including Sain though for different reasons were in shock.

“Right then” said Alena moving to pick something up that was extremely large...a whole bunch of paperwork, “While Sain and Miriel go off on their date, everyone else can help me on this.”

“....”

“You won't refuse me right?”

That smile made it impossible to refuse.

xXx

The next day, as Alena said, they were given another quest to work on.

Help Eliminate the Source of Monster Trouble for the Kingdom

Recently, it was found that the increased monster trouble was due to monster nests appearing all over the place. To ensure the peace of the Kingdom, these nests need to be exterminated. Help in this effort.

Quest Rank: Depends

Requirement: Not a criminal of the Kingdom

Reward: Experience and Money Depends on results

“What...is this?” asked Shadow.

“A quest” Alena replied with not much care.

“I see but why does it seem like it's going to take a long time to complete?”

“Because it's a quest to eliminate this new threat to the Kingdom. Something like this is actually wide spread now with thousands of people accepting it and contributing in the effort. There will be some people directing you to locations to clear” she explained.

“In that case we will get transport to each location?” asked Miriel. She really did not want to spend months walking again.

Alena only smiled and said in a kind voice, “Perhaps though doing so will only increase your workload.”

“Compared to doing nothing but walking for months I rather do work” said Lyndis while sighing. She could not believe how unimaginably boring it was to walk and have nothing exciting happen.

Alena clapped her hands at that moment and then said, “In that case, I shall provide you with some transport then. Though don't regret it.”

“....”

“That reminds me...” said Miriel looking around, “Where is Sain? I haven't seen him since yesterday.”

She held in her hands, the staff that Sain felt matched Miriel the most...

Graceful Staff of Barriers Durability: 30/30 Damage: 5-7

A staff that was made and designed for better use of Ice Magic.

Restrictions: Magic Class, level 165

Options:

- Increases the Strength of Barrier Magic by 25%

- Increase magic casting speed by 10%

- Decrease the cost of Magic spells by 5%

It was a beautiful violet staff that was carefully carved out with magical enchantments placed on it to protect the user. It looked quite well with her current appearance.

“Sain...”

xXx

“Yeah....I'm about to finish the job. I got the information we need” said Sain messaging a person.

“Please....spare....me....”

Sain looked down and with a cold gaze gathered mana into his hand. A sinister black aura appeared around his hand at the same moment.

'This...feeling when I use magic now, suits me...'

With that thought he killed again. That grim feeling that came whenever he killed like this did not come anymore.

“Looks like this person wasn't it as well...I need another lead soon...though he did have some other useful information on him.”

He sighed as he cleaned off the blood on him. Today was quite messy even for him.

“Honestly why do I need to investigate a case of stolen materials? Couldn't the Kingdom do this instead? There are actual trained people that can do this work instead of me.”

Looking at the time, he released that he should have met up with the others a long time ago. Cursing that this job took so long, he left the dark corners and went back into the light.

xXx

The following 4 months afterwards was quite rough for the group and they gained 15 levels in the process of this time so now they were around level 180(Noooo...I just updated their status windows as well...).

They were moved from location to location clearing out monsters and destroying the nests that produce them. They were going so quickly that had no time to feel guilt or regret and burning corpses.

Or rather they were going quickly so they couldn't feel such things.

Right now, they were currently near a mountain pass where there was once again, a Blue Tiger ahead.

“Between the types of monster nests we have destroyed, how many of them were Blue Tigers?” asked Lyndis.

“Around....four or so I think?” replied Miriel. She really did not keep track of all the monsters they have killed during this time.

Other than these Blue Tiger nests, there were also goblin nests, which were troublesome to get rid of due to their high spawn rate, Orc nests which was strange as they were the dumber than usual Orc types and wolves nests.

Beside these three common types, there were also some rarer ones like Chimeras, Werehyenas and Drop Bears. In all, the group got a bit more experience hunting down monsters compared to before where they were more used to human like creatures.

However as they travelled from the nearest town here, they noticed an obstacle was in the way.

“A goblin village? In this range from the town as well?” Shadow wondered coming back to the group to report this.

“....”

Sain was silent on this issue. Naturally they could not allow a goblin village to exist so cost to where people live...however do they have enough power to finish them off without allowing one to escape?

“What should we do?” Sain wondered as well. However Lyndis answered this immediately and said, “We should fight them before they gather more numbers.”

Hearing this straightforward answer, Sain laughed slightly and Miriel said, “We may actually made things worse.”

“How so?” she asked back.

“The goblins are gathering there, so what will happen when they flee from us? Where is the next nearest target for them?” asked Miriel in a cold tone.

“The town...” muttered Serena.

“That's right” Miriel nodded to this answer.

For them who were a part of an Independent Guild, doing something like this and causing further damage and lost of lives was unforgivable. This was especially the case when Eden demands no less than perfect from everyone.

As such they need to be extra careful if they were to deal with the goblins right now.

“Then should we deal with them or not? If there are more than ten running off in direction directions then I can't catch all of them” said Shadow for the final confirmation.

“The decision should go to...”

“Yeah...”

The group looked at Sain for the decision. He sighed seeing this since this would stick to him if they failed...

“If you guys wish for it...plus I think this relates to our quest, we should take them out then” he said in the end. He hoped everything would go all right at any rate.

xXx

Later on hiding near the goblin village that seemed to be only set up recently...

“Thank god this place is new...there are only around 20 goblins in there” Sain muttered to himself. If there were at least 30, then that would mean there was some chance a few goblins would escape and if there were more than 40, then there was a high chance some would escape.

Therefore Sain was thankful this would go smoothly.

“Is everyone in position?” he messaged the others.

Right now they were separated and surrounded the goblin village. To be precise, he was with Miriel and Raven while Lyndis was with Serena and Shadow. This way, the formation would be solid with a tank and healer in each side.

One was in the directions to the town while the other was in the polar opposite. The plan was to route the goblins away from the town and into the other side.

This way, the goblins had a low chance on getting out to the town even if they did not exterminated them fast enough. Furthermore, Serena used her 'Blessing of Invisible Torments' on them which allowed them a Beginner Level 10 'stealth' each.

“Yeah...Lyndis said that she was bored” said Miriel next to him, “Do you know what level the goblins are?” she asked him next.

From what Sain could see since they were positioned quite close to the goblin village, their level were only around 150 which means they could one shot each of them easily.

“Quite low...they are weaker than-no, the same level of strength as what we would have fought months ago” he replied.

However the problem was whether there were any other in the area or a hidden path for them to escape. Since goblins weren't known to be that smart, the second wasn't a problem but the first was.

As such, Shadow spent an hour scouting out the the area around the goblin village and found that these 20 goblins were all that were there else they were too far away in which case it would be too much of a waste of time to hunt them down either way.

Sain looked closely at the goblin village once again thinking of this.

There were a total of five small hut things made of wood. Three of the goblins patrolled around the place while every other goblin were more or less being lazy. They could literally end this in a few seconds.

“Ready-”

He was about to call to start the extermination but something appeared and he stopped.

“What....is that?” Miriel could only gasp.

There was this strange creature...a human? No, it was too tall to be a human as it was 3 metres tall and overly thin as well. It was completely pitch black and had horns on it's head. There were also large sharp claws on it's arms as well.

As for the strength of this creature...

'Too strong!'

Sain immediately stiffened up and did not dare to move. Looking at Miriel and Raven it seemed like they did not dare to move as well. However this did not extent to the goblins seeing that this strange creatures dropped down on them.

“What is this? What is this?” one of them asked getting up and lifting it's rusted sword at the creature.

“Answer! Answer!” The goblins started to gather and surrounded the creature. They did not attack however as if their instincts knew that it was that much more powerful.

And then it ended in a moment.

The goblins were cut up into pieces and crushed...without a sound. There was no sound as they were butchered at all...

'What the hell is this?! How can there be no sound when something like that happens?! Even the ground was shattered...!'

As Sain could only stare and nothing else...

[I came here thinking I felt the presence of the youngest...]

The creature spoke!

[However to think I felt it from six...and to be so faint that it would be impossible to tell unless you knew his power personally]

The group could not spoke. They felt that if they did then this creature would kill them all like insignificant insects.

[Ah yes, tell Eden that I would like to fight him again. This time though, without the pawn of the Gods and contractor interfering]

With that, when Sain blinked, the creature was gone.

The group did not know now that the creature they met was one of that they would face again in the future...

xXx

“What the hell was that?” asked Shadow breathing unevenly. Being in the presence of that thing was enough to make him lose his calm.

“More to the point, why did it come here?” asked Miriel.

Lyndis then pointed out, “Didn't it mention Eden?”

“Why would Eden have to do with this? It was searching...it felt something familiar I think and then...” said Shadow.

“It doesn't matter now...” said Sain, “We can report this to Eden later so we better focus on taking out this monster nest and those Blue Tigers.”

“Umm...what did you think when it mention us...?” asked Serena.

“....”

“Perhaps” Sain thought about it, “It mistook us for Eden? But that would only mean...” he looked at his right hand where the 'Mark' was. This was the only thing that directly connected them with Eden.

This 'Mark' which Alexandra was more than troubled by with them having.

This 'Mark' that gives them get power in exchange for losing something at the same time.

And now a creature finds them based on this 'Mark'?

“How much do we not know about Eden?” he muttered.

“....”

The mood was tense. However there was always that one person who could lift that mood up. Slapping Sain on the back, Lyndis said in a cheerful manner, “Well it doesn't matter right now right? I mean what's done is done. Can't start complaining now.”

Sain could see a faint smile on Miriel as well as she said, “Yeah, it can't really complain right now.”

Sain looked to see Shadow, Serena and Raven were a lot calmer and less tense than before as well. Seeing this, something inside of Sain felt different. Like the feeling of it didn't matter if he was here or not...

“Sain? Are you still startled by that creature's appearance?” asked Miriel cost up causing him to back off a bit.

“No, not at all” he said with a sloppy smile on his face. For some reason, Miriel turned away a bit red seeing like this muttering 'A new side to him, good!'.

Seeing this, Sain felt like it was all going to be all right. As such the group set off to hunt that Blue Tiger they were here for in the first place. They walked to...an abandoned place that was once a place for worship of such creatures in the past.

Now it was only used to produce Blue Tigers that were used to destroy the peace.

Onwards?PreviousExitNext

Author's Notes:

- Word Count: 7800~

- Anyway I will work on chapter 8 now...hopefully I can get some pages done today...