Chapter 62: Exploration.
Ayaka fired the arrow…
The fog was instantly torn apart. The energy arrow pierced through. The mist split to both sides, forming a vast empty space with only trees.
The arrow continued to soar and slammed into a massive tree.
BOOM!!!
The trunk could not withstand it and was instantly pierced and blown away. A section vanished. The large tree fell "crash!" down before everyone's eyes.
The group walked toward the observation point. Everyone was shocked.
Kazuka: "So strong."
Takeshi nodded in agreement with Kazuka's words.
Ayaka was also surprised by her own shot. She turned back, her expression still in shock.
Elyssia smiled.
"Well done."
Airi: "That's powerful."
Ayaka: "It's too strong."
Ayaka looked at the bow in her hand.
"This bow is truly high-quality."
Airi: "Only part of it is the bow. It's still you."
Ayaka's eyes became confident.
"Yeah, thanks."
Elyssia: "The bow accepted you, meaning it is now a part of you."
"You just need to imagine the bow vanishing, and it will disappear. Open your hand and imagine the bow to summon it."
Ayaka was surprised.
"That convenient?"
Kazuka complained, leaning down and clutching the sword on his hip, his voice tinted with envy:
"Good grief, why does everyone have fancy gear now? I still have to carry this sword."
Aoto stood there and glanced over.
"It's fine. We will find one for you later."
Takeshi burst out laughing.
"I don't even care."
Ayaka focused, staring intently at the bow in her hand. In her mind, she imagined her bow vanishing like Elyssia's sword.
And then. The bow was like a stone reached its limit; it suddenly burst and dissipated, making Ayaka startle and step back.
Elyssia: "You did it."
Airi: "Try manifesting the bow."
Ayaka followed Airi's words.
She stared at her open palm. In her mind was the image of the bow appearing.
A soft white light emerged. Everyone around had to squint their eyes slightly.
The bow appeared in Ayaka's hand before she knew it, leaving her utterly stunned. She gasped upon seeing the bow.
Elyssia clapped lightly, as if to reward Ayaka.
"Well done."
Ayaka smiled. She quickly made the bow vanish and ran to Elyssia with joy.
"Thank you!"
Elyssia hurried to put her hands out to stop Ayaka from getting too close.
"Alright, that's enough."
Ayaka stopped.
Right then, Aoto spoke up:
"Alright, let's go find the carriage to get Elyssia's clothes. We've been here too long; it must be daylight outside."
After a while, the group stood at the site of the crushed carriage.
Elyssia stepped out from behind the bushes in a different outfit.
The outfit was quite simple with a loose, comfortable white shirt. Wide black pants and high-top brown boots. The pants were tucked into the boots for tidiness. Her silver hair was tied up in a high ponytail.
Airi and Ayaka nodded, seeing that it suited Elyssia well.
The three boys were sitting on the ground, each holding a small stick poking a fairly large worm. All three giggled while teasing the worm.
Elyssia approached Ayaka and Airi.
"Is it okay?"
Ayaka nodded.
"It suits you."
But Elyssia noticed behind them, where the three boys were messing with the worm.
Airi and Ayaka caught Elyssia's gaze and turned around.
Airi let out a sigh.
"Sigh, are we going or do you still want to play?"
The three boys startled and stood up, throwing the sticks away.
Aoto: "Done? Let's go."
The three observed Elyssia and saw she had finished changing.
Aoto: "Let's move."
After walking for a while, the fog became denser. The atmosphere felt compressed by the mist, turning thick and heavy.
The group stuck close together to avoid getting lost in the shroud.
The air grew silent.
Kazuka: "Hey Aoto, are you sure there's nothing in this mist?"
Aoto: "I don't know. This thick fog blocks my energy-sensing ability."
Aoto seemed to realize something.
"Wait, this is definitely fog created by something. The mist comes with energy to reduce the sensing ability of those inside."
Airi behind them spoke up.
"Assume that's the case, but we've been here this long without being attacked. Perhaps there's no ill intent."
Kazuka: "How about this. We use our attacks to blow this fog away for easier sensing."
Takeshi: "That's a good idea, but if there's an evil creature around, doing that might not be great."
Elyssia: "I think we should blow this fog away. Staying in here with limited vision while being ambushed is not good. Better to be proactive."
Aoto: "That makes sense. Try it."
"Elyssia and Kazuka, you two use your slashes; they have a wider range."
Elyssia showed no hesitation, but inside she was thinking:
"Coordinate with him?"
But the image of Kazuka walking along and his recent words flashed by. She dismissed the hesitation.
"It's fine, we are friends now anyway."
Elyssia and Kazuka stood on two sides. Behind them, the other four watched.
Kazuka: "I'll swing from left to right, you swing the opposite way."
Elyssia nodded.
"Understood."
Kazuka drew his sword from the scabbard. The sound of metal scraping rang out. He shrouded his body and the sword in a massive source of energy.
"Better wrap my body in energy just in case something lunges out."
Elyssia extended her right hand, palm wide. The sword instantly appeared in her hand. The energy of an angel radiated, enveloping the blade.
Both entered their stances at the same time.
Standing behind them, Aoto realized something was wrong. His eyes flicked to Airi as if looking for someone with the same thought. Airi was the same; their eyes met in understanding. They immediately turned to stop them, but it was too late.
Whoosh!!!
A sharp sound rang out as the blades sliced through, like the whistling wind of a small storm.
The two slashes did not form small shapes but tried to release the widest source of energy.
From the ground to over their heads. The fog was instantly blown away. The surroundings were now an empty void, with tree stumps that had died long ago due to lack of sunlight.
The ground was arid and slightly purple. It showed the harshness of the place; not even grass grew, only cracks on the ground connecting like a giant spider web.
Right at that moment.
Elyssia and Kazuka collapsed to the ground, hands clutching their chests. A feeling of extreme suffocation and discomfort washed over them.
Airi and Ayaka ran to Elyssia with worry.
Airi: "Are you okay?"
Ayaka: "What happened?"
Elyssia shook her head. But she realized.
"Don't worry, I'm fine."
Takeshi and Aoto ran to Kazuka and sat down. Takeshi saw Kazuka struggling for breath and patted his back.
"Are you okay?"
Kazuka took long, deep breaths. He shook his head to signal he was fine.
Aoto and Airi turned and looked at each other, understanding what was happening.
The two of them slowly stood up. Kazuka was the one who walked over to Elyssia.
"Are you okay?"
Elyssia was slightly surprised, but she shook her head.
"I'm fine."
Takeshi: "What is this about?"
Aoto: "I don't know, but it seems this fog makes people feel suffocated when they use energy."
Aoto was forced to lie to reassure those who didn't understand.
"I have to discuss this with Airi to tell Ayaka and Takeshi later. No, I must consider Kazuka too. This can't continue."
"If we form a group or have an event in the future, I might have to separate the two of them."
Airi and Elyssia also understood what Aoto was doing and remained silent, looking at him.
Ayaka observed the surroundings. The empty space was gradually being filled by the mist flowing back into the void created by Kazuka and Elyssia.
"I think we should hurry. If not, the fog will surround us again."
Takeshi, with a suspicious gaze, stepped forward. His eyes turned serious.
"Those two are weak now. Later I will use my punches to clear the path at short distances."
Ayaka nodded.
"Yeah, I'll help in a bit too."
Aoto observed Takeshi's actions, his eyes suspicious.
"Is he trying to verify something?"
The group continued. Takeshi and Ayaka went ahead. The other four followed behind.
Takeshi thought while walking:
"Airi and Aoto have been acting very strange since meeting Elyssia."
He recalled the scenes where Airi and Aoto exchanged glances.
"There is definitely something they are hiding from the group."
The group reached the edge of the fog. Takeshi immediately stepped in. Ayaka wanted to call him back, but…
Whoosh!!!
Takeshi threw a punch that instantly blew away the fog ahead, creating a path.
Takeshi touched his chest.
"Nothing happened, did it?"
Ayaka's voice called Takeshi repeatedly, but he seemed focused on his thoughts.
"Takeshi... Takeshi...?"
She shouted louder, making Takeshi startle:
"Takeshi!"
Takeshi turned around and smiled.
"Is something wrong?"
Ayaka looked worried.
"Is something wrong? You look like you've lost your soul."
Takeshi smiled and scratched his head.
"Hahaha, is that so? Sorry."
Kazuka looked around while walking.
Elyssia's gaze was fixed straight ahead. Airi looked at Elyssia with concern.
Aoto walked, observing Takeshi's actions. Aoto stroked his chin suspiciously.
"He likely knows, or is verifying a suspicion."
"Anyway, he'll find out sooner or later. It's almost time to speak up."
"I think everyone will accept it."
Aoto glanced at Kazuka.
"Airi probably thinks so too, but the important one is Kazuka."
Takeshi stepped toward the fog.
Ayaka: "Let me do it."
Takeshi turned back, shook his head, and stepped into the fog.
"No need."
Whoosh!!!
The fog was again blown away by Takeshi's energy punch, creating a path.
Takeshi began to recall previous information. And the image of Elyssia scolding Kazuka for being a demon.
"Confusing. I am like Kazuka, also in the fog with him, why don't I feel suffocated?"
His eyes widened at the hypothesis he formed:
"Could it be, Kazuka is a demon?"
"Impossible. His energy is different. Although I haven't encountered a demon, Kazuka's energy is clearly that of a Human."
Takeshi was walking and contemplating:
"Let's assume that for now."
"I don't know why those two are doing this. But surely everyone will accept it."
"If all the information I knew before... Airi also told us about the races."
"Then an angel appearing here is even rarer than a demon. Why hide it?"
Takeshi was thinking while walking, not watching the road. Ahead of him was a small hole, but deep and bottomless, showing only blackness.
Ayaka saw Takeshi walking toward the hole. She panicked and shouted his name.
But it was too late. Takeshi fell straight into the hole and vanished, leaving only a shout: "Aaah!"
The four behind ran up, panicked. Ayaka knelt anxiously at the mouth of the hole, looking into the darkness.
All five peered into the hole in panic.
Kazuka: "How did he fall into such a small hole?"
Ayaka: "He was walking and seemed to be thinking about something, so he didn't pay attention."
Aoto created an energy sphere in his hand. A bright green light shone. He dropped it down to illuminate.
Airi sighed and complained.
"I knew something would happen. Our group is truly unlucky."
Suddenly, Takeshi's voice echoed up from the bottom of the hole.
"Guys... it's safe down here... you can jump... There's something you need to see."
The group was surprised by Takeshi's voice.
Ayaka: "Should we jump?"
Kazuka: "If he confirmed it's safe, what's there to worry about?"
Kazuka was the first to jump. The group watched him disappear into the darkness.
Elyssia: "Let's jump."
The three girls took turns jumping down. Only Aoto remained above.
"This exit is too small. If we encounter danger, how do we escape?"
Kazuka shouted from below:
"Come down, Aoto!"
Aoto hesitated at the mouth of the hole, but then he jumped.
The hole was vertical and narrow. As he fell, his hands touched the surrounding tree roots.
Everyone was standing there.
A magnificent scene appeared.
An underground castle. A large castle, primarily black mixed with a bit of purple. Swirling patterns adorned the walls.
Connecting to the castle was a large bridge, spanning a massive crevice with glowing hot lava flowing below, making "glug glug" sounds.
Kazuka's group stood on a small patch of land, looking toward the castle.
Everyone was stunned by this scene.
Aoto: "Is it a Dungeon Trace?"
Kazuka: "It looks so big. Who built that castle?"
Takeshi: "When I fell down here, I was very surprised too."
Airi: "I think we shouldn't go."
The group fell silent and listened.
Airi: "Dungeon Traces are very dangerous. Inside are all traps and monsters. One slip and it's over."
"Besides, our group is very unlucky. Who knows what we'll encounter inside?"
Aoto nodded.
"Makes sense. But it seems we found a place no one has been to yet. That means there are many treasures and artifacts inside."
"The hole we came through was probably made when Takeshi punched, and the ground there was weak, so it collapsed from the energy impact."
Aoto spoke while pointing at the fallen dirt around.
Airi frowned.
"No, I don't care about treasure. Best to go back up."
Aoto calmly countered:
"I think we should go. We just found a treasure trove."
Elyssia immediately interrupted both.
"Let's do this. We will go in, but we only go deep if it's safe."
"Basically, just a little bit. Not deep."
Kazuka: "I think that's reasonable."
Airi gave in and let out a sigh.
"Fine."
Aoto: "Good, it's decided."
The group slowly moved near the bridge. Takeshi looked down at the lava crevice. Then he turned back.
"Looks pretty dangerous."
Takeshi knelt on the ground, both hands pressed down. Energy continuously radiated and transferred into the earth.
A few small tremors made the pebbles jump.
The rock layer Takeshi created immediately formed pillars and enveloped the bridge, increasing its stability.
He stood up and turned back, giving a small nod to signal it was okay.
The group slowly stepped onto the large wooden bridge. Each footstep made a "creak" sound, showing the bridge was many years old.
Kazuka looked down at the flowing lava.
The rising heat made everyone grimace with discomfort.
Crossing to the other side of the bridge, the group stood before a massive door.
The door had strange patterns, like large hands and skulls on both sides.
Ayaka: "Is this okay? These patterns give a dangerous feeling."
Kazuka stepped forward.
"Everyone, get back. Let me open the door."
Takeshi stood with hands on his hips, watching Kazuka.
"Are you sure?"
Kazuka: "Don't worry."
The group held their breath as Kazuka approached the gate.
He was walking; his left foot was about to land when he suddenly stopped.
He leaned down to observe closely.
"A trap?"
It was a wire stretched across, thin and almost invisible to the naked eye.
He pulled his foot back and shouted:
"Everyone, get into combat positions! I found a tripwire."
The group was a bit flustered but complied.
Takeshi stood at the front, in a fighting stance. Aoto was right behind, his Guardian summoned, both hands holding a massive energy spear.
Airi and Elyssia summoned swords in their hands and stood on two sides. Ayaka stood behind, drawing her bow; an energy arrow appeared.
Kazuka drew the sword from his hip. He took two steps back, both feet ready in a stance to turn and run.
Right hand holding the sword, trying to reach out. He swallowed nervously. Kazuka flicked the sword up, touching the tripwire and breaking it.
Click click.
A sound like something being activated rang out.
Whoosh!... Whoosh!...
A series of arrows flew out from the large fortress.
The group was panicked. Kazuka turned and ran toward everyone.
Aoto immediately threw two spears to both sides of Kazuka. Connecting the two spears was a string of energy.
Instantly, energy from the two spears fired toward each other, creating a large energy shield protecting Kazuka.
The Guardian immediately covered the group.
Aoto: "Don't worry. Just ordinary arrows, just a large number of them."
The group lowered their guard. Kazuka, standing behind the energy layer Aoto created, let out a sigh of relief.
He turned back and shouted:
"Thanks!"
Takeshi: "I thought it was something serious. How can these arrows pierce our energy layer?"
After a while, the rain of arrows stopped. The group stepped out and saw arrows scattered all over the ground.
Elyssia: "It should be fine now. I'm just afraid opening the gate will have traps too."
The group slowly approached the gate and observed.
Takeshi: "Just push to open?"
Kazuka: "Probably."
Kazuka turned back, informing the group:
"I'm opening it."
The group nodded in agreement, with trusting eyes.
Kazuka looked up, close to the top of the gate.
"What if something falls when I open it?"
The group also looked up.
Aoto: "Quite possible."
Kazuka: "Then get back."
The group complied and stepped back several paces.
Kazuka entered a stance, energy flowing into his arms. He threw a punch; an energy strike was released.
It slammed into the door. The great force caused the door to be pushed and flung open, hitting the wall hard. The sound of metal hitting the wall rang out.
He immediately jumped back with caution, looking upward.
"Seems there's no trap."