Full of Surprises

Chapter 114 - Full Of Surprises

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[Aedan Yellowpage POV]

"Were here, young guy."

"This is..."

It was just outside the city where this guy just dragged me into. Well, I was the one who accepted it, but can you believe it? The place was just near where my house was located. This gave me quite the relief since I can return to my home in case something serious happened.

But alas, that relief of mine also had some worry settling about. After all, before going here, we first trek our way toward a dense forest before we get here. It was of that time telling me that this guy, or rather his group, were likely hiding from someone.

"You remember the route? This is where we'll start our practice from now on." He informed. "There's been a problem on our end but for now, were settling in this place temporarily."

Beyond the dense forest lies a plane greenery that's probably been cultivated with. Additionally, on a bends of land stood a ruined fortress—a vault that's concealed with lush foliage. It was obviously their hideout.

"I don't really mind but I hope you don't involve me into your affairs." I replied. "I don't really want to engage with something that can compromise my life with my mother."

"That's a given. I have no plans on doing that," He assured, then added. "But knowing you, I doubt you'll keep a blind eye about it..."

Hm, that words made me uneasy. Was that the reason he accepted into training me? Unfortunately, I can't turn back now. If the training was successful, maybe I'll have a shot if something of an ordeal happened.

As we approach the place, I was shockingly greeted by a destructive ball of fire raining somewhere near the place. It was magic. It was of my surprise that such level of magic can be attained into such degree. I was about to complain that their hiding is useless if they're creating such prominent noise, but I'll keep my mouth shut.

There, I saw the person whom likely was the one who created such destruction. A blonde matured woman wearing a cloak, along with a blonde teenage girl wearing black and orange jerkin. Are they related, perhaps?

"Yō guys, I'm back," This ripped guy beside me greeted so.

"Hm? took you long enough, Alister." The blonde matured woman said as she begins to approach us. The blonde girl followed suit as she put her staff from her pouch. Is that a [Magic Pouch]? "Hm? That young man is...?"

"Ah," This guy, or should I say, Alister patted my shoulder as he replied. Should I call him mistah? "Our new member. He'll be with us temporarily but still, let's give him a heartfelt welcome."

"I see, hm..." Maternal feeling surge from her vibe, the blonde woman who is in front of me smiled as she asked me: "Might I asked what your name is?"

"Eh...? Um... A-Aedan... Aedan Yellowpage..."

I felt unease. These three encompassing me was what you called a Beauty. I felt out of place. It feels like I don't belong here. Ugh...

Alister-san who seemed to have felt my uneasiness shoots some words of assurance to me.

"All of us here started on our worst. Which is why, I can assure you we won't ridicule you no matter who you are." Alister-san ensured. "Moreover, I will turn you into something you could be proud of. You just do what I say and wait until your growth spurted from your work. You got it, Aedan?"

I paused briefly as I was in a state of surprise. He was giving me his assurance. It will be my decision whether I accept it or not.

"Yes!" I answered as determined as I am. They will sacrifice their time for my development. No need to ponder, I will heartfully accept their offer and give it my all!

"Aedan, right?" The blonde woman replied. "Then, allow us to introduce ourselves..."

Oh! Right. They still haven't said their names, right?

"Marie. You could also call me Marie-san like a certain someone benefactor to us." She introduced.

"I'm Hime. Nice to meet you." The blonde girl also introduced herself cheerfully.

Marie-san, Hime, and Alister, huh... I guess I'll be with them for a while, then. And as soon as the time comes, I would like to show Sai with me looking at my outmost best. Just you guys wait!

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[Sai Crimsonheart POV]

The next day...

"C-Can you take both of us on your venture this time?"

"P-please take both of us with you...!"

As we were about to leave the igloo, Lara and Mikael insisted to come to venture with us. It made me wary for some reason. I mean, on the other hand, sure. Our time to wander this place whole will surely be at ease. But...

"Why?" I asked. "I'm pretty sure we had the same intention in going to this place, right? That is to hunt Treasures. I doubt there's any reason for you guys to come with us, no?"

I stared straightly into Lara's eyes. I don't get their intention. Even if it's for the act of investigation, I doubt there's any merit for them to do so. On the other hand, if it's just for the reason of using our strength to hunt some treasures themselves, then that sure was a shameless approach.

The girls were also looking visibly skeptical. Were probably in the same page here...

"You've taken great care for us so it's our way of gratitude towards you guys." Lara replied. "It's also starting to get tedious just sitting around the igloo, so I want to move at least..."

"M-Me too...!" Mikael added.

"...Anything else?" I asked further. Too shallow response. It's too superficial for a valid reasoning...

"Eh? Um, w-were really just here to help! I promise!" Lara swore. Mikael nodded intensely after.

I turned to the girls to get their opinion. There was a hesitant pause in their face, but they agreed to let them after. Yeah. I know, Luna. I got your gesture. Were in the same page here.

"You see them. We'll let you guys come with us." Well, even if they do something. They're not strong that we'll be in a bind if they get us.

Now that I think about it, they don't stand a chance against us, right? Too paranoid, man.

"T-Thank you..." Mikael timidly replied.

"Shall we go, then?" I informed. If something were to happen, it is what is then.

* * *

Our members have temporarily increased by two. Looking at us, we looked like a bunch of miners on our way to pick some ores. It emotionally hurts me just by thinking about it...

I mean...

"Ugh, I know I said its tedious doing nothing on the igloo, but..."

I made Lara and Mikael focused on mining ores while we focused on fighting. It took us an hour, but we finally made it. The place where we last head off into.

"I-Is this okay?" Mikael who was looking anxious said so. "Just thinking about how deeper we are feel so nerve-racking..."

"...Hey, Sai. What do you think?" Lemuen asked. I could hear a faint anxious coming from her voice. I get their worry, though. We're quite deep from the underground after all.

"No problemo." I assured. "Our situation were still within expectations."

But just as I said so, I noticed a weird form of structure coming below us. I suddenly started seeing some chest underneath us and is located in an even placement. Surely, there was something below.

With that in mind, I took my Pickaxe and start mining downwards. Everyone looking at me tilts their heads sideways, unable to comprehend what I was doing.

"He's... quite the unusual, isn't he?" Lara remarked as she looked at me in bewilderment. I can't hear you; you know? "Does he do this frequently?"

"W-Well, yeah, he is..." Lily answered. "How do you know, though?"

"I mean... We also got ours on our party with..."

Lara, followed by everyone turned to the wimpy guy who was watching me in silence. Noticing their stare towards him, Mikael turned into panic mode.

"I-I'm not...!" Mikael retorted, albeit hesitantly.

Back to my side. Whilst picking the ground below me and it suddenly collapse.

"What the—?!" I felt my heart just jumped from in shock. Luckily, I managed to grapple from a wall and leaped myself up and land to some sort of an ice-made bridge. Remember lads, even the game had always been informing this but never dig straight down, aye.

"Sai?! We heard something crashed down there. Are you okay?" I heard violent steps coming atop from mine. Also, that voice, it's probably Lily calling me.

"I'm okay!" I informed. "Moreover, come down here, you guys. I just found something interesting! Ah, be careful by the way. The fall was quite deep so time your land carefully."

"Got it!" Lily replied. Shortly, each of them went down one by one, with Lara being held by Lemuen and Mikael grabbed by his clothes by Astra going downward.

Since they've been informed with, they only need to use ⟨⟨Double Jump⟩⟩ to get here. 

"Interesting." Astra muttered as she drops Mikael from the ground. Poor guy...

"T-This is..." Lara.

What we're currently standing at was a long bridge that seemed to be a structure of a fortress. It was a bridge made out of white bricks, looking worn and has a crack to some of its body. Its old.

"Sai. Knowing you, I hope you still know about this, right?" Lemuen asked, even more anxious than before. "T-There won't be something like a giant Boss-like creature coming here, right? Ah ha ha..."

Lemuen started laughing sarcastically. Perhaps trying to gaslight herself. I followed suit. Hahaha!

At the same time, the bridge started vibrating underneath us. Such timing made Lemuen dropped a sweat down her cheeks.

"...How's that for an answer?" I replied with the sincerest smile as I could make. Haha!

"Hey! This is no time for laughing matter!" Lily informed as everyone started arming themselves with their weapons. "...It's coming!"

To the dark alleyways beyond the bridge, a white-giant spider came in sight as it hastily approached its way towards us. Man, we just landed here. Goddammit!

[Decadent Eight-legged Prowler, 『Glacial Mygalomorph』 has awoken.]