Sights Cloudy, Shadows of Paths

"Try making the damage done by your magic smaller, condensing it should help improve your control."

Givale nodded and shot another arrow, upon hitting a surface the arrow vanished and left a small spherical indent. It was around an inch in diameter, and half an inch deep.

Akiol nodded approvingly. Givale had gotten the hang of using mana and her element simultaneously. Proving just how superior Dragons are as a race. Mira had also gained some progress. Having gained a small amount of control over his strength. Akiol had even given him some basic moves to practice.

Their progress through the forest was slow to say the least. After all Akiol focused on teaching the two over actually moving. He didn't mind, although he wasn't contributing to obtaining knowledge of the continent, he was learning small droplets of info through stories from Mira.

As they rested during the night, Givale would practice her aim from afar. And Mira would tell tales of his experiences in the forest. While Akiol assisted in correcting his grammar.

Time passed fluidly, and Akiol was enjoying himself.

~ ~ ~

Tilia sat, her eyes unfocused as she stared into the distance.

She had already witnessed the might of Second Stage, during the mission Wrock had them partake in. But that took place years ago, when the average strength was far lower. They could fight the enemies before at least. She felt dispirited, for the first time her War Sight had failed. Even Rygeth couldn't break it.

Yet some random Second Stage fighter could? Was her will to protect not strong enough? Faced with questions she found the same answer she was used to. Get stronger.

It was painful, to always lack the strength needed. Was her efforts never good enough?

Could Akiol beat them? Wrock? Was it just her that was lacking in strength? She touched the wound on her face. It had healed already, but left a scar. Which was interesting considering no player had reported to gain a scar from a wound.

Tilia considered asking Yielya to heal it once she met up, but decided otherwise. For it to be a reminder of her failure, and a catalyst for future growth. But she still lacked an path on how to grow further. She was well aware leveling up was a poor idea. It's become increasingly clear that levels are irrelevant in the future.

The party had already glimpsed the way to strength. A path which they could follow to higher heights. As for what this path is, she needed to find that out herself. Which is where she was stuck, what was her path? What was her goal? Without an idea on this, she would lack the strength to save the village.

Tightening her hands into fists she stood and walked out of the village. She fully intended to find out this path, and reach higher strength.

~ ~ ~

Yielya closed a book and sighed, there was hardly any information on Origin Monsters to begin with. It was mostly pure speculation, the only correct assumption was in their name already. The Origin Monsters were the first of their kind.

She had a brief thought of an Origin Dragon, but quickly pushed it aside. Such a thought was terrifying. The only information she found useful was a few stories around what had happened by the Calamity of Goju. It was certainly a Calamity. Many feared its existence and hid away. It was a tyrannical being that killed and destroyed anything in its path.

The only reason it stopped was by a Fourth Stage fighter, one of the first to exist back then, who sealed it away. This left three questions in Yielya's head, was the Calamity stronger than Fourth Stage? Why was there a warning about it on a different continent? And finally, was there warnings about their continent?

She rubbed her fingers through her hair, "Ahh, more questions and not many answers! This is always so annoying!"

Rubbing her temples she calmed her mind before getting back to reading.

~ ~ ~

"The Boss is here!"

Wrock leapt forward, War Sight crackling at his arms. His fist slammed into the Boss, and dealt incredible damage to it. The Boss stumbled from the blow, giving opportunity to Wrock for additional attacks.

Within a short few moments the Boss had fallen, completing the dungeon.

Wrock had participated in a few dungeons with hopes to gain insight on the players strength. Yet he was met with the same answers, they were unnaturally weak. Due to his high stats in comparison, many of the players complained about the strength difference. Others seemed to throw him questioning glances.

However he seemed to get a pitying glance occasionally. He found it amusing at first, but the amount of times was both rare and numerous enough that it caused him to wonder the reason behind it.

He had try asking one of the players, but they merely shook their head in response. Clearly not wanting to delve into the subject. So he continued with his study on the players' lack of strength. Because of this, unbeknownst to him, his name became quite popular. Spreading to many ears, even to some unfavorable people.

~ ~ ~

Jarvis finally arrived at the city, watching as people walked about.

Kiro introduced, "Welcome to Harbon City! A center of attraction! Although it seems quite empty now, at night this place gets quite crowded."

"Entertainment?"

"Of all kinds, it's especially popular during festivals. Games, plays, food and drink, casinos, even the more explicit fun. Those with deep pockets come often."

"I think you have a particular attractions towards money."

"What makes you say that?!"

"The places we've been to both have a lot of money flowing through them."

"Well you aren't wrong about that much, you are wrong about my attractions. I like these places because of their fine wine! People with deep pockets tend to want more quality stuff. It's not everyday you see some tycoon drinking your average ale."

"So it's the drink. Quite the alcoholic hm?"

"Ahem, let's take a look inside the city before it gets dark."

Jarvis slid out of Go and returned the bug to his book. Kiro watched in interest, "What exactly is that book?"

Jarvis returned the book to his specially made pouch, "That's a secret."

"We all have our own I suppose."

Jarvis stretched and looked behind him. He could feel a pair of eyes on him, however he assumed it was most likely some guard in the city.

Focusing forward he spoke, "Alright, let's see if this place lives up to the hype."

"That's only at night!"

"Then let's stay the night here, I shall see with my own eyes if this place is as energetic as you said."

"If it isn't I shall skip out of my next payment!"

"You better hold true to that then!"

~ ~ ~

"We got it working!"

'Yes, but the outcome is slightly underwhelming.'

"That's besides the point, we have a path forward!"

Kan'na scratched her back, "But this is exhausting! I'm going to relax for a bit."

'You haven't eaten in many days, are you going to be alright?'

"I don't actually need to eat, it's just preferable. As long as I rest occasionally I can do this for a while."

'I see.'

"More importantly, I think I need to learn a six point formation."

'What?!'

"It's the best choice! For the effects of the die! To adjust the outcomes I can get."

'The difficulty is far beyond a five point formation. I don't know if you would be able to handle it.'

"Never know until you try, right?"

'I'll stop you if it becomes too much.'

"I'm not death seeking, that's why I want to rest up fully before I try. If I ever feel like it's too much I'll back out. But I appreciate your assistance."

'Then inform me when you are ready, I shall make some preparations.'

~ ~ ~

Travis overlooked a manor. Demon guards were at their posts, and many patrolled. With his current strength he could most likely take them down with his War Sight. But his problems started at the Elite Guard.

The Elite Guards themselves weren't too much of an issue, but rather the Elite Captains. Usually in threes, their strength was no laughing matter. If Travis had to fight all three together, he would be in some serious trouble.

Moreover his target, Muryl was an incredibly strong High Ranked Demon. Fighting him after the three Elite Captains. That was an even worse idea.

Luckily he gained some info from Huynio. In three days the Elite Captains would travel to participate in some ceremony. Most likely to increase Muryl's status. This left Travis with a few hours to kill Muryl. An opening he intended to take.

It intrigued him, what would happen if he killed the previous Demon Lord? What would happen to the history he knew? It didn't matter to him much, with his power he no longer feared an unknown future. He would take it on directly!

And so Travis waited, patiently until the time arose.