Time skip.

Arriving at what I believed to be the lowest floor in the basement. I surveyed the surroundings, checking for anything that supported our reason for coming here.

Though I trusted old man Jay… well enough to follow him here without any backup, it was becoming spooky with every second that passed.

"According to what you were told. Individuals with the ability to use earth mainly use the body cultivation method, only a tiny portion using essence cultivation method, and an almost non-existent portion using soul cultivation method."

"..." 

I was speechless. Though I knew about the main cultivation method utilized by earth manipulators, his point still sounded strange and unclear.

"What if you can make earth one with you? Your body… your essence… your soul…"

"..."

It was…

"Take this… use it well," placing a pebble on my hand, he closed it tightly. "It has the power of two chances… in case you fail at your first attempt."

He sounded very sure I'll need whatever this pebble was, which was… strange.

"Go… accomplish your task."

Hearing those last words, I felt my body getting sucked in by an unknown force. It was like being drawn into a vortex.

Taking one last glance at the duo, I nodded, letting fate take its course.

_______

What a tedious situation, I hope I'm not far from home.

"You seem to have a unique way of making an entrance," said a voice, teasingly.

Twitch

Immediately creating a gap between us, I glared at the intruder angrily, having the urge to cut off the comb-like quantity that stood proudly on his head.

"Don't tease her, she's still green under," turning, I met the gaze of a fat… no obese man, having a mouthful of food.

"I prepared that," said the comb-haired guy, pridefully. 

I didn't ask though!!!

"He's a good cook, you can have some," he said, pointing the snack bag at me. Apart from the supposed food having a weird look, the way he ate made me lose my appetite.

"Where am I?" I asked, surveying the surroundings.

"The meeting point, mmmh…? Where we attack that Lu Gu guy," said the obese guy, shrugging.

"No! We still have two days!" I said, sounding weird. Even I thought it was cringe.

"Hmm? I thought she was an earth manipulator?" Asked the obese guy to the comb-haired guy.

Only nodding as he scrutinized me. "Unless… she has some screws loose."

Twitch

"I'm going to…!"

"No need to fight over such issues," said the voice I would never forget.

"Employer!"

"Just call me Big Mom," she said, gesturing for me to stay quiet.

Nodding, I looked at her, my curiosity-filled eyes asking her the question I so badly wanted to convey.

"Hmm? I don't understand your situation… but you do have a time-telling device… don't you?" Saying this, she scrutinized me.

"I do!" Answering, taking out a small clock, confirming the date and time.

"You're…"

"Right!" She said, completing my statement.

"As per the contract terms, it's time… they will clear your path. Focus on the mission."

Saying this, she vanished into thin air, leaving me and the weird dudes.

"Are you ready?" The obese one said as he launched a handful of the bag content into his mouth.

"How many times would I tell you? Be polite!" Reprimanded the comb-haired guy, slapping the obese guy's head that made all the content in his mouth fall out.

Twitch

I'm not doing it anymore…! What kind of companions are these? I'll rather check up on old man Jay… he needs to explain himself.

Bringing me out of my reverie, was the voice of the comb-haired guy. "I'm Cuckoo."

He stretched an arm to me, gesturing for a handshake. Would love to decline, but… I'm so close to establishing a partnership; can't let it slip.

Receiving his hand. "I'm Avani."

From the corner of my eyes, I could see the obese guy also stretching his arm out; no way in hell I'll accept his handshake.

Letting go of the comb-haired guy aka Cuckoo's hand, I pretended not to notice the obese guy.

Noticing the friction, Cuckoo decided to interfere. "He's Raymond… Isamu Raymond," he said, introducing the obese guy's name.

"Hey man! I have a mouth, you know?" Raymond complained, glaring at Cuckoo, blatantly.

"What can you guys do?" I asked, not interested in their babbling. And also confirming my actual place in this equation.

"Our job is to get you in without a hitch," Cuckoo answered, looking at a heavily guarded building.

"The security is tight!" I said in exasperation, wondering how these two nerds will get me in.

"Am sure you were given the details," Cuckoo inquired, squinting his eyes.

Did I just piss off one of my potential partners? What the hell is wrong with me?!

"I did," replying to his inquiry, I bent my head downwards in an attempt to avoid his scrutinizing gaze.

"He's no small fry… but, when I say we'll create a path… we'll do it."

Taking his gaze off me, he gestured for Raymond to follow closely behind, as they both jumped off the tall structure simultaneously.

"Prepare to head in!" 

Preparing for what was to come, I used my earth manipulation technique to phase into the Earth's surface, concentrating on every tiny movement.

It's time to see what they can do, at least with this I can make my final decision about the partnership.

Concentrating, I could feel two figures moving to the heavily guarded structure… 

Utilizing my "shared vision", so that I can easily see what is happening on the surface of the earth. 

The comb-haired guy… uhh! Why can't I use his name freely?! Be serious…

Cuckoo, who was pushing what seemed to be a wheelbarrow that contained eatables, had chef clothing on. Beside him, was Raymond, who was seriously downing the content of the wheelbarrow as they moved closer to the encampment.

"Halt!!!" A man dressed uniformly ordered, pointing his drawn sword at the duo. As if it were a chain reaction, his colleagues took out their weapons.

Most of the weapons were meant for close combat, but I could still pick up individuals with long-range weapons.

"We come in peace, my lord," raising their hands, they simultaneously turned to prove their point.

"This area is restricted, leave!" Said a voice from behind, moving to the barricade that marked their territory.

"Sorry for the disturbance… I just felt the tired lords would need some refreshments," Cuckoo said, dejectedly, turning to leave.

"Hmmm?" Making a strange sound, he gestured for his subordinate to come.

Immediately rushing from the crowd of guards, was a skinny old-looking male. "Sir!" Standing at attention, the moment he got into a meter of the leader's location.

"Check it out."

As he heard the command, he moved to the duo in steady steps, not having a second thought about what could go wrong.

I'll describe him as someone without a will, moving whenever and wherever he was told to. Surely one of those unlucky individuals to be branded with a slave mark.

As he reached the duo location, he eyed the content of the wheelbarrow. "Take this, sir."

Receiving the spoon offered by Cuckoo, he scooped a spoonful of the meal, gulping it in one go.

A blissful expression forming on his face, he looked at Cuckoo, appreciatively, filling his mouth with the meal. "Delicious."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it, sir. I do have bowls to make the meal more presentable," Cuckoo said, gesturing to Raymond.

Not wasting time, Raymond brought out numerous bowls, giving one to Cuckoo.

As Cuckoo was about to give the skinny man a bowl. "Stop!" Ordered the leader.

Walking to Cuckoo's position, he eyed the food briefly. "Your price."

Smiling. "Copper, sir. The quantity doesn't matter… I'll leave that to you."

The Solid earth kingdom deals mainly with earth elements as their currency. Copper is one of the lowest currencies in their state.

"As you say," placing a bag that rang with metallic sounds, he looked at Cuckoo's face. "Now leave, chicken."

"Hahahahaha!"

The crowd couldn't help but burst out in a fit of laughter as their leader savaged the comb-haired male. I felt sorry for him, but it was not my place to decide. Humans turn out to be hideous as grandpa described… but…

"I wonder why creatures like you still exist?!" He said, eyeing Raymond blatantly.

"Let's go," Cuckoo said as he held Raymond's hand. 

Their bond was strangely strong. I thought they were just business partners. Anyway, it's time to see how it goes.

Sneering at them, the chief officer ordered the skinny male to push the food to their camp, to which he complied.

Arriving at their settlement, outside the building. "Share the food."

The guards looked hesitant at first, I could somehow understand their plight. They were currently on duty, so eating things from an unauthorized source can have an effect that may cost them their lives.

"Are you prepared?" A voice said, causing me to almost leave my hiding spot in fright.

"Who are you?!" I asked, calming myself down. 

"Hmm? I'm the one controlling that fool, hahahahaha," said the voice as he laughed hysterically. The voice sounded similar to that of a male.

"...?"

"Don't worry… the earthborn always look down on others, so I used that to make him look normal," he said, pridefully.

"Why didn't I see you?" I inquired. Not accepting some voice words, so he has to prove himself.

"Not answering that… just accomplish your task," saying this, I felt his presence fading.

"Wait!!!"

I felt like grabbing the person, remembering that I couldn't even see him, I put back my hand, turning to observe the situation.

Flabbergasted.

Every single guard was down. That was not the only issue, I couldn't feel any life from them, except from one that seemed to be fading with every second that passed.

Disconnecting from the earth, I moved toward the hilarious scene of numerous dead bodies, moving to the only life I could feel.

Reaching the point, I saw the old skinny man, his breath slow. Stretching my hand outward, I made the ground swallow him whole, concentrating on a certain point.

"Haa," breathing heavily, I paused for a second to catch my breath. It seems I'll need to train more on affecting other bodies.

Successively transporting him, I moved to the building entrance, merging back into the earth as I arrived at the entrance.