22: The path ahead

The night seemed to have passed in a blink of an eye for the trio and it was about time for them to leave the camp in search of civilization for some answers regarding this world.

While the nightmares were still haunting during his sleep, it was not so bad compared to the first dream that involved a certain creepy hare. The second nightmare still involved the faces of the innocent children that would constantly remind him of the failure in saving them. But this time though, the hare, Buddy was not present in the dream, which hopefully proved that he was just a one-time thing and only a mere fragment of his dark imagination.

As they took their first step outside of the encampment, Liam took a one good final look at the place before eventually leaving, most likely for good. Sticking here around for longer would only induce and feed his every growing haunting dream. Leave bad memories behind and start anew.

He kept June close to his right side and walking on the roadside of the footpath, always holding her hand firm but gently. June seemed to be content and followed Liam faithfully like a cute little puppy.

According to the map that Nekowa was currently holding, the village was only around a day's worth of walk or perhaps even shorter, given how there's no data stated regarding how far it was going from one point to another.

It would be so much convenient if Liam had a System of a Map. Automated tracking with GPS like features was really what they now needed here.

But alas, can't have everything now, can we? Instead, they had to stick to the primitive way of navigating. Here's to hope that Nekowa wasn't reading the map upside down or else, they're royally screwed.

"No, it is not upside down." Apparently, the young man's sentiments were heard as evident by Nekowa's deadpanned face when she answered him, "What do you take me for? Some kind of a fool? I know a lot of things, and map reading just so happen to be one of my skills, thank you very much."

"No offense, you don't exactly strike me as the smart type." Liam eyed the cat's small flying stature.

"Ever heard the phrase, 'Looks can be deceiving'?" Nekowa answered back with sass, "Hehe, as a Magical Girl Guide / Administrator, it is one of my duties to take good care and ensure of my girls' well-being. Fighting may not be my forte, but my other skills however, it is something to be proud of."

"Can you cook, then?" The important question of them all was asked.

"Can I cook?" Sarcasm filled the cat's voice which caused Liam to raise an eyebrow from curiosity, "Of course I can cook. The lack of a semblance of proper ingredients is what's holding me back from doing so. Not to brag or anything, but the girls back home would praise me nonstop just for my cooking alone."

"We look forward to it." Liam smiled in return.

"By the way…" Nekowa wondered, "Did you check the System of unlocking new Magical Girl forms? I recalled you having a clue on getting Aegis."

"Oh, right." Liam suddenly remembered, "Things were so hectic back then that I kind of forgot about it. Let's see here…"

Opening the System mentioned, Liam was greeted by the display of a female character's black silhouette with a small description beside it.

It read:

"Magical Girl: Aegis"

"Transformation Clue no. 1: Aegis possessed skills in both the blade and a shield. Perhaps acquiring and learning them are one of the keys?"

"Transformation Clue no. 2: Utilizing both weapon and shield requires great Strength with an enduring body to protect allies from harm."

"Transformation Clue no. 3: The will to protect comes from necessity, with the burning desire to uphold justice, serve and protect her people."

Once every clue is fulfilled, only then shall a Defolta take the huge step and transform into the Magical Girl of Shield.

"So basically, I need to find myself some weapon and shield, train and allocate the necessary Attributes, and do some good deeds that qualifies in the realm of protection and justice." Liam made his conclusion, "While I don't have problem upholding the first and third clue, I kind of screwed myself in the second, since I already allocated every one of my precious points to Mind."

"You're just level three, though, and it was a needed sacrifice on your part." Nekowa pointed out, "You still have a lot of levels to make up with. Besides, Aegis is not the path you necessarily have to take. There may be other transformations, preferably ones that focused on the Mind."

"True." Liam agreed and closed the System UI, "No use in dwelling too much about it. I guess I'm stuck with good old Defolta, for now."

***

The path ahead was uneventful as not even a single monster or threat show up to be a threat.

Which was kind of a bummer of its own. Liam wanted the experience for her to level up. Yet again, the System proved its stinginess since in addition to its lack of Map, it did not even support the feature of Quests or Journals. This meant that the only way to reliably gain Experience was through battle or perhaps, training.

Still, it was a relief to be in safety, and a day passed, they eventually arrived at their intended destination.

And as they expected, the village was in shambles. Numerous destroyed houses and ruined farmlands make up the entire area. The atmosphere was of no doubt, utterly depressing, and Liam could not help but sigh deeply at the grim sights that they were taking.

Obviously, not a single soul aside from them were present. It was all abandoned, and every last one of the villagers all suffered and perished under the cruel hands of Matilda and her bandit gang.

"There's nothing to see here." Liam muttered quietly but still enough for his companions to hear, "Let's just go."

Before they were about to leave, June suddenly released her hand away from Liam and begun walking slowly diagonally to the right.

Liam and Nekowa looked at each other, before deciding to follow her, wandering what piqued the girl in going to that particular direction.