Perilous Territory      

"Von, you're here," Horizon said, his voice a little tense. "Did you find a builder?"

Von flashed a grin and nodded. "Yeah, I found one dwarf, two Orcs, and three Gnolls. They're waiting for us outside. Though I have no such luck of finding our two member. Have you guys bought any equipment yet?"

Lydia shook her head, casting a glance at Horizon. "Not yet. Got a little distracted by, uh . . . other things."

Von tilted his head, clearly amused by their odd tension. "Other things, huh? Well, whatever it was, just make sure you're ready. The builder's top-tier, but they won't wait around forever."

Horizon frowned as he browsed the blacksmith's wares, his disappointment evident. The shop couldn't offer anything better than what he already had.

Still, he made a few purchases — daggers, bombs, potions, and accessories to boost his stats.