Lux felt his throat tighten, a cold fist of terror gripping his insides. Clinging to the rough bark of the branch with trembling hands, he peered over the edge. Below, a modest fire crackled, and two figures hunched over the flames: a hulking, half-naked green man and his silver-haired companion.

  “Do you think humans eat this, Silver?” the green man, Novgar, gestured at the pot bubbling over the fire.

  Silver offered no response. “It’s so small, Novgar wants to put some meat on its bones, raise it well.” Novgar flexed his thick fingers, massive hand hovering in front of the flames. “Novgar could crush it with ease,” he declared, clenching his fist as if to demonstrate.

  Lux's eyes widened in alarm. What the hell is wrong with these two? Suddenly, Silver's head snapped up, his piercing silver eyes locking onto Lux. “Come down,” the velvety voice called, gentle yet brooking no refusal.

  Though trembling, Lux didn’t hesitate. He scrambled down the tree, landing awkwardly as a hearty, meaty aroma filled his nose, causing his stomach to growl. “Come, little human,” Novgar patted the ground beside him. “Novgar has made food.” In a blink, a bowl appeared in Novgar’s hand, soon filled with thick stew. Lux accepted the bowl, then the spoon Novgar handed him. “Eat,” Novgar instructed.

  The smell was irresistible, and Lux devoured the meal within seconds. When he finished, a water skin replaced the bowl in his hands. Although uneasy about the pair, at least he didn’t have to worry about finding food and water for now.

  “Silver, Novgar has come up with an idea to complete the dungeon.” Novgar thumped his chest, speaking about himself in the third person, a habit Lux noted since their first encounter.

  Silver waved a hand, motioning for Novgar to continue.

  “Hungar, the elder of the Redhill Boulder Tribe, once spoke about a Crooked-Winged Shattered Horse. The creature is very powerful, so its monster core would have a lot of energy! If Novgar remembers correctly, it was rumoured to be in this area.” Novgar’s gaze shifted to Lux. “With Novgar’s Lucky Charm, it would be easy to find it.”

  Burning silver eyes bore into Lux's terrified ones, making his entire body shudder. He didn’t know what a Crooked-Winged Shattered Horse was, but he was certain he never wanted to see it. “I don’t think that’s a good idea!” he blurted out.

  “Nonsense! Novgar has great ideas!” Novgar instantly refuted. “Come, little human Lux, it’s not good to delay. You still must pick up the book before we go find the Crooked-Winged Shattered Horse.” Novgar packed away the utensils into a small pouch at his waist before stamping out the fire with his bare feet.

  How tough were this green man’s feet not to get burned? Lux shook his head at the crazy man’s actions. Novgar took the lead, heading in what Lux assumed was the direction of the book. Thoughts of fleeing were pointless; Lux knew, with how easily the pair found him last night, escape was not an option.

  He resigned himself to his fate, hoping that once he’d helped activate the dungeon, they’d let him go. Preferably inside a safe city wall, where he could enjoy whatever time he had left in Mystic Beau.

  Ten minutes later, Lux stood before the thieving book. Realisation struck that he’d probably been wandering in circles yesterday, it was no wonder he was caught so easily. Lux sighed as he bent to retrieve the golden book.

  It came away from the ground without resistance, weighty like his heart. He tucked the book into the back of his pants, thinking he really needed to acquire a bag. Stuffing the book into his pants was awkward for traveling.

  “Little human, do you have a feel for what direction Novgar should go to find the Crooked-Winged Shattered Horse?” Lux wanted to curse; he wasn’t a flaming compass! Knowing arguing with Novgar was pointless, he simply lifted his hand and pointed in a random direction.

  They set off at a steady pace. As they walked, the dense green trees faded away, replaced by a sweeping meadow filled with colourful flowers. A sweet, floral fragrance hung thick in the air, tickling Lux’s nose.

  Lux’s terror of the pair diminished the longer they walked in companionable silence. He finally felt comfortable enough to ask some questions. “Novgar, once I’ve helped activate the dungeon, can you take me to a city?”

  “Novgar will do anything for his Lucky Charm! You just tell Novgar which city you want to go to, and Novgar will make it happen. Novgar will even smite all your enemies in Mystic Beau!” Novgar flexed his muscles, a crazed look flashing in his eyes. “Novgar is especially good at smiting!”

  Lux rolled his eyes. “Novgar, I don’t have any enemies in Mystic Beau. I just arrived yesterday, remember?”

  “Then when you make enemies, Novgar will smite them!” Novgar boomed.

  Lux pinched his brow. “Novgar, I don’t plan on making any enemies. I just want to enjoy my holiday in Mystic Beau.”

  Novgar seemed puzzled by his answer. “Then Novgar will train you to battle monsters!” Novgar eyed Lux up and down. “Can your puny arms hold a weapon?” Novgar produced a short sword from his pouch, offering it to Lux as if testing his ability to lift it.

  Lux refused the weapon. “Novgar, I don’t want to fight. I just want to find a part-time job and sightsee.” There was no way Lux was going to hold a sword; he had no plans to get close enough to anything to need to swing one.

  He still possessed some common sense! Getting up close with a monster was not something a human without combat skills should do. Lux almost laughed at the horrified expression on the large green man’s face. “Part-time job? Sightsee? How do you bring honour to your clan doing that?” Novgar asked, scandalised.

  “Humans are peaceful, Novgar. We don’t battle for honour,” Lux explained.

  “Then how do you bring honour to your clan?” Novgar looked genuinely interested. But before Lux could answer, a loud screech split the sky.

  A giant horse with leathery wings blocked out the sun. Thick skin covered its frame, its mane fluttering in the wind. Purple lightning flared each time the horse beat its wings. Overwhelmed by extreme fear, Lux’s legs buckled. He wanted to run, but terror rooted him to the spot.

  Novgar flexed his muscles, sweat breaking out on his brow. It looked like he was trying to break free from some unseen force. Suddenly, Novgar let out an explosive roar, veins bulging under his skin.

  Then the large green man cracked his neck and roared, “FOR THE BLUEHILL BOULDER TRIBE!” As Novgar screamed, arrows rained down on the beast, shredding its wings. The monster couldn’t withstand the onslaught and soon crashed to the ground.

  Lux thought the monster was done for, but the horse stomped its hooves, causing the ground to tremble. Purple lightning shot toward the charging Novgar, and the man started convulsing as soon as the lightning connected.

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  Soft, musical laughter sounded from behind Lux, sending tingles up his scalp. Then silver hair fluttered past him, and two glinting swords flashed. Lux watched in fascination as Silver danced around the monster, easily avoiding the lightning. With each step Silver took, blood splattered, and the monster screeched. Silver was just as adept with swords as he was with a bow.

  The monster struggled against the frightening silver-haired foe. Novgar joined the battle, and Lux laughed out loud despite the terror of the situation. The large green giant was not as nimble as Silver and convulsed every time he was hit with the purple lightning. The comical jerking was something Lux felt he’d never forget. Even though he was amused, he was also impressed, Novgar could continue to fight while being electrocuted.

  When the fight was finally over, Novgar was panting heavily. Silver, on the other hand, looked like he’d just taken a stroll through the woods. Lux’s fear of the man increased. Silver was someone he never wanted to get on the bad side of; he made a note to make more effort with the man.

  Lux was brought out of his thoughts by Novgar’s booming voice. “Lucky Charm, you really did it! You found the Crooked-Winged Shattered Horse! Come and collect the spoils!” Novgar waved him over to the carcass.

  Lux decided to play dead. There was no way he was going to stick his hand into another corpse’s brain. So he did the only thing he could think of… pretend to faint! Lux swayed, then flopped to the ground and closed his eyes.

  “Lucky Charm!” Panic was clear in Novgar’s voice as footsteps pounded closer. Lux squeezed his eyes shut as he was rolled over by a big hand. “Silver! What does Novgar do! Something is wrong with the human!”

  A moment later, a finger was placed under his nose, followed by a soft chuckle. “Squeamish human,” was whispered right next to his ear.

  Lux's cover was about to be blown! He held his breath, anticipating exposure. Yet, to his amazement, two sets of footsteps faded away. Cautiously, he cracked an eye open and saw Novgar and Silver busying themselves with the carcass. Whatever silent cue Silver had given Novgar, Lux was immensely grateful for it. Carcasses really weren't his thing.

  Determined to keep up the pretence, Lux remained sprawled on the ground with his eyes shut, just in case Silver changed his mind and summoned him for carcass duty. Eventually, hearing movement nearby, Lux feigned awakening.

  His eyes met Silver's smirking silver gaze. Lux quickly diverted his attention to Novgar. "Lucky Charm! You're finally awake!" Novgar beamed with joy at Lux's supposed revival. Before Lux could respond, a large orb, bigger than his head, was thrust into his hands. "Quick, give this to the dungeon."

  Momentarily baffled, Lux then recalled Novgar's meaning. He swiftly retrieved the book, opened it, and placed the orb on a blank page. The book absorbed the orb hungrily.

  Three pairs of eyes fixed on the book. When nothing happened, Lux sighed and closed it. Just as he was about to stow it away, something caught his eye. New writing adorned the cover: 'Dungeon guide 12% complete.'

  "Holy crap, only 12% after all those monster cores?" Lux exclaimed in disbelief. How many monsters would it take to activate this dungeon? A dreadful thought crept in. Was he stuck with these two for a hundred days?

  Lux lifted fearful eyes towards his companions. Novgar sat in a daze, but Silver's grin was downright unsettling. No way! He wasn’t spending his holiday with these lunatics! Before he could voice his refusal, Novgar shook off his stupor. "If the dungeon is only 12% complete, it must be a higher-level dungeon, right, Silver?"

  Silver's eyes sparkled with excitement. To Lux, he looked like a hungry man eyeing a feast. When the silver-haired man nodded, Lux felt metaphorical chains binding him. "Silver, you might finally return home!" Novgar cheered.

  Lux furrowed his brow at this revelation. Silver wanted to activate the dungeon to go home? Despite his irritation, Lux felt a pang of sympathy. He might not like Silver, but the man had kept him safe since his arrival yesterday.

  Lux could imagine the longing to return to one's own world, back to family and friends. No wonder Silver seemed to be holding him hostage. Shaking off the sentiment, Lux reminded himself that staying with these two might mean never returning home.

  A clap on the shoulder from Novgar snapped him back to reality. "You truly are a Lucky Charm! With a high-level dungeon, Silver can't fail his task!"

  Lux raised a brow. "Task?"

  "Ah, of course, you wouldn't know! When Silver entered Mystic Beau, the world appointed him a permanent resident. He can't leave until his task is complete," Novgar explained proudly. "Silver's such an amazing fighter, Mystic Beau doesn't want to let him go!"

  Curiosity piqued, Lux asked, "Did you have to stay too, Novgar?"

  Novgar deflated slightly. "No, Novgar needs extension visas to stay."

  "Extension visas?" Lux was more puzzled the longer the conversation went on.

  "Just like the entry visa to Mystic Beau, you can earn extension visas by defeating monsters in a dungeon," Novgar elaborated. "Novgar has been here for seven years." He thumped his chest with pride.

  Lux chuckled at Novgar's expression but remembered his initial question had gone unanswered. "So, what’s your task, Silver?"

  Silver hesitated, grinding his teeth. Lux doubted he'd answer, but to his surprise, Silver spoke in an even, flat tone. "I need a city named after me."

  "What?" Lux was baffled. Why would Mystic Beau demand a city named after Silver? Then again, this world didn’t make much sense to begin with. "Couldn't you just build some houses, put up a sign, and call it done?"

  Laughter erupted from Novgar. "Silver already tried that," he said, eyes gleaming with amusement at the memory.

  Silver sighed. "Not enough. Needs to be a city."

  Well, that clarified Silver's ongoing presence in Mystic Beau. What it didn’t explain was his interest in the dungeon. "If you need a city, why focus on a dungeon?"

  "Novgar can answer that! Novgar thought of the idea!" Novgar declared with pride. "All major cities in Mystic Beau are near dungeons."

  Lux's confusion deepened. This whole conversation was making his head spin. "What does that have to do with Silver’s city?"

  "A dungeon attracts people. Most who come to Mystic Beau want to explore a dungeon. It’s a straightforward way to gather monster cores and grow stronger," Novgar patiently explained. "So, with a dungeon, a city will naturally form."

  Surprisingly, that made sense to Lux. What astonished him was that the plan originated with Novgar. Lux had underestimated him.

  Now understanding the dungeon's purpose, Lux's thoughts turned to logistics. "So, how long do you think it'll take to gather all the monster cores?" he asked, focusing on the towering green man.