"No way..." Beltrand's amaze reaction as he stare on the phone screen held by Sophia. Sophia is having a proud smile showing her photo with the dead wyvern.

  After a month. Grand Ecstasy finally reunited and now staying inside Mateo's home in Yhigressia, the group are casually telling reports of what they did as Mateo cook the pancit canton chillimansi.

  Beltrand, Shirna and Claustrine are looking on the photos taken by Sophia and Mateo including the wyvern shot.

  "We having difficulties when fighting wyverns yet you two managed to beat one with Mateo even in weakened state. Congrats." Claustrine's praise.

  But Claustrine's praise are suddenly get challenged when she notices something in the background. Claustrine then zooms the picture with her fingers to see the horde of Fisher Spiders on the canyon walls.

  "I see... So that's what happened? Unbelievable." She snorts.

  "What?" Shirna's confusion.

  "These two use the spiders to their advantage."

  Beltrand and Shirna look at Mateo who placed the huge plate of pancit canton on the table. Their stare are now with hint with suspicion and dissapointment.

  "Well you got us." Mateo scoffs.

  "I knew it. There's no way you two can beat a wyvern by facing it alone." Beltrand sigh.

  Each one gets their fork and starts eating the fried noodles bite-by-bite.

  "What level you managed to reach Mateo?" Claustrine's question.

  "Level 70. Great starting point and I can feel I'm closing to my previous power before the reset."

  "So you can confidently join us now?" -Beltrand.

  "I guess so. With extreme caution of course."

  "Mateo. Our job always requires extreme caution." Beltrand's correction.

  "Coming from you Beltrand. We're got into few close calls because of your recklessness." Helyna's reminder as she look at Beltrand with disbelief while chewing her food.

  "What exactly you guys doing when me and Sophia are gone?"

  "Well, we continued doing quests of course. It's just Beltrand is so stubborn and fight most of the monsters and outlaws using his fists and legs." Claustrine then sigh.

  "As if you didn't do on-spot experiments. You almost poisoned us one time." Beltrand's counter.

  The two gives heated stare at each other. Mateo just laugh.

  "Come on, atleast you guys also spend the time training. I can tell we all grow a little bit." Mateo's remarks, Helyna, Sophia and Shirna nods in agreement.

  "The real question is, where we should go now that we're in a group again?" Sophia's question.

  "Hmmmm? I'm thinking that we should return on Reverse Tower. Monsters there are more consistent and reliable compared to the wild."

  "That's not possible right now Mateo." Helyna's answer.

  "Why?"

  "I just visited the guild earlier before coming here and learn the news. Apparently, something happened in the tower and it's now off-limits."

  "Again?" Beltrand's confusion.

  "Maybe you should ask Revto. She probably know something about that." Claustrine's suggestion as she fork another clump of noodles.

  "She didn't appeared since that day."

  "Oh..." -Claustrine.

  "Then where we go now?" Helyna's question.

  Before Mateo even answer, Shirna's ear perked up and he suddenly stand up then walk towards the window. He opened it and look outside like he's expecting something.

  "What are you doing?" Mateo's confused question.

  "My messenger bird just called me."

  A bird landed on the wooden sill. A small scrap of paper attached on its leg which Shirna carefully picked before giving it a snacd and sending the bird away.

  Shirna walks back to the table while opening the paper, reading its content.

  "Oh... Oh no..." Shirna mumbles with worried expression.

  "Something wrong?" Sophia's concerned question.

  "My kingdom calls for my presence..."

  "It seems very important." Mateo's casual response as he continues to eat pansit canton which he now put on a sliced bread.

  "They also asking me to bring you guys there."

  Grand Ecstasy suddenly halted after hearing the news. There's still noodles hanging on Mateo and Helyna's mouth.

  "What the fuck?" Beltrand's calm yet surprised reaction.

  Mateo chews and swallows with haste.

  "What exactly you did Shirna?" Mateo is still in disbelief.

  Claustrine meanwhile already predicted the reason as she sigh deeply.

  "Well... Uhmmm... My friend in Frilehm who created my guns got caught. Sorry!" Shirna answer with defeat.

  "I knew it." -Claustrine.

  Sophia and Beltrand facepalmed.

  "W-what we should do?" Shirna's scared question.

  "Can I have the letter?"

  "Uhmm... Sure."

  Shirna gives the letter to Mateo who read it seriously.

  *******

  Shirna... I'm so sorry but the workshop got discovered by the Queen's agent. I got interrogated about these guns and I accidentally revealed it came from you. Now the Queen wants to talk to you and your party.

  Please come and don't worry, they didn't hurt me.

  -Your cute bestfriend Yhio

  ******

  "Can we trust the farewell words Shirna?"

  "Hmmm... our queen is not a cruel one so its true, I think?"

  "I see. Then we go there."

  "Mateo are you sure? This a a matter that might alter this world in huge degree." Claustrine's confirmation.

  "We already started it the moment we allowed Shirna to wield guns. Now it's for us to manage it to the best of our abilities."

  Mateo looked at worried Shirna.

  "Besides. I'm more concerned on what would happened if we refuse."

  Claustrine close her eyes and smile lightly.

  "Well then. I have no objections."

  "Anyone wants to refuse or have questions?"

  Beltrand makes a deep breath.

  "Nothing here. It's already done anyway so complaining wont do shit." Beltrand smirks.

  "I'm in." -Helyna.

  "Me too!" -Sophia.

  "Good. Tommorow morning, we're going to Frilehm. I trust you that you guide as there Shirna."

  Shirna gives a smile full of gratitude due to his friends lending a hand.

  "Yes!"

  "Frilehm is located deep in Savagery Forest. It's also a great place for you to level up Mateo." Claustrine's suggestion which perked Mateo's interest.

  "Oh... That's true. We can fight monsters on the way there."

  "But it's completely different beast from the alps. Can you really take it?" Sophia is worried, seeing how Mateo struggled from the monsters. She's unsure if he can handle beasts leagues stronger than usual.

  Mateo smile.

  "I have you guys to rely on."

  "But don't rely on us that much..." Claustrine smirks.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  "I know... I will not become a deadweight."

  After the short meeting, Grand Ecstasy seperates and goes back to their homes in order to prepare on their departure. Mateo is inside his room in Earth, lying in his bed and staring on the ceiling as he's full of contemplation.

  After few seconds. He gets his BoS placed beside him and picked a Jewel of the Forest. The cyan gem glimmers lightly and giving dim brightness on the dark room.

  Mateo's expression is calm but his demeanor shows hints of pain and thoughts as he held the gem high while staring at it.

  "Perhaps it's time for you return to your home." Mateo mumbled.

  ~~~~~~°~~~~~~

  Savagery Forest, a 5 million square kilometer of dense greenery. Contrast to its serene appearance, it's still a vast sea of thick trees full of dangers of varying intensity.

  But despite the dangers, humans still ventures on it's deepths in search of richest and glory. Such desire for action and adventure sprouts multiples outposts for the adventurers to stay for the night.

  Daytime in one of said outpost, a squad of adventurers are busy preparing for their next expedition.

  "Come on! Move in haste! We can't waste more time!" The leader commands as he watch his members continues their gear inspection. He's already prepared and just waiting for the rest.

  "Boss what we hunting next?" A swordsman asked as he sharpened his sword.

  "Our next target is a nightrax. So we need to find one before nightime comes as we have no chance fighting it in the dark."

  "No wonder you're in haste boss!" A shielder's remarks.

  As the party finished their preperation. The archer aims her bow on the sky as a ritual of some sort and then she noticed something from the distance.

  A clump of black dots moving erraticly towards their camp.

  "Boss what is that?! On our left!" The archer reports.

  Everyone looks up and there, they see the dark spots now closer and find it that they have wings.

  "Birds?" The leader's guess.

  But he doesn't want to guess anymore as he see he horde coming closer and closer.

  "Everyone grab your weapons! Mages prepare mass area spells! They're coming here!"

  The leader's command are solid. His subordinates follows accordingly.

  "You two cast your gale and flamethrower on my command. Melee fighters! protect yourself and the mages for possible attacks!"

  "Yes sir!"

  The two mages move on front and prepare their magic with their staff.

  "Hold..."

  The leader waits as he observe the flying creatures...

  "Hold it..."

  The creatures are now close enough for them to see some of their feautres. It makes him baffled.

  "Rats?"

  "Boss?!" One of the mages shouts which make the leader come to his senses.

  "UNLEASH YOUR SPELLS!"

  The two mages unleash their wide area magic. Engulfing the flying critters with the elemantal might of flame and wind as they got shredded and burned. Falling from the sky like rain.

  Yet the horde continues its advances with zero regard on the fatal attacks happening on their ranks. Now reaching the adventurers.

  "HERE THEY COMES!"

  The horde collides with the adventurers. They see what's attacking them. It's like small black rats with wings, flying wildly everywhere with no coordination.

  They all see the animosity possessing the creatures. Like they have desire to attack any living being on the vicinity, bordering into insanity as they sacrifice their life just to give a bite.

  "WHAT ARE THESE CREATURES?!" The swordsman shout as he slash multiple critter in the air. One hug his arm and manage to bite him. The swordsman swipe the flying rat with his arm and stomp it to the ground.

  "THEY'RE NOT A THREAT BUT THESE FUCKERS ARE ANNOYING AS FUCK!" The archer shouts!

  The party continues to defend themselves while recieving some minor bite from the dark creatures. They're so focused on combat that they didn't notice that the horde is now scattering everywhere and leaving the party behind.

  Like the horde is just a wind passing by.

  "W-what?!" The shielder's confused question.

  "Status report?" The leader asked.

  After a few seconds of recollection.

  "No grave injuries boss." The healer reported.

  The leader nods then picks one of the dead critter on the ground and observe it.

  "What even are these thing? This is my first time seeing this creature."

  On his fingers is a dead bat the size of his hand. The leader notices that the mouth of the bat he holding is foaming.

  "Healer. Did you notices signs of poisoning on any of us?"

  The healer inspects again for a moment with his observation.

  "No boss. It seems these creatures are not venomous."

  "I see..." The leader answer.

  Yet he can't stop feeling unease as he continues to watch the bat he holding. So he made an ultimatum.

  "We going to return to Horic and report this to the guild. Let's pospone the nightrax hunt. Pack your belongings now."

  His members repond and starts cleaning their camp. The peculiar bats still lingering on their mind.

  .

  .

  .

  The bats continues to spread towards the Savagery Forest. Attacking any creatures on sight with no self-preservation. One of them manages to reach a huge underground cave where it flies deeper and deeper.

  But it's slowly showing sign of exhaustion as his flying becomes even more erratic. Yet the bat persevere until...

  It landed into a large golden furred creature. With its last ounce of strenght, it bites the creatures which make it alerted and...

  Its large trunk slams the bat. Splatting it like a mere mosquito and ending its life. The large creature returns on slumber like nothing happened.

  .

  .

  .

  The next day, far away from the Adventurer's outpost lies a small village of beastfolk doing their daily lives in peace.

  A beastfolk alongside others are plowing the fields with their raw physical strenght. He's so focused on work that he didn't noticed a bat diving towards his back and biting his neck.

  "Ouch!"

  The pain makes the beastfolk swats the thing on his back and throw it to the ground. The bat being already on the brink of death dies on impact.

  "Uwhat is wrong?" A fellow beastfolk is alerted and concerned after hearing the pain of his brethren.

  "Shomething bite my neck." The bitten then points to the ground to show what caused his discomfort.

  The two looks down and see the black dead bat on the ground. His friend chuckle.

  "Rweally? You cry because of... That?" The beastfolk friend then gives a smug smile which make the bitten unamused.

  "Wha ha... Very funny. Now if you excuse me." The bitten just ignores the teasing and returns on plowing the soil.

  His friend chuckle then look on the bat.

  "Ind seriousness. What even is this thing? It's like rat with wings."

  "Whoa knows? It's also my first time seeing such creature."

  "Pwerhaps we can consult the high priestess?" The friend's look with curiosity but the bitten beastfolk just wave his hand with disregard.

  "Doan't bother the sacred priestess with such unnecessary matters." Then he resumes on his work.

  The friend just shrug and put the event under wraps as everyone resumes their field work.

  ~~~~~~°~~~~~~

  Days later after Grand Ecstasy depart from Nattunia. They're already in the accursed forest with Shirna on the front guiding the group.

  "I already missing the soft bed." Beltrand's comment as he swat a bug crawling on his arm.

  "How far exactly Frihelm is Shirna?" Claustrine's question as it's her first time visiting the ellusive city of the elves.

  "It's a place located in the middle of this forest. Without a guide, you will never reach it."

  "Is that much of a hassle?" Beltrand's question.

  "My brethren are very cautious againts outsiders and you already know why."

  "Ah, right..." Helyna frowns.

  "We need to visit on a elven town first to get permits for all of you."

  "Permits? We're personally invited by your queen, why we need authorization?" Mateo is confused as the letters clearly speaks the Queen's intent to meet them.

  "Just to be safe. Also to make them assess you guys if you're trustworthy."

  "You don't trust us Shirna?" Beltrand's casual question.

  "Not me! My fellow elves!" Shirna is annoyed.

  As Grand Ecstasy continues to explore the forest. They also encounter few monsters which Mateo with his friends' assisstance beat for EXP.

  "Slower EXP gain than I expected." Mateo's comment as he look on his status window.

  When night comes, they set camps which unlike before, becomes even more comfortable thanks to some quality-of-life improvements like tents and soft bedding partnered by canned and preserved foods with cups of good hot coffee.

  The party's adventure continues as they walk branching paths and beat few monsters.

  "We're now near the village of the forest beastfolks." Shirna's comment.

  "We're not intruding on their territory?" -Mateo.

  "As long as we have no ill intentions, we're fine."

  Suddenly, Shirna's ears perked up.

  "Everyone stop of a moment."

  With Shirna's signal. The others behind him halt their movement.

  "What's wrong Shirna?" Claustrine's faint question.

  Shirna didn't answer but instead focus his senses as he look forward.

  "Something is running towards us."

  "Monster?"

  "No Mateo. I don't think so."

  Grand Ecstasy wielded their weapons and prepare for the worst, they're all tense as they wait for the thing to reveal itself.

  Then it finally appears to the surprise and worry of everyone as it's a orange female beastfolk in brink of exhaustion. It's expression filled with terror.

  The female beastfolk at first is startled on the humans in front but then she saw a moon elf among them which changes her demeanor a bit. The beastfolk run towards Grand Ecstasy.

  "P-pwease h-help us!" The beastfolk's teary plead to Shirna.

  "Huh?! Why you're in panic?" Shirna's confusion and worry.

  "Thie village! There's something happening in the village! Please! Contact your fellow elves!"

  "Maybe we can help." Sophia also starting to get worry.

  "Eek!"

  "Calm down! They're good humans from Nattunia. You can trusts them." Shirna's vouch.

  The beastfolk is hesistant at first then she shake his head.

  "A-aah... Ay don't care anymore! My village needs help! Please help us!" The beastfolk's teary pleading.

  "Calm down. Tell us what is happening first." Mateo's attempt on gaining information.

  "Hiow I'm suppose to know!? Ahhhh! Just follow me and see it for yourself!"

  The orange beastfolk runs back, Grand Ecstasy looked at each other in confusion them reach a concensus as the party run and follows her.

  It takes few minutes of running until they finally reached the village of the beastfolk. What greeted them is absolute dread as they see a bunch of dead beastfolks lying on the ground. Some have clear sign of injuries from weapons, others have chunks of their flesh bitten out. And few who have foaming mouths and appears extremely sick.

  "My Goddess..." Sophia's lingering anxiety.

  "W-what happened here?" Beltrand's disgusted question.

  "Ewveryone! Over here before they got alerted!"

  "Alerted what?!"

  "M-mai fellow beastfolk." The beastfolk speak with paind on her voice.

  The orange beastfolk guides Grand Ecstasy towards the center of the village where a large dome of earth is located. The dome is made with hexagonal panels made of soil connected with each other like a soccer ball.

  "W-what is that?"

  "Einside that is our temple. We need to enter that place."

  Grand Ecstasy got spooked by a deep gargled howls coming from behind. Mateo looks back and see three beastfolk running towards them with extreme speed.

  "We need to get there faster!" Mateo's shout.

  With their strenght. Grand Ecstasy race witht the beastfolk which Mateo continues to observe. What caught his attention are the thick foam forming on their mouth and intense saliva production. They're hype-aggressiveness are also a huge note.

  Mateo knows the enhanced physical prowess of the beastfolks but what he saw are beastfolk with full disregard on the limits of their bodies. Pushing their strenght and muscle and unleashing tremendous power abnormal to what beastfolk usually possesses to the point that strains their body in extreme disrepair.

  Mateo feels chills watching the three beastfolk acting insane. When he saw that one of them prepares to pounce.

  "Barrier!"

  The beastfolk leaps within seconds, reaching the group with great speed only to get greeted by a bright yellow barrier. Sophia watch in horror as the three beastfolk desperately tears the barrier with their claws and mouth to no avail. Their eyes met and she feel the unwarrented wrath they possessed.

  Yet Sophia also feel that the wrath is empty. No reason, purely by unknown factor that makes them act that way.

  "Pwease let us in!!!" The orange beastfolk begs as she slams the earth dome.

  A small opening appears on the dome which make the beastfolk glad and relieved.

  "Geit inside now!"

  Grand Ecstasy hurriedly enters the dome and when every is finally safe, the earth dome closes, leaving the mad beastfolks behind.

  .

  .

  .

  Inside the dome. Grand Ecstasy are geeted by a large imposing yet sacred building. The architecture is tribalist in design with the building primaly made with logs, clay and skinhide. The entire building illuminated by holes in the ceiling of the dome, just small enough for light and air to enter.

  This creates a serene vibe to the temple. Mateo continues to watch until something caught his attention.

  "Huh?"

  Alongside the tribalist otherworldy archetecture. Mateo is baffled to see a slightly recognizable object that he didn't expected to see.

  A red Tori gate is standing tall and completely not match the aesthetic of the place. The gate greeting their presence.

  Suddenly. A group of beastfolk appears and points their weapons on Grand Ecstasy. They look fine compared from the beastfolk outside the dome. The leader of the armed group moves forward with angered expression which genuine and not forced.

  "WUHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING ISMORELA?! BRINGING HUMANS HERE?!" The booming voice of the authority makes the orange beastfolk flinch.

  "T-twhey're our only option! It would take days for me to reach an elven village and that takes more days before they can send help!" Ismorela fights back.

  Grand Ecstasy clearly not feel welcomed on the tribe but despite that. They clearly willing to help on whatever they dealing with.

  "You know that this is not the time for such pointless quarrel. Tell us everything and we will do our best to help." Mateo's stern words as he shows his adventurer badge. The captains sees it and calms a little bit.

  "Are you all from Nattunia?" He asked.

  "Yes. Well, except for our elven friend here."

  The captain contemplates for a while before making a deep breath.

  "Soldiers. Drop your weapons."

  The soldiers follows and remove their hostility.

  "Follow me."