‎For an hour, the four of them remained together and hunted through every potential beast territory with wit and strategy, like a miniature battle between humans and monsters. During this time, they succeeded in conquering one of the beast territories of Enraged rank creatures, a group numbering about twenty. Once again, they reserved the Essence cores for later consumption while pressing on with their hunt.

‎Through the tactics they employed, combined with an unwavering composure and the careful study of which beasts lay dormant within each territory by means of Orion's Shadow, they avoided depleting their stamina excessively and likewise steered clear of a full-scale battle.

‎At present, they were not in the condition to endure such a trial. Along the way, Adela was the only one to receive a reward from the Manual, which she gladly revealed to the others with delight. It was some manner of hairpin, although she remarked that the information was... concealed.

‎That was the first time any of them had encountered such a thing. Receiving a reward without information meant there was no way for her to ascertain its precise purpose.

‎Thus, she set it aside without devoting much thought to it. The others received no reward after each kill, as though the more they slew lower ranked creatures such as the Enraged rank, the Manual deemed the effort unworthy of recompense, or perhaps there was nothing in the foreseeable future for which a reward would serve their needs.

‎Kyle, in particular, understood that he had yet to face the opponent for whom the StarGod Twin Dagger had been granted to him, for he witnessed the overwhelming might it unleashed upon every creature it struck. At one point, it became too brutal. A single shallow slash was sufficient to sever the arm of even a Brute type with a carapace. Although the carapace was not as thick as that of a Titan type, it was still no small feat to accomplish such with so meagre a strike.

‎Any time he attempted a more forceful stab or slash, the damage inflicted was far deeper. In all honesty, it was more potent and keener than the other three weapons.

‎Not to mention, the weapon suited his untrained self. Yet he knew that sooner or later he would truly need to master the art of battle with a sword as effortlessly as the other three. And if he could not... then he might simply have to refine his dog-fighting, unorthodox style into a personal, undefeatable form of combat, one with sufficient ferocity to overwhelm even the most disciplined fighters.

‎If he could exploit the roughness and unpredictability, then it could indeed become formidable. For now, he resolved to place his trust in his crude and untutored method. Perhaps it might prove his lucky charm in battle, of course.

‎In many respects, his current technique was powerful enough to bring down any creature. Truthfully, he felt with conviction that he could face a Titan type alone, just as Na-Ri had done. After all, that was his ambition: to become stronger than her or anyone else, so he would never again have to depend upon another or bow before anyone. And if, by then, he had someone to protect, armed with enough will, he would be more than capable of it.

‎The four of them pressed on through the stony terrain, armed and smeared with the blood of other beasts. They remained vigilant, ever watchful for their sudden nemesis, the horseman.

‎Gradually, weariness overcame them, and after a time they resolved to rest once more. As they settled upon the rocks, the Shadow returned bearing great news.

‎"Yes! Guess what, guys? We have finally arrived at the turn. Ugh, at last!" Orion announced with unrestrained delight.

‎Adela could not help but smile radiantly, and Kyle did likewise. Na-Ri, however, remained as indifferent as ever. She did not appear prepared to mark the milestone with even the faintest smile.

‎Kyle regarded her with a trace of questioning in his eyes.

‎"Aren't you glad that we are drawing close to the Citadel now?"

‎The beautiful stranger frowned and replied in a hoarse voice:

‎"Not truly. Not until we pass that place. Have you forgotten the horde expected to be there, that is assuming we are even upon the right path, for we have mismingled the road more than once."

‎Orion shook his head in disagreement before speaking:

‎"...We are very much on the right path. Had we strictly followed Orwen's layout without Scouty to help us improvise, we would not be here now. He is not omnipotent, so he cannot always be right. Besides, I am not even certain he knew of that bridge at all, let alone the horseman. And... it is unwise to heed strangers, even if he saved our lives."

‎'He is not wrong, though. I can never trust that madman,' Kyle thought, scowling.

‎The grey-haired beauty, after a brief moment of reflection, conceded to the handsome youth's words. She glanced at the beautiful stranger, who seemed lost in her quiet thoughts after his statement, then remarked:

‎"So, should we hasten our pace so we may reach the Citadel more swiftly? Honestly, we are nearing a week on this journey... and we still have a hound at our heels."

‎She had made a reference to the horseman. One way or another, they did not know why Orwen had abandoned the Citadel to return into the open of the perilous island.

‎Had he betrayed them, or had something transpired between him and the people of the Citadel?

‎Either way, they would discover the truth soon enough.

‎Na-Ri gazed into the distance for a time, then lowered her eyes to her blade, glistening with the blood of countless beasts. A faint smile crept across her lips as she asked:

‎"Should we..."

‎All at once, they were assailed again... by... by...

‎'What in the hell is this man's problem!?' Kyle screamed inwardly.

‎Fortunately for them, the beautiful stranger swiftly conjured a thick layer of ice to obstruct the monstrous arrow's strike, though it shattered upon impact. The four of them drew a deep breath of anger as they stood shoulder to shoulder, watching the horseman ride towards them once more.

‎

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