Isola was the first to break the silence, "A Safe Zone? Could it be a place shielded from the Blood Rain?" she conjectured, her eyes sparkling with intrigue.
Merina's eyes also glowed as she chimed in, "Or a place with abundant resources we can safely use. We could certainly use those."
Ceti, silent till now, finally spoke, her voice firm and resonating in the cave, "Maybe both of you are right. But it could also mean others might be around that place or within it already. We could very well be walking into dozens of Hunters or enemies of our kingdom."
Asher nodded as he said, "You three are probably right. But this 'Safe Zone' could potentially solve most of the problems we are facing now. Food, drinks, shelter, potions, armor, and whatnot. We really don't have a choice but to check out this Safe Zone since I believe they put this map fragment here for a reason. We just have to make sure we get there as quickly as possible before more people gather."
He then turned towards Ziloa and asked, "Since you have the map fragment, how long would it take for us to get there?"
Zizola's gaze became absent for a moment as she checked her map. She then said with a slightly anxious look, "It doesn't seem that far. By foot, it should take us half an hour, but since we haven't explored the map towards the north, the places between the Safe Zone and this cave are unknown. I don't know if any problems might come up."
Asher nodded in realization as he understood the fact that this map fragment Zizola received only pointed out the place where the Safe Zone was but nothing else.
Isola briefly glanced at the falling Blood Rain painting the cavern's mouth with a sinister crimson before saying, "That's fine. We have almost 2 hours to discuss getting there, and I have a feeling this dungeon is big enough to not let too many people get crowded in an area," Isola speculated based on their short journey here.
Asher nodded in agreement when suddenly Zizola said, "We also found something else."
Their eyes turned towards Zizola. With a slightly quivering hand, she revealed a silver scroll from within her satchel. It glowed with ethereal light, mystic symbols dancing across its parchment, "This was within this cave as well," she said, her voice tinged with excitement, "A Skill Scroll that is a bit strange…I had never seen one like it."
The group's attention instantly shifted to the scroll. Skill Scrolls were often abilities that could be engraved onto one's mana circuit.
Zizola deeply bowed, presenting the scroll to him in her hands, "Your Highness, I believe it would be of the greatest use in your capable hands."
A murmur of assent echoed from Zizola's followers, even though their faces were etched with disappointment. It was the only other thing they found in this cave, and they had a feeling it was vital for their survival.
But they understood their Chieftain's rationale. Pleasing the royal consort was not only beneficial for them but could also secure the future of their tribe.
Asher regarded Zizola with a subtle smile and accepted it right away, "Thank you, Zizola," He carefully accepted the scroll, feeling the pulse of power contained within. As he unrolled it, he took a look at its description,
[ Skill: Ethereal Culinary Arts ]
[ Type: Limited ]
[ Description: Harness the natural resources of the dungeon to prepare sustenance. Unleash the hidden power within the ingredients, resulting in meals with unique benefits. Base meals provide an increase in MP and restore stamina ]
[ Restriction: You can only learn 1 Limited Skill out of 4 during the entire quest. Once learned, you cannot learn any other Limited Skill, nor can you remove it. You will forget this Skill once the quest ends ]
[ Skill Progression:
Level 1 - Novice Cook: Can prepare simple meals. Learns Common Grade recipes.
Level 2 - Journeyman Cook: Learns how to combine ingredients in new ways and identify more varieties of resources. Learns Rare Grade recipes.
Level 3 - Expert Cook: Mastery over complex recipes with multiple ingredients and identify a number of resources. Learns Epic Grade recipes.
Level 4 - Master Cook: Can create food that provides unique buffs in addition to the standard ones. Learns special Epic Grade recipes.
Level 5 - Grandmaster Cook: Capable of creating legendary meals that can drastically enhance the eater's abilities or even provide temporary immunity to certain status effects. Learns Legendary Grade recipes ]
As his gaze swept over the details, Asher was struck by the skill's potential for helping them in their current predicament.
Now he realized why this quest didn't allow anyone to use any mana-infused items they brought from home. As the rules mentioned, they should only use the resources within this dungeon.
He passed the scroll around to his group members, as they took a look at it as well.
He saw their eyes widening just like this as they slowly looked up at him. They all understood the significance of this find. They now had found a way to sustain themselves in the dungeon.
Asher's gaze landed on the shy maid, "Merina," Asher began, his eyes holding a spark of humor as they met hers, "We all know that your cooking skills are unparalleled among us. I believe you'll be the one to make the best use of this skill," His words echoed in the cave, causing the air around them to feel lighter.
A blush spread across Merina's cheeks as she sheepishly took the Skill Scroll from Asher. She felt her heart flutter under everyone's expectant gazes, a mix of anxiety and excitement bubbling within her.
"I'll do my best, Master," Merina said with a confident yet soft nod. She looked down at the Skill Scroll in her hands, a resolute gleam in her eyes. She was determined to live up to her Master's faith in her.
Isola clapped her on the shoulder with a supportive smile, "No pressure, Merina. But we'll definitely be looking forward to tasting your dungeon cuisine," Isola had tasted Merina's cooking before, and it wouldn't be a stretch to say that Merina's cooking was one of the best she had ever tasted.
Ceti's gaze softened upon seeing her mother so happy. But her face flashed with a complicated look, feeling that her mother wasn't happy because she got the Skill Scroll but because of Asher's flattering compliment.
However, she also knew her mother would have never gotten this strong without him, which also left her conflicted.
And why did it feel like the way her mother looked at Asher was nothing like how a maid usually looks at her Master.
It made her wonder if…No!...Ceti didn't want to entertain this thought, though it still lingered within her mind like always, pricking her nerves.
Almost 2 hours later, in another part of the dungeon,
The serene gurgling of the small stream that cut through the dense undergrowth of the dungeon forest was broken by a chorus of gleeful shouts.
Five figures huddled together, their faces lit up with a shared sense of discovery and accomplishment. The flickering light of a nearby luminescent plant illuminated their faces, casting long shadows that danced to the rhythm of their excitement.
Their leader, a young woman with a braid of black hair and a pair of keen black eyes, held up a parchment scroll that shimmered with an ethereal glow. Her proud smile reflected the feeling of achievement that radiated off the parchment.
"Haha! Who would have thought that monster had such a treasure in its belly! It's a Limited Skill Scroll," she exclaimed, her voice tinged with disbelief and delight as she took a look at it.
[ Skill: Earthborn Harvesting Arts ]
[ Type: Limited ]
[ Description: Extract and collect resources from the natural environment, creatures, and treasures of the dungeon. Harvesting at base level allows for gathering of common materials from nature and defeated foes ]
[ Restriction: You can only learn 1 Limited Skill out of 4 during the entire quest. Once learned, you cannot learn any other Limited Skill, nor can you remove it. You will forget this Skill once the quest ends ]
[ Skill Progression:
Level 1 - Novice Harvester: Able to harvest Common Grade materials from the natural surroundings and slain creatures.
Level 2 - Journeyman Harvester: Learns to harvest resources more efficiently. Speed of harvesting increases, and there is a chance of acquiring Rare Grade materials.
Level 3 - Expert Harvester: Master of complex extraction techniques that can yield Epic Grade materials.
Level 4 - Master Harvester: Can identify and extract valuable materials that might be invisible to the naked eye. The yield of Epic Grade materials increases, and there is a chance for bonus yield.
Level 5 - Grandmaster Harvester: Capable of harvesting Legendary Grade materials from the most formidable creatures and resources. Bonus yield chance significantly increases. ]
The group erupted in excited chatter, relief flooding their faces. The idea that they could finally get some loot or harvest resources that could help them survive brought them an enormous sense of security.
The largest among them, a burly man with a thick beard and hardened eyes, chuckled deeply. "Great work, Jeni. Guess this isn't as hopeless as we thought," he boomed, his laughter echoing through the clearing.
Their joyful chatter was suddenly silenced as a rustle from the forest edge caught their attention. Their bodies tensed up, and they all reached for their weakened weapons instinctively, their eyes scanning the surrounding forest.
Emerging from the dense foliage came a group of four women and a man.
The person who stood at the front was a woman with long blue hair, bright blue eyes, and an air of nobility around her.
Jeni and her team had their eyes widened in awe and disbelief upon recognizing that the woman in the front was none other than Rachel Sterling, the daughter of the President of WHA.
And her presence, accompanied by the charming Victor Hart, the enigmatic Amelia von Haughton, and the other two unknown but equally formidable-looking girls, immediately dwarfed the joyous atmosphere that had enveloped the five Hunters, humbling them.
Victor's bright green eyes quickly and subtly caught sight of the Limited Skill Scroll in their hands.
Rachel, with a faint smile, addressed the group, "What a good surprise. You guys are the first friendly group we are coming upon," Her gaze momentarily became icy as she added, "We only got to kill a few demons till we got here."
Jeni glanced at her teammates with a look of surprise and said to Rachel with a relieved smile, "Miss Sterling, it's an honor to meet you. We fortunately never came upon any demons on the way. We took shelter under a huge rock during the Blood Rain and then came here."
Jeni then remembered that the Limited Skill Scroll was in her hand, and with someone like Rachel standing before her, she suddenly felt the pressure to at least offer it to her, even though she knew she and her teammates needed this.
But in the end, she decided to slowly tuck it away.
"Oh, is that a Limited Skill Scroll in your hand?" Victor suddenly asked as he pointed at Jeni's hand.
Jeni awkwardly smiled as her teammates held their breath, glazing at her, "Y-Yes, we found this after killing a monster who was hiding in this stream," Jeni then looked at Rachel and offered the scroll with a friendly smile, "Perhaps...do you want this Miss Sterling?"
Rachel, however, shook her head gently, "There's no need for that. My team and I have found one of these already, and I'm confident we will find more. You should keep it; you and your friends earned it," she said, her words holding a firm conviction that made Jeni's heart relax and admired how noble Rachel was.
However, before Jeni could withdraw the scroll, Victor interjected with a smile, "Rachel, we shouldn't refuse when someone insists on giving us a gift," he advised, his green eyes locking onto Jeni's momentarily, his gaze intense and commanding.
Jeni swallowed hard under Victor's gaze. She nodded rapidly, her hand still outstretched, "S-Sir Victor is right, Miss Sterling. Please take it, or we'll feel bad."
Rachel's eyebrows furrowed in hesitation, her gaze switching between Jeni's bright eyes and the scroll, "She sighed softly, her hand reaching out to accept the scroll, "Alright. If it would make you feel better, I will accept it. But..." she added, a small smile playing on her lips, "You and your team can walk along with us."
Amelia crossed her arms and felt the need to chime in, "You can, but you should all keep up."
Jeni and her team visibly brightened at Rachel's words. Their earlier disappointment of losing the scroll was replaced by a sense of relief and gratitude.
They would be walking with some of the most influential and powerful Hunters. Their journey in this dungeon just got a whole lot safer.
"Thank you, Miss Sterling, Sir Victor, Miss Haughton. We'd be honored to join you," Jeni replied, her voice shaking slightly with excitement. Her team shared her enthusiasm, their faces mirroring the same gratitude and awe.
However, despite the calm demeanor of Rachel, inwardly, she was bristling with restlessness to find Hellbringer.
