The group settled into the Rift's entrance chamber, a spacious area transford into a makeshift camp. The glowing crystals embedded in the cavern walls emitted a soft, soothing light that provided both visibility and a sense of calm.
Vulcan and Aqua Raiden bounded toward the group, their excitent evident as they carried small trophies of their own—the severed claws of monsters they had recently defeated. Experience more on My Virtual Library Empire
"Look, Leon! We hunted down so tough ones today!" Vulcan exclaid, his fiery mane flickering with pride.
Aqua Raiden nodded, her shimring scales reflecting the ambient light. "They didn't stand a chance against us. We've been practicing our coordination, just like you taught us!"
Leon chuckled, ruffling Vulcan's fiery mane and patting Aqua on the head. "Good work, both of you. Keep honing those skills; you'll need them for the higher floors one day."
The two cubs bead, their childish enthusiasm undiminished despite their growing strength.
Roselia sat down near the campfire that Roman had started, her twin swords resting against a nearby rock. "It's hard to believe those two are the sa cubs we hatched earlier back in Arune Key. They've grown so much," she said, smiling faintly.
"Yeah, and they're only going to get stronger," Roman added, stretching his arms as he ward himself by the fire. "But for now, I could use so of that rest you promised."
Leon nodded, glancing at the glowing portal leading deeper into the Rift. "We'll stay here for the night. Tomorrow, we'll clear the next set of levels. The monsters there should provide more experience and better drops."
Millim plopped down beside Leon, resting her head on her hands as she stared into the fire. "Sounds like a plan. By the way, here's my pet," she said, tapping her Arune key on her chest, it was shaped like an Staff-'Don't she use Fans?' Leon thought, but didn't comnt. It glowed faintly, and from it erged a black wolf with a reddish, shadowy aura surrounding it.
"et Benz," she said proudly, patting the wolf as it nudged her affectionately before turning its attention to the others. Spotting Leon, the wolf walked over and gently nudged him with its muzzle.
"It seems he likes you too," Millim said with a chuckle. Liliana rolled her eyes at this, thinking to herself, Of course he does—you've ensured that much.
"It seems so," Leon replied with a smirk, giving the wolf a friendly pat. Naval and Liliana followed suit, summoning their own pets. Naval's pet was a beautiful Moon Owl with white, bluish feathers that shimred softly in the firelight. Liliana's pet, on the other hand, was a striking black cat adorned with red, flowery patterns—a Deception Cat. This legendary-grade creature was infamous for its powerful illusionist abilities, often luring maidens into servitude with its charm. In essence, it was like a mischievous Royal cat, wanting a Cat butler.
"That's a fearso pet you've got there," Leon comnted, admiring the cat's elegant but intimidating presence.
Liliana looked at him, her expression calm as always. "Mimi tried to trap in an illusion. In anger, I bound him to imprisonnt. After a few days, he submitted to on his own."
Millim rolled her eyes at this and interjected, "You were lucky you only encountered a newborn fool."
Liliana, unfazed, replied with her usual composed tone, "Luck or not, mine's legendary. Yours isn't."
"Ack!" Millim dramatically clutched her chest, pretending to be mortally wounded by the comnt. She leaned on Leon, pouting theatrically. "Help !" she pleaded, making a mock kissy face.
Vulcan, sensing her antics, strode over and promptly dragged her away from Leon, much to everyone's amusent.
As the group settled into their routine, Liliana and Naval set up wards around the camp to deter any wandering monsters. The magical barriers shimred faintly, forming a protective do that allowed everyone to relax without fear of ambush.
Leon sat cross-legged on the ground, pulling out the Source Essence Fragnt from his pocket. He studied it carefully, the glowing crystal pulsing faintly in his hand. "This will be useful, but I'll wait until we're ready to push through the next floor before using it," he muttered to himself.
anwhile, Roselia approached, her expression thoughtful. "Leon, about the next set of floors... have you noticed the mana density increasing the deeper we go?"
Leon nodded. "Its normal, this floor is sealed, so here the mana density is low, but normally it was more than this."
" now, we are sitting near one such sealed location hence it feels like this way" he said pointing at a nearby wall.
The night passed uneventfully, with the group taking rest, sleeping peacefully. By morning, everyone was refreshed and ready to tackle the next challenge.
As they prepared to leave and step outside, Naval asked, "Why don't we just ascend in this rift? I can sense powerful monsters here anyway."
Leon replied calmly, "I've left this rift for them," gesturing toward their pets, who were still curled up together, sleeping peacefully. Aqua, in particular, was snoozing like a baby, her tail end tucked in her mouth as she sucked on it.
"It's a good place where they can train and grow stronger," Leon added.
"Why don't you let them out now?" Naval asked innocently, only for Liliana to deliver a swift chop to her head.
"Why'd you hit now?!" Naval protested, rubbing her head.
"I was checking if your brain is functioning," Liliana replied impassively. She added, "Letting them go outside is like announcing to the world that we have powerful materials. They'd be hunted down for their bodies. That's why this rift is ideal—here, they can grow freely as hunters while hunting the monsters around them."
Naval nodded, finally understanding. "Yes, I almost forgot about the bastards who hunt pets for rare materials," she said, sighing.
Leon nodded as well. "As long as you understand," he said, creating the portal once again.
The group exited the rift, returning to the dense forest outside. Without wasting ti, they began searching for their next prey, ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead.
Reviews
All reviews (0)