Eight months had passed since Ron and Carter had last visited Sami's house. While Carter buried himself in mission after mission, Ron spent his days training, quietly unlocking new abilities.
Present Day
Carter, finally taking a break from his constant missions, decided to grab something to eat. As he scrolled through restaurant options on his phone, a text from Ron appeared:
"Meet me here. You'll want to hear this."
Curious, Carter dropped a location pin and grabbed his car keys.
The restaurant was top-tier—polished marble floors, velvet chairs, crystal chandeliers. As Carter entered, a woman at the front desk looked up.
"Is Ron here?" Carter asked.
"Are you Carter?" she replied.
He nodded. "Yeah, that's me."
The woman smiled and escorted him to table 26, where Ron sat, flashing his familiar grin.
"Why'd you call me here? Fancy place for a casual talk," Carter said as he sat down.
Ron chuckled. "You know me. But I didn't bring you here just for food. I heard something—something your department is trying to hide."
Carter narrowed his eyes. "You're well-informed, as usual… Fine. I trust you."
Ron leaned in. "A team was sent to the southwest mountains of Hero Town. Only one guy made it back… barely. He's traumatized, keeps muttering about an Ancient Mill. Rumor has it the place is real."
Ron's eyes lit up. "Another mystery. I knew asking you was the right call. So—what else do you know about this 'Ancient Mill'? Why don't we check it out?"
Carter sighed. "A few days after the survivor returned, we sent a second crew. What they found was… horrifying. Human bones. Our doctors confirmed—they belonged to the first team."
Ron's smile faded. "What kind of monster did that?"
Carter met his gaze. "They weren't killed. The doctors say the crew aged to death. Literally. Turned to bones in days… maybe even hours."
Ron's expression shifted; this was the first time Carter had seen him genuinely stunned.
"Aging? You mean they just… decayed into skeletons?" Carter asked quietly.
"Exactly," he replied.
Then, true to form, Ron grinned. "Then we have to see it for ourselves."
After their meeting, while Carter left, Ron opened a gate using his magnifying glass, entering the World of Dark Souls. Answers awaited—and only one being could help.
Ron landed on the bone-paved pathway, eyes scanning the graveyard. A skeleton warrior stood in the middle, weapon ready, glaring as if he could cleave Ron in half.
"Is Dr. Thomas here?" Ron asked.
The skeleton studied him, then growled. "No. He's not. What do you want, you damn human?"
Ron smirked. "Easy, you damn fossil. Watch your mouth, or I'll punch you back into the grave you crawled from."
The skeleton's bony hand reached for his weapon. "You looking for a fight?"
"I'm always ready," Ron replied.
Just as tension erupted, Yardy stepped between them. "Calm down, sir—and you too, Ron," he said, shaking his head. Then, turning to Ron, he asked, "What brings you here?"
Ron explained—mostly leaving out Carter and the mission details, framing it as concern for hikers who had mysteriously died in the southwest mountains.
The skeleton listened silently, then laughed, a hollow, dry sound. "You're talking about the Ancient Mill, aren't you? Many monsters across the universe originate from that cursed place. Fifty levels deep. Death or curse at every turn. But they didn't die because they were weak—they age. Invisible aging gas. The deeper you go, the stronger the monsters, and the faster you decay."
Ron clenched his fists. "Then I'll clear that Mill."
The skeleton laughed even harder. "You? Clear it? I've heard of you, Ron—but this is suicide. You won't come back once you enter."
"You should ask 'him' for help," Yardy said.
"Who?" Ron asked.
"DA," Yardy replied, handing over a paper with the address.
Later, Ron gathered his gear. Carter and Lia joined him, their decision made. They were going in.
Ron drove them toward the western edge of Hero Town, where a weathered cottage hid among the cliffs. Dirt covered most of the door, but after a quick swipe, the words revealed themselves:
"Welcome to DA's House"
Ron knocked.
"Who the hell knocks this early? Go away," a grumpy voice barked.
Ron knocked again, louder. The door creaked open. A man in his late thirties stood there, hair wild and white like lightning, eyes hardened by years of seeing too much.
"Are you… DA?" Ron asked.
The man narrowed his eyes. "What do you want, kid? I don't hand out candy."
Carter and Lia exchanged a look: You dragged us here for this?
DA's gaze shifted to them, then back to Ron. "You gonna tell me why you're here, or just stand there breathing?"
Ron cleared his throat. "DA… we're planning to raid the Ancient Mill. We need your help."
DA stared, then suddenly burst out laughing. "You kids? Raid that place? Don't make me laugh. The Mill has buried stronger men than you."
"Sir Carter, I think we should revise our plan," Lia said cautiously.
Then she paused. "Wait… Carter? Carter Klein, and you are Lia? Ohhh, now I get it. You must be Ron. Heard a lot about you."
Respectfully, Lia stepped forward. "Sir, will you help us?"
DA didn't answer immediately. Carter finally shook him. "It's the last time we're asking, old man. You in or not?"
DA blinked, then chuckled. "If it's the great Carter Klein asking, how can I refuse? My apologies. Let's not waste time."
They all loaded up. The Ancient Mill awaited.