"It's a riddle," Shun looked at Akira, "What do you think?"
"What do I think?" Akira pinched her chin, "The first line, the night is the key yet a dead end. We should be able to find something when night arrives."
"What are your opinions on the second line?"
"Something about Realm..." She fell into a deep thought for a moment, "Do you think it has something to do with dreams?"
"Dreams?"
"In many literatures, dreams often depicted as a window to another world. It's a medium that allow humans to access a whole different dimension."
"S your saying that our dream is the key to this floor?"
"With the evidence lying in front of us, it's hard to say otherwise." Her voice filled with confidence. She then continued, "We should prepare ourselves."
Shun nodded. If what she said is correct, they might spend a lot of times in their dreams and that would expose their unconscious bodies to dangers. They need somewhere secluded with only one way out.
"We should look for a cave."
Looking around, the ground was uneven and steep in some parts, layered with tiny rocks that made it slippery. One wrong move and they couldn't help but keep rolling.
Of course, to hunters falling from this height wouldn't killed them, but injured in the middle of nowhere, lest in a Tower where danger lurk everywhere, it is the least thing they want.
With the addition they didn't prepare to be inside of a Tower, they must proceed with extra caution.
"Okay."
They head to the west, expecting they'd find a shallow cave on the side of the mountain to rest. However, hours of walking went by and they still haven't found a single cave.
Instead, they arrived at the bottom of a valley. Looking up, it looked like someone just split the earth in half. The sunlight barely reached the ground. It was dim and chilly.
"How did we get here?"
"You asked me, I just follow you." Akira sat on a nearby rock, "So, what now?"
Shun looked around. The valley was eerily quiet and ominous. He'd normally increase his guard, but the lack of tracks or activity from animals bewildered him.
In fact, throughout their entire journey, it was empty. No exaggeration to say it reminded him of a new game in beta testing with no mobs, but only terrains.
"We should stay there."
After pondering for a while, he looked around and noticed a shallow darkness on the wall of the valley.
They approached the tiny cave and settled in. In the way, Shun has gathered dry leaves and twigs for the campfire.
"You're good."
Witnessing how efficient Shun at making a campfire, Akira couldn't help but praise him.
"Really? I've seen people doing it better than me." He responded
"Just take my compliment."
"Yes, okay."
Clashing stones, sparks came fruit and kissed the dry leaves. With a soft blow, small flame formed gradually. Before long, it spread out and lit the dim cave.
As she was watching, she asked, "So Shun, may I know why you're still at level seven? From the energy you're leaking you are at the peak of breaking through, why haven't you Ascend yet?"
"I can't answer you that question."
"Why not?" Akira observed him for a few seconds, "Forget it."
"Are you going to walk on your own after discovering my level?"
She sneered, "Please, all I got is my level. Although your level is lacking, you're pretty good. Disarming runes, making campfire, and you're excellent at staying calm, making the right decisions. Furthermore."
She stood and looked at him with interest, "You're quite skilled at fighting, aren't you?"
"No, I'm just average. What makes you think that?"
"My premonition. It happens to be better than anyone."
He have heard of this, after a very intense training, a hunter would develop a sense beyond human comprehension. Some develop a sense to danger before it hits, some develop a sense to perceive the future three seconds ahead.
Shun frowned slightly and looked at Akira with interest.
'Just who is she?'
"I'll lock my level's strength and use raw power. I want to have a duel with you."
"This is quite sudden. Are you really Akira?"
Her personality just hit a switch. Shun couldn't help but looked at her warily.
He heard stories where a creature disguise themselves as a teammate.
"No, this is actually who I am."
Although he doubted her words, after an observation.
'She didn't seem to be lying. Is she the type to hide her true self? But in actuality, she's a battle maniac.'
Shun didn't want to underestimate her, but her ability was support type. It isn't useful in combat.
If she fought someone whose ability was offense, it was akin to bringing a knife into a gun fight.
"What are the conditions?"
"Oh, you interested?"
"I'll listen to the condition first."
"Okay. You can use any weapon you have. The time limit is ten minutes. Winning condition, the opponent give up or knocked out."
Shun pinched his chin then asked, 'Okay, then what's it for me?"
"Are you serious?"
"Of course, I'm going to get my ass kicked, at least I want something just from participating."
She groaned in annoyance, "I happened to find this in a Rift raid." She materalized two pairs of dagger, "if you win, this will be yours."
'A weapon. It's not too shabby, but can I get more from her?'
"I'll pass." He acted disinterested.
"Why? It's a good weapon!"
"It is but what's the point if I lose? I wouldn't get anything."
"Alright, fine. You will get the dagger if you participate and a mana recovery potion if you win."
He couldn't help but broke into a smile.
"Alright." He got up and faced her.
"Now we're talking!" She assumed a fighting stance and materalized two pistols.
'Is she trying to kill me with those firearms? No, It doesn't matter as long as I can dodge them.'
Shun entered a fighting stance.
'Different from normal guns, the weapon she used is mana gun. A firearm that use a bullet made out of mana crystals, and because of this, their fire rate isn't exactly quick, I just have to take advantage of that.'
As he was thinking, she materalized two bottles of glass before throwing it at him.
[Small mana recovery potion.]
One item of a mana recovery potion worth an ordinary person's salary of six months.
His hand froze, he snapped his head at her.
"Are you seriously using such a valuable item for this dumb spar?"
"It just mean I'm taking this very seriously."