Fortunately, the intense study atmosphere didn't last long. After breakfast, it was time for everyone to venture into the book's world.
The group entering the book was sizable: Klein, Alaric, Lil' Amon, and their "Red Maid" Danitz, followed by Leonard as Pallez's tagalong, and finally Anderson and Edwina. Cattleya stayed behind to guard the ship.
"Wait, why do I have to go in too?" Anderson protested, sensing something amiss.
"Because we need someone to draw aggro and tank, and you're perfect for the job," Alaric said, glancing at Anderson matter-of-factly.
"But don't you already have an angel going in?" Anderson said, sneaking a look at Pallez.
"What are you thinking? This is an adventure for the young. How can an old man join in? Mr. Pallez is only handling the lifespan issue, not fighting monsters," Alaric replied, as if it were obvious.
Pallez had no objections, merely turning to Leonard with a chuckle. "Do your best. This is a good training opportunity for you."
For once, Leonard didn't resist. While he loathed studying, he was more than happy to fight monsters.
"Fine, but at least tell me what we're up against. The book only mentions a frost dragon... what level is it?" Anderson asked, dropping his complaints.
"If my information is correct, it's an adult frost dragon, roughly at Sequence 4 strength, but much weaker than a typical Sequence 4," Alaric said candidly. "With all of us here, plus the people inside the book, it shouldn't be a problem."
Anderson fell silent for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the group before he asked, "You sure about that?"
Despite their numbers, most of the group were below demigod level, and the gap between demigods and mid-to-low sequences was vast. Even ten Sequence 5s could be wiped out by a demigod... though with the right coordination, victory wasn't impossible.
"At the very least, with Mr. Pallez here, no one will die," Alaric said with a smile.
"Alright, then I'm in," Anderson said, shutting up. As the strongest bounty hunter in the Fog Sea, he didn't mind facing a demigod-level dragon if his life wasn't at risk. It was a rare opportunity.
"Since everyone's on board, I'll open the door," Alaric said, flipping his hand to reveal the key. He pressed it into Groselle's Travels, and with a blinding flash of white light, everyone except Cattleya, who had stepped back, vanished into the book's world.
…
For the inhabitants of the book's world, today was supposed to be an ordinary day.
The giant Groselle, as always, mediated conflicts among his companions. A jovial and positive figure, he couldn't stand seeing his friends hurt each other.
Siatas, though annoyed with the ascetic Snowman, lowered her bow at Groselle's behest, sparing the arrow aimed at Snowman.
Snowman, in turn, gave Siatas a tepid glance before resuming his prayers to his Lord.
Their conflict stemmed primarily from faith. Siatas worshipped the ancient Elf King, while Snowman revered the Ancient Sun God... whose role in the Elf King's demise was no secret. That they hadn't come to blows was a testament to years of camaraderie and Groselle's tireless mediation.
Mobet Zoroast, dressed in the asymmetrical style of the Solomon Empire, shook his head at the scene. He sidled up to Siatas, trying to distract her with lighthearted banter to lift her mood.
This promptly earned him a chase around the camp as the fiery elf lashed out.
Yet, beneath their antics, a subtle but genuine bond lingered. It wouldn't be long before one of them took the leap, and a couple might finally form.
The black-armored knight Frunziar, watching the commotion, opted to sleep. He knew that while Siatas and Snowman might risk a real fight if tensions flared, Siatas and Mobet's squabbles were just playful banter.
Maybe soon I'll be attending their wedding? But with no priest around, surely we wouldn't let Snowman officiate… Frunziar imagined the scenario and shuddered.
Just as everyone thought the day would pass uneventfully, a sound caught their attention. They turned in unison toward its source.
And then they froze. A large group... seven or eight people... was approaching their camp in a bustling wave.
What in the world?
In that moment, everyone was dumbfounded. Newcomers weren't unheard of in the book, but they usually arrived in ones or twos... not in a crowd this size.
"Everyone, stay alert!" Siatas took the lead, drawing her bow. Until she knew whether these strangers were friend or foe, she had to be ready to strike first.
"Wait, I think I see the old man…" Mobet rubbed his eyes in disbelief, staring at a figure in the approaching group that felt all too familiar. His expression turned dazed.
"Your acquaintance?" Siatas glanced at him, then seemed to realize something, pausing as well.
Having lived together in the book for so long, Siatas had heard Mobet talk about his family. The "old man" He often mentioned... likely an angel of the Zoroast family... came up frequently.
"I'm not sure, but it really looks like him…" Mobet rubbed his eyes again, confirming it wasn't a mistake or illusion. His heart raced with excitement. "Siatas, hold on. I'm going to check it out. If something's off, then you can act…"
Siatas hesitated, then said, "No, I'm coming with you."
"…Alright?" Mobet wavered. He was confident it was the old man, but there was always a chance he was wrong…
Still, he knew Siatas's decisions were hard to sway, so he nodded in agreement.
***
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