The twinkling of the stars shaped the nighttime atmosphere, with the moon serving as the sole source of light. A campfire was lit to keep everyone warm. Noriala was tasked with starting the fire, while Isfar went to gather firewood. Mirra, meanwhile, prepared dinner over the campfire. Rihisna, on the other hand, headed to a nearby river.
Rihisna summoned his sword and warmed up his body by casually practicing with the blade held firmly in his grip. It was no surprise that Rihisna knew the forms of sword-dance training, as they had been taught to him by Tok Gana. Soon, he focused his gaze on the calm surface of the river, watching the reflection of his sword.
"If I can use a wind iktas attack technique…" Rihisna whispered to himself.
"Then!"
"Wind Slash!" Rihisna shouted.
A blade of wind was formed, roaring forward as it split part of the river before eventually exploding and splashing water everywhere.
"Wow! What a beautiful attack!" Isfar suddenly praised him with a smile.
"Eh, it's nothing," Rihisna replied, grinning.
"What else do you know about this sword?" Isfar asked while looking at the calmly flowing river.
"I don't really know… do you know anything else?" Rihisna asked in return.
"This is the most important part! This sword can cut through iktas attacks!" Isfar answered enthusiastically.
"Wow! Are you serious? I thought that was just people talking nonsense!" Rihisna exclaimed in shock.
"No! It's true. If you don't believe me, try it," Isfar challenged him.
"You two, the food is ready!" Noriala called out from the campfire, the delicious aroma reaching their noses.
"Let's go!" Rihisna urged, heading back immediately.
"Why are you two going to the Kingdom of Eses?" Mirra asked, turning her face toward Noriala.
"I don't know. Why, Rihisna?" Noriala replied with a shrug, then questioned Rihisna, who was busy enjoying his food.
"Gulp! Oh! We're going there to learn about elemental iktas," Rihisna answered before he even finished chewing.
"Oh, I see… can the two of us come along?" Mirra asked.
"Sure, the more the merrier," Rihisna replied with a smile.
The journey continued after dawn. They had to pass through dense forests and hills before reaching the icy region. Before heading into the ice-covered area, Rihisna wanted to stop by a poison trading and research center to sell the acid he had collected from the giant ant monster.
"Okay! Let's rest here first!" Rihisna said loudly while stretching his body.
"Huh? Why are we resting here?" Noriala asked.
"I want to sell that poison! Did you forget already?" Rihisna replied as he ran into the Monster Research Center, with Noriala following him.
Isfar and Mirra simply followed behind them. The research center looked like a laboratory filled with medicines and poisons of various kinds. From their viewpoint, capsules were neatly arranged along each aisle. From the smell alone, it was clearly unpleasant.
"Good morning! Is anyone here?" Rihisna shouted so loudly that his voice echoed throughout the lab.
"Hey! Why are you shouting like that?" Noriala scolded him.
"Well, there's no one in sight. What else am I supposed to do?" Rihisna replied while scanning the lab.
"This place is creepy… it's way too quiet," Noriala said while hugging herself.
Suddenly, Rihisna vanished. Noriala searched for him, turning left and right and walking through several aisles, but she couldn't find him.
"Rihisna, where are you?" Noriala's expression changed to one of fear, her body trembling slightly.
"Noriala…"
She heard her name being whispered. She felt someone standing right behind her. Gathering her courage, Noriala slowly turned around.
"Haargh!"
"Aaah! Ant-man!" Noriala screamed and stumbled backward.
A black ant-headed humanoid with sharp fangs stood before her, leaving Noriala frozen in fear.
"Hahaha… Ant-man! Hahaha!" The creature suddenly laughed, then removed its head like a mask, revealing Rihisna's face as he laughed happily.
"Huh?! It's you! Eee! You're asking for it!" Noriala shouted in shock and clenched her right fist.
A chilling aura spread around them. Unconsciously, Noriala generated ice-element iktas in her hand.
"Wow! Now you can create ice iktas without a sword!" Rihisna exclaimed excitedly.
"Wait ice? Since when?" Noriala asked in confusion, staring at her clenched fist.
"You two looking for someone?" a voice suddenly came from in front of them.
They both turned toward the voice. A middle-aged man, around 35 years old, wearing glasses, with grayish-white hair and dressed in a lab coat like a doctor or scientist, stood there.
"Hi! I'm Rihisna, and this is my friend Noriala. We're looking for someone who can buy poison from a giant ant monster," Rihisna said, introducing himself while showing the capsule.
"Wahhh! This is a very rare discovery!" The man approached and examined the capsule closely.
"Oh! My apologies! My name is Professor Nish. I'm a specialist in poisons and healing medicine," the man said, stepping back slightly and bowing.
"Professor! That's great! Please take a look at this poison, if it's useful, I want to sell it," Rihisna said as he handed over the capsule.
Without wasting time, Professor Nish examined it carefully.
"Judging by the texture, it's clearly acidic, and the concentration is extremely dangerous. Even a small amount can spread rapidly," he said while stroking his chin and narrowing his eyes.
"So, can we set the price now?" Rihisna asked with a frown.
"Hey! What's wrong with you? The professor just started looking and you're already asking about the price!" Noriala suddenly smacked Rihisna's left arm.
"Ouch! That hurts! I was just asking!" Rihisna protested while holding his arm.
"It's fine, don't argue… follow me," Professor Nish said, walking away.
Rihisna and Noriala followed him. Soon, they arrived in a room filled with glass containers, jars, and various ingredients, along with many research tools.
"This is the analysis room. Let me introduce you to Puan Airam, my lab assistant," Professor Nish said.
"Hi! Nice to meet you!" Puan Airam greeted them, waving her hand.
"Erm, hi. I'm Noriala, and this is Rihisna," Noriala replied with a smile. Rihisna also waved back.
"Alright, let's see whether it's useful or not!" Professor Nish suddenly shouted enthusiastically as he placed the capsule into a machine shaped like a large jug.
He opened his right palm, forming a swirling vortex of wind, then released it into the machine. The machine spun rapidly. Rihisna and Noriala watched in awe. Professor Nish gave Rihisna 10 Nailber as payment for the successful test. The results showed that the poison was effective in penetrating hard objects such as iron, stone, and concrete.
"Where are you two heading next?" Professor Nish asked.
"Oh, we're going to the Kingdom of Eses," Rihisna replied while checking the bag of Nailber he had received.
"Hmm… sorry about that. Rihisna always gets a bit carried away when he gets Nailber," Noriala said apologetically, bowing slightly to Professor Nish and Puan Airam.
"It's fine. Adventurers are always like that when they receive rewards," Puan Airam replied with a smile.
"You're the one acting like it's unusual," Rihisna muttered while tying the bag and putting it away.
Noriala grew annoyed and scolded Rihisna softly, almost whispering. Rihisna simply lowered his head as if understanding, though he ignored her nagging.
While they were bickering, Professor Nish unfolded a map leading to the Kingdom of Eses.
"You two must be careful on your way to Eses," Professor Nish warned.
"Huh? Why, Professor?" Rihisna asked.
"Before entering Eses, you must pass through an area called Ses," Professor Nish said, pointing at the map.
"What's wrong with that place?" Rihisna asked curiously.
"You don't know? That area has many robbery incidents," Professor Nish explained.
"What?! Robberies?! What should we do, Rihisna?!" Noriala shouted nervously.
"Ah, don't worry. If they try to rob us, we'll just fight them," Rihisna replied confidently.
"Erm… I knew you'd say that," Noriala sighed.
"But they're a group of bandits," Puan Airam added.
"It's fine, there are four of us," Rihisna replied.
"Wait, where are Isfar and Mirra?" Noriala asked, suddenly realizing they were missing.
"Yeah, where are they? Didn't they come in?" Rihisna asked.
"Maybe they're waiting outside," Noriala said, peeking around.
"Alright then, we'll get going now. Thank you, Professor and Puan Airam," Rihisna said, bowing before leaving.
Noriala, startled by his sudden action, also bowed and followed him.
"Hey! You two!" Rihisna shouted as he ran toward Isfar and Mirra.
"Why didn't you come inside earlier?" he asked.
"Huh? Go inside?" Isfar replied.
"Yeah, into the lab," Rihisna explained.
"Oh! We just stayed outside to guard the area," Isfar said, clapping his hands.
"Yeah, just hanging out outside," Mirra added.
"Oh, I see. Anyway, I've got good news and bad news. Which do you want first?" Rihisna asked.
"The good news first," Mirra replied.
"The good news is I got 20 Nailber from the professor. The bad news is the place we're heading to has a group of bandits," Rihisna explained.
"Oh really? If that's the case, we'll just fight them," Isfar said, stretching his muscles eagerly.
"Hrm… looks like you're excited," Mirra teased.
Rihisna and Noriala smiled at Isfar's enthusiasm.
"Hmmm… Ses? Why does that name sound so strange?" Noriala asked while examining the worn signboard.
The surrounding area was filled with dense forest and towering trees. Thick fog also limited their visibility.
"Everyone, be careful," Isfar warned.
They all observed their surroundings carefully. Walking was difficult due to thick bushes and fallen logs blocking the path.
"What was that sound?" Noriala exclaimed.
"Shh…" Mirra signaled for silence.
"He's coming!" Isfar said loudly.
They all took battle stances. Rihisna firmly blocked someone's attack with his sword.
"Hand over all your belongings… or you'll be attacked again," said a man in a black leather robe, before disappearing into the fog.
"Wait! Two people? Aren't there four of us?" Noriala asked.
Rihisna only shook his head.
"Is there anyone else besides the two of you?" Suddenly, three young men in black robes appeared. The surroundings quickly turned into an open area as the thick fog dissipated.
"So… this place has always been like this? An open, icy field?" Rihisna asked one of them.
They didn't answer. Instead, they drew their knives and rushed toward Rihisna and Noriala. Clash after clash followed as swords and knives collided. Noriala didn't stand still she joined the fight as well. Both of them felt excited; they had never fought humans before, only monsters.
"So this is your choice!" one of the men shouted.
He drew another knife.
"Twin Blade Dance!"
His movements were so fast they couldn't be seen with the naked eye. In an instant, he vanished. A slash struck Rihisna's body. Noriala froze in shock, unable to move.
"Focus, Noriala!" Rihisna shouted, enduring the pain.
Noriala nodded and regained her composure. This time, Rihisna managed to block the attack.
"Hrm… not bad," the man sneered.
"Try this!"
Another man rushed toward Noriala.
"Noriala!" Rihisna shouted as he saw her standing frozen.
"Huh?" Before Noriala could react—
Isfar caught the attacker's knife with his bare hand.
"Huh? Why does it feel like something is blocking me?" the man asked in confusion.
"Retreat!" the third man shouted.
They quickly pulled back.
"What's going on?" one of them asked.
"There's something following those two," the third replied.
"What do you mean?" the second asked.
"Backup!" the third shouted loudly.
Soon, a group of bandits surrounded Rihisna and Noriala. They couldn't see Isfar and Mirra, but they could sense a massive aura.
"Looks like we have to step in now, Mirra," Isfar said, taking a stance.
"Hrm… let's go," Mirra replied, doing the same.
In the open area known as Ses, a few banyan trees stood amid patches of snow, as it was close to the Kingdom of Eses.
Suddenly, the bandits surrounded Rihisna and Noriala. Yet they still couldn't see Isfar and Mirra, only felt an overwhelming presence. A powerful wind suddenly appeared, disrupting their vision.
"What is this?"
"No way they have iktas this big!"
"Is this general-level iktas?!"
The bandits murmured in disbelief.
"Tch, he started first!" Isfar said loudly.