A young woman stood before them. She had fair skin and long, silvery hair that shone like the silver of the moon. Her delicate face was highlighted by the pointed, leaf-shaped ears that were characteristic of the Elves. As the woman began to speak, she gave off the impression of a young creature - by the scales of other races, she seemed no older than 18 for an Earthling, about half a century for a Dwarf, or the equivalent of 20 for a Halfling. But by the standards of the Elves, she had probably lived for about a century.

  “Yes, it is good and a pity to see a fellow countryman being sent to this place.” Yong smiled warmly in greeting.

  “Ah, right!” Jarek slapped his Dragon tail on the ground, suddenly remembering that there was only one Elf in this place full of Beastfolk. “I forgot to ask you!”

  “Please don’t mind, you’ve been busy helping the villagers and healing me.”

  The elf bowed slowly, politely. Even though it was just a temporary outfit that Jarek had created, it seemed to have become the attire of a noble.

  “May I sit next to them?” the silver-haired elf asked the chieftain.

  “Of course, if they don’t mind,” Góy?ń replied.

  “Let’s sit down and chat,” Jarek smiled, patting the ground a few times with his hand. “If you don’t mind my place smelling of ramen.”

  “Then I’ll excuse you.”

  She sat down, but she didn’t spread her legs like Jarek or cross them like Góy?ń. The young woman leaned back on one thigh, her feet turned to one side, in the classic elegant posture of a woman.

  “I’m Uxor,” she smiled. The elf’s crystal clear gem-like eyes looked at the two of them. It seemed to see deep into them. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Yong, Ms. Jarek.”

  “Just call me Jarek~.” The shapechanger dragon cheerfully replied.

  “We were transported here during our sleep last night.” Yong stated the reason why the group had come here. “What about Miss Uxor?”

  “I’m the same,” Uxor nodded slightly. “The only difference is that I’ve been here for more than a day.”

  “I remember you were locked in the fuel room.” Jarek tilted his head and rubbed his chin. “It seems we were both chosen to be batteries for the Deep Gold Fish.”

  “I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to escape that cage.” The white elf placed her hand on her chest and sighed lightly, nodding her head slightly. “So I’m very grateful for your courage.”

  “Have some more wine. It should help you feel better.” Góy?ń took the pitcher and poured wine into a cup and handed it to Uxor, as a way to comfort the white elf.

  “Thank you, chieftain.”

  Uxor took the cup and did as she was told. After a few drinks, the sour and fragrant taste of the fruit mixed with the alcohol, her cheeks were slightly red, the tension in her voice had also eased. Perhaps her worries had also been somewhat washed away with the wine.

  “Your complexion is better~.” Jarek commented as he leaned back. She let out a satisfied sigh after the entire ramen cart was empty.

  “A little wine will help improve both physical and mental health.” Yong gently shook the cup and commented as someone who knew wine. “The ancients drank more wine because they believed in its purity, because the boiling and preservation of it gave them that belief…”

  “I see…” Uxor looked at the wine in his glass for a moment in silence before continuing. “Have you seen or heard of an Earthling named Cide?”

  “…What did he look like?” Jarek tilted his head.

  “About 178cm tall, around 30 years old, dark, messy hair, scraggly beard, a frowning face, and a habit of smoking.” The white Elf spoke in one breath, without a stutter.

  “I’m afraid I’ve never seen him before.” The Shapechanger Dragon shook her head slightly.

  “I don’t think I’ve seen or heard of him, either on Earth or here.” Yong shrugged and looked at the Elf. “Forgive my curiosity, but is he your family?”

  “Yes,” Uxor smiled slightly, looking very happy. “He’s my long-lost husband.” She looked up at the sky, the bright silver full moon reflected in her pupils. “I wonder where he is now…”

  --- In the sandy world, morning, inside the cave---

  “Ugh…” Cide suddenly shivered for a moment.

  “What’s wrong, Cide?” Allan looked at Cide in confusion.

  “It’s just… I suddenly feel a chill…”

  Cide scratched the back of his neck and took a long drag on his cigarette. Meanwhile, not far away, Allan continued to discuss strategy with Yona and Elina. Doctor Jei, assistant Yoru, and several lion-eared Beastfolk assistants also joined in the discussion. The group studied the map and images of the Giant Black Snake, analyzing the monster’s habits and strengths and weaknesses. In another corner of the cave, Albina and the fox girl Kuzunoha were focusing on testing the Potion bottles, checking their quality before using them in actual combat.

  Cide looked out the window in front of the cave and smiled wryly. Even though the scorching midday sun was enough to cook eggs and dried meat, everyone was still leisurely inside the cave. This shelter was now airy, dust-free, even had mattresses to lie on and a door right in front of the cave. Everyone in the cave was sitting on the ground that had been smoothed out. Cide could also comfortably lie on the mattress and have a good night's sleep, not having to worry about the back pain of a third of his Earthling life. Sitting in a corner of the cave, when Cide temporarily held his breath, everything around him became motionless like a statue, the only sound now being the sound of his heart beating in his chest. Before his eyes were lines of words that the group members had said before, nothing new. Most of them were only effective on Earth, but here there was nothing much other than using words to lubricate communication. A minute passed, his breathing returned to normal. The chatter of people, the rustling of papers, and the clinking of glass jars had also returned.

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  “You sigh a lot, Cide?” Albina blinked a few times as she looked at him.

  “Nothing.” Hunter chuckled, shifting the assault rifle to his other shoulder. “It’s just that this field trip has been much more pleasant than the first day.”

  “In just a few days, Elina-san has assembled all this… that’s fast. Now I don’t have to be afraid of those black snakes anymore!”

  Allan marveled at his sister’s creation. It was a pair of metal winged boots, a Magic Tool waiting to be used. When Allan held the boots, they glowed once more, quickly becoming a leg guard in his armor. The new gun he had received from Kuzunoha earlier had the same reaction. When that phenomenon occurred, Yona was also equipped with boots like her brother.

  “Yay, I got the same boots as you~.” Yona jumped up.

  “Couple gear!” Allan also raised his fists in the air in excitement, not unlike a child receiving a new toy.

  “You two should try them out first to ensure their stability and quality.” Elina advised. “It’s necessary to prepare thoroughly before applying them to work during development.”

  “Yes.” The two cousins ??replied in unison.

  “Imitating the movement ability of the Boots of the Winding Path, the speed of Longstrider, the jumping ability of Jump, and the gunpowder from Kuzunoha’s weapon. The finished product is a pair of convenient Magic Tool boots. Your learning ability is impressive for a newbie Artisan.”

  Jei rubbed her chin and nodded as she commented, smiling as if she had just gotten a talented student.

  “Thanks to your careful guidance and Yoru’s enthusiastic support of Kuzunoha.”

  Elina smiled lightly, filled with peace of mind. It had been a while since she had such reliable co-workers.

  “It would be great if I had a belt and power armor like Allan.” Yoru chuckled.

  “You mean I’m not as cool as a suit of armor?” Kuzunoha covered her kimono sleeves over her mouth, her sharp golden eyes glancing at the blue-haired guy.

  “I wouldn’t dare say that.” Yoru raised his hand with an excited expression. “Just a guy, who wouldn’t want to henshin once!”

  “Easy.” The Beastfolk woman excused herself, pulling out a riding whip from her hand. “A little training, sweat, and blood, and you’ll definitely transform into a new creature—I mean, human.”

  “Or just add animal ears.” Jei raised his hand, fingers flexing and uncoiling in a squeezing motion, his mouth smiling meaningfully.

  “Thanks, but no.” Yoru smiled wryly, cold sweat rolling down his forehead.

  “Hell training method or growing animal ears… no pain, no gain, that sounds stressful.” Allan commented, his face showing concern.

  “It would be great if he could just attach some devices, components, or some mechanical parts… Then he would be less in pain.” Yona commented, as she related the common sense she learned on Earth. “Muscle pain, sweating, even repeated injuries over a long period of time is pitiful…”

  “Indeed, overtraining is not a good idea. Change is not always positive…”

  Albina scratched her cheek, a worried smile appearing on her face. When she heard about training, she immediately thought of her cousin. Her memory recalled her cousin living in the primeval forest, fighting wild beasts, and searching for food and water every day to survive. Those trials lasted for several years - an extremely harsh experience for a child who had just turned 10.

  “Ah, of course, training in that way is not suitable for me.” Yoru smiled wryly. “A Cleric needs to prioritize training for confidence rather than physical fitness.”

  ---In the world of the sea, in Jaci Village---

  After drinking for a while, her spirit relaxed, Uxor excused herself from the party to take a walk. When she reached the edge of the village, she saw a bull-horned Beastfolk standing guard at the village gate, holding a wooden spear with a stone tip. Not far away were two strangers to her, but they seemed to be known to the villagers. They were wrestling with each other, their bodies pressed against each other in a tense atmosphere, clearly not a friendly joke.

  “GET A SMOK!” Galilahi shouted, her hands trying to force the ceremonial pipe into the other’s mouth.

  “No!” Joker growled, using all the strength in his hands to resist.

  Splash

  “AAAAH!”

  Galilahi cried out. Water suddenly spurted from Sabata’s hands, soaking her and extinguishing the fire in the ceremonial pipe. The smoke had gone out, interrupting her smoking.

  “WHY!” Galilahi looked at Joker, her hands trembling as she held the pipe.

  “I don’t smoke.”

  Joker replied and stood up. He wiped the dust and water off his body, and his face was still scrunched up in a frown.

  “Why would you refuse to associate with Jaci Village!” The female wolf Beastfolk asked, unable to understand.

  “I have no reason to do that.”

  Joker turned and sat back against the village fence, his eyes still on the grasslands that were dyed black by the night sky. But in his eyes, the darkness did not obstruct a wolf's vision.

  "Even if you are my benefactor... I still cannot stand that attitude!"

  Galilahi straightened her wolf ears and tail. She stomped her feet back to the center of the village, which was still lit by the campfire. It was filled with laughter, dancing, and the warmth of the campfire, not the frustration and wetness of the outskirts of the village.

  "...I thought you could persuade her more gently?" Uxor stepped forward with his own opinion.

  "And it won't work on someone as stubborn as her." Joker complained, his eyes unblinking and still in place. "I'm a Fighter, my job is to take down enemies, that's all."

  The White Elf woman looked at Joker for a moment, and she saw the silhouettes of Deep Gold Fish appear beside him. Although they were somewhat blurry and see-through, they were clearly human-sized, golden-scaled fish.

  “You’ve had a long day, relax. The fish won’t be in a hurry.” Uxor gave the most appropriate advice given the situation.

  “Whatever you think.” Joker replied firmly. He snorted a few times, his slightly glowing red eyes glancing at Uxor.

  “But please don’t pry any further. The fish that like to touch my brain with Psionic are enough to annoy me.”

  “S-sorry if I’ve made you unhappy.”

  The White Elf woman was startled. For a moment, she felt as if a wolf had bared its fangs at her. Though she was not sure how she had been caught, instead of denying or confessing, she decided to change the subject.

  “And thank you.” Uxor bowed slightly and turned away. “If you hadn’t been the one to initiate the fight, I would have been stuck under the sea longer…”

  “…”

  Joker replied in silence, his gaze focused on his guard duty.

  “Don’t care what others think, just do what needs to be done. I respect a man like that.” The bull-horned Beastfolk chuckled.

  “I started this war, I will see it through to the end.” Joker blinked and replied.

  “The fact that you volunteered to fight is enough for me.” He looked up at the full moon. “Jaci will perish either way if they continue to bow to those fish. So,” He gripped his spear, grinning at Joker. ”Then we will live and die for doing our best, not returning to dust while giving up and waiting for each day to die!”

  “... Survive as long as possible to hope for a chance, or free yourself once in the hope of achieving your wish. No matter which path, you have to fight.” He raised five fingers forward. “If this way doesn’t work, try another way, that’s how life is.”

  “That sounds a bit vague…” the Beastfolk scratched his ear and replied. “But I guess I understand what you mean.”

  “Good.”

  BANG

  Joker replied, his hand reaching towards the dark bushes in front of him and shooting his steel wand. A Deep Gold Fish fell from the bushes and lay motionless on the ground.

  “And they will also find other ways to deal with us.” The wolf boy stood up and slowly walked towards the Monster fish’s corpse.

  “I have to report to the chieftain!” The Beastfolk guarding the village turned his back and ran away.

  “There’s no need for that,” Joker said. “Get some rest tonight, tomorrow and the days after might be busy.”

  Joker said as he created a long steel rod like a stake. He pierced the Deep Gold Fish’s body, stuck it in the ground, and covered the fish with the fat from his hand. Then, by shooting the steel rods together, he turned the creature’s corpse into a fragrant torch that smelled of grilled fish.