Chapter 203 - Danger In Humban

There had been plenty of things that happened in the whole month while Aaron was meditating. And one of them is knowing the exact location of the second Ancient Dot.

But of course, Ellena didn't mention it to Aaron, as she was still worried about the warning from the first Ancient Dot that Aaron might be destroyed. She couldn't take the risk, and even though she was excited, she tried to keep it hidden for a while.

What Ellena told Aaron was just about the magic spells she learned. There are plenty of spells she has learned, and of course, all of them are Elemental. Because, apparently, she doesn't have a talent for Phenomenal magic.

There are two types of magic; whether they are used for offense, support, or defense, depends on the caster. The first type of magic, and also the most common, is Elemental magic. This magic has an element or physical identification.

An example of Elemental magic is fire, wind, water, earth, light, and darkness. There are still plenty of elements that can be used, and be derived from those elements. However, having a talent in elemental doesn't mean that the caster will have a talent in Phenomenal.

Phenomenal magic is magic that may derive, or not, from Elemental. Things like teleporting are Phenomenal that can't be done from elements, but shadow movement can be derived from Elemental. However, it takes too much time to practice.

It is also the reason why shadow movement isn't part of Elemental despite its derivation. It is a phenomenon that doesn't have a real physical identification. Even if you say that it can move in darkness, it can be given that it has spatial properties.

An example of Phenomenal magic is spatial, time, healing, creation, bestowal, and many more. Anything that can't be easily copied in a physical form is phenomenal. Just like absurd abilities for rune owners, it could be considered phenomenal.

Within that time, in one month, Ellena received the Morning Flower that is now inside her Inventory. She learned about each kid's stories and also made unforgettable memories with them. She even had a chance to meet one of the elders in the society.

"In that whole month, you experienced those things? That sucks that I haven't seen it." Aaron sobbed.

'Heh... don't think of it as a big deal. We have different experiences. Can you tell me what's yours?' Ellena asked, but that question was a bit sensitive for Aaron in a way that he'll be dismayed if he remembers it.

"I made progress, but it turned out that I needed to sacrifice real-time if I wanted to continue on it," Aaron said.

"That's vague."

"Indeed, because what I just did there was nothing."

***

We got a good farewell with the others. Even though we didn't spend much time there, perhaps only repetitive days without socializing with many people, it was still memorable.

There were times that I wondered if they got bored living there, but after just another few days of living inside, I realized that they really are the kind of creatures that live in the shadows.

They have magic that can change their hair and outer appearance. Although it is terrifying, it is still useful since they can't grow plants with just magic.

Foods injected with mana are dangerous, especially when they just give impurity. It's not recommended to eat since it doesn't go through the magic veins but through the stomach, where magic is less.

"Hey, Aaron, what do you think will happen if I teach the girls what I learned here." Ellena suddenly uttered while on our way to Humban city.

"Why would you teach them? It's not even gonna be helpful to them." 

"Maybe. But still, basic mana control, will be helpful so that they can conserve stamina. Not overusing it will help them conserve it, right?" Ellena added.

I nodded. "You're right. Then, if you have time, teach them. It might be helpful for the organization as well."

Thinking and talking about the organization might be a problem if they grow more. Well, it's not like she can have more time to rule them. Perhaps it's time to create departments.

"Do you think departments will fit in the organization?" I asked her.

She gazed at me then sighed. 

What was that for?

"It will. But I am thinking of making a proper headquarters first. If we continue to live in Phlabian, things might get out of hand because of the watchers, " she said.

I didn't mention it to her, but she's working hard. Thinking about it, she's becoming wiser at governing.

"I see... I will think of proper departments that should be focused on in the organization."

"Thank you."

We ventured through the woods and fought with different monsters. We still haven't been halfway since the teleportation was a bit farther from the place we teleported to get to the base.

I also tried fighting, since it didn't improve Ellena's prowess, I thought of trying to fight other monsters. Of course, even though Cules was excited about it, I insisted on containing his excitement.

After a few hours of traveling and endless erasing of some threats, we finally reached the Humban city after 5 cities. However, we were not expecting what we would witness.

***

Class A, an elite squad in Humban City, was marching to the fort of Sulo. It was the last line of defense for the overflowing dungeon, which had progressed from an Environmental threat to a Forestal threat level.

Class A is an 8-member group consisting of Gold Rankers and one White Gold Ranker by adventurers' guild standards. 

When they marched to the fort, all of them were confident that they could easily defeat the monsters, as only slime and kobolds were attacking.

But they never considered the matter that passed through the front lines? Was it because of the overwhelming number?

It might be, as it was what they thought.

"Tsk! Even if they were variants, they are still the weakest of the monsters, " one said, holding a red spear and attacking a monster.

"Be careful! Weaks are sly!" 

"Hey! Do you think I can use this achievement to court Flora?"

"Kekekeke! Bastard! You still think of it while we're here?! Look at the soldiers that put hope in us."

"Children! Do everything you can do!"

It was an unending fight. But of course, they easily defeated the unending numbers of mobs. 

The tide gradually receded, and as monsters began to dwindle to zero, they all rejoiced.

"That was all? I was expecting something."

"How could that even pass through the front line? Was the lord's plan useless?"

"Hey! Watch your mouth!"

"My bad."

"But still, isn't it questionable? The lord called for 10 White Gold Rankers in the adventurers' guild but only 9 arrived. Isn't it still questionable that these mobs passed through the 9 elites?"

Elite is what they call all those who have passed through the Gold Rank, as Gold Rankers were called Veterans.

"Right. It is still questionable and really suspicious. Let's not leave the fort for a while. Perhaps we'll see something." Now, the one who talked was their leader, the White Gold Ranker, and without a doubt, all of them agreed.

They were optimistic when they finished the wave.. But that optimism crumbled as they witnessed what happened next.