Fein and his group flew to the sky for hours. They tried to descend, but there was no ground in sight. They flew up to see the limit of the ceiling, unfortunately; it doesn't have a ceiling.
"What's the matter with this sky?" Aoi pierced several clouds as they continued their pace in the sky. It has been an hour, but they couldn't see anything but the clouds.
"How are we supposed to rest if there's no place to land? Are we supposed to keep going like this or let's return first?"
Sofia asked Fein who was ahead of them. She felt that something was wrong, and it gave her a bad feeling. It was her instinct as a woman that warns her.
"No, let's keep going," Fein answered. His perception was opened to its maximum range. His perception's size was enough to cover multiple countries, yet he can't feel any changes. It was the same clouds, no ground, no ceiling.
Fein didn't believe that they were really in the sky. He also thought that it might be the leader of the witch, Erica, playing with them again with her infinite loop. As he thought of this, he began discussing it with Sofia and Voli. After all, more heads are better than one. Although he was smart thanks to his S-rank talent and experience, he wasn't omniscient. He knew that others could still think in different directions and perspectives that he won't be able to do.
Narrow-minded people? He encounters a lot of them in his past life, and he didn't want to become one.
"Master, I think we're not in the infinite loop. The witch said that she would wait for you on the last floor, fight? Although it is possible that she would break her last word since she doesn't seem a principled woman. But strong people and those who live long enough like her have the strongest ego. Even smart people won't be able to easily overcome their egos. So I think we aren't trapped with her spell, but with something with a similar effect." Voli expressed his opinion with a serious face.
'Fuck, this is quite familiar... He even read the topic about psychology?'
"What do you want to say? Illusion?" Sofia wondered. "If it was the case, being able to put as in an illusion without as knowing, it would be scary."
Fein this time spoke and denied their speculation. "No... I'm immune to illusion."
'Right, system?'
DING!
System: The host isn't in an illusion right now.
"We just need to keep going, then." Sofia lay down on Aoi's soft, comfortable back and stared at the clouds they pass on their way.
"I can do this all day. We just need to eat while flying." Fein sighed. He felt that it was torture to travel without rest.
Fortunately, he has system storage space that would solve the other problems such as food, drink, and degu potion.
Just like that, a week passed, and on the third day, changes finally unfold in their eyes. Except for monotonous clouds, giant birds began to attack them every minute. So an aerial fight with different kinds of S-rank birds ensued. On the fourth day, a floating island appeared in their sight.
The group descended on the island to rest and replenish their resources such as food and water. The good thing is, there are numerous edible fruits on the island. Though, the fruits weren't the usual fruits in the outside world even Sofia didn't even have one of them.
Fein studied the fruits, he found out that different types of fruits offer a wide array of nutrients. They are rich in vitamins and provide energy to the body.
The corpse, one of the beasts in Fein's storage space, was running low as he really didn't have time to store the birds that they had killed. The majority of corpses in his storage space are those of undead which were obviously not edible. Who knows what would happen if one eats the flesh of a zombie or mummy?
At least Fein didn't want to try such a disgusting thing. On the fifth day, Sofia proposed to explore the island, which was actually as big as the four great kingdoms combined. Fein also wants to know what's on the island and they need information about it.
The group didn't dare to continue flying in the endless sky, as they weren't sure if they would be lucky enough to find an island again. Sofia suggested the exploration in the hope that the teleportation circle was located on it.
On the sixth day, Fein built a temporary base on the island. The location was near a waterfall that didn't have too many beasts lurking around. He chose the place because it's the area where fruits are bountiful and the waterfall was a good source of water for bathing and cleaning purposes. Sofia also started the exploration and separation with Fein.
Fein let Voli accompany the two since he won't be at ease if it was only Aoi and Sofia that would go on such an island that they know nothing about. Although Aoi was strong, it was better to be safe than sorry. With Voli, who was actually smart, Fein felt more reassured. Voli didn't refuse or show dissatisfaction with his arrangement, as Voli knew that it was the best decision.
As for Fein himself, he set a goal to find the master of the eighth floor, who likely knows where the teleportation circle is. And he has to clear the boss on the floor before he proceeds, right? Fein always thinks of the day that he would be able to kill Erica and give his captain's death justice. He used this as his source of motivation. He would avenge Gregory! No matter where Erica hides, he would chase her even if it was in the depths of the universe.
When Fein has something on his mind. He would follow it until the end. After all, he wasn't someone who would easily back down as long as he knew that he could do it. Just like that, Fein began his mission to find the boss of the eighth floor while Sofia and the others explored the island on their own to gather information.