Elysia, seeing the weakened state of the elf and ensuring Clara was far enough away, decided to use a fully-powered arrow.
Pulling the arrow back all the way until her hands were shaking, she let go of the string and sent the arrow surging through the air. Making contact with the back of the greatsword elf, the arrow exploded, engulfing his entire body and turning him to ash shortly after.
A few sounds rang in Elysia's ears, telling her that she levelled up from the kill. Feeling great about getting the final blow, she flicked her hair.
[Great work Elysia, Everyone else is waiting for you.]
'Rea?' Elysia was shocked to hear Rea suddenly in her head as it had been a while.
[Oh sorry, just wanted to say something since it has gotten pretty lonely.]
'Ehh? You know you can always chip in when you want, no need to hide.' Elysia felt bad as it seemed like Rea felt excluded. Although it was partly her own fault as well as the others' for not talking to her, it couldn't be helped as they can't see her. They have also been using the system less as they do not require to bring up any menus as it can all be done mentally.
[Really? It just seemed like I wasn't needed anymore.]
'Come on, don't be so afraid.' Elysia hoped her encouragement helped Rea since at least to Elysia she was a part of their group.
[Okay.] It was clear Rea was nervous as her voice was shaky, but she still complied.
Elysia made her way over to everyone else who were seemingly waiting for her.
"Were you daydreaming?" Shaman found Elysia's behaviour a little odd as she stood still for a couple of minutes not doing anything.
"Oh don't worry, I was just helping a shy little system." Elysia smiled, giving Rea the queue to talk.
[H-hey.]
"Ohhh Rea, sorry I haven't been keeping up with you like I promised, things have just been so hectic lately." Shaman realising she forgot the small promise she made the other day to Rea and couldn't help but apologise.
[N-no it's fine, I could see you were busy, it's my fault for not speaking up.] Rea didn't want Shaman to blame herself as it was reasonable for her to forget.
"Very hard when we can't see you, but please talk more, your input is well appreciated." Shaman felt relieved that Rea was okay and it even seemed like she was trying to be more assertive.
"Rea?" Kiruya was very confused as she couldn't hear the person they were talking to.
"Oh, you don't have a system assistant?" Clara thought Kiruya would have one as well as it was clear she had her own system thanks to Freja.
"No? Freja said she had a voice in her head, but I didn't know it was linked to the system." This was news to Kiruya. Although she had her own version of the system, she never encountered an assistant.
"Rea, can you connect to Kiruya?" Shaman figured it wouldn't hurt to allow Kiruya to hear Rea.
[Well umm there is a problem. Since Kiruya is under Freja's system I can't extend my voice to her since it would cause conflict with some other people.] Rea clearly hid some key details, but Shaman wasn't going to fight it as the last time Rea slipped up she was muted for a few days.
"Hmm I see, looks like she won't be able to talk to you." Shaman was a bit disappointed, but they can work around it.
"That's fine, it isn't a problem." Kiruya wasn't going to be a part of the group for long so it didn't matter if she couldn't hear Rea.
"Shouldn't we get out of here?" Silver was looking around, worried that more elves would come.
"Oh true, we should leave before we continue talking." Shaman understood Silver's worries and agreed that it is rather stupid of them to be dawdling around.
Everyone nodded and headed to the exit of the dungeon.
**
<Outside the dungeon>
"Hmm, we still have a lot of time. Do you guys want to keep repeating and grinding some levels? I am confident you can go in alone as long as you don't go into the deeper section and I can go back to check on Elanor." Kiruya didn't feel the need to watch over them anymore and, knowing Elanor was a concern, she didn't mind heading back to protect her just in case.
"We tried conserving our mana this time, so we should be able to do a few more runs." Elysia was consciously trying to save her mana hence why she did not go all out on the greatsword elf.
"I like the sound of it, we will go back in while Kiruya heads back to Elanor. Rea, are you able to send a message to Elanor?" Shaman wanted to ensure that if a time comes that they really need help, they could send a message to Elanor to inform Kiruya.
[Yep!] Happy that she was being called upon for a change, she was now in a very good mood.
"Alright let's head back in." Clara didn't have any issues and was happy to farm some levels as the feeling of powering up was satisfying.
Silver nodded his head, finally free from worries as he began to work out the kind of fighting style he should focus on.
"Take care." Kiruya waved as she watched the group make their way back inside, hoping it was the right decision to let them go alone.
***
<Kiruya's hideout>
"Hmm?" Elanor sat alone on the couch, finding herself rather worried. So, in an attempt to distract herself she tried to fall asleep. However, before she could let her sleepiness take over, she heard some noise, a sign that someone was coming in.
Peeking over the couch, she waited for whoever was coming in.
Shortly afterwards Kiruya came. Elanor expected the others to follow, but was left disappointed.
"Kiruya? Where are the others?" Elanor felt a wave of stress as something bad could have happened prompting Kiruya's return.
"Oh don't worry, they are re-doing the dungeon and should be back in a few hours." Kiruya saw the panic on Elanor's face which was understandable.
"Oh I see, thank god." Elanor trusted Kiruya's word and let relief wash over her.
"Just wait patiently for their return and know that you will get a message if they need help." Kiruya wasn't sure if she should tell Elanor about the system, but since Freja had a standing order to keep her silence, she decided to avoid it.
"Message?" Elanor thought it would be by talisman or some other means, but usually, those items are hard to come to buy unless you know someone that can make them.
"You will know." Kiruya hoped Elanor wouldn't question further as explaining it is rather complicated.
"Oh okay." Elanor assumed it was some communication device and since she saw them as sort of heroes it did not surprise her.
***
<Elf royal palace>
"Ren, the guests will be arriving in the next few days, I hope you are ready." The current elf king was in his office looking through some papers while his son Ren sat in a chair.
"I know, but are you sure I should go with them? I mean, it's basically a full girl group." Ren was not excited for their arrival even though his father tried painting it as an exciting chance to gain experience.
"It was at the request of Freja and you know I can't go against her right now, plus you need to be more social." Still not even looking up at Ren, he sifted through a stack of papers until he found something and presented it to Ren.
"Hmm?" Looking over, Ren read the piece of paper that seemed to be a letter directed to the king.
Dear Rein,
I have sent over a few of mine, who are currently on an adventure to get stronger and I have given them a letter to hand you with very, very important information. So in return for this, I would love it if you got your son to join them. I know how long he has been locked up there and I think it would be great to send him off. This is also redeeming that favour you owe me so it isn't like you have a choice. Oh, and if that old bastard stops you tell him I will come personally.
Your ever so dear Freja~
"I-I see." Ren was a bit shocked, but it seemed like whoever this person was, they could even take down his father.
"Good, because I don't have a choice…." He looks around for a brief moment.
"I also want you to get out so we are not under your grandfather's control." Looking around once more he let out a sigh of relief.
"Huh?" Ren was extremely confused as he thought his grandfather was no longer in the picture.
"The walls have ears! Just know that until he is gone I can't properly treat you like a son." Rein's face turned dark as he despised being chained down, but luckily soon they will be free.