Gigas Core

After reaching the shelter and getting some food, Rai and Erin sat on a log a bit far from the main area, enjoying their meal. A hologram screen appeared in front of Erin's face, and she concentrated on reading it with her mouth full. Then she looked at Rai.

"So, I can use Kiko's powers now, big brother?" Erin asked.

"That's right. Just try to remember how you used your powers when you were Kiko," Rai replied.

Erin closed her eyes and fell silent. Suddenly, "Gyuuuuut!" two black, vine-like tentacles emerged from her hips. Rai shifted slightly to avoid being hit by the appearing tentacles while looking at Erin.

"Hey, don't use them here!" Rai said.

"Oh, sorry," Erin said, making the tentacles disappear with a snap of her fingers.

Erin turned to look at Rai with a cheerful face, then she turned back and gazed at Rai with a wide smile.

"Can I be an adventurer now? I have powers, right?" Erin asked.

"Haaah... okay, after everything calms down, we'll go to the guild again to register you," Rai replied, stroking Erin's head, who seemed to enjoy the gesture.

After that, Erin reopened her status screen, having been taught by Rai. She carefully read it again while eating her bread.

"I'm still level 1?" Erin asked while reading.

"Yes, you need to kill monsters often to level up," Rai said.

"Can I see yours, big brother?" Erin asked, turning to Rai.

Rai opened his screen and showed it to Erin. Erin's face immediately changed, her eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open. Slowly, she turned to look at Rai.

"You're already level 98, big brother? One more level and you can transform into our previous form whenever you want?" Erin asked.

"Ah, yes, but in the last five years, I've only gone up one level, from 97 to 98, and haven't leveled up since," Rai said.

"Since when have you been leveling up, big brother?" Erin asked.

"Hmm... maybe since 10 or 9 years ago," Rai replied.

"Huh... that long?" Erin asked, surprised.

"Just be patient. We can return to our original form if we're dying or almost dead, like I was yesterday... I've only done it twice myself," Rai said.

"I see. Alright, go, Erin!" Erin replied, trying to encourage herself.

"Once you're ready, we'll go into the tower," Rai said, suddenly serious.

"Okay, big brother, we have to find Brother Reidan," Erin replied.

"It's not just that, right? You heard what I told you in the forest back then?" Rai asked.

"I heard it, even though it was Kiko who heard it back then when I was still Kiko inside the light cocoon," Erin replied.

"Good. Now, quickly finish your food. Don't just stare at the status screen," Rai said.

"Okay, big brother!" Erin replied cheerfully, closing her status screen.

"I'll get some mats for us to sleep on first. You wait here, okay?" Rai said, standing up.

"Okay, big brother, I won't go anywhere," Erin replied.

Rai left to go to the relief tent and get mats for himself and Erin. After Rai left, Erin reopened her status screen and studied it again. She read all the instructions while spooning soup and eating her bread. While engrossed in reading,

"Hello."

Erin looked up. She saw Rafina carrying food, standing next to her, smiling.

"May I sit down?" Rafina asked.

Erin nodded because her mouth was full and shifted to make space for Rafina to sit. Rafina sat next to Erin, who seemed busy reading her status again. Rafina was a little confused because she saw Erin concentrating forward, but there was nothing in front of her.

"What are you looking at?" Rafina asked.

"A strange screen with stats," Erin replied simply.

"Huh? A strange screen with stats?" Rafina asked, surprised.

Erin immediately looked up. She remembered Rai's words that others couldn't see her screen. She immediately realized she had blurted out something she shouldn't have.

"Uh... no, big sister, I'm looking at ants... yes, that's right, I'm looking at ants down there," Erin stammered, pointing to the ground.

"Oh, you're looking at ants, okay. Oh, where's Rai?" Rafina asked.

"Big brother is getting mats for us to sleep on tonight. Do you know big brother Rai?" Erin asked.

"I was in the same group as him, but now my group has disbanded because they died in the dungeon at the foot of the mountain. Only Rai and I survived," Rafina said.

"Oh, I see. Did big brother Rai save you?" Erin asked.

"I don't know because I fainted, but according to Trisha, the guild receptionist, Rai was the one who brought me to the guild. I'm glad he's okay," Rafina replied.

"Are you an adventurer too, big sister?" Erin asked.

"Yes, but I want to quit," Rafina replied.

"Why, big sister? I'm just about to become an adventurer," Erin countered.

"Oh yeah, what's your job?" Rafina asked.

"I don't have a job, but I want to be an adventurer like big brother Rai," Erin answered confidently.

"Huh... no job? Just like Rai?" Rafina asked.

Erin nodded enthusiastically to answer Rafina's question, and Erin's face looked very excited. Seeing Erin's enthusiasm to become an adventurer even without a job made Rafina think again. Erin looked at Rafina, who seemed to be deep in thought.

"What's your name, big sister?" Erin asked.

"Oh... me? My name's Rafina. What about you?" Rafina asked after answering Erin's question.

"My name's Erin, I'm big brother Rai's little sister," Erin replied.

"Nice to meet you, Erin. Why were you being carried by Rai this morning?" Rafina asked.

"Um... I fainted because I was startled by the giant monster (the truth is, I was the giant monster)," Erin hedged.

"Oh, I see. Yes, this morning was truly terrifying," Rafina said, looking down.

"Huh?"

Erin and Rafina looked up to see Rai carrying two rolled-up mats, standing stunned as he watched Rafina sitting next to Erin.

"S-sorry, Rai, I was talking to your little sister," Rafina said, standing up with her food tray.

"Sit down, no need to stand," Rai replied, sitting on the grass right next to Erin.

"O-okay, thank you," Rafina said, sitting back down.

Erin looked at Rafina, then at Rai, who seemed completely unfazed. A wide smile appeared on her face. She immediately shifted towards Rafina and whispered,

"Do you have a crush on big brother Rai, big sister?" Erin asked.

"Huh?" Rafina replied, startled, her face flushed with embarrassment.

"Hehe, I knew it!" Erin teased.

Rafina didn't answer. She looked away, her face burning red with shame.

*******

Saber's Suspicions

Meanwhile, at the adventurer's guild, "Knock... knock!" Trisha opened the guild master's office door and peeked inside.

"Did you call for me, sir?" Trisha asked.

"Yes, come in. There's something I want to ask you," Saber replied.

Trisha entered and then closed the door. After that, she walked and sat in the chair in front of Saber's desk.

"What is it, sir?" Trisha asked.

"Please give me the adventurer data for that person named Rai. When did he arrive in this city?" Saber asked.

"Um... if I recall correctly, he arrived a year ago and immediately registered as an adventurer," Trisha replied.

"Hooo, so he's been registered for a year now. Is there anything strange about him? For example, did he ask strange questions or say anything odd?" Saber inquired.

"Um... nothing strange, sir, except... he always asks how he can enter the tower. I tell him he can't because he's an F-rank adventurer and doesn't have a job. He said his purpose for wanting to go to the tower is to find someone," Trisha replied.

"Hmm, okay. Bring me his data then," Saber said.

"Alright, sir, I'll excuse myself now," Trisha replied, standing up.

After Trisha left the room, Saber leaned back in his chair, sighing and thinking hard.

"That person who chased the Gigas this morning and even hit it, an F-rank adventurer who just came back this afternoon after being out all day... hmm, it seems I should start investigating this Rai person. There's a possibility he's connected to the Gigas that appeared this morning," Saber mumbled.