Gigas Core

In the Guild Master's office, while Rai and Erin waited downstairs for Trisha to give them their new cards, Saber and his party sat on the sofa.

"What do you guys think?" Saber asked.

"Hmm, that kid is definitely not ordinary, Chief," Zalara said.

"Hmm, why do you say that, Zalara?" Saber asked.

"I caught a faint glimpse when she was in the dust; she used something like black tendrils to snatch my arrows and send them back at me really fast," Zalara replied.

"Tendrils? Like tentacles?" Saber asked.

"Exactly, like one of the Gigas that showed up three days ago, Chief," Zalara answered.

"Hmm... interesting," Saber mused, thinking.

"What do you think, Chief? Rai beat you bare-handed, right?" Zalara asked.

"True, he blocked my sword with just his arms, and frankly, his arms were harder than iron," Saber replied.

"Hmmm, like the dragon-shaped Gigas that was bigger than its opponent three days ago, right, Saber?" Varin asked.

"Maybe. What did you get from the test just now?" Saber asked Varin.

"I felt a strange, massive, and powerful energy when both of them stepped into the arena. That's why I didn't attack them, because I thought it would be pointless. Even my best magic might not be able to defeat them," Varin replied.

"So, you think they have a connection to the Gigas that appeared three days ago?" Saber asked.

"Hard to say, Chief," Zalara said, leaning back and crossing her arms.

"True, Saber. In terms of energy, they're clearly not the Gigas from the other day, but I could feel that their energy was similar, and that's what made me not attack them. I didn't want to wake a sleeping tiger," Varin added.

"Do you think my decision to give them access to the tower was right?" Saber asked.

"Yes, very much so, Chief," Zalara replied, giving a thumbs-up.

"I think it's right too. Maybe they can even reach the lowest level, which, according to legend, is where the Gigas reside," Varin added.

"Hmm, alright. Now we just have to wait for the decision of the three regional leaders," Saber said, leaning back with a sigh of relief.

******

Meanwhile, after getting their cards from Trisha, Rai and Erin left the guild building. Erin looked thrilled, jumping around and holding up her Treasure Hunter card, while Rai held his card and smiled. As they passed through the market, Rai and Erin saw Rafina walking with three human men who seemed to be adventurers, heading towards the gate and looking like bad news. Rafina was looking down, clutching her staff tightly.

"Hey... Sister Rafina?" Erin asked, pointing towards Rafina as she passed them on the street in front of them.

"Hmm, where's she going?" Rai asked, putting his card in his pants pocket.

"Want to follow her?" Erin asked.

"Sure. I've never seen those three guys with her at the guild. New adventurers?" Rai thought to himself.

"Come on, big brother," Erin urged, pulling Rai's hand.

"Okay, okay, don't pull so hard," Rai replied.

Finally, Rai and Erin followed Rafina from a distance until Rafina and her group left the gate. After asking Hugo, the guard, Rai and Erin learned that Rafina and her group were heading to the Night Palace, a B-rank dungeon located in a valley near the Sandrion Empire border.

"Want to follow them?" Rai asked Erin.

"Yes, I want to see Sister Rafina again," Erin replied.

"Hmm, alright. The three guys with her are a bit suspicious," Rai said.

"Oh, but that's a B-rank dungeon," Hugo interjected.

Rai showed his new card to Hugo. Hugo immediately read it, and his face instantly changed. He looked at Rai and smiled, then patted Rai's shoulder.

"Congratulations! You're a Treasure Hunter now," Hugo congratulated him.

"Thank you, Mr. Hugo," Rai replied.

"And Erin? Did you register as an adventurer?" Hugo asked, looking at Erin.

"Here!"

Proudly, Erin showed her card to Hugo, who was, of course, shocked when he read it. Hugo immediately reached out and ruffled Erin's hair.

"Amazing! Straight to Treasure Hunter, good for you!" Hugo said.

"Hehe, thank you, sir," Erin replied proudly.

"Alright then, if you want to follow them, go ahead, but be careful. Even though you're Treasure Hunters now, you only have one life," Hugo warned.

"We understand, sir. Alright, we'll get going now," Rai replied, immediately taking Erin away.

"Bye, Mr. Hugo," Erin added, waving her hand.

"Yes, be careful," Hugo replied, waving back.

The two walked, following Rafina and her party, who were already far ahead of them. They walked on a path that was still damaged in some places from their battle three days ago. As they walked,

"Erin, why do you want to follow Rafina?" Rai asked.

"Hmm... why? For the past two days, I've felt close to her, so I don't want anything bad to happen to her," Erin replied.

"Is that so?" Rai mused, thinking.

"What about you, big brother?" Erin asked.

"Me? I've only ever been party-mates with her. Of all the adventurers I've met, she's the only one who treated me well without looking at my job, and still considered me human, not just a servant," Rai answered.

"Oh, really? Is that all?" Erin asked, grinning.

"Hmm, it seems so. Besides, there's something different about her, but I don't know what it is," Rai replied.

"Oh, I feel that too. It's hard to put into words," Erin said.

"Yeah, let's catch up to them," Rai replied.

"Yes, big brother, let's go," Erin replied.

They continued their journey. Half a day later, they arrived at a valley area bordering a desert. They stood in front of a mansion-like building that seemed to be integrated with a tall cliff. The mansion looked dark and gloomy, with a terrifying aura emanating from its entire structure. The building's name was the Night Palace, a B-rank dungeon inhabited by undead monsters.

"Wow... the place is really spooky, big brother," Erin said.

"Hmm... yeah, I've been in here before," Rai replied.

"Oh, you have, big brother?" Erin asked, turning to look at Rai.

"Yes, that time, I was the only one who made it back to the city alive," Rai answered.

"Is it that terrifying inside?" Erin asked.

"Not really. I was the one who wiped out my party and fed them to the undead inside," Rai replied.

"Oh, I see. I thought it was just scary," Erin said casually.

"Come on, Erin, let's go," Rai said.

"Okay, let's go," Erin replied.

They began to walked towards the mansion's wide-open main door to go inside and follow Rafina and her party.