Thanks for 300 stones! Here is your bonus chapter!
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Day 3
The hike to the new camp took longer than expected. Alexander had estimated four hours, but the shifting sands and deceptive distances of the Twilight Oasis stretched our journey well into the afternoon. The twin suns beat down with relentless intensity, turning the beautiful landscape into a kiln-baked hell.
I walked at the front of our group, scanning the terrain with my Six Eyes. The sand rippled in patterns that seemed random to others, but to me, they revealed the hidden predators beneath – Dune Lurkers I'd called them -waiting in ambush.
"Another one," I muttered, spotting the telltale depression forming twenty feet ahead.
Shikamaru materialized beside me, hands in his pockets. "Left side this time?"
"They're getting more frequent." I unsheathed one of my Azure Edge blades. "Keep the group back."
He nodded, raising a hand lazily to halt the others while I approached the trap. The sand dimpled further, a subtle sign that the Lurker had detected my footsteps and was preparing to strike.
I deliberately stepped near the edge of the sinkhole, then jumped back as the sand collapsed. A monstrous arachnid form erupted from beneath, its maw lined with circular rows of teeth. I activated Mana Reinforcement, feeling the power surge through my muscles.
The Lurker lunged, but I was already moving. My enhanced speed let me sidestep its attack while my blade slashed across its exposed underbelly. The creature screeched, thrashing as yellow ichor sprayed from the wound.
"Tch. Messy bastards." I wiped the blade clean on my pants.
Yuzuriha sauntered up beside me, twirling a kunai between her fingers. "You're hogging all the fun, Xavier-kun."
"There's plenty to go around." I gestured toward the sand ahead. "At least three more waiting between us and that ridge."
Behind us, Nicole adjusted her mask, the electronic distortion making her sound like a robot with a head cold. "Are these things gone?" she asked, her natural voice fluctuating through the device's filter.
I couldn't help but laugh. The sight of Nicole Demara – Instagram princess with millions of followers – hiding behind a cheap voice changer was absurd.
"What's so funny?" she demanded, the modulator turning her indignation into mechanical growling.
"Nothing," I said, composing myself. "Just thinking that we might be here a while. Months, maybe. That voice modulator battery won't last forever."
She touched the device at her throat defensively. "I have my reasons."
"I'm sure you do, princess." I turned back to the path ahead. "Just saying, the cat's going to escape that bag eventually."
Nicole huffed but said nothing more. Her identity wasn't exactly a secret – most of the group had figured out who she was by now – but she clung to the pretense like it was designer armor.
We continued forward, our progress slowed by the need to deal with Dune Lurkers every few hundred yards. I dispatched most of them quickly, using my enhanced speed and strength to strike at their vulnerable points before they could fully emerge.
By midday, I'd killed seventeen of the creatures. My clothes were splattered with their yellow blood, and my arms ached from the constant tension of anticipation. The others watched with varying degrees of interest and horror as I added to the body count.
"Twenty-one," I announced, pulling my blade from another Lurker's eye stalk. "These things are everywhere."
Yuzuriha had taken down three herself, her fluid strings proving remarkably effective at restraining the creatures while she delivered killing blows. Shikamaru had eliminated two using his shadow abilities, though he complained about the effort being "troublesome."
Alexander kept the rest of the group protected, creating barrier formations that the Lurkers couldn't penetrate while focusing on our destination. His military training showed in his efficient command style, keeping morale up despite the grueling conditions.
"I need to... um." She glanced around uncomfortably. "Take a break."
Alexander nodded. "We could all use a short rest. Ten minutes, then we continue."
"I meant..." Elise's face flushed slightly. "I need a bathroom break."
"Oh." Alexander scanned the area, seeing the forest a quarter of a mile away. "Use the vegetation for cover. Take someone with you."
Sonya stepped forward. "I'll go with her."
The two women headed toward the sparse trees, while the rest of us collapsed gratefully onto the sand. I took the opportunity to check my weapons. One of the Azure Edge blades had developed a small nick from repeated contact with the Lurkers' exoskeletons.
"Thirsty?" Yuzuriha appeared beside me, offering a water bottle. Her purple hair had come partially loose from its bun, framing her face in disheveled strands.
"Thanks." I accepted the bottle, taking a sip.
She settled next to me, close enough that her leg brushed against mine. "Twenty-one kills. Impressive."
I shrugged. "Could be better."
Shikamaru dropped down on my other side, sighing dramatically. "What a drag. At this rate, we'll run out of inventory for essence stones before we reach the new camp."
"You're collecting them too?" I asked.
He pulled a small pouch from his pocket, showing several glowing stones. "Im gonna need a big paycheck when we get out."
"If we get out," Yuzuriha corrected, though her tone remained light.
"Always the optimist," I said.
She smiled, but the expression didn't reach her eyes. Something about this gate had her on edge, though she hid it well behind her flirtatious façade.
I took the moment of relative calm to check my status. Closing my eyes, I reached out mentally to Arcan.
'Show me my status.'
The familiar blue interface materialized in my mind's eye:
[Player: Xavier Valentine]
[Level: 1]
[Class: None]
[Title: Goblin Slayer]
[Core Attributes:]
Strength: S - 1108 [+84]
Endurance: A- 997 [+59]
Dexterity: A - 980 [+79]
Agility: S - 1058 [+64]
Magic: SS - 1287 [+152]
[Available Skill Points: 437]
[Active Abilities: 2]
[Passive Abilities: 5]
My stats had increased since coming to the red gate. With this many attribute points available, it was time for some allocation.
'Distribute points to reach these values:'
[Core Attributes:]
Strength: SS - 1200
Endurance: S - 1000
Dexterity: S - 1100
Agility: SS - 1200
Magic: SS - 1300
[Available Skill Points: 67]
[Active Abilities: 2]
[Passive Abilities: 5]
I noticed a pulsing notification next to the Active Abilities section.
'Arcan, what's that notification?'
『One of your active abilities has leveled up due to frequent use. Mana Reinforcement has reached level 2.』
Interesting. I focused on the ability details:
Mana Reinforcement [Lvl 2]
ACTIVE SKILL: Channel mana throughout your body to dramatically enhance physical capabilities beyond normal limits. Reinforces muscle fibers, accelerates neural responses, and strengthens skeletal structure.
Effects:
Strength: +20%
Agility: +30%
Dexterity: +25%
Mana Cost: 45 MP/minute
Duration: Maintained while mana is channeled (can be toggled on/off)
Cooldown: 5 seconds after deactivation
Special Effect: At maximum mana input, a faint blue aura becomes visible around the user's body.
The improvements were substantial compared to the previous level. I'd been using the skill extensively since I unlocked it, so the advancement made sense.
I'd barely closed my status window when a shadow fell across me. Looking up, I found Nicole standing there with a designer water bottle—stainless steel with some fancy logo etched into the side.
"Hydration is important in this heat," she said through her voice modulator. Her eyes darted to Yuzuriha, who sat close enough that our shoulders touched.
Yuzuriha's lips curved into a smile that was all teeth. "Sorry, boss lady. Already gave him some." She patted the water bottle beside me, then leaned in closer. "I always take care of Xavier-kun's needs."
Even with her face obscured, her displeasure radiated like heat from the twin suns overhead.
Shikamaru sighed loudly beside me, pushing himself to his feet. "I'm going to take a piss."
I shot him a look that clearly said: traitor. He responded with the barest hint of a smirk that told me he knew exactly what he was doing—leaving me alone with these two high-maintenance women.
"Don't get eaten," I called after him.
"Too troublesome to die in a place like this," he replied, waving lazily without turning around as he walked toward a cluster of rocks.
Nicole hesitated, then sank gracefully onto the sand where Shikamaru had been sitting. She placed the water bottle in front of me. "Take it anyway. You're doing most of the fighting."
"Thanks," I said, accepting the bottle despite Yuzuriha's theatrical pout.
"I have perfectly good water," Yuzu murmured, shifting closer until her thigh pressed firmly against mine. Her fingers traced absent patterns in the sand between us, occasionally brushing my leg.
"So," Nicole drew out the word, voice modulator giving it an electronic warble. "Did everyone sleep well last night?"
I caught the undercurrent immediately. Subtle as a sledgehammer.
"Slept fine," I replied neutrally, taking a sip from Nicole's offered water.
"I slept wonderfully," Yuzu purred, stretching like a satisfied cat. Her arms extended overhead, making her chest strain against her already revealing top. "Though I was a little sore this morning. Such... vigorous activities yesterday."
Nicole's fingers dug into the sand. "The sleeping arrangements were adequate."
"Just adequate? That's disappointing." Yuzu leaned forward, her voice dropping conspiratorially. "Two nights ago must have been better, hmm? Before I joined the fun?"
"I wouldn't know," she said icily.
"Really? Strange." Yuzu tapped her chin with one finger. "I distinctly remember seeing you slip into Xavier-kun's tent that night. Must have been my imagination. Or perhaps..." Her smile turned predatory. "Perhaps it was forgettable?"
"It wasn't—" Nicole stopped herself, realizing the trap. Her voice modulator crackled with her sharp intake of breath.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. This territorial display was getting out of hand. "Ladies, maybe we should—"
"Strange that someone with your resources would choose such... basic accommodations, Nicole Demara." Yuzu delivered the name with deliberate precision.
The silence that followed was absolute. Even the distant sounds of the camp seemed to fade as Nicole went perfectly still.
"What did you call me?" Her voice modulator crackled with the intensity of her words.
Yuzu laughed, the sound light and unconcerned. "Please. The pink roots showing beneath your wig? The designer water bottle? The way you stand like someone who's never carried her own bags?"
Nicole's hand went to her mask, fingers hovering over the voice modulator.
"Don't bother denying it," Yuzu continued. "I don't care who you are. I just find it amusing that you're trying so hard to hide when we're all stuck together in this gate."
I watched the interaction with mild fascination. Women's psychological warfare operated on levels I rarely bothered to navigate.
Nicole's shoulders dropped slightly. "How many others know?"
"Everyone," I said flatly. No point sugar-coating it. "You're very..."
"Distinctive," Yuzu said, gesturing vaguely at Nicole's figure.
"Famous," I clarified.
She sighed, the sound transformed into static by the modulator. After a moment's hesitation, she took off the mask. "Fine. Yes, I'm Nicole Demara. Are you happy now?"
"I knew it!" Yuzu clapped her hands together, mood shifting abruptly. "I follow you on Instagram. Your Tokyo fashion week posts were amazing."
The sudden pivot from confrontation to fangirling caught Nicole off guard. "You... follow me?"
"Nine million others do too," I pointed out.
"Fifteen million," Nicole corrected automatically, then looked embarrassed at the admission.
"Your skincare routine video changed my life." Yuzu flipped her purple hair dramatically. "Though I'd never give up my signature color."
Nicole blinked rapidly, processing this turn of events. "Thank you, I guess."
I glanced between them, bemused by the strange dance unfolding. Yuzu was playing a deeper game than simple jealousy.
"So," she continued, her tone casual but her eyes sharp, "why is the daughter of Phoenix Imperium's founder slumming it in a red gate with strangers? Shouldn't you be in some luxury hunter resort taking staged photos with S-rank escorts?"
Nicole's Instagram-ready smile faltered. Her carefully constructed mask slipped, revealing something more vulnerable underneath.
"It's complicated," she finally said.
"It usually is," I offered, surprising myself by coming to her aid. Something about the genuine distress beneath her polished exterior struck a chord. "Family always is."
Nicole gave me a grateful look. "Yes. Exactly."
"Well, now I'm intrigued," Yuzu said, leaning back on her hands. "Daddy issues? Rebellion phase? Secret mission?"
"Something like that," Nicole murmured, looking away.
A sudden prickle ran up my spine, sharp and insistent. My Danger Sense, alerting me to an imminent threat. I sat up straight, eyes scanning the area. The sensation directed my attention toward the cluster of vegetation where Sonya and Elise had disappeared several minutes ago.
"Xavier?" Nicole noticed my sudden alertness. "What's wrong?"
I was already on my feet. "Has anyone seen Sonya and Elise recently?"
Alexander looked up. "They went for a bathroom break about ten minutes ago."
"They should have been back by now," Jin said. He started toward the vegetation. "Sonya?"
A scream tore through the air—high-pitched and desperate, cut off abruptly.
"Shit," I muttered, drawing my Azure Edge blades.
Jin broke into a run. "SONYA!"
"Wait!" Alexander called, but Jin was already halfway to the trees.
I exchanged a quick look with Yuzuriha, who had pulled several kunai from hidden sheaths. "Stay with the group," I told Nicole, then sprinted after Jin.