Chapter 93: Wild Winds Ahead

It had been a smooth ride thus far.

No bumpy terrain to be dragged over, nor anything the trio of Ralph, Maura, and Yulis couldn’t handle.

’Not that every waking second hasn’t been painful as all hell!’

But now...

Now they were crossing into territory where victory wasn’t assured even if they were all healthy and fought together.

Thus far, Peace’s eyes were really the only thing that gave any of them confidence.

To that end...

The Tier 9 A-Class spawning zone, Ant Hills, got its name for a single, simple reason.

Wherever it spawned, gigantic mounds of dirt came with it.

Meaning, Peace’s sight would be blocked.

Not only would their sight advantage be stripped away, but the ant monsters inhabiting the zone could sense vibrations through the dirt. Avoiding attention, as they had done thus far, would be impossible.

And since avoiding attention was the main reason they’d made it this far so quickly and in such good condition, Ant Hills was immediately marked as a ’no-go’ zone.

Their other option was the Tier 8 E-Class spawning zone, Western Winds.

It contained some of the most dangerous monsters on the entire first floor: wind wisps and wind golems capable of killing Tier 9 Divers in a single blow. It was also the spawning grounds of the Venti.

’Though I doubt we’ll come across one of those.’

The Venti was D-Class. It’s chance of spawning in an E-class zone was quite low, though still definitely possible.

The only reason they’d even consider traversing the zone was the lack of terrain alterations. The only environmental change was a powerful wind blowing westward.

At least, what the game had deemed west.

Meaning, Peace could still spot approaching monsters long before they noticed the party.

It was a gamble, certainly. But unlike Ant Hills, Western Winds at least gave them a chance to avoid fighting altogether.

Quietly, the entire group huddled around Peace, whispering amongst themselves about what to do.

Well...

Mainly Ralph and Dita.

Dita had earned herself a say in the matter, if only because they were in the middle of a spawning zone, where nobody could raise their voice enough to shut her up.

Ralph rasped:

"One wrong step and we’re dead, you idiot."

Dita whispered back:

"I told you already, we have to go that way."

"Look at the state of us, we can’t fight anything in there."

"Let me fight with you, then. I’ve already shown you my Resonance. That should be proof enough I’m quite capable."

Ralph spat back:

"Capable of getting us all killed... You’re probably some noble brat who bought it with daddy’s coin."

Dita sighed.

"Let’s think with our brains, not our hearts."

Ralph shook his head.

"I am. And my brain says you’re not to be trusted, no matter the circumstances."

Dita frowned, then shook her head.

"Well, that’s too bad... Good thing I have this."

’Whoa!’

Kicking off the ground, Dita blitzed forward, dragging Peace along behind her.

’Ouch! Fuck! That hurt!’

Ralph’s eyes widened. Before she could get far, he stomped on the makeshift stretcher, pinning it in place.

’Are they trying to give me whiplash?! Break my ankle further?!’

Ralph whispered:

"What do you think you’re doing?!"

Dita’s gaze hardened as she declared:

"Surviving."

Tugging on the reins again, Dita added:

"Quit being a conceited fool and follow me."

Ralph pressed his foot down harder.

"Uh, huh. I’m conceited."

The stalemate seemed destined to drag on, perhaps long enough for a Light Fairy to float their way and force them into a fight.

However...

Volkar, kneeling against his axe, spoke up:

"Brother... my instincts agree with her."

Ralph tensed for a moment, then studied the Giant.

"Do they, now?"

Volkar nodded lightly, then pushed off the ground and back to his feet. He began shuffling after Dita.

Ralph let out a defeated sigh, then lifted his foot from the makeshift stretcher and trudged forward to take the lead.

Yulis’s expression flickered with surprise as he stammered:

"You can’t be serious, Ralph. I’ll be useless in there. Peace and Volkar can’t fight. You’re barely any better!"

Ralph hissed back:

"Kid... I agree with you. I do. But no risk, no reward, as they say."

Standing as tall as he could, Ralph added:

"You... I permit you to fight with us."

Yulis cried out:

"Huh— but?!"

Ralph glared back at the Day Elf.

"Shhh, quiet... did you forget where we are?"

Seeing Yulis clam up, Dita couldn’t help but smirk.

"At least the child listens."

"Oh, shut up, you miserable hag. Have fun growing wrinkles and grey hairs in no time."

Dita and Maura both interjected:

"Hey!"

"Whoa, Yulis!"

Yulis looked at Maura, then threw his palms up.

"Ah, sorry! I forgot you’re human too."

Ralph stomped his foot into the ground.

"You idiots!"

The reason became clear a second later as a flash of light shot from the darkness and slammed into Ralph’s shield.

The little cretin, almost like a toddler sculpted from golden light, bounced off the shield and floated above their heads before spinning around and diving straight for Ralph’s neck.

Ralph, unable to raise his shield due to his bad shoulder, twisted his body and tried to defend himself with the flat of his sword.

Although...

"Hmph."

That proved unnecessary.

[You have slain Tier 9 C-Class, Light Fairy]

[+2 EXP]

Dita had taken advantage of the distraction, drawing her sword from her bag and cleaving the Light Fairy in two. A shower of tiny light sparks rained down upon them.

’Ah, right...’

He’d never seen Dita fight at her very best. Even against the initial three Bone Ravagers, she was already quite gassed before the fight began.

She wasn’t exceptionally strong or anything...

’But she’s a lot quicker than I thought she’d be. Has she gotten stronger?’

Ralph recoiled from Dita’s blade, still hovering just above his head.

"Whoa!"

Smirking, she withdrew the sword and clipped it onto the holder at her waist.

"You did say I could."

Letting out a quiet sigh, Ralph said:

"That I did... Ah, what’s your name, anyway? I ought to at least know that before I fall victim to your stupidity."

Facing towards where Peace had pointed the exit to be, Dita said:

"Call me Dita."