The forest expedition was going to have to wait.
As Rio and Ryota traveled along the road leading away from the plains, Rio suddenly slowed her pace and glanced back toward the distant walls of the Town of Beginnings. The city stood far behind them now, partially obscured by rolling fields and scattered trees.
After a brief moment of thought, she spoke.
"Before anything else, we're stopping by a shop."
Ryota blinked in surprise.
"Now?"
Rio nodded once.
"Now."
There was no hesitation in her voice. Whatever she wanted was important enough to interrupt their plans.
Ryota had learned by now that Rio rarely made unnecessary decisions.
"Alright."
The two changed direction and headed back toward the city.
By the time they reached the Town of Beginnings, the atmosphere had become even more chaotic than before.
The moment they stepped through the gates, noise slammed into them from every direction.
"Hidden dungeon!"
"Search the outer zones!"
"Check the plains again!"
"Find the couple who triggered it!"
Players rushed through the streets in organized groups and disorganized mobs alike. Some carried freshly purchased weapons while others wore poorly maintained beginner gear. Everyone seemed to be chasing the same thing.
Information.
Opportunity.
Advantage.
Panic, excitement, greed, and ambition mixed together into a restless energy that seemed to consume the entire city.
Rio walked through the chaos without the slightest reaction.
Her expression remained calm.
Her pace never changed.
To everyone around her, she was just another low-level player moving through the crowd.
Exactly the way she preferred it.
"This way."
She led Ryota away from the crowded main roads and into the quieter outer district, where beginner-oriented shops lined the streets.
Eventually they stopped in front of a modest storefront.
There were no decorations.
No flashy advertisements.
No customers waiting outside.
Just a simple equipment shop built for practicality rather than appearance.
Rio stepped inside.
The shopkeeper glanced up from behind the counter.
"Hello, Adventurer. What would you like to buy?"
Rio immediately began scanning the weapon racks.
Her eyes moved over swords, spears, axes, and shields before settling on a single weapon.
"That one."
The shopkeeper turned and retrieved it from the display.
It was a standard Imperial Saber.
Nothing special.
Nothing rare.
The weapon was balanced, reliable, and commonly used by low-level swordsmen.
Most players would eventually replace it.
That was precisely why Rio liked it.
It was efficient.
Predictable.
Dependable.
She accepted the saber and tested its weight with a few subtle movements. The balance felt correct.
Satisfied, she nodded.
"I'll take it."
Six copper coins hit the counter.
The transaction was complete.
Ryota watched the exchange with mild disbelief.
"You really spent almost everything."
Rio didn't even look at him.
"Yes."
She immediately turned toward the exit.
"Let's go."
Neither of them lingered.
The city disappeared behind them once again as they left through the gates and followed one of the forest-bound roads leading away from civilization.
For a while they simply walked together in silence.
Eventually, Ryota spoke.
"About the hidden dungeon."
Rio continued walking.
"What about it?"
He scratched the back of his head.
"Why aren't we clearing it?"
He glanced at the newly purchased saber.
"You just spent six copper coins."
Another step.
"We could probably clear the dungeon, sell the recipe, and make a lot more money."
Rio exhaled softly.
"You're thinking like a solo player."
Ryota looked confused.
"Isn't that what we are?"
Rio stopped walking.
She turned toward him and opened a system panel.
A translucent screen appeared between them.
"It's not the recipe that matters."
Ryota frowned.
"Then what does?"
Rio tapped the panel.
"The dungeon itself."
The display shifted.
"Hidden dungeons generate guild credits."
Ryota leaned forward slightly.
"For guilds?"
"For everyone who participates in the clear."
She tapped the panel again.
A ranking list appeared.
Guild Rankings
Rank 1: Astryx Dominion
Rank 2: Oblivion Edge
Rank 3: Honorable Vow
Rank 4: Royal Knights
Rank 5: Grave Monarch
Rank 6: Ironblood Pact
Rank 7: Eterna
Rank 8: Verdant Crown
Rank 9: Black Horizon
Rank 10: Scarlet Oath
Rio allowed him a few seconds to study the list before closing the panel.
"That's what everyone is fighting over."
Ryota let out a low whistle.
"So the recipe isn't the real prize."
"No."
"It's the ranking."
Rio nodded.
"Control."
She resumed walking.
"The recipe is useful."
A few moments passed.
"But guild influence is worth far more."
Ryota finally understood.
"If we clear it, people start paying attention."
"Exactly."
Rio's voice remained steady.
"Every major guild is trying to claim that dungeon."
She glanced toward the forest ahead.
"If we become involved, we become part of the competition."
"And every guild starts watching us."
Rio nodded.
"We could clear it."
Another step.
"We could sell the recipe."
She shook her head.
"But the attention isn't worth the reward."
The conversation ended as the path gradually darkened.
Trees grew taller.
The forest canopy thickened overhead.
The deeper they traveled, the more the world seemed to change.
The sounds of civilization vanished behind them.
The distant voices of players disappeared entirely.
Even the wind seemed weaker beneath the dense branches above.
Only scattered rays of sunlight managed to penetrate the thick canopy, creating fragmented beams of light across the forest floor.
Roots twisted across the ground.
Moss covered fallen logs.
The path itself gradually disappeared until they were simply navigating through wilderness.
Rio slowed.
Only slightly.
But enough.
Ryota noticed immediately.
"You chose this route on purpose."
Rio's gaze shifted briefly before returning forward.
"Maybe."
It wasn't an answer.
But it wasn't a denial either.
Ryota sighed quietly.
"Right."
The forest grew quieter.
The silence wasn't uncomfortable.
It felt deliberate.
Waiting.
Then Rio spoke.
"Ryota."
Her voice had changed.
Colder.
Sharper.
"Pick up a pebble."
He didn't ask questions.
He simply bent down and grabbed a small stone from the forest floor.
"Now what?"
Rio's eyes lifted toward the canopy.
Her voice became razor-sharp.
"Take out their eyes."
Understanding arrived instantly.
Not confusion.
Not hesitation.
Action.
[Skill Activated: Scalular Impact]
The pebble launched from Ryota's fingers with terrifying force.
The air cracked.
A ripple formed behind the projectile as it accelerated upward.
For a brief moment, nothing happened.
Then a sharp sound echoed through the trees.
CRACK.
A high-pitched cry followed.
Something shattered.
Fragments of violet crystal scattered through the air like broken glass before dissolving into particles of light.
Silence returned.
But it felt different now.
Not empty.
Occupied.
Watching.
Rio slowly drew her Imperial Saber.
The polished blade reflected faint rays of sunlight filtering through the trees.
"You're not very good at hiding."
Her voice carried effortlessly through the forest.
"Come out."
She pointed the blade toward the trees.
"Or we'll treat this as an ambush."
Several meters away, hidden behind thick trunks and dense foliage, three figures froze.
Sumi's eyes widened.
"They knew?"
Her voice barely rose above a whisper.
She stared toward the location where Ayame's familiar had been destroyed.
Ayame remained silent.
Her eyes stayed focused on Rio.
"She's not guessing."
Fayzan let out a quiet breath.
A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Yeah."
He stepped out from behind the trees.
No point hiding anymore.
His hands rose casually into the air.
Relaxed.
Friendly.
Almost absurdly casual considering the situation.
"Well."
He smiled.
"This is awkward."
The atmosphere immediately tightened.
Rio didn't move.
Her blade remained pointed directly at him.
"State your business."
No greeting.
No introduction.
Just a challenge.
Fayzan stopped several meters away.
Close enough to talk.
Far enough to react.
A carefully chosen distance.
"Relax."
He tilted his head.
"We're not here to fight."
Rio's grip remained firm.
"Then talk."
Ayame and Sumi emerged from the trees behind him.
Ayame remained calm and observant.
Sumi looked significantly less comfortable.
Her eyes constantly shifted between Rio and Ryota, evaluating both of them.
Fayzan ignored the tension.
"Let's skip the usual nonsense."
His gaze locked onto Rio.
"You two are the players who triggered the hidden dungeon."
The forest seemed to grow even quieter.
Ryota shifted slightly.
Just enough to position himself between Rio and the newcomers.
It wasn't aggressive.
It wasn't obvious.
But it was protective.
Rio remained completely expressionless.
"And how are you so sure?"
Fayzan smiled.
"Simple."
He gestured toward them.
"Your statuses are hidden."
Behind him, Sumi froze.
"What?"
Even Ayame's eyes narrowed slightly.
Neither of them had noticed.
Fayzan continued.
"No normal player bothers hiding their status this early."
He took another step forward.
"You also detected us."
His gaze briefly moved toward the shattered remains of the crystal raven.
"Then you deliberately led us somewhere isolated."
He spread his arms slightly.
"A place without witnesses."
His smile widened.
"That's not coincidence."
Silence followed.
Rio stared at him for several long seconds.
Then the corner of her lips lifted slightly.
"Not bad."
Fayzan laughed quietly.
"I'll take that."
Rio lowered her saber slightly.
Not enough to relax.
Just enough to acknowledge his deduction.
"You've impressed me."
Then her eyes hardened again.
"But information isn't free."
That was enough to trigger Sumi.
"Tch."
She stepped forward immediately.
"Who do you think you—"
Her stance dropped.
Weight shifted.
Muscles coiled.
[Assassin Skill: Wolf Pounce]
Ryota reacted instantly.
His posture changed.
Center lowered.
Eyes focused.
He wasn't preparing to attack.
He was preparing to stop her.
Before either side could move, a hand grabbed Sumi.
Fayzan effortlessly lifted her off the ground.
Her feet kicked uselessly through the air.
"Not now."
"Put me down!"
"No."
His expression didn't change.
"This is a negotiation."
She continued struggling.
"That girl is clearly—"
"And you're clearly not thinking."
A brief pause.
"Shortie."
Sumi's face immediately reddened.
"I'M NOT SHORT!"
Her voice echoed through the entire forest.
The tension that had nearly exploded moments ago instantly became ridiculous.
Fayzan sighed.
"You're proving my point."
After a few moments, he finally set her back down.
"Behave."
"Tch."
She crossed her arms and looked away.
Still annoyed.
But no longer trying to attack anyone.
Fayzan turned back toward Rio.
His expression grew more serious.
"Sorry about that."
He glanced toward Sumi.
"Short temper."
Then his attention returned to Rio.
"We don't want trouble."
His voice lowered slightly.
"But we do want information."
The forest seemed to hold its breath.
Fayzan met her gaze.
"So let's do this properly."
His eyes remained steady.
"What's your price?"
"For information about the hidden dungeon."
Rio didn't answer immediately.
Instead, she studied him.
Not his words.
Not his appearance.
Him.
His restraint.
His judgment.
His reactions.
His ability to control the people around him.
Her gaze shifted toward Ayame.
Calm.
Quiet.
Dangerous.
Then to Sumi.
Impulsive.
Talented.
Undisciplined.
Finally she returned her attention to Fayzan.
A small breath escaped her lips.
"You're interesting."
A pause.
"But not interesting enough to get it for free."
Her fingers tightened around the hilt of her saber.
"Information has value."
Her voice lowered slightly.
"And this information..."
A faint smile appeared.
"...is expensive."
The forest fell silent once more.
The situation had changed.
This was no longer about being followed.
No longer about discovery.
It had become a negotiation.
And judging by the expressions on both sides, neither party intended to leave at a disadvantage.