It took Team Breeze several days to move upstream. With all the frequent ambushes from stalkers and other beasts, one would wonder how they had not been overwhelmed yet. But if one could pinpoint it, it would be the unit's cohesion.

The winner takes all in these battles. And oh, did they win, as plenty of crystals were harvested from their fallen foes. Moreover, Team Breeze was providing service. If these predators weren't culled every now and then, their populations would grow unchecked.

However, when Team Breeze split from the river and traveled through the unbeaten path, Lilie found herself thinking about Cyrus. His situation was, no doubt, a beacon of hope for her people, for everyone, so long as her father located that spatial tunnel.

But Cyrus himself was a little peculiar. At first, he immersed himself in her world's people and culture, yet rarely interacted with the people themselves. Rather, the man preferred to simply 'people watch,' as he would call it, and take 'photographs.'

Still, he glances at almost everything with newfound wonder. Lilie smiled at the thought. He's like a little kid.

At least, that was the case until the incident. When she spoke to her father about the details, he simply shook his head and said the results were quite positive. At least, that was under her father's consideration.

"There were some strange circumstances," he said at the time. "But none of them were inexplicable. And unless more evidence appears, I can only assume the boy's luck is simply rotten."

Yes, Cyrus was just an ordinary man with rotten luck. Given the circumstances, that was a positive notion. But Lilie thought otherwise.

"...I'll try to be there for him," She murmured.

How could she not notice the distress in Cyrus' gaze? No matter how hard he tried to hide it, the ordeal had shaken him up.

"Who are you talking about?" Blake asked, slowing down to match her pace.

Like a rabbit who had been caught, her ears twitched slightly.

"Hmm?" She looked away in an attempt to hide her fluster. "Oh, I was just thinking about Cyrus. It would be a shame if he suddenly quit after only a few months."

Anari, who was leading ahead, shook her head. "I disagree. Better now than when it matters."

She then left it at that.

Cyrus wouldn't run away, would he? Lilie wondered silently.

"You've mentioned his commitment to training," Blake interjected. "That at least shows he's up for the challenge... unlike the rest of them."

The two sighed at the thought. Indeed, despite the department's efforts with enticements, few joined The Wayfarer's initiation program, and fewer stayed. Moreover, Morgan's and Lilie's attempts at recruitment were also met with half-hearted interest or outright refusals.

"Recruiting those foggies is a waste of time." Leal's stoicism broke through their thoughts. "But that's enough complaining for now. We're close to the site."

And so they picked up their pace and found the metal hatch hidden under a bush. Leal knelt and pressed several points on the lid. A shimmering glow shone before it opened, revealing a ladder to a hidden, underground sanctuary.

If Cyrus had been there, he would have compared it to a fallout bunker. It was equipped with a restroom, bunkrooms, and even a kitchen, tiny as it was. But what would have caught his attention would have been the magical cyan formation that accented the concrete walls.

And so they sat down with their packs while the canaries explored their new, temporary home.

With their arrival came Anari's new set of orders. "Morgan, take inventory. Lilie sets up the living quarters."

"Aye, Aye, Team Leader," Morgan said, heading to the storage room.

"What about you, Anari?" Lilie asked.

The specialist mage smiled at her. "I'm going to the office. There are bound to be new reports for those who come after."

So, the two set off to work as Anari entered a lone room at the end of the short hallway that centered the bunker. Inside were shelves upon shelves of books. Maps, detailed reports, investigations, and accounts lined the walls, and anyone who read these old Wayfarer accounts would have a very detailed image of the forest painted within their heads.

In addition, Wayfarers often leave behind small but important details: a monster nest here, a resource there. One even wrote a very detailed report on the mating habits of the stalkers who dominated the forest, not that anyone asked.

Anari scanned these books with a fine-tooth comb. Which to start? Ah, there.

At the end of the section, she selected a leather-bound book, marking the more up-to-date line of reports. Then, she began her work as she searched for a particular piece of information.

Meanwhile, Morgan's brows furrowed at the stores before him. These held the dry foods and mana crystals and were usually the first to go out in the usual circumstances. But as he rechecked the barrel, the man involuntarily called for Lilie.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"What's wrong?" she inquired.

"The supplies are a quarter of what they should be."

Their gazes met before the two sighed. Not again.

It was a familiar scenario. Team Breeze would enter a site only to be met with empty storage and supplies. What's worse was that only those approved were allowed in here, i.e., Wayfarers.

And did they rationalize more than their fair share: 'We'll be traveling far, so we'll need extra' or 'It's been safe here lately, so it's okay to take a bit for ourselves.' And the pile of excuses grows and grows until there is nothing left. And what of those who do need it? 'Oh, well.'

"Perhaps there was a good reason," Lilie murmured softly, each word flimsier than the last.

At first, she truly had no qualms about her partners taking as many crystals as needed. Not only were they risking their lives to safeguard Avalorn in a world where every resource counted, but every member was precious. If the organization lost one, there wouldn't be a replacement.

Moreover, who was Dílis Lilie? She was the daughter of the city lord and lacked for almost nothing. And even if this storage room were brimming with supplies, it wouldn't fill the spatial pouch her father had given her. But Lilie swiftly learned the error of her ways once she explained her perspective to Anari.

The woman almost scoffed at the time. "Do you think you'll always be okay? What if you lose your pouch and find a site only to find its stores empty. And it's all because your so-called 'teammates' disregarded your needs."

Her thoughts were quickly corrected soon after. With a shake of her head, Lilie cleared her thoughts and resumed her duties. Meanwhile, Morgan returned to the kitchen and entertained the birds.

"Want me to cook tonight?" he suggested as Tuula playfully tugged at his fiery hair. "I'll even whip up my world-famous jerky stew."

Lilie paused as her mouth watered at the thought. But it wasn't her fault. She wanted to follow in her father's footsteps about vegetarianism... until she met Morgan. His cooking and Atlas' persuasive words corrupted her. She swears that was the case!

Time passed as everyone performed their tasks. Soon, the kitchen was filled with the sounds of bubbling stew and fragrant smells. As the two prepared the table, Anari emerged from the office with a book in hand.

"Morgan, give me a report on the supply status."

The other two exchanged uneasy glances.

"From what I've seen, there hasn't been a resupply in a while," Morgan began, carefully pouring the steaming soup into the bowls. "But there's more. There are barely any mana crystals left."

That was enough for Anari to piece the information together quickly. Moreover, since the inventory log was in the office, she knew what they were supposed to find.

"I'll discuss this with my Uncle," she replied, subtly frowning.

And that was that. The other two nodded silently and continued the preparation. But surely it wasn't the end of the story. No, there will be a commotion when Anari returns to the city, and she'll retain her moniker as the 'icy enforcer' soon enough.

Ahh, the perks of having an influential uncle who was just as uptight as her. But it wasn't as if the Leal family liked causing trouble, far from it. But to Anari, to any of them, those who work for the city must adhere to a strict doctrine. And those who break it deserve punishment, slight as it will be.

Moreover, the Leals would always be the first to charge and aid their comrades. How could they simply stand there and do nothing when one is decreasing another's chance of survival? But that would be a spectacle for another time.

The three sat down for dinner, with the canaries feeding beside them. Soon, smiles and conversations returned. Lilie cherished these moments; it felt like they were a small, close-knit family sheltered from the dangers above.

Except one is missing, Lilie thought, her gaze lost.

A tall man with curly hair and a perpetually sleepy expression came to mind. If he were here, he would plead with Anari for an extra day of rest or use all the hot water in a single shower. And if he were ordered to hunt for food, he would grumble at every step of the ladder and return grumbling as well. But the image only made Lilie smile.

"Lilie. Lilie." Anari's voice snapped Lilie out of her reverie, and the latter felt a flush of embarrassment.

"Yes?"

A gentle smile graced Anari's features. "We'll stay here for a few days, maybe even a week."

"Really?" Lilie fully returned from her daydreaming at her words. "But why?"

In response, Anari set down her wooden bowl, placed her map on the table, and indicated a spot on the western side of the forest.

"I've been checking the reports. And the spirit plant creature is somewhere around here. More importantly, we're going on the hunt."

Anari wanted to stay here for a mere beast? Lilie didn't understand why. After all, their mission to Mellor was undoubtedly a higher priority than hunting some plant creature. Moreover, there had been no reports of the beast being a threat, potential or otherwise. And unlike Atlas, Leal Anari wasn't one to deviate from a mission unless absolutely necessary. She was a stickler for rules, after all.

But not a moment later, Lilie gasped. "You mean...?"

"You have no idea how long I've been holding it in." Blake broke out into a grin. "We've been talking to the other teams and gathering intel about it."

So they were all doing this for her? How else would Lilie feel other than excitement, warmth, and embarrassment? For years, the barrier separating her from reaching rank three had hindered her progress as both a mage and a Wayfarer. But now, her friends, no, family, were willing to fight dangerous beasts for a chance to ascend.

Lilie was left speechless and unable to express how blessed she felt.

"You guys don't have to do this," she mustered her words. "It's too dan—"

"That's not going to stop us." Anari raised her hand, interrupting her. "Besides, we've already learned of its strength and prepared for the hunt." Then she held Lilie's hand and softly squeezed. "And this could be that one percent that could make all the difference. Don't give it up for our sake."

"And it's too late, anyway, Lilie. "Blake couldn't contain his smile as he refilled the bowls with steaming hot soup. "You know once Team Leader sets her mind on something, the path is set."

Left with no other choice, Lilie nodded with a blooming smile. Yet, regarding business, Anari returned to her stern expression.

"Now, we prepare for the hunt," she began, pointing at the map. "Starting tomorrow, we'll begin searching and..."

Lilie and Morgan listened intently as Anari outlined her plan. But as she delved deeper, Lilie was distracted by her thoughts, a smile ghosting her lips.

There's nowhere else I'd rather be than right here with my friends.

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