Gardus Swamp, Nattunian - Bolaire border.

  An orc is strolling the wet lands in search for food, consisting of fruits and of lucky, a wild animal to beat and consume.

  The orcs of of Yhigressia is different compared to what Mateo is seen in medias back on Earth. Instead of being a social creature with knack for maintaining a companionship structure, Yhigressian orcs are more akin to beasts, prideful wild beasts that prefers isolation.

  Their appearance doesn't even help to differentiate them. It best describes as a bald gorilla with a pig of a wild boar, it even walk in gorilla-like fashion.

  The orc is sniffing on the firmer part of the swampy soil, smelling something delectable until it reach the detected spot which the orc digs furiously, the place is beside a tall and study tree.

  But before it even reach the threat, Mateo drops from the thick canopy of the tree. Stabbing his sword direactly above the orc's head.

  The Orc makes a ghoulish and loud roar as it thrashes around. Mateo fights back by holding his sword to the best of his ability. Clinging to the handle for his dear life that his entire body got swinged wildly as the boar continues to run amok. The orc run tuwards to the thick vegetation, destryoying few trees in the process which Mateo got hitted yet persevered.

  Mateo digs his sword deeper into the Orc's skull and shake it to stir the inside and do more damage. The sword finally penetrates the thick skull and kills the orc, making it fall face down to the muddy ground.

  Knowing the fight is over, Mateo gets out of the dead orc and inspect himself for potential injuries. After seeing that his condition is good.

  "Status!"

  The usual status windows appeared in front of Mateo and his gaze focused on the EXP.

  "Wow... That huge?"

  His EXP bar just got increased by 35%. But he knows that as he leveled up, that EXP gain dwindles until he needs to fight stronger enemies again.

  But still. Mateo is glad that there's good progress that he can grasp on.

  "Mateoo!"

  From the cleaner part of the marsh stands Sophia which called him. She was protected by her full-enclosed barrier and just observing from a distance.

  "Just a moment!"

  Mateo gets few pieces of the Orc's flesh before walking towards Sophia.

  "How it is?"

  "Good actually. Just few more orc kills and I can level up."

  "I see... You really well versed on those Orcs Mateo."

  "It should be. Those pigs really beat the shit out of me in the past." Mateo sigh as he walks away followed by Sophia.

  "Where are we going now Mateo?"

  Sophia's question got answered when Mateo stops on the tree where he ambusbed the orc. He then continues the dig the monster made which Sophia only watch with curiosity.

  "Jackpot... Too many for us." Mateo mumbles as he see the clump of black spheres under the ground.

  Mateo then picks the thing he used to bait the orc. Sophia picks a strong earthy and nutty smell.

  "Trafela? That's how you got that priced thing?" Sophia is surprised as she never seen the thing harvested before.

  "Funny right? The thing the nobles brags about being "food of the elites" is really a just a food for a mere orc." Mateo speaks he stares on the dirt coated black lump of fungi.

  "But if that's easy to find Trafela. Why it's so rare and even treated as a noble food?"

  "They're really not that common Sophia but also not that rare. Besides, it seems the prestige is blown out-of-proportion and make the harvest of this thing a trade secret for some reason."

  "I-I see..."

  Mateo finished his digging and put the orc meat and the truffles on his BoS.

  "Let's go and cook some good. I'm so hungry." Mateo's excited invitation.

  "Hehe... Same here."

  Sophia and Mateo do some BBQ using the orc meat and some spices Mateo prepared in advance. Regaining their energy after a hearty meal, the two quickly resumes the grind.

  The strategy is simple. Mateo and Sophia prepares in advance by Putting the buffing totems just far enough that Mateo can recieve its effects while Mateo use the harvested truffles as a bait, by burrowing it near a tall tree.

  Mateo then climbs the tree and wait for an unsuspecting orc to dig the truffles below. And once baited, Mateo then pounce and starts fighting the orc while riding its back as Sophia watch from a distance and prepares to intervene once the ambush went south.

  The strategy is risky but viable as Mateo manages to kill 15 powerful orcs in different areas of the swap. Increasing his level by 4.

  Mateo Agbayani is now Level 11

  Not wanting to stay inside the swamp for the night. The two finishes the hunt and returns home after cleaning themselves to the nearby river. Mateo is looking at his status window as they walk.

  "Mateo."

  "Yes Sophia?"

  "When you gonna face an orc head on?" Sophia's casual question.

  "I'm still too weak for that. Maybe once I reached level 15 that I try fighting one head on."

  "I see. Well, I'm still amazed that you're experienced dealing with monsters, that even in weakened state you can fight them head on. I'm confident you can fight one orc carefully."

  Mateo gives a melancholic smile.

  "To be honest, this is a lot easier compared to the first time I got transported here. In the past, I just dealing with monsters alone unlike now that there's a very reliable cleric supporting me." Mateo's proud appreciation.

  Sophia is delighted at the compliment but she quickly compose herself.

  "Still. You should not always rely on me."

  "Haha I know I know."

  "But thanks." Sophia gives a shy smile.

  Mateo pulls a bag of potato chips which the two shares while walking down the road.

  "Mateo I'm curious, you said that you fight monsters alone in the past? Where exactly you got teleported and how you get put here in the first place ?"

  Mateo taken aback by the question, ponders a bit as he remembers the details.

  "The last time I remember is when dad asked me to get sacks of charcoal from the mountain quarry he worked in. I think I'm already deep in the woods that I notices some changes."

  "Some changes? Is the teleportation not abrupt?"

  "Don't get me wrong. I still find it shocking, it's more like the realization that I just got transported to another world is delayed. I walking in the woods and only find out that I am in completely different place when I feel the plants around me changed."

  "Suddenly changed in appearance without notice?"

  "Yes. That's exactly what happened. I admit I've rarely go outside in the past but I'm still well verse on things round, especially in my town where I spend most of my childhood is. So I'm familiar on some plants. Me seeing weird plants and trees makes me confused at that time."

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  "Then what makes you finally find out that you're in our world?"

  "Hmmm... That fact hits me when I spotted a Devourer fighting a Mosupant."

  Sophia feel a cold shudder after hearing the familiar names.

  "D-Devourer?... M-m-osupant? Are you transported in the Savagery Forest Mateo?"

  Mateo sigh remembering the stressful memories.

  "Yes."

  "Oh my Goddess... It's a miracle you even survive there. To be real, how you even managed to stay alive living in that green misery?"

  Mateo scoffs lightly then shrugs.

  "I don't know. Extreme luck I guess?"

  Mateo gets a pinch of Potato chips and eat the last bunch before putting the now plastic into his BoS.

  "I think I just trusted my insticts and my desire to live just do the rest at that time."

  "It must been a really terrible moment for you Mateo. I can't imagine all the close calls." Sophia saddened after hearing his friend's origin as she feels sympathy.

  "So many too that I lost count. It almost become a normal routine back then." Mateo chuckle.

  "It's not a joking matter Mateo." Sophia pouts.

  "But hey I persevered and now I'm with you guys. I can say that it's a very good experience now. It also give veluable experiences and... Memories..."

  Sophia watch as her chalant friend Mateo slowly become melancholic like something hit him.

  Mateo meanwhile as she remembers the dangers he encountered and moments surviving in Savagery Forest, he got frozen after a very cloudy imagery flashes in his mind. The cloud finally clears and the image of an wounded and injured Light Elf appears in Mateo's recollection. Despite her obvious state of misery, the Light Elf's eyes is not visible and Mateo can only see her smiling brightly. A smile that makes Mateo feel that everything would be alright.

  A smile that gives Mateo a desire to live.

  "Mateo?" Sophia asked with concern. Her worry risen after seeing the silent gloomy state of Mateo.

  "Ah..."

  Mateo comes back to the moment and put his hand to his head.

  "I'm fine Sophia. I just remember something." Mateo's reassurance.

  But deep down, Mateo feels the grief coming back. Like a past wound that opened itself again. Yet Mateo just give a smile of reassurance to Sophia as he continues to walk.

  "Let's continue Sophia. I'm still hun-"

  Mateo stops after he feel a warm embrace from behind.

  "S-Sophia?" What are you?" Mateo is truly surprised.

  "I don't know Mateo. It just, I feel like I need to do this. Sorry." Sophia answers with a tear flowing on her cheek.

  Mateo feels the sincerity of Sophia. That she's really feel what Mateo is having at the moment. Mateo accepts Sophia's kindess and close his eyes as he feel a sense of calm and serenity.

  "It must be very painful memories for you. I'm so sorry for making you remember it."

  Mateo place his hand on Sophia's arm gently and close his eyes.

  "No... Thank you Sophia." Mateo makes a warm smile.

  ~~~~~~°~~~~~~

  Deep in Great Humilean Desert

  "You see that very miniscule oasis right there Helyna?"

  "Uhmm... Y-Yeah."

  "That's our target."

  Claustrine and Helyna are having a sight seeing from a distance while Beltrand and Shirna are arming themselves.

  The oasis in question is pretty much a water puddle with tall grass around it.

  "I see... So that's how Clamorus hunt its prey. Very cunning." Helyna is intrigued.

  "Ok Shirna time to bait it."

  "Huh? Why me?"

  "You're the fastest among us here."

  Shirna sigh.

  "I'm always getting used as a bait."

  "Sorry." Beltrand apologize.

  "You know Shirna doesn't need to do that right?" Claustrine corrects the crew.

  "Huh?" -Shirna.

  "We just gonna need to throw something on the pond to make it alerted and believe a prey take its bait."

  Shirna eyes widen then he looked at Beltrand who avoid his gaze and start whistling.

  "Asshole." Shirna look at Beltrand with disbelief.

  "Sorry. I'm just messing with you."

  "So once the Clamorus surfaces, we going to fight it head on?" Helyna is still curious as it's the first time she gonna fight the monster.

  "Fighting it is least of our concern. The hardest part of this is preventing the Clamorus on digging back into the sands and escaping. And it's tough when encase on its shell so that's another problem." Beltrand explains with desdain as he remember the party's Clamorus hunt in the past.

  "We don't need to worry about that." Claustrine speaks she manipulates the sands nearby to form huge clump of solid sand.

  Beltrans looks at Claustrine, clearly confused.

  "You have some sort of plan?"

  "Yeah. Also it's an experiment on my part. I need your cooporation for this Beltrand."

  "Uhmmm... Sure."

  "Good."

  Claustrine then move forward within a distance away from the rest. The three almost join her but.

  "I advised you all to not come closer and just stay still."

  The three follow the advise and just stand idly, watching Claustrine form a huge bubble made of Mana. Then Claustrine fills the Mana bubble with a clear liquid.

  "Water?" Helyna is curious.

  After the bubble is prepared, Claustrine finally do the final part by manipulating the floating bubble and move it directly above the oasis. As the bubble floats further, Claustrine is visibly struggling to retain the form of the magic she created.

  "You good?" Beltrand is worried.

  "Yeah. I can still go."

  "What exactly is your plan here?"

  "How about find it out? Pick one of those stones and disturb the oasis. Be sure to not hit the bubble."

  "Uhmm... Ok."

  Without further questioning, Beltrand follows what Claustrine instructed. He effortlessly pick one of the sand stones Claustrine created and fling it away, directly hitting the small oasis.

  Before Shirna and Helyna even react, the sands below instantly get disturbed as two gaping shells sprouts underground and engulfed the sand stone and the mana bubble with its tentacles.

  The Clamorus then landed on the sand after revealing itself. Yet within the mere moment, everyone can hace a glimpse of its true form - It's a grotesque looking giant octopus who uses the shell of an unknown giant clam as a protection. The "oasis" part is the tip of a specialized tentacle. The said tentacle have hair-like strand and a bowl to hold the water that used as bait. As how it blended in the surroundings? The special tentacle also possessed color changing skin that makes it appear similar to the sands.

  Before everyone even see more details of the Clamorus, it shut itself and crushing the rock and the Mana Bubble inside.

  "Now wha-"

  Beltrand didn't even finished his question when smoke rises from the inside of the shell. And eventually.

  The Clamorus thrashes around and squirms in complete agony. The shells used as cover are thrown away, fully exposing the Clamorus as its flesh looks like burning and melting.

  Few more minutes of watching the disurbing show. The Clamorus finally dropped dead and slumped on the hot desert sand, still smoking.

  "W-what?" Helyna is disgusted.

  "Don't go. Wait for the magic to disappear."

  Claustrine finally reached her limit as she almost fall over but thankfully Shirna and Beltrand catches her.

  "What you actually did Claustrine?" Beltrand asked as he observed the dead Clamorus.

  "J-Just a little experiment."

  "Experiment?! That's like a deadly attack right there?!"

  "I kinda surprised and terrified on how deadly it is." Clautrine's smug answer.

  Beltrand sigh as he finally gets it.

  "It's something from Earth again, right?"

  "Pretty much."

  "Aren't you relying too much on Earth's knowledge?"

  "Coming from you? Aren't you learning about Earth's martial arts?"

  "Well, you have a point but in my opinion. What you learned is more impactful than just few combat techniques." Beltrand's rebuttal.

  Claustrine finally stand on her own after resting a little bit.

  "It's something our world would learn eventually. Let's go and finish this quest."

  Claustrine walk towards the Clamorus while her friend follows quietly. Now closer, the party can finally see the extent of the damage the acid Claustrine created.

  An expression of cringe and disgusts form on their faces. Imagining how their skin would look if the corrosive liquid touch their skin.

  "I think it's better to not use whatever is that fluid." Beltrand's ultimatum.

  "I can't promise a complete stop but I can lessen it." Claustrine answered as she close her eyes.

  "W-what now? We supposed to find some sort of gemstone right?" Helyna's reminder.

  Beltrand makes one last cringe expression then strenghten his resolve. After preparing his self and a knife, Beltrand jumps on the Clamorus' head and starts to carve the flesh on the top. It only take a moment and Beltrand finally picked the main objective of their quest.

  On his hand is an iridescent irregular shaped stone the size of his head. Despite it's imperfect form, it's lustre and shine mesmerize Helyna and Shirna.

  "Wow... So beautiful." Helyna's awe after seeing the beautiful stone.

  "Is that a pearl?" Shirna's question, his eyes still transfixed on the gemstone.

  "Yeah. And we're even lucky to find one on our very first hunt." Claustrine's answer.

  Beltrand comes back to the squad with the pearl on his tow.

  "Thanfully, your magic earlier didn't damaged the pearl."

  "What our client's use on that pearl anyway?" Helyna's curious question.

  "Just a room decor." Claustrine's casual answer.

  Helyna is in disbelief after learning that their mission is just so some noble can have some bragging piece on his home.

  "Can you cast some water on me Claustrine? I'm reeking with fishy stench." Beltrand's request as he's covered with Clamorus blood.

  "Sorry but I don't have mana. Maybe later."

  "Oh come on! Can you atleast try?"

  Claustrine points her point finger upward and summon a blob of floating water on the tip of her finger. But it only lasted for a second as the water banishes and Claustrine almost fall to the ground due to mana exhaustion, thankfully Helyna and Shirna catches her back.

  "Fuck." Beltrand admits defeat.

  ~~~~~~°~~~~~~

  Nattunia City Adventurers Guild.

  "Thank you for your hard work Grand Ecstasy!"

  Grand Ecstasy confirms the completion of their quest and Emma gives them the reward for the Clamorus Pearl.

  The group now sitting on the chairs around a wooden table, eating the food they ordered from the guild.

  Beltrand chugs a mug of beer.

  "Pheeww! That's the spot!" Beltrand's satiafaction as he slams the now empty mug to the table.

  "Job well done everyone." Claustrine's congratulations.

  "I didn't even do anything at all." Helyna then sigh.

  "You really complaining that you get paid for doing minimal work?" Beltrand's confused question.

  "Not complaining about that. It's just, I feeling useless and like a burden to the party." Helyna speaks honestly.

  "Pfft! Hahaha! You worrying on something non-trivial Helyna. We don't mind at all, besides. It's just your first mission alongside us." Beltrand's reassurance as he pats Helyna's back.

  "R-Really?"

  "Yup? Grand Ecstasy's motto is to "just enjoy the adventure to the fullest when the winds are calm". You putting yourself in doubt is very unfun right?" Claustrine smiles.

  "S-Sorry." Helyna's soft apologize.

  "Right now. Things are still fine so let's use that time for you to get used with us ok? There's more mission that you can impress us." Claustrine grins.

  "Y-Yes. Thank you Claustrine." Helyna makes a soft smile.

  "A plate of roast meat incoming!" A guild waitress happilly placed a big well done piece of monster meat to Grand Ecstasy's table.

  "Right now. Let's just enjoy the reward for our work." Claustrine's invitation.

  "Yes!"

  Grand Ecstasy eat to their heart's content. Enjoying the feasts catered for hungry adventurers. Helyna meanwhile feels the easy-going vibe of her new party and didn't notice that she's slowly loosening herself with a smile for everyone.