Beltrand makes a very long and defeated sigh as he slumped on the wooden couch in the inn they staying with.

  "Im boooooored... This place is too quiet."

  Grand Ecstasy with the exception of Mateo are just doing their best to entertain themselves inside Frihelm as they all wait for the next bow creation to finish. Mateo is with the craftsmen as he personally gives his preference on how the finish product should look like.

  "Should we try venturing the woods and move a little bit?" Shirna stretches hid nimble body.

  "Don't wanna." Beltrand bland refusal.

  Helyna is busy doing maintenance on her gear while Sophia just meditates in the corner.

  "I wish I can use my phone." Claustrine mumbles while reading a book.

  "You have your books. Just waste your time reading them." Beltrand remarks.

  "I already finished reading what I brought with me. And most of my books are digital copies." Claustrine's calm answer as she close the book she's reading.

  The door slowly opens and Grand Ecstasy jolted seeing Mateo reveal his head to everyone.

  "Is it done?" Beltrand quickly asked.

  "Yes. Let's go do some practice shooting."

  ~~~~~~°~~~~~~

  Back in the workshop they go. Grand Ecstasy and the elves are staring confused on the wall where the only thing they waited hangs menecingly.

  A gigantic broad bow made of solid Elven Ironwood. Despite it's simplistic shape, the sheer size and bulk of it are so imposing that everyone don't know how to process the weapon bordering into a balista with lances as ammunations.

  "It's a lot larger than my entire body." Shirna said perplexed.

  "It's so absurd...." Beltrand picks one of the arrows and held it like a spear.

  "This is practically a ballista at this point. How a human can even use that?" Helyna is still not believing what her imagination is conjuring using the gigantic bow.

  "No... This is it. This how how exactly I imagined it to look like."

  Mateo picks the gigantic bow with a shaking hand. He's excited to finally try it as he only dream using such absurd weaponry in video games yet here a perfect replica is in his grasp.

  Mateo held the bow and due to its sheer size. He wield it horizontally, like a wing.

  To a normal archer, wielding such huge bow is so impractical as it impends to someone's movements and perception on how a bow should be used. Yet the giant weapon feels very familiar to his hand. Fit like a glove.

  "T-this is i!"

  Mateo happily picks one arrow and rush towards the shooting range to finally load the bow. Unlike before, Mateo feels no resistance as she draw the string with ease. His aim is also calm and focused despite the weird

  posture.

  Grand Ecstasy and the elves watch with anticipation as they wait for Mateo to finally release the arrow. Not wanting themselves to wait any longer, Mateo finally freed the grip of his fingers, letting the string loose.

  SWOOOOSH!!!

  The huge ammunation flies with a loud sound and speed. Despite it just being a casual shot, the arrow digs deep to the target dummy. Impaling it to the head

  "Y-yup... A ballista..." -Helyna.

  "Such power..."

  Tiasha approaches Mateo and she ask if she can use the bow. Tiasha wants to try the weapon and Mateo gladly let her also test it.

  Tiasha is a well renowned hunter in Frihelm with bow mastery as one of her arsenal. Yet she can't grasp the concept of the large bow as she struggled to use it comfortly.

  Despite Tiasha also able to draw the string, he can't aim with focus, causing her shoot to miss yet it still possessed a powerful punch.

  "The Draw Weight, it's so extreme. This weapon is something a not human nor elf could possessed." Tiasha stares at Mateo with disbelief."

  "It seems it's really related on how your abilities works Mateo."

  "Y-yeah..." Mateo agrees on Claustrine's assessment.

  "Did I succeed on making your weapon Mateo?" The craftsman asked with worry. Scared that he might created another failure.

  Mateo faces the craftsman and give her a comforting pat to the shoulder.

  "You did well. Great job Denaur." Mateo's sincere appreciation. The craftsman is elated as his days of hard work finally paids off.

  He sits on his chair and slumped with extreme satisfaction. One deep breath of relief finally escapes his mouth.

  "Haaaaaa!!! Finally..."

  Mateo seeing the tired form of Denaur. Feels guilty.

  "I'm so sorry for being so meticulous on choosing my bow. All of this hassle would not be happened if we just collaborated earlier."

  Denaur waves his hand non-chalantly.

  "No no NO. I accepted this project with true full devotion after knowing who's gonna recieve this weapon I'm making."

  "Hmmm? What do you mean?" Mateo tilted his head.

  Denaur's face becomes mellow and with a smile of gratitude.

  "Afterall, this bow I'm making is for the one that saved my life back then. There's no way I will craft this weapon sloppily."

  Mateo is mildly surprised alongside his friends.

  "Wait... You're also one of the elves I save?"

  ~~~~~~°~~~~~~

  2 Years ago...

  Denaur alongside other elves are held captive in one of metal cages. They all abused and purposedly starved with bare sustenance. Just enough to make them alive yet too weak to fight back.

  Denaur lose all his hope and just waiting for whatever fate the humans decided for all of them but everything changed when one day...

  As the humans are transporting their captives and on their way leaving the forest. Denaur sees how one of the humans transporting their cage got hit by a stray arrow to the head.

  The cage instantly lose balance as one of its carriers falls down, crashing the caravan in a complete halt.

  "AN AMBUSH?!"

  "THE DAGGER EARS ARE ATTACKING US!"

  "HUNTERS! SPOT THE ENEMIES! THE REST TAKE COVER! WE WILL ATTACK ONCE WE FIND OUT THEIR LOCATIONS!"

  The humans are in complete disarray as arrows continues to fly towards them, killing few humans who got hit.

  The dense forest is proven to be a disgusting area to get caught by an ambush as there's so many areas the enemies can hide thelselves. Behind the shadows of the trees and plants literally surrounding the human caravan.

  The humans believes that they fighting a group of enemies, causing their already reduced numbers confusion which the enemy used with great effect after he stopped shotting few precise arrow shots and finally reveals himself. A green hooded figure falls from one of the trees and eliminated one of the humans below.

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  The cloaked introduder fights the humans witb such ferocity and brutish power with disregard of refinery. Its movements are heavy and powerful that despite the humans' having far more experience, their body can't match the raw sheer strenght the opponent possessed.

  The humans finally realized that they only fighting a single enemy all along.

  "IT'S HIM! IT'S THE HUNTER!!" One of the spotter shout after finally seeing that there's only one shadow moving around and decimating their ranks.

  "FUCK!"

  But the knowledge of the enemy didn't help them at a slightest as the cloaked figure traverse the forest like he's living at it for years. Confusing the humans as on their point-of-view, the intruder is like banishing on their sight only to reappear near them with its sword already embedded on their body.

  The cloaked figure makes a work of the humans as he killed them in a messy massacre. The dead humans drop flat to the ground as the humans stands mencingly.

  After the hooded figure inspects the battlefield, he walk close to the cage which make the elves scared and anxious.

  The hooded figure removes his cloak to show his human appearance which just make the elves more suspicious and afraid. Afterall, are they really saved if it with the hands of another human? They might just got involved on someone stealing other people's "loot."

  Yet to their surprise. The human make a quick swing and destroys the lock of the cage with one powerful strike before leaving like nothing happened.

  The elves look at each other at first, confused on what to react on the gesture. But with Denaur's lead, they slowly walk out of their cage and...

  Weep silently as they finally feel true freedom after days of suffering. As the elves rejoice, Denaur looks around in attempt of finding the person who freed them. To no avail as he didn't see the man anymore.

  The hunter leaves with no words. Denaur didn't even managed to send a single gratitude.

  After returning to his village. Denaur finally find out the tale of the hunter who attacking slavers in the forest and freeing slaves. On that day, he burn down the appearance of the hooded man in the hopes of one day meeting him and properly giving his gratitude.

  ~~~~~~°~~~~~~

  Back in the workshop.

  "I'm s-sorry. I-I don't remember you Denaur." Mateo's honest admittance.

  "It's fine. It's been a long time anyways and you also saved more elves so I understand if you didn't recognized me anymore."

  Mateo gives a warm smile. Denaur claps his hands.

  "Now that it's done. Just come back to me if you want me to upgrade your bow or get some arrows."

  "Of course. Thanks Denaur." Mateo nods.

  The weapon test end in a good note and Mateo finally puts his newly acquired weapons inside his BoS alongside a bundle of arrows. Grand Ecstasy leaves with a farewell as they leave behind Tiasha and Denaur in the workshop.

  "Denaur."

  "Yes sis?"

  "Do you have use of those rejected bows?"

  "Hmmm... I'm just planning on selling them but if you want. You can have them." Denaur's easy proposal.

  "Thanks." Tiasha pats Denaur's head.

  .

  .

  .

  With everything already prepared. Grand Ecstasy finally gives their departure from the city of the elves and back to the human cities. But before doing so, the party visits the new settlement where they will try to bring Natsuko alongside their travel.

  "Do you think she will come with us?" Claustrine asked.

  But her question is answered easily as they see Natsuko standing in front of the settlement's entrance.

  "You're late."

  Grand Ecstsy just watch silently as Natsuko elegantly joins their ranks.

  "What are you waiting for? Let's go shall we. We have a world we should visit soon." Natsuko's calm words.

  "Are you... Fine." The only words coming from Mateo as he was unsure on Natsuko's demeanor.

  Natsuko stand still and went silent for a second and then glance at the party behind her.

  "Yes... Afterall, I give him a peaceful death. I'm fine, I need to." Natsuko gives a warm smile.

  Grand Ecstasy smiles back and they now venture away in the woods.

  "Wait a minute. Is your people even approved of this? We're not kidnapping you, right?" Helyna's wish of reassurance.

  Natsuko laughs heartly.

  "I did manage to convince Karka and Ismorela but it take days for them to finally fold. Karka especially is so stubborn, he want to come with me." Natsuko sighs with disbelief.

  "That's good. But we still need to address another problem.

  "What is it?"

  Mateo points on Natsuko's 9 tails swinging behind her.

  "Oh these? No problem."

  With a poof and white clouds. Her nine tails dissappears and her fox tails got replaced by human ones to the amusement of Grand Ecstasy.

  "I'm a kitsune. Of course I'm well verse on art of trickery. But I don't understand why I need hide them here?"

  "We're going back on Earth remember?" Mateo's casual answer.

  "Ah... Right."

  "And I don't like for to recieve unnecessary attention when we're inside a human city here in Yhigressia."

  "What do you mean Mateo."

  "Beastfolk are a rare sight even in the Trifecta territories. We going to become an eye candy the moment they got sight of your nine tails." Claustrine answers the priestess' question.

  "I see..." Natsuko ponders.

  ~~~~~~°~~~~~~

  After leaving the Savagery Forest and recieving a thorough examination plus quarantine to check if they are infected, Grand Ecstasy and Natsuko went in Nattunia to give a report to Gilmore who called them after knowing that they have a a very hands-on experience of the disease. Gilmore alongside Kiana and other higher ups gives them a barrage of questions which Grand Ecstasy answered with the best of their abilities. The meeting lasted 2 hours and left the party exhausted.

  But experiencing the long stressing inquiry is worth it as it finally time for them to have some rest. The familiar door opens and spouting the tired Grand Ecstasy as they flood Mateo's room in Earth.

  Beltrand just throw his stuffs on the side and drop flat on Mateo's soft bed.

  "I'm beat..."

  It's a terrible mistake as the others have the same plan as the rest of Grand Ecstasy with the exception of Natsuko also drop flat on the bed. Pinning Beltrand underneath.

  "H-hey... Find a spot of your own!"

  "Just go to our rooms Beltrand." -Sophia.

  "I'm too tired for that." -Beltrand.

  "Just a reminder. This is my bed!" Mateo's reminder.

  Natsuko just watch dumbfounded on the pile of Grand Ecstasy on the bed. Then she chuckle softly before finally inspecting the room where she's standing at.

  It's truly alien with equipment she can't recognize. The technologies, the posters in the wall. The room is far more alien than the another word she lived with for a thousand years.

  The other door open opens sofltly, revealing Ligaya looking at Grand Ecstasy with bewildered expression.

  "Ohh... You returned Mateo."

  "Hi m-mom." Mateo's casual greeting, still pinned under his friends.

  Then Ligaya finally notice the unfamiliar face just standing beside her kids. A very elegant lady with its sharp eyes and jet black long hair.

  "And w-who is this beautiful lady?"

  Mateo finally remembers why they here, stand up and fix himself.

  "I almost forgot. Let's go to the living room. We have a very unbelievable story to tell ma."

  Ligaya is intrigued on her son's words

  "Oh? Well then I'm gonna prepare you snacks."

  "SNACKS?!"

  Sophia, Helyna and Shirna perked up and stand swiftly before leaving the room with excitement as they race towards the living room.

  "Good grief." Claustrine's disbelief.

  ~~~~~~°~~~~~~

  In the living room, Sophia, Helyna, Beltrand and Shirna are munching on the assortments of desserts Ligaya prepared. Ligaya meanwhile in deep thoughts after hearing the story coming from her son and his friends.

  "Unbelievable... To think that you're not the only case. Let alone the fact the mythologies of our world... Actually exist."

  "About that second point. We forgot to tell but fought aswangs."

  "Also in Yhigressia?"

  "No. Here on Earth. Back when we're vacationing in Isabella." Mateo's answer.

  Ligaya slumped on the coach in disbelief.

  "I don't know what to believe anymore. I bet your dad and your siblings will surely feel the same after knowing all of these."

  Ligaya just finished her words when Reymundo, Jade and Beatrice enters the room carrying groceries.

  "Oh Kuya you just come back?"

  And like Ligaya, the three focus their gaze on Natsuko.

  A few minutes later...

  "No way..." Jade's awe as he look at Natsuko with amazement.

  Beatrice comes closer to Natsuko.

  "Hey hey can you show it to us? Please?!"

  Natsuko understands what Beatrice means and with a poof, Natsuko shows her nine tails and fox ears.

  "Ohhh... She's really like on those movies." -Reymundo.

  "Shiva would be livid once she find out about this."

  "Shiva? You're friends with a God?" Natsuko recognize the name.

  "Ah noo... That's the name of my brother." Mateo's correction.

  "Oh... Very daring giving yourself a name of a God."

  The room went silent after hearing what Natsuko just said. Yet they didn't have the guts to question the validaty of her words.

  To prevent their ideals being confused. Everyone just decides to ignore it.

  "Wait we also fought an Earthling in Yhigressia right?"

  Agbayani family looks at Claustrine.

  "Wait? We didn't told you?" Mateo's confused question.

  His family slowly shakes their head.

  "From what I remember. We're so preoccupied about the drama about Shirna and guns at that time."

  Shirna gets shy.

  "Ah right..."

  Mateo then gives a summarizy of the incident about the Earthling they defeated.

  "Things just become more complicated now that there's so many incidents like this." Beattrice's opinion.

  "What is your next move Mateo?" Reymundo asked as he look at Natsuko who elegantly drinking a glass of orange juice.

  "Well... The very first thing we need to do is to visit Natsuko's home. We can prioritize the other stuff once we're done with her homecoming."

  "In Japan, right?" -Jade.

  Grand Ecstasy and Agbayani family ponders in an instant as they got hit with a problem.

  "This time. It's only me and Natsuko that will go in Japan."

  Grand Ecstasy stares at Mateo with disbelief.

  "Eehhh? We're not going together?" Sophia's sad question.

  "But I want to go in Japan." Helyna shares her sentiment.

  Mateo gives a sigh of dissapointment.

  "Even if I want to. How we even supposed to prepare all of your passports. It would take a very long time and lots of connections. I don't even think Ailan can help us on this. Besides, I don't want to take the risk of a botched forgery."

  "Well I understand where you coming from but. Isn't that problem also the same on her?" Claustrine points her hands to Natsuko.

  Mateo slowly facepalmed as he realizes the difficulty.

  "You're correct."

  "Mateo. You have this thing called Passfort right?" Natsuko calmly asked.

  "Well we need to have it for our family vacation in SoKor."

  "I'm so jelly" Sophia pouts.

  "That passport is like a documentation just for a person?"

  "Exactly that."

  "Ohh... Then I have an idea."

  Natsuko place the glass of orange juice gently on the table and in an instant, Natsuko got engulfed by a thick white cloud which dissipates within seconds.

  With Natsuko nowhere to be seen.

  "Huh Natsuko? What happened?" Mateo's question.

  And from where Natsuko seated. A green magatama pendant can be seen. Everyone stares on the pendant with curious expression.

  "Natsuko? That pendant... Is you?" Mateo's dumbfounded question.

  "Yes... You can carry me like this and bypass any complications. It's not like they would prevent someone wearing jewelries while traveling right?"

  "Natsuko... You're a genius." Mateo admires Natsuko's ingenuity.

  And he slumped relaxed on the coach.

  "I guess that problem is now solved."

  Natsuko transforms back on her human form.

  "Just to be sure. That transformation doesn't have any limits?" Claustrines question.

  "No worries. I can retain my transformations for a very long time.

  Mateo eats a piece of biscuit and emptied his glass of orange juice.

  "Now we just need to know where in Japan Natsuko's home is. A thousand years is such a long time that there's so many things that have changed."