"Hero and want to be hero, your challenge lies before you," I can hear Zen's voice like he is speaking over an announcement system. "Conquer the Cradle of Trazayuya and defeat me to earn your prizes."
I look at Satou, and before I can even say a word, he transforms into the mask-wearing person who helped me take down that demon. So it was him. Before we can even begin to speak, both Pearl and Henry wake up. Looking down at them, they seem to be confused like I am as to how we got here.
"Are you two okay?" I ask as soon as they are standing.
"I'm fine," Pearl says, glancing around the area taking everything in before her eyes narrow on Satou.
"I'm okay as well," Henry replies looking at Satou too. "Are you the person from the maze that aided Hero Kura?"
"..." Satou doesn't say anything and just nods his head.
"It's fine. He appears to have been brought here like us by the undead king," I tell them, but they still seem wary of him.
"Fine, but something feels off about him. Keep your guard up," Pearl replies relaxing slightly, but her hands still grip the hilt of her sword.
"We should head back to the city and gather reinforcements," Henry suggests, but I stop her and point to the ground.
A ring of shadow encircles the area giving me a bad feeling. I don't know why but if I were to guess, I would put it down to my Danger Sense ability, but I know that getting near those shadows will be dangerous. I have a skill that should let me disarm traps, but I doubt it will work.
"It doesn't look like we will be able to escape until we defeat him," I tell her and to prove my point at that moment, a small bird tried to cross the shadow circle only to be dragged down into the void.
"Void trap..." I hear Satou mutter.
"We should keep moving," I say, and Satou and Pearl nod. "The sooner we beat him, the sooner we will be free."
"What are you saying? We need to stay here for help,"
Henry was the only one to object. She's shaking. I walk toward her and put my hands on her shoulder.
"Henry, I know it is not the best situation to be in, but we need to push forward," I tell her. "We can find shelter, food and water up ahead, and I promise you that I will keep you safe."
"But I... if we go in...."
"Henry, look at me," She meets my eyes. "I will protect you, and we will get back to Seiryuu City alive."
"O... okay...." Henry says with a blush as she steps back. "Let us get moving then. Oh, wait, one moment." Henry stops and says many words speaking too fast for me to understand, before a golden eagle appears hovering above her. "This is my friend and familiar. I am not that good in a fight, but I can use healing magic, and Goldie here can scout ahead for us."
"Sounds useful," Pearl comments as Goldie flies ahead of us and we start to move.
----
We enter the tree and are imminently attacked. We barely had time to take in the sights of the dark, dusty hall before a group of Flying Ants attacked us. Huh, how can I suddenly see their names, levels, and health bars? It must be because of what happened in that dream. I don't question it for now and take in the enemies. They are all level five, and... hey, I can get more information by focusing on them. They poison, and acid attacks, the acid burns, and the poison is the paralysing type. At the same time, their bodies are protected by a rigid exoskeleton.
Still, it isn't as bad as it was before. It turns out Satou had the items I ordered and sent to the inn before that demon showed up, and I became a hero. The beginner's Alchemy Set and books were useless, but I feel safer wearing the leather armour I brought. Luckily it fits under my robes, so I still get the magical recovery effect from them.
