Chapter 4: Monster Hunting

“I thought we were going off the beaten path?” Lucian couldn’t help but voice his curiosity as Raven led him through a winding maze of stairs, alleys, and narrow streets within Provera.

“What? Getting sick of the city already?” she teased, turning to stare at him, one eyebrow raised.

“You know what I mean.”

“Relax,” she assured him, taking a sharp right just as they seemed to reach a dead end. “Once we hit the Relay Station, we’ll be there in no time.”

“Relay Station?” Lucian repeated, rolling his eyes. Here we go. No doubt this would trigger another one of Raven’s impromptu lectures. While he appreciated all the information she was throwing at him, she was like a tutorial he couldn’t skip.

Her response surprised him. “You’ll see,” she said with a sly smile. Lucian frowned. So far, Raven reminded him of a hyperactive dog—always bouncing around, eager to see his reactions. This sudden restraint, no matter how slight, was unexpected.

“In the meantime,” Raven nodded toward the bustling streets, “why not soak in some civilization before we’re thrown back into the wild?”

Whether intentional or not, Lucian saw the point of this detour. She wanted him to experience the energy of the city—the faces and personalities that filled its streets, the businesses that gave it life. Anything to keep him from getting overwhelmed when it actually mattered. On the hunt.

He was still fresh to this world, after all—maybe even too fresh for a hunt—but he felt rejuvenated by the thrills promised here. An endless implication of adventure, progression, and power. Plus, he figured the rest of it was pretty cool too. There was much to soak in.

Understanding this, Lucian looked around. To his left, rows of stalls lined the street, merchants loudly calling for customers to inspect their wares. But unlike typical markets filled with fruits, vegetables, and textiles, these vendors specialized in weaponry. One stall had an entire wall lined with swords, each more absurdly oversized than the last. The neighboring stall had a similar setup, but with axes—except here, the smaller they got, the more expensive they became.

Despite their fierce competition for customers, the weapons vendors kept things relatively civil. The same couldn’t be said for the two shopkeepers across the street. One was an elderly man with a beard that reached his waist, his tiny frame practically vibrating with rage as he gestured wildly. The other was a short woman with soot-streaked cheeks and an equally fiery temper. Their voices clashed in a heated argument, drawing the attention of bystanders. Some lingered to watch, while others merely shook their heads and continued on their way.

Lucian slowed his pace, curiosity piqued, but Raven called back to him, urging him forward. Guess harmony is hard to find in every universe. As they rounded a corner, a man in a long, dark coat suddenly stepped into their path.

“Hey, pal,” he said smoothly, flashing a grin. “You want a pocket watch? Can’t find better ones anywhere else in Provera.”

Raven immediately pushed past the stranger and grabbed Lucian’s arm. “No thanks,” she said curtly, not bothering to hide the shove as she hurried him along the narrow alley. “At least it wasn’t the flashing guy,” she muttered under her breath when they were far enough away.

Lucian nearly tripped over his own feet. “People flash in this world too?!” Just can’t get away from creeps and freaks like that, I suppose.

“Oh, not that kind,” Raven said, waving a hand. “They get you with these magical gems—one look, and you’re basically blind for a whole day. Then, boom, their buddy shows up offering to sell you some sunglasses for cheap. That’s how they scam you.”

Lucian exhaled, shaking his head. “That is not the type of flashing I’m used to.”

Raven raised an eyebrow, her smirk widening. “Ohhh, so you’re used to that kind of stuff, huh?”

Lucian’s face heated. “That’s not—” Before he could retaliate, Raven suddenly sprinted down a narrow but lively alleyway.

“This way!”

“Hey!” Lucian took off after her, but the moment he stepped into the crowded passage, she was gone. The alley buzzed with activity—colorful tapestries and rugs fluttered from open windows as neighbors leaned out to chat above him. Children darted between the legs of passers-by, giggling as they ran circles around him. It was a slice of city life he hadn’t expected to see. Tight-knit, full of energy, bursting with color.

Lucian, however, did not care one bit. The noise and distractions only irritated him—especially since they kept him from chasing down Raven, who still needed to hear his comeback.

Ducking past a towering individual who bent down mid-stride to try and sell him flowers, Lucian finally emerged from the alley and into the town square. At first glance, nothing about the scene was particularly special. People bustled between buildings, some congregating in small parties that clogged the pathways.

But the longer Lucian looked, the more he realized how different it all was. The cobblestone roads sprawled across the city uninterrupted, forcing the flow of foot traffic to part only for the occasional carriage or cart. As far as he could tell, cars didn’t exist here. Though, oddly enough, there were some clear signs of very intricate machinery placed throughout the city, and he swore he spotted an ornate gun or two under the occasional stranger's belt. At least, he hoped they were guns. I mean—

Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted by a flash of movement near the center of the square.

A man in a bright red jerkin, matching trousers, and an equally flamboyant floppy hat pranced along the rim of a large fountain. His steps were light and rhythmic, his movements precise. The fountain itself stood tall, with three levels where water cascaded down before pooling at its base.

Lucian’s gaze drifted up, locking onto the statue at the very top. He recognized that insignia immediately—the same clawed symbol he had seen at the mountain summit, poised as if ready to seize the setting sun.

Before he could think too hard about it, the man in red finished his performance with a grand flourish. A small crowd erupted into cheers and whistles, tossing coins at his feet. Lucian smirked. Reminds me of a dancing monkey video I saw once... and rewatched a thousand times... Heh, I liked that monkey.

Eventually, Lucian spotted Raven standing just in front of the performer as he gathered his earnings. He approached her and tapped her shoulder, causing her to flinch slightly.

“Hey, got a coin to spare?” he asked, gesturing toward the busker.

Raven scoffed, then cleared her throat. “Sorry, we can’t right now. Never know when we’ll need to spend on supplies, you know?”

Lucian considered arguing but found her reasoning sound. With a shrug, he let it go, and they continued walking through the square, heading in the opposite direction from where they had entered.

As they passed another crowd, Lucian’s attention was drawn to an unusually tall figure at its center. The woman towered over everyone, her long, slim limbs making her seem almost otherworldly. Even her fingers were unusually long, yet none of that seemed to deter the people around her.

What is she…? Lucian squinted, trying to get a better look. The woman was handing out long, colorful candies on sticks to the children gathered around her, their parents standing nearby to ensure they behaved. With deliberate, careful movements, she bent down—clearly with some effort—to give each child a treat.

A low, deep rumbling echoed through Lucian’s body, startling him. It was a sensation he had almost completely forgotten about since arriving in Tel Tahkat… other than when Raven had given him that apple.

Damn, I’m starving.

“What about food?” he asked, turning to Raven.

Raven stopped mid-step, raised an eyebrow, and blinked at him. Then blinked again. Blankly.

“We do eat here, right?” he pressed.

“Are you hungry?” Raven asked, tilting her head. “I know a place with some really good donuts.”

Lucian smacked a hand against his face. “No, no, I mean like actual food. Wait—did you just say donuts?”

“They’ve got glazed ones,” she said casually. “And some with—”

“—sprinkles?”

A mischievous grin spread across Raven’s face. “Sprinkles,” she confirmed with a nod.

Lucian narrowed his eyes. He had priorities, but… “We’re getting those later.”

Raven chuckled. “Deal. But let’s finish up here first.”

----------------------------------------

“This is a Relay Station?” Lucian asked, skepticism evident in his voice.

“Yeah, why?” Raven replied, tilting her head.

“I don’t know. I just thought it’d be… you know, a little more grandiose.”

He watched as people moved in and out of a small structure stationed near the city’s walls. If Raven hadn’t told him otherwise, he would’ve easily mistaken it for a public bathroom.

“Do you even know what a Relay Station does?” Raven asked, eyeing him.

“It… relays stuff,” Lucian answered confidently—at first. But under Raven’s deadpan stare, his bravado deflated. With a dramatic eye-roll, he admitted, “Fine. What does it actually do?”

“Well, it relays stuff,” she repeated with a smug grin. “But it’s easier to understand when you see it from the inside.” Without waiting for a response, Raven stepped inside. Lucian followed, his skepticism deepening as he took in the interior. Lined against both walls were a series of cubicles, each identical and plain.

I knew it. This is a public bathroom. Unisex, at that…

“Lucian! Over here!”

He snapped out of his thoughts at Raven’s call. After a few seconds of scanning the cubicles, he finally spotted her head poking out from one, waving him over. “Let’s go!”

Lucian hesitated. “Really? Inside there? With you?”

Raven raised an eyebrow. “Uh, yeah?”

“… Is that allowed?”

“Of course it is! Why wouldn’t it be?” she shot back before disappearing inside. “Now hurry up! We’re holding up the line.”

Lucian sighed. “Alright, if you say so.” Still, he couldn’t help but add a little extra groove to his step as he walked toward the cubicle. He sauntered in, closed the door behind him, and stood there for a moment, feeling inexplicably pleased with himself. I still got it.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

“What’s got you smiling?” Lucian turned to see Raven fiddling with a screen inside the small compartment. His confidence wavered. Yup. A Relay Station. This is a Relay Station.

“… Nothing,” he muttered, stepping beside her. The screen she was working on displayed a map—his [World Map], except far more detailed than the one in his own menu.

“The forest outside of Grandia should be good,” Raven mused, zooming in on a particular area of the map. “Lots of Grandles wandering around. Might even come across a pack of Folves patrolling their territory. What do you think?”

Lucian stared at her blankly. “I don’t know what any of those things are.”

Raven laughed as she confirmed her selection on the screen. Lucian’s eyes narrowed. “Wait… what did you just do?”

Raven composed herself before turning to him with a smirk. “We’re at a Relay Station, remember?”

“You still haven’t actually explained what that means.”

“You’re a smart guy. I bet you can figure it out before it happens,” she teased.

Lucian groaned. “Oh my god. Please! Enough with the cryptic nonsense! Just tell me straight before I—” The next thing he knew, the ground beneath him was gone. “What the—”

Everything around them had disappeared. They were floating in a blank void filled with nothing but shifting static. Then, suddenly, it felt as if all the air around him—and inside him—had been sucked out in an instant. Panic flared, but before Lucian could even process what was happening, the ground rushed toward him at terrifying speed, as if he were falling from an impossible height. With no control over the situation, his body reacted the only way it knew how—

Lucian flailed his arms wildly and screamed. And then… he was standing still. His screams slowed to a confused, drawn-out whimper as he looked around, suddenly aware of dozens of villagers staring at him, their expressions a mixture between amusement and mild concern.

“What the—? When did we—?” Lucian stammered, his head snapping in every direction as he tried to make sense of the abrupt shift in scenery. “How did we…?

Raven, meanwhile, was barely holding in her laughter. She took a deep breath, composed herself, then raised both hands, fingers curled in exaggerated air quotes. “It’s a Relay Station, Lucian,” she said, mimicking his earlier tone. “It relays stuff.”

Before Lucian could formulate a response, Raven had already skipped ahead, heading down the dirt path opposite the town. Lucian glared after her. I will get back at her for this. But for now, he let it go. The sooner he figured out how things worked in this world, the sooner he could—maybe—part ways with her.

I can tolerate her antics a little longer.

With a sigh, he picked up his pace, quickly catching up. “Alright, seriously—what just happened?”

“A wormhole opened up beneath us,” Raven explained matter-of-factly.

Lucian blinked. “Really?!”

“Yup! And then, a bunch of otherworldly beings in an invisible spacecraft abducted us, carried us across the land, and dropped us off at our chosen location!”

Lucian’s intrigue vanished the moment Raven paused, clearly studying his reaction. Instead of the wonder she had expected, he simply stared at her with an exhausted, unimpressed expression. He didn’t even give her the courtesy of a verbal response.

“No? Was that one too out there?” Raven scratched her head. “Okay, how about this—a magical dragon opened its maw and swallowed us whole, but inside its stomach is an entirely separate universe that mirrors the place we picked on the map?”

Lucian’s expression didn’t change.

“… Alright, tough crowd.” Raven tapped her chin. “How about a giant Venus flytrap ate us, dissolved our physical bodies, and then transferred our souls into identical versions it had waiting at our pinned location?”

Lucian tried to remain expressionless, but his brow twitched slightly.

“Oh-ho! You liked that one!” Raven grinned, pointing accusingly at his face. “I knew I was onto something! Okay, what if—a giant gorilla gobbled us up and—”

“Okay, STOP!” Lucian shouted, throwing up his hands. “No more insane theories! Just the cold, hard, universally accepted truth!”

Raven snorted. “Pfft, alright, Captain Boredom.”

Lucian exhaled, rubbing his temples. But then, a thought hit him. “Wait. One more thing.”

Raven perked up. “Yeah?”

Lucian narrowed his eyes. “Why do all your theories involve something eating us? What’s up with that?”

“Nothing!” Raven yelped, far too quickly. “Anyway! You want to know what other people think actually happens in the Relay Station, right?”

Lucian had questions. Many questions. But instead, he just sighed. “If you would indulge me.”

Raven smirked. “Well, the truth is kinda boring.” She stretched lazily, letting her voice slip into a casual drawl. “No one really knows how it works. The station just takes you, then plop—you’re where you want to be. If someone’s watching from the outside, they just see people appear out of nowhere.”

Lucian frowned. Nah, that can’t be right. Someone has to know how these things actually work. Who built them? Who maintains them?

Raven shrugged. “Believe me or don’t. Ask around—the answer won’t change.”

Lucian studied her, feeling a small pang of guilt. She’s just answering a question. Why am I being so skeptical? But just as quickly as the guilt arrived, it vanished. She’s just a glorified tour guide. And an annoying one at that.

“Alright, so what are we doing, anyway?” he asked, shifting topics.

Raven turned to him, tilting her head. “What do you mean?”

“You brought me here to ‘get off the beaten path’, right?” Lucian asked, mimicking the air quotes Raven had used earlier. He did it again for emphasis. “As I see it, we’re still ‘on the beaten path’.”

Raven sighed. “Would you relax? I’m just looking for the perfect spot to start.”

Then, without warning, she grabbed Lucian by the collar and yanked him down to her level, her face just inches from his. She jabbed a finger toward the forest. “You know what? Before you ask what I mean again, I’ll just show you.”

Lucian kept his mouth shut as Raven dragged him along. Before long, they were coming up to a thick bush. “Quiet, now,” she whispered, pointing ahead. Just beyond the bush, a small elephant—completely covered in moss—stood motionless, blending seamlessly into the vegetation. Further back, a pack of exceptionally large flying foxes crept low to the ground.

“This way,” Raven said. To Lucian’s surprise, the creatures seemed to watch them as they walked around the bush.

“What are they?” Lucian asked, wary of the creatures’ predatory gaze.

“Which one? The Folves? They’re basically wolves—but they can fly.” Raven grinned. “Or are you talking about that thing heading straight for them?”

Lucian blinked. “Wait, wha—”

Before he could finish, a massive armored ball came barreling toward the Folves, kicking up dirt and leaves as it tore through the underbrush. Neither Lucian nor the Folves had noticed it until it was almost too late. Then, at the last second, the ball sprung into the air and unfurled mid-leap, revealing the beast inside.

A hippopotamus. A giant, armored hippopotamus.

The beast let out a thunderous growl as it came crashing down onto the Folves, instantly crushing three of them beneath its massive weight. Lucian’s eyes widened in horror. “Dear god, what the hell is that?!”

“That’s a Grandle,” Raven answered casually. “And don’t worry, they’re harmless.”

Lucian wheeled on her, pointing a shaking finger at the carnage. “No way you’re telling me that thing is harmless!”

“I promise they are!” Raven laughed. “They just happen to be the natural predators of Folves. Otherwise, you’re fine—unless you provoke one in the wild.”

Lucian watched as the Grandle opened its massive maw and slurped up the remains of its victims like it was sipping soup. His expression soured. “Uh-huh. Harmless.”

“Totally,” Raven confirmed.

“Grandles, huh?” Lucian muttered, eyeing the beast warily. “Is that their actual name, or just something you came up with?”

Raven turned to him, her face scrunched in confusion. “What? Of course that’s their name. Why would I—?” She paused mid-sentence, realization dawning. Then, she groaned. “Oh. I see. Jerk.”

Lucian chuckled as Raven rolled her eyes, exhaling through her nose before facing him again. “So,” she continued, crossing her arms, “what do you think? Think you could handle a couple of Folves?”

Lucian studied the creatures for a moment. Easily. They were practically puppies compared to the two beasts he’d defeated in the tutorial section. But if he wanted another Master Core, he needed more than just a minor challenge. His gaze flicked between the Folves and the Grandle, his mind already calculating.

No. I need something unique. Something dangerous. I need…

Suddenly, the ground beneath them trembled. Lucian and Raven wobbled as the vibrations sent a ripple through the earth. Looking back toward the forest, they watched as trees toppled one after another, crashing down in rapid succession. They couldn’t see what was causing the destruction, but they heard it—a deep, rumbling groan that echoed through the area like a seismic growl.

The sound alone was enough to send birds and Folves scattering into the sky, fleeing the woods in droves. Lucian grinned. That. Without hesitation, he took off into the forest.

Raven shouted after him—whether it was a warning or encouragement, he had no idea, and he didn’t care. All that mattered was finding the beast responsible for this chaos. Finding it and killing it.

Adrenaline surged through him as he sprinted, weaving through dense brush and ducking under low-hanging branches. He skidded to a halt upon reaching the site of the destruction—a colossal tree lay fallen, its massive trunk sprawled across the ground, its exposed roots still shedding clumps of dirt and debris into the air.

It’s close.

His Iron Warhammer materialized in one hand, the Master Shield in the other.

Gotta keep an eye out for movement. Whatever brought this thing down is still nearby—

Before he could finish his thought, something yanked him off the ground. “AIIEEE!” Lucian yelled involuntarily as he was flipped twice in the air before crashing hard into the dirt. Instinct from his fight with the mantis kicked in, and he immediately rolled into a defensive stance, shield up and hammer poised to strike.

That bastard grabbed me by the ankles! Well, that was your last shot at an opening. I’m ready for you now. Wherever you are.

“Lucian!” Raven’s voice cut through the dense foliage, her figure emerging moments later. But as soon as she saw him, her expression twisted—not into amusement or exasperation, but in horror. She didn’t reach for her weapon. She didn’t blink. Her hands hovered just slightly above her waist like she was deciding whether to run, scream, or faint. Her voice was low, forced calm. “Whatever you do. Don’t. Move. A. Muscle.”

Lucian’s brow furrowed. “What? What are you—”

Then he heard it. A soft purring sound. It was coming from underneath him.

Lucian carefully tilted his shield to get a look. There, right between his legs, was…

A large, chunky banana. Walking on vines that wiggled like stubby little legs. It stared up at him with massive, bulging eyes. And then—it smiled. A creepy, ominous smile, but a smile nonetheless.

“What the…”

The banana-creature casually waddled forward, straddling the fallen tree like nothing had happened.

Lucian blinked. Then blinked again. Is… is that what toppled the trees?

A wave of disappointment crashed over him. The creature was no bigger than a soccer ball. This? This is what scared off all the Folves? It didn’t even look like it could hold a Master Core inside its weird little body.

“Okay, Lucian.” Raven spoke slowly, carefully, as if defusing a bomb. “Listen very carefully to what I’m about to say.” She exhaled. “You’re lucky, alright? That thing is out of your way now. But please—watch your step. You do not want that Abananamination to get spooked, startled, or feel even remotely threatened.”

Lucian’s brain short-circuited. “I’m sorry, the what? Is this thing dangerous?” It didn’t look dangerous… except for that creepy, taunting smile plastered on its stupid face.

Raven ignored him, already scrolling through her [Inventory], searching for something. “Well, it’s a unique case…”

Lucian didn’t know what it was. Lucian didn’t care what it was. Because Raven had just said one magic word. Unique. Good enough for me.

Before Raven could react, Lucian flicked his wrist. Maybe this will wipe that creepy smile off your face. His Iron Warhammer swung down in a brutal arc, aiming straight for the Abananamination.

THUD.

The hammer slammed into the ground. There was no dramatic explosion. No flash of light. Just the unmistakable squelch of something getting flattened. It echoed in the clearing, and Raven’s head snapped up from her [Inventory]. Her eyes widened in horror as she took in the scene—mush oozing from beneath Lucian’s warhammer, dripping onto the dirt. She slapped a hand over her mouth. “Oh my god.” Her voice was barely a whisper. “Is it… dead?”

Lucian blinked. The question set off an entire cascade of thoughts in his mind. Sure, it looked dead. But, honestly? He had no idea what this thing even was. “I don’t know,” he admitted, glancing at the remains. “Did I kill it?”

“Of course you killed it, Lucian!” Raven shouted, throwing her hands up. “You just smashed it with your hammer!”

“Then why are you asking me if it’s dead?!” Lucian shot back.

Raven didn’t answer. Instead, her face paled further, and she grabbed his hand, already pulling him back toward where they came from. “It’s fine, it’s fine. We can still get out of this,” she muttered, more to herself than to him. “If we hurry, we can make it back to the path.”

Lucian yanked his hand free. “Wait, my loot!” He turned back toward the Abananamination’s remains, searching for anything salvageable. What? There’s nothing here? Not even the skin? Disappointment settled in. What a complete waste. At least I don’t have to look at that stupid smile ever again…

Before he could lament the lack of loot any further, Raven was on him again, this time grabbing his shoulders and trying to shove him toward the exit. “Come on! We don’t have time for this!”

“Or what?” Lucian scoffed, refusing to budge. “I just killed that thing you said was ‘unique’. Turns out, there was nothing unique about it!”

That did it. Raven froze, then slowly turned to face him. Her eyes burned with an intensity Lucian hadn’t seen before. “Listen here, you ungrateful jerk,” she hissed, her voice low and sharp. “I’ve been living in this world longer than you. So, when I tell you to run? I know it’s so we can get away from—”

Lucian barely had a second to process her words before—

Rumble.

The ground beneath them shook again. But this time, it didn’t stop. Vine-like tentacles exploded from the earth, twisting upward in a rapid spiral, forming a cage around them. Then came the growl—low, rumbling, vibrating in the air like an oncoming storm. And from the ground before them, rising like an unstoppable force, emerged—

A gigantic version of the banana creature he had just squished.

Lucian stared up at it, completely bewildered. There was no creepy smile on this one. Instead, its mouth was twisted in pure rage.

“… From its mom,” Raven muttered weakly.

Lucian didn’t hear her. He was too busy laughing. “Finally!” he bellowed, bringing his shield up and gripping his hammer tight. “Something worth my time!”