"All ready?" Ace asked his core team.
He wore a hoodie a weak Ranker his age had given him. Under it, he had his new vest. A backpack hung from one shoulder, packed with small rations, spare clothes, consumables, and weapons. That was all he needed for a short trip to the Heaven Village.
His Core Team—gear on, packs slung—nodded. Only Chaewon looked a little dazed, maybe still sleepy; she nodded late and rubbed her eyes. Ace turned to the rest of Don Capo Gang.
"You can open the Bank Grotto in my absence. Just will for it. You know what to do in each situation. I trust your judgment. Survival is the priority," Ace said.
Anything could happen while they were gone, so he didn’t expect them to protect the Bank Grotto or the Camp. A wave of monsters or undead—or another Sixteen attack—could endanger everyone he was leaving behind.
That’s why he told them they could invite the Camp’s Rankers into the Bank Grotto if trouble hit. He explained how to run things inside to keep everyone safe until his Core Team returned.
"Got it, Don Capo! Leave everything to us!"
"Yeah," Ace said with a nod.
Ace, Chaewon, Alex, Mercer, Cherry, and Marko left the Bank Grotto and the Camp, heading to the Heaven Village. They took Ace’s route.
Alex and Chaewon took point. Alex raised the shield, and Chaewon swept ahead with Danger Zone. It kept everyone safe.
So far, only Hollow Woods posed any threat. But even they couldn’t beat Ace’s Core Team. Those undead only slowed them down.
"We haven’t really talked about it yet, but I’m now part of the Crimson Shrine. I might have to drag my whole Sixteen to protect it from Rankers. Just one scenario," Ace said as the team trudged over the jagged, uneven forest floor. "You understand the gravity of it?"
"Yeah. It’d be damn great if someone hit it soon so I could get an item or a useful skill like yours," Alex replied.
"It means anyone has an excuse to attack us, right?" Mercer asked.
"Yes. He’s bringing it up so he can drop anyone who doesn’t want in at the Heaven Village. I’m absolutely staying. You’re not pushing me aside, Ace," Chaewon said, then stared at Ace’s back.
He looked over his shoulder. "Yeah. I don’t mind you imposing."
"You’re the one imposing on people," Chaewon replied.
"Oh, really?" Ace chuckled.
Chaewon gave him a hard look, eyes narrowed and jaw tight.
Alex and Mercer exchanged glances.
These two seem to get along better. Alex thought.
Finally some progress between the big sis and big bro, right? Mercer thought.
Yeah, about damn time. Don Capo needs more reasons to look to tomorrow!
You look strange, Alex. Mercer thought.
Alex chuckled. They didn’t speak mentally. Their expressions said enough. Mercer and Alex had bonded as training partners, and both played crucial roles in Ace’s Sixteen.
"Uh, well," Marko flinched and looked down. "I’m behind you all, but I don’t see myself anywhere but Don Capo Gang. It’s up to you, Don Capo."
"You’re interested in alchemy, aren’t you?" Ace asked.
"Alchemy?" Marko tilted his head. The hell is that?
"Alchemy’s simple to explain and brutal to do: burn the right stuff and control the heat. Potions, pills, medicine, and toxins use the same process with a different finish. Fire cracks ingredients open; smoke and ash carry the essence. You catch it in a brew or a pressed pill, bind it, and let it cool. Miss the window and you waste a fortune or poison yourself. Do it right and you keep people alive—or make sure your enemies don’t."
"T-this sounds like something for smart people! I like it!" Marko’s eyes sparkled.
Alex cut in. "You’re not smart, though."
"Fuck off, Alex!" Marko bit his lip. "I’ll get smarter once I learn alchemy!"
Shouldn’t it be the other way around?
"Don Capo!" Tears welled in Marko’s eyes.
Just then, Chaewon stopped and raised her hand. She was at the front, so everyone saw her. The mood turned heavy.
She only did that when something was wrong. Alex glanced at her face and tightened his grip on the shield’s handle.
Her eyes trembled. Her lips quivered. She went pale; sweat beaded on her face.
"We’re... surrounded by crimson. It’s... like someone hijacked my Danger Zone and is jeering back at me..." Chaewon whispered.
She had never felt cold fear . An existence capable of this wasn’t a mere Ranker.
If this was Rankers, it had to be an army of them. More likely, a monster had its eyes on them. Sunlight peeking through the gaps in the forest canopy faded. Darkness closed in from every angle, crowding the space around Ace’s party.
Then the cause stepped into view.
Ace narrowed his eyes and clenched his fists.
Hearing Ace, Alex swallowed hard. He’d never heard Don Capo react like that to a threat. If the first word out of his mouth was a cuss, whatever waited ahead was serious, and he’d have to give it everything.
He forced a sneer and raised his voice.
"Finally—something that’ll keep me at Rank Seven! Ha! Let’s have fun, Don Capo!" Alex said, louder.
Chaewon gripped her katana’s handle and nodded.
Mercer and Marko raised their staffs, ready to support.
"Wrong," Ace said. "We’re not fighting this undead yet. Stay on guard and keep breathing until it gives up on us. Don’t make me repeat myself. We can’t fight this shit yet. Focus up. Full defense. Hold like everything depends on it."
Even brawny Alex couldn’t keep the grin; nerves set in.
I wanted tougher fights! Not something that spooks even Don Capo!