The Achievement Junkie

Jack and Rydel both swallowed some saliva. They both thought it was way too big.

Following the neck, both of them tried to find another head, but they never found another head or the end of that neck. But if both of them had to guess, their worst nightmares were true.

'Everyone, we're going to back up twenty-five meters. Rydel and I are going to leave to inspect the cave further, and you'll have to wait there,' explained Jack. 'Don't move around too much or make any noise. And if either of us says so, be ready to light up the place and attack. Okay?'

'Did ya find something?' asked Maynard.

'Yeah, and it's way too big. Inspecting this place won't be effective with everyone, so you'll just have to wait,' Rydel replied, agreeing with Jack's plan.

The party didn't like waiting and doing nothing but they had no other option so they followed orders. Everyone backed up and waited quietly like they were told.

Both Jack and Rydel then let go of the others and went off in separate directions.

They wanted to go around the hydra, hoping that they could find an entrance to another room or something about Sterfen.

As they went around the hydra, they counted the heads together. When they had found all nine heads, they eventually met up on the opposite end of the hydra after going all the way around. There they found the hydra's body.

The hydra's body was huge. They were unable to see just how large it was because, like the ceiling, it was too high for them to see. It was possibly bigger than the entire association building in Reinolt, and that wasn't including the heads.

'Did you find anything?' asked Jack.

Rydel shook his head. 'Nope, not a thing. There were no rooms or anything around the outer walls. What are you thinking?'

Staring at the monstrosity before them, Jack scratched his head silently. 'The only place we haven't been to is the center of the room since the hydra is blocking the way. Maybe there's a way up or down but the hydra is blocking it.'

'Are you sugesting--'

'I'll get in closer and see if I can find a trapdoor or a staircase.'

'Jack, are you sure about that?'

'What, would you rather do it instead?' Jack joked with Rydel, trying to keep himself from tensing up. 'At least I have Sudden Death, so there's a chance that I can get away in the worst-case scenario.'

'Good, then you're not thinking of fighting this thing,' Rydel sighed in relief.

Both of them had Eagle Eye and could usually inspect a beast's level, but neither of them could see how strong the hydra was. That only added to their fright after seeing just how big it was.

'Alright then, you get back to the party and I'll get closer. Remember, be ready to escape at any moment!' reminded Jack.

They walked together until Jack was back at the front of the hydra. Once there, they split up, one going to the party while the other followed the hydra's necks in search of a way out of the room.

The party was confused when only Rydel came back but they were frightened when Rydel explained what Jack was doing.

Jack was in awe of the massive hydra. He started to imagine Maura riding and taming such a beast after the egg finally hatched. From the size of the egg, Jack would've never thought a Nine-headed Glacial Hydra was so terrifyingly gigantic. It could probably march on Federal City and be able to hold its own against the strongest of experts.

"...rrrrraaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh…"

Just then, a long yawn came from the inside of Jack's coat. It wasn't too loud, but when the entire cave is in silence, even the party could hear it from far away.

Before Jack could do anything, another yawn was heard, and it was louder than the first.

"Rrraaaaaaaaaahhh…"

Some rustling was heard as Bowzer popped his head out of the cloak and then hopped onto the cave floor.

Suddenly, he started glowing. Red fire type energy was gathering around him.

'Bowzer! What are you doing?!' Jack was frantic. Finally, Bowzer woke up but at the worst possible time!

'Bowzer grow now!'

A happy tone filled Jack's head as he heard Bowzer, making Jack frown.

The red glow intensified, started to become lighter and brighter. Bowzer was also clenching his teeth and groaning in pain.

With the bright glow Bowzer was giving off, Jack could see the hydra more clearly. He saw that the neck alone was three meters thick, and the ceiling was still out of view. But Jack did notice that there was a staircase in the middle of the hydra heads.

Now, everyone else could see the form and shape of the hydra too, making them gasp in terror.

"What brings you all here?"

Five words echoed off the cavern walls, sending chills down the party's spines. They all wanted to know what Jack was doing, why did he suddenly light up the place and start making noises?

Jack glared at Bowzer, who never stopped glowing. If anything, Bowzer's light was getting stronger and his grunts were getting louder. He really wished that he had stored Bowzer instead of carrying the pup as usual.

Just then, the hydra heads started moving, rising off the ground one after the other. It was easy for everyone to see them all lift up and stare at a single point, Jack.

"Oh? What's a Hell-flame Fox doing down here? And why are did you choose to evolve in my home?"

That voice filled the air but none of the hydra's many mouths were moving. Also, the voice was gentler than they had expected. It sounded feminine despite coming from such a huge beast.

"Are any of you going to talk, or will you just stand there until you soil yourselves?" The hydra laughed, enjoying the unexpected company.

"Um, you're a Nine-headed Glacial Hydra, right?" Jack asked it a question, curious how friendly the hydra might be.

Again, the hydra laughed as one of the heads got closer to Jack and Bowzer. "That I am. I'm surprised that such a young adventurer can recognize me. What's even more surprising is that I can't see through you, at least not without using a skill. What's your name, boy?"

"Jack."

"Jack… What an interesting name. Jack, I want to ask you a few things. It's been a long time since I've left this place, so I'd like to know what I've missed," stated the hydra, totally relaxed as one of the heads also glanced at the others. "And please don't try to leave without answering my questions. I don't want you causing any trouble."

Jack and the others all nodded.

"Good, now tell me, who was the winner of the holy war?"

"Skaryn was sealed away and Halmut won, according to the ancient records," answered Jack. "Though there aren't as many followers now, Halmut is respected while Skaryn is feared."

"Oh, so neither side won?" mumbled the hydra, startling Jack. "Was Skaryn really sealed away?"

"I don't know, it happened around five hundred years ago…"

"Wow, it's been that long. I guess I lost track of time." For a moment, everyone thought they saw the hydra shrug its shoulders before it continued. "Next question, who's the strongest hero now? What's their name?"

"Umm… If you're talking about the same heroes from Ancient Kartonia and the Holy War, there aren't any."

"What? Explain." The hydra squinted its eyes at Jack, finding that hard to believe.

"There are still summoned heroes, but they're not the same as before. We can't revive ourselves and I've only met one other summoned hero besides myself. There aren't that many of us."

"So you're one of these 'summoned heroes?'" It took a moment to think before it asked, "What's the highest level person on the continent?"

Jack scratched his head, trying to think of the best way to answer. "I'm not sure. The strongest people I know are all lv. 70's but the founder of the Adventurers Association might be near lv. 80."

"Adventurers Association? What's that?"

"It's a giant, international organization that has gathered adventurers from all Kartonia. Think of the Adventurers Association like a giant guild, and it's arguably the strongest organization in Kartonia."

"Arguably? What other organization can compete with it?"

Amazed that the hydra was happy with such general information, Jack made sure to stay on the hydra's good side. Especially since Bowzer was in the middle of evolving and was extremely vulnerable at that moment.

"There's one other organization that could compete with it, but it lives in the shadows. It's called the Chaos Syndicate and it's believed that they follow Skaryn even though he's sealed," explained Jack.

"Hmm, that could be trouble…" The hydra paused its questions, taking more time to think.

"Um, what should I call you?"

"Oh, where are my manners." Laughing, the hydra looked at Jack and the others with smiles. "My name is Lunara."

"Lu… nara…"

While the others looked at the hydra with fear in their eyes, Jack's entire body relaxed, so much that he fell to his knees. Jack also started laughing and looked back at the hydra.

"You're Lunara, the Water Goddess?"