Treasure-hunting: Into the Unknown

Right before Zelvag's eyes, Zachary flew into midair and headed straight for the top of the Ogre Cliff.

"I feel sorry for Zelvag. Although I don't know why he's been trapped in that cave, I'm certain that he doesn't deserve such treatment," Zachary said to himself as he let out a long and lengthy sigh. As he reached the top of the cliff once again, Zachary turned around to take one last look at its foot, covered with green grass and leafy trees. From where he stood, he couldn't see Zelvag anymore. He let out yet another deep sigh, and then used the Shadow Pace to leave.

He headed back to the house with the two Mandala Grasses Zelvag had picked for him. Upon his arrival, he quickly noticed that Vivian was nowhere to be seen.

"Could she be playing a trick on me?" Zachary's face twitched ever-so slightly, as he strained to keep his calm composure. He had truly risked his life to get his hands on these Mandala Grasses. If Vivian had only wanted to make fun of him, then his efforts had clearly been wasted.

He continued searching for a little while but ultimately concluded that he had to put the Mandala Grasses away. There was no way Zachary could tell whether he would see Vivian again anytime soon. He thus entered the system once more. As he did so, he asked Mimi to keep watch on the house.

Once back inside the system, Zachary began to carry out his routine required courses. He played the Death Arena and the Lucky Treasure Combination, fed his three treasure beasts, tried to repair the weapon given by Anne, and continued to cast the body parts for Andrew. As a result, he was much too busy to even think about resting.

At least four hours later, a delicate female figure showed up in the courtyard. It was none other than Vivian herself. She looked around, searching for Zachary.

"Hasn't he come back yet? Has he really died in the forbidden area? It would actually be the best case scenario, if he were to die. I wouldn't have to get engaged to him!" Vivian mumbled to herself, seeing as she saw no sign of anyone in the courtyard, especially not of Zachary.

"Engaged?" a voice suddenly questioned from behind her back.

Vivian was immediately startled and she jumped a foot in the air. She turned around as fast as she could with her eyes wide, only to find that it was Zachary. In an instant, her face flushed red, perhaps out of anger and embarrassment, perhaps out of fear.

"When did you get here, out of nowhere and with no warning?" He had appeared out of the blue without making any noise. His presence greatly surprised Vivian.

"I just got here," Zachary answered with a grin. He was capable of appearing in such a timely manner because Mimi had informed him of Vivian's presence as soon as she set foot in the c

large amount of work to get done regularly in the beast barn. Obviously, ten disciples just aren't enough to get through so much!" Zachary commented. He had firsthand experience about the work load in the beast barn, seeing as he had worked here just yesterday. It took three people—him, Jimmy and Henry, two hours to clean the inner barn stalls. Therefore, he had no doubt that the amount of work inside the beast barn was considerable.

"Yes, you're right, Manager Harley. There's always lots to do around here. That's why I've asked Steward Shaw many times to assign more people to the barn. He hasn't agreed to such an application just yet. But it isn't only his fault, of course. Generally speaking, disciples don't like working in the beast barn, especially those who have powerful connections, if you know what I mean," Ryder complained in a whiny voice.

"Is that so? It's time I sit down and have a good talk with him. I won't be satisfied until he sends at least another ten disciples here," Zachary mentioned, shaking his head.

"Ten?! Ten disciples?! Are you pulling my leg, Manager Harley? I'd be ecstatic to hear that he accepted to send two or three disciples to the barn. If you request ten, there's no way in hell you'll get what you want. You have to try on a much, much smaller scale," Ryder immediately warned Zachary.

"Ah, well, it's not all necessarily up to him. If certain disciples want to work here on their own accord, then Steward Shaw would have no choice but to send them here," Zachary said, as though he already had an idea brewing.

"What do you mean, on their own accord? How is that even possible?" Ryder was astonished as he listened to Zachary. He could only figure that Zachary was daydreaming, because no disciple would ever be willing to endure hardship in the beast barn on their own accord.