Settleworth

"A statue?", Mira didn't believe it at first.

Gripping Mira's shirt Givale nodded, "When I woke up you were a statue!"

"A statue. . .", Mira echoed these words as he looked at his palm.

Any sign of him touching that "light" wasn't found. Mira looked towards the twins and asked, "Then how was I brought back?"

"You gazed at her.", Basil said with a sorrowful voice.

"You were supposed to sleep.", Whisk said with an apologetic tone.

"The song. . .", Mira came to a realization, "The song! It wasn't the eel, it was the song you sung! That's why Givale fell asleep so quickly!"

Givale's gaze snapped to the twins and they flinched in return. Interlocking their fingers the twins fearfully grabbed the other's hands. Basil quickly said, "Fishing attracts her."

Whisk nodded, "We said you wouldn't like it."

"Who is her?!", Givale grit her teeth.

""Mother."", the twins spoke in tandem.

Mira placed a hand onto Givale's shoulder, "They were trying to protect us."

"You turned into a statue! How could that be protecting?!"

"I was supposed to sleep like you. My stamina stopped it though, and I was awake.", Mira tried calming Givale down.

"I thank you for saving me.", Mira lowered his head towards the twins.

Sensing the hostility lessen the twins hesitantly let go of each other's hands. Whisk made a wary smile as she responded, "You are a friend."

"We protect our friend.", Basil added.

The Hydra's Heart seemed to calm suddenly. Mira placed a hand to his chest to feel its beat while he asked, "Where was I?"

The twins looked at each other before asking in tandem, "Where were you?"

"A city. . . a city of stone. Buildings made a labyrinth and a spire lay at the center. A bright light shot off the spire into the sky, spreading the light at the sky.", Mira explained before suddenly coming to a realization, "You two were there. You brought me out."

"Mother's Domain. . .", Whisk seemed to realize.

"You remember?", Basil asked.

"Domain. . .", Mira tried to recall the experience.

Givale bit her lip, "Stars explained this. Like the Territory of the Undead King. A Territory buffs the user, while a Domain restricts the target in some way."

Recalling how the city of stone was trying to turn him into stone and was a labyrinth that restricted how he could explore, Mira understood the 'restriction' part of a Domain. However compared to the Territory, a Domain seemed significantly more mysterious and dangerous.

A Territory allowed anyone inside to leave, and the rules were obvious to those within it. If not for the twins Mira feared he would've never left until he turned into a statue inside.

Well, apparently he already turned into a statue.

To think a Domain could be so sudden, and its effects be that dangerous. It's no wonder that it could serve as a counter to Territory!

"How did you get me out?", Mira asked the twins.

"Mother's Domain. . .", Basil struggled to find his thoughts.

"Requires you to be a statue.", Whisk found them in Basil's place.

"Once you're not a statue you're free.", Basil nodded as he finished his train of thought.

Recalling that the twins were able to free themselves from being statues themselves, Mira figured they had such a capability. Once they had freed him from being a statue, he had exited the Domain. It was truly a terrifying experience. If the twins didn't have such a power. . . what could he have done?

Givale composed herself and made sure her tears were wiped away, "What happened while we were asleep?"

"I was about to try and wake you when I suddenly had the urge to look up. I found the moon was replaced with a very large snake's eye, and it searched until it found me. When my gaze matched it. . .", Mira frowned, "I then found myself in that city of stone."

"Don't look mother in the eye.", Basil said somberly.

"Never look her in the eye.", Whisk additionally added.

Mira was unsure how to tell them that him looking up was an instinct rather than curiosity. Mira felt if this 'Mother' gazed on the peninsula again he'd still look up despite knowing the dangers. A sort of calling through the Hydra's Heart, something he wasn't fully conscious fighting against.

So he decided not to, "Thank you, I'll try not to."

~ ~ ~

Akiol tossed an octagon shaped token. It flipped through the air a few times before landing in his hand. He learned from Givale that Mira had been turned into a statue. Although the problem had been solved on their end, he wondered if he should return to the peninsula and figure out what was causing such a thing. Givale was in agreeance with this proposal. Akiol could sense she wanted to figure out who was responsible for turning Mira into a statue.

However Mira adamantly refused, saying it was his own fault. Even after Akiol offered to just watch Mira still refused. With such determination Akiol relented and allowed to the two to handle the issue themselves. They were capable, Akiol had faith in that. So he respected their choices. 

Regardless he still paid attention to the link. If something were to occur he wouldn't hesitate to drop everything and head their way. 

Once he ensured the two were fine Akiol turned his attention to the octagon shaped token. This was one of those 'teleport tokens'! In comparison to the cheap teleport scrolls of the central continent, these were indeed more expensive.

Granted Akiol's understanding of how easy currency is to obtain was a bit skewed. He only had second hand references on the value of certain items. The first thing was clear, the worth of a Bill was higher than that of a gold coin. 

After selling the Second Stage spear he obtained from Blighted Blood Akiol had a sizeable amount of money to spend. Immediately he spent a small portion of this money towards a teleport token to one of the recommended cities mentioned in the guide by the Guidehands. One that was near a lot of popular dungeons.

These dungeons ranged between beginners all the way to three specific Second Stage dungeons. Thus the city was more popular than some Kingdoms. Although Akiol noticed that the Kingdoms were ruled by some Sects instead of Kings. . . no doubt the result of the players excessive hunts of NPCs. 

The City's name was Settleworth. Its name reminded Akiol about Chalkworth, the similar names made him produce an amused smile. Currently the city was in control of the number one Sect Regard Truth. They imposed a tax on all transactions within the city, gaining a sizeable amount of income due to it's high popularity. The tax wasn't large enough to gain anger from the players, but still enough to cover a lot of their expenditures and turn a profit.

Flicking the token upwards with his thumb Akiol let it fall before snatching it and injecting it with mana. Rapidly he teleported and arrived at the front gate of Settleworth. Right now he held his player disguise. Akiol deemed it his "alt account" due to the circumstance. His charcoal colored hair fluttered as he spotted several players taking up the city.

In fact, it was only players! There wasn't a single NPC in this city! Akiol was very glad he chose to teleport as a player instead of as an NPC. If he arrived as the Star Driven Sword, would he have been the target of a hunt immediately? 

Several players appeared through thin white lines, others who teleported. They walked forward with purpose, having specific goals in mind. Akiol took the opportunity to blend in with the crowd, his unassuming appearance coupled together with his technique and the cloak made him more stealthy than a thief in stealth.

Instead of being invisible, Akiol's presence was subconsciously ignored! 

In this player driven city Akiol noticed an abundance of player types. There were some who pursued their sub occupations, focusing their attention on being blacksmiths, bakers, appraisers, chefs, tailors, and more. It faintly made him think of The Gated Arena. 

Now facing the result of the player's hunting NPCs Akiol once again felt conflicted. In a way they're claiming part of the game, and because of it are chasing things they enjoy. On the other hand the NPCs were chased out of their homes, and their city was claimed by the players. 

Stifling a sigh Akiol slipped through the crowd. According to the guide he read a large amount of players who just arrived at the city would try to gather a dungeon party before heading to the location. It was recommended to join one of these before trying to find a party at the dungeon itself.

The reason for this was simple, with this method beginners could team up with each other more easily to gain experience. Those already at the dungeons often are searching for members with experience and rarely accommodate new players. 

Akiol decided to join one of these groups to grasp how the dungeons work!