Leisure Rest

(Jay's POV):

I have finally been reunited with Kaede and the rest of the members. For over a year of not being with her was a complete nightmare but, I finally got to be by her side again.

I stopped caring about the surroundings while I started to hear something pretty ominous. I pretty much ignored it since I already know the source of this toxic behavior.

"How was your time with them Jay?" - Gayle

"We were alright! I just miss you so much!"

"Ahaha, I missed you too. Hey Lester." - Gayle

I looked at Lester who seemed to be displeased, I simply ignored it and looked around. This palace looks awesome! I wonder which part Kaede stays on...

"If you don't mind can I-" - Gayle

"Fine." - Lester

Lester instantly interrupted Gayle and just gave her the go signal. That behavior is bad! But I'll take the chance to have a nice sleep with Kaede!

Lester just walked off to towards the other guys. I finally let go for a bit and greeted Terrence. Ridley and Rylle went towards Kaede and also hugged her. You guys! I'll allow this for today.

"Hey Terrence, did you keep an eye on them? Did you stop them from doing anything bad?"

"You're interrogating instead of greeting, and no. If I tried to stop them I end up stopping myself because I feel like a freaking third wheel!" - Terrence

The two let go of Gayle and started greeting Lester. Don't come close to that toxic cunt, I'll definitely cut his limbs later on!

After the chaotic reunion, I finally got a chance to have a long talk with Kaede. She looks so cute but when I entered her room, I somewhat gulped down my saliva with the extreme feeling of fear considering how detailed that scythe looks like. Out of curiosity, I asked her about it.

"Ah, Mysteria is made by the owner of this palace. Right now, he's not in a state to be able to talk... He's just in his room dreaded... And somewhat reminds me of someone..." - Gayle

"I see, I want to thank him for giving you a safe place to stay. What happened to him exactly?"

"I was at the spot where the incident occurred where one of his most important persons betrayed and corrupted him. He was completely out of control. Me, Lester, everyone that is considered the stronger members in the palace was not able to handle him. There were six of us, and we didn't really stand a chance." - Gayle

"I see... They're that strong after all."

Gayle and I were just sitting on the bed as time pass. We continued discussing things that happened while we're separated so we really spent a lot of time.

(Robin's POV):

Me, May, and Lilith sat down on chairs in Denzel's room. He had the look of complete resignation and internal shutdown to the point he is showing absolutely no emotion whatsoever. His life is the one that entered a living hell so I was mostly expecting these kinds of feelings from him.

"Denzel, it's me... Robin... I didn't come alone, they'll join me here later so I can show them to you. They'll be staying here for two nights before we set off on the next journey. We'll come back here quickly and then we can get some things done. I brought one type of ore so far and delivered it here due to some contingency on the journey. That's all..."

"..." - Denzel

He was completely irresponsive, Denzel continued to stay in a sitting position in his bed without moving his eyes and stayed in the emotionless state. He's broken down to the bone huh...

I took a small object on top of Denzel's desk, he uses it to manage most of the residents in here so I should take responsibility for now. After that, I left the room for some time and walked around the crystal palace while holding Denzel's blue coin.

"Oh? Robin? Did you come for a visit?" - Bella

A familiar voice resounded and came from Bella. She is a friend of May and met her some time when we visited Denzel's house. She's a kind and worrying person to the point she'll check up on everyone from time to time.

"Yeah, I brought some visitors here. They all know some of the recent people here."

"I see, how long is your stay?" - Bella

"About two days, I'll just drop off these ore I collected."

"You're unexpectedly staying here for more than the usual time. What happened?" - Bella

As expected, Bella is quite a sharp person when it comes to occurrences. I simply just shrugged it off and told her the truth.

"I got a dangerous attack from a powerful enemy. I pulled through just fine."

"I see, you should rest up. Maybe in May's room." -Bella

"Eh? What are you talking about? I'll manage these visitors."

Bella grinned a little bit before walking towards the kitchen. I separated ways from her by walking towards the living area where most of the residents hang around. I saw a few members that look somewhat powerful and stronger than Jay's group or so. I then sat down right next to Ridley who are talking some things with both Rylle and Lester.

"How's life in the palace you guys?"

"Ah, Robin! Don't ask us that yet, we're only visitors." - Rylle

"I know, so what do you think of this place so far?"

"Well, it feels really safe and comfortable. The residents are are pretty friendly that it feels like a nice place to stay." - Rylle

"Yeah, the designs too... It feels somewhat grandiose but somehow pleasing. How long did it take for this to be built?" - Ridley

"Hmm... If I remember correctly, he said about six months. There are times where he stayed awake for at least a week or so."

"Six months?!" - Ridley

"One week awake?!" - Rylle

"Holy crap, then the efforts is actually real here." - Lester

"Hmm, who are you? You looked at me with displeasure earlier. Care to tell me why?"

"Ah, my apologies. My name is Lester, I'm a Soul Cleaver." - Lester

"Greetings Lester, now answer my question."

I looked sharply into Lester's eyes as I sense some form of toxicity in them. I offered him a handshake which he received it and it gave me a feeling of coldness.

"My bad, it's just how I often act around after all." - Lester

Strong pulse... That's a lie...

"I see, I'll take that as an answer then. By the way Rylle, notify the rest of the team that we're staying here for two nights. We'll set off in the morning after the second night."

"Got it." - Rylle

"Ridley, for this mission... I think I need a few more members. Pretty sure you know who to invite right?"

"Really? Can you tell me who?" - Ridley

"You'll see."

I left the two of them alone for the time being and checked around. I moved to the fourth floor and started checking around for the rooms. While walking, I saw one door open slowly and the person who came out is the person Grace hugged at the reunion.

"Yo, is Grace okay now?"

"Yeah, did you know what happened? Ah! The name is Terrence by the way." - Terrence

"Greetings, name's Robin. I've been taking care of them for nearly a year."

"I see... Thanks for keeping an eye on them. Specially Grace since she's very special." - Terrence

I instinctively smiled and invited Terrence for a short walk while talking about some things.

"I'd like to know why she broke down. I feel like, some psychological effect just entered her and she just couldn't handle it." - Terrence

"Yeah, us five entered a dungeon in the Arcana biome. It's right under the fountain in the village so we didn't really have much information. All I know is that, at one room, we were all completely separated from each other."

"I see... So even you don't know..." - Terrence

"Nah, I pretty much know why because... Each of us had to fight our own negativity. Like we have to get over the things, regrets, our own pain, and other things that are bad for mental health."

"So that's how she broke down huh?" - Terrence

"Yep, she was unable to fight against her past but... She is one great person to learn more things from me. She'll probably lead your entire group if I'm not around."

"Really? She's the one that works hard the most after all..." - Terrence

Some people don't prefer to tell their pasts so maybe I shouldn't probe here...

"Thanks for saving her Robin, and for reuniting us all." - Terrence

"Hey, don't thank me. I just know because I saw someone that looks like Jay when genderbent after all..."

"I see... How did you meet them?" - Terrence

"Well, I was hanging around on my sky base when Jay suddenly showed up and face planted on the cloud. It was a pitiful sight but here we are now. We survived a fight to the death against a person with this thing."

I brought out a bubble containing the zodiac sign Virgo in it. When Terrence saw it, he was incredibly shocked and surprised as to how Jay survived.

"Pretty sure Virgo gives you an unbreakable barrier when hit... How in the world..." - Terrence

"He's a great sniper, that's all I can actually say."

"I see... Well, I'm gonna check up on Jay and Gayle for now." - Terrence

"I'll join you for a bit. I'm also gonna bring up something here on them."

I followed Terrence and ended up in the front door of the room next to him. He started knocking and he immediately got a response.

"Come in!" - Jay

I heard Jay's voice in a very happy tone.

"Ah, Terrence! Robin too?" - Jay

"Yo Jay, we're staying here for two nights."

"Really?! Hell yeah!" - Jay

Jay jumps around excitedly as if he no longer cares about the things.

"And then, I will invite your sister, her boyfriend, and you Terrence for the next adventure."

"Eh?! That's great then!" - Jay

Jay sounded extremely excited but somehow, I can feel some displeasure radiating from him.