Hopes....

Sedrick and Melina eyes were filled with hope when they heard Tenkin's words. At the moment any method they'd use to get out of the place was of paramount importance to them. As they too had gotten tired of staying in the dungeon, it was like dying of isolation.

A slow and painful death in a prison, they didn't know how long it'd take for the NPC's to rectify the issue that's if they ever did.

"There's a natural hot spring behind these walls" Tenkin said rubbing his temples as he went back to lay on the rocky ground.

"Wait is that it?" Sedrick who had been paying keen attention asked in annoyance.

"Something must be wrong with this guy's head" Sedrick muttered. He was getting his hopes high for no reason.

Once again, Allison herself was left stunned she didn't quite understand what Tenkin was trying to pull at.

Tenkin raised a hand, gesturing Allison to come closer.

"This is a cave, so we have the two major constituents, all that's left is the last" Tenkin said.

"For what exactly?" Allison decided to ask staring blankly at him.

"Sulphur and potassium nitrate, ring any bell?" he added, Allison's eyes widened in the realization but quickly dimmed out as well.

"But do you think that it would help?" She asked uncertain that the idea would help them out of their current condition or an escape route out of the dungeon.

"You never know until you try" Tenkin replied.

[-20NP]

[Low level silver daggers purchased]

A bright glow enshrouded hi hands as the daggers appeared out of thin air and he went straight to work.

He went over to a portion of the wall and began scrapping.

Although the potassium nitrate would only surface In little quantity he needed just enough to blast off the metallic door of the dungeon.

"If you can get to the top, you can get the deposits of sulphur" He told Allison who stood there looking at him.

Just as he mentioned the sulphur Sedrick turned over to look at Melina and the two locked their gaze, obviously now aware of what Tenkin was planning to do.

'Gun Powder!' it had become a common knowledge, potassium nitrate, sulphur and charcoal the three major constituents of gunpowder. Although it wasn't practiced in the public but it was taught in the various schools, especially in chemistry classes, just for basic knowledge.

Their was a spring of water flowing above them and anywhere you could find such, you'd also find a deposit of sulphur! Similarly they figured they were in a cave and it was also known that potassium nitrate was naturally found in caves. Looking up to the ceiling Allison could see it, just like they'd expected the usual yellow substance was there.

But know the major issue was the last substance charcoal and that was the thought that lingered in Tenkin's head, 'where would I find charcoal?'

------------

They had finally arrived at the chiefs humble abode more like hut. The chief looked to be quite old, like someone who had been warped from centuries back to the future.

However, he looked to be quite healthy and the most decently dressed they'd seen since their arrival. He was covered in white elegant robes sitting on a mat, his hand cupped in some sort of ancient Japanese style.

His hairs had gone completely grey and his face filled with wrinkles, it was so much that it was hard to tell if he had an eye as they were now covered up. He could hardly even move from his position.

"Harrumph" he cleared his throat as he saw them enter his room.

"Thank you great adventures for making out time to visit my village and help us"

"it's nothing" Emmy said respectfully with a warm smile.

The old man ignored her as though he didn't hear and he continued.

"Are you sure you want. to take this mission" The old man asked and following his voice a notification popped up in front of them.

[Are you willing to accept the old man's mission]

Since they had already agreed before hand they all accepted the mission as there was no backing down again.

[Approved]! the system pinged as they accepted the missions again.

"A lot of people from our hunting team went out one day to the forest to get food that would last us the coming winter, but they never returned!...The elder said with a pained expression.

"....We thought that maybe something must've happened so we sent out another squadron and that included my son who is meant to be the next chief" The man coughed at that point taking a deep breath to continue.

"please can you help me know what's happening and deal with the issue so that our people can have something to eat and if possible..." He. couldn't complete bis statement as he burst into a sudden tears, "...Help me find my son" he completed, as his daughter drew closer to him to comfort him.

Suddenly Nolan received a ping on his own system.

[Find the chiefs missing son]

[Reward: +100 to all stats]

[Penalty: -100 from all stats]

Nolan farrowed his brow at the notification confused.

"why does it have to come with a penalty?" He screamed inwardly.

"Just to make sure you do it" Ra replied with a pleased tone. He appreciated moments like these when Nolan found himself in a difficult situation.

"Why do I feel like you have a hand in this?" Nolan questioned Ra.

"So what if I am" Ra replied whistling away to avoid further questioning, in that split second Nolan showered curses on the stupid system.

If his system kept giving him missions in such a manner then he felt like he'd put himself in an unfavourable position.

Firstly he wasn't given any chance to choose for himself bif he wanted to do the mission and to top it off it came with a penalty.

So that was practically selling his rights in the game to a stupid system.

"what a hassle" he thought inwardly, frustrated.

"Sure we can help you know what's happening in the forest but we can't help you bring back your son" Emmy said regrettably, but she wasn't ready to involve herself in something that wasn't part of the mission, she pitied the man but there was nothing she could do.

"There's no issue but please make sure to deal with the problem in the forest, so that my people can farm and eat again, all the sources of our food is particularly focused on the forest" The old man said.

"The fruits you have with you are products of the forest but we can't get any in fear of whatever lurks in the depths of those forest" The little girl added.

"Alright then, let's go see this forest and deal with the problem" Frank said enthusiastically.

"Yeah that's right bro" Kinki quickly supported.

"please follow me let me lead you to the forest, it's not too far from here" the girl said as she led the group out of her father's hut.

"Amaya make sure you come back quickly" Her old father's crooked voice shouted from the background as they left the premises.

They passed the village square again heading south of the village. The street were empty as it was becoming late. Mother nature had spread her blue blanket over the earth.

There was eerie silence within the. group as they neared the forest, the tall-long trees stretched out far and wide creating a thick dark canopy over the land. A tree was about 10-15 time their height individually.

At the front of the forest Amaya cam to a halt stopping to look at the group. "This is far as I can go" She said and then shifting her gaze to Nolan she said, "if it's possible please bring my broth

er back home" Her sparkling green eyes shimmering with hope.