Ring of Teleportation

Ash and Maya cautiously began to climb the bridge. However, the bridge was very strong and, of course, not sticky.

The bridge was white, and Spidy had made it similar to rope bridges made by humans, with spider webbing resembling the wood planks between the two ends.

They climbed without using safety gear, but Ash had already given a mental command to Spidy to save them if anything happened.

Spidy obediently waited on the platform, with Jagu by his side, sitting and looking up at them.

After about fifteen minutes of climbing the forty-five-degree bridge, they finally reached the hole in the cave wall.

The opening of the hole was about one and a half meters in diameter and led further inside. Ash quickly took out his flashlight and illuminated the hole.

The hole turned out to be shaped like a small cave with rougher protrusions than those on the larger cave's inner walls.

They both entered and began searching for the Ring of Teleportation that Maya needed to find.

The shadows from the protrusions danced eerily as Ash directed his flashlight from side to side. Maya looked around, searching.

The hole wasn't too deep or large, but they couldn't find what they were looking for.

"Why isn't it here?" Ash asked Maya. "Are you sure this is the place?"

Maya pouted, then used her Treasure Sense skill to feel where the ring was located.

She walked to one side of the cave wall and stood there. After a moment, she pointed to the wall, slightly below her shoulder.

"The ring must be here," Maya said.

Ash gaped. "How do we get it if it's inside the wall?"

Maya picked up a rock from the cave floor and tapped the cave wall she had pointed to earlier.

Thud! Thud!

She tried tapping another part of the cave wall.

Thud!

"Hmmm," Ash muttered, watching what Maya was doing.

Maya ignored him and tried tapping another part of the wall, slightly to the left.

Thung!

The sound was different from the others.

Maya's face lit up, and she turned to Ash, saying, "I think it's here."

Ash remained silent, still watching her.

Seeing Ash just standing there, Maya pouted again and struck the wall with the rock.

After several unsuccessful attempts, Maya lowered her slightly tired arm.

Ash smirked. Then he drew his sword and said to Maya, "Step aside."

Maya watched as Ash drew his sword and took over holding the flashlight that Ash had been holding.

Ash took a stance and focused his strength, then thrust his sword into the area Maya had been tapping.

The section shattered immediately upon impact. Ash sheathed his sword with a mocking smile at Maya.

A small hole, about the size of a basketball, was visible. Maya quickly ran to the hole and shone the flashlight inside.

She reached into the hole, feeling around. After a moment, she felt something cold and pulled it out.

Shining the flashlight on the object in her hand, she exclaimed, "Yayyyyyyy. We got it!"

Ash, catching Maya's excitement, laughed along with her.

"Try if the ring really works for teleportation," said Ash.

Maya immediately put on the ring, which only fit her thumb. Then she grabbed Ash's arm and closed her eyes.

"Woah. It worked!"

Hearing Ash's voice, Maya opened her eyes and saw that they were back on the platform, this time behind Spidy and Jagu, who were still looking at the hole in the cave wall.

Hearing Ash's voice, they turned around simultaneously in surprise.

Ash chuckled at the behavior of the two creatures. They really did resemble pets.

Suddenly, there was a sound like something falling in front of Ash. He turned to see Maya sitting weakly on the ground, still holding his arm.

"W-What happened?" Maya asked, confused.

Ash tilted his head and asked, "What's your usual magic stat?"

Maya replied, "Ten."

Ash nodded in understanding, then helped Maya stand and supported her as they made their way back to their mattress.

As they walked, Ash explained, "You need to gradually add points to your magic stat. That way, you can use the items you acquire without depleting your stats."

Maya remained silent and weakly nodded.

They rested again, had a meal, and decided to return to the surface.

***

John opened the cave door with a loud bang, startling Jagu, who yelped and quickly ran behind Ash. Ash just shook his head, watching the scene.

"ASH!" John shouted as he saw them waiting behind the door.

"Hi, Uncle John," Ash said.

"Great, great. You're all safe. Did you get the item?" John asked as Ash, Maya, and Jagu exited the cave door, then closed and locked it behind them.

"Yes, we got the item, Sir. Thank you very much for your help," replied Maya, as their eyes adjusted to the light outside the cave.

John laughed and said, "Come on. Let's have dinner at my place."

Ash looked up and saw the sun was almost setting.

"No, Sir. Thank you. I would like to return to the inn and rest, if you don't mind," replied Maya.

"Oh, not at all," said John.

Maya then bid them farewell, "See you again tomorrow," she said and headed to the inn.

Ash and John, accompanied by Jagu, made their way back to John's house, chatting about various things along the way.

Once they arrived home, Ash immediately took a shower to refresh himself while John started cooking. And Jagu? Of course, he curled up on Ash's bed.

While they were enjoying dinner, John said to Ash, "You haven't received your payment after the last expedition, have you?"

"Umm, I wasn't expecting anything, Uncle. Keep it for yourself," Ash replied.

John smiled warmly at him. "No, this is a special item with a special rank. It might be very useful for you, who can summon creatures in this game," he urged.

"Really, Uncle? What kind of item is it?" Ash asked, curious.

John placed a pouch on the table. "This is an amulet that can enhance your summoning abilities and make the creatures you summon even stronger."