New Safe Zone (1)
As the artillery golem burst through the smoke and approached me, the nine expedition members recoiled in horror, subtly putting some distance between us. The explosion that had just obliterated the beasts was clearly seared into their minds.
"It's fine," I said with a smile, patting the golem's sturdy steel carapace. Only then did the tension among the group ease a bit.
"Alright, let's hurry." Escorted by the golem and drones, we slipped out of the alley and headed toward the tracks where the train waited. Thanks to the recent blast that had wiped out a ton of beasts, the streets seemed noticeably lighter on monsters.
"...No way, is that...?"
"I only read about it in text on the Gallery, but seeing it for real—"
"That's kinda intense..."
"Whoa."
The survivors let out a mix of awe and unease the moment they laid eyes on the train's menacing form. Some even pulled out their smartphones and started snapping photos like crazy.
Man, it's popular. I chuckled inwardly and opened the door to passenger car 3.
"Let's get on board and catch our breath first."
The survivors shuffled toward car 3 at my words. Before letting them in, I stood by the door and quickly counted heads in my mind. Couldn't leave anyone behind.
One, two, three, four... eight, nine. And... ten.
"Huh?"
The moment I hit ten, I whipped my head around and scanned them again. Definitely supposed to be nine. But there were ten people standing in front of me. And that last one was dressed and built completely differently from the survivors—light gear layered with flowing fabric and thin leather, unnaturally pale skin, and sharply pointed ears.
"Elf...!"
"An elf, out of nowhere?"
"It's real! She's right behind us!"
The elf who had filled the recon drone's screen just moments ago had somehow blended seamlessly into our group, tailing us who-knows-how-long.
Silence crashed down. Me and the nine survivors all stared at her, dumbfounded, our eyes locked.
Everyone was probably thinking the same things.
It's a real elf.
Why's she here...?
She's seriously pretty.
While we gawked, the elf stared back at us with curious eyes. Then, as if something caught her attention, she strode forward toward one person—the woman covered in elaborate tattoos from her neck to her wrists.
The elf leaned right up to her nose, then extended slender fingers and gently rubbed over the black tattoo on her wrist. Like she was trying to wipe away a stubborn smudge with pure, earnest intent.
"..."
"..."
But no matter how much she rubbed, the tattoo wouldn't budge. The elf blinked in wonder and tilted her head quizzically.
That did it—the tattooed woman burst into hollow laughter.
"It's not gonna come off..."
Whether she understood or not, the elf grinned back at her. Then she pulled a massive feather—clearly from that giant bird monster I'd snagged on the rooftop earlier—from her bosom and plopped it into the woman's hand.
Had she taken a liking to her? Without lingering, the elf spun on her heel and leaped away lightly.
...Her actions are so unpredictable.
Ta-at—!
Leaping as if gravity didn't exist, she scaled the building wall in seconds and vanished from sight.
I craned my neck to follow her path. At the end of my gaze, on the rooftop of a nearby storefront, sat what looked like a tiny treehouse woven intricately from leaves and thick branches.
She made a home like that in such a short time?
Instead of holing up inside a building, she'd built her own little nook smack in the middle of the roof. Maybe she was claiming it as her base?
"Talk about wild..."
"Aw, I should've taken a pic..."
"Doesn't seem to hate humans, at least."
"Yeah. Image-wise, I figured she'd avoid us."
Anyway, the elf didn't seem hostile. I turned to the tattooed woman clutching the feather and the still-gaping survivors, urging them to finally board car 3 for real. The elf might be friendly, but the beast monsters sure weren't.
"Rest up, everyone."
Only then did the nine slump into the passenger seats, exhaling long, deep sighs as the tension drained away. Still, the vibe in car 3 was oddly buzzy. They'd dodged disaster and gotten a close-up of the elf they'd been dying to see. Especially since she matched the fantasy perfectly.
"Man, an elf pic would've blown up..."
"Someone else must've posted one elsewhere. There's a completed trade."
"Ah..."
"...I just wanted to snap one for myself, rewards be damned."
Everyone nodded at the lament. But the regret was short-lived—they soon dove into practical worries.
"What do we do now?"
All of them were locals who'd been surviving solo around here, unaffiliated with any safe zone. They'd come without a second thought because the elf rumors hit close to home—but this dungeon break had cranked up the danger level big time.
"...How about we use this chance to build our own proper safe zone right here?"
"A safe zone... just us...?"
"Surviving alone's tough. Seeing the dungeon break for real makes it hit harder..."
"Then..."
One survivor spoke up boldly, and the reactions were surprised but positive. The area had gotten riskier, and with breaks like this, going solo was unsustainable. Clearing dungeons alone was out of the question too.
I offered to ferry them to another safe zone if they wanted—but
"I might have someone coming back..."
"Leaving the area would be tough for me too."
"I trust Gallery folks, but not safe zone people..."
"I wanna catch glimpses of the elf from afar sometimes..."
Okay, ignoring that last one, they all had reasons to stick close. So, safe zone it was around here. Even the tattooed woman surprisingly agreed.
"Not sure if the elf'll stay friendly, but what if we build at a respectful distance—not too close, not too far?"
"Invite other Gallery users later..."
"Ultimate goal: trade with the elf...!"
A few coughed awkwardly and nodded at that last bit. But their faces soon clouded over. The photo trade was done, but the Gallery trade board still had bolded posts calling for elf hunts or captures as slaves.
"Can't we protect her somehow? If someone..."
"...Guard the elf..."
"Sigh... I don't think you need to worry that much..."
Worried voices rose, but honestly? After seeing her one-shot that giant bird's skull from the rooftop, I was more concerned for anyone gunning for her.
They didn't seem convinced by my words. Had they always been this soft-hearted? Back on the Gallery—
"No can do. If I go guard her side now—"
"No, let me..."
So transparent. Beauty's power was terrifying. The elf's looks were clearly triggering their protective instincts. They laughed it off as jokes, but I caught the sincerity in their eyes for a split second.
And... I kinda got it too.
"How about I drop you off at the nearest station then?"
"Yeah, that'd be great—thanks."
The train reached the local station quickly, and the nine disembarked with thanks. They'd build their safe zone now. Not far at all—might run into the elf again.
Leaving them behind, I returned to car 1 and launched another recon drone.
"Not protecting, but surveillance at least."
The drone ascended silently, circling the rooftop where the elf had nested. Live feed to check for any attackers. Bonus: watch the nine set up shop.
I checked the coordinates from the constellation on the cockpit panel. Luckily, not far from here.
Arriving at the constellation's marked spot, a liquor store stood proudly untouched by looters, like we'd hit the jackpot.
"...Bigger than it looks."
The facade was modest, but it stretched deep inside. Entering with drones and golem, shelves groaned under booze of every kind.
As I inspected them, a message popped up.
[The God of Alcohol and Music excitedly tells you to grab the wines.]
"...Did you mark this spot just for booze?"
Judging by the name, same constellation as the one into alcohol and music.
As I eyed the bottles in disbelief, another chimed in.
[The Hammer Warrior snorts and stomps the ground.]
[The Hammer Warrior bellows to grab the vodka and high-proof stuff quick.]
"What the—why this constellation now... Fine, fine..."
Two boozehounds clashing. I directed the drones to load up while checking bottles. Place was huge—might take a couple trips.
But the second we started, messages flooded in.
Grab a fancy wine or champagne? Hammer Warrior griped instantly.
[The Hammer Warrior gripes that he'd rather chug cabbage juice than that swill.]
Box up 50-proof vodka for the golem? Alcohol and Music fired back.
[The God of Alcohol and Music shakes their head, saying booze that's all proof and no finesse isn't real drink.]
"..."
I ignored the spam and cleared shelves methodically. Try not buying this haul at top dollar—I'll mix their faves right in their faces. ...Wonder how that would go?
Deep in the dusty counter corner after sweeping up bottles, a peculiar book caught my eye on the register. Looked old, but dust-free unlike everything else—stood out.
[The God of Alcohol and Music clears their throat.]
[They say that book will help you befriend those other races you just met.]
"A book for befriending other races...?"
Puzzled, I picked it up. Skillbook on heteromorph traits or translation maybe? I pocketed it while the drones mopped up the rest of the booze.