A pair of bright grey eyes watched as the pair sank into the ground. The young girl came out as soon as she saw the threat is neutralized and broke down into a devilish grin at a work well done.

However, the happy atmosphere was broken by a small light floating down in the dark corridor and stopping in front of the young female.

“Suna, I thought I felt your magic. Is everything alright down there?” the voice sounded old and worn out. Suna’s grey eyes could not hide the fond look they supported at the voice.

After all, the owner had been like a father to her in her youth. Now that he was getting older, it fell to Suna to help him keep intruders out.

“Everything is alright down here. I thought I heard something but there is no one here” Su Suna replied with a cheerful voice.

She did not inform the guild of the people she had just sent into an isolated space. There was no need to alarm the elderly in the guild about this invasion.

“Oh. That’s good then. Suna, I need you to do me a favor” the elder man asked and Suna felt her ear rise on her head. It was not often that the elders asked her for favors. They generally avoided her as they saw her as a demon.

However, Suna saw them as family and thus saw this as an opportunity to prove herself. Maybe she would finally not be avoided if she fulfilled this request right.

“Ask me anything and it will be done” Suna tried to not appear so eager but her tone betrayed her interest. It is shown with confidence and willingness to do anything being asked.

The elder old let out a humm before the silence around them was broken by a small cough.

“Suna, there will be some important people arriving in the corridor in a few minutes. There will be two females, one semi-human and one demon but not part of the adventurer’s guild. Make sure that they arrive in the guildhall at all costs” Suna felt a frown overtake her face at the order.

Two females? The only ones to try and find the guildhall should be those who were not part of the guild currently. The ones who were a part of the guild would have been directed toward it through the darkness by their contract.

Suna’s mind quickly traveled back to a few seconds ago and she felt a chill go down her back.

Hadn’t the people she had sunk been two females? Suna had not seen their features to know whether they were demons or humans. She had just seen them as a threat and decided to sink them.

But this was not something Suna could tell the guild master. He was counting on Suna to make sure the other two arrive in the guildhall unharmed.

“I will make sure they arrive at the guildhall soon” Suna promised but her mind was racing with possibilities.

Actually, it would be difficult to retrieve those two females from wherever they had ended up. it was not impossible but it was also not something Suna had done before.

However, she would do it now. All for the request her guardian had asked of her. Suna could never ignore him, nor not follow his words.

The light ball faded from the hallway with a flicker of Suna’s fist and then the magic swirled around her. The ground beneath the guardian’s feet swirled like quicksand and then she sank in it as well.

The corridor showed a small distortion before it was empty of any living form once again.

……………………………….

Maria felt her body protest at the sudden motion she made.

The collide with the ground had been hard and left Maria shaken on her legs. It hurt to even stand but she had to drag herself and Nao out of the small pit they had ended up in.

“Darn you Su Suna. Darn, you and the ridiculous power you can’t even control” Maria cursed as she dragged Nao with her toward safety. The open landscape was too vulnerable and left them exposed.

The quicksand had left them in a forest-like place. The humid sun shined down at maria’s face in a mocking way and sweat ran its course down her face.

Her clothes were damp due to the heat and chose to stick to her body awkwardly. Nao was in a similar situation and Maria felt it difficult not to stare at her bountiful assets.

She had to ignore it all for now.

“Where even am I?” Maria asked as she panted due to exertion. Nao was getting heavier by the second and Maria knew it was due to the lack of magic in the surroundings.

[The place user is in current is a pocket dimension belonging to the guardian of Simon’s court, Su Suna.

The place exists in a cut-off dimension from the original one and can only be controlled by Su Suna or by finding the exit trigger]

Her system explained. It was the first helpful job it had done and Maria could not help but make plans inside her head. The information provided to her was useful if she needed to get out.

“Can you scan this place and provide me with a mini-map? Try to keep it as accurate as possible” Maria ordered as she sat Nao down in the low bushes.

She recognized the bush as non-harmful ones the palace gardens had and felt safe to leave Nao there as well. Maria needed to look around for a source of water in this dimension and also forge a little.

[Scanning started. ETA 15 minutes]

The beep started and Maria knew the system was at work.

Maria found a small spring in the first ten minutes of her search and decided to scoop the water into an empty bottle in her inventory. She already had water but having access never harmed anyone.

Besides, Nao needed all the help she could get. Maria did not know the reason Nao was unconscious but she did not want to find out either. It was already a miracle that one of them had made it unharmed down here.

Maria neared Nao’s location but her system gave her a warning ‘beep.’

[Intruder alert. Intruder alert. User is asked to be careful in their approach of the intruder]

Maria took in a deep breath to calm her nerves and carefully turned her head from around a huge tree.

A familiar figure leaned against Nao’s unconscious body and Maria felt her anger rise inside of her.

How dare Su Suna try and touch Nao while she is unconscious? It was Maria’s job to look after her friend. And besides, they were in this mess because of Su Suna’s carelessness.

Maria needed to get her away from Nao and fast.