Snow turned a brightly colored shade of Red. She instantly had someone in mind when Mr. Rogers said that.

“I am a gentleman. My prey needs to be…” Mr. Rogers showed off a very curvy figure, which Snow couldn’t help but roll her eyes. He then looked at her. His eyes upturned sharply, and shook his head disappointed with a sad expression.

Snow fist went flying, unconsciously, hitting him in the face.

“My bad.” Snow blew her fist. A self-satisfaction, but she realized what she had done.

Mr. Rogers' head was thrown back, and he stumbled. He shook his head once, a hint of blood slipped down his nose. He was stupefied. His red eyes sharpened at her with a hint of disbelief, but it quickly went away.

“Well, what a fiesty wild cat.” Mr. Rogers chuckled. He wiped the blood away from his nose. “I like that.”

Snow shivered, realizing that this vampire was probably someone who liked to get beaten up. She hoped she was wrong. With a cough, she turned around. “Let’s go.”

The aching body was less, and the tiredness was washed away; the potion was working. Snow was almost back to her normal self.

Every carcass she found, she quickly stored them away.

Mr. Rogers followed behind her gracefully. Not really caring about the dead monsters in his way. He sometimes helped and threw the carcass at her to quickly pick up the pace.

They walked a while in silence. Snow was focused on her task. Buildings were in shambles, broken glasses laid out on the streets, water pumps were broken, and the lamps' electric wiring sparked off dangerously. Cars were overturned, while some were still on fire.

Death and carnage were present as dead bodies were thrown and torn apart by the Hellhounds. There was nobody out and about. Their presence made them stay away for a while.

There were still screams that could be heard off in the distance, making Snow a bit jittery. Looking for any more monsters that would pop out from the ground and fight her again. She wasn’t too sure if her body could handle another swarm of Hellhounds in droves without causing her body to tear her muscles apart. There was a limit to her body. Plus, she needed rest.

Right now, finding others is a priority.

“You know, I feel like this dungeon is not bad.” Mr. Rogers lazily said. He enjoyed the brisk walk that made him look like he came out for a pleasant walk than to fight. “It has a good breeze, amazing food, lots of easy monsters to beat up, and a nice date with the Saintess.”

“We aren’t dating.”

“Of course, we are.” Mr. Rogers said with a smile. “I must keep my blood pack safe.”

Baffled by his statement, Snow halted. “I am not your food or your blood pack. I thought you were better than this, Mr. Rogers.” She said it gently but had a hint of ice in it. She didn’t regret hitting him anymore.

Mr. Rogers reached out, he patted her on her head. “Be at ease, young one, it just means that I will protect you in this forsaken world. You will come out safe.”

“I’ll be fine.” Snow pushed away his hand.

“Yes, you do.” Mr. Rogers wasn’t going to take no for an answer. “Right now, you are as weak as a newborn lamb. If another large scale attack happened like that, you would be gobbled. How are you supposed to beat the dungeon boss and destroy the crystal if you can only do this much?”

Snow opened and closed her mouth. She couldn’t refute him. The disparity between her and Mr. Rogers was still huge. Even against the dungeon boss, she wasn’t at its level. How was she going to fight them indeed? She was an ant compared to the monstrous power that she had felt.

“Cat got your tongue?” Mr. Rogers slyly glanced down at her, enjoying her squirm. “No, matter. I am just as strong as the monster that is sleeping in the ground.” He arrogantly said.

“If you thi-”

“Snow!” Red’s voice burst out from behind, cutting her words in mid-sentence. “Snow!!” With a glomp, Snow stumbled backward. Red had bulldozed her way towards her, almost throwing her onto the ground.

“Red?” Snow said with surprise. Glad to see at least another familiar face, she hugged her back.

“Yo, Snow.” Mike waved her down. He was trotting behind Red. “Glad to see you guys are alright.”

“Yea.” Snow was rubbing Red’s head, who wouldn’t leave her chest. Red was rubbing her cheek on Snow. It took a bit of effort to get Red to calm down, but eventually, Red detached herself.

“We were worried that you got caught in that horrible earthquake.” Red crossed her arms, “Good thing, I put a tracking spell on all of you guys before we split.”

“You did?” said Snow, impressed.

“Yep,” Red said proudly, puffing up her cheek and chest. “I am the best magician in the Red Flower Nation.”

“Right….” Mike looked at Red with a shake of his head, “I rarely see you use magic.”

“That’s because I don’t need to.” Red sticks out her tongue. “Don’t worry, you’ll see it.” She harrumphed.

“Anyways, is Rodney and Darien still at the same hotel?” Snow asked. She couldn’t help but wonder if they were okay.

“I think so.” Red tilted her head. Her brows were furrowed as she thought about what she was seeing. “I think we should hurry on over.” Her words brought in alarm.

The four of them dashed through the streets, heading straight towards the meeting place. When they arrived, everyone was appalled. There was no hotel at all. A giant gaping hole was present.

“No way…” Mike was at the edge, looking down. “Are they in there?” He pointed downwards.

Red was next to him, shaking her head up and down. “He won’t be able to come out this way.”

“What do you mean?”

“There are legions of monsters in that hole, blocking him from his escape. His only way is forward…” Red looked over towards the distance.

Snow followed her gaze, instantly understanding what she meant. She could feel the pulsating call of the S-Class monsters, stirring in the ground. Calling all of them, no, snickering at their pitiable existence as it played with them. Something in Snow crawled in angst and annoyance at the arrogant call to challenge.

Her rings started to ring back in challenge, telling her to go forward. Softly, the energy traveled up and down her body, swirling up to her heart. It squeezed her and filled her with magic.

Quietly, the rings on her hand whispered and turmoil to go. At first, she listened to the strange lull, becoming entrapped by the urge. Almost becoming entrapped by the animalistic growls that slipped out of her lips.

Her golden eyes shimmered, changing slightly reptilian. She could see the change in the air as magic was heavily littered in the air. It swirled and danced in front of her eyes like a snake. The magical energy was seen continuing off into the distance towards their destination.

She didn’t know where this urge came from, but her feet followed the trail.

“Snow?” Red curiously called out to her.

Snow ignored the voice. Her steps became stronger.

The wave of the magical energy intensified, and the pull became stronger. Snow's past memories flashing when she was in the mana lake and the time when she was trapped in the heart of the pirate ship. Each had a similar feeling to the call.

Quickly, her feet started to go into a trot, then a jog, and before she knew it, she was running through the city. She had forgotten how her muscles were sore. The adrenaline in her body kicking in, and the magic in the air assisting her to go faster.

The others were shouting her name, telling her to stop.

But those words were blown away from the wind.

An addiction that she didn’t expect appeared from her heart, to fall back into the pool of magic that welcomed her with open arms. She wanted it.

“Snow!” Mike was cursing under his breath. Breathing a bit heavy as he was trying to catch up to her. Snow's speed would have been considered inhumane, but luckily with the help of his magic, he was able to keep up.

Mr. Rogers had to carry Red as she wasn’t built for the cross country like run. He didn’t seem to break a sweat and was whistling with excitement at the strange turn of events.

“What the hell is wrong with her?!” Mike cried out, frustrated that he wasn’t getting through.

“I don’t know!” Red was holding on tightly to Mr. Roger’s neck. “All I can think of is that she is being pulled by something.”

“The dungeon boss?”

“Possibly?”

“Yes,” Mr. Rogers shook his head, “it's the magic itself. Don’t worry, she’s like a hunting dog right now. We’ll be able to find the quickest route to our destination.”

“But what about Dairen and Rodney?”

“They’ll be fine. If they can’t get out of that small trouble, then they weren't as strong as I expected.” Mr. Rogers' words were cold, making Mike scowl at him.