Using music skills continuously was more difficult than originally imagined. Using it to focus on a creature or two was fine, even interesting. Doing so non-stop in an environment that was full of living creatures was painful, to say the least.

After five minutes, Dallion felt as if his temples were being crushed. A few minutes more, and the pain had increased to the point he felt as if a set of nails were piercing through his skull. Even so, he gritted his teeth and kept on looking.

The seventh level was very different from everything he had seen so far. Large glowing plants covered parts of the ground and ceiling, like multicolored anemone. Most of them emanated calm, although now and again one would resonate with anger and pain. Those were the ones that the group had to look out for, and at the same time the ones they had to get near to.

According to Vend, the creature they had to catch fed on the anemones and only if they captured it alive would the gate to the next level reveal itself. Since this was a closed system, Dallion immediately knew that this level gave the guild a set number of tries before they had to leave and start everything from scratch. Since there was no spawning in awakened realms—as far as Dallion knew—each passing through the level permanently decreased the number of creatures, and since they also acted as keys, that limited the number of times the gate could open.

“Need a rest?” Vend asked.

Dallion closed his eyes. To say he was feeling unwell was an understatement.

“Just a bit,” he said. “I wasn’t able to see any creatures. Are you sure they’re here?” On that note, Dallion hadn’t been able to see any white rectangle relating to the anemone’s either. Maybe it was because they were plants, although, in that case, how was he able to see their emotions. Either he was getting better at music skills, or he was really weak when it came to perception.

“They’re here. Sooner or later a pack of them will attack. We must find one before that.”

“Won’t that be easier?” Bel asked, playing with her knives.

“It will, but—”

“The more we kill, the fewer times we’ll be able to pass through here.” Dallion interrupted, trying to keep the level of his smugness on the low side. The truth was that he liked showing off his smarts, especially since he’d been the one catching up for so long. “It’s a sort of a lock that makes sure a group of people doesn’t try what we’re doing now.”

Bel glared at him, with an expression shouting “teacher’s pet,” but said nothing. In part, that was due to Dallion, still having his eyes shut.

Interesting security system, Dallion thought. And to think there were two times as many levels until the item was completely cleared. When initially learning about the awakened powers, Dallion saw them as an equivalent of a fighting game—awakened versus guardian in which each side aimed to defeat the other by hook or by crook. Now, it was starting to become more like a strategy with resource management.

“Listen Up,” Vend shouted. “We’re splitting up. Spike will take everyone to the end point. I’ll go find the key with Dallion.”

“I want to join in too,” Falkner said, to no one’s surprise. He was the type who wanted to be heavily involved in the action, not to mention close to anyone who had even a tangential relation to March.

“Stay with Spike,” Vend said in a firm tone. “We won’t take long.”

There was a moment of tension in the air. It only lasted a few seconds, but every awakened felt it. Falkner was not pleased with the response. At some point he would no doubt do something about it, but that time wasn’t now. Looking Vend in the eyes, he gave a single slow nod, then joined Spike, who only smirked in response. Shortly after, the main part of the group got ready to depart. Dallion’s excess gear was distributed among the other packrats, very much to their annoyance. No doubt there would be a few temporary grudges, but even they had to admit Dallion had skills others didn’t.

“No fighting,” Vend shouted as the group set off. “The creatures are more valuable than you.”

Spike only raised his hand back still turned, and waved. Half a minute later they had vanished, hidden by the horizon of anemones.

“How long do you think they’ll hold a grudge?” Dallion asked once he and Vend were alone.

“They won’t. If anything, you staying there makes things awkward.”

That was a response Dallion didn’t expect. “In what way?”

“Everyone knows that you completed the selection trial, or rather that you should have completed it. Your failure to complete it solo let them relax that you aren’t another monster chosen by March. That doesn’t mean that they feel at ease around you. You’re still too dangerous.”

Dallion blinked. Dangerous? That had to be a joke. Everyone he’d seen so far was stronger and not only double digits like Eury and the siblings. Awakened of his level could easily win against him in a fight. Falkner, Bel, even Arthurows would likely pummel him into the ground if it came to a serious battle.

“You’re like a tiger kitten. Clumsy, reckless, still learning the world, and—most important of all—unable to control its claws. Watching you is like watching a diamond in the rough that wants to polish itself into perfection by rubbing against every piece of rock it sees. You have the potential, you even have the right ideas, but you always manage to stop halfway. I don’t know what it is, but it’s as if you stubbornly want to remain where you are.”

“That’s bull crap.” Dallion crossed his arms. “I’ve been pushing myself to enter double digit territory non-stop! When I’m not here doing guild jobs, I’m working at the inn or training.”

“I know. You’re also saving so you can visit an awakening shrine. It’s an improvement, but you’re still overlooking the small things.” Vend sighed. “You keep using your music skills in the most harmful way. You attacked a Mirror Widow without even a basic idea what it does. You’ve managed to get some of the best gear there is and you still use it as a hammer.”

Dallion took a deep breath. Even back on Earth, he hated being criticized, especially for no reason. That’s one of the reasons he wasn’t into school sports too much. It wasn’t that he had any problem in being shouted at or even against the criticism, it was that some people just liked to pick on him while ignoring others doing the same.

Okay, I know that March is a big shot. You can cool it, Dallion thought. I have a mind of telling you exactly what I think of your—

He’s only saying that because he sees your potential, a voice said.

Dallion tensed up. Vend was still going on with his tirade, pointing out mistake after mistake in everything that Dallion had done in the last week. However, other than the two of them, there wasn’t anyone there.

That’s the thing about this world, the voice went on. People are only hard on you when they see you can handle it. You didn’t see anyone criticize Arthurows, did you? That’s because they know what a lost cause he is. He’ll probably make it to double digit eventually, though not much more. You, on the other hand, have no limitations.

Who are you? Dallion wondered. The voice, however, didn’t answer. That was slightly unnerving, though not as much as realizing it had been right. Vend had barely said anything useful during the selection trial. In contrast he’d given Dallion a lot of advice since, despite not being his mentor.

If you don’t believe me, use your music skill, the voice suggested.

With his headache reduced, Dallion did just that. Strictly speaking, he would have done it even if his head was pounding.

There were a lot of emotions visible in Vend. Going through them, Dallion found that the most relevant wasn’t disappointment—as he had expected it to be—but enthusiasm and encouragement. The voice had been right. Could it be that this passed for encouragement in this world? Apparently yes. It reminded Dallion of what Havoc had told him during the hunt.

“I don’t remember you being so hard on Falkner,” Dallion interrupted, just to check on that hypothesis.

“Falkner’s untouchable. He has nothing to worry about. You, do. And if you can’t understand that, you’ll never make it past the level ten trial.”

Using all the strength of will in his possession, Dallion smiled.

“I guess we’ll have to find out, won’t we?” He looked past Vend. His music skills had shown that another few anemones had changed their emotional emanations from calm to in pain. “A few more are hurting.” He pointed in the direction, then stopped using his music skills. “I wasn’t able to see much of anything else.”

“Okay.” Vend looked at where Dallion was pointing. “We’ll spring there. Are you in a condition to do any fighting?”

“Yeah,” Dallion lied. It wasn’t a true lie, although with his headache the last thing he wanted to do now was to fight against something he had never seen before.

Without any further questions or explanations, Vend rushed forward.

Crap! Dallion followed.

It quickly became clear that keeping pace with an elite was impossible. Dallion had barely passed a third of the distance to the anemone by the time Vend had gotten there.

Music, Dallion thought.

The pain coming from the anemone had started to subside. Vend’s focus, however, had intensified, and also there was another presence that Dallion hadn’t seen until now.

“Don’t attack!” Dallion shouted, but it was too late. Vend had already drawn his weapon and charged forward. The speed was so great that the red markers appeared several instants behind the elite’s steps.

COMBAT INITIATED

It took two seconds for Dallion to reach the scene. In that time, a few dozen blows had already been exchanged. Or rather, it was Vend issuing the blows. Careful not to knock out the creature entirely, Vend only used strikes and kicks to stop its actions, keeping it in the same spot. His precision was outright terrifying. As for the creature…

Species: Equine

Class: Water

Statistics: 100% HP

Skills:

- Water Jet

- Scale defense

Weak spots: Tail

A seahorse, Dallion thought. We’re fighting a seahorse. Technically, the creature was quite different, close to a hybrid between a horse and a snake. If there was a name for a snake with a horse’s head, this was it. Interestingly enough, there was a weird aesthetic that made the creature almost delicate in appearance. Judging by the way Vend’s sword bounced off the scales—even if he wasn’t aiming to kill it—suggested that it was protected against basic attacks.

“Get on the other side,” Vend ordered. “Don’t let it escape.”

You’re doing a pretty good job on your own, Dallion thought, but did as he was told.

“Do we have to fight it?” he asked. “Can’t we just bring it with us?”

As he asked, the emotions of the horse changed drastically, showing hope.

It can understand me? Dallion wondered. In truth, what he was really surprised about was that the creature had responded in such fashion. Up to now Dallion had fought a number of guardians, mostly item guardians, and in several cases they had accepted surrender. Was it possible that this one would do so as well? Or maybe it would go even further?

“We’re offering a draw!” Dallion shouted. “Help us get to the next level and we won’t hurt you.”

As if to mock him, one of Vend’s kicks landed in the neck area of the equine.

“From now on.” Damn it, Vend!

“What are you doing?” Vend took a step back, still blocking the creature’s escape paths. Red cones started from his hands and feet, surrounding the equine from all sides.

“You told me to focus on the little things, well I’m focusing.” Dallion took a step forward. “A draw and you come with us to the guardian’s chamber?”

In his mind, Dallion heard Vend criticizing him again, explaining how item creatures aren’t intelligent. That never played out, however. The man stood there, calmly, ready to attack at the drop of a pin, but completely silent.

“What do you say?” Dallion asked. If the situation wasn’t as tense, he could have used his lyre to convince the creature as he had convinced the general a few days ago. Doing so now, though, would only scare the beast. Or maybe there was another way?

My voice is also an instrument, Dallion thought. As soon as he did, a new set of markers appeared, markers within his body that he could only see with his mind eye. It was impossible to explain, but Dallion’s mouth and throat had taken on the role of strings, and his lungs were now the meter. This was going to be a bit trickier than before. Not only did he have to use his voice to match the frequency that he wanted, but he’d have to measure his air to maintain it for a set amount of time. And to top it all, he was going to have to use words. No doubt about it, Dallion felt as if he was trapped inside a musical. Still, it was worth the humiliation to try.

“We don’t really want to fight.” Dallion said, his voice vibrating with calm as he spoke. His mind’s eye saw the breath reach the marker level, indicating he had to continue with the next set of sounds. “We just want to reach the next level.”

The timing was perfect. Dallion saw the vibration of calm make its way to the equine’s head. The creature paused for a moment, then let its guard down. This was far easier than convincing the general, but even so, Dallion wasn’t out of the woods yet.

“Accept the draw, okay?” he said, changing the calm to joy. “It’s the best for all of us.”

The equine’s emotions oscillated. Just twice more and Dallion felt it would agree.

“We’re not here to clear this level.” One more. “And I really don’t want to fight you.”

Calm and joy vibrated in the creature’s head and heart. All that was needed now was one final push, and Dallion felt that he could do it.

“Draw?”

Combat ended

The Equine has accepted a draw.