Chapter 17:

The Departure

Brought into my Unfinished Game World


The guild master gestured for everyone to take seats around a large table in the corner of his office. He spread out a detailed map of the continent, pointing to various locations as he spoke.

— Now that introductions are complete, let me explain the details of this quest, he said, his expression growing serious.

— This mission comes directly from Queen Mia herself, and it is classified as an SSS-rank assignment.

Kuria's eyes widened with excitement while Suzaku simply nodded, her gaze still focused downward.

— The objective is straightforward but extraordinarily dangerous, continued the guild master.

— Kuria and Suzaku, you are to escort Alpha beyond the Demon Lord's territory and help him reach the Horizon Canvas at the edge of our world.

Alpha shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

— But why exactly do I need to reach this place? asked Alpha

Akina looked at him with a mixture of surprise and concern.

— According to Queen Mia's briefing, you are a powerful life bender. If you can access the edge of the world and fully awaken your abilities, you might be able to change the tides of the war against the demon forces.

Dave, floating invisibly beside Alpha, nearly choked. Alpha's pixelated features somehow managed to convey confusion. Dave somehow noticed his friend's bewilderment and asked him to act tough or else their new party risk second guessing their decision. He quickly explained what the Queen told him earlier this week about the Life benders.

— A life bender? I am not sure I understand what that means, said Kuria.

— The ability to bend the rules of nature itself, explained the guild master. Life benders are individuals who gained their power through contact with magical anomalies that appear throughout our world. They can alter the properties of objects, change the flow of magic, even reshape matter in ways that should be impossible.

— Queen Mia believes that with proper access to the Horizon Canvas, your powers could be enhanced to the point where you could alter the demons' modifications, perhaps even turn their own enhanced abilities against them.

— And you believe this is possible? asked Kuria.

— The Queen's intelligence network is unparalleled. If she says you have this potential, then I trust her judgment completely, declared the guild master.

Kuria leaned forward eagerly.

— Oh, this sounds even more exciting than I thought! A life bender! I have never worked with someone who could manipulate reality before!

Suzaku finally looked up from the floor, her sunset-colored eyes studying Alpha with new interest.

— Dangerous, she said quietly.

— But... worth the risk.

The guild master spread his hands on the table.

— The journey will take you through some of the most hostile territory in our world. Enhanced demons, unstable magical zones, and finally the Canvas itself, which may be more dangerous than all the rest combined. Are you all prepared for such a mission?

Alpha looked around the table at his new companions, then back at Mr. Akina.

— When do we leave?

— Tomorrow morning, replied Mr. Akina. The aeronef will be waiting right outside of town with everything you will need for the journey - food, camping supplies, maps, and emergency equipment.

— What about last minute preparations? asked Alpha.

— Anything you require will be provided to you. The guild has been authorized to spare no expense for this mission.

Dave floated closer to the table.

— Alpha, ask them to order some high-end equipment for our new allies. I want to see what kind of gear they're working with before we leave.

Alpha nodded slightly and turned to Kuria and Suzaku.

— Would either of you like to upgrade your equipment before we depart? The guild is offering to provide anything we might need.

Kuria smiled brightly and waved her hand dismissively.

— Oh, that's very kind of you, but I already have the best equipment I could ever want for my class. My staff and robes were blessed by the High Priestess herself, and my accessories are all enchanted with the most powerful support magic available.

Suzaku remained silent, her gaze still focused on the floor.

Dave frowned at their responses.

— Alpha, insist a bit more. Tell them you want to enhance their gear with your life bending abilities. Even if they have good equipment, I might be able to make it even better.

Alpha hesitated for a moment, then leaned forward.

— Actually, I was hoping to try something. As a life bender, I might be able to enhance your existing equipment beyond its normal limits. Even if your gear is already excellent, there could be room for improvement.

Kuria's eyes lit up with curiosity.

— Oh my! You can do that? I had no idea life benders could enhance equipment!

Suzaku finally looked up, her sunset-colored eyes studying Alpha with a hint of concern.

— Enhancement... she said quietly. Might make it too easy.

Dave sighed as he realized she might be too stubborn to accept help.

— I made her that way on purpose, Dave explained to Alpha. She was only supposed to agree to team up for the final dungeon. Having her as an ally too early in the game would have ruined the balance of all the battles leading up to it.

Alpha nodded slightly, understanding the reasoning.

— I'll just check her current stats and equipment, then ask Mia to provide items that will be beneficial for Suzaku. I don't need her approval to make those changes anyway, said Dave.

Dave floated closer to Suzaku to open her data panel. The moment he got within a few feet of her, she suddenly twitched. Her hand shot up and a concentrated blue fireball appeared in her palm, aimed directly in Dave's general direction. Her sunset eyes scanned the air with laser focus, searching for something she couldn't quite see but could clearly sense.

Dave froze completely, paralyzed by the realization that she could somehow detect his presence even though she couldn't see him.

— Suzaku! What are you doing? asked Kuria with concern. Chill out! There's nothing there!

Suzaku held the fireball steady for several more seconds, her gaze sweeping back and forth across the space where Dave was floating. Finally, she seemed to relax slightly and the blue flames flickered out of existence.

— Sorry, she said quietly, lowering her hand. Thought I sensed something.

Dave took a deep breath and floated several steps back from her, his heart still racing. He looked at Alpha with wide eyes.

— You know what? I think I know enough about her character already. Let's just... let's just work with what we've got.

After the meeting concluded, Dave and Alpha went their separate ways to handle the final preparations. Dave headed straight back to the palace to speak with Queen Mia about acquiring suitable equipment for Suzaku and Kuria, while Alpha made his way through the busy streets to find Gruf.

Alpha found the old merchant at his usual spot near the market square, chatting with other traders about the day's business. When Gruf spotted Alpha approaching, his weathered face broke into a warm smile.

— Alpha, my boy! How did the meeting with the guild master go?

— Very well, thank you for asking. We have our team assembled and everything is moving forward as planned.

— That is wonderful news! And when do you depart on this grand adventure of yours?

— Tomorrow morning, replied Alpha. That is actually why I came to see you. I wanted to confirm that you could still help us with the equipment arrangements we discussed.

Gruf nodded vigorously.

— Of course, of course! Do not worry about a thing, my friend. I will arrange for all of your high-end equipment to be loaded onto the aeronef when it is stationed outside the city walls. By the time you board tomorrow morning, everything will be waiting for you.

— I cannot thank you enough for your help with this, said Alpha with genuine gratitude.

— Nonsense! You are a good young man with a kind spirit, my boy. I am simply happy to help! Besides, I have a good feeling about this quest of yours. Something tells me you are going to accomplish great things.

Alpha smiled at the old merchant's optimism, though he couldn't shake his nervousness about the dangerous journey ahead.

— I hope you are right, Mr. Gruf. I truly hope you are right.

Later that evening, Dave and Alpha reunited at the familiar tavern where they had first planned their journey to the palace. The atmosphere felt different now - heavier with the weight of what lay ahead. Alpha ordered a simple meal while Dave floated beside him, both of them unusually quiet.

— I have to admit, I'm nervous, said Alpha, poking at his food with his fork.

— Yeah, me too, replied Dave. I mean, I created Suzaku to be incredibly powerful, but seeing her almost attack me today... that was terrifying. And we're heading into territory filled with demons that could be even stronger than her.

— At least we have allies now. Kuria seems eager to help, and Suzaku... well, she is definitely capable.

— That's what worries me. I designed her to be a lone wolf for a reason. Getting her to work with a team might be harder than fighting the demons themselves.

Alpha set down his fork and looked at Dave seriously.

— But you know what? I'm also excited. For the first time since I came into existence, I feel like I have a real purpose. A chance to become who I'm meant to be.

— And I might finally get to live a real life instead of just floating around as a ghost, added Dave with a small smile.

— We have come a long way from that dragon in the forest, have we not?

— Yeah, we really have.

They spent the rest of the evening talking about their hopes and fears, their friendship stronger than ever despite the uncertainty ahead.

Morning came too quickly. Alpha woke to the sound of activity in the streets below as merchants prepared for another day of trade. After a quick breakfast, they made their way to the city gates where Kuria and Suzaku were already waiting.

Kuria waved enthusiastically when she saw them approaching, while Suzaku stood silently with her hood pulled up. The aeronef floated just outside the city walls - a sleek vessel that looked like a cross between a sailing ship and a bird, with elegant wings that caught the morning light.

As they prepared to board, Queen Mia arrived with a small entourage. She approached their group with a warm smile.

— I wanted to see you off personally, she said.

— This mission may determine the fate of our entire world. I have complete faith in all of you.

She looked directly at where Dave was floating, though the others couldn't see him.

— May you find what you seek at the edge of our reality. And may you return safely to tell us of your success.

Alpha bowed respectfully.

— We will not let you down, Your Majesty.

— I know you will not. Now go - your destiny awaits.

With final farewells exchanged, the four companions boarded the aeronef. As the vessel lifted gracefully into the sky, Dave looked down at the shrinking city below and took a deep breath.

As they gained altitude, the stones of the palace walls began to shift and rearrange themselves. To everyone's amazement, the white stones formed into the shape of a giant arm that extended from the castle ramparts, waving goodbye to them as they departed. Even Suzaku looked up from under her hood to watch the remarkable sight.

Kuria clapped her hands together in delight.

— Oh my! Queen Mia is so thoughtful!

Alpha smiled and waved back at the stone arm until they flew too far to see it clearly. Dave felt a warmth in his chest at Mia's gesture - she had found a way to give them a proper send-off that none of them would ever forget.

Their journey to the Horizon Canvas had finally begun.

Don.Coals
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