Dyne continued to listen to Zopu's detailed report on their progress of training in the Cultivation World.

“The beasts there are amazing. We sent groups to Merkley, and they managed to train in the different fields there! Many of our members are even acquiring these so-called ‘jobs.’” Zopu explained.

“I decided to train as a Monk, like Chad. But, my power puts me a tier higher due to my control in Spirit. While my strength and level are weaker, the Skeletons that serve Leoric stated that I have a shocking control in Spirit.” Zopu showed a rare sight of pride.

“Oh? Is that the case, Chad?” Dyne asked.

“Yes. Even Tetsu would be treated as an elder higher than me. I am stronger because of my level and skill. But in terms of control of Spirit, I am weaker. But, of course, I won’t get left behind.” Chad smiled.

“We should spar more often, Chad!” Tetsu laughed.

“The Cultivation World is going according to your plans, Patriarch. With the power of Orb and Swordie, I believe those Priest will have something fun to train with. And training in magic becomes easier with Serus. I’m sure Ishreth has already taught the people here.”

“Indeed. The Vera's power allowed me to train in draining light energy. But now, this Orb...!” Chrone closed his eyes, and the power of Light enveloped Chrone.

“Oh, and I see you’ve even improved, Bishop.” Zopu chuckled as he spoke to Bishop Chrone.

“Yes. The power of Orb is quite amazing.” Chrone chuckled.

Then, I guess the rest of us and I can continue with our missions here. Just be sure to keep everyone alert. Even if numerous kingdoms start raiding Diablo’s lair and become a headache for Sturak and Ararat, the tide can change anytime. These three demon brothers will have their plans to counter.” Dyne recalled the Zakarum that Mephisto had faced before and believed they would be a powerful boss his team would face.

“We will keep a vigilant eye. But I have to ask, Patriarch. What are your plans here?”

“Indeed, Master Dyne? You wanted us to move to get Orb. But now, this town has a few, and all of you have already assimilated with their power. Are you going to convert more Serus to resist the Mist?”

“Yes. That’s the plan now. We will gather the Orbs to cast a powerful healing spell. After that, we will venture out once more.”

“Master Dyne, how are we going to defeat those Berserker-Propagators? All eight of them are too strong!” Vahn asked.

“Yes. Even with our new strong allies, Scyther and the rest, we would still be too tired to fight them!”

“That’s why we aren’t going back there yet!” Dyne smiled.

“We aren’t? Then where are we going?” Gala asked.

“Fate has prepared a mighty boss in Jeremi. He poured out his power into it to create those powerful beasts with the help of Calamitus. But you know where there isn’t a mighty boss? Ratayu.” Dyne smiled.

“Of course!” Jedo realized the flaw.

Strafe sighed and began to grumble as this was not the way of cultivation.

“We are going straight for Ratayu?” Gala asked.

“Yes. Our goal is that town! It’s only natural for a player if he can’t beat a boss. We can either grind or find a summon of weapons and armor or an ally strong enough to fight it! So, I plan to head to Ratayu and get to Mount Letona. Fate has not made any preparations there, as it never thought we would get that far. There are two serus there necessary to help us fight the enemies in Jeremi. The first is a large Seru that we can use to plow through the monster hordes that we would face there.”

“I have seen gigantic boulder serus used to clear the mines of Chorak. These large, round rock serus had the power to carve through a mountain! The Earth seru, Mushura!” Zopu recalled.

“These Serus are not native to Drake but are only present in Ratayu. I believe King Drake asked the King of Ratayu to send them since we didn’t have serus that can easily carve holes in the mines without causing them to collapse.”

“I see... So that’s why that little mine could withstand an intense battle without collapsing.” Dyne recalled his battle against Songi.

“Sounds like a strong Seru.”

“It is. And we need the other Seru to attack and damage all eight of the Berserker Propagator. It's the same one Vahn and I can summon- the Viguro!”

“Now that’s the Seru I want to get!” Ishreth laughed.

“Everyone! Make more preparations! Rena, Chrone, and Serge learned that trick I taught. Rena, you can try to make the effects explode in the sky and fall. It won’t be as concentrated as Serge’s Photon attacks, but it can help damage a group of enemies.” Dyne instructed Rena to learn how to cast the spell Ray in Star Ocean 2.

“I’ll do my best!” Rena smiled.

“What about me?” Chrone asked.

“... Learn what you can, but I need you to focus on harnessing the ape form. You are more useful in that. Chrone, you are more compatible with fire. For now, we stick to our strengths.” Dyne answered and turned away from Chrone, who dared try to learn a skill despite being Son Goku in the game Saiyuki: Journey West.

“Jaden, how is the progress in your weapon and armor smiting?”

“I’ve already begun creating weapons according to everyone's design. For some reason, this town already has armor specifically for Vahn, Gala, and Noa, so I didn’t bother to use that. Tetsu can have Gala’s armor, and I made knuckle weapons for Rena, Tetsu, and Chad. The town's smiths made a stronger Swallow for Serge, a new bow for Amorien and Arya, and two assassin blades for them.”

Arya and Amorien showed Dyne their new weapons.

“We also have the Golden Compasses that you bought for us.” The two revealed the item.

“Those will work well in giving your bodies a bit of cloak now that you can use Spirit!” Dyne approved.

“I also completed your specific requests. The staff, you call the Nyoibo for Chrone.”

“A staff?” Chrone was confused.

“Yes. This weapon is based on those used by certain monks, but Master Dyne instructed me to make it.” Jaden pulled the staff as he turned it, and the team extended to nearly twice its length.

“As you have the power to transform into a strong Ape, it doesn’t make sense for you to be hidden in the back row. So, you have to learn to master the ways of close combat. And this is one way for you to grow. With a staff that can extend, you can fight at mid-close range until you can fight at close range. You cannot keep that Ape form long, so some fighting skill is necessary. Think about it. You are fighting at such a close range, and the enemy you fought managed to fight you until you were drained of the power of the Ape. What will you do?”

Chrone was silent at the scenario presented to him.

“I...”

“As expected, Master Dyne knows what he’s doing.” Meta smiled.

Jedo rolled his reaper eyes as he knew Dyne was forcing Chrone to be like Son Goku in the game.

“And another of Master Dyne’s requests... I made a two-handed sword for Agumon and a Myrthil clip headdress for Nanaki.” Jaden revealed the sword for Agumon and a small headdress for Nanaki. Bewilderment remained on Jaden’s face at the very odd request. Agumon approached and took the sword, as did Nanaki.

“The Hunters have bows and swords that the merchants crafted for them. Sadly, I don’t know what to create for Ishreth and Shiva.” Jaden turned to the two.

“It’s alright, Prince Jaden. The Serus here will do.” Ishreth smiled.

“I can’t merge with Serus yet since I’m dead. I wanted a Gizam, but I can’t. But I believe a Ra-Seru of water can be my best compliment.” Shiva smiled.

Dyne nodded at the words of the two.

“Everyone, make your preparations! Once I open the portal, we will give more instructions to the rest. Chrone, you should now try to merge with a Gimard they captured. You can resist the power of the Ape now, so let’s try to train and have you get with a Gimard. The Wild Arm will assist you. Later, we will try a Zenoir if you get the hang of it. Finally, we need to combine the Spirit Stone and a Seru to add elements to your form.”

“I understand.” Chrone nodded.

“Jaden, your ability to resist the Mist also allows you to have the capacity to resist a Seru in the Mist. You are to train in wearing a Seru in the Mist along with Chrone.”

Jaden nodded.

“Chad and Rena... You are to train with the Monks. Tetsu, I leave them in your care. Hunters, you have done well in raising the Chocobos and the rest of the monsters. Change the diet of the Chocobos to have slime. I’m curious. We saw how the Oak Slimes could traverse the ice wall that Shiva created. If the Chocobos gain the same power, they should be able to scale any terrain and become Green Chocobos!” Dyne suggested.

“Green Chocobos?” The Hunters were confused.

“Yes! I’ve read in Sammy Oak’s book that diet mainly constitutes the evolution of monsters. So, the Oak Slimes may be a nutritious meal. You guys should try out your gear and hunt them along with the monsters!”

“We will do our best, Master Dyne!” The Hunters vowed.

“Good! I’ll open the portal now. I’m quite curious... Torneko spoke of a dungeon... Could it be? The Magic Dungeon?” Dyne wondered.