After several minutes of deep thought, Ahnya sighs then stands up. "There are, things I cannot tell you about Hesvunt trees. As well as a few things I am certainly not supposed to tell people about, but will in this case, because, frankly the potential consequences of not doing so are far more dire."

"Hesvunt trees are, first and foremost, favored by the Goddess Vestria. And, her brothers, to a lesser extent. There was, supposedly a time when they were natural trees, but the Deification of three beings who cherished them, each for their own reasons, changed the nature of said trees. They became, something more than natural plants. Because of that, they have many special, considerations that need to be taken in their management, and are, no longer suitable to exist in the wild. Honestly, I doubt there are a hundred of them left in all of the world."

"As I said there are things I cannot say, but I shall try to give a few, specific rules for how you should handle them, to avoid the worst. Firstly, never allow any treant species monster to get near them. Frankly, it'd be best to keep any plant type monsters far away to be safe. The few that still exist are, sheltered within noble estates, or special holy grounds, guarded at all times, with no other plants ever allowed to grow in their general vicinity. You have, already seen the immediate fallout of the failure to uphold this. And there are doubtlessly hundreds or more new treants because of it. Truly a problem that feeds itself." Ahnya grimaces. "Mmm, I may, have the local Adventurer's Guild put out a long-term extermination quest for treats. Though most people have a hard time picking them out. Especially the fresh ones that are still especially tree like."

Ahnya shakes her head. "Later. The next thing to note with Hesvunt trees, do not take any part of the tree by force. Not even the leaves or fruit. I think, there is a way to harvest the sap, but I don't know the exact method, so probably leave that alone as things stand. As for the rest, if leaves, fruit, or even branches fall off, they're fair game. But no picking or cutting. The trees, don't like it. And yes, they are at least that sentient. In fact, I've heard they have a tendency to give their fruit to people they like. The problem with this, beyond being mean to innocent trees, is hindering their growth and production rate. As well as, probably leading to Origin Treants if taken too far. Though that is a little, less than certain, and obviously hasn't been tested. Still, that is likely where the first Origin Treant came from."

"The last point that I feel relevant enough to say, don't burn the wood gained from them. Either from branches that fall off, or the whole tree after it dies. Err, guess that's relevant too. They have a short lifespan, five to ten years. Though they'll generally leave a seed behind when they pass. As long as they were reasonably well cared for. As for burning the, fairly acquired wood, there is no harm in it, really. But it would be a waste for reasons I definitely can't tell you. But, storing it for later is entirely safe. I'm certain I'll have permission to explain more by the time it is overly important."

Mera leans forward over my shoulder. "Ummm, why are you, telling us all that? Instead of just saying not to grow more of them?"

The fingers of Ahnya's right hand close gently over my hand. "Well, ignoring quests from the Guardian Light System isn't a productive idea. . . Though, I think I also know, why one hundred is the benchmark. Though it would take a bit of explanation." She quirks a slight smile.

"Mortals, can become gods, this is not exactly a secret. Though most of the methods are. Largely due to the difficulties and, risks, involved. There is one sure way for it to happen. Accruing enough Divinity to become a Major God or Goddess, then simply, dying. There is, however one important distinction between gods who ascend in life, or in death. And that is, the ease of travel between the Heavenly realms and the living world. Those who fill a mortal vessel with godly power can move between the two easily, but those who must build a new godly body have a hard time returning to the living world. Unless, they have a specific, alternative link, to ease the process."

"Vestria was known to return after her death on many occasions, but recently she has not done so. Hesvunt trees have also been greatly reduced in numbers. One hundred trees, seems like a noteworthy number, to be sure. So while I cannot say for certain, I think the purpose of your quest, is to build a private garden for the Goddess herself. That is not a task to delay or ignore. I should say."

Mera's jaw drops, but I just tilt my head. "Neat. Should we, find somewhere to build it other than the Dungeon then? I kinda figure Dan could protect the trees easier than we could. But that might be a little sketchy if it's for her?"

Ahnya's eyebrows shoot up. "That's, crazy. How'd you even come up with that? But, I've never heard of Vestria having any involvement with Dungeons, either good or bad. It, might be fine? She's supposed to have a gentle temperament, so even if she finds it disfavorable, for some reason, she'll likely just say to make another grove later. It is, worth trying, at any rate. But it will expand on the number of things I'd like to discuss with Dan."

"Which is fine. I was intending to talk with him after you've had your fill of adventure for the day anyway. But, for now I have some other things to say here. Firstly, Aradain. I am once again sorry. Deeply apologetic, even. But I, entirely cannot excuse keeping you a secret. Not even just with the Skill Enhancement part of your Skill. Certainly not with Hesvunt trees involved." She rubs her eyes, then holds her left index finger up. "But, after reporting you to the highest authority I am in contact with, I am. Quite certain that I can convince him to leave you alone, overall. Due, to my own interest in you, incidentally."

I squint at her. "How does your interest help control what someone else with authority will do?"

"Right, umm. Fun as the mysterious femme fatale angle is, I suppose I shall actually introduce myself here, after all. Can I, have my hand back, sweetness?" She smiles my way, and when I release her hand, she takes a couple steps back. "Now, can I count on both of you to, keep my identity secret for me? My business does require some discretion, after all. Though I would like it if you could keep acting as you have so far. Also, Dan, are you still paying attention?"

"Ummm, yes? Should I have not been?"

"No, my business involves you, so there's no reason to delay you learning my identity." Ahnya looks towards Mera and I.

"Ah, yeah. I'm fine not telling anyone about you. Don't really get why that's important though."

Mera sighs. "I don't really see the fairness in you saying you can't keep her secret, but want us to keep yours. But there's clearly no point in antagonizing you, and I'm sure you have some reason. So I'll agree and play along."

"Ah, good. Well, you shall understand shortly." She clears her throat, then touches the index finger of her right hand, causing several pieces of golden jewelry to appear across her body. Rings, bands, and even a small tiara perched between her ears. "Greetings, Aradain and Merases. My name is, Ahnazeyha Bellgold. It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Mera suddenly moves to my side and bows. "My apologies, your Majesty. I would curtsy, but I am, underdressed for the occasion."

Ahnya huffs. "Please, none of that. Girls I've, taken a liking to, have full standing permission to act casually around me. Besides, it would be Highness here. Not that I mind. But if anyone who did care about that kind of thing heard that, they'd raise a fuss. Though, Branheil might. Speaking of, do not allow him to learn, anything about the Hesvunt trees or your quest. He'd hound you both to get that grove. For that matter, make sure it's hard to get to, or, even impossible without Dan's help."

"Majesty? Highness? Hmm, wait. Was that a noble name? Guess Mera thought you were a noble. But more important than just that?"

Ahnya giggles. "Oh, take your time. You are cute when you're thinking."

"Bellgold. B because of how strong you are, and gold because of how rich? No, wait it was. . . Wait, did I really have a Princess propose to me?"

Ahnya rolls her eyes. "Yes, but that doesn't count. I, panicked and was worried about protecting you. It hadn't quite occurred to me that I could just, only tell my father and ask him to leave you alone. Granted, you'll eventually get other nobles' attention. So I'll still need to, erm. Hang on, actually. Something I was already planning could help."

"Well, I just meant, I didn't even know I liked girls a month ago. So that's, fast. Even if it was an accident."

"Ohh, well. Yeah. I gathered that you were, inexperienced." Ahnya scratches her cheek, then shakes her head, and reaches into her bag. When she pulls her hand out, it's closed around something. "I had Rin get me this, and took a minute to enchant it myself. I could, probably make a better enchantment now, but that would take some, experimentation. Might as well stick with this one I already knew." She steps in closer and slowly opens her hand to reveal a round silver bell and a small ring connected to it. "Perfectly cute addition to your collar~ And, I know you said you'd have an issue if it made noise, but." She shakes it side to side, which doesn't make any noise. "No smaller ball inside the bell to make it jingle."

"Not to dismiss it as a cute accessory, but the important thing in this moment is the enchantment. If you break the bell, it will release a wave of my spatial mana, which I should be able to pick up from any distance, and then I can teleport to your location in an instant. Basically, if you're in severe danger, or are approached by a noble, just use the bell to call me." She hooks a claw through the loop, and hangs the bell before me. "Sooo, what do you think? Wanna wear it? Or just keep it with you some other way?"

My face heats up slightly, then I shrug. "G-guess it's fine. Since it won't be noisy, or whatever." I raise my chin and puff out my chest, looking towards her with my eyes half closed.

Ahnya audibly gulps, then both of her tails swing around to loop behind my back lightly. "Eeee~ So cute. But, mmm. M-Mera. Would you like to put the bell on?"

"I, kind of do want to. But, I was the one to put her collar on first. Sooooo, spare me a kiss in a minute and I'll agree to let you put the bell on her~"

"Well, you sure turned around on how to handle me fast~ But, I'll gladly agree to that." Ahnya smirks, and leans down towards me. She carefully uses a claw to open the side of the ring, then slip it through the ring set in my collar. Then after twisting the ring around to secure it, she lightly flicks the bell. It peals slightly from her claw tapping it, but doesn't make much more noise as it rocks. "Ah, lovely to see, but perhaps a touch sad without the sound." She fusses with my collar a bit, making sure it fits right and centering the bell over the top of my chest. Then she reaches up to pat me on the head a moment before stepping back and releasing the grip of her tails.

Ahnya walks over to Mera, looks back to me a moment, then moves a little to the side. She places a knuckle under Mera's chin to lift her face slightly, then leans in to kiss her lips. The moment lingers just enough for Mera's pose to relax before Ahnya pulls away. "How was that? Enough of a show for her? Mmhm~ Also, while I've got you here, should we get her a playtime collar with a normal bell? Then again, maybe I could get one for you too. I think that'd be, delightful~"

Mera scoffs, then playfully shoves Ahnya. "That's it? Just a couple seconds on the lips. You treated her to more than that, didn't you?"

"Hmm. Well, I am trying to control myself, so you'll just have to wait till next time for more~" Ahnya giggles as she draws away from Mera. "Now, with that brief scare out of the way, what would you like to do? Continue adventuring? You don't seem like the type to let a little near death experience stop you. But you are still low on energy after all that."

"Hmm?" I stretch my arms and roll my shoulders, then pick up my staff and swing it around a bit. "Nah, I feel fine now."

"I didn't mean physically. I meant. . . Wait, don't tell me. You don't normally attack with Ki? Or, anything?" She smooths her eyebrows down with her thumb and index finger. "For, most people. The hardest part in figuring out how to fight with their energies in at least a basic capacity, is learning how to sense them. Something you can do, innately. For most, they have to use class skills, a lot, to get the feel for their internal power, then, interact with that feeling. It should be a simple matter for you to figure out. Though I'd recommend against energy combinations, at least for now. And try mixing them outside of your body first." She sighs. "Still if you don't need them to fight, I guess we can continue after all."

"Ah, hang on. Daaan! Can you give me some of those plant magic thingies?"

"Sure? I was, slightly trying to avoid her attention. But I guess."

"What plant magic things?" Ahnya's scrunched up face is kinda cute.

A few Plant Magic Nuclei appear on the table, and I grab one and pop it in my mouth. "I can regain it by eating these, right?"

Ahnya stares at the weird organic crystals, then looks at me with a quirked eyebrow. "Okay, I see why I would want to eat those. But, why can you? . . ."

I grab two more and offer one to her with a shrug. "I dunno. Taste good though."

Ahnya stares at the crystal in her hand, then turns to look at Rin with a questioning expression. Rin shrugs in response, then nods towards me. Ahnya looks my way as I eat another one. "Sooo, Lil' Blue. Quick question. What does, your own presence feel like, to you?"

"Hmm?" I tilt my head, then shrug again. "Normal? Guess a bit weaker than usual, but. It's like the easiest thing for me to feel. Which, kinda makes sense?"

Ahnya shakes her head. "No, I mean. Remember what you said about Rin's presence? That she was more like a monster than a person? How does, yours feel, compared to hers?"

"Hmmmmmm? . . ." I close my eyes and compare the sensations. "That's, mmmm. Mm? Well, a little similar? Now that you mention it. But more like a person than like a monster. Maybe, like four parts person to one part monster, where she's like two parts person three parts monster. Is that important?" I open my eyes to look at Ahnya.

"Dan, could you, give her more of those?"

"Uhh, I guess. Still don't have a surfeit of Ki, but I can spare some."

"Well, you want to get on my good side any way you can, no?"

"Right away Ma'am!"

Several more appear on the table. I tilt my head, then put together that I'm meant to keep eating them, so I do. "Don't think these really fill me up. But I think it helps with my Ki and Mana? Little on Spirit too? Maybe cause of my Energy Drain skill?" Nobody says anything, though Mera looks, uncertain about something.

About halfway through the pile of Magic stones, my energy spikes and rushes through my body. I pause with a crystal halfway in my mouth. I bite down on it, shattering it and sending a portion of its energy flowing into the air. "I, just leveled up?"

Ahnya nods. "That's about what I figured would happen. Apparently, Atlanteans are close to monsters, in at least the ability to take in outside energy when it is in a dense enough state. Seems like you still have the ability to turn the energy you take in towards strengthening your own energies, instead of directly integrating it like monsters do. The, best of both, if you will."

I tilt my head, then shake it with a snort. "Well, I don't wanna level up that way. I wanna fight things."

"And that's probably for the best. Progressing through levels without fighting has a tendency to reduce practical combat skill. But a little extra level progression now and then by eating your enemies cores, should be fine, no?" With that, she tosses the crystal she had been holding all this while into her mouth and rolls it around.

I think about that a moment, then shrug. Though I pointedly don't grab any more from the table. "Okay, I'm fully recovered. And stronger for it. I guess. Maybe I'll grab that, Art of Movement skill? Mainly cause it sounds cool."

Ahnya crunches the crystal, then takes a waterskin out of her bag and sips from it delicately. "Your point, use it as you like. Though I'd have thought you would prioritize Breath Release."

"I guess that'd be okay. But I like hitting things more. Plus the Anchor subskill will probably be useful? Sometime." I grab the waterskin Ahnya had given me, but pause when she stares at it weirdly. "What?"

"Mmm a couple things really. I think I figured some details out. First, that is labeled in my sight as 'Purified Water', instead of 'Well Water'. The only difference between the one you have and the one I'm holding, would be that you've had that one on your person, oh, about an hour? So I thiiink, your Ennui has a purification effect. Aside from that, you were going to take a drink of water because you saw me do it, right? Did you, actually want a drink of water, or did you just think that you should because someone else was?"

"What difference does that make? And what does purification do?" I stare at the waterskin skeptically.

"Well, I was just thinking, maybe you subconsciously use your water attuned natural energy to hydrate yourself. Simply put, do you ever go out of your way to get a drink, or do you only drink water when it is convenient, or someone else brings it up?" She seems to take my expression as confirmation to what she's saying. "Very convenient. Except, maybe in dessert environments. Where the rate of energy expenditure might outstrip your energy generation. Though I can't imagine that would be a problem for long as you level up."

Ahnya nods to herself. "As for Purification, that depends. Does it only work on water? Or, does it apply to all things. Considering the description mentions conceptual interference, I imagine it is broader than that. Mmm, with the way natural energy works, high concentration moving towards low concentration, but at a slow rate. And how energy production in mortals works. You should, displace the normal natural energy around you, whenever your Ennui pool is full. Or, in simple terms, you have a purification aura that sinks into your surroundings. Heh, I bet no undead monster has ever gone near your house."

"Uhhhh. I can, ask dad about that?" I shake my head. "What about the water. What difference does that make?"

She looks thoughtful, then shrouds the waterskin she's holding in her own energy. "Here, try this." She holds it up to my face, so I shrug and take a sip.

Only to immediately turn to the side and spit it out. "Bleh, that tastes like dirt!"

Ahnya giggles. "Well, this is about as clean as most people ever have. Drawn from a good well, filtered, and boiled. Even I think it's fine. But then, you've probably never had water that wasn't magically purified before. Just being near you, even briefly, cleans water. Which also explains why you're opposed to the Nether attribute. Though, it would make it seem like you should be more compatible with Holy not less. So there's probably something else to it. I think, Ennui might be a proper word, so I'll try to check a dictionary, see if that gives me an idea. But, I'm sure you'll figure it out eventually either way."

I take a sip from the waterskin I'm holding, then swallow it. "Okay. I guess I see what you mean. Can't believe other people drink, that." I shake my head, then put the waterskin away. "Can we go kill things now?" When Ahnya shrugs, I turn to look for the other two.

Only to find Mera licking a Plant Magic Nucleus with a conflicted expression, and Rin shoving two of them in her mouth at a time. ". . .What? I won't level up from these little things. And Mistress enchanted my collar to prevent me from leveling anyway. Wouldn't do for me to get stuck in some dungeon just cause I got a little stronger."

Mera drops the crystal, then rushes to the front of the group, shield and knife at the ready, she mutters a quick prayer to buff her defense. Rin moves to stand in front and slightly to the side of Ahnya, who turns towards the ice platform I pointed out before, and grabs a few coins.

I put the new skill point into Art of Movement, make sure Auto-Conversion is on. then hold my staff at the ready and move forward. The group of monsters jump out of the cracked ice at the side when we reach the solid piece. The five monsters are a group of three weird little blue-white goblins, and two shivering rats. Ahnya takes out one of the goblins at range. This time the coin pierces through the monster with a gust of wind instead of exploding into fire on contact.

Then Mera meets the other two. I smack one of the rats while Rin bats the other with her tail, just hard enough to send it flying back. The one I hit took more damage, but my hit was angled down so it didn't go far, and it barely struggles back to its feet before Ahnya's next coin puts it down for good. There is a noise like a coin landing in a pile of other coins and the mana crystal from the rat disappears.

The other snowpile monster rushes in, Rin bats it away. Mera shoves one of the goblins back and stabs the other in the chest, I dance around her to jab the other one with the staff before rearing back to swing it full force at the goblin's head.

The goblin ducks under the blow, sending me staggering to the side, then it jabs at me with a jagged piece of ice in hand. It hurts a little, but not much. I kick the goblin with my right foot hard enough to send it to the floor clutching its ribs. My left foot meanwhile, has Ki around it, holding it in place on the icy floor. I plant my right foot back down, and try to push Ki out of both as I leap up and bring the staff down on the injured goblin, shattering its body before it returned to being a mana crystal and vanishes.

I clench my hand around my staff thoughtfully, then turn to look, just in time to see Rin stab her claws into the last monster, killing it instantly. It also disappears with a clinking noise. "Mmm, easy. But, how does that, party thing work?"

Ahnya tilts her head. "I figure you'd notice that pretty easily. When you're in a party, your aura mingles with the other party members' auras, and even retains a link at a significant range. Aura, used generally, means like, your magical body. It is technically made from the overflow of your energies, and can hold about as much as your energy pools, but it leaks constantly, especially in dungeons as the Dungeon saps the excess energy in the Aura. Though it stops leaking at about twenty percent. Then it'll refill when not being actively drained, after your energy pools fill up. Once it's full, they all overflow into the world or wherever. Though spiritual energy tends to dissipate, the others eventually get picked up by something or other. Monsters or Dungeons, sometimes leylines. It's complicated overall, but a little bit of me is in you~ In a magical sense. That also helps make people in a party more aware of each other, and ensures even distribution of level progress. It also, to a tiny degree, shares things like resistances." She wiggles her hand side to side. "Nothing dramatic, but enough to notice in some situations."

I nod, then move forward. The next room is a labyrinth of clear ice. I can see an ice golem on the other side of the nearest wall. I look down at my staff, then shove the feeling of Ki into it like I did, first because of the Art of Movement, then intentionally with my feet, and jab the staff through the wall, piercing it, and the golem on the other side, with a blunt instrument.

"That was fast, Blue. But not surprising." As we move through the labyrinth, I strike through the walls at anything close, and Ahnya pierces anything in the same passageway as us at a distance. But all of the monsters are alone here, and thus easy to deal with quickly, so we move through this room fast.

When we reach the next room, it is, much bigger. There is a forty square meter iceberg, with five meters of water all around it except the three meter wide walkway leading onto it. At the back is a blue Core shaped like a simplified snowflake. In each corner of the square berg is a pair of monsters. An ice golem and an ice elemental for the further two corners, and an ice golem paired with an ice wisp in the two closer spaces.

Ahnya flings a coin at one of the golems as they start walking towards us across the ice. The coin hits the arm, shattering the golem up to the shoulder, taking the arm off, and even cracking the ice behind it. "Yes! I managed to not kill it!"

Rin laughs about that, even as she moves to intercept the approaching monsters on that side. Mera slips on the ice as she moves to engage the other pair. I run ahead, easily keeping my footing as I approach, then I dive to slide between the golems legs, staff held up and flooded with Ki. The blow splits the golem in half vertically, but then the wisp following it shoots a gust of frozen air at me that makes me shut my eyes and grimace. When I shake it off, I start taking swings at the wisp, but it dodges easily. After a few swipes, I swing one handed and grab the thing after it dodges. I stare a moment at the odd ball of light that I can somehow touch, then shrug and shove it in my mouth. It pops just as easily as the Plant Magic Nuclei did, but with a cold sensation and a sharper but also slightly minty taste.

When I turn back, Mera has managed to find her feet while engaging the ice golem. Rin meanwhile is slashing at the other wisp. The other monsters have started moving towards the center. Where the golems form up next to each other with the elementals hovering over their shoulders. A coin from Ahnya finishes off the golem she injured before, and Rin losing patience, throws a small lightning bolt at the wisp. Which vanishes in a flash.

Ahnya reaches into her bag and starts counting, so she'll be a bit. I run forwards and crack the left golem with a heavy swing. The one on the right suddenly punches me, sending me tumbling away before both elementals rush in to grab me. Its pretty cold, but they don't seem like they have the mass to stop me from standing back up. I swipe at the elementals to no effect. Even when I add Ki to the staff. After a few failures, I shrug and go after the golems again. I strike at the one that punched me with a Ki infused punch, putting my hand through its chest, then I lift it up and swing it around to slam into the other one hard enough that both shatter the rest of the way.

"Hmmm. Anyone know how to kill these? I mean, they're kinda cold. But not enough to hurt."

Dan speaks up. "Yeah, they're practically immune to physical attacks. And immune to their own element. But, plenty weak to other elements."

"What do you mean, practically? Staff isn't doing anything." I swing it again for emphasis.

"Well, I dropped a ceiling on an elemental and that killed it. But, that might have counted as a low grade magical attack, since my ceilings are made from mana."

Ahnya cuts in by saying, "It does."

"Mmmm, kay." I think a moment, then try to push the feeling of Mana into the staff instead of Ki. My next swing pushes one of the elementals back, but doesn't seem to damage it. After a few failed attempts, I bite at one. I can taste its Mana, so I must have done a little damage? But as fast as they're swirling around me, it'd be hard to add that up to anything. "Ahnya!"

She giggles in response to my frustration, then walks right up to me, well within the swirling ice monsters. "You know, most people your level would be taking some damage here. Fifty percent resistance is a heck of a thing, huh?" She stands next to me, then holds a hand up. She rubs the fingers together making a tiny flame, then blows across it to shoot a thin stream of flames through the elementals. I barely even feel the heat from the fire as the elementals burst and fade away. Then she makes the fire dance through the air like a flight of tiny fairies. "Ahh, I've never had such fine control. A nice bonus, but. Still a bit of a shame I couldn't figure out more about that horn from you. I was quite curious about that. And the whole, Essence of Creation and Essence of Restoration thing, only raises more questions."

She looks lost in thought, so I'd hate to interrupt. But. "Excuse me, Princess. But I have an idea, now that you mentioned Essence. I found something else that was Essence. Just Essence, not a fancy soundin' one. But could be related. And I still have material for it, so maybe that Monster Spawn box could remake it? Could give you something closer to normal to study."

"And that would be, entirely safe for you?" She shoots me a skeptical look. "Also, don't get in the habit of calling me that."

"Why wouldn't it be? I already converted the other thing with Essence without issue. Another horn, funnily enough. We just need to make the level one version of the monster to see it. Right?"

She stares at me a few seconds before slowly nodding. "I suppose. But a little caution just to be sure. Make the box, then put one unit in it and back away. If it seems like it's going wrong, I'll melt the entire thing."

I walk a short ways away, then bring up the option. I spend a hundred units of goblin material to make the box. It is a featureless black box just big enough that I could probably fit in it, if the apparently open part didn't have an invisible wall when I try to reach into it. I focus on it an a new menu appears, showing all of the material types I have, with each type having the option to make a one unit token, then some having larger tokens as the next step up. The Shallows Behemoth for instance jumps straight to twenty units for the next token size. I shrug and make the one unit token. Which, causes a silver coin the size of my palm to appear in my hand. It has an odd, three arrows symbol with the number one between them, on one side, and the other has the face of a snarling monster. I hold it up for Ahnya to look at.

"'Monster token, Shallows Behemoth, one unit'?" Ahnya shrugs, then gestures towards the box.

I toss it towards the open part of the box, and it falls through, disappearing from sight the very moment it passes the invisible surface. A blue bordered bar appears on the side of the box, and starts filling very slowly. But as Ahnya insisted, I walk away, staring at it all the while.

After a minute, Ahnya steps back. "Dan, could you be a dear and add some more mana to that box? I'd start with the crystals to see if that works. But just increasing the density in the air should work too."

"Dunno if this is the best spot for a random monster spawner, but sure sure. Maybe I can move it later." One of the lesser mana crystals appears in the air over the box, and drops in the same way the token did. The bar jumps from barely lit up, to mostly full in an instant. "Huh, just about."

A few seconds later the bar speeds up, then once it's full, a silver light glows out of the opening, and a monster larger than the box itself crawls out of the top. For a moment after it is fully out it stands placidly next to the magical thing that birthed it. It looks like someone crossed a bear and a tiger, then gave it the skin of a marine reptile and the horns of a bull. It is also easily as large as a cow, but even broader. Its scales are in a range of blues, with the back being darker than then underside. Its horns are the same bluish gray as the first one I saw, but notably smaller. More like the size of a long knife or short sword rather than my old spear. A moment after I take in the full sight of it and consider its horns it seems to shake itself awake, noticing us and roaring like a monster twice its size.

I wince at the tremendous noise, even as the hulking monster charges towards the closest person. Ahnya. Who swipes a tail at it, snapping its neck with a single, effortless blow. Despite the clearly fatal injury of the angle of its neck, it still twitches and groans on the floor. She peers over the dying monster contemplatively. "Well, I can see some info here, at least. But not as much as I'd like. Mmm." Once the monster stills entirely, she shoves the entire thing into her bag. Which looks frankly ridiculous. "Now then, would you like to kill a few more to convert, or adventure elsewhere?"

"I uhhh, wow. No, I have an interesting recipe for it, but it has an unknown material still. So not much point now. Guess I wouldn't mind adventuring more though. . . Anybody else have a path they wanna check out?"

Chaos_Sinner777

Hadn't intended for Ahnya to reveal her identity just yet, but realized it wouldn't feel right for her to keep hiding it while trying to reassure the other girls. I had a whole scenario in mind for the reveal later on, but I can probably rework and reuse a fair bit of that. From a reader perspective, she would have introduced herself properly to Dan in the next Dungeon Chapter anyway, so not a huge change there. And, I guess this way, it makes more sense to involve her more often in the meantime too! So, nice bonus there.