The nervous but proud adventurers traveled north away from Hunter's homeland looking for monsters to do battle with in order to help them grow more in the battlefield. While on the way they strolled over to the town of merchants where the three originally lived in wanting to grab some extra supplies for the trip they will be doing. Royal and Cloudy both went on their way wanting to do the work for Hunter and buy supplies at a good price since they been there longer and know some of the people there. Nick explained before entering the town that he wanted to visit the orphanage one last time to thank them for taking care of him. Hunter smiled allowing them all to do what they wanted. He chose to wander around the town as if he hadn't seen it in a while taking in all the new things that had popped in.

"This place... really has changed too much for my liking. I'm happy though. After what happened here so long ago it's a good think this place is prospering."

He looked up seeing the sun starting to set from afar being halfway covered by hills and small mountains.

"It's already that time? I guess time goes by when you're enjoying things."

Sitting down on a nearby bench in the plaza area he waited for the boys to return with the things they needed to continue until a frail old woman approached at a snails pace speaking to herself. Hunter paid no mind to her words right up until he could feel her stares at him. She was speaking to him. She was no younger than ninety at least with gentle golden brown eyes. She used a cane to move toward his side taking a gander at his body making him feel uncomfortable.

"I-...I think I know you? Hmmm~.. What was that name again? Ehhh~... Never mind that youngling. But I do know that you are hurt... So~ very deeply hurt. It's saddening. You.. are searching for something yes? I perhaps know what you are looking for."

Hunter became serious walking toward the frail lady with blood lust oozing from his pores. The sunlight was covering Hunter entirely while the lady was in his shadow engulfed by his powerful presence. Yet she was hardly unaffected only staring back at him with joyful looks. His crimson cosmic stars locked into her vibrant eyes.

"Sw-..Sweetie it's not right to stare so much don't you know this?"

Realizing what he was doing he stopped himself and calmed down. The woman smiled stating her name was Mari also questioning who he was seemingly forgetting the interaction they just had seconds ago. He didn't say a single word to her after that. Instead she did the talking.

"Head west. There lies a dungeon with treasure buried deep inside the grotto within with what you desire. It may be a long wal-."

Hunter didn't even let her finish her sentence making a dash outside the town as the three grouped up spotting Hunter on the move without them. They screamed creating a fuss with the nearby merchants. They ran after him in a hurry trying to not lose his trail. Royal heard some of what they were talking about and was a bit distracted until Nick and Cloudy dragged him along trying to keep up. Mari looked on ahead seeing where they were headed next with a great big smile on her face.

"Now~... What was his name again? Is it... [REDACTED]?"

"No no~.. Silly me he went missing quite sometime ago~."

She went into the busy merchant streets and shortly vanished away with the crowd covering her escape with only white sparkles being left behind floating up into the skies and stars beyond. The group made a desperate attempt to get Hunter's attention but it was useless for each time they tried it seemed he got faster and faster. They decided it was best to use their aura now so they wouldn't lose track of him. They did their best to move their energy down toward their feet still practicing it. Luckily they noticed a small difference feeling the wind starting to press against them more than normally meaning it was working somewhat. Using the method smoothening their aura became close to water as their steps slid forcing them to go faster. Unsurprisingly after about a few minutes they grew more tired than normal feeling the repercussions of using a large amount of aura without any major training.

"H-..He wasn't jo-joking.. It takes a big toll~."

Cloudy said out of breath.

"Obviously moron! We have to keep going or we won't be able to find him!"

Way up ahead Hunter was dashing through field of green with trees and rock in the way of his advance. He leaped over them all never stopping his momentum as he became even faster muttering with desperation.

"Lucy.. Lucy~! Don't worry I'll do what it takes to bring you back!"

Hunter spotted the dungeon and leapt inside feet first passing by any enemy that would've attacked him without a single care. The woman may have said that to be a trap or there would've been nothing there in the first place but he didn't care. As long as there was some kind of information about his quest, his mission, his wish he would go to the ends of the earth to get it. About thirty minutes later the group arrived following the deeply embedded footprints Hunter left behind leaving them shocked.

"He must've been going faster than wolves and horses combined if he is capable of cracking the ground like this without trying."

Cloudy said feeling something wrong.

"Let's hurry on inside and be careful we don't know what's in here. Nick could you try using your flames to light up the area?"

Royal asked being polite.

"Hey! Don't order me around so much. But alright, only this time."

His flames illuminated the area showing it was quite narrow inside only able to fit four or five people in one area at best without getting in the way of one another. It was murky and dry with the walls around all gravel, sand and dirt mashed together with rocks and small boulders mixed around inside. The further inside they made it the more blood was splattered across the walls and floor but with no creatures in sight nor sounds. They couldn't help but feel a sense of fear like they had before when they first met Hunter. The sounds of their footsteps was the only thing they could hear and keep them from going insane from the uncomfortable silent around. Water would occasionally drip down from the ceiling making a small puddle with a very muffled squeal coming from deep within the dungeon. It caught their attention and made a run for it passing by more blood splatters. Eventually they started to come across corpses and carcasses of what was supposedly a goblin but it was so deformed and beaten it was difficult to tell if it was just apart of the ground.

Goblin: Small but pesky. Leave them alone for too long and they can multiply by the hundreds in a matter of months. They are the lowest of the low taking advantage of anything they can get their grubby little hands on. Kindness? They take that and stab you in the back with malice. Mercy? They rip that up and torture you dragging you further into their lair away from the light above ground. They always travel with pairs or a group never alone. Letting them live is the same as allowing them to go on the path of revenge to find you until they murder you.