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"What took you so long?"

As soon as Eren came into Sofiya\'s view, she greeted him with a complaint. She was clearly annoyed.

Sofiya had been waiting outside the cave that led to the Hexers\' Ground, expecting Eren to quickly handle his affairs. However, she was unaware of the spiritual attack from his Beast Companion that caused him to fall asleep and allowed Aleph\'s Soul Imprint to take control of his body.

Things became even more complicated when Eren decided to merge his ranking path with Tiamat using the Beast Companion Technique, a decision followed by Kino\'s shared information, which would greatly benefit him.

Despite the circumstances, Sofiya\'s frustration with Eren\'s prolonged absence was justified. Eren smiled wryly at her and playfully shifted the blame onto her for his lateness. "This is why I asked you to come along, Sofiya," he said, teasingly. "You could have easily cleared the first two rounds of the tests and gained some rewards in return." 

Sofiya responded with a glare, followed by a dismissive huff. "Hmph! You\'ve already claimed the legacy of the test ground, Eren. Who needs second-rate rewards?

Besides, the Bear\'s Creed doesn\'t align with my goals, even if it\'s an ism of Hexers. Unlike you, I can\'t afford to broaden my ranking path unnecessarily and slow down my progress. And I honestly don\'t understand how you can do it."

Eren smiled at Sofiya but didn\'t say anything to her in response.

He gestured for Sofiya to take the lead as they embarked on their journey out of the region. This particular area held a special significance for him—it marked the location of his very first mission in Gilaahan. Aware of the presence of untamed mana beasts that roamed the expansive prairie, the two battlemages had wisely chosen to seek refuge in a mountain cave for the night, before continuing their path towards the nearest city at daybreak.

Eren\'s intention was for Sofiya to procure essential supplies for their upcoming travels in the city the next day. Knowing that his financial resources were limited, he entrusted her with the responsibility of obtaining not only her own provisions but also his share of potions and other necessities. It was an arrangement they had come to understand and support, pooling their resources together to ensure their journey remained viable.

***

Nestled deep within the heart of an expansive forest, a spacious cave beckoned Eren and Sofiya with its inviting entrance. Large enough to accommodate two elephants walking side by side, it provided a temporary haven amidst the wilderness. Inside, the ceiling was adorned with glowing Yooperlite stones, casting a soft and mystical radiance throughout the cavern.

Evidence of previous hunters and adventurers who had sought shelter here adorned the cave\'s walls, their presence evident in the remnants left behind. As Eren and Sofiya settled within its comforting embrace, they noticed a hollow opening in the ceiling, allowing moonlight to gently filter in. Through this portal, they could catch a glimpse of one of Gilaahan\'s two moons, adorning the night sky with its celestial beauty.

Eren took it upon himself to secure the cave entrance, employing a runic array disk that deployed a simple wind-element mana barrier. This protective measure offered them a sense of security and privacy within their newfound shelter. With the entrance sealed, Eren ventured out into the forest to hunt, relying on his skills to procure sustenance for their evening.

Inside the cave, Sofiya busied herself with setting up a campfire, carefully gathering wood from nearby trees and arranging the stones to contain the flames within a safe radius. The crackling fire emitted a warm and comforting glow, illuminating their surroundings and casting dancing shadows upon the walls. As the aroma of special Rankers\' tea permeated the air, Sofiya created an atmosphere of solace and warmth within their temporary abode.

As the evening deepened, Eren returned to the cave, triumphantly carrying the game of a mighty Red Rage Fire boar. The timing was perfect, as the clock was signaling the transition into evening. Within the cave\'s confines, a serene ambiance prevailed. Eren thought that this accommodation was much better than occupying an inn room. Firstly, it was free to stay here. And secondly, the view was much better.

In this natural sanctuary, sheltered from the wild Iron Trunk honey Mammoths and Ironskin bears, surrounded by the tranquility of the forest, Eren and Sofiya found respite. The cave offered them a momentary refuge, where the simplicity of their surroundings and the harmony with nature allowed them to appreciate the beauty and serenity of their journey.

Collaboratively, the two battlemages worked their culinary magic, infusing the boar meat with a medley of tantalizing flavors and spices before expertly roasting it over the crackling fire. The aroma of the perfectly cooked meat permeated the air, signaling that their much-anticipated dinner was ready.

As Sofiya savored a mouthful of the succulent roasted boar, she looked across the campfire at Eren, her face illuminated by the dancing flames. With a hint of curiosity in her voice, she suggested, "Eren, have you considered involving Reece and the others in your plan to establish the mercenary unit? They would likely be willing to join you, given the chance."

Eren took a moment to reflect, his gaze focused on the flickering fire, before responding, "It\'s not that I don\'t want them to join, Sofiya. But I don\'t want to burden them unnecessarily. I want our mercenary unit to be well-established and have a reputation before inviting them to join. It\'s a way of ensuring they won\'t have to face the beginners\' struggles."

Taking a hearty bite of his roasted boar meat and relishing its delectable flavors, Eren continued, his words thoughtful and deliberate, "We\'re taking a significant risk by pursuing this endeavor. Let\'s first ensure the success of our unit. Once we\'ve achieved that, I\'ll extend the invitation to Reece and the others.

I\'d even offer them severance money, allowing them to sever ties with the Stardust Guild and join us as full-time members. Our unit will operate as a mini professional guild, except that it will be free from the restrictions and confines of any single location."

Their conversation ebbed and flowed, carried by the crackling campfire and the taste of adventure mingling with their meal. In the warmth of the fire\'s glow, they shared their vision, understanding that patience and strategic planning would pave the way to a brighter future for their fledgling mercenary unit.