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nMex headed back to the new building that Jilly was working on, and I turned back to see the girls, but the stick was back in my hand suddenly. I was shocked at first, but then I remembered the SYTT-Link.

nI tapped the stick in the ground, and a small amount of frost appeared on the ground. After a few more taps, I concluded that it was the same as Cera's enchantment, and I tossed it again for the girls.

nI watched as they bounded over to where the stick had landed, and Riez grabbed it up, and then the switch happened. I was prepared this time, and I was already in the middle of an overhead swing.

nThe stick slammed into the ground, and the grass around me died in a wave. It was only a meter-wide circle, but it was clear that the effect depended on the force, and the movements I could use were crazy.

nEven so, there was the underlying issue of them having to

"fetch

" each item. As a matter of fact, this would not be helpful, and if I do not pay attention, it may even put the girls in danger.

nDespite the fact that the girls were running back with excitement, I was contemplating this thing, and yet I forced myself to be excited as soon as they got near me. The girls had done an outstanding job, and once I got them up to a higher level, I was confident that I would be able to overcome this hurdle.

n

"Great job, girls! See? I told you that you had it! Now we just have to keep working on it! But your abilities will allow me to use basic items and make them special! That alone is spectacular! I can't wait to see how you all grow! I am proud…

"

nI had to stop talking as the girls ran to me and hugged me crying, and I lowered myself down to their height. So much bull** for these girls to have gone through in their lives, but the best I could do was build them back up.

nI hugged them, and even Mary woke up and was stroking the girl's heads. Life was hard, but things were always better if you could find people that you could trust and a safe place to call home.

n

"Okay, Jilly should be out any minute now. We are going to go for a walk to see some funny old Elementals Mex introduced me to,

" I said to the girls, and they nodded, whipping their eyes and smiling at me as I stood.

nThen, as I bent down, I kissed the tops of each one of their heads with a smile on my face. My heart went out to any Monster Rancher that has the opportunity to take care of creatures as adorable as these.

nI turned back to the fortress that loomed over the Keep, and Jilly and Nushi were just coming out, but they were carrying bags. I walked over to meet them and motioned for the gate, and they changed course.

n

"What's in the bags?

" I asked, but I knew before Jilly spoke from Mary's sniffing.

n

"Food for our trip in case we don't find something to eat, and it's not cooked, but Nushi has some cooked things in her bag for you two. Mex said that we are going to see the Primal Farts, but do you know the way?

" Jilly asked, and I nodded my head yes.

n

"Mex created a path for us, so we should be able to travel fairly fast, and we are going to go see Grovel first,

" I said as we walked out of the gate and passed the guards.

nTrig actually had a smile on his face, but he didn't say anything. On the other hand, Spel wouldn't look at me, but he was looking at the ground, so he must be feeling bad about leaving me to Lidy, jokes on him.

nIt wasn't an issue for me at all when Lidy was hungry, and she was a great help to me. Even though I didn't pick up his spouse, I liked that he was squirming after leaving me to dry out in the rain.

nHaving made our way across the bridge a short distance away, we soon reached the path after a few minutes walk. Jilly eyed the path suspiciously and then rounded on me.

n

"This wasn't here before,

" Jilly said, squinting her eyes and me, and I put up my hands.

n

"I didn't do it; it was Mex. The forest just moved out of his way, but I think we still have to watch out for the roots and hissing flowers,

" I said to Jilly, but Nushi shook her head from beside Jilly.

n

"Father won't be with you this time, so there will be more than just roots that try to bother us. The Trogs like to roam around in large packs, and there are some nasty little Kobolds as well. There is a good chance that we might be attacked by some of the larger breeds of monsters like the Behemoth's and Sphinx that roam this area,

" Nushi explained to me like it was common knowledge.

nI am sure that it was common knowledge, but I was not common here, and this was all news to me. What was a behemoth anyways? And a Sphinx? Like the one with the broken nose?

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"Alright, well, I guess we will all just have to be on our guard and watch out for… those things, but I suggest that you all keep your eyes peeled to look for things. I don't really know what I am supposed to be looking for,

" I said, rubbing the back of my head with a smile, but Jilly just leveled her gaze at me.

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"If you see anything out there that moves, and it isn't one of us, kill it. The things out here are not like us, these are real monsters, and they are mindless with their hunger and depravities. Do not think that you can reason with them, or someone will get hurt,

" Jilly said to me in the most serious I had seen her yet.

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