Dungeon Predator (WN)

Gainus hadn't died, but he wasn't in particularly good shape either.

"You need to rest for at least three days. I would've recommended more rest had you not been a dragon," Eder said.

"Got it. Then let's kill Mayanes Kragon when I'm fully recovered."

"A wise decision," Kang Oh quickly said.

"Are you returning to your nest?" Eder asked.

"No, I plan on resting here. There's no better place to recuperate."

The temple was a nature friendly building, made of trees and vines. Moreover, the temple resided on the flying city, Grand Lotus, so the air was crisp and clean.

"Is that ok with you, Ruinari?" Gainus stared at the Birdman, Ruinari. He both managed and protected this area, so he would need his permission to stay.

"Stay as long as you wish," Ruinari immediately said.

"Thanks."

"I'll stay here and help with your recovery," Eder said.

"Thanks." Gainus beamed.

"I'll stay and care for you too."

'Now!' This was his chance to form a connection with Gainus. However, Gainus wasn't interested one bit.

"I'm fine. You go train or something. It's only a few days, so you probably won't improve that much."

"Ahem."

"I will return to Despia. I need to deliver the God of Creation's source to the goddess," Cyndia said. Since they were inseparable, Muhawk followed her back.

"You have the hand mirror I gave you, right?" Gainus asked.

"Yes."

"When you're done, contact me with the mirror. I'll summon you here."

"Thank you."

"What about Mr. Kang Oh and Mr. Sephiro?" Eder asked.

"Are there any dungeons here?" Kang Oh asked Ruinari.

"No."

'There aren't even any dungeons here. This place is completely useless.'

"Ahem, then what is here?"

"Vast grasslands, the sky that stretches on without an end in sight... I assume that isn't the answer that you're looking for. There's a flying city where the Birdmen live."

"Hoh, may I go there?"

"I can take you there if you want."

"Thank you."

'This is it!,' Kang Oh thought, and bowed his head. 'A Birdman city, huh... What kind of place is it?'

"Oho, I told you to go and train." Gainus butt in.

"You said it yourself. I probably won't improve much in just a few days," Kang Oh retorted, using Gainus's own words against him.

"It's better than doing nothing."

"Well, I suppose that's true. I won't be able to improve myself in such a short time; instead, I'll thoroughly prepare myself."

"Prepare yourself?"

"Yes. Please tell me about Kragon. I'll prepare accordingly."

'I'll be sure to bring the right item for Gluttony!'

"Alright, fine. Kragon is..." Gainus explained what he knew regarding Kragon.

"So Kragon can turn his body into diamond?"

"That's right. Kragon has the highest defense amongst the Mayanes. Thus..."

"I'll come prepared."

"I really hope you don't disappoint me."

"Of course."

"What are you going to do, Mr. Sephiro?" Eder asked.

"I'd like to go to the city too."

Kyaa!

Waryong unfurled its wings and yelled as if saying, 'Me too!'.

"I'll take you both there," Ruinari said.

"Let's go immediately," Kang Oh said.

"I beg your pardon?"

"Strike the iron while it's hot... Ah, you must not have that saying here. Anyhow, there's no reason to delay!"

"Understood. Lord Gainus, I'll be back soon."

"I'll be in my room."

"Yes. Then please follow me."

"Go, go!"

Ruinari led Kang Oh, Sephiro, and Waryong to the flying city.

* * *

"This is the flying city where the Birdmen live."

Tada!

There was a huge city behind Ruinari's back.

"Holy crap."

"Wow."

Kang Oh and Sephiro were both genuinely shocked.

The flying city wasn't anything like Arth's cities. How is it different, you ask?

Normally, buildings would be constructed out of wood, stone, brick, dirt, etc. The style of the buildings may differ, but the materials used in their construction were largely the same.

Shockingly, the flying city's buildings were made out of clouds. It seemed completely unreal.

He would've never believed it existed until he saw it in person. To think they constructed buildings out of clouds. How is that even possible!?

However, it was possible; the evidence was right in front of them. So they had to believe it.

"Did you really make them out of clouds?" Sephiro asked, unable to hide his shock.

"Haha, no. How would you construct a house out of clouds?" Ruinari smiled.

"Then what is that white stuff that looks like clouds?"

"It's a plant that only grows on Grand Lotus. It looks just like a cloud, but it's actually softer than silk, so it's our favorite material to use."

"What is it called?" Kang Oh asked.

"It's called Grand."

"Grand? Is there any connection to the city, Grand Lotus?"

"Yes. The 'Grand' in Grand Lotus refers to those cloud-like plants."

"Oho."

"Let me show you a few of our attractions. Please take a look around and find the rest yourself."

As Ruinari, Kang Oh, and Sephiro strolled through the city, several eyes watched them with interest. It had been a while since outsiders, especially humans, had come to the flying city.

"They look strange," a small, sparrow-like child said, pointing at Kang Oh and Sephiro.

"They're saying you look strange." Kang Oh took the initiative. 'They're talking about you, not me!'

"No, they must be referring to you," Sephiro retorted.

Gyaa!

'My dad's better looking than you!' Waryong obviously took Sephiro's side.

"No, I'm telling you. They're talking about you."

"No, it's you!"

"I have a girlfriend."

"What does that have to do with anything!?" Sephiro said angrily. He was a lonely guy, after all.

"If I looked weird, do you think I'd have such a beautiful girlfriend?"

"I suppose things that are close to impossible can happen."

"Then let's ask them in person!"

"Fine."

"Hey, kid. Which one of us looks strange?" Kang Oh asked.

"Both of you!" the sparrow child said clearly.

"Huh?"

"What?"

"I said both of you!" The sparrow kid repeated, and then flew off.

"Wow. I've spent so much time with you that people are treating me the same way." Kang Oh desperately comforted himself. 'I don't look strange at all!'

"That makes it sound even worse," Sephiro said sadly.

"Ahem."

"That child has never seen a human before. That's why he thinks you're strange," Ruinari said.

"That has to be it. I don't look strange, do I?" Sephiro said with sparkling eyes.

"Of course not. Let's keep moving, shall we?"

* * *

Kang Oh returned to the Great Temple of Life with Ruinari. Sephiro and Waryong had decided to explore the flying city some more.

"Thank you for guiding me." Kang Oh slightly bowed his head.

"It was nothing. Then, if you'll excuse me."

Once he left, Kang Oh walked over to Eder.

"Eder!"

"What's the matter?" Eder was making medicine in his allotted room.

"Make a transfer magic circle here."

"Why do you need that?"

"I want to bring someone here."

"Who?"

"Asu."

Asu was Soo Ah's character ID. Eder had met her before. They'd even had a picnic together. With all the members of Triple Lower at that.

"No," Eder firmly said.

"Why?"

"I don't want to see you happy."

"Wanna die?" A vein popped out on his head. 'Why I oughta...!'

"Do I look the same as before? Threats like that won't work on me anymore."

"Can't you just do it for me?"

"No."

"What do you want? Money? How much do you want!?"

"10,000 gold?"

"Do you really want me to kill you?" Kang Oh said murderously. He was being genuine this time. 'Are you really trying to rip me off!?'

"Fine then." Eder turned around.

But Kang Oh was the only one who'd lose out.

"C'mon, Eder. Don't be like that!" Kang Oh stubbornly glued onto him. 'I'm going to do whatever it takes to have a date with Soo Ah in the flying city!'

"Phew, I understand. I got it, so stop bothering me already!"

Ultimately, Eder gave in and set up a magic circle in the corner of the room.

"Hehe, you should've just done that from the start." Kang Oh laughed satisfyingly.

* * *

The flying city didn't have any doors. After all, the Birdmen had wings, so they just flew around everywhere. Obviously, there were no walls either.

The city was completely open, filled with buildings made out of the 'Grand' plant! That was the flying city in a nutshell.

"Wow."

Obviously, anyone who'd come here for the first time would have that kind of reaction. The beautiful blonde with blue eyes, Asu, was no different.

"Are these actual clouds?" she asked with sparkling eyes, seeing the buildings seemingly made out of clouds.

"No, they're actually made out of a plant called Grand. Grand looks just like clouds, and only grows in the flying city."

"Oh, so they aren't clouds."

"Yeah, but they look just like real clouds, don't they?"

"Yeah. Ah, I want to touch one. I wonder what it'll feel like."

"I'll let you touch one. Ah, and they apparently use it as an ingredient too."

"They eat clouds?"

"Not clouds, Grand. Apparently, the Birdmen eat it like rice."

"I want to try it. Definitely."

"Shall we go, my lady?" Kang Oh gave her his arm, and Asu locked arms with him.

'Let's go to the Interior Shop first.'

The Interior Shop was a place that sold furniture or small decorations made out of Grand.

"Wow." Her eyes glittered as she looked around. "It's a Birdman! A Birdman!" She was completely fascinated by the Birdmen.

Similarly, the Birdmen couldn't take their eyes off of her.

Then...

The sparrow child that'd called Kang Oh and Sephiro strange came flying over.

"Strange Old Guy!"

"I'm not strange, and I'm certainly not old," Kang Oh said, sporting a serious expression.

The kid tilted his head, as if unable to understand, and stared at Asu.

"Don't be surprised if he calls you strange. When he first meets you, he..." Kang Oh tried warning her ahead of time. However...

"Pretty Lady."

Kang Oh quickly turned his head. 'You brat.'

"Oh, how cute." Asu stroked the kid's head, and the kid happily rubbed his face against her hand.

"Ahem." Kang Oh's hand tingled; he wanted to flick the kid's head so badly. However, he stopped himself, since he might cause an incident.

"Shall we get going?" Kang Oh slightly pulled her along.

"Alright. I'll be going now, ok?"

"Ok. Bye, Pretty Lady. Bye, Strange Old Guy."

He called him old till the very end.

"I'm neither strange nor old."

But the kid didn't listen to him at all and flew off.

"Why I oughta...! I hope I see you in a dungeon next time!"

'I'll turn you into mincemeat!' Kang Oh huffed. Seeing that, Asu just smiled.

"Let it rest already. Let's go, Old Guy!"

"I'm not an old guy!" Kang Oh felt wronged. He was confident that he had above average looks. Moreover, his body was in the top 1%!

"Hoo, hoo, hoo." Asu just kept laughing, while Kang Oh looked like he was about to cry.