Although it wasn’t as if Amelia and Mia were completely fearless or careless, only that the gate they had opened was not as powerful as their combined abilities. It only required 20% of their strength to defeat the monster in the vicinity. Instead of fixating on the creature and succumbing to worry, they decided to focus on getting Zero’s attention.
But with how much amateur they were, the things that they were capable of were just at the level of middle school kids.
While their flirting skills were relatively unseasoned, Amelia and Mia compensated with sincerity and authenticity. They aimed to showcase their genuine personalities, hoping that their infectious energy and genuine interest in Zero would be enough to capture his heart.
Unfortunately, their intentions seemed unclear, and Zero didn’t fully grasp what they were trying to do. Moreover, he was preoccupied with finding a way to escape the gate.
Although there was no need to rush, Zero had enough food stored in his Spatial Ring to last for months. At least they wouldn’t starve, and the place was relatively safe.
While they weren’t particularly anxious, the duration of their stay in the gate was uncertain. One could never be sure of its size, and it could take several months or even years for someone unlucky to find the Boss Monster.
Therefore, despite being relatively safe in the gate, they needed to constantly locate the Boss Monster.
-BANG!
*PUNCH!
As Zero, Mia, and Amelia left the Bororav territory, Rank-B monsters started to appear and attack them. However, it only took one move from Zero and Mia to settle the fight. Amelia has also no trouble defeating the Rank-B monsters.
If Zero and Mia used their flying skill, they could easily be able to traverse to different areas easily and much faster. However, they refrained from doing so.
Given the unpredictability of the Gate, Zero and Mia refrained from using their flying abilities, preserving their mana in case of danger. Furthermore, Amelia didn’t possess any flying skills.
“Ah! Look! It is Whispering Willow!”
“And that must be Silvervine Vineyard. I never would have imagined that I would get to see the actual flower I used to see in pictures when I was a kid.”
Amelia excitedly said as she went to bring the flower. It was a flower that is very rare on Edolas. The Gate has many such plants which are almost never seen back on Edolas.
They walked and explored the area, enjoying the many captivating sceneries they encountered.
If they weren’t trapped in the gate, one could mistake them for tourists.
Anyway, after spending weeks in the Gate, they had a better understanding of the place that they were in. In addition, Zero has made a rough sketch like a map of the place and marked the place with monsters encountered.
“If we keep moving from this direction we should be able to encounter the Boss Monster.”
Zero said.
They had been exploring the area and noticed that the closer they got to the center, the more powerful the monsters became. They also found more valuable herbs in those territories compared to the outskirts.
With such resources there, many strong monsters would stay in those places.
Mia and Amelia nodded in agreement.
“We’ve only come across Rank-A monsters in this vicinity. It must be the area closest to the Boss Monster,” Mia added.
“Although I would like to go and defeat the Boss Monster, we might not be able to do so easily.”
Mia said worriedly.
The more dangerous the Gate, the stronger the Boss Monster. Even though they hadn’t explored the core area of the Gate yet, based on their encounters so far, it wouldn’t be wise to underestimate the danger.
Despite not being at the center, they had already battled countless powerful monsters. This indicated that the monsters in those regions were exceedingly strong. At the very least, the Boss Monster’s rank would be Rank-S.
“Hmmm….”
Zero thought for a while.
( For me and Professor Mia, even if the Boss Monster is Rank-SS -, we might be able to escape but it would be difficult for Amelia. She might even be in danger with Rank-S+. )
There was also an option for Amelia to be outside the battle. She could join them after they have beaten the Boss Monster.
But the chances of defeating Boss Monster would certainly be higher with Saintess Amelia helping them. She was as useful as a Rank-S healer. Even if they got seriously injured, with Saintess Amelia, they would be immediately healed.
But it was indeed dangerous for Amelia! By mistake, if the monster gets to her, then she would have no chance if the monster was Rank-S.
Amelia looked slumped. She was feeling bad as she knew that only she was a liability when fighting the boss.
“I’m sorry, both of you! If only I were at Rank-S, I could contribute more,” Amelia expressed with remorse.
( I would be able to fight well like Zero and Mia and moreover provide more support. Then we wouldn’t need to think of facing any danger.)
With the support from Rank-S, Mia and Zero wouldn’t have to fear dying. Even if they were at deathbed, with her skill and Rank-S power, she could easily recover their injuries.
Moreover, they wouldn’t need to protect her and could focus solely on battling the Boss Monster.
“If only I had a Rank-S potion!”
Amelia exclaimed in frustration.
Rank-S potions had been recently discovered, and the ingredients had become highly sought after, driving the prices through the roof. Many people who had been stuck at Rank-A+ for several years didn’t hesitate to use all of their fortunes for a chance at Rank-S.
Although the success rate of breaking through to Rank-S- after consuming the potion was only 10-20%, it was still better than having no chance at all.
Saintess Amelia had also attempted to acquire these potions, but they were incredibly rare on the market, and one had to pay an astronomical sum of money to obtain them.
She knew that if she had the potion, she would have achieved Rank-S a long time ago.
!!!
( Ah! Right! )
Suddenly, Zero rummaged through his Spatial Ring, his face filled with excitement.
“Found it!”
Zero exclaimed joyfully, pulling out an object from his Spatial Ring.
???
“What did you find?”
Mia and Amelia were perplexed by Zero’s sudden outburst. They had been contemplating the problem at hand and feeling down, but now Zero was shouting with excitement.
Curious, they glanced at what had captivated Zero’s attention.
“Ah! T-This is-“
Amelia exclaimed in surprise.
“Yes! This is the Rank up potion for Rank-A!”
Zero said.
It had been many years since Zero had stored this potion in his Spatial Ring. He had continued to collect the ingredients for Rank-up potions, knowing how valuable they would be in the future. While he had already given many of them to his parents and their guild, he still had three left.
He had kept them for himself, intending to use one when he reached Peak Rank-A+, allowing him to breakthrough to Rank-S.
Now, it seemed that the time had come for one of those potions to assist him!