No matter how alone you think you are, someone always has a good memory about you and smiles when they think about it.
Location: NT Airship - Somewhere above Nova Terra:
The soft hum of the new NTG airship rumbled gently through the sky as it cut through the clouds like a steel beast. Inside, the crew settled in comfortably, enjoying the ride toward their destination: the Gelu Hallow Adventurer's Guild.
The ship was created with state-of-the-art technology, along with polished corridors, reinforced alloy walls, observation decks, and more importantly... a full kitchen.
Inside the dining hall, Valentine and Kaide stood frozen in awe.
"Wait, hold on... is that--?" Kaide pointed, his voice cracking slightly.
"Fresh... Ramen..." Valentine finished for him, eyes wide.
The two rushed forward like kids in a candy shop, staring at the steam rising from large pots filled with perfectly crafted noodles, seasoned pork broth, and pork-belly and soft-boiled eggs prepared on the side.
Valentine leaned in, practically vibrating.
"Whoever thought of putting fresh ramen on this airship deserves a medal. They must be the smartest."
"A GENIUS EVEN," Kaide declared dramatically, slurping his first bowl. "An absolute genius!"
Location: Nexus Concordia Nexus | RJC Section - Beau's Workshop:
Beau sat at his desk, casually eating his own bowl of ramen while flipping through design schematics for future airship modifications.
Suddenly, he sneezed.
"Ah-CHOO!" He blinked. "Hmm... is... someone talking about me?"
He shrugged, returning to his meal as his machines whirred softly in the background.
Location: Somewhere over Nova Terra - NT Airship:
In the cockpit, Yunoi piloted with precision, her hands gliding across the crystal controls. LuLu sat beside her, monitoring the navigation panel.
"Approaching Gelu airspace now," Yunoi announced onto the air-radio, eyes locked forward.
"Clear skies. Guild landing pad in view," LuLu confirmed calmly, her dark magic swirling faintly around her fingertips as she adjusted their descent.
The snowy peaks of Gelu stretched far below, icy towers glistening under the midday sun. Soon, the looming structure of the Gelu Adventurer's Guild Air-Hangar came into view--a massive crystalline platform suspended by ancient wind runes, glowing faintly blue.
The ship gently docked.
As the cargo doors opened, cold air rushed in, showing Valentine how he underdressed for the trip, with the rest of the team stepping out onto the hangar platform. Waiting for them were five figures--Gelu's elite.
At the front stood a woman, unmistakably the leader:
Iria -- A swift, fierce hand-to-hand combat master, her toned frame dressed in sleek winter gear with white fur linings. She wore confident smirks like armor and harnessed scars like trophies.
Beside her were:
Seline -- A healer, with soft silver hair and a staff topped with floating gemstones, her expression gentle but her aura undeniably strong.
Damon -- A swordsman, tall and serious, his great-sword strapped across his back and muscles bigger than the average human's head.
Vax -- A mage, wrapped in layers of enchanted cloth, his fingers already tingling with frost magic, even at rest.
Toren -- An enchanter, small-framed and shy, dozens of enchanted trinkets hanging from his belt, each pulsing with a faint light.
The leader, Iria, stepped forward, her sharp eyes scanning the NTG expeditioners.
"So, you're the famous ones from The Arena Games that I've heard about." Her voice carried a playful challenge. "Let's see if you can handle Gelu's dungeons as well as you handled your playful little battles."
Rikushi grinned. "We don't plan on disappointing."
Valentine whispered to Kaide behind him, "Man... I hope they have ramen here too."
Kaide nodded. "Priorities, my friend. Priorities."
The two quietly fist-bumped as the snow swirled gently around them.
Ahead of them, the entrance to Gelu Hallow awaited.