The forest started to burn. The fire from the orb started to spread across faster than anyone could keep up with and it threatened to swallow us all.

It evaporated the monsters, forcing them to run back if they wanted to avoid being in direct contact with the light and when I looked back, it looked almost like a flame.

'I need another orb. Darn it-! Why did it have to cost so much?'

I questioned but there was no time for me to hesitate. I opened my inventory and quickly bought the first torch I saw on display.

[Would you like to spend 100 coins?]

The system asked, almost as if mocking me because it knew that I did not want to spend this much points on a produce. But I had no choice in this matter as I spent the faith points on the darn orb.

It appeared in my hand with its soft glow and I clutched it harshly before I looked fire behind me. From the fire emerged the driver, his form half broken, his skin melting. And yet, he still forced himself forward toward us.

"H-How dare you-!"

He tried to speak, but due to his half-melted body, he was not able to force these words out. And somehow, he was extremely fast as he rushed toward us through that white fire.

"Shopkeeper, watch out-"

Because I had taken the rear, the monster headed toward me in order to try and catch me. But I was ready and as soon as the driver came too close, I raised the ball of fire I had in my hand and the driver flinched at the harsh but familiar light.

I took advantage of that chance and brought the cane down on top of his head harshly, causing the man to cry out before his life flashed across his eyes and then he fell, almost as if he was dead.

This was another life that had almost been lost because of me, and yet, I could not even think about it at the moment. He panted as he tried to keep himself afloat, but there were so many thoughts going through his mind at the moment.

"Shopkeeper, are you alright? This man… he's still alive? What an impressive drive to live. But don't worry. Allow me to take care of him for you, shopkeeper."

Leo told me as he walked over to me and placed a hand on my shoulder. He looked determined to do what needed to be done.

I did not stop him, but I did turn my head away from what was going to happen.

"Hurry up and do what you want to do. The holy fire won't last long and once it fades away, the only safe place will be by my side."

I told Leo before I went to join Nyx and Erebus. They, along with Luna, were waiting for me to join them and I did not disappoint.

The last I saw of Leo was his determined expression as he picked up the almost-dead monster I had taken care of and ran a little further.

When Leo came back, his clothes were covered in dirt but he looked extremely satisfied and his eyes flashed.

He gave me a happy look as he, once more, stood by my side.

"I have done my duty. Now, we can start heading toward the Groove."

Leo told me and I nodded before heading out after him. We soon reached the edge of the forest and noticed that the guards were lazing around.

Because of the recent attacks, the guards had not expected anyone to appear from the south side, so they were not paying attention. It would have been so easy to catch them off-guard and yet, I decided not to do that.

Instead, I approached the guards and coughed to get their attention.

The guards looked startled as they gave me a concerned look before they noticed that the one in front of them was not a monster but another human being. That made them relax a little bit and let their guard down.

"Who are you and what do you want? Don't you know that the groove is a sacred place that needs to be respected? As such, we cannot allow you entry-"

The man tried to speak, but then he trailed off. Something behind me was grabbing his attention. But when I looked back, all I saw was Leo and Luna with their normal expressions.

I turned toward the guards to ask them clearly once more.

"Are you sure you cannot allow me entry?"

I asked and the guard no longer sounded confident as he looked at me. His eyes looked troubled as he tried to catch his breath.

"I… please come inside. I made a mistake previously. Previous guests like you are always welcomed to the Groove… hahaha…"

The guards laughed nervously before he opened the door for us. Luna entered first, with kids and Fenrir. I waited for Leo to enter next, but he gave me a small push.

"Shopkeeper, you should enter the place first. I will guard our back so that no one foolish enough to cause us trouble comes after us."

Leo's words were more focused on the guards when he spoke. There was no missing the warning he was trying to give them.

The guards gave an audible gasp, no doubt realizing that Leo had the power of the Groove, but they were unable to do anything about that.

I felt no pity or mercy for these guards. They were abusing their power by being here and not doing anything.

As I entered the Groove, I saw one of the guards pale even more before he shook and looked away. That was the end of that interaction for us all.

The inside of the Groove was magnificent. It was bright and decorative and no matter where you looked, you could see lights and colors decorating the whole place.

However, the ground beneath our feet felt weird. It was squishy and not as firm as it should be. Walking on it made it feel like I was walking on hard foam.

And there was a weird presence all around us, even beneath our feet. My instincts told me to always be alerted or else, I would be devoured by something.

"This is the Groove. I know it is nothing fancy compared to the dome you visited. But this is the place where Leo and I were born. It feels too… different now."

Luna complained as she looked around the space she had found herself in. She looked baffled but glad that she was back here.

I remained quiet as the kids marveled at the place we were at. But then I snapped out of my daze and recalled that I had a reason for coming here.

"We should hurry up and find the god of the Groove. Delaying would be a bad idea."

I told everyone and they nodded before they followed me. They likely thought that I knew where I was going, but I had no idea where I needed to go. The system had not told me anything yet either.

Because I was an ordinary human and not an overwhelming god, all I could do was go around in hopes of finding the god accidentally. But I was not that lucky. And even after a whole day of walking around, there was nothing.

We were all tired after walking around for the whole day (or at least I was), so it was time for us to look for an inn.

"Master, you should not push yourself too much."

Fenrir reminded me but he was also careful in his words not to insult me. Not that it would have been wrong even if he did insult me or something.

"Alright. For now, we should find a place to sleep. Leo, Luna, are you going to go back to your residence or stay with us?"

I asked and the pair looked uncomfortable.

"Disciples such as us… were not really given a proper home here. So we have no place to return to. Should we… find our own place to stay for now?"

Luna asked careful, trying her best not to offend me or the kids. But I just felt bad for forcing her to be like this.

I sighed as I looked at her before waving my hand in dismissal.

"No, that's fine. You don't have to leave just because I told you to. I have the money and resources to take care of a few more kids."

I told the pair and there was no more arguing. Though I did hear Leo complaining how he was likely 'older than me' and thus not a kid.

The kids were left behind to talk and argue as I walked toward the innkeeper and asked for a room. He gave me and the party behind me a stare before allowing us inside without much fuss.

We had safely entered the Groove with this.

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