The central plaza bustled with its usual afternoon activity as AJ gathered the team. Residents moved between buildings, children played near the fountain, and the sound of construction drifted from the western district.
Maria, Victor, Sam, Walter, Ethan, and Lily assembled near the plaza's edge, their expressions curious but relaxed. They'd grown accustomed to these impromptu discussions over the past months.
"I've decided to leave Valentra for a while," AJ said without preamble. "To focus on my cultivation."
The casual atmosphere shifted immediately. Lily's face fell, her usual brightness dimming. The others briefly exchanged glances.
"For how long? Why?" Maria asked, her tone measured.
"I'm not sure, likely a month or more," AJ replied. "My cultivation has hit a wall. The Essence Crystal helped me see that I need high-purity mana and significant quantities of it, at my current pace, any kind of significant progress would take years. And as Aldric mentioned, Essence Crystals aren't exactly common."
"The settlement's become self-sufficient," he continued. "You don't need me here constantly anymore. Food production is stable, defences are solid, and the workshops are thriving. It's the right time for me to pursue this."
"But you're still important to us," Lily protested, stepping forward. "We can find other ways to help your cultivation. There has to be—"
"There isn't," AJ said gently. "Not here. I need to explore, to hunt monsters, to find materials that can provide what I need. The world is much larger than Valentra, and staying here limits what's possible."
"Then I'm coming with you." Lily's expression hardened. "You'll need backup, someone to watch your back while you're hunting or—"
"No."
The word hung in the air between them. Lily's face showed hurt, then frustration, her hands clenching at her sides.
"You're safer here," AJ explained. "Besides Valentra benefits from having you present, you play an important role. And honestly, I'll be moving faster alone, covering more ground without worrying about anyone else's safety or pace."
"He's right," Victor said quietly. "If he's hunting monsters and gathering resources, having someone tag along changes the dynamic. He'd be protecting rather than focusing on his goals."
Lily opened her mouth to argue further, but Maria placed a hand on her shoulder.
"You won't be completely gone though," Sam said. "You've got the sub-body now."
"Exactly," AJ confirmed. "I'll leave a sub-body here in Valentra. It can't use my abilities, but it will help maintain communication. I'll check in with you guys regularly."
He demonstrated, forming a football-sized sphere that detached from his main body. The sub-body shifted across the plaza stones, then produced his voice clearly. "See? I'll still be present in a sense."
They watched the demonstration with varying reactions. Walter nodded with understanding, Ethan seemed somewhat relieved, Victor's face remained thoughtful, and Maria smiled softly.
Lily's arms stayed crossed, but the demonstration had softened her resistance.
"I want you all to understand this isn't abandonment," AJ said. "Valentra matters to me, but my cultivation matters too. We've reached a point where I can pursue my development without putting you or the settlement in danger."
"Where will you go?" Walter asked.
"North initially. Aldric mentioned the creature gathering in that direction, Stone Wolves and Razor Bears. I'll investigate, study their behaviour, then eliminate the threat if necessary. After that, I'll explore the region, visit other settlements while looking for resources and materials."
"My main target is high-purity mana sources, like the Essence Crystal, and anything that can help me progress. I'll also map threats, gather information about the region, and collect resources that might benefit Valentra while I'm out there."
The group fell quiet as they came to terms with the situation.
"We understand," Maria said finally. "We'll hold down the fort while you're gone."
"Just find what you're looking for," Walter added. "And come back safely."
Ethan nodded in agreement, his quiet presence conveying support. Victor's expression showed reluctant acceptance.
Lily remained silent, her arms still crossed but she didn't argue further. She had developed a sibling like bond with AJ over the months and while she could understand his decision it still didn't sit well with her.
"I'll check in regularly," AJ promised, directing the words particularly towards her. "Daily if you want."
"Daily," Lily confirmed immediately, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.
AJ nodded, gently patting her head with a light sigh.
---
The River Pact building stood near the eastern district. AJ made his way to Aldric's office, finding the merchant reviewing documents at his desk.
"AJ," Aldric looked up with pleasant surprise. "What brings you here?"
"I'm leaving Valentra for a while to explore," AJ explained. "I want information about the region, places worth investigating, potential dangers, anything you think might be relevant."
Aldric set down his documents, his expression shifting to thoughtful consideration. "How long will you be gone?"
"Roughly a month for this first trip."
"First trip," Aldric repeated. "Planning to make this a regular thing?"
"If it proves productive, yes."
Aldric stood, moving to a cabinet where he retrieved a rough map. He spread it across his desk, the parchment showing Valentra and the surrounding region with varying levels of detail.
"North of here," he indicated an area beyond Valentra's immediate territory, "is where those creatures I mentioned are gathering. Stone Wolves primarily, with some Razor Bears mixed in. It's about a week's travel. They're north and slightly west, so you'll want to angle your path accordingly."
"Numbers?" AJ asked.
"Last reports suggested 15-20 wolves, and 3 or 4 bears. Other than moving together, their behaviour isn't too abnormal so far, but it's worth looking into."
Aldric's finger traced across the map, pointing out other locations. "There's a settlement here, near the coast, about 3 days west of the creatures. Small group, maybe 30 people. Another one south of them, slightly larger. Both are attempting to establish larger scale food farms with varying success."
"Any known monster nests besides the gathering?"
"A few. There's a Stoneback nest southwest of Valentra, but they're docile unless provoked. A flying creature, Wind Shrikes, nest in the rocky outcrops to the west of Valentra, they avoid humans for the most part."
AJ studied the map, committing the information to memory. "What about unusual locations? Strange terrain, unexplored areas, anything that stands out?"
Aldric considered the question. "There's a section of forest east of the wolf gathering that traders avoid. Nothing specific, just... wrong-feeling, according to reports. Could be nothing, could be worth investigating."
"Noted."
"There's also a ravine system east by northeast of here," Aldric continued. "Deep enough that no one's explored the bottom levels properly. Could contain resources, your call whether that's worth the visit and potential risk."
"And further north? Beyond the creature gathering?"
"Less information available. The terrain gets rougher, more hills, denser forests. Few people venture that far, so most of what we know is secondhand at best."
AJ absorbed the information, his mind already plotting potential routes. The creature gathering was his first priority, but the region held numerous possibilities for exploration afterwards.
"One more thing," Aldric said, his tone shifting. "If you're planning to travel between settlements and interact with people, be aware that not everyone is as... accepting. Your abilities mark you as unusual, and unusual can mean threatening to some groups."
"I'll be careful," AJ assured him.
"Good." Aldric rolled up the map. "And if you happen across any valuable materials or information during your travels, the River's Eye is always interested."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Aldric's expression grew more serious. "Genuinely though, be cautious out there. The world's dangerous, and you'll be operating without backup. I'd rather you return safely than become a cautionary tale."
AJ nodded as he left, a plan slowly developing in his mind.
---
The afternoon sun cast long shadows across Valentra as AJ made his final preparations. His house stood quiet, the space emptier than usual with most of his created belongings already reabsorbed.
As a slime, he required no food, water, or equipment beyond what he could create himself. Still, there were a few materials worth absorbing samples of, the new metals Robert had been working with, basic fabrics, and other materials that could be valuable for trade.
The sub-body sat in the corner of his house, its presence a reminder of the connection he'd maintain with the others. He'd leave it at the administrative building primarily, where it could interact with the team easily. The daily conversations with Lily would keep him up to date on the general happenings.
AJ spent the evening in quiet contemplation, his form spread across the floor in its natural state. The Essence Crystal's energy had settled completely, his mana reserves stabilized at their new level. His core remained still, that single rotation serving as a sign pointing him in the direction he needed to go.
Leaving Valentra felt strange. He'd spent so much time helping build this place, helping it grow into what it was today. Now he was stepping away from that creation, trusting the others to maintain what they'd built together.
The sub-body would keep him connected, but it wouldn't be the same as being present. He'd miss the daily rhythms of settlement life like the casual interactions and the sense of contributing to a common goal.
But his cultivation demanded this. And beyond that, his curiosity pulled him outward, towards structures like the Tower of Trials, towards answers about the Wish Event, towards understanding what this transformed world truly was.
---
The next morning arrived with clear skies and mild temperatures. AJ took on his human shape, the familiar process now second nature. He dressed in practical clothing, unremarkable enough to avoid drawing attention in other settlements.
The team and a few others gathered near the northern gate. Residents moved about their morning routines nearby, some glancing curiously at the small gathering.
"Ready?" Maria asked.
"Ready," AJ confirmed.
Lily stepped forward, her expression showing reluctant acceptance. "You'll check in daily?"
"Every day," AJ promised.
"And if something goes wrong—"
"I'll be careful. If I run into trouble I can't handle, I'll run."
She looked into his eyes for a moment, then quickly closed in for a hug. AJ held her back, attempting to reassure her. When Lily pulled away, her eyes were slightly moist.
Sam offered a brief farewell and a reminder to document anything interesting. Walter wished him safe travels. Ethan gave a short nod of support and Victor tapped his shoulder.
Maria was last. "Don't worry about us. We'll keep things running here."
"I know you will."
AJ placed the sub-body on Lily's shoulder. "I'll leave this with you. It can stay at the admin building, available whenever anyone needs to reach me."
Lily accepted the responsibility with a nod. "I'll take good care of it."
AJ turned towards the northern gate, the open passage leading to rolling grasslands and scattered woodlands beyond. The settlement spread out behind him.
He'd like to stay here with the others and continue their mostly peaceful life, but staying here all the time would mean abandoning his own development. In this new world that would mean falling behind and giving up the option to choose their future path.
"See you in a month," he said simply as he stepped through the gate.
Grasslands rolled northward, familiar terrain giving way to wilderness he'd never explored. His human form moved with steady purpose, leaving Valentra's walls behind.
The morning air carried scents of grass and wild flowers. Somewhere ahead, Stone Wolves and Razor Bears gathered for unknown reasons. Beyond that lay structures like the Tower of Trials that may contain answers to questions about this world and the Wish Event that had transformed it.
Both his cultivation and his curiosity demanded he go out and explore.
AJ walked forward, the horizon opening with each step.