At the base of the tree, the group had been greeted by a mob, nearly a swarm of too many zombies and skeletons to avoid. Luckily, they had come prepared, with some of the right Jobs for the fight. For the most part, Kaji had to stay on support, casting Crystal Researcher and Bearer of Wisdom skills, keeping Light elemental buffs on their weapons. But even he has to slash a few down, summoning a sword with Divine Materialization. The unsettling feeling that they were cutting through the former residents of the Shumi Village and the people who had come here to protect them, had to be put aside. It's just one monster after another.

Until, somewhere high in the treetops, they hear the fluttering of wings, the large flapping that signals that something larger has spotted them. Kaji does not want to know what the Calamity has done to something that was already as powerful as a Zombie Dragon. "Time to go!"

One last push, and they dash inside the opening to the Crystal Caves. Few of the smaller monsters dare to follow them in, and they can hear the echoing roar of the Dragon, denied its prey. When the last of the zombies is down, Kaji lets go of his sword, letting it vanish, and leans against the wall for support, breathing heavily. "Damnit..."

"Tell me the whole friggin' world isn't like this?"