Second World

Grace was right. Their previous location was indeed close to where the entrance to Greed's sanctum was located. The two arrived in just a couple of hours. After arriving, Jack found the place to be slightly different.

"I remember the last time this place was more barren and the trees were all dead," Jack remarked.

"Yeah. I told God Greed the place is too bleak, that he should redecorate. It seems he follows my advice," Grace said.

"My Lady, you have my admiration," Jack said. Peniel agreed by nodding heavily.

Grace came to the largest tree. He touched her hand on its bark and a portal opened.

"Wow, so we no longer need to busy ourselves with the hidden rune diagram to enter?" Jack asked.

"He set the portal so I can come in at any time," Grace answered.

"Wow! VIP treatment. Again, My Lady, you have my respect," Jack made an exaggerated bow.

"Only respect?" Grace asked with a teasing voice.

"Huh?" Jack didn't quite understand.

Grace giggled and entered the portal.

Peniel slapped Jack's still confused head. "She has already entered," she said.

"Oh, need to hurry!" He is not sure if she could call Grace to open the portal for him if it was closed. He jumped into the still-open portal.

Arriving inside, he came to the familiar underground cavern. Grace was waiting for him. "Come," she said and the two went in deeper.

They arrived at Greed's hut. Grace called to announce their arrival before she walked in. Jack followed after her. The hut wasn't big. It took just one glance to see that it was empty.

"He is not home?" Jack asked.

"Hm… I wonder where he has gone to. He rarely leaves this place," Grace said.

"Well, even God gets bored. He is probably out there fooling around…"

"Boo!" A voice came from right beside Jack. Jack turned and saw Greed's face close-up.

"WAA…!!" Jack was startled and fell on his butt.

"God Greed," Grace bowed to Greed.

"Mm… It's good that you come to visit, but why bring this wanker here?" Greed asked Jack.

'The heck? Where did he learn that word?' Jack thought.

"From one of her stories," Greed answered. This caused Jack to remember that Greed installed a mind-reading rune diagram in this hut. Jack quickly guarded his thoughts.

"He wished to use the dragon flight portal to gather draconic essences," Grace informed.

"He did express that kind of interest when he was here, but why should I let him use it?" Greed said while giving Jack an intense stare.

"Can you let him? We will be truly grateful," Grace pleaded.

"Mm… Okay, just for you, kiddo," Greed said.

"Ki… Kiddo?" Jack stammered.

"He likes the word. It's also from one of my stories," Grace explained.

"Okay, get out! It's time for story-telling time. I don't want you here to ruin it," Greed said to Jack. To which Jack gladly complied. He got up and ran to the exit.

He stopped after thinking of something. "Um… After I use the dragon flight portal. Can I use the endless wave portal?" Jack asked.

"Aren't you here only for the draconic essences?" Greed asked in return.

"Yeah, but since I may only use it one time. I want to spend the remaining time using…"

"When did I say you may only use it one time?" Greed cut Jack's speech.

"Uh…" Now Jack was lost. "Do you mean I can use the dragon flight portal repeatedly within one day?" He asked.

"Knock yourself out," Greed said and closed the door in Jack's face.

"Yeah!" Jack jumped in celebration and headed to where the portals were.

He suddenly stopped mid-way, looked back at the hut, and muttered, "Hm… He is not doing anything indecent to Grace, is he?"

Peniel slapped his head. "Do you think Gods are like that? Don't lump the divines with lowly beings such as you!"

"Geez, why is it you who gets upset?" Jack said.

Inside the room, Greed saw Jack resume going to the portals.

"Thank you, God Greed. It's very generous of you to let him use the Dragon Flight portal without limit," Grace said. Even when she was here, Greed told her that she could only use that portal once. But Grace did not need draconic essence so that was not a big deal for her.

"Well, Hope did entrust the five of you with his hope, especially that kid. I've got to honor his wish," Greed said.

"I didn't know you have such a feeling about God Hope."

"Oh, make no mistake. I hated the guy. So self-righteous and so uptight, but you gotta hand it to him. That guy has principles and I respect that. I just hope that kid doesn't let him down."

"He won't," Grace said.

"You truly like that kid, huh?" Greed asked.

Grace didn't answer. Her face went red.

"Forget about him. It's story-telling time!" Greed declared.

"No problem," Grace chuckled. "But after this, may I also use your portals."

"You too, huh? Fine, fine. I guess I am getting soft in my old age."

"You still look young," Grace chuckled.

"This is just the form I choose to use at the moment. I can look different if I want. Enough chatter. Tell me a story!"

*

Since Jack could use the dragon flight portal without limit, he just repeatedly used that same portal, netting 390 draconic essences with each entry.

He spent the remaining of the day and well into the night using the portal. It was past midnight when he came out of his fourth run. He had no intention of stopping, so Grace stopped him.

"Rest," she said.

"But… I can still go on," Jack said. If he reached bloodline level 9 by tomorrow morning, he could spend his time doing other things. He only needed four more entries.

"Portal close!" Greed exclaimed. Jack saw the entrance to the dragon flight portal turn dim. Grace shot Greed a grateful glance.

Jack's shoulders slumped. He had no choice but to rest now.

He sat on the prepared bed. Grace was laying on another bed next to him. She was already very sleepy. She stayed up only to make sure that Jack rest. Now that Jack had stopped his grinding, she could sleep.

Jack wasn't tired yet, though. After making sure Grace had slept, he took out the two loot from Euphosine. The Talent Pill and the Upgrade Cell.