Searching for a portal to the High Periphery is no walk in the park. Like the Mythical Meadow Feral Egg, the portal to this place is like a chest of riches. Only the Larkansas know the possible portals to get here because they have acquired a map.
There's a rule the Larkansas follow - they're not allowed to tell others about the actuality of the High Periphery, except when they've found someone who'll be their apprentice. If they're careless, they're essentially sabotaging themselves.
A Larkansas' main job is extermination. Regardless of your status in life - whether you're a saint or a reprobate, a prominent figure or a notorious person - if they're ordered to kill, they'll kill you without compassion. They're not heroes. They're not villains. They exist to commit manslaughter.
The High Periphery has no notion who's behind the robes and masks that make up the Vitamin group. They're also clueless about the group's other objective: to annihilate the Larkansas by infiltrating the academy. However, the Larkansas have already received a job order to be vigilant.
On previous nights, Agysmal and Erewhen thought they saw two shooting stars flying, but it turned out to be two members of the Vitamins. The duo decided to follow them, heading west, but during their voyage, they encountered a huge problem and now find themselves inside the stomach of a Whalgoode.
Meanwhile, Vitamin S and Vitamin T finally landed on an uninhabited archipelago. The two of them were making rounds along the seaside, with Vitamin S holding a compass.
"According to Vitamin D, the orienting arrow of this compass is made from bits of gold from the High Periphery's golden gate; consequently, it should easily detect the magnetic force of the portal," Vitamin S uttered while looking at the compass.
''But look at that compass you're holding, it doesn't seem to be working,'' Vitamin T said jocularly, looking at the compass with its spinning arrow that wasn't pointing in the right direction. ''Maybe you should knock it with your alphabet sword to fix it.''
Vitamin T sat down on the fine-grained sand and gazed out at the waves in the ocean. "Too bad the map we used to search for the portal got burned," Vitamin T added, referring to the map he had used to locate one so he could join the High Periphery's entrance examination.
Due to the oppressive heat, he couldn't bear the warmth anymore and removed his distinctive triangular helmet-style mask. Vitamin S halted his steps and turned to look at the robed man with chocolate-brown hair; his face was brawny, with moles on his cheek forming an inverted crucifix.
''Why did you pull off your mask?' Vitamin S warned. ''Don't you know we're not supposed to show our faces?''
''Relax, I couldn't take the sweltering heat inside, and besides, we're the only ones here,'' Vitamin T said with a grin. ''In addition, you've never seen my face, and vice versa. I've never seen yours, so can you take off yours? You could be a damsel in distress behind that macho voice. My real name is Declan Gallagher, by the way."
"Enough of that nonsense, Vitamin T," Vitamin S said admonishingly. "We're here for an important mission, not to brood in front of the ocean and then ask each other our true profiles."
"Does your temper flare up that easily?" Declan asked jokingly. "Is it hard to reveal your true identity to me? We're partners in this mission, so we should know each other. Besides, the Vitamin members are from different countries, so I'm curious about your nationality. But fine, I respect your decision not to reveal yourself."
Due to Vitamin S' reminder, Declan put his mask back on and stood up. With a sigh of relief, they continued their mission.
On another island, not far from the two Vitamins, the Whalgoode spat out Agysmal and Erewhen, along with the now-battered paddle steamer. After spitting them out, the giant Meadow Feral left, leaving the two to slowly regain consciousness.
Agysmal was the first to regain self-awareness and immediately approached Erewhen's splayed body lying on the sand. Eventually, Erewhen managed to open one of his eyes. He saw Agysmal scanning the map on his panel.
"We're currently in an unpopulated island chain," Agysmal said, while Erewhen coughed, his throat clogged with saltwater.
"I thought for sure that Whalgoode was going to swallow us whole."
"No, in fact, it spared us, Erewhen."
"Do you think our punishment is over? Will the monstrous, many-winged eye show up now?"
"No idea," Agysmal replied nonchalantly, but suddenly he caught a whiff of a strange scent. It wasn't pleasant, nor was it foul. The scent was very compelling. He stood up, using his sense of smell to determine the direction it was coming from. "Do you smell what I smell?"
"We're not alone here," Erewhen replied, now with a serious expression. The two exchanged a look, as if they both knew what the other was thinking. "It seems the Whalgoode dropped us off in the same area where those two Vitamin members went."
"They're just on the other island," Agysmal said firmly, looking at a tropical island with rocky outcroppings, many palm trees, and Seagulps flying overhead.
"Don't bother yourself anymore, Agysmal. Whatever their purpose is, it's none of our business to interfere with what they want to do," Erewhen said. Agysmal's brow furrowed at Erewhen's words, but he knew he had a point. "Let's just wait here for the statue to pick us up."
"I won't just sit around here and do nothing," Agysmal countered, disagreeing with Erewhen's suggestion. "It's unusual for two Vitamin members to end up in this isolated place. Aside from their goal of causing pain and agony, I believe they have another intention, and I want to find out what it is."
Erewhen didn't bother trying to stop Agysmal anymore, but his frustration was evident. Agysmal channeled his Musk, and his hands transformed into jetpacks as he flew through the air towards the other island.
Meanwhile, as the compass needle held by Vitamin S began to steady, Vitamin T caught a whiff of a pleasant scent. He detected two different scents.
"Looks like we're on timeout from our task for now, partner," Vitamin T said, still seeming amused. "We might have some players to deal with now. Hopefully, they're strong enough to keep us entertained. Worth the disruption they caused."
"How did they even track us down?" Vitamin S added emphasis, sounding frustrated. "Of all times, just when we're close to finding the portal, our mission has to get derailed like this."
As he flew, Agysmal heightened his sense of smell and vision, but he couldn't track down the two because they were in ghost mode. All he could see below were organisms in symbiotic relationships and harmless Meadow Ferals like Mildboars, Deerlings, and Squirtrels.
Meanwhile, the two Vitamins intently observed Agysmal's aerial movements above.
"Base on his appearance and deamenor, he's not a licensed professional Larkansas yet," Vitamin S said thoroughly.
"You're right. He's just a trainee. But based on his Musk, he doesn't seem ordinary either," Vitamin T replied, guardedly impressed.
"Can you tell by his strong Musk that he's a Legosus Wielder?"
"This one looks like an Egg-eater."
Agysmal had a strong feeling that the two were nearby, but he couldn't see them. Meanwhile, Vitamin S, who was keeping a low profile, decided to attack Agysmal. He pulled out a terrifying T-shaped sword from a large scabbard wrapped in white cloth that was hung on his back. Agysmal didn't notice the impending berserk attack.
"Watch out, he's right in front of you!" a woman's voice cried out to Agysmal, making him realize that Vitamin S was indeed right in front of him, ready to swing his sword. However, before Vitamin S could do so, an explosion occurred as he was hit by a strong wind force.
While his heart was racing with tension, Agysmal turned to see the person who had warned him.
She wore an enamel white hooded cloak. Her outfit was entirely made of extraordinary leather. It looked both heavy and surprisingly light and comfortable at the same time. Her seamless mask made Agysmal wonder how she could see and breathe through it.
Her posture in midair was exceptional, striking, and intimidating.
This cryptic woman was one of the Larkansas on a mission outside the High Periphery.
"At last, I've finally found you - members of the Vitamins," said a man's voice, his tone filled with wisdom.
Everyone was startled by his sudden arrival. The man wore a sleek, full-body suit in a deep yellow color, with a blue cape attached to the back of his suit that billowed in the wind. This man was known as Righteous-Man, considered the protector of the world.
But Agysmal knew he had accused falsely.