The Maivelance Crew prepares to head to the Order Association, gathering their gear. Kono steps out of her house and sees Zodiac, Daru, and Himitsu waiting to depart.
Kono: (to herself) I really need to fix that roof.
Daru: Are you ready yet? I don't like waiting.
Himitsu: Yeah, we've been out here for almost five minutes.
Kono: Oh, sorry about that, guys. I should be ready to go now.
Zodiac glances behind Kono and notices that Gram is missing.
Zodiac: Where is that idiot Gram?
Kono turns around, realizing Gram is nowhere to be found.
Kono: Uhhh, I think he's still getting ready.
Daru shakes his head and heads back into the house.
Daru: How many times do I have to tell him to hurry up—
Finally, Gram emerges from the house, out of breath.
Gram: (gasping) I'm… ready… to… go…
Everyone looks puzzled as to why Gram is out of breath.
Himitsu: Um, are you alright, Gram?
Gram: W-well, I'm fine now. I was in the bathroom taking a massive dump thanks to Kono's cooking…
Kono: Huh? What about my cooking?
Zodiac: Your food probably gave him diarrhea.
Daru: In other words, Gram shit himself.
Himitsu bursts out laughing.
Gram: Hey, that's not funny! It felt like I was going to die!
Zodiac: Can we please hurry up and leave? We've wasted enough time.
Kono: Right. Let's go!
Everyone starts walking to the Order Association to continue their missions.
Himitsu: I can't believe it's been over a week since the Newbie Event.
Kono: Yes, I'm still so thrilled we won! You all performed fantastically!
Gram: Ummm, well, it was thanks to me that we won, so I deserve all the praise.
Daru: Gram, you only got lucky because everyone was too preoccupied fighting each other.
Gram: What!? You're just upset that I was the one who secured the victory for us.
Daru punches Gram lightly on the shoulder.
Gram: Owwww!
Zodiac: Just stop talking. You know very well you got lucky.
Gram crosses his arms defiantly.
Gram: You're just jealous that I, the great Gram, was the true MVP! You'll understand one day.
Himitsu: Well, we have to give Gram some credit. We even received the tank capacitor as a reward.
Gram: Ha! At least someone recognizes my greatness!
Gram and Himitsu share a fist bump while Zodiac and Daru shake their heads. As they navigate through the city, Kono notices a news board on the street and approaches it.
Himitsu: Where are you going, Kono? You're heading in the wrong direction!
As Himitsu and the others follow her, they all gather around the news board.
Gram: What are you looking at, Kono?
Kono begins to smile.
Kono: Guys, look! We're in the news!
Gram: Really!?
They all focus on a poster with the headline, "The Maivelance Crew has won the Newbie Event!!!" showcasing them in action.
Daru: Okay? Why is this such a big deal?
Gram: What do you mean? We're finally gaining popularity around here!
Himitsu: Wow, this is incredible!
Zodiac: You're telling me we stopped here to look at a stupid poster about us?
Kono: Well… yeah!
Zodiac shakes his head and turns away.
Zodiac: This is ridiculous.
Just as Zodiac is about to walk off, a group of paparazzi rushes toward them with cameras and microphones.
Paparazzi Member 1: Look, it's the Maivelance Crew!
Zodiac: What the heck!?
Himitsu: Who are these people!?
The paparazzi encircle them, snapping photos and bombarding them with questions, thrusting microphones into their faces.
Paparazzi Member 2: (holding the microphone to Kono) As the leader of your crew, what was your thought process behind winning the Newbie Event?
Kono: (nervously) U-uhhh, w-well you see—
Paparazzi Member 3: How does it feel to be the lowest rank in the Order?
Kono: I-it's fine, I suppose, but we will continue to—
Paparazzi Member 4: Is it true that your brother, President Zorren, is your sugar daddy!?
Kono: W-what!? No, that's not true at all!
While Kono is inundated with questions, Gram is seen speaking to another paparazzo with a cheeky smile.
Paparazzi Member 5: Can you explain how you won the Newbie Event for your crew?
Gram: (chest puffed out) Now, now, as you can see, I, the great Gram, have many tricks up my sleeve to win this event. I had to use one of my best strategies to capture the flags, called "The Gram Special."
Himitsu processes Gram's words with a blank expression.
Himitsu: Did he really just say "The Gram Special"?
As Himitsu contemplates this, a paparazzo begins taking pictures of his face, the flash momentarily blinding him.
Himitsu: (covering his eyes) Ahhhh! Hey, watch it!
Daru grew increasingly frustrated with the crowd surrounding him.
Daru: What's with all these idiots?
A paparazzo approached Daru with a microphone while others behind him snapped photographs.
Paparazzo 6: Can you explain the nature of the powers you and that other individual possess?
Daru: Huh? What do you mean?
Paparazzo 6: Your hair changed color, emanating a tremendous amount of energy that shattered the barrier! Who are you, and what is the name of this power?
The paparazzo thrust the microphone closer to Daru's face, exacerbating his irritation.
Daru: Get that microphone out of my face, or I'll break it.
Disregarding Daru, the paparazzo continued to press the microphone toward him and posed additional questions. In a fit of anger, Daru snatched the microphone from his hands and threw it to the ground, shattering it.
Paparazzo 6: Hey, you broke my microphone!
Daru: I warned you, but you chose not to listen.
Daru surveyed the area and noticed Zodiac being questioned by other paparazzi, his grip tightening on his katana, prepared for action.
Daru: (To himself) Those eyes; he's planning to kill them.
Daru turned to Kono and shouted.
Daru: Kono! We need to get out of here now!
Kono turned her head toward Daru but could not hear him over the noise.
Kono: What did you say!?
Daru: I said we need to get out of here!
Kono: Huh!? It's too loud; I can't hear you!
Daru's frustration escalated.
Daru: I swear I'm going to lose it.
As Kono and the others were encircled by paparazzi, a man in black with a hood approached. He quickly touched each person's shoulder one by one, uttering something.
???: Let's go.
Everyone: What the—
The man in black teleported Kono, Himitsu, Zodiac, Daru, and Gram to the rooftop of a building.
Gram: What just happened? I was in the middle of my interview!
Daru: Forget your interview, Gram.
Himitsu: But how did we end up on a rooftop!?
Kono pointed to where the man in black stood near the edge of the roof.
Kono: Look, he's likely the one responsible for this!
Everyone turned to the man in black.
???: You should be thanking me for getting you out of that situation.
Zodiac: Who are you, and why did you bring us up here?
Gram: I was about to gain fame, you fool!
Himitsu: Now is not the time for that, Gram.
Gram crossed his arms.
Gram: Fine.
Daru: So, do you want to explain yourself or not?
???: I am merely a messenger, so I will be direct. Within ten days, you will receive an invitation from someone special who wishes to meet with all of you.
Kono: A special person?
Zodiac: And what makes you think we can trust you?
The man in black chuckled.
???: You must be Zodiac, correct?
Everyone gasped at how he knew Zodiac's name.
Himitsu: How do you know his name?
Gram: Looks like we're getting famous after all.
Daru: Gram, just shut up!
Gram: Okay, okay, calm down, jeez.
Zodiac: How do you know my name?
???: I have heard a great deal about you.
Zodiac: What?
???: That long wait will finally come to an end when the time arrives. She is eager to see you again.
Zodiac: She wants to meet with me?
Daru: Stop evading the question and tell us who wishes to meet us!
???: I'm afraid I cannot disclose that information. Everything will be revealed on the tenth day. Until then.
Himitsu: Wait, are you leaving already?
Zodiac drew his katana, preparing for an attack.
Zodiac: You're not going anywhere.
Zodiac charged toward the man in black, who fell backward off the building. When Zodiac reached the edge and looked down, he noticed that the man had vanished.
Zodiac: Bastard.
Gram: Did he just take his own life?
Zodiac returned to the group.
Zodiac: No, he most likely teleported away.
Daru: Whoever that person is, we must remain cautious. We do not know if this is a setup.
Zodiac: Daru is correct. We cannot simply trust everything he told us; it could lead to a situation similar to last time during the festival.
Kono: All he mentioned was that someone wants to meet us in ten days.
Himitsu began to think as Gram looked at him.
Gram: What are you thinking about, Himitsu?
Himitsu: There is something troubling me about his words.
Daru: What do you mean?
Himitsu: The fact that he knew Zodiac's name and stated that she is eager to meet him.
Zodiac's eyes narrowed as he contemplated something.
Kono: Did something happen, Zodiac?
Zodiac: It's nothing; let's hurry to the Order.
Daru: Finally. We have wasted too much time with those idiots.
Everyone continued to the Order association, taking a few more minutes. They arrived at the Order, with all the other crews observing as they approached the front desk.
Himitsu: Finally, we have arrived.
Kono: Indeed, we can continue from where we left off.
Gram: By the way, how many missions have we completed so far?
Kono: The Jump Watch can show us. Let's take a look!
Kono pulls out her watch and checks the mission progress.
Kono: We have completed 24 missions to date.
Daru: So today marks the beginning of our 25th mission.
Himitsu: Well, let's get started!
They approach the front desk where Fin greets them with a smile.
Fin: Hello, everyone!
Kono: How are you doing, Fin?
Fin: I'm doing well. Many people have been talking about you. It seems like you're becoming quite the celebrities, haha.
Zodiac: Tell me about it…
Gram: (with a playful smile) We did have some fans come to greet us not too long ago.
Kono: Gram, those were paparazzi, not fans…
Fin: Yes, they can be quite bothersome. Just try to steer clear of them. By the way, how is that new tank capacitor you installed on your ship?
Kono: It's fantastic! Now we can make multiple dimension jumps.
Fin: That's excellent to hear, Kono. Are you here to tackle your missions?
Kono: Absolutely, the Maivelance Crew is ready to continue the grind!
Fin: Alright. You know the procedure—just select any mission displayed on the screen.
Kono and the others proceed to choose their next mission.
Kono: So, who would like to select the next mission?
Gram: Oh, let me pick!
Daru: Absolutely not.
Gram: Wait, why not?
Daru: Do I really need to explain what happened the last time you chose a mission?
Gram: Come on, that mission wasn't even that bad.
Daru shakes his head and glances at Himitsu.
Daru: Why don't you select instead?
Himitsu: Who, me?
Daru: Yes, you! Who else am I talking to?
Himitsu: Oh, okay, my apologies, haha.
Gram: Wow, so he gets to choose but I don't. Okay, I see how it is.
Zodiac: Just be quiet and let him choose.
Himitsu examines the screen to find a mission that interests him. He spots a four-star mission that piques his interest.
Himitsu: Let's go with that one!
Fin: Ah, I see you've chosen a cave mission.
Zodiac: Why did you opt for a four-star mission?
Himitsu: Uhhhh, because it seemed interesting?
Zodiac: Hmpf, whatever…
Kono: Well, it looks like we've decided on that one!
Fin: Perfect! Here is your crystal.
Fin hands Kono a white crystal.
Kono: Alright, everyone, let's head outside!
Kono and the others follow her outside, transitioning back to Ohma, who is with the tour group taking notes on his paper.
Sampostis Guard: That concludes our tour. I will now distribute maps of other locations you may wish to visit. Additionally, I hope you enjoy your time in Sampostis.
Ohma and the rest of the tour group receive a map detailing the entire city.
Ohma: That was an excellent tour! I learned so much about this place.
As Ohma hears two individuals conversing behind him, he turns around.
Person 1: That took significantly longer than expected.
Person 2: Yeah, it really did. Do you want to check out The Order of Triumph after we grab something to eat?
Person 1: Sure, why not? That's the place where you can form a crew, just as the guard mentioned.
Ohma's eyes light up.
Ohma: Oh right! I can head over there and create a crew!
He checks his map to locate the Order association.
Ohma: There it is. It may take me a few minutes to walk there, but that shouldn't be an issue!
Ohma begins walking toward the Order association as the scene shifts back to the Maivelance Crew emerging from a white portal in a cave.
Himitsu: Looks like we made it.
Kono: Yes, and it's quite eerie as well.
Gram: Man, I hate caves!
Daru: Why do you always complain about everything?
Gram: But look around, Daru, it's scary…
Zodiac: After everything we've encountered, you're scared of this?
Kono: He has a point. We've faced worse than this.
Gram: You know what? Fine, let me demonstrate once again why Gram the Great will excel in this mission.
He pulls out his watch and clicks on the mission details.
Gram: It says, "Retrieve the lost weapon in the depths of the cave."
Himitsu: That doesn't sound too hard for a four-star mission.
Just then, they hear a strange sound approaching.
Gram: U-uhhhh, guys, did you hear that?
Daru: It sounds like something is coming toward us. Get ready.
Everyone assumes a fighting stance as heavy footsteps draw nearer. As they get closer, three minotaurs wielding axes emerge, walking slowly. Gram begins to panic.
Gram: It's… It's… MINOTAURS!
Himitsu: These are the same ones Gram faced during his trials!
Kono: Indeed. They tend to lurk in dark places, particularly caves.
Daru begins to smile.
Daru: Perfect! Now I get to see how much damage I can take!
The three minotaurs roar and charge at them, prompting Gram to hide behind Himitsu.
Gram: Protect me, bro!
Himitsu: Huh!? Why me!?
The first minotaur swings its axe at Zodiac. Zodiac calmly draws his katana, executing multiple slashes around the minotaur's body before sheathing it once more.
Zodiac: Your end has come…
Blood spills around the minotaur's body as it collapses to the ground, lifeless. The second minotaur rushes at Daru, who remains still. It swings its axe but fails to inflict any damage.
Daru: (smiling) Is that the best you can do? How disappointing.
Daru seizes the axe, breaks it, and then punches the minotaur in the face, sending it crashing to the ground with a gaping hole in its skull, dead. The final minotaur charges at Himitsu and Gram, preparing to attack.
Himitsu: Stay back, Gram! I've got this!
As it approaches, a large icicle pierces the minotaur's chest, causing it to collapse, lifeless. Himitsu and Gram turn to see Kono smiling with her gun.
Kono: I guess I showed that minotaur who's boss.
Suddenly, more minotaurs appear, numbering over ten in total.
Himitsu: Wait, there are more of them!?
Daru cracks his neck and knuckles.
Daru: Looks like we're going to have to take down every last one.
After 15 to 20 minutes, they return to the Order Association, their clothes stained with blood.
Daru: Now that was a great warm-up.
Gram: How can you call that a warm-up!?
Himitsu: At least we located the weapon and completed the mission. (She holds up a shiny crossbow.)
Kono: That's right! Another mission down in the history books!
Zodiac: Let's hurry and start the next one. This mission was rather dull…
Daru: Yeah, we need to raise the stakes.
Gram: Awww, man!
As they enter the building, they spot Ohma in knight armor conversing with Fin.
Gram: Wait, is that who I think it is?
Daru: It's that boy we encountered earlier.
Ohma: What do you mean I can't have a crew!?
Fin: To form a crew, you require at least six members. You cannot be in a crew alone.
Ohma: B-but there must be another way, please!?
Fin: I apologize, but I cannot allow you to form a crew independently. Perhaps you should consider joining an existing team.
Ohma's frustration intensifies.
Ohma: Damn you, Sampostis! I really wanted a crew…
Ohma turns and walks away, his head down as he exits.
Kono: Whoa, that kid looked really upset about not being able to form a crew; it kind of reminds me of when I was struggling to find one…
Daru: That kid really wants a crew.
Daru turns and heads outside to follow Ohma.
Zodiac: Where do you think you're going?
Daru: Just mind your own business.
Daru exits the building.
Zodiac: I have a very bad feeling about this.
Kono: In that case, let's submit the mission and go meet Daru outside.
Gram: (complaining) I just want to relax already…