In the aftermath of the intense clash and the revelation of Lelib's hybrid identity, the Truthseekers found themselves in a moment of respite. The air hung heavy with a mix of tension and relief. The night had set in, and a cool breeze swept across the landscape.

  Lelib, sensing the need for a change in atmosphere, went ahead and started the campfire. A small fire flickered to life, casting dancing shadows on the faces of the Truthseekers. The warmth from the fire provided a comforting contrast to the cold reality they had just confronted. Lelib, with a steely resolve in his eyes, turned to his companions.

  Lelib: (smiling) We've faced a lot today. Let's take a moment to warm up and maybe share a bit more about ourselves. Who wants to start with their backstory? You don't have to spill everything, just a summary of what you're comfortable sharing.

  A hushed silence settled over the group. The crackling of the fire seemed to echo the weight of the unspoken stories among them. After a moment, Jason, breaking the silence, decided to speak.

  Jason: (leaning back) Well, I guess I'll start since I reminded Lelib to bring this up. My past... it's a bit boring I guess. I come from a family that didn’t really care about me. Two parents that just loved each other for a moment. My dad wasn’t there for my birth and my mother just didn’t care. (laughs) I was an accident you can say. But my mom still took care of me despite her not really wanting to. Not that I cared, ones I was 17 I got what I needed and set sail. I became a bounty hunter.

  He glanced into the flames, as if searching for memories within their dance.

  Jason: (contemplative) My journey as a bounty hunter was something else. I roamed from one edge of the kingdom to another, hunting down criminals for a price. I still had to hunt for my own food and do some shady stuff from time to time to keep the money rolling.

  A hint of nostalgia colored Jason's eyes.

  Jason: (smirking) But, you see, being strong doesn't always mean you're rich. Bounty hunting wasn't a reliable source of income for someone as strong as me. You had to be really strong to make the big money. After a year, I realized that it wasn't sustainable. I needed something more stable.

  So, I started using the missions in the bounty house as a source of income. That's where I met Jack. We teamed up on a few missions, but even then, we knew it wasn't enough. We needed more hands on deck. That's when we met good old Olleg in another bounty house. I convinced him to join our little crew. Two weeks later, we met Artemis. And just a week after that, we encountered you Lelib.

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  Jason's gaze shifted from the fire to each member of the group as he continued.

  Jason: You made me think, Lelib. Amidst all the chaos and uncertainty, your talks about the Truth with a capital T, about seeking something beyond the everyday struggles, got me reflecting on my own life. Why do we do the things we're doing? What is the reason for all this? Honestly, I don't know where my life would be going without you guys. But I'm glad that I have a purpose now, and that is finding the truth of this world.

  He paused, as if letting the weight of those words sink in.

  Jason: It's not just about surviving or making money. It's about understanding why we're here, what this world is all about. I might not have had a family that cared, but here with you all, I've found something I never thought I'd have—a sense of belonging, a purpose beyond myself.

  Artemis: Wow… I didn’t know you had all that in your thick skull. I guess I always saw you as dumb. Well, show this side of you more often. I like it.

  Jason, contemplating whether it was a compliment or an insult, mumbled some angry nonsense, which only made the rest laugh.

  After a moment, Jack, who had been silent, decided to open up.

  Jack: (gazing into the fire) Well, my story... it's a bit different. I grew up in a small village with my dad, a skilled swordsman. He taught me the basics of swordsmanship, and I loved it. My dream was simple: to be the strongest Himu swordsman.

  His eyes glinted with a mixture of nostalgia and determination.

  Jack: I had my idols, swordsmen I looked up to. I trained hard, worked around the house, helped wherever I could. But when I turned 16, my dad saw the limits of our small village. He knew I'd never reach my dreams by staying here. So, he told me to go out, learn from the masters, face the world, and become stronger.

  There was a brief pause as Jack seemed to relive those early moments of leaving home.

  Jack: I ventured out, had to fend for myself. I took on missions in the bounty house, faced all sorts of meatures. It was tough, but it made me stronger, more experienced. I did that for four years.

  A subtle smile played on Jack's lips as he remembered the turning point.

  Jack: At the end of those four years, I met a surprisingly skilled and very energetic fool named Jason. Somehow, he convinced me to team up, and well, the rest is history.

  He chuckled, exchanging a glance with Jason.

  Jack: We've been through a lot together, faced challenges, and came out on top. And now, here we are, part of this unusual but strangely close-knit crew. It's funny how life takes unexpected turns.

  Artemis: (sarcastically) A skilled fool convincing someone? I'd pay to see that.

  Jason shot her a look, but Jack just laughed.

  Jack: (smirking) Believe me, it took some convincing. But it turned out to be one of the best decisions I've made.

  The crackling of the fire accompanied the shared laughter, creating a moment of camaraderie among the Truthseekers. The night continued…

  End.

  fact of the day:

  The book of meature shows that there are 313 different meature species, each having their own rank. But not all has been discovered. So that leaves people to think that this ancient book might have some lies to it to spice it up more for the reader.