When the members of the Exploration Team basked in the sunlight once more, dusk had already fallen.
Blood-red rays of sunset brushed layer upon layer of color over them, like resplendent cloaks worn by triumphant heroes returning home.
They had obtained another "hope," and this time it had come after they overcame an even more dangerous "calamity." The satisfaction and joy in their hearts had reached their peak.
This was a joy that "Fatal Pleasure" could never give them.
After another hour on foot, the Exploration Team returned to the "temporary base" beneath the sheer stone cliff, where they reunited with Knuckle, Menchi, and Shubika, who had stayed behind.
Their safe return was greeted warmly by Knuckle, Menchi, and Shubika.
The Exploration Team shared their happiness with the three of them, too.
At that moment, the eight members of the "Waystation Team" were closer and more harmonious than ever.
Knuckle, Menchi, and Shubika merely passed the "Manless Stone" around and examined it for a while before handing it back to Shizuku.
Gelman took one of the "Manless Stones" and dropped it into the water to test it.
Before long, they saw it sparking with blue arcs of electricity underwater, making a crackling sound. There was no sign of it stopping.
If left alone like that, the "Manless Stone" would probably dissipate all its electricity into the water.
Morel controlled a "Smoke Hand" to retrieve the "Manless Stone" from the water, then tossed it into the sand nearby. It rolled several times, leaving its surface dry.
It took quite a while for the "Manless Stone" to stop discharging electricity and stabilize.
After wiping the surface clean, Evil Tenderfoot swallowed it again.
With that little experiment, everyone confirmed how the "Manless Stone" should be stored and used.
As for the finer details,