A soft whistling sound wakes me up, I find myself in my room. I feel much better, but Getting up is still a challenge as my chest aches every time I try.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXFB02Pug4
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After a few attempts, I drag myself to the edge of the bed and roll down softly to get up, then walk up to the window.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqzMn77vPd
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The sun is not visible but the sky seem dimly lit, stars are still visible, and now that I see it, the planet has two moons, one is blue and another is silver, except the blue moon is broken.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nMfOXOF4d
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I can hear the whistling sound. And now that I am awake, might as well take a stroll.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbL2p5St0e0
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But before that I tie a cloth around my left eye which is making me feel dizzy, this place is filled with energies.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyPoWSkHeE
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I open the window, and using the branches as foot hold, climb down slowly, but just as I am about to reach the bottom, my foot slip and I am about to fall flat on my face, but using my unbelievable strength I use my arms and legs like a cat to spread the impact across the ground.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlneDmrvfZF
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Although it pains my chest, I power through it178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNodhXjGG4
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“Cool..., lets go.” I say to myself optimistically.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTG5SniWovM
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaIZDgTW48
But if someone saw me walking around I am sure they would avoid me.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuy23A9MSk
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There are less people around than I expected, maybe people sleep till sunrise here. And this place feels like it’s based in center of an Oasis, there are lots of trees and bushes.
I follow the sound and arrive into a small clearing not too far away behind the mansion. There are some wooden swords, some sort of equipment.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHiTfW2SWs
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzhSYN4nJB
I am sure the whistling sound must be coming from here. But there is no one here?178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeI4geJFexr
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfmpH5avuu
Just kidding, they think they can ambush me, they are on my right in the darkness of the trees. I summon a dagger just in case.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGi8093UDNp
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6BBXoLHTz
I quickly turn towards my right, ready to defend, but the flash of bright golden hair dazed me. I snap into action as the sword nears me, I divert it using calculated precision, tilting it so that the flat side slides against my neck, but suddenly Gloria switches her grip, trying to stop herself.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jU26DUGX9
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHmQ5rEhjl
It works for me but seems like it didn’t quite work for her.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigcXq9USTR
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsnWPxze4q
Gold particles disappearing in the air signified her failed attempt to use her powers.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYWrtbsmOb
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLW9JTtwjWu
I catch her shoulders. Frail looking like any woman’s, But she sure is strong, and It felt like I am holding ambers.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NYMOUT3pp
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A hissing sound starts to come from my hands.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41xbVtiGDd
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqgHMLx3np
“Get your hands off me!” she says as she tries to force my hands away.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EYQRHEgs6
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjVp4AmOLZ
“You should be in bed. I nearly killed you.” she says178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeArD4VVd2Z
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48I7VawAqj
“Don’t flatter yourself, and do you attack people out of the blue if they approach you?” I ask in a serious tone178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33jFPWeZlB
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nbKJNwSUe
“Excellent, so you CAN~ talk?!” she says forcing a hint of surprise and frustration in her voice178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVwoDZ35fr
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDuzbHU9aT
“This is my training ground. Restricted. I hate people Intruding during practice.” She says arrogantly.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjf5M4jGXSw
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She flicks her head to slight right “I didn’t injure you did I?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsrLEAE0HT
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6l26yBBtSq
I don’t speak to strangers much, trying to save energy is a habit I developed during my time as the best hitman. She is just my contractor’s daughter.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPXsAp9qhF
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I smirk, looking around.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GucRAmlAs
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“Oh, so you can smile. I though you were some serious guy.” She says178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1Bk9nQi3m
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTLOS9Jzxb
I stroll around, looking at the equipment. But as I turn towards Gloria again, I catch a wooden sword. Old memories, unpleasant ones return to me as it instantly crush the sword in my hand and throw it aside.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2GSflcGCG
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYfMkDM4la
“Wha—Hey! If you didn’t want to practice you could have said so! Why break it?!” she says178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xhg5DvTVV
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh063K1CeSh
“If it were a random person that forced a sword in my hand, they would be draining on the ground by now.” I snap, only to realize that I am way out of line.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmjERIhzkC
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“….” Gloria flinches178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltIqz9lupf
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“Sorry. I didn’t intend to do that. Swords and I don’t get along.” I say as I pinch my nose disappointed on myself.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7AbPp3Zog
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPy1BegdFn
“No, it’s fine.” A small, almost surprised smile touched her lips. “Startling, is all. Not many outside my family dare raise their voice at me.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP59uT3C1zh
“You aren’t angry?” I ask178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6h5CxCrsa
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBLfoUWVvk
“No, I was just trying to get you to spar with me, forgetting you are injured. I was the one at fault, so I will let you off the hook this once.” she chuckles, mischief in her voice.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieOSk34idA
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOm2zgOhHQG
“A spar?” I considered it. Good exercise, but not worth reopening these wounds. “Maybe Another time.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8DTyZFwB2
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIcLiLTQRa
“Then we have a deal?” she asks178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8FrOaE4oj
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“Deal” I assure her with a thumbs up as I transition into a cross-armed pose.
Keeping up this polite facade was exhausting. So much wasted energy.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuc1YbEZIa9
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIBybwnmwR
“Last night, Old man said you defeated the demon lord. If you didn’t use a sword, then what did you use?” she ask178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3o5QbNBbF
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“You want to know?” I ask, she nods immediately.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZ1ihNvqFv
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I point at the moon to distract her “Oh, look! A bird!” It works like it always does.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dD849RZpz
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I only need moments to summon my spear using my strange powers.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8buEu45xBS
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Now that it was in my hand, I remember how badly its damaged since the last battle.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YkpJ9SXC3
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgJ1Qo3ZUl
“Hold on—Where did that come from?” she asks178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8l1MLHOsDC
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyvhcwJRKS
“Magic?” I offer with a shrug “Maybe, who knows?” motion178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQsK0k2LI7
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“Don’t take me as a fool. That staff was not there before. How did you make it appear out of nowhere? And I know you have an artifact which stops magic around you, mine didn’t work when I attacked you earlier.” she asks178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiyUpZ3Mya
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I had a feeling she might ask this.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nBdPcYliK
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“Fine, It’s a lost technology. I had the staff, but in a miniature form.” I say178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUjRvHI7ze
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rumrldS3r
“Hmm, that might explain how you defeated the demon lord.” She murmurs while clutching her chin and the part of the mask covering it.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAXdK0yzJC
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“What rank are you anyway?” she asks178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHp4GgQYiu
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“Rank?” I ask back in confusion178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTrrjyZPuV
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“Yeah, as in Adventurer Rank. I am called the ‘Flame queen’ and my Rank is called Silver Hand. Burned a Wyvern into a crisp with single blow using my fire magic once Although I was trying to hide my power.” She says with a smug voice.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDq8yoamw2
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm09fbnBkcG
“Adventurer, huh? I am not one, I am a Hitman.” I say178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVD5nFm2e5
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFtR5E3elk
“Oldzheil did mention that before. What does that even mean? Is that some kind of title?” she asks178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFX4rWIZZ3
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHochaIph5
my stomach lets out a deep growl as if a lion roar.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0esgn4pzNV
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“History can wait for later. But Food? My friend here suggests we Eat.” I say rubbing my stomach under the shirt.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE53Cjvl6CR
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“Now that you mention it, I am hungry too. But…” she hesitates178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NmMNigLOk
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“But I don’t think you would like what I eat.” She says.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQCmxSRFfG
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“Anything that doesn’t scream first.” I pause. “Even a tree will do, if it comes down to it.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsktkFqYzMI
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She giggles “Your sense of humor sucks just like Oldzheil.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJJmyeaAbH
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“Problem with vegetables?” I ask with a flat voice178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZy0isetUo
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“Not at all stupid, as a matter of fact I am veg too.” she says178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBu26aU3SKp
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“A veg like me in this world? Crazy fantasy world to be in.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dy91EbphO
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“HEHE, there are many out there. Meat is quite expensive for common folk. And, eating lower beings is the last thing I want to do,” She says178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0wMDLSCp9
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1b5usNcRI
Gloria starts walking excited, and I follow behind her, we both walk for a few minutes, quite. But then she speaks.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJWYVnpb5r
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“You know, when I first saw you, I Mistook you for some god’s descendant too, Your eyes, although strange, speaks of wisdom and knowledge not meant For humans to achieve your age, It’s unbelievable no matter how I think of it.” She says178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXi0hWqPS9s
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“Seems like the Old dwarf spilled more than I expected,” I say.
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3sZOvdVJM
Maybe she's right about the age thing, though.
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Telling her I'm decades older felt wrong somehow.
I lost my childhood working to meet expectations; perhaps being young again wasn't so bad. I shift the topic.
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“So—these adventurers—they are what, monster hunters?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQKwBzqvkK
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG25MmH0tlp
“It’s an umbrella term, but yeah it involves bandit hunting, monster hunting and many other things.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BCEoU4WMP
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVIvbOrwrG
“So it’s a freelancing platform for people?” I ask178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVlLpx8oGG
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“What’s freelancing?” she asks178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2dkCOT0uZ
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“Work on hire.” I say178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLUa74uQx5
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“yeah, more or less. How the hell do you don’t know about adventurer’s guild?” Gloria says, suspicion creeping in her voice.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHdWPs3XoC
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“Geolard scrambled my memory before I met Warzheil. Only the important bits stuck.” I say178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefIcayGSGy
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4my11n0Y8n
“Oh, Oldman didn’t tell us about that.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe20cjECOkD
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“He doesn’t know it as well. I just realized that there was something missing in my head.” I say as I make up a random story.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCq34cF8Mq
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”By the way, you don’t quite speak like how one would expect a goddess, I assume you grew up here and not in a castle?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhuXHLw8Qn
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“It’s that bad? Maybe I should take those classes Sil was telling me to.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESKrkQZbc1
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmUCrabJeA
“One’s presence can be powerful when used with knowledge and precision.” I say.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLb8zoxxR8P
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“You should become a Sage.” She laughs178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2538Xw7FvS
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“So, What’s your plan after this? Like, what do you want to do in life? You already defeated extremely powerful foes and lived to tell the tale. I am sure you can easily become a captain of some knight’s order in a capital city if you wanted.” She asks178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJK2Voeg1QG
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyON46RPFTv
Her ideas are alluring, now that I reflect on it, I never took time to peacefully sit down and think about what I want to do after I found Ava.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFcOaQxNxE
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“Maybe I will go visit the man who stole my precious sister’s heart, and show him who the boss of the house is!” I say, cracking my knuckles with a grin.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXQFQkGooZ
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“You mean Ava ‘The Light Borne Hero’, right?” she catches me off-guard by mentioning Ava.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8q5tb3vPk
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“Oldzheil told us about her too.” She says178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBzRAIS9id
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I sneer “That Oldman…...” tightening my fist178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96twlqhWiE
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“Hehehe, Don’t hold it against him, Grandma Sil has a special spell that forces other to speak more than they intend.” She explains178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIdFU5bvZs
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNZmwSlWH5
“Fine.” The thought of facing Ava still unnerved me. “Doesn't change that I need to see them.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCO3W8EEF5
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcwAvUOFa5
“Why the long face? You think your sister won’t welcome you because you had a fight with her?” she asks178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJSMP4kkJS
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“It’s---complicated. Right now, she hates me more than I hate the sword” I say178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSIpBKloLC
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtyHoVshXG
Gloria does not enquire further. But after a moment of quite walking she speaks178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDQEiyIle5
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxZQE31MYx
“Why not become an adventurer just like me? I have never asked anyone this because no one is worthy around here, but maybe we can become friends?” she says as she spins and walks backward while she face me178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDRpUFkNWM
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“Friends?” I continue after reconsidering. “Hard pass.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjboZZzfmM
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqplvZCq6E
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Gloria, who was excited earlier with her hand raised in joy had suddenly stopped. Her joy was put to an abrupt halt. I stop too.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyWbQ3lFVZ
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5CCMweGoV
She must be struck hard, but I cannot be friends with my contractor’s daughter. I don’t want anyone else to be hurt because of me.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7jbXqFGoU
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuvhiRXGgW
But, Then I hear a few sniffs. My heart sinks.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcS3NL3hK62
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBj7w66YuOX
Giggles after sniffs “I was just joking? Why would anyone want to be friends out of the blue with someone who attacked them.” She says178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorQkkdqjuc
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Aga8v3OYC
“Your father taught you well, arrogance is downfall of the weak who think they are strong..” I says with a small smile as I rub my beard.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQNRRkWg2H
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“So, do you think I can become an Adventurer?” I ask trying to divert from the sobby mood.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzJiRJbTWS
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“oh, They don’t let mutants into the guild, but I can vouch for you if you want. The local adventurer guild can only promote you till the Elder Silver Hand rank. But after that you will need to go to one of the capitals.” She says178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtZLThwC6O
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLnTgca2Co
“Can I ask for your help? Or did I hurt your feelings and you won’t help me?” I ask178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHAEmhYfEG
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“I am not some fool who dwell on emotions for too long, and you are our guest, so I will help you. We are almost there anyways and Since there is still time until the food stalls open up, we should go there” She says
“Won’t the guild be closed as well?” I ask178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijxH2Ukbum
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFNasIdGOX
“No, it opens up early, since adventurers start coming here.” She says as we walk through the town.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanvnWhSGSY
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“You will need to fight a monster or instructor to get a rank, which should be breeze for you. But I suggest you take off your artifact when you measure your mana.” gloria says178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2LvmFeBqz
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“Take off? Oh didn’t Warzheil tell you? I cannot take off my artifact. It is bound to me with Curse of Binding.” I say178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZkV5uNqxw
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“Curse of Binding? But that’s a curse lost during time of the Elder Gods. Just how old is that artifact? And how did you even get your hands on it?” She asks with a gasp178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlW6pcYGVEv
“Well, Geolard had it.” I say178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9juYEvZjm
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“Oh, that makes sense.” She says with an analytical nod178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4elmgMBOQG
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Soon, we arrive near a big, exotic looking building, magical almost.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD27UFB6Liz
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The doors are open and a Cat woman is mopping the front of the guild.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuurhUjEmc
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“Nya-? Miss Gloria? What brings the Flame Queen so early to the guild?” she asks178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaakef01jpT
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“Good morning Canthrine, This is a guest of our house. And he wants to register as an adventurer.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGQSzCnf3g
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I join my hand as a greeting which confuses them.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJOqkNgUgj
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“This is the way of greeting in my homeland” I say178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiAKbGhTQi
“Oh, you gi~yot me nyanfused for a second there. Hahahaha. Go in, Sinfia should be on the reception.” she says with a welcoming gesture.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6R8PANW99t
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“Hmm… strange man, I couldn’t feel my mana near him.” Canthrine dwells on the thought for a few moments before getting back to her chore.
Gloria nods as we walk into the Adventurer’s Guild. Polished hardwood floors gleamed under soft, magical light emanating from runes carved into the ceiling beams. A long counter dominated one wall, several empty stools before it, while comfortable-looking leather chairs were arranged near a large, unlit hearth on the other side. Quiet, for now.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTI6kF16jz
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A half Dragon half Human girl sat on the center counter.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7KdzycwBJ
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As far as my knowledge go, they are called dragonewt.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAX3VpzxR9G
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There are 5 counter openings and she is on the center.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIGsTA2DJs
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She Seems busy with some paper work, and doesn’t notice us.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58sU2ZvLxi
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“Hey Sinfia!” Gloria says waving her hand.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7FQPPorRZ
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“Oh, If it isn’t Sister Gloria.” The girl says178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIPoY9aTQw
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“Kid, Where is the receptionist?” I ask, teasing her178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaisxrkBS70
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“Wha-?, Excuse me, I am THE receptionist and I am 19, a full fledged adult. And I will soon be posted to a capital city too. Sister, Who is this rude per…..son?!” her voice drifts from annoyed to shocked when she notices my hand.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECoSlpieHX
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Seeing her stare at my hand, I and realize that my hand really makes things complex for me.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVhNMqmA7U
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“You mean This? Standard issue. Made For certain specialized… professions.” I say178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0WNAb0w2n
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“A gauntlet?” she asks suspiciously178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZr7GuTcwm
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“You don’t need to hide it when I am with you Ronin, I will fill her in later.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIf1p5Axzs
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“If you say so Big sister. But what brings the Flame Queen here today?” Sinfia says, letting her guard down slightest.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNUFum50Dz
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“I am here to vouch for this man, Says he wants to be an adventurer.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8US2Q7vtT
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“Him? I don’t see much in him though. His left eye is patched by a cloth, his left hand looks like a gauntlet out of the demon treasury.” She says with a bored expression178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFIoejRykp
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“Fia, If one of your adventurer becomes above Vanquisher Rank, you would finally get a job in one of the main branch, Right?” Gloria says, gesturing at me.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4UdeYSIMr
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“So you are telling me this guy here is that capable? Even if it’s you, I need some proof to accept your vouch.” She says178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5f6PcxUuBD
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“A proof? I don’t think we have….” Gloria says but I know exactly what to do.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATpd12IyVy
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So I interrupt her as I step forward and put my index finger on the desk. “Listen kiddo, you saw the flash of light in the sky a few nights ago right?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUCJo7kb5Y
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“I am not a kid!” she recoils178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBja2Bv8N1w
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“Tell me that, When you learn to control your temper. For now answer the question.” I say which annoys her but she answers178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH42DNHMNJ0
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“Yeah, what if I saw it? The Heroes must have defeated the demon lord.” She says178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGyWfTOIhr
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“Heroes didn’t kill that monster.” I lean forward slightly. “I did.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCEoXHxK03
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At first Sinfia covers her mouth and then starts laughing wildly almost falling off her chair.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGSNyizTA9
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But Shortly after, I hear another giggle. I look up, slightly backing away from the counter, and see a powerfully built woman perched atop a counter. Muscle corded her arms and shoulders, compact and dense beneath practical white clothes and a half-leather jacket, but she moved with a surprising grace when she later jumped down. Not just brute strength, but honed power.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5hPeE5l9q
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“Guild Master Kainia, You returned from Holy Kingdom?” Gloria asks.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMZXuj6yIL
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“Hello, Gloria. Thanks for taking care of our town in my absence.” She says as she jumps down from the top near Gloria.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjyIipTOVw
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Walking up to me she realizes something is wrong with her mana, her expression gives her away.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQGBr99zsK
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Kainia’s eyes narrow on me. “No mana In or around you… An artifact?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sXqMsGIsF
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“As expected of the boss of the place. You know your stuff.” I say178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTyaZVLczY
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The guild master’s expression changes, now she feels like someone who is worth talking to.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpKHBP2Eaq
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“Kid, going around, telling other that you have precious commodity doesn’t raise fame, it raise chances of death.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIASLzqkSzX
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But Her bossy attitude won’t work on me, putting bossy people in their place has been a big part of my history.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMd3uVifKy
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“I am confident I won’t meet someone who can take it from me, I know just fine how to go against odds.” I say178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXh6SlUJPA0
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Kainia nods slowly, her sharp eyes assessing me. "So it is true." She lets out a short, barking laugh, devoid of humor. "I like you already kid."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1Y5fkrsYb
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Kainia leans a hand on the counter, her expression turning serious. "And to think such a youngling is the 'Demon Traitor'. You're already a hot topic in the Holy Kingdom, you know?"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrI4CQvLjTQ
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“Me?” I ask178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49muYCOzxD
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"Yeah, you," Kainia confirms, seemingly enjoying the dramatic effect. "The Holy Kingdom realized you killed the Demon Lord – their prophet, the one who talks to gods, apparently saw the whole thing."
Sinfia gasps, her earlier mockery vanishing, replaced by wide-eyed shock as she glances nervously between me and the Guild Master. She had heard my claim.
"They're saying," Kainia continues, ticking points off on her fingers, "that a 'half-demon' betrayed the demon race..."
Half-demon? Where did they get that? I think, catching Gloria giving me a quick, questioning look.
"...held his own against the Light Borne Hero..."
Gloria's eyes widen “So Oldzheil wasn’t lying?” she asks178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGzGagAwUz
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“You still had your doubts, huh?” I ask with a sigh
"...and then killed the Demon Lord," Kainia finishes, driving the point home.
Sinfia looks faint, clutching the counter for support, finally grasping the reality behind my earlier statement. Gloria lets out a slow breath, seemingly confirming this part to herself while the other details swirl.
Kainia smirks slightly. "Made you a wanted criminal and a legend overnight." She pauses, letting the weight of her words settle in the now silent reception area. "Point is, they’ve put out a request to every guild, mine included. Compulsory quest: report any information on your whereabouts."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xduDv1QSO
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“W-w-wait, tell me you aren’t joking boss!” Sinfia says178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiEpN7TXsg
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“Not at all, Sinfia, you should apologies this man before he eats you.” She says teasingly to Sinfia, which works.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaT4y1H1Fb
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Sinfia is about to get up but I gesture her to sit down and relax.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHx1SfjoVX
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“Ok, first of all, I may look like this, but I am not a Demon. I am human by heart.” I pause “I am here to apply as an adventurer, so, are you going to let me take a test or should I leave? Because I have other things to do.” I get straight to the point.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIduHUlkST
“Hold your horses now, there is no way we can make a demon into an adventurer, but I will make it a special case for you. I have ears around the town you know. Since you are a guest who saved our elder Warzheil, I will be delighted to help you create a fake card.” She suggests178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbX9nagDPJN
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“I see a fake card….” I dwell on it for a moment178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBigIYnhuha
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“I can register you as a human adventurer with a prostitute hand or something. As for the test, I need you to bring some big hunt with you while you are here. I am sure you don’t want people hunting you know where you are because that’s what will happen if I told the main branches of adventurer guild about you.” She says178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGC0551Vd8q
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“I think that’s a good plan, so I just need to register as a newbie, hunt some beasts, and rise through the ranks?” I ask178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZK28g12Ap
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“Bingo. It seems like our Gloria found a smart boyfriend for herself, I was starting to think she would be alone all her life.” The guild master huffs teasing Gloria.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgobNvqEMiG
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“B-b-boyfriend? We aren’t like that! How can I- with him.” She starts to stammer.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeqLg65rSQ
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“She is teasing you, snap out of it.” I say in a commanding voice178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvt99j9usp
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“so? What did you decide?” Kainia asks178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvPrqA8Xvf
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“Your proposition is not bad, ok let’s go with that.” I say178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11LXt4J077
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“I will get register you on Steel Sentinel rank which is the 8th rank out of 10, hunt a good beast and I will raise your rank.” She says handing me over a small tempered Blue-Steel wristband that fails to attach to my wrist, so I try to bend it to fit my wrist.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhKSz34hy3
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“Killing the demon lord has it’s benefits It seems. Thank you. Although it doesn’t fit my hand.” I say trying to fix the band, Gloria turn to leave, I follow her as I fix the band, but Kainia stops us as we near the gate.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCiJKMF6qG
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“Take this advice to heart. Do not use your powers, items or artifacts openly. Kingdoms rage Wars over such precious commodities. They will try anything to strip you off your things if you are not under a kingdom.” She says178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hPsZPyvLs
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“Why tell me this?” I ask178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaK9B2tCsZq
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“Your ancestors must have worked hard as adventurers to obtain such precious artifact. I can respect that.” She says178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAzx3y0baz
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Well, It’s good that she doesn’t know that it’s not an artifact. She is a good person.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YR8QE0N0E
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We step into the pre-dawn twilight. Just as our eyes adjust, a party of five adventurers approaches the entrance, moving with the synchronized efficiency of a veteran team, their boots crunching softly on the street. Their gear, though travel-worn, is high quality; the leader, encased in gleaming golden plate armor, wears the unmistakable Obsidian Black wristband of a Reaver. The bulky warrior beside him sports the Burnished Bronze of a Vanquisher. Slightly ahead of them, hurrying towards the door while glancing back, is a man in flamboyant silks carrying a lute.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1G0nDgQIDl
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Preoccupied in adjusting my band to my wrist, I don't sidestep quite fast enough as the bard reaches the threshold. Our shoulders collide. He yelps as the waterskin he was lifting flies from his grasp, splashing dark liquid down his colorful tunic.
"Seven bloody hells!" Valerius—the bard—exclaims, stumbling back and staring aghast at the spreading stain with theatrical horror. "My Aquarian silk! Utterly ruined! Have you no eyes, man?!" Real irritation underlies his dramatic tone.
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"Easy, Valerius," the Vanquisher rumbles, planting his heavy frame squarely in the doorway, blocking our path. His Bronze band is prominent as his hand rests near his axe hilt. He looks me up and down, gaze lingering contemptuously on my blue-steel band. "Watch yourself when approaching your betters, Sentinel. Some 'accidents' have steep prices."
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Gloria Step forward, he hair flaring with amber particles.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNozC5KqG5n
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Gloria draws herself up beside me, her posture unwavering, her hand near her Polished Silver band. "He was rushing blindly toward an occupied exit. Perhaps even those," she adds coolly, pointedly glancing at the leader's Obsidian Black band, "self proclaimed ‘betters’ should mind their own path."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwRt300Y2Y
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The leader in gold armor remains silent, visor fixed forward, assessing. Behind him, the veiled mage and the shadow figure watch impassively.
Valerius recovers, striking a pose despite his damp tunic. "A tragedy! Such artistry warrants recompense! Perhaps," his eyes flick to Gloria's rank and bearing, "the lady understands? A private performance, maybe?"
I step slightly forward, drawing the focus. "It was unintentional," I state raising my left hand a little suggesting a gesture of de-escalation, my gaze fixed past the others onto the impassive golden helm of the Reaver leader.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZjzH5RApV
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My stance is relaxed, although the Vanquisher seems to be raring for a fight.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1vuS33Fpd
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The Vanquisher bristles. "That all? It seem we need to teach you how to respect elders. You think that Silver Hand protects—"
"Rank means less out here," I cut him off, I say flatly, going out of my way to avoid an unnecessary fight, addressing only the leader. "Rank doesn't grant you the whole doorway. Travel costs coin. And Don't mistake the colour of a man's wristband for the threat he might be hiding just because he works the fields."
The challenge hangs, palpable. The Vanquisher glares, momentarily silenced. Valerius raises an intrigued eyebrow. The leader remains still, but I sense his focus sharpen behind the visor. The veiled mage shifts, lifting a hand subtly.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5TosatnkG
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“A small lesson for one so young as you.” She says in a whispering voice.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKlT3lRigd
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A faint thrum vibrates the air as mana gathers around her fingertips, Condensing into a sharp water stream aimed my way. It touches the field around me – less than a breath against my senses – and then its form destabilises, falling at my feet, wetting them. A silent crack like static discharge, and the nascent spell vanishes utterly, leaving no trace near my inert Blue-Steel band.
The mage gasps audibly, physically recoiling, her entire frame rigid beneath her veil.
Every member of the Reaver party reacts instantly. The Vanquisher stares, his jaw slackening in disbelief. Valerius pales, eyes wide. The shadow figure becomes a knot of pure tension. The Reaver leader's helmet snaps fully toward me, his stillness radiating sudden, intense scrutiny. An Iron Guard nullifying magic? Impossible.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2loNWJaN42
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“Now I am wet too, that makes us Equal.” I say
The Reaver holds the stunned silence for a long, calculating moment, clearly recalibrating the threat assessment. When he finally speaks, his voice is dangerously smooth, stripped bare of any condescension. "Enough. Hedvard" The command is clipped, directed at the Vanquisher, but his unseen eyes bore into me. "Inside. Now."
He starts to turn but pauses deliberately beside me, his presence radiating controlled power. His voice drops, a low murmur meant only for me, sharp as obsidian shards. "Don’t think I didn’t notice your artifact, Sentinel." The leader says with a voice dripping with venom. "Artifacts attract attention. The wrong kind. And that behavior of your will be your gravedigger." He holds my gaze through the visor slit, a silent promise of future scrutiny. "Remember that."
Without awaiting acknowledgment, he brushes past me and disappears through the open doorway into the quiet shadows of the guild hall. The bulky warrior gives me a final, hateful glare before lumbering inside. Valerius, looking thoroughly unnerved, scurries after them, followed swiftly by the still-shaken mage and the silent shadow, their figures quickly swallowed by the hall's depths.
The immediate threat recedes, but the tension lingers heavily in the air, the silence from the empty guild hall behind us somehow amplifying it. Gloria lets out a slow, shaky breath beside me.
"Well," she murmurs, looking from the empty doorway back to me, her expression troubled. "That was… more than I expected. I have a very bad feeling we'll be seeing that Obsidian band again."
I stare into the guild hall's depths where they vanished, the leader's parting words echoing. "No," I agree quietly, a cold certainty settling within me. "I have a feeling this isn’t the last we will see of them." I turn away from the guild entrance. "Let's go I am Hungry."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIa8x1GwA7z
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And we walk into the streets looking for cuisine that would satiate my hunger.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7kmtmwGw1
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It's an old stubborn habit of mine to observe surrounding to almost minute details even when relaxed. I always feel insecure if I don’t, so I do what I am best at.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡife5z5Ewwa
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passers talking about Jortheus’s death, omens, wars and demon attacks on various kingdoms, Species trafficking etc. but there is one interesting think I noticed to be odd.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWqc21Jcd6
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There were birds chirping in the trees unlike in the Kobe forest, who suddenly went quite. I look around, scanning the trees, but my right eye can see only so much, so I force my left eye open under the bandage while it’s still on it.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboXFyF2tim
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I see outlines of beings, as if using some sort of sensor to outline things, even if it makes me nauseous, its handy in these situations and surely I see many figures in the trees watching me.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGsvqITDFb
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2 have pointy ears, elves, 1 has ears and a tail, a beastman?, another have a bow and its hiding under a hood, they all have a very thin line of colorful outline unlike gloria whose is overflowing, which means they are suppressing their power, but the hooded person doesn’t have any outline maybe I can try to peek…..I try to focus my left eye on the person, but it sends a dizzying pain in my head, maybe I shouldn’t force my strange powers, I don’t know enough about them.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALTAf62SWE
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They aren’t too bad, but they are unlucky I am the best at the game they are playing. I smirk at them to put them off their game.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLss1gwyyX
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anyone would see me as crazed guy if they saw me smirking to thin air but I am certain I saw them flinch. I can even hear bits of murmur if I concentrate my enhanced hearing, but its no use.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnc1E054NB
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I notice them using sign language and then using magic to disappear like they were never there.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRfdIw91PZ
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“Hey! What you gawking at up there? The stall is very close, come on I am hungry too, it’s Oldzheil favorite too.” Gloria shouts from a distance which snaps me from the Simulator phase of my thoughts.
For now, let’s see what happens.
Dear Reader, be kind enough to leave a comment in the chapter about it, as it inspires me to keep improving and doing better. And like if you enjoyed this chapter.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMj7gRWtqcL
It hardly takes a few seconds to write "Good", but it boosts the confidence of us authors.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq47BtHIu0H
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Join my Discord server If you want sneak peeks or early access to chapters of Cosmeta series. Discord Server link: http://discord.gg/Q27uA8vnfu178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPwpS4JD6W
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