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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMTgnlMGOh
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvibDSP0akU
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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtee7QcNiS
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbElgVoLKLN
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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpvHEw1CsR
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnpMCKCwt6
I can hear the whistling sound. And now that I am awake, might as well take a stroll.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVOn2bgyTq
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa126GrHWsQ
But before that I tie a cloth around my left eye which is making me feel dizzy, this place is filled with energies.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiOHtzCLDa
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzyCa7rVw8
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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKX3y18C9F
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZhUMlj112
Although it pains my chest, I power through it56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHDWpA9P6L
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2pXMG7hgA
“Cool..., lets go.” I say to myself optimistically.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7n4vPYGWhW
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RxnFgXHy9
But if someone saw me walking around I am sure they would avoid me.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSt8bKnUhen
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGFiZExk3d
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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhdeVoSZEv
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyE0cJypXL
I am sure the whistling sound must be coming from here. But there is no one here?56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnCOcwa9aS
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6yyfAWPTa
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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxXtfJST4k
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKZ2fLsAnQ
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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Sdb0dJqfz
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeH1X8Pq5I3
It works for me but seems like it didn’t quite work for her.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Lz3PyUE3i
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiUgEwOB7z
Gold particles disappearing in the air signified her failed attempt to use her powers.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ228WC60LIW
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTciMHr4RYE
I catch her shoulders. Frail looking like any woman’s, But she sure is strong, and It felt like I am holding ambers.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqE0btgJ7b8
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlt83mXM3V9
A hissing sound starts to come from my hands.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStl1CUAoNu
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UABjX05w8
“Get your hands off me!” she says as she tries to force my hands away.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTBdMOTT8G
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7cL3KQ4C1
“You should be in bed. I nearly killed you.” she says56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0a7Disj7l
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57p7li6xmF
“Don’t flatter yourself, and do you attack people out of the blue if they approach you?” I ask in a serious tone56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNiV86n4s3
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3TejBnkBl
“Excellent, so you CAN~ talk?!” she says forcing a hint of surprise and frustration in her voice56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfiQFE8tC9
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWkx04Bl3L
“This is my training ground. Restricted. I hate people Intruding during practice.” She says arrogantly.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHpw8sVDgt
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfQY33SCLQ
She flicks her head to slight right “I didn’t injure you did I?”56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq59x6YPvV6
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxxsClg64H
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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡji3G0ZbZWK
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ74MRZKixS
I smirk, looking around.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmmp2O7aC5
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJ6JgymoKP
“Oh, so you can smile. I though you were some serious guy.” She says56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1BdbMq9iR
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTaYTNQOcW
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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQ7CYHZWHE
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWw8gRPXUuM
“Wha—Hey! If you didn’t want to practice you could have said so! Why break it?!” she says56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VTuVEbIEH
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJhBz9yGHa
“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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn18y1Gf9m6
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdlGX0dU43
“….” Gloria flinches56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrap3rrjP2
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDakWnXFJUM
“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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduhyh8ECRM
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZREgB7LMH
“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.”56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAGl9HW18H
“You aren’t angry?” I ask56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNwhdQrLkR
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQhS7no5JV
“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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEnivz1RjO
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzEPc0rS1A
“A spar?” I considered it. Good exercise, but not worth reopening these wounds. “Maybe Another time.”56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4lWDIcVXL
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxy1u3PXzO1
“Then we have a deal?” she asks56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFyOvGkBcb
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfXTmPbsMT
“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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bEKnPKfur
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNG4C2kSUZh
“Last night, Old man said you defeated the demon lord. If you didn’t use a sword, then what did you use?” she ask56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCFm4CijDz
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XRq5JKSOi
“You want to know?” I ask, she nods immediately.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTQ0OD9l9Q
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9Merz1oyX
I point at the moon to distract her “Oh, look! A bird!” It works like it always does.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhBONxJT3k
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pTE5qVBy8
I only need moments to summon my spear using my strange powers.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX91plWODm5
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrbm957uj5
Now that it was in my hand, I remember how badly its damaged since the last battle.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7zzP98SFp
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBEtoKrrWs
“Hold on—Where did that come from?” she asks56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XvhmxRgbE
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLp2iC5vxqw
“Magic?” I offer with a shrug “Maybe, who knows?” motion56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAYqSExd6m
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFgvYkZDL2
“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 asks56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVV3RB8ucL
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBj0RvNbzk
I had a feeling she might ask this.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCwzKJARF9
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRldwCEQB9H
“Fine, It’s a lost technology. I had the staff, but in a miniature form.” I say56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsMOGIt7PA
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27LsUOqS15
“Hmm, that might explain how you defeated the demon lord.” She murmurs while clutching her chin and the part of the mask covering it.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wvSwjtsw8
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0NPhiEmvr
“What rank are you anyway?” she asks56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmfFICx27I
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwZ7Z4PA4W
“Rank?” I ask back in confusion56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qVht5m1B5
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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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3V15rnJ78
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAt95XXMAu8
“Adventurer, huh? I am not one, I am a Hitman.” I say56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ABlXnCaCc
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIP64UpO7S
“Oldzheil did mention that before. What does that even mean? Is that some kind of title?” she asks56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7xCEF6wRT
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBZGfkkS8t
my stomach lets out a deep growl as if a lion roar.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6P8Tl3uAIG
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORMeg1NMBn
“History can wait for later. But Food? My friend here suggests we Eat.” I say rubbing my stomach under the shirt.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRqsxtzNtb
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrtxTvS8Mg
“Now that you mention it, I am hungry too. But…” she hesitates56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XD5kIo30I
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6rFd2CQqd
“But I don’t think you would like what I eat.” She says.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufu049SDwY
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqaYHesp6w
“Anything that doesn’t scream first.” I pause. “Even a tree will do, if it comes down to it.”56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHunzjSMD0N
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xMzzOxx0L
She giggles “Your sense of humor sucks just like Oldzheil.”56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTNJWOxVBW
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0E6vuCWYu6
“Problem with vegetables?” I ask with a flat voice56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZtmgJdXkP
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBBilR828H
“Not at all stupid, as a matter of fact I am veg too.” she says56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uJuLRySmB
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzTpk9VgTF
“A veg like me in this world? Crazy fantasy world to be in.”56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAm5f7jrkRe
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68foCLzT6g
“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 says56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vN96M6Lqr
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08WmbeHv2g
Gloria starts walking excited, and I follow behind her, we both walk for a few minutes, quite. But then she speaks.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcuIv2UUg5
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFthpfLj6Z
“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 says56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ooQCsNl5p
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PTTXxXfnu
“Seems like the Old dwarf spilled more than I expected,” I say.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdv6MvgWhf
Maybe she's right about the age thing, though.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8ZKsyzC6u
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.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfnljEW7CN
“So—these adventurers—they are what, monster hunters?”56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6coUlJsvS2
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRl3Li9a8w
“It’s an umbrella term, but yeah it involves bandit hunting, monster hunting and many other things.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCjRcTiFit
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ361QTA6zey
“So it’s a freelancing platform for people?” I ask56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7jRx92rl7
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5z3ivTnVV
“What’s freelancing?” she asks56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPloqIWMiZ
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsEnWZFhO4
“Work on hire.” I say56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesYZFe8Prj
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPdALHqYT7
“yeah, more or less. How the hell do you don’t know about adventurer’s guild?” Gloria says, suspicion creeping in her voice.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7GELOTszF
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTj43WPVfu
“Geolard scrambled my memory before I met Warzheil. Only the important bits stuck.” I say56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYfXWZxPBy
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cHUDbspVy
“Oh, Oldman didn’t tell us about that.”56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnE91Z5TAFe
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4EiFr81kN
“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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAaXyv1MY1
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QWyxaRDlM
”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?”56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQbGiMjet6
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQqTxtADrl
“It’s that bad? Maybe I should take those classes Sil was telling me to.”56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZY22rJ4c5
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk68mKHaLQW
“One’s presence can be powerful when used with knowledge and precision.” I say.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDmrwRNmhL
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFTrMJ8UJa
“You should become a Sage.” She laughs56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKLqhfVhCs
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7FBpeZw6B
“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 asks56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUblUT3vuq
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6F0P0FKBJd
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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VNfnDuJVl
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfI72DEl2SD
“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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOie6FKGBe
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKMrUKaYmB
“You mean Ava ‘The Light Borne Hero’, right?” she catches me off-guard by mentioning Ava.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipZQFw8FTb
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKX60GTHUqP
“Oldzheil told us about her too.” She says56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXbTMTdb0R
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9y0kZ11FWF
I sneer “That Oldman…...” tightening my fist56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCMWP4W4Wj
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutUzXagpSw
“Hehehe, Don’t hold it against him, Grandma Sil has a special spell that forces other to speak more than they intend.” She explains56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBCIBggWAG
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXL14ZIjDO
“Fine.” The thought of facing Ava still unnerved me. “Doesn't change that I need to see them.”56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0HaYZEuEZ
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjzeJaLEvG
“Why the long face? You think your sister won’t welcome you because you had a fight with her?” she asks56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZf05ZrTSS
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHgSacMzQO
“It’s---complicated. Right now, she hates me more than I hate the sword” I say56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmhmXEBA4a
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbLSvdeoLK
Gloria does not enquire further. But after a moment of quite walking she speaks56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwZcNZrJv7
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAwee1Hz7B
“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 me56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPr1gjpdRD
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zxzu6CiR0
“Friends?” I continue after reconsidering. “Hard pass.”56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjo0ukKklaz
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1pIcjoj1L
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleQZpmYPfi
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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51tYdEh8j3
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7HbyvCKXE
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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRuOqKMe85
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnH9Qj1ibVC
But, Then I hear a few sniffs. My heart sinks.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MIB5K4nB4
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyxGtRKuHz
Giggles after sniffs “I was just joking? Why would anyone want to be friends out of the blue with someone who attacked them.” She says56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoHYyfk8vH
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRb9XMKRNx9
“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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYJzKga47Q
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPpxzW92E1
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCiOFwqyXO
“So, do you think I can become an Adventurer?” I ask trying to divert from the sobby mood.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYS6FX5Eob
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRD3NAfX4as
“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 says56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTWLJDaDm4
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5lnOwjjUu
“Can I ask for your help? Or did I hurt your feelings and you won’t help me?” I ask56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtttabE3tEO
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1fdZG1skO
“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 ask56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLFmLMnNBY
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCASGiXjlj
“No, it opens up early, since adventurers start coming here.” She says as we walk through the town.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvqAO0pLos
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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 says56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ465cm1OSpu
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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 say56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAqKDLnC8W
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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 gasp56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzhn4H0hCa
“Well, Geolard had it.” I say56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BV3CgW3yj
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“Oh, that makes sense.” She says with an analytical nod56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJYMzVClXr
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Soon, we arrive near a big, exotic looking building, magical almost.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4hdSXNyYn
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The doors are open and a Cat woman is mopping the front of the guild.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJP8eaqLxtl
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“Nya-? Miss Gloria? What brings the Flame Queen so early to the guild?” she asks56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIQtD0Omn9
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“Good morning Canthrine, This is a guest of our house. And he wants to register as an adventurer.”56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDT0FxOHtxe
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I join my hand as a greeting which confuses them.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7k5564ri3M
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“This is the way of greeting in my homeland” I say56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgdoTuN3nZ
“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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHea8cTS0Lk
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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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWADdeVz89p
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A half Dragon half Human girl sat on the center counter.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4HlIWYIuo
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As far as my knowledge go, they are called dragonewt.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8cwtDb8xv
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There are 5 counter openings and she is on the center.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VAStiW850
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She Seems busy with some paper work, and doesn’t notice us.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLT6i3TAxua
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“Hey Sinfia!” Gloria says waving her hand.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaozs21iNB
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“Oh, If it isn’t Sister Gloria.” The girl says56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTREmKI0Ge
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“Kid, Where is the receptionist?” I ask, teasing her56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCm73vaud97
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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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC76GBzdRAL
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Seeing her stare at my hand, I and realize that my hand really makes things complex for me.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjiGn6N6QZ
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“You mean This? Standard issue. Made For certain specialized… professions.” I say56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPD6FarFxM
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“A gauntlet?” she asks suspiciously56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQ0jTaUiJT
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“You don’t need to hide it when I am with you Ronin, I will fill her in later.”56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SDPQgOM8x
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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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcVBofnf3m
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“I am here to vouch for this man, Says he wants to be an adventurer.”56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYXXKDqDj5
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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 expression56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXmIqEftng
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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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHm3eMSaQVi
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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 says56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9a4aXJ9YuP
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“A proof? I don’t think we have….” Gloria says but I know exactly what to do.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOtfA5FMyr
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMCGou9zLE
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?”56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wnLl3WrGT
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“I am not a kid!” she recoils56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTGNe8c8FA
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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 answers56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7diOsl7ibW
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“Yeah, what if I saw it? The Heroes must have defeated the demon lord.” She says56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7Yk5piF8W
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“Heroes didn’t kill that monster.” I lean forward slightly. “I did.”56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8O2MY1vNf9
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At first Sinfia covers her mouth and then starts laughing wildly almost falling off her chair.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuRqIUzjcu
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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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbGDo9pcSR
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“Guild Master Kainia, You returned from Holy Kingdom?” Gloria asks.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBmT1uQixH
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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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBD6jIlstB
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Walking up to me she realizes something is wrong with her mana, her expression gives her away.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhdZ7s06Kj
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Kainia’s eyes narrow on me. “No mana In or around you… An artifact?”56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6Dw8CbgB1
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“As expected of the boss of the place. You know your stuff.” I say56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLeYznErdw
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The guild master’s expression changes, now she feels like someone who is worth talking to.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWRu5qzFr8
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“Kid, going around, telling other that you have precious commodity doesn’t raise fame, it raise chances of death.”56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRF8X1qmFaL
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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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrGJgDfr2i
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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 say56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5HSKUAIll
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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."56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgE0pGVwaE
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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?"56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNQci0RQ3g
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“Me?” I ask56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57FEVJexX7
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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 asks56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMWaXQRUSp
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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."56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyorUv2D5Bt
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“W-w-wait, tell me you aren’t joking boss!” Sinfia says56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyAi3KoBX8
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“Not at all, Sinfia, you should apologies this man before he eats you.” She says teasingly to Sinfia, which works.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNYcVQ2bxx
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Sinfia is about to get up but I gesture her to sit down and relax.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0jP8SYQsd
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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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcesCYSO6k1
“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 suggests56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsxHdZFOUn
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“I see a fake card….” I dwell on it for a moment56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnqr0ka99m
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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 says56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlMbzpdTXI
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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 ask56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9glkDVMtc
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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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBupNYXYsc
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“B-b-boyfriend? We aren’t like that! How can I- with him.” She starts to stammer.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuW20cs9RPJ
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“She is teasing you, snap out of it.” I say in a commanding voice56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5C4wDOPuW
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“so? What did you decide?” Kainia asks56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNhwMshAQK
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“Your proposition is not bad, ok let’s go with that.” I say56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznSvfxOhGP
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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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobRbKpYLcB
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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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1PW57kEwW
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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 says56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLRGNsc04F
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“Why tell me this?” I ask56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHVuUT4RUA
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“Your ancestors must have worked hard as adventurers to obtain such precious artifact. I can respect that.” She says56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaimuYGhhQ1
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Well, It’s good that she doesn’t know that it’s not an artifact. She is a good person.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAzUrBCpXX
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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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWC57nXVGh
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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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8J6lCfEJg
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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."56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhM1b261tD
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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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPL7cRfLTR
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My stance is relaxed, although the Vanquisher seems to be raring for a fight.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XWWJ6jX0L
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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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqErtBFpn8X
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“A small lesson for one so young as you.” She says in a whispering voice.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zjIm6A0Rx
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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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpnhhE8D0v
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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."56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwINJrv1RqC
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And we walk into the streets looking for cuisine that would satiate my hunger.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPI0zwidO6
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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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZTBAV87XA
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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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaSEYFdVmP
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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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPfER4AdUY
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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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgUuxJR6PN
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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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6HceugjxH
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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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ877URhn7f
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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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOThH4oORI
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I notice them using sign language and then using magic to disappear like they were never there.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iEZSo9c0O
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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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnngywpN9Q
It hardly takes a few seconds to write "Good", but it boosts the confidence of us authors.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRMIol9hIs
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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/Q27uA8vnfu56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURlOTtAKjU
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