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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gUiZRHk9A
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCbdw9xQPv
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KeUenvBxF
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I can hear the whistling sound. And now that I am awake, might as well take a stroll.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPA4BqywKH7
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KjJvNBdYZ
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiOkPLTWAe
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Although it pains my chest, I power through it182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnnlG1TIR7
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“Cool..., lets go.” I say to myself optimistically.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1vJIwLZQl
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But if someone saw me walking around I am sure they would avoid me.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhIwM3Io6I
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGTqYoukW3
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQU4U2VqvJe
I am sure the whistling sound must be coming from here. But there is no one here?182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XQOW5ehHc
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73JkMOGGQU
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCekWJer3n
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHf93PHqKg
It works for me but seems like it didn’t quite work for her.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcieRt9QV9e
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8gNrQJUBs
Gold particles disappearing in the air signified her failed attempt to use her powers.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu38u4zrOA3
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I catch her shoulders. Frail looking like any woman’s, But she sure is strong, and It felt like I am holding ambers.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdoGaSmXH4
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A hissing sound starts to come from my hands.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVc0nuLc8r
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“Get your hands off me!” she says as she tries to force my hands away.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MWEQz547S
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“You should be in bed. I nearly killed you.” she says182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NVEOGTTMZ
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gRwMNa0gg
“Don’t flatter yourself, and do you attack people out of the blue if they approach you?” I ask in a serious tone182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTbRTc6Vtv
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“Excellent, so you CAN~ talk?!” she says forcing a hint of surprise and frustration in her voice182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpu4uc7viB9
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“This is my training ground. Restricted. I hate people Intruding during practice.” She says arrogantly.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qbm9KGF5g
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She flicks her head to slight right “I didn’t injure you did I?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcwbmQNA9O
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdVebHaB1v
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I smirk, looking around.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCmK8MpzV3
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“Oh, so you can smile. I though you were some serious guy.” She says182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHbvZGLPyO
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjcfZmIQfU
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8g2iGC50p7
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cnoWDIUdF
“Wha—Hey! If you didn’t want to practice you could have said so! Why break it?!” she says182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTcWHStTek
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“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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbgj6m4q08
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“….” Gloria flinches182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqWO47FyVc
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiuFDt0jKE
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“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.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxc7u05gEe3
“You aren’t angry?” I ask182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4c84L4cnKa
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“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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfJnJYrx7U
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuelom4rWr
“A spar?” I considered it. Good exercise, but not worth reopening these wounds. “Maybe Another time.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPE87g1JIf
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“Then we have a deal?” she asks182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1pyzeSYqe
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9Keuv4voM
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“Last night, Old man said you defeated the demon lord. If you didn’t use a sword, then what did you use?” she ask182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jGcP6UOw7
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“You want to know?” I ask, she nods immediately.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLo7cQ46vhJ
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I point at the moon to distract her “Oh, look! A bird!” It works like it always does.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5rARzKQeG
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I only need moments to summon my spear using my strange powers.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QaaBZG8AK
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Now that it was in my hand, I remember how badly its damaged since the last battle.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWYtktpapI
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“Hold on—Where did that come from?” she asks182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9OFBX0y7E
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“Magic?” I offer with a shrug “Maybe, who knows?” motion182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxND6NER2Wa
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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 asks182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQEgZ2Hkyd
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I had a feeling she might ask this.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgE8SGt7HNu
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“Fine, It’s a lost technology. I had the staff, but in a miniature form.” I say182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBDKfGEUli
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“Hmm, that might explain how you defeated the demon lord.” She murmurs while clutching her chin and the part of the mask covering it.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKg8No5In5S
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“What rank are you anyway?” she asks182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWtTPHptE6
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“Rank?” I ask back in confusion182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZumRPkcSu6
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3HzWbSJas
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“Adventurer, huh? I am not one, I am a Hitman.” I say182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YuoEXf9qU
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzdMsLAyZ6
“Oldzheil did mention that before. What does that even mean? Is that some kind of title?” she asks182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNCsWSEZ0w
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my stomach lets out a deep growl as if a lion roar.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2WYYoh2CJ
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOH8St1P8Me
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“Now that you mention it, I am hungry too. But…” she hesitates182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiRI1C158c
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“But I don’t think you would like what I eat.” She says.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UPUP7UGVT
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“Anything that doesn’t scream first.” I pause. “Even a tree will do, if it comes down to it.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivyWthqCoL
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She giggles “Your sense of humor sucks just like Oldzheil.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUByxJo6aDi
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“Problem with vegetables?” I ask with a flat voice182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkv27xsWaNP
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“Not at all stupid, as a matter of fact I am veg too.” she says182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvH0m2TrlsD
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“A veg like me in this world? Crazy fantasy world to be in.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5MeXfvt82
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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 says182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo09gjrV2jF
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Gloria starts walking excited, and I follow behind her, we both walk for a few minutes, quite. But then she speaks.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDuLBfscdw
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgdDvsbd4u
“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 says182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdMNsqQN0Y
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“Seems like the Old dwarf spilled more than I expected,” I say.
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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?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGkezfX2Qc
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“It’s an umbrella term, but yeah it involves bandit hunting, monster hunting and many other things.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCpZFfALF1
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“So it’s a freelancing platform for people?” I ask182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKPL3cmRg4
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“What’s freelancing?” she asks182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCrY3mdatX
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“Work on hire.” I say182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ774qH6oMDZ
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eutJ1gaes
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“Geolard scrambled my memory before I met Warzheil. Only the important bits stuck.” I say182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAH1YhZcPxA
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8C81C4ktH9
“Oh, Oldman didn’t tell us about that.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EwZo1Q4gR
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fYFMI9NiN
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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?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOSQwiOh8A
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“It’s that bad? Maybe I should take those classes Sil was telling me to.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJLaBA5V9F
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“One’s presence can be powerful when used with knowledge and precision.” I say.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDwnBx6zec
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“You should become a Sage.” She laughs182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FUeQqL5iX
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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 asks182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrrw6dFMX4
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBO0wfCIuO
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfOLrI2avG
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wnkvzNHLS
“You mean Ava ‘The Light Borne Hero’, right?” she catches me off-guard by mentioning Ava.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9R9wCLbDGU
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“Oldzheil told us about her too.” She says182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRispOzfIis
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I sneer “That Oldman…...” tightening my fist182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLi1h71RuOt
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0YqFQyUsb
“Hehehe, Don’t hold it against him, Grandma Sil has a special spell that forces other to speak more than they intend.” She explains182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1SIJGGXK9
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“Fine.” The thought of facing Ava still unnerved me. “Doesn't change that I need to see them.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWioJzqu5h
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsyuJWJTgB
“Why the long face? You think your sister won’t welcome you because you had a fight with her?” she asks182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PIJMgvKoe
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“It’s---complicated. Right now, she hates me more than I hate the sword” I say182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ryZvetdI2
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Gloria does not enquire further. But after a moment of quite walking she speaks182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5MbRuCUIg
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3slHqr0N6E
“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 me182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6UIv9P2I2
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“Friends?” I continue after reconsidering. “Hard pass.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHK1DVCY5w
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoqmvBVmxl
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1LNrZQVnK
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But, Then I hear a few sniffs. My heart sinks.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHz5EZNWZEi
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Giggles after sniffs “I was just joking? Why would anyone want to be friends out of the blue with someone who attacked them.” She says182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouUe3Zvmre
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“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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEy3q0hNehu
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“So, do you think I can become an Adventurer?” I ask trying to divert from the sobby mood.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZce52WQzJ
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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 says182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2DkWyyWnE
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“Can I ask for your help? Or did I hurt your feelings and you won’t help me?” I ask182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrwdpGVeBJ
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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 ask182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaq262MDF4L
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“No, it opens up early, since adventurers start coming here.” She says as we walk through the town.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNySmMlBMg
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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 says182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89bNQZvdgM
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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 say182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7coLAUaYcU
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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 gasp182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDbqQjUXgX
“Well, Geolard had it.” I say182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWu5RJZl0Jm
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“Oh, that makes sense.” She says with an analytical nod182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJExRADAmUo
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Soon, we arrive near a big, exotic looking building, magical almost.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0Co72Nw2R
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The doors are open and a Cat woman is mopping the front of the guild.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe36mnD3KBY
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“Nya-? Miss Gloria? What brings the Flame Queen so early to the guild?” she asks182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxwU8OQp49
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“Good morning Canthrine, This is a guest of our house. And he wants to register as an adventurer.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmnkXub0ic
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I join my hand as a greeting which confuses them.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg66WSdDrCa
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“This is the way of greeting in my homeland” I say182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGClFpVsUfB
“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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWfQinWEGU
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfeCbINHtl
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A half Dragon half Human girl sat on the center counter.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVUF2ByngV
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As far as my knowledge go, they are called dragonewt.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLZZ77WPSK
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There are 5 counter openings and she is on the center.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74GNP7Ogaq
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She Seems busy with some paper work, and doesn’t notice us.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNPrsdqk0O
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“Hey Sinfia!” Gloria says waving her hand.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQpJC8b8cn
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“Oh, If it isn’t Sister Gloria.” The girl says182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHONOOdKPT
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“Kid, Where is the receptionist?” I ask, teasing her182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCmh3OD4aM
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSXjHSrPAg
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Seeing her stare at my hand, I and realize that my hand really makes things complex for me.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDV59k4DhB
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“You mean This? Standard issue. Made For certain specialized… professions.” I say182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCyoTXQ7A1
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“A gauntlet?” she asks suspiciously182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTDhlHFN8g
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“You don’t need to hide it when I am with you Ronin, I will fill her in later.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsiADjvpmT
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftvAyOzH4v
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“I am here to vouch for this man, Says he wants to be an adventurer.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytRKTj9szO
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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 expression182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PDwfuBOPE
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCIvxZjCK8
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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 says182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMafsrDqQi
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“A proof? I don’t think we have….” Gloria says but I know exactly what to do.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzFsBx8L0E
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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?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4EJ84vMmA
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“I am not a kid!” she recoils182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYIM3HLlNs
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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 answers182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdHghrPccl
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“Yeah, what if I saw it? The Heroes must have defeated the demon lord.” She says182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDJKS74wA6
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“Heroes didn’t kill that monster.” I lean forward slightly. “I did.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndIRGW0Efs
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At first Sinfia covers her mouth and then starts laughing wildly almost falling off her chair.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQ9vxNpQMw
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblj3HkaUz4
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“Guild Master Kainia, You returned from Holy Kingdom?” Gloria asks.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡow7bkEspNd
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcFwcpwcgS
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Walking up to me she realizes something is wrong with her mana, her expression gives her away.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJDXoSuevm
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Kainia’s eyes narrow on me. “No mana In or around you… An artifact?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIArAf5zLIc
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“As expected of the boss of the place. You know your stuff.” I say182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopvtIGiUEp
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The guild master’s expression changes, now she feels like someone who is worth talking to.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eyZZHcT3b
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“Kid, going around, telling other that you have precious commodity doesn’t raise fame, it raise chances of death.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDVJooSXBo
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjMaNqSBln
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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 say182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukVoW0aBJi
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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."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYhDUQmL0R
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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?"182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuejGV8Zo2
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“Me?” I ask182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkA9f9CdQwO
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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 asks182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqrsCOvqRI
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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."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAIDAMdv5b
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“W-w-wait, tell me you aren’t joking boss!” Sinfia says182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspNiYCKqzR
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“Not at all, Sinfia, you should apologies this man before he eats you.” She says teasingly to Sinfia, which works.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajVRaWvojm
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Sinfia is about to get up but I gesture her to sit down and relax.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCOFurMcSW
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88W5nG8hAt
“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 suggests182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSYrHuIvIp
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“I see a fake card….” I dwell on it for a moment182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QVO0ya4CF
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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 says182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVdWzixsyH
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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 ask182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazZ3kmBNk5
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EYNKNibRH
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“B-b-boyfriend? We aren’t like that! How can I- with him.” She starts to stammer.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspuUuH715S
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“She is teasing you, snap out of it.” I say in a commanding voice182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUq0QzYcOQT
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“so? What did you decide?” Kainia asks182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzHHhrEiOL
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“Your proposition is not bad, ok let’s go with that.” I say182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPP6gjqoi4
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzJQFUMH8D
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnf3jA1QDZ
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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 says182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgr0JYVrzr
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“Why tell me this?” I ask182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHz7kgdmDAE
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“Your ancestors must have worked hard as adventurers to obtain such precious artifact. I can respect that.” She says182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyAbSBCwIO
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Well, It’s good that she doesn’t know that it’s not an artifact. She is a good person.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpNT5NAWV6
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDmyJtK7Po
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cgJ8wNBq3
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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."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdFgnfTXHv
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOgMYVRiku
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My stance is relaxed, although the Vanquisher seems to be raring for a fight.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilrg7bWqWP
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB65zmLzAaG
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“A small lesson for one so young as you.” She says in a whispering voice.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6H7wW1WUX
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2UjwgJiFY
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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."182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVA5aUZmmh
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And we walk into the streets looking for cuisine that would satiate my hunger.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRT0DcYUcm6
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wKr4ppuSC
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNj4MB9nWv
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnc8O8K2z4M
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPtOc4seK8
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInODGKNOmS
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIgRq2EWtO
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKQ3oemGmM
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I notice them using sign language and then using magic to disappear like they were never there.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxI1BzUJDn5
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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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7UsDdVYzZ
It hardly takes a few seconds to write "Good", but it boosts the confidence of us authors.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCcpCYyYzj
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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/Q27uA8vnfu182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTi14oPWwFe
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