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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7QoVxOkal
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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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZMkbdgVvD
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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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hlZmDElMi
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksvHLTe8MW
I can hear the whistling sound. And now that I am awake, might as well take a stroll.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIXIqv45CV
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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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxtzSFa8k5
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3xSzUlY0r
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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2CifvH809
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Although it pains my chest, I power through it171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlYf1qB86p
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MOzsOMsu8
“Cool..., lets go.” I say to myself optimistically.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28UYOgdtC7
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But if someone saw me walking around I am sure they would avoid me.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAFJYa77PK
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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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwoRZHTRVB
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMo8guoA4gy
I am sure the whistling sound must be coming from here. But there is no one here?171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4lGyhgGr8
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCUSDsYnOX
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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWRLui3H6d
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LggebDYl9
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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmNJzDhyFX
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUZSmFvPLN
It works for me but seems like it didn’t quite work for her.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vugU5KLlO
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6hUDVonc1
Gold particles disappearing in the air signified her failed attempt to use her powers.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdqkymIyI7
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRw8SBHWcfn
I catch her shoulders. Frail looking like any woman’s, But she sure is strong, and It felt like I am holding ambers.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKtJrxljeg
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfy49H9xQR6
A hissing sound starts to come from my hands.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcmJHSrCjc
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNReRDbyUj
“Get your hands off me!” she says as she tries to force my hands away.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwI3a16XZ1z
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mJriZZsxf
“You should be in bed. I nearly killed you.” she says171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMyPFCLT5R
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmTRZCAQB8
“Don’t flatter yourself, and do you attack people out of the blue if they approach you?” I ask in a serious tone171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eL2jdsonI
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZYXmCmE8S
“Excellent, so you CAN~ talk?!” she says forcing a hint of surprise and frustration in her voice171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrg5pczf2g
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzks6oUDGX
“This is my training ground. Restricted. I hate people Intruding during practice.” She says arrogantly.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mzpMbfa6a
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhB70P5fs7
She flicks her head to slight right “I didn’t injure you did I?”171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHeaRTEz0Y
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcH7gDhHbJc
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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwm6yUDehKC
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaa3WTs9jb
I smirk, looking around.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbX9W2Sevig
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSvODsZU3e
“Oh, so you can smile. I though you were some serious guy.” She says171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGruhsNWgnb
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡii2RSgeFCh
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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufjagDIoT2
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpkDg4G93w
“Wha—Hey! If you didn’t want to practice you could have said so! Why break it?!” she says171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEROnHNLAa9
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4gOzAhLRW
“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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5rFBCyWw1
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rVGGSLerv
“….” Gloria flinches171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusD97252me
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6e0Vgdrx62
“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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkoFIvbPb7
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Xl5B8aV4k
“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.”171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaz01tQ5sTi
“You aren’t angry?” I ask171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgncg761HmI
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHwwTotdKl
“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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOozTT7BZ4G
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4qyb3LOXv
“A spar?” I considered it. Good exercise, but not worth reopening these wounds. “Maybe Another time.”171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwTaw8hC9s
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxHaA3MPRM
“Then we have a deal?” she asks171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHGEvADpVS
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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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80YYyLlqgc
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduwL0weGtw
“Last night, Old man said you defeated the demon lord. If you didn’t use a sword, then what did you use?” she ask171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqXSB0wJwP
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhArqTXq1n
“You want to know?” I ask, she nods immediately.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AjGuafqiZ
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYv3iBycwy
I point at the moon to distract her “Oh, look! A bird!” It works like it always does.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzP78bnP0XA
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I only need moments to summon my spear using my strange powers.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEVAnZZTuA
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Now that it was in my hand, I remember how badly its damaged since the last battle.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hehJDJGLJ
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJOOwgnHDP
“Hold on—Where did that come from?” she asks171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUh0dwmw5pN
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gC2PIrAQX
“Magic?” I offer with a shrug “Maybe, who knows?” motion171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbvlr32fRJ
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODdZ0ndoQa
“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 asks171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoZqMTvEav
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I had a feeling she might ask this.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFL2cRGpvX
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzsjqGkjHJ
“Fine, It’s a lost technology. I had the staff, but in a miniature form.” I say171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8d7dtquu7
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4D8blxD7A1
“Hmm, that might explain how you defeated the demon lord.” She murmurs while clutching her chin and the part of the mask covering it.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniJVJVte99
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTwGKL9dqG
“What rank are you anyway?” she asks171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7kCx1eSjn
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“Rank?” I ask back in confusion171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYotnBwpls
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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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RVKZSN1GM
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1mRr4MaOC
“Adventurer, huh? I am not one, I am a Hitman.” I say171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeKtbenHGQ
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡur4psrDGVp
“Oldzheil did mention that before. What does that even mean? Is that some kind of title?” she asks171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7R8rUERpNH
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbbsSsGUOh
my stomach lets out a deep growl as if a lion roar.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrzi4c3YaG
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJ2n2hcsYq
“History can wait for later. But Food? My friend here suggests we Eat.” I say rubbing my stomach under the shirt.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifaCiQuNJ8
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2WuPIRCcZ
“Now that you mention it, I am hungry too. But…” she hesitates171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMz9GWzAGf
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4bjdkoxGN
“But I don’t think you would like what I eat.” She says.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxEFMWexg9
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87ygz3Bnz9
“Anything that doesn’t scream first.” I pause. “Even a tree will do, if it comes down to it.”171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYdbRpsjbz
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvLinDEjYx
She giggles “Your sense of humor sucks just like Oldzheil.”171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnIDKZZcoI
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEELieqyfE
“Problem with vegetables?” I ask with a flat voice171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdvTEntwe2
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPhzDWbQZI
“Not at all stupid, as a matter of fact I am veg too.” she says171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNgeucvLLF
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnKLXvZdNW
“A veg like me in this world? Crazy fantasy world to be in.”171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVXPDuv7Y5
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaizINmXOA
“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 says171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbdcPZHRzR
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nUwsqW7tY
Gloria starts walking excited, and I follow behind her, we both walk for a few minutes, quite. But then she speaks.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZV0s5SvMW0
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVtI4LKJiN
“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 says171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2v9wp7myMx
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pBRhLDhSr
“Seems like the Old dwarf spilled more than I expected,” I say.
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXHHZcHGSB
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?”171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4hkaDv4x2
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZVTLvIsuC
“It’s an umbrella term, but yeah it involves bandit hunting, monster hunting and many other things.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3733Hvi2Zy
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdOOAhfIqe
“So it’s a freelancing platform for people?” I ask171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiRfWkKR28
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWulTD3btP
“What’s freelancing?” she asks171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuJ4NDaM51
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvx0CWvQ4Lu
“Work on hire.” I say171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7xKBNYXc7
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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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbPCbLgSRq
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjN5xDcZg3u
“Geolard scrambled my memory before I met Warzheil. Only the important bits stuck.” I say171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wxAMrNVF3
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPUtU0XnOr
“Oh, Oldman didn’t tell us about that.”171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMIzdJN2c1
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVvetcrzVc
“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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKXVahfaCB
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsvoixxsbK
”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?”171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnu51FlFFA5
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI57XZXn0k3
“It’s that bad? Maybe I should take those classes Sil was telling me to.”171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOJgq717Gr
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIKHWZfJdY
“One’s presence can be powerful when used with knowledge and precision.” I say.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gr0i8bYp7
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmn2gzkmG7
“You should become a Sage.” She laughs171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9yLXl3Y7k
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡho4LlcDwfg
“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 asks171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrf7OCXyOIM
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8j6o2Ntfz
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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmkStBjXZg
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMjAm7lemH
“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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMoo7t4YJV
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1BoyRR4Z5
“You mean Ava ‘The Light Borne Hero’, right?” she catches me off-guard by mentioning Ava.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOcsd4hEns
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1vw4oKNl7
“Oldzheil told us about her too.” She says171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMzTCreXwm
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhaLIaRF1u
I sneer “That Oldman…...” tightening my fist171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqKiYo7VBy
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwz64RVLOdG
“Hehehe, Don’t hold it against him, Grandma Sil has a special spell that forces other to speak more than they intend.” She explains171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sSzE7b4kQ
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VPVCQnjAp
“Fine.” The thought of facing Ava still unnerved me. “Doesn't change that I need to see them.”171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrm0w7hygXv
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepBGF8PSSd
“Why the long face? You think your sister won’t welcome you because you had a fight with her?” she asks171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekJkdU61Er
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aKKp3tM1P
“It’s---complicated. Right now, she hates me more than I hate the sword” I say171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0Vpf4db70
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTKrr6Y7PY
Gloria does not enquire further. But after a moment of quite walking she speaks171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wGYNguFMr
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BOdizb1Oc
“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 me171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJafAEWFkMN
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBczU4N5p5k
“Friends?” I continue after reconsidering. “Hard pass.”171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8NLPe0cfN
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlPararAUZ
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuS52zLLAp
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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCOHWvdklt
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3Q4PW6UIP
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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eSUqJ62uY
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtvm2zeVMN
But, Then I hear a few sniffs. My heart sinks.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJ8aOq2zfI
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshMjQsKmAW
Giggles after sniffs “I was just joking? Why would anyone want to be friends out of the blue with someone who attacked them.” She says171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGWditczDH
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUFZvZT4rb
“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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLI2Qltq9p7
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNxSzYkPPn
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicC0DuHA74
“So, do you think I can become an Adventurer?” I ask trying to divert from the sobby mood.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WZ3DWzTlp
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5GnbItCf3
“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 says171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaLhEICJuJ
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UAvOCRArI
“Can I ask for your help? Or did I hurt your feelings and you won’t help me?” I ask171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN224ua1wU2
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMV6P26WTc
“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 ask171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fELnaplNn
171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68Xo4vXj9n
“No, it opens up early, since adventurers start coming here.” She says as we walk through the town.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHZG2mkMRV
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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 says171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTV4LwWJZQ5
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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 say171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwjKQ8oMdl
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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 gasp171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eznYIhl3j
“Well, Geolard had it.” I say171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnL1m9xknb
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“Oh, that makes sense.” She says with an analytical nod171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGBODgXcxx
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Soon, we arrive near a big, exotic looking building, magical almost.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINUu6RVbCX
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The doors are open and a Cat woman is mopping the front of the guild.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08HSiL1nwR
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“Nya-? Miss Gloria? What brings the Flame Queen so early to the guild?” she asks171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4n0Q3YikJj
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“Good morning Canthrine, This is a guest of our house. And he wants to register as an adventurer.”171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbMO22YgNb
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I join my hand as a greeting which confuses them.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcoLbmnXTz
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“This is the way of greeting in my homeland” I say171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdCJRbeP6k
“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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUPCUdYRmn
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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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJGwAUCpOz
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A half Dragon half Human girl sat on the center counter.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCttIAI6k4O
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As far as my knowledge go, they are called dragonewt.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVyBeXXpUI
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There are 5 counter openings and she is on the center.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvi1QcnUcW
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She Seems busy with some paper work, and doesn’t notice us.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WT15TZWtU
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“Hey Sinfia!” Gloria says waving her hand.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBwcKnIlkJ
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“Oh, If it isn’t Sister Gloria.” The girl says171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRoqyGpSpI
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“Kid, Where is the receptionist?” I ask, teasing her171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyq0SPsQxui
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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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SPnviWv37
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Seeing her stare at my hand, I and realize that my hand really makes things complex for me.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhUanhPvij
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“You mean This? Standard issue. Made For certain specialized… professions.” I say171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgQrjzQjP3
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“A gauntlet?” she asks suspiciously171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nxw4w2UFJ
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“You don’t need to hide it when I am with you Ronin, I will fill her in later.”171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOaCqaltX7
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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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dKJDYxkjV
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“I am here to vouch for this man, Says he wants to be an adventurer.”171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoZIejNi7C
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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 expression171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgUcmpBDMx
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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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuh2gNCk45
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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 says171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxMC5Cnlqu
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“A proof? I don’t think we have….” Gloria says but I know exactly what to do.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iFN5oytKi
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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?”171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMAAOv2I9O
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“I am not a kid!” she recoils171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwY13XIeFZ
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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 answers171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXw3gJY0O2j
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“Yeah, what if I saw it? The Heroes must have defeated the demon lord.” She says171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiwNlzH9Ev
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“Heroes didn’t kill that monster.” I lean forward slightly. “I did.”171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwa2KEcG2rW
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At first Sinfia covers her mouth and then starts laughing wildly almost falling off her chair.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWB7N9qSono
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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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsnPNmWHvN
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“Guild Master Kainia, You returned from Holy Kingdom?” Gloria asks.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErL3rP36eh
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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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20zFLbXYX0
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Walking up to me she realizes something is wrong with her mana, her expression gives her away.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mcyuVtL9g
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Kainia’s eyes narrow on me. “No mana In or around you… An artifact?”171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9wfPl0J0C
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“As expected of the boss of the place. You know your stuff.” I say171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TLJiGFyc7
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The guild master’s expression changes, now she feels like someone who is worth talking to.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtK1rjBkoe
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“Kid, going around, telling other that you have precious commodity doesn’t raise fame, it raise chances of death.”171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgkmlJLKDc
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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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeKXiSGwpM
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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 say171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9P6X0MbMBi
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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."171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwo2K0fqOT
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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?"171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVW93Tl82d4
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“Me?” I ask171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpL9A4kgPVw
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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 asks171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpEdIDOXzu
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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."171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyIxwJ5hDR
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“W-w-wait, tell me you aren’t joking boss!” Sinfia says171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBX6x6wIRmI
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“Not at all, Sinfia, you should apologies this man before he eats you.” She says teasingly to Sinfia, which works.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkaQMZpL1J
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Sinfia is about to get up but I gesture her to sit down and relax.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpx93Pa0fJ6
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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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5j6lt5KkX
“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 suggests171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7bRRItQ4A
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“I see a fake card….” I dwell on it for a moment171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpypnjMozC
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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 says171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbfDV6QqAo
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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 ask171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJcn8VDC7U
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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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYKzXd3x92
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“B-b-boyfriend? We aren’t like that! How can I- with him.” She starts to stammer.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerlCkuyly1
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“She is teasing you, snap out of it.” I say in a commanding voice171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9RKHnZei2
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“so? What did you decide?” Kainia asks171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuF38D53eo3
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“Your proposition is not bad, ok let’s go with that.” I say171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrllxn9CNbO
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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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFV5jSd7Kl
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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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtt2YTpoiev
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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 says171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBZG89WONL
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“Why tell me this?” I ask171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLxJuOCKbk
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“Your ancestors must have worked hard as adventurers to obtain such precious artifact. I can respect that.” She says171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fgN289rhf
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Well, It’s good that she doesn’t know that it’s not an artifact. She is a good person.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXLVjR16UY
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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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4F9QMg5usY
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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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRHC9QCm1g
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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."171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy09HqLWC7h
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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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcK1XFuRv1E
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My stance is relaxed, although the Vanquisher seems to be raring for a fight.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTbI9thI0o
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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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIs1mBsBsC
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“A small lesson for one so young as you.” She says in a whispering voice.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkELDoFoYj
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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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0bNkRaxFP
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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."171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2nhyRpiqc
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And we walk into the streets looking for cuisine that would satiate my hunger.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3JDNNCC9Y
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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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrgofUG8eS
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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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFF8uLYY89X
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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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0msnOYUhb8
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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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVbv0v787h
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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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCw1gw0vIm
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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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSouozyNG2
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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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdnK0zp28S
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I notice them using sign language and then using magic to disappear like they were never there.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5fHI98w32
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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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwlac4mZai
It hardly takes a few seconds to write "Good", but it boosts the confidence of us authors.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJ4vg5Sj7y
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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/Q27uA8vnfu171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrURfMAGIg
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