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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjXJA5S80X
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkHUVMr1AV
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2srvSUc4rj
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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IFOHhXJyx
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyVzCt6hCh
I can hear the whistling sound. And now that I am awake, might as well take a stroll.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhCDzRd7HL
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ672ELLE4Uo
But before that I tie a cloth around my left eye which is making me feel dizzy, this place is filled with energies.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWM6oPoHHS
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4PEvDXkqR
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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdAslKh3Vw
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8gm6iXsDK
Although it pains my chest, I power through it98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJbdwpBgOn
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“Cool..., lets go.” I say to myself optimistically.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWu7L4LDBBJ
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But if someone saw me walking around I am sure they would avoid me.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TA1G9eWMD
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dT9lIWt52
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cMmie5k2B
I am sure the whistling sound must be coming from here. But there is no one here?98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeTrtWEHNV
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DhOuFyGFn
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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJBKwj41av
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgut6pAL1i
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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXI9WvfLyLv
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6slRVfa5N
It works for me but seems like it didn’t quite work for her.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweK2jF01rg
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fUb1kV0Xj
Gold particles disappearing in the air signified her failed attempt to use her powers.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9XOmOMwZ2
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcKIuiqHjw
I catch her shoulders. Frail looking like any woman’s, But she sure is strong, and It felt like I am holding ambers.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWdml0UNLC
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3blOTAB3fp
A hissing sound starts to come from my hands.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxt8ZXTiemB
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡii9uDb0cA7
“Get your hands off me!” she says as she tries to force my hands away.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLkmV4fwno
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiv0GU5skYp
“You should be in bed. I nearly killed you.” she says98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xwYr7Rbix
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvtMer2A1w
“Don’t flatter yourself, and do you attack people out of the blue if they approach you?” I ask in a serious tone98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbdpfpk6FY
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64fsveTIAv
“Excellent, so you CAN~ talk?!” she says forcing a hint of surprise and frustration in her voice98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7WEMcTJNw
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPx0Guk2GJ
“This is my training ground. Restricted. I hate people Intruding during practice.” She says arrogantly.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFMnhod0Eq
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAV3aEo8Wer
She flicks her head to slight right “I didn’t injure you did I?”98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDMAX2GJbq
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3voFnbnPU
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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFd57QByFe
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5HTfiO8PV
I smirk, looking around.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IgvNSzSZI
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqNYExIu9q
“Oh, so you can smile. I though you were some serious guy.” She says98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1DwqaA8ZK
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcMq7AF02I
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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM223NEwEN7
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRzBPQmeLa
“Wha—Hey! If you didn’t want to practice you could have said so! Why break it?!” she says98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5ZUuBRpOA
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaycY7vAVv
“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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVuvGtNZJz
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLimrvhwjf
“….” Gloria flinches98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKQMh6LlKg
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Jv1lpq5jv
“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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTCAhPoVII
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nM9nQBeDM
“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.”98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbY2eQRoJAh
“You aren’t angry?” I ask98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahTPFBfXrU
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIukUk5R4N
“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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTfGvomUui
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jX2bFwy5Q
“A spar?” I considered it. Good exercise, but not worth reopening these wounds. “Maybe Another time.”98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CKU0jOsBj
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tyipAHLoj
“Then we have a deal?” she asks98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oyS99Cf0K
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYscfL1LcP
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRp4CfZEDLx
“Last night, Old man said you defeated the demon lord. If you didn’t use a sword, then what did you use?” she ask98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLA3dUVeEh
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kWN44BpZd
“You want to know?” I ask, she nods immediately.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzau1MVyrRG
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I point at the moon to distract her “Oh, look! A bird!” It works like it always does.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKLxxkSDsV
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigBwipoYMW
I only need moments to summon my spear using my strange powers.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwYZgX7g1d
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Now that it was in my hand, I remember how badly its damaged since the last battle.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHe94fYg4DK
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86wR2mzV7Q
“Hold on—Where did that come from?” she asks98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gg3Kc49jD
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMd4y08QBX
“Magic?” I offer with a shrug “Maybe, who knows?” motion98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoj8H9S2EAc
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nfn8x6mUk
“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 asks98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWbnO1g0tC
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I had a feeling she might ask this.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDg2n41F5uo
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“Fine, It’s a lost technology. I had the staff, but in a miniature form.” I say98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmjjdg79mN
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevbEhUhHZz
“Hmm, that might explain how you defeated the demon lord.” She murmurs while clutching her chin and the part of the mask covering it.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaQyJMAZ3r
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“What rank are you anyway?” she asks98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyQnqL80pt
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“Rank?” I ask back in confusion98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtS0fcV4ZRC
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqEBfbn2V8
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20xBtBeXfB
“Adventurer, huh? I am not one, I am a Hitman.” I say98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIVunYI2Sn
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WTdUENCp3
“Oldzheil did mention that before. What does that even mean? Is that some kind of title?” she asks98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMK4tER0j9D
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GNbkm9vrR
my stomach lets out a deep growl as if a lion roar.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLP6GbaFyz
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoA68xlWzi
“History can wait for later. But Food? My friend here suggests we Eat.” I say rubbing my stomach under the shirt.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MJXixkmHp
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDH3FK1lPy
“Now that you mention it, I am hungry too. But…” she hesitates98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrJwZh4IKN
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“But I don’t think you would like what I eat.” She says.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDo29yn49c
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2I29tXmXd9
“Anything that doesn’t scream first.” I pause. “Even a tree will do, if it comes down to it.”98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UTS6vWYnr
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She giggles “Your sense of humor sucks just like Oldzheil.”98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNEQNng2oD
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQ1Pd3mg2m
“Problem with vegetables?” I ask with a flat voice98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVKeIwjF3i
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDq8J3iiMl
“Not at all stupid, as a matter of fact I am veg too.” she says98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzFOtuQi3O
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvu1fT33e4
“A veg like me in this world? Crazy fantasy world to be in.”98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0e2rnDnuAt
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDKUqkBxKZ
“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 says98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIFETeKnzM
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSzQW6zq5D
Gloria starts walking excited, and I follow behind her, we both walk for a few minutes, quite. But then she speaks.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKIqdgC6Am
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyjBhkVzOV
“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 says98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHwhOGrhEq
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTZw25TUeU
“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?”98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMm402gYspx
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvGPNbm7FK
“It’s an umbrella term, but yeah it involves bandit hunting, monster hunting and many other things.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoprhOhJLc
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YGilCvm2Z
“So it’s a freelancing platform for people?” I ask98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyWGsrdnqS
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“What’s freelancing?” she asks98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJM9susqGR
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“Work on hire.” I say98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLRqZ06Mhi
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXmniAATin
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEL2mYBklFv
“Geolard scrambled my memory before I met Warzheil. Only the important bits stuck.” I say98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaDSJ0Pbz8
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8vJZErjtV
“Oh, Oldman didn’t tell us about that.”98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUib7khDzBw
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkRYDH4qxy
“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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0CkAEtz5Y
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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?”98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpE1cHf4Dg
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“It’s that bad? Maybe I should take those classes Sil was telling me to.”98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYunw5u6Vuu
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuWJtQ1twD
“One’s presence can be powerful when used with knowledge and precision.” I say.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lus0MJzk7
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“You should become a Sage.” She laughs98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJDsXkKnIn
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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 asks98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VEVt1TBgT
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZDAq703VQ
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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBA21WdRlKF
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvPVtE2kQJ
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6HE4VWsxe
“You mean Ava ‘The Light Borne Hero’, right?” she catches me off-guard by mentioning Ava.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEjGfZGWI7
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“Oldzheil told us about her too.” She says98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPR55S3ieJP
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Z7iDvXaKt
I sneer “That Oldman…...” tightening my fist98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LHN1Ou9vl
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwfOCIX9ni
“Hehehe, Don’t hold it against him, Grandma Sil has a special spell that forces other to speak more than they intend.” She explains98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERP7Vf8yKF
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDsxNyTGzY
“Fine.” The thought of facing Ava still unnerved me. “Doesn't change that I need to see them.”98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBsKP78QO7
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDlsZpKp5I
“Why the long face? You think your sister won’t welcome you because you had a fight with her?” she asks98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdc75j8YjY1
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bwAKppkie
“It’s---complicated. Right now, she hates me more than I hate the sword” I say98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRsoTtCm4M
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglTQEb8nNR
Gloria does not enquire further. But after a moment of quite walking she speaks98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBk4jKrnIWz
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIw1opuWKz
“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 me98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyEUvErhvN
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTC3hTGYXa0
“Friends?” I continue after reconsidering. “Hard pass.”98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXx5GkWzyB
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkNywF06Va
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtm7G0YCeE
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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtm4jZyezGi
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSx5zq8Tcj
But, Then I hear a few sniffs. My heart sinks.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwZxrnUryR
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5MUE7uMlV
Giggles after sniffs “I was just joking? Why would anyone want to be friends out of the blue with someone who attacked them.” She says98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzljG4ktmt5
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrU3L1Pvfu
“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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBBfpiwL2e
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“So, do you think I can become an Adventurer?” I ask trying to divert from the sobby mood.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpfuJeaZ4e
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKSnLE3kSM
“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 says98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4Q8yGeYQ8
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡublAXK0LOH
“Can I ask for your help? Or did I hurt your feelings and you won’t help me?” I ask98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIc8QEbFaSe
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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 ask98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0RrvqOXNS
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItLUHOZXCP
“No, it opens up early, since adventurers start coming here.” She says as we walk through the town.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwcW4dwbWc
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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 says98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Q9RPw7jHN
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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 say98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9kGqsSmIc
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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 gasp98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxkemduEKJ
“Well, Geolard had it.” I say98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4AawEfe4B
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“Oh, that makes sense.” She says with an analytical nod98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHM0EX8j3uN
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Soon, we arrive near a big, exotic looking building, magical almost.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuAMYDJryu
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The doors are open and a Cat woman is mopping the front of the guild.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfivkJ413j
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“Nya-? Miss Gloria? What brings the Flame Queen so early to the guild?” she asks98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYnZFY73EP
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“Good morning Canthrine, This is a guest of our house. And he wants to register as an adventurer.”98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1muLNDm39N
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I join my hand as a greeting which confuses them.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjqABHlLZi
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“This is the way of greeting in my homeland” I say98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCh2uB3ad5F
“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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wbAeeaWcr
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfCrupZGeT
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A half Dragon half Human girl sat on the center counter.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rt0jvMopk
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As far as my knowledge go, they are called dragonewt.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjbNWyhJbU
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There are 5 counter openings and she is on the center.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGMiRoRsjU
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She Seems busy with some paper work, and doesn’t notice us.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkNGqzuQnQ
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“Hey Sinfia!” Gloria says waving her hand.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAFDbw33mj
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“Oh, If it isn’t Sister Gloria.” The girl says98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoe5AkTWhnB
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“Kid, Where is the receptionist?” I ask, teasing her98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSIv102aUG
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXJzRIVvz0
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Seeing her stare at my hand, I and realize that my hand really makes things complex for me.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpygUUmv8T2
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“You mean This? Standard issue. Made For certain specialized… professions.” I say98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvmH72pDdn
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“A gauntlet?” she asks suspiciously98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKL2lDobGSM
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“You don’t need to hide it when I am with you Ronin, I will fill her in later.”98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZnpWhPea8
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhhjflhykA
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“I am here to vouch for this man, Says he wants to be an adventurer.”98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuh7GkzvsjW
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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 expression98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzW53MR3Jfc
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uWFvWb2Eb
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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 says98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejR0SJ37WF
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“A proof? I don’t think we have….” Gloria says but I know exactly what to do.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPEb5LLUCK
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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?”98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynSTVjMv0M
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“I am not a kid!” she recoils98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNlwaqwEde
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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 answers98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1t9NQx0pT
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“Yeah, what if I saw it? The Heroes must have defeated the demon lord.” She says98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHALXMA4sat
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“Heroes didn’t kill that monster.” I lean forward slightly. “I did.”98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxK7sPsrjN
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At first Sinfia covers her mouth and then starts laughing wildly almost falling off her chair.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbB8V8IqYZ
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xnC5zYU6M
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“Guild Master Kainia, You returned from Holy Kingdom?” Gloria asks.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KdzlI5ycK
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUmcvQujDt
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Walking up to me she realizes something is wrong with her mana, her expression gives her away.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZD7sFZrcs
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Kainia’s eyes narrow on me. “No mana In or around you… An artifact?”98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfo6JHMAkCQ
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“As expected of the boss of the place. You know your stuff.” I say98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKG5dXpH7Qe
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The guild master’s expression changes, now she feels like someone who is worth talking to.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJHOPszFvV
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“Kid, going around, telling other that you have precious commodity doesn’t raise fame, it raise chances of death.”98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjNQsiP75R
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFOMo65Z3C
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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 say98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8w4f22Uj2g
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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."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyqRRkNvl5
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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?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMq1ry5saJ
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“Me?” I ask98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHpfh0DrHt
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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 asks98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWArogRqPZ
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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."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZgzsSEWid
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“W-w-wait, tell me you aren’t joking boss!” Sinfia says98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCprIYxM2AR
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“Not at all, Sinfia, you should apologies this man before he eats you.” She says teasingly to Sinfia, which works.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWu4CMGXOY5
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Sinfia is about to get up but I gesture her to sit down and relax.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRznFSnc3ah
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSRfuHiV0M
“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 suggests98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotmN1NPur6
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“I see a fake card….” I dwell on it for a moment98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7y4dbVYewM
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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 says98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6etnxBOx45
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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 ask98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4IWvj8JZF
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStEPVBv93S
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“B-b-boyfriend? We aren’t like that! How can I- with him.” She starts to stammer.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFB65Yel2KS
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“She is teasing you, snap out of it.” I say in a commanding voice98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIjhalvp6j
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“so? What did you decide?” Kainia asks98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibz370qRO3
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“Your proposition is not bad, ok let’s go with that.” I say98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitfkiRnMEk
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJK12gHJ1W
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbYm1mwoDn
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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 says98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYvKe2qToM
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“Why tell me this?” I ask98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4sm48bgPv
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“Your ancestors must have worked hard as adventurers to obtain such precious artifact. I can respect that.” She says98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9X1VTiqbO
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Well, It’s good that she doesn’t know that it’s not an artifact. She is a good person.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1pDp0UBD1
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOtUbx7eH4
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKmYc3WzKu
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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."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC67yEbptcn
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoU4xNrgyTG
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My stance is relaxed, although the Vanquisher seems to be raring for a fight.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPsmM6TV1a
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSFHHEelSR
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“A small lesson for one so young as you.” She says in a whispering voice.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSb0Ng2QLP
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsexUENelvC
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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."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcarPzA0ALY
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And we walk into the streets looking for cuisine that would satiate my hunger.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMu7UoLo5J
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrp8pPLgaD5
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuprxpqhS0
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFK3GzZWzu
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Aob9CHuBk
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIhdLPxtKe
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxh3UINwOz
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrxTl8qpUE
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I notice them using sign language and then using magic to disappear like they were never there.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIkWl8wBqF
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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.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmu37jdK0A
It hardly takes a few seconds to write "Good", but it boosts the confidence of us authors.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKLEuQyCOc
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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/Q27uA8vnfu98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBdXrHX9Fh
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