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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9eOKDJQmH
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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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGoKSQKgdY
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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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiMF1xFhJ8
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I can hear the whistling sound. And now that I am awake, might as well take a stroll.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4Ec6n6fhL
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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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOxG5XF4GW
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSljhnQzEa3
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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJID0MzhmE
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Although it pains my chest, I power through it59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtimuWm0ytd
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“Cool..., lets go.” I say to myself optimistically.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpTvjKOh9s
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYza5ZSTjG6
But if someone saw me walking around I am sure they would avoid me.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXp1l0khkBf
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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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkscbg5G6b
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyczFit373P
I am sure the whistling sound must be coming from here. But there is no one here?59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TDeLb67L7
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1lKTwEAwa
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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxcx2crBx3
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rWNYMRxlC
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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjrv7smJLC
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZE5EpQc1J
It works for me but seems like it didn’t quite work for her.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjG04rQvA1
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAF2gifvctq
Gold particles disappearing in the air signified her failed attempt to use her powers.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsefRoaPz2
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I catch her shoulders. Frail looking like any woman’s, But she sure is strong, and It felt like I am holding ambers.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOD5MW2Ww3j
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeW2rrPayX
A hissing sound starts to come from my hands.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTn4iUXcc8z
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YDBre5XMs
“Get your hands off me!” she says as she tries to force my hands away.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzE5M6FgWys
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMnLMeVgba
“You should be in bed. I nearly killed you.” she says59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLubkZFeCHk
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlTTNsfoXj
“Don’t flatter yourself, and do you attack people out of the blue if they approach you?” I ask in a serious tone59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUZzFJlxii
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBg3E7aORQ
“Excellent, so you CAN~ talk?!” she says forcing a hint of surprise and frustration in her voice59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2jInvJmHu
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEAIuMYacJ
“This is my training ground. Restricted. I hate people Intruding during practice.” She says arrogantly.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJLqSrtOQw
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnuxYnlkBB
She flicks her head to slight right “I didn’t injure you did I?”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMV4aKTNLZ
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPmYcc5Uyw
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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6N04S0ZRWt
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLIU21IgRI
I smirk, looking around.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2OZytI29c
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIBRnzvU9I
“Oh, so you can smile. I though you were some serious guy.” She says59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3xDwM1zKy
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbL10YPy5IV
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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhqhWhDXNS
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6EEcJz24p
“Wha—Hey! If you didn’t want to practice you could have said so! Why break it?!” she says59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZi8ZzYEKkg
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpccvC1NMJR
“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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKT1b5T7eh3
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEYqIuiol9
“….” Gloria flinches59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9rfpCebQ4
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“Sorry. I didn’t intend to do that. Swords and I don’t get along.” I say as I pinch my nose disappointed on myself.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vlTNbuREJ
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxbtY3HfHH
“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.”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRMZ1KBIOw
“You aren’t angry?” I ask59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bpmx08sAN
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvREishZXEy
“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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8krEXDfvgj
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITFFKFAjmh
“A spar?” I considered it. Good exercise, but not worth reopening these wounds. “Maybe Another time.”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExqWRApSlH
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZ1VRvM2Sg
“Then we have a deal?” she asks59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYgiqaWKXl
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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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXu6vW3Dpu
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxivhzEC7IO
“Last night, Old man said you defeated the demon lord. If you didn’t use a sword, then what did you use?” she ask59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLqMfdN4oX
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“You want to know?” I ask, she nods immediately.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuVqoORVIh
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I point at the moon to distract her “Oh, look! A bird!” It works like it always does.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilEuiohNBe
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I only need moments to summon my spear using my strange powers.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrqhNR8LFA
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Now that it was in my hand, I remember how badly its damaged since the last battle.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCQEGJ50XV
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ruNF2xBrM
“Hold on—Where did that come from?” she asks59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJITPGxhZy
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgfYspLTIp
“Magic?” I offer with a shrug “Maybe, who knows?” motion59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65Tkt761tW
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“Don’t take me as a fool. That staff was not there before. How did you make it appear out of nowhere? And I know you have an artifact which stops magic around you, mine didn’t work when I attacked you earlier.” she asks59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ146AH9pnuH
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I had a feeling she might ask this.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGNMnsOF7O
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“Fine, It’s a lost technology. I had the staff, but in a miniature form.” I say59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDM3QH4evCu
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“Hmm, that might explain how you defeated the demon lord.” She murmurs while clutching her chin and the part of the mask covering it.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6HibP8MRy
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“What rank are you anyway?” she asks59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5xGrxEZTg
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“Rank?” I ask back in confusion59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bOuQmMeCk
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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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRt5jzEE0Q
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhCiFhkgKa
“Adventurer, huh? I am not one, I am a Hitman.” I say59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gwZnl9igQ
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIg1lwPez8o
“Oldzheil did mention that before. What does that even mean? Is that some kind of title?” she asks59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoPvlNeVvG
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my stomach lets out a deep growl as if a lion roar.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxyWTrDKoW
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“History can wait for later. But Food? My friend here suggests we Eat.” I say rubbing my stomach under the shirt.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8DRtPmvlK
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“Now that you mention it, I am hungry too. But…” she hesitates59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUx49FOyxpo
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“But I don’t think you would like what I eat.” She says.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHPsGbfPrU
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“Anything that doesn’t scream first.” I pause. “Even a tree will do, if it comes down to it.”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYF9JGiASg
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She giggles “Your sense of humor sucks just like Oldzheil.”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKG5765GknG
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“Problem with vegetables?” I ask with a flat voice59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwy0k5GS94i
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“Not at all stupid, as a matter of fact I am veg too.” she says59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjF47qcu6d
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpRLTw24Un
“A veg like me in this world? Crazy fantasy world to be in.”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVQoOh4AMN
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“HEHE, there are many out there. Meat is quite expensive for common folk. And, eating lower beings is the last thing I want to do,” She says59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6BuAmLCkL
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTy249S8Y6k
Gloria starts walking excited, and I follow behind her, we both walk for a few minutes, quite. But then she speaks.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFS20imBcD7
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Vlz9fTvGd
“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 says59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dWLwDQCO7
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“Seems like the Old dwarf spilled more than I expected,” I say.
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Maybe she's right about the age thing, though.
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Telling her I'm decades older felt wrong somehow.
I lost my childhood working to meet expectations; perhaps being young again wasn't so bad. I shift the topic.
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“So—these adventurers—they are what, monster hunters?”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzRKKighob
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“It’s an umbrella term, but yeah it involves bandit hunting, monster hunting and many other things.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEtcb68uik
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUANDWW35zH
“So it’s a freelancing platform for people?” I ask59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTFlaV1r9O
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“What’s freelancing?” she asks59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyETmzE9CKf
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“Work on hire.” I say59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuxdBMp7k3
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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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFfYDSJyXZ
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“Geolard scrambled my memory before I met Warzheil. Only the important bits stuck.” I say59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwKlRZfACv
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ztYlGRlDS
“Oh, Oldman didn’t tell us about that.”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWVY9roZeV
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“He doesn’t know it as well. I just realized that there was something missing in my head.” I say as I make up a random story.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXYFmbzrSK
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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?”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mgNBAjZl4
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“It’s that bad? Maybe I should take those classes Sil was telling me to.”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3iNNV68k7
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbS4O3S1O1n
“One’s presence can be powerful when used with knowledge and precision.” I say.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmuE6QYT85
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“You should become a Sage.” She laughs59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvvb3yljOX
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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 asks59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2uEa4Chyj
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Her ideas are alluring, now that I reflect on it, I never took time to peacefully sit down and think about what I want to do after I found Ava.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdFUGQRjQ4
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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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyk6fO6pU6q
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlmI6qBuWR
“You mean Ava ‘The Light Borne Hero’, right?” she catches me off-guard by mentioning Ava.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5Uf3yErw5
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“Oldzheil told us about her too.” She says59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcw3kpm03z
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ggEAYGXWS
I sneer “That Oldman…...” tightening my fist59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNp1K7E1VV
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdyHgLEJe6
“Hehehe, Don’t hold it against him, Grandma Sil has a special spell that forces other to speak more than they intend.” She explains59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXB4WaU1uR
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“Fine.” The thought of facing Ava still unnerved me. “Doesn't change that I need to see them.”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5quml8eKtV
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoOs604VuN
“Why the long face? You think your sister won’t welcome you because you had a fight with her?” she asks59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8y2vGmfmyT
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“It’s---complicated. Right now, she hates me more than I hate the sword” I say59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aWZQ3cNJq
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Gloria does not enquire further. But after a moment of quite walking she speaks59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyaG1Q5tKu
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsGBVr8Sbc
“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 me59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNfU5v7Vke
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“Friends?” I continue after reconsidering. “Hard pass.”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KjrdrMIK8
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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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJ5Rh1T0yu
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9yQTEXpyM
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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbQWZ0qcRb
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTScxQnViag
But, Then I hear a few sniffs. My heart sinks.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsqjvcHUiF
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZigYP2yfsG
Giggles after sniffs “I was just joking? Why would anyone want to be friends out of the blue with someone who attacked them.” She says59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGHo22eiGt
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxMWYpGwl0
“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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASUL9Cmpdk
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“So, do you think I can become an Adventurer?” I ask trying to divert from the sobby mood.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjQNkhcgB2
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5Q0p0N68a
“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 says59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdkwBlXB6q
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34FC2HnT2v
“Can I ask for your help? Or did I hurt your feelings and you won’t help me?” I ask59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1uOY9dfPH
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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 ask59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jnw1NeAvv
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“No, it opens up early, since adventurers start coming here.” She says as we walk through the town.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmqNTZlaeg
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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 says59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffAT64Prnq
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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 say59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHp4YhE5v9
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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 gasp59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHHAJmkFts
“Well, Geolard had it.” I say59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ435rfcxvFZ
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“Oh, that makes sense.” She says with an analytical nod59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjBSbEtABC
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Soon, we arrive near a big, exotic looking building, magical almost.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4ZTTHLW0t
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The doors are open and a Cat woman is mopping the front of the guild.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jJlfHHIUj
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“Nya-? Miss Gloria? What brings the Flame Queen so early to the guild?” she asks59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDeVaaG46C
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“Good morning Canthrine, This is a guest of our house. And he wants to register as an adventurer.”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttyxhHx6MG
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I join my hand as a greeting which confuses them.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJO5sX3NbWL
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“This is the way of greeting in my homeland” I say59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHXXuU2CNu
“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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgX5zxZ9h0
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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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGrk1i2I2y
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A half Dragon half Human girl sat on the center counter.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOriDrbicN
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As far as my knowledge go, they are called dragonewt.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvYvuhsWFO
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There are 5 counter openings and she is on the center.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxLeizpLz7
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She Seems busy with some paper work, and doesn’t notice us.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5ztz8ozee
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“Hey Sinfia!” Gloria says waving her hand.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4yTkJ7VhK
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“Oh, If it isn’t Sister Gloria.” The girl says59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gqveeXw60
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“Kid, Where is the receptionist?” I ask, teasing her59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UwOS11Rnr
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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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6CGHBkK5e
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Seeing her stare at my hand, I and realize that my hand really makes things complex for me.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHcerpHZCR
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“You mean This? Standard issue. Made For certain specialized… professions.” I say59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoKfed4L4Q
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“A gauntlet?” she asks suspiciously59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40UwGp7cf4
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“You don’t need to hide it when I am with you Ronin, I will fill her in later.”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdEk1lD4Pt
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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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDLIFm6Gq0
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“I am here to vouch for this man, Says he wants to be an adventurer.”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfW9dNm3dZP
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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 expression59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHK8HkZhFO3
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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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLPmW8PQlf
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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 says59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztvFHscJUJ
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“A proof? I don’t think we have….” Gloria says but I know exactly what to do.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQQ8OJDqUD
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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?”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsFKE0BbPT
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“I am not a kid!” she recoils59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIMAeoStd8
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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 answers59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQlK65rhY4
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“Yeah, what if I saw it? The Heroes must have defeated the demon lord.” She says59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBkKCdC7Aq
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“Heroes didn’t kill that monster.” I lean forward slightly. “I did.”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNkG6dhGcg
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At first Sinfia covers her mouth and then starts laughing wildly almost falling off her chair.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhbiu2iAKP
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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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJvmucMSeM
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“Guild Master Kainia, You returned from Holy Kingdom?” Gloria asks.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTxxLmqs2A
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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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ815EOCffJ6
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Walking up to me she realizes something is wrong with her mana, her expression gives her away.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PRw8QvYZm
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Kainia’s eyes narrow on me. “No mana In or around you… An artifact?”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGN3NxGP8Q
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“As expected of the boss of the place. You know your stuff.” I say59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUziLECWEf7
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The guild master’s expression changes, now she feels like someone who is worth talking to.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihNOOmZg1I
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“Kid, going around, telling other that you have precious commodity doesn’t raise fame, it raise chances of death.”59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cWfeYrSX0
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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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCigVgHIMGu
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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 say59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaWxkkGOeU
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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."59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFqrmzw2DS
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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?"59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUULAwI5xv
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“Me?” I ask59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tCs2qYnbC
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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 asks59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkRgtbZqzh
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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."59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRi5O2eGD9
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“W-w-wait, tell me you aren’t joking boss!” Sinfia says59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJTG8m3XwE
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“Not at all, Sinfia, you should apologies this man before he eats you.” She says teasingly to Sinfia, which works.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fYw4q3H6Q
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Sinfia is about to get up but I gesture her to sit down and relax.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPK4O9Demt4
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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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncrIiKQv5X
“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 suggests59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNXNcMAUhe
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“I see a fake card….” I dwell on it for a moment59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCRumvo51P
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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 says59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡER2HKyZHjF
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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 ask59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOR1i5Vwbgo
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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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkVWhazcHL
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“B-b-boyfriend? We aren’t like that! How can I- with him.” She starts to stammer.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrXs5rZotf
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“She is teasing you, snap out of it.” I say in a commanding voice59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0M5qtagLG
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“so? What did you decide?” Kainia asks59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLfkwTb9kF
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“Your proposition is not bad, ok let’s go with that.” I say59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tbcR9kezv
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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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9WKU3VGgl
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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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tebw509Rx
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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 says59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpsh6EFJpz
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“Why tell me this?” I ask59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgR2vEXjjzL
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“Your ancestors must have worked hard as adventurers to obtain such precious artifact. I can respect that.” She says59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqI4Vx9xNWO
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Well, It’s good that she doesn’t know that it’s not an artifact. She is a good person.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PWxc8nPe5
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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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEZgHwSQmm
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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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqBa2TpSYm
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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."59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44UaDLbGgn
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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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsDSDko87h
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My stance is relaxed, although the Vanquisher seems to be raring for a fight.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJTZ0L9OOz
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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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveTvCNsLPI
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“A small lesson for one so young as you.” She says in a whispering voice.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3Mre1nbPU
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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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbJ1BAw5gw
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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."59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfxqKzeOXi
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And we walk into the streets looking for cuisine that would satiate my hunger.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIG3Pf9xdaf
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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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvP0UcgvWxK
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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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdn3olASP8B
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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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QfOlr10Ef
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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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGvjuUyhWs
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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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ESQljh10k
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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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxaJjeHyNj
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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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC368Je0S7Z
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I notice them using sign language and then using magic to disappear like they were never there.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsjQ8MJ7Td
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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.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNtXhrskMT
It hardly takes a few seconds to write "Good", but it boosts the confidence of us authors.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHYA6NcQVk
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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/Q27uA8vnfu59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDcJb0TlNH
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