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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4NSePbfsN
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBIFwB83H8
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpklHuJq8U
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I can hear the whistling sound. And now that I am awake, might as well take a stroll.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk25QzC0nG8
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8l8NN3YA2t
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I open the window, and using the branches as foot hold, climb down slowly, but just as I am about to reach the bottom, my foot slip and I am about to fall flat on my face, but using my unbelievable strength I use my arms and legs like a cat to spread the impact across the ground.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWMKOVVUBf
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Although it pains my chest, I power through it189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF74oaoz3ND
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“Cool..., lets go.” I say to myself optimistically.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUwu5bwbzt
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But if someone saw me walking around I am sure they would avoid me.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFkbcKV1jN
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSmhTeb2lm
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmO05kGLsb
I am sure the whistling sound must be coming from here. But there is no one here?189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlvNxw8XqO
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRktqFTTsvY
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwTTpOlOmN
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiPF9zKVK4
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTNMuz4Qnc
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEgWBWkHrR
It works for me but seems like it didn’t quite work for her.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5O7ovdZjWa
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWthQTTOe4
Gold particles disappearing in the air signified her failed attempt to use her powers.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNVA99GskS
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9fODCiqez
I catch her shoulders. Frail looking like any woman’s, But she sure is strong, and It felt like I am holding ambers.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNnfPqMS8t
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89I4KhmkMr
A hissing sound starts to come from my hands.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZmXNRkztx
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“Get your hands off me!” she says as she tries to force my hands away.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡts3xDiyMMn
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXoTImePti
“You should be in bed. I nearly killed you.” she says189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFmXbf0Wop
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMvuLdKhFE
“Don’t flatter yourself, and do you attack people out of the blue if they approach you?” I ask in a serious tone189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWSO9vzPkM
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65jGUHs5Ob
“Excellent, so you CAN~ talk?!” she says forcing a hint of surprise and frustration in her voice189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFZoCr029N
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidCuB4mjld
“This is my training ground. Restricted. I hate people Intruding during practice.” She says arrogantly.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XxXrxp1se
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNv1dR72OmH
She flicks her head to slight right “I didn’t injure you did I?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ml3s3egHf
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DO80dHvt8
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuVgCfYja4
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFCMkSOvLe
I smirk, looking around.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAi2xWUdPq
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSbc9YWbkj
“Oh, so you can smile. I though you were some serious guy.” She says189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBM9dV42Obk
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1yAY8TOuO
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTSth2JWmO
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNEpxntP5v
“Wha—Hey! If you didn’t want to practice you could have said so! Why break it?!” she says189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohlTFXdAXr
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwORu5JlZj
“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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXz9ZEdubhN
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3s74rB7MwU
“….” Gloria flinches189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIrr92SRXq
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXlUVBcbC9
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoE1wwfFv5
“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.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDTOys2XfR
“You aren’t angry?” I ask189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy16mr8T6tW
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJOHSITYbH
“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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthETbeveVC
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmkav338AS
“A spar?” I considered it. Good exercise, but not worth reopening these wounds. “Maybe Another time.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBc44byfmI
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCc4Gjmdo6W
“Then we have a deal?” she asks189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7qFmEg855
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJENo5hqPf
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVJcgVqyLV
“Last night, Old man said you defeated the demon lord. If you didn’t use a sword, then what did you use?” she ask189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucXnb1KbuV
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCy7oVF4Dk3
“You want to know?” I ask, she nods immediately.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcgSPLz62s
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLAAdfJGBW
I point at the moon to distract her “Oh, look! A bird!” It works like it always does.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAzI0xC9Dj
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I only need moments to summon my spear using my strange powers.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRPuHiw3uR
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Now that it was in my hand, I remember how badly its damaged since the last battle.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJf4zknrFj
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOZZDJtn5l
“Hold on—Where did that come from?” she asks189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuf55FbPhQ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvTglds250
“Magic?” I offer with a shrug “Maybe, who knows?” motion189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1vZVWkZaf
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWBnl3dkTh
“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 asks189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWSfYAUsgp
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41ZmWOrwOn
I had a feeling she might ask this.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyy3R0laEa8
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“Fine, It’s a lost technology. I had the staff, but in a miniature form.” I say189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyoKXhBmOg
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBtOTUoawd
“Hmm, that might explain how you defeated the demon lord.” She murmurs while clutching her chin and the part of the mask covering it.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRiMwpKh80
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlESA51YDO
“What rank are you anyway?” she asks189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmE1IQUXOl
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“Rank?” I ask back in confusion189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KIaa6TTk4
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWEf5xmwOM
“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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PsL3QIhQJ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3tHkmAcTd
“Adventurer, huh? I am not one, I am a Hitman.” I say189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHDc2o3Pa8
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhK681CUWY
“Oldzheil did mention that before. What does that even mean? Is that some kind of title?” she asks189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDnwHmmWJZ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQOoMS1spM
my stomach lets out a deep growl as if a lion roar.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrXtx6jNFh
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqiyaWJEvI
“History can wait for later. But Food? My friend here suggests we Eat.” I say rubbing my stomach under the shirt.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOY6SwqI5p9
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“Now that you mention it, I am hungry too. But…” she hesitates189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodjkFun0Mn
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“But I don’t think you would like what I eat.” She says.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKqe89cNXT
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“Anything that doesn’t scream first.” I pause. “Even a tree will do, if it comes down to it.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavTsHty4LY
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She giggles “Your sense of humor sucks just like Oldzheil.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyimKMkLGD
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdlOPlyoDK
“Problem with vegetables?” I ask with a flat voice189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1svBUUGtmj
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcONvWHFHv4
“Not at all stupid, as a matter of fact I am veg too.” she says189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSwAzMeFWr
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQP4lEeS7gd
“A veg like me in this world? Crazy fantasy world to be in.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPciZsrHdz5
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhsY2udI5C
“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 says189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡml1zrMKOnu
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVz8RqITwT
Gloria starts walking excited, and I follow behind her, we both walk for a few minutes, quite. But then she speaks.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq14TKjbwNc
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“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 says189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlNCtWBHDJ
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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?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICwwr5kwFP
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97YvO8TFmX
“It’s an umbrella term, but yeah it involves bandit hunting, monster hunting and many other things.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQHvmZLIAR
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz675Cz2IZm
“So it’s a freelancing platform for people?” I ask189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQI3wUVnS0l
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“What’s freelancing?” she asks189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpJT9AnPsV
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“Work on hire.” I say189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHF9OFWIA2T
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1cOWqEnBw
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVg93hGcaO
“Geolard scrambled my memory before I met Warzheil. Only the important bits stuck.” I say189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCsEvKkMw3
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAVS8ZZuqf
“Oh, Oldman didn’t tell us about that.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0c7Ud64Z1
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaRLpyqM6y
“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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAOBvSbVph
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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?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQLikv6Ycs
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJD5zu6DlD
“It’s that bad? Maybe I should take those classes Sil was telling me to.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfptgkXKgC
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaI8iL6aXs
“One’s presence can be powerful when used with knowledge and precision.” I say.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5cfYlMu45
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“You should become a Sage.” She laughs189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6ZuAfdyiR
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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 asks189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aOAoSR6OB
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsXCCNdaCq
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmabxgpV9q
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDC287mZWb
“You mean Ava ‘The Light Borne Hero’, right?” she catches me off-guard by mentioning Ava.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6w8ca5W5EJ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0Ma4ShKNc
“Oldzheil told us about her too.” She says189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDZTqTFYUl
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I sneer “That Oldman…...” tightening my fist189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGml5ptHx8h
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaC8zeGqUm
“Hehehe, Don’t hold it against him, Grandma Sil has a special spell that forces other to speak more than they intend.” She explains189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPWf8ajbyP
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSGAHM0TBp
“Fine.” The thought of facing Ava still unnerved me. “Doesn't change that I need to see them.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLWcVgkLIc
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMovP22AdNM
“Why the long face? You think your sister won’t welcome you because you had a fight with her?” she asks189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiweGRRgHjX
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTpSOLxGLs
“It’s---complicated. Right now, she hates me more than I hate the sword” I say189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LTI1clZ1O
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6c5y32iYWe
Gloria does not enquire further. But after a moment of quite walking she speaks189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERTHO0zuYb
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoUzlqrQF7
“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 me189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMaBKPIotI
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyhl2niJgB
“Friends?” I continue after reconsidering. “Hard pass.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgCu7lewny
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRlsiq1Sxb
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lj1vl7unr
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvEJsJpKHW
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gy5hl1guy
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4MJ8AWQp7
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2mBlPGdSD
But, Then I hear a few sniffs. My heart sinks.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkDeweLW7x
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlap5YIAH3V
Giggles after sniffs “I was just joking? Why would anyone want to be friends out of the blue with someone who attacked them.” She says189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExG0f6bzj2
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneZv2DwAix
“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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlljQYuVfx
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLJzIphaCR
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“So, do you think I can become an Adventurer?” I ask trying to divert from the sobby mood.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWcGiNc6T9
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDISE7xZ02
“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 says189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiupACBkIf
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbpses6FQM
“Can I ask for your help? Or did I hurt your feelings and you won’t help me?” I ask189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQXsjTfLf0
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOVIDcSldS
“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 ask189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmixKs89VJc
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZo34QtcHw
“No, it opens up early, since adventurers start coming here.” She says as we walk through the town.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBnE27EwC8
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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 says189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6u4iFKkVt
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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 say189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjYMhvWeWr
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTo3e7W56wc
“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 gasp189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWCkuYQSfw
“Well, Geolard had it.” I say189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGig9DyqxA
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“Oh, that makes sense.” She says with an analytical nod189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQqlLdp2WD
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Soon, we arrive near a big, exotic looking building, magical almost.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRM2BCfCrVm
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The doors are open and a Cat woman is mopping the front of the guild.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUA5FzIeVZ
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“Nya-? Miss Gloria? What brings the Flame Queen so early to the guild?” she asks189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTef0kW1Kb
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“Good morning Canthrine, This is a guest of our house. And he wants to register as an adventurer.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlIVZCBgIO
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I join my hand as a greeting which confuses them.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ejtj7EF3Z
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“This is the way of greeting in my homeland” I say189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIJZ1ybO24
“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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xRk004yjL
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIPqPEualX
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A half Dragon half Human girl sat on the center counter.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJxoPvhP4T
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As far as my knowledge go, they are called dragonewt.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGkKx0mmXB
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There are 5 counter openings and she is on the center.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKwBNFE7mr
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She Seems busy with some paper work, and doesn’t notice us.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVtT8EjFIf
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“Hey Sinfia!” Gloria says waving her hand.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaB0rUzkWT
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“Oh, If it isn’t Sister Gloria.” The girl says189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0Rdvq2ML7
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“Kid, Where is the receptionist?” I ask, teasing her189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIH1XesHGxL
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BriyTk3tR
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Seeing her stare at my hand, I and realize that my hand really makes things complex for me.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnn5mTQftmM
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“You mean This? Standard issue. Made For certain specialized… professions.” I say189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIfobRBLig
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“A gauntlet?” she asks suspiciously189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2s7SdasxJX
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“You don’t need to hide it when I am with you Ronin, I will fill her in later.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCChMCJDQi
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTawtinxCAx
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“I am here to vouch for this man, Says he wants to be an adventurer.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFTihUUbwV
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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 expression189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iHMC3hgW5
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmxj4zJIvI
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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 says189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4wETJxvp6
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“A proof? I don’t think we have….” Gloria says but I know exactly what to do.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XPHpUfbXP
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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?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpkduIdxni
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“I am not a kid!” she recoils189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hKYIeneKr
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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 answers189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cwTa9YXW7
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“Yeah, what if I saw it? The Heroes must have defeated the demon lord.” She says189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynN7cSYPZ7
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“Heroes didn’t kill that monster.” I lean forward slightly. “I did.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTuJH2Hcgg
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At first Sinfia covers her mouth and then starts laughing wildly almost falling off her chair.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEdfPQMW99
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9FeYW3u8X
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“Guild Master Kainia, You returned from Holy Kingdom?” Gloria asks.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gOv9NneIp
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xqIBm4JOs
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Walking up to me she realizes something is wrong with her mana, her expression gives her away.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvG8M1M1UH
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Kainia’s eyes narrow on me. “No mana In or around you… An artifact?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXO24CtqxTO
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“As expected of the boss of the place. You know your stuff.” I say189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ066m19ETwA
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The guild master’s expression changes, now she feels like someone who is worth talking to.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNkm2Zsq8z
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“Kid, going around, telling other that you have precious commodity doesn’t raise fame, it raise chances of death.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3YUc1yNU1
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79N20IZ01o
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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 say189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ownGsDmda
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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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZXfvRqzNw
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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?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5EtMieolO
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“Me?” I ask189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyA6wQsfL0e
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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 asks189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAL7umTCouo
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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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vzKLlNJZI
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“W-w-wait, tell me you aren’t joking boss!” Sinfia says189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJneL2zUjto
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“Not at all, Sinfia, you should apologies this man before he eats you.” She says teasingly to Sinfia, which works.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbjF1O0orv
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Sinfia is about to get up but I gesture her to sit down and relax.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBtWTQqqYV
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcXs3UtNcK
“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 suggests189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDMUuX4tf7
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“I see a fake card….” I dwell on it for a moment189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gycvqqagW
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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 says189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHyjLDDAVL
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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 ask189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnTJ4WklgS
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvshBLTDswQ
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“B-b-boyfriend? We aren’t like that! How can I- with him.” She starts to stammer.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgXKfxZctp
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“She is teasing you, snap out of it.” I say in a commanding voice189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKw1wOYmw6f
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“so? What did you decide?” Kainia asks189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWAAXqoKWX
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“Your proposition is not bad, ok let’s go with that.” I say189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWi0IACXzph
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLJnb6HA24
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhbvljXEYE
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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 says189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUytr6ctPD
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“Why tell me this?” I ask189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7nfV6D39B
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“Your ancestors must have worked hard as adventurers to obtain such precious artifact. I can respect that.” She says189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50j4Jofx31
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Well, It’s good that she doesn’t know that it’s not an artifact. She is a good person.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8H8YlLnDfC
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnPjt5Qbxa
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ygph2E5Jn
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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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhAdynxhO3
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dlTKDlbaA
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My stance is relaxed, although the Vanquisher seems to be raring for a fight.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNr5vkub43
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WItOVDKpd
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“A small lesson for one so young as you.” She says in a whispering voice.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5QwQP7iBN
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvSjZjnWdQ
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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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXTFhjQXM4
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And we walk into the streets looking for cuisine that would satiate my hunger.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLn9QLVofm
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxEewlgfSk
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzI5BjY1yg0
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KSgLqGIvC
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oag0ZdhLG
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8okstYTxb7
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8WklhF0ot
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIqjIP6nJg
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I notice them using sign language and then using magic to disappear like they were never there.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJWnXF7vVp
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DOoAQY7vj
It hardly takes a few seconds to write "Good", but it boosts the confidence of us authors.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vTpHD7klX
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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/Q27uA8vnfu189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQx3iadY8l
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