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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rKYvyPk0u
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkooxRyjGB3
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJx0WzDSDE
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I can hear the whistling sound. And now that I am awake, might as well take a stroll.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivSjTZx2eF
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqGJAgwtYl
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUwhbRJ3uM
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Although it pains my chest, I power through it99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SaUUa63uk
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“Cool..., lets go.” I say to myself optimistically.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIzzvPCf74
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But if someone saw me walking around I am sure they would avoid me.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaU9bqbUYPo
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGFy5A6uWs
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I am sure the whistling sound must be coming from here. But there is no one here?99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1L1QxxNt2
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Just kidding, they think they can ambush me, they are on my right in the darkness of the trees. I summon a dagger just in case.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qOKqqXu9b
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycXNfV1JxD
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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1VGDcy0iY
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It works for me but seems like it didn’t quite work for her.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aQ3Xttd8o
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyCLT7M8rw
Gold particles disappearing in the air signified her failed attempt to use her powers.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVaEHZ5Bmh
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyrexjR7J3
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A hissing sound starts to come from my hands.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9ePlOzRlf
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“Get your hands off me!” she says as she tries to force my hands away.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFBWU96w5c
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“You should be in bed. I nearly killed you.” she says99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrYzfe1JUy
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22FB0x2z5T
“Don’t flatter yourself, and do you attack people out of the blue if they approach you?” I ask in a serious tone99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGc2Cuqz5n
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKwGfJFLyD
“Excellent, so you CAN~ talk?!” she says forcing a hint of surprise and frustration in her voice99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6NSUURbck
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHWTRK9ina
“This is my training ground. Restricted. I hate people Intruding during practice.” She says arrogantly.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1aS1OFq91
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsxwr3UySs
She flicks her head to slight right “I didn’t injure you did I?”99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hGQmBSMec
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLssRROZbG
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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZefdZV8Pdv
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I smirk, looking around.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZbvuNn20Q
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“Oh, so you can smile. I though you were some serious guy.” She says99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuWAD9SqBd
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJuHMHXjjQ
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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzO2SttQlzR
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSauoBSEBKC
“Wha—Hey! If you didn’t want to practice you could have said so! Why break it?!” she says99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2un8GvFZLF
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNmRbOy97V
“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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHEkgJ2Eu0
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“….” Gloria flinches99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTyeJpm8pQ
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzisffTZouD
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“No, it’s fine.” A small, almost surprised smile touched her lips. “Startling, is all. Not many outside my family dare raise their voice at me.”99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbM8ypvyNCi
“You aren’t angry?” I ask99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfImfJbQqhP
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“No, I was just trying to get you to spar with me, forgetting you are injured. I was the one at fault, so I will let you off the hook this once.” she chuckles, mischief in her voice.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTN8E8V6XH
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXEwBey7JR
“A spar?” I considered it. Good exercise, but not worth reopening these wounds. “Maybe Another time.”99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWHCykrIlQ
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“Then we have a deal?” she asks99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYuC6khjnL
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ16ON02FgC
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGID3zHRIj
“Last night, Old man said you defeated the demon lord. If you didn’t use a sword, then what did you use?” she ask99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OvXeX8KyW
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“You want to know?” I ask, she nods immediately.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75gC2DT72t
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I point at the moon to distract her “Oh, look! A bird!” It works like it always does.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsqAFM7b7d
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I only need moments to summon my spear using my strange powers.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPaVI2PdG3
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Now that it was in my hand, I remember how badly its damaged since the last battle.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaHeWXy1FN
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“Hold on—Where did that come from?” she asks99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sqQScGgTn
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“Magic?” I offer with a shrug “Maybe, who knows?” motion99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6z2s5JOHEp
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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 asks99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAubpZlxyTV
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I had a feeling she might ask this.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibLNQ3BL45
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“Fine, It’s a lost technology. I had the staff, but in a miniature form.” I say99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0G2T3IVlly
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhWaqzsXtf
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“What rank are you anyway?” she asks99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuOjptXL1B
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“Rank?” I ask back in confusion99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3w8FWeKe1
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxbjD670PH
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“Adventurer, huh? I am not one, I am a Hitman.” I say99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdszhGcgeTD
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“Oldzheil did mention that before. What does that even mean? Is that some kind of title?” she asks99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ECaptQAF2
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my stomach lets out a deep growl as if a lion roar.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVujECLZ1RK
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwGnTIksmQ
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“Now that you mention it, I am hungry too. But…” she hesitates99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTBjNRGQrA
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“But I don’t think you would like what I eat.” She says.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOw3TgAdneq
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“Anything that doesn’t scream first.” I pause. “Even a tree will do, if it comes down to it.”99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cmOQ6HcMB
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She giggles “Your sense of humor sucks just like Oldzheil.”99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgCKUAmvAY
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“Problem with vegetables?” I ask with a flat voice99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2PAt6YpK5
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“Not at all stupid, as a matter of fact I am veg too.” she says99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHOKLlxgLn
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“A veg like me in this world? Crazy fantasy world to be in.”99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSLr33ajRQ
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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 says99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0zQTgkBy7
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Gloria starts walking excited, and I follow behind her, we both walk for a few minutes, quite. But then she speaks.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PotJjAfT5
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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 says99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxrYFL9KXb
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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?”99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9ow2B4hYP
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“It’s an umbrella term, but yeah it involves bandit hunting, monster hunting and many other things.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHN3CJqBBXW
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“So it’s a freelancing platform for people?” I ask99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspN1OjIr6k
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“What’s freelancing?” she asks99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDFOFxZmeZ
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“Work on hire.” I say99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDwMzFEh6H
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3DAL0F8oB
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“Geolard scrambled my memory before I met Warzheil. Only the important bits stuck.” I say99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyuQddFlvD
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“Oh, Oldman didn’t tell us about that.”99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMZAVwFTcf
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZXnHgeT4K
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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?”99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfmvB89rK9
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“It’s that bad? Maybe I should take those classes Sil was telling me to.”99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzk8z8dZzw
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“One’s presence can be powerful when used with knowledge and precision.” I say.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgxdkLdKL4
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“You should become a Sage.” She laughs99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU52Manbrtg
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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 asks99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6aaJE8g8Y
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpPNJD1cMt
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1N7jHHunD
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“You mean Ava ‘The Light Borne Hero’, right?” she catches me off-guard by mentioning Ava.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AUMXdJ5Yc
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“Oldzheil told us about her too.” She says99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqvHcvuzCj
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTNzTTaOSA
I sneer “That Oldman…...” tightening my fist99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7AJmiyhuP
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“Hehehe, Don’t hold it against him, Grandma Sil has a special spell that forces other to speak more than they intend.” She explains99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMIPQNWPoj
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6viQWmIeXW
“Fine.” The thought of facing Ava still unnerved me. “Doesn't change that I need to see them.”99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xq389gyji
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lrFLTSLuv
“Why the long face? You think your sister won’t welcome you because you had a fight with her?” she asks99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgn5E0dz2KG
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“It’s---complicated. Right now, she hates me more than I hate the sword” I say99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKH4zPMuOJ1
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Gloria does not enquire further. But after a moment of quite walking she speaks99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxbjHC0BFI
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡty9iZGoJfx
“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 me99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipXuDLkmS3
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“Friends?” I continue after reconsidering. “Hard pass.”99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjU1bExyDyR
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBKDyVsTLN
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She must be struck hard, but I cannot be friends with my contractor’s daughter. I don’t want anyone else to be hurt because of me.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaKFsLaut0
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacP7kvsTeV
But, Then I hear a few sniffs. My heart sinks.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HEenuzF0C
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiogmme3FNm
Giggles after sniffs “I was just joking? Why would anyone want to be friends out of the blue with someone who attacked them.” She says99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQOCGn0lZh
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjhwXeGpn1
“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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwo5t5eyEc
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“So, do you think I can become an Adventurer?” I ask trying to divert from the sobby mood.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNswOoPbPVo
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“oh, They don’t let mutants into the guild, but I can vouch for you if you want. The local adventurer guild can only promote you till the Elder Silver Hand rank. But after that you will need to go to one of the capitals.” She says99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QJWKOaQ6O
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7I7sNu8U9
“Can I ask for your help? Or did I hurt your feelings and you won’t help me?” I ask99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUCR3KW4Gq
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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 ask99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjHlklOZVp
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“No, it opens up early, since adventurers start coming here.” She says as we walk through the town.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCriY7lr35y
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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 says99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uf4MmpJqv
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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 say99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuWS27Iaki
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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 gasp99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfBbwiQVAR
“Well, Geolard had it.” I say99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWwoooC5K9
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“Oh, that makes sense.” She says with an analytical nod99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pybSRSHIx
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Soon, we arrive near a big, exotic looking building, magical almost.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TtT4n07if
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The doors are open and a Cat woman is mopping the front of the guild.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDL92SqOFGV
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“Nya-? Miss Gloria? What brings the Flame Queen so early to the guild?” she asks99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXc79Qs71P
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“Good morning Canthrine, This is a guest of our house. And he wants to register as an adventurer.”99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMCqVzg7Yt
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I join my hand as a greeting which confuses them.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83donTxhOa
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“This is the way of greeting in my homeland” I say99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquCvW8T39x
“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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1fyWtoagq
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdh9V65vmM
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A half Dragon half Human girl sat on the center counter.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HCt1FB9Rs
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As far as my knowledge go, they are called dragonewt.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdQz72uths
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There are 5 counter openings and she is on the center.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6QwINaEq6
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She Seems busy with some paper work, and doesn’t notice us.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfOFGiocxj
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“Hey Sinfia!” Gloria says waving her hand.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBapYKzJTc1
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“Oh, If it isn’t Sister Gloria.” The girl says99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrnJlFgDhb
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“Kid, Where is the receptionist?” I ask, teasing her99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyGNOCXloh
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOaddnJVcg
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Seeing her stare at my hand, I and realize that my hand really makes things complex for me.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmV3gQZMYDS
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“You mean This? Standard issue. Made For certain specialized… professions.” I say99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6A69RKl4tl
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“A gauntlet?” she asks suspiciously99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BV7IppAhk
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“You don’t need to hide it when I am with you Ronin, I will fill her in later.”99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TocGaXYLt
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdJyI2v9PE
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“I am here to vouch for this man, Says he wants to be an adventurer.”99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25konHLifn
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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 expression99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZc1Wjh6A8Q
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGnSY9AGms
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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 says99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLynnAVEb0J
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“A proof? I don’t think we have….” Gloria says but I know exactly what to do.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYr7OtGzg2J
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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?”99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wK0SFavS3
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“I am not a kid!” she recoils99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNUudlRaHG
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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 answers99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeN5NsVniB
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“Yeah, what if I saw it? The Heroes must have defeated the demon lord.” She says99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2g1jl2YpuD
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“Heroes didn’t kill that monster.” I lean forward slightly. “I did.”99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsSvcdj41D
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At first Sinfia covers her mouth and then starts laughing wildly almost falling off her chair.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPmBZH47oN
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfm3KKX59bJ
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“Guild Master Kainia, You returned from Holy Kingdom?” Gloria asks.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMcayppPJ6
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uvTFOJvpI
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Walking up to me she realizes something is wrong with her mana, her expression gives her away.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU30y3HV4ZR
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Kainia’s eyes narrow on me. “No mana In or around you… An artifact?”99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xOVydAQFr
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“As expected of the boss of the place. You know your stuff.” I say99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoFlP90ISl
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The guild master’s expression changes, now she feels like someone who is worth talking to.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUghOVqynBQ
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“Kid, going around, telling other that you have precious commodity doesn’t raise fame, it raise chances of death.”99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWocDncJnOW
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuw74EJZcJ
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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 say99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjp3e5Mf4t
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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."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFxVbdzO9u
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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?"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKizcc3glf
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“Me?” I ask99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUIycx5J8A
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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 asks99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXJhOgr7rf
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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."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuqfvV4HuE
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“W-w-wait, tell me you aren’t joking boss!” Sinfia says99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9j3HI2FbVU
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“Not at all, Sinfia, you should apologies this man before he eats you.” She says teasingly to Sinfia, which works.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHs5Z5I1xkS
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Sinfia is about to get up but I gesture her to sit down and relax.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPaPLXx2Rw
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkqcE682EL
“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 suggests99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcpPzVUIBe
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“I see a fake card….” I dwell on it for a moment99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjE3h9tuATP
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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 says99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAPJjfRO6f
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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 ask99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccaXPv6w3y
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBENsbUbnVp
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“B-b-boyfriend? We aren’t like that! How can I- with him.” She starts to stammer.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNZB2SaREY
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“She is teasing you, snap out of it.” I say in a commanding voice99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UCWRJkDNi
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“so? What did you decide?” Kainia asks99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXewm8hub5
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“Your proposition is not bad, ok let’s go with that.” I say99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7ke9u7yU4
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznJ8cIu6YZ
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dxPoUR8g6
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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 says99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphEij0OWRr
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“Why tell me this?” I ask99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOb1uRPbj3f
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“Your ancestors must have worked hard as adventurers to obtain such precious artifact. I can respect that.” She says99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYIlbHY4ph
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Well, It’s good that she doesn’t know that it’s not an artifact. She is a good person.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBQziaGnEa
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVCI0ZL3al
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIUibN8IFC
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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."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWtnjR3owE
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9n4n22RA1
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My stance is relaxed, although the Vanquisher seems to be raring for a fight.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqqxSmCepc
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Cg5qmSUev
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“A small lesson for one so young as you.” She says in a whispering voice.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhU17rW0FDF
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRjM2a8c3k
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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."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLqSbKpWyq
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And we walk into the streets looking for cuisine that would satiate my hunger.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsa6C5Xa1aH
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8q90edBv1I
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcJkqLlVuE
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJOxLt3jgS
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57M4kZjKDl
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2L7OtNL43
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4l4U2BmHXQ
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjLHT9JJIo
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I notice them using sign language and then using magic to disappear like they were never there.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExvKh8sGa2
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPWJA5VvHK
It hardly takes a few seconds to write "Good", but it boosts the confidence of us authors.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4MhUyd3Hc
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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/Q27uA8vnfu99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VMdkqUfRJ
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