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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZLJYHD40V
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWW7DEpvgL
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQxcgWXsKs
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I can hear the whistling sound. And now that I am awake, might as well take a stroll.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvb6KZ2BVj3
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUf4JhHXNVL
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriEOOpaHjl
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Although it pains my chest, I power through it72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPiYqnUXLt
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“Cool..., lets go.” I say to myself optimistically.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALsgwxZ0Wn
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But if someone saw me walking around I am sure they would avoid me.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnUAJMKi4x
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiUac98HOB
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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOBXSTjGaT
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvWaTFLOIy
I am sure the whistling sound must be coming from here. But there is no one here?72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYXhSioi5A
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKsOTXP7Dq
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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kRtSikgpP
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1xFIdcVA7
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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmq2dKyMWoe
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGPWKaaOfw
It works for me but seems like it didn’t quite work for her.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxo0BxCj0l
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEH1LhivnOD
Gold particles disappearing in the air signified her failed attempt to use her powers.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2sfAXOUEt
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMspDKECYT
I catch her shoulders. Frail looking like any woman’s, But she sure is strong, and It felt like I am holding ambers.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinayATynb6
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQ7I5zv81V
A hissing sound starts to come from my hands.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOxVXlHsH5
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“Get your hands off me!” she says as she tries to force my hands away.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHryGnEhQHq
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJO9uqT1jIW
“You should be in bed. I nearly killed you.” she says72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRyyVI7iBF
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujMbUT7pyy
“Don’t flatter yourself, and do you attack people out of the blue if they approach you?” I ask in a serious tone72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVK4eCik4N3
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eJ8IqR81a
“Excellent, so you CAN~ talk?!” she says forcing a hint of surprise and frustration in her voice72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9rjEO4UvK
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtKG0r4nw0
“This is my training ground. Restricted. I hate people Intruding during practice.” She says arrogantly.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8CQbPgKOn
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSfWNKhGEZ
She flicks her head to slight right “I didn’t injure you did I?”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJICUarS7H3
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZquLopYx3
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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTg8kWJN9b
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuGcmRzOVA
I smirk, looking around.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6J9ZPC06vp
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SY1f5Judt
“Oh, so you can smile. I though you were some serious guy.” She says72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMi1zsjD2O4
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnmLoJcXa6
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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ikyS3IXyL
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SJr9OZxEU
“Wha—Hey! If you didn’t want to practice you could have said so! Why break it?!” she says72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aIwkrzfT5
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM12X5K1dqu
“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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvyqaxzjMq
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZx3Y1RgDB
“….” Gloria flinches72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dXA4Q7yEu
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Gy9ADLxhp
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABT5tZmd44
“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.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNm5XloKHM
“You aren’t angry?” I ask72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW18QjlIXFg
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXa9VihOGw
“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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xlXQkmlcW
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“A spar?” I considered it. Good exercise, but not worth reopening these wounds. “Maybe Another time.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYStTsqS432
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“Then we have a deal?” she asks72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE11eftaqHp
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pQS7zo2mY
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuM3Smgkk8h
“Last night, Old man said you defeated the demon lord. If you didn’t use a sword, then what did you use?” she ask72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxS5In3K9W0
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“You want to know?” I ask, she nods immediately.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPya5zsO7xE
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I point at the moon to distract her “Oh, look! A bird!” It works like it always does.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYF39KpVFbE
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I only need moments to summon my spear using my strange powers.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDW1ajA9jTG
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Now that it was in my hand, I remember how badly its damaged since the last battle.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreKDh7hf7O
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmeC2jxVFm
“Hold on—Where did that come from?” she asks72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVGWR7soOY
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSUH7qi56M
“Magic?” I offer with a shrug “Maybe, who knows?” motion72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIAmB1jqeF
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufRc3jqDZF
“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 asks72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDX0zpNZv1x
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I had a feeling she might ask this.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwmBdNVAgw
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“Fine, It’s a lost technology. I had the staff, but in a miniature form.” I say72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrjweasB4z
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqn3NCXyU24
“Hmm, that might explain how you defeated the demon lord.” She murmurs while clutching her chin and the part of the mask covering it.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBUVc77pnT
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHc4v3MJVyJ
“What rank are you anyway?” she asks72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLXwoW4VsR
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“Rank?” I ask back in confusion72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1B9MFXRtaC
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekVuPJha5E
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“Adventurer, huh? I am not one, I am a Hitman.” I say72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ifsfstC1e
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPLqh32s7m
“Oldzheil did mention that before. What does that even mean? Is that some kind of title?” she asks72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjiqejPCYc
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszVCLlOXBk
my stomach lets out a deep growl as if a lion roar.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8PxbhlEnR
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSivH36SDze
“History can wait for later. But Food? My friend here suggests we Eat.” I say rubbing my stomach under the shirt.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbplR5pJBi
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnEQVVSbdU
“Now that you mention it, I am hungry too. But…” she hesitates72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5puYbTLzDB
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“But I don’t think you would like what I eat.” She says.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCyKx1rcPW
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“Anything that doesn’t scream first.” I pause. “Even a tree will do, if it comes down to it.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrFC8osWrZ
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She giggles “Your sense of humor sucks just like Oldzheil.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVpfkBLIfO
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7P254F68M
“Problem with vegetables?” I ask with a flat voice72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkWl7BxQ5m
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“Not at all stupid, as a matter of fact I am veg too.” she says72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVLpv5o0x8
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHK9ynlZhF
“A veg like me in this world? Crazy fantasy world to be in.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOQdAoFzMg
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLj8hoSbDB
“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 says72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡardIT25O0q
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLjVX1p7Af
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7mjljuTRH
“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 says72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnjQhekD62
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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?”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNn1Gf04C7
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJoYxbiUJ0
“It’s an umbrella term, but yeah it involves bandit hunting, monster hunting and many other things.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhl34XNH5gW
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVg3MlK8nfh
“So it’s a freelancing platform for people?” I ask72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjJ1iY8Cbh
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“What’s freelancing?” she asks72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzauqFOGiEl
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“Work on hire.” I say72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19U8gU5pAS
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26Mp73FcvV
“yeah, more or less. How the hell do you don’t know about adventurer’s guild?” Gloria says, suspicion creeping in her voice.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRp8cJXmS9U
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEegFYO8uWT
“Geolard scrambled my memory before I met Warzheil. Only the important bits stuck.” I say72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5vplRIVcE
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtkVs5TUuX
“Oh, Oldman didn’t tell us about that.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVr4GcU70ca
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNk8WsJuvbu
“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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYDxPZDzEJ
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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?”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhV4hNGIiw1
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp093RksCt6
“It’s that bad? Maybe I should take those classes Sil was telling me to.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryGPej2aKI
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GOZH7Z2vp
“One’s presence can be powerful when used with knowledge and precision.” I say.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTl8U0Q9z7o
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“You should become a Sage.” She laughs72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISpDcZOYmG
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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 asks72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dYqNMNnyc
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoH8D5MXhp
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZltUWlVZ0
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzPveqGLQE
“You mean Ava ‘The Light Borne Hero’, right?” she catches me off-guard by mentioning Ava.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjP93hEeV6t
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9FNCltVpv
“Oldzheil told us about her too.” She says72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRGQk8PeXc
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wfO24qELN
I sneer “That Oldman…...” tightening my fist72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXk4SatlDr
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibUORqp8jp
“Hehehe, Don’t hold it against him, Grandma Sil has a special spell that forces other to speak more than they intend.” She explains72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIZYFUU0DZ
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“Fine.” The thought of facing Ava still unnerved me. “Doesn't change that I need to see them.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjIsKw8x8t
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1Gzt2qAyK
“Why the long face? You think your sister won’t welcome you because you had a fight with her?” she asks72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMu8KzcA8B
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoI2lN05TK
“It’s---complicated. Right now, she hates me more than I hate the sword” I say72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKekA6ULiNA
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Gloria does not enquire further. But after a moment of quite walking she speaks72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8wqGemznY
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOPDImW2Pw
“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 me72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4I8i0hiBij
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“Friends?” I continue after reconsidering. “Hard pass.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOMfdQu4IG
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmopXHAFZq
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbOI5Os1FP
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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGBTp9Pad9
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmcHdGdc4v
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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUhElfjUvq
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaH8Zmyzmi
But, Then I hear a few sniffs. My heart sinks.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivVSmrPHbF
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡto6QM9FznE
Giggles after sniffs “I was just joking? Why would anyone want to be friends out of the blue with someone who attacked them.” She says72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFDtQsmIhe
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcIP9IkxiE
“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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AL3dHG0LK
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTK8RdFOOCV
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“So, do you think I can become an Adventurer?” I ask trying to divert from the sobby mood.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WguZPEqYx
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8tcQP96aB
“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 says72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6n7gBhWljM
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFaRCV35Ze
“Can I ask for your help? Or did I hurt your feelings and you won’t help me?” I ask72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIqb91N79U
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lZM1R59LU
“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 ask72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGa6BlxGwcf
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“No, it opens up early, since adventurers start coming here.” She says as we walk through the town.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGm8R5mgfR
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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 says72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURLflBNfLX
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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 say72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgZujZfMZC
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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 gasp72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhkY4e1Bu7
“Well, Geolard had it.” I say72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBUov0MZEJ
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“Oh, that makes sense.” She says with an analytical nod72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGr4qfVykRr
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Soon, we arrive near a big, exotic looking building, magical almost.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmspZvXY6fE
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The doors are open and a Cat woman is mopping the front of the guild.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi75IkfZbYs
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“Nya-? Miss Gloria? What brings the Flame Queen so early to the guild?” she asks72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxWpZ2UP09
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“Good morning Canthrine, This is a guest of our house. And he wants to register as an adventurer.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1AqlmUnjs
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I join my hand as a greeting which confuses them.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VcyJs92XJ
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“This is the way of greeting in my homeland” I say72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwoQ89zenu
“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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfk2VdhqiN3
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh99mTYMgFT
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A half Dragon half Human girl sat on the center counter.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgo41x9Ivug
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As far as my knowledge go, they are called dragonewt.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMC3mVcyoJ
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There are 5 counter openings and she is on the center.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEF1NWfUCo2
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She Seems busy with some paper work, and doesn’t notice us.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tO56sR5Eb
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“Hey Sinfia!” Gloria says waving her hand.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYzpC7c2iA
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“Oh, If it isn’t Sister Gloria.” The girl says72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3YmJZkQs6
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“Kid, Where is the receptionist?” I ask, teasing her72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUEFZ0tUXM
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmpdEtzKI5
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Seeing her stare at my hand, I and realize that my hand really makes things complex for me.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngpE3KBxon
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“You mean This? Standard issue. Made For certain specialized… professions.” I say72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9WMTnCPgd
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“A gauntlet?” she asks suspiciously72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qcfk9zJdg
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“You don’t need to hide it when I am with you Ronin, I will fill her in later.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZO6StkUdaj
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz31DCMer1c
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“I am here to vouch for this man, Says he wants to be an adventurer.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNz1dE0INtp
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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 expression72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7xAUJpiR8
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19GW3fWQws
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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 says72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThNGEz6ATO
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“A proof? I don’t think we have….” Gloria says but I know exactly what to do.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NFdMxcTf1
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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?”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRmWPVaTjD
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“I am not a kid!” she recoils72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDN8iXhYT5
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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 answers72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywKRBhWFsJ
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“Yeah, what if I saw it? The Heroes must have defeated the demon lord.” She says72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJfGMswe5M
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“Heroes didn’t kill that monster.” I lean forward slightly. “I did.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJZU2zIQQY
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At first Sinfia covers her mouth and then starts laughing wildly almost falling off her chair.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKg33bffxf
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboYqWa35XO
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“Guild Master Kainia, You returned from Holy Kingdom?” Gloria asks.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fdv2dHqqS
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhjC2ohzQf
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Walking up to me she realizes something is wrong with her mana, her expression gives her away.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAkWGomSjC
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Kainia’s eyes narrow on me. “No mana In or around you… An artifact?”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpLwRq8fxk
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“As expected of the boss of the place. You know your stuff.” I say72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BmCRH7Oja
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The guild master’s expression changes, now she feels like someone who is worth talking to.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitAyierORl
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“Kid, going around, telling other that you have precious commodity doesn’t raise fame, it raise chances of death.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIf7DAAoh5
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79o7fe55FA
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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 say72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmmkmZwIQq
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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."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAz06AJmd5P
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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?"72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjq3cDIQMd
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“Me?” I ask72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0pGV0yM29
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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 asks72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqyxO0jsPK
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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."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhdeX477JW
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“W-w-wait, tell me you aren’t joking boss!” Sinfia says72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxFsMmt5Mj
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“Not at all, Sinfia, you should apologies this man before he eats you.” She says teasingly to Sinfia, which works.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwGK1kUVRX
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Sinfia is about to get up but I gesture her to sit down and relax.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoKPJGyHUs
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQGC8w6uQB
“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 suggests72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYz29Rm4xF
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“I see a fake card….” I dwell on it for a moment72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIeGqe6ZGM
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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 says72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMg6VNNwYvz
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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 ask72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPZJ4oYCNI
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS91QzktxTg
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“B-b-boyfriend? We aren’t like that! How can I- with him.” She starts to stammer.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0f4JzVi05
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“She is teasing you, snap out of it.” I say in a commanding voice72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFk9ouBWRCw
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“so? What did you decide?” Kainia asks72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaV931hU36
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“Your proposition is not bad, ok let’s go with that.” I say72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rZfIl6VIe
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnGp5d5be8
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrXl0cRlME
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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 says72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VDMI1q1ZE
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“Why tell me this?” I ask72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzVe1WIn5r
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“Your ancestors must have worked hard as adventurers to obtain such precious artifact. I can respect that.” She says72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lTk9AREtq
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Well, It’s good that she doesn’t know that it’s not an artifact. She is a good person.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5F39Ltn2R
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtT7HSUe3O7
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpA7Jkuipqi
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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."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2FKbO33ob
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEGoqmIQc0
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My stance is relaxed, although the Vanquisher seems to be raring for a fight.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEq9LDUnGOO
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6aEx8Kbgo
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“A small lesson for one so young as you.” She says in a whispering voice.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCT673YiPWw
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhZSIwwbDw
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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."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5SNmgLy1H
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And we walk into the streets looking for cuisine that would satiate my hunger.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfcmVQ6p7x
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7Wa6CEjg9
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NUHmdg8dc
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnsW16YPJA
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuFUAYT0or
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqNBhys8fV
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9WGyktTnx
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYGOhuHQPu
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I notice them using sign language and then using magic to disappear like they were never there.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOV7DAPujm
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79GhCGMQlf
It hardly takes a few seconds to write "Good", but it boosts the confidence of us authors.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWDbeOYKAp
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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/Q27uA8vnfu72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKFTXryhO0
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