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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgKmTVXH37
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBl4pb9f9BC
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyyzUuZuvj
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I can hear the whistling sound. And now that I am awake, might as well take a stroll.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdfy7Wx904
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wf3aotgH9
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPPPJBrQQt
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Although it pains my chest, I power through it76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBXGpIe9nA
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“Cool..., lets go.” I say to myself optimistically.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrEWCLLaUp
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But if someone saw me walking around I am sure they would avoid me.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9W92wOurp0
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9v7LgAPfK2
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWh7nEe7ob
I am sure the whistling sound must be coming from here. But there is no one here?76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YlaMkuZdR
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3DAN24mGN
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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtfzmmItni
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuzTtFGbJ9
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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5BHZeDAjl
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It works for me but seems like it didn’t quite work for her.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscwizu0ydm
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP43YnxvJjh
Gold particles disappearing in the air signified her failed attempt to use her powers.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOlb11UuZf
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmH5uF6arB7
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iMn97oOsO
A hissing sound starts to come from my hands.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRyZnRHJem
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrC76PjqR2
“Get your hands off me!” she says as she tries to force my hands away.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeJOP93JsN
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamAuhUWJGz
“You should be in bed. I nearly killed you.” she says76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTmsgfD54x
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxpcPWnHEl
“Don’t flatter yourself, and do you attack people out of the blue if they approach you?” I ask in a serious tone76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fxhID0rcX
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHqhymVDfC
“Excellent, so you CAN~ talk?!” she says forcing a hint of surprise and frustration in her voice76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVxUke8JiD
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrwaAxhU1O
“This is my training ground. Restricted. I hate people Intruding during practice.” She says arrogantly.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKYfWXITCD
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBXiuDSmpu
She flicks her head to slight right “I didn’t injure you did I?”76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3j8ypjotV
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUueb7Cad5V
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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0y0D7UJ2Kw
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I smirk, looking around.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOEb0bn9jv
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“Oh, so you can smile. I though you were some serious guy.” She says76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZ5FWwWyJJ
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUkhrchj4d
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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiDICBBpKh
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuMRgg4LRW
“Wha—Hey! If you didn’t want to practice you could have said so! Why break it?!” she says76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpF7s7C7kMD
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZ3OpqTZaD
“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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZFF6HIUil
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“….” Gloria flinches76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurRGiPB73P
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDrBxxx8ix
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmns69iUY2
“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.”76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrQ4x8PcKP
“You aren’t angry?” I ask76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡui7WOrsos5
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyxYq9Z42W
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvcBBWn34o
“A spar?” I considered it. Good exercise, but not worth reopening these wounds. “Maybe Another time.”76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygKgUDCLJj
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhOnOatUzP
“Then we have a deal?” she asks76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXD8PlQUf7s
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGwhkOUs33
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtI11Agsk5d
“Last night, Old man said you defeated the demon lord. If you didn’t use a sword, then what did you use?” she ask76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGS2LKIGP5
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxsmVqPqFb
“You want to know?” I ask, she nods immediately.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyi9kNWeHY
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdu6o62gOH
I point at the moon to distract her “Oh, look! A bird!” It works like it always does.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSczTueEVg
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I only need moments to summon my spear using my strange powers.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNJ5MLUezr
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Now that it was in my hand, I remember how badly its damaged since the last battle.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHiHGF45rp
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“Hold on—Where did that come from?” she asks76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIR2IX0WbO
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“Magic?” I offer with a shrug “Maybe, who knows?” motion76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwEOTCvhIK
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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 asks76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJGZorZAvv
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I had a feeling she might ask this.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0lPagVsi2
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“Fine, It’s a lost technology. I had the staff, but in a miniature form.” I say76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX6WKyjYDw
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr78dmeJuNr
“Hmm, that might explain how you defeated the demon lord.” She murmurs while clutching her chin and the part of the mask covering it.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnq27Exlr7
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCLxODIExH
“What rank are you anyway?” she asks76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsZhENo4IL
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“Rank?” I ask back in confusion76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0EW4FoYXq
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZdpg0KDyi
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvS28yFMcRE
“Adventurer, huh? I am not one, I am a Hitman.” I say76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmI53hnpz3U
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjzZFzh9VX
“Oldzheil did mention that before. What does that even mean? Is that some kind of title?” she asks76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPF8oztdgm
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DrJKZ4Pl7
my stomach lets out a deep growl as if a lion roar.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZvjZkUdw4
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnA0hq32Gs8
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“Now that you mention it, I am hungry too. But…” she hesitates76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbdvKhNZpu
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“But I don’t think you would like what I eat.” She says.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbTM2HHFu8
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“Anything that doesn’t scream first.” I pause. “Even a tree will do, if it comes down to it.”76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeO2ehQtov
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She giggles “Your sense of humor sucks just like Oldzheil.”76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8sZQKgqRh
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“Problem with vegetables?” I ask with a flat voice76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7FZTrIC7D
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“Not at all stupid, as a matter of fact I am veg too.” she says76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2PnZ4xtrd
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdhN5PNmI1
“A veg like me in this world? Crazy fantasy world to be in.”76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfpcYeyfsS
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7qxtRMBDG
“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 says76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlW3NnPl86q
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVZhFWe6oX
Gloria starts walking excited, and I follow behind her, we both walk for a few minutes, quite. But then she speaks.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxHS1Idalx
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xONLSRFwu
“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 says76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qgevE2Sms
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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?”76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30IVDUmsWf
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“It’s an umbrella term, but yeah it involves bandit hunting, monster hunting and many other things.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvnq777cUP
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1JsxXWHb7
“So it’s a freelancing platform for people?” I ask76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVi8l0H35c
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“What’s freelancing?” she asks76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdL1gqvc2c
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“Work on hire.” I say76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNeVIwtSTn
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZn0wleke3D
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhly1LV5vrx
“Geolard scrambled my memory before I met Warzheil. Only the important bits stuck.” I say76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPI2l8Iyt1M
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lih0giMW3
“Oh, Oldman didn’t tell us about that.”76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqu8PhqH7oY
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hXnn1VoAi
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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?”76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneSgISWdUh
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“It’s that bad? Maybe I should take those classes Sil was telling me to.”76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoiJ8Od8Rs
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvt5A3UhSM
“One’s presence can be powerful when used with knowledge and precision.” I say.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFcINdc4Rn
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“You should become a Sage.” She laughs76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84YdmTUbve
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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 asks76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeCoOHRldv
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKGFow5LTK
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdp6wxv6Fo
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPU5iBwbce
“You mean Ava ‘The Light Borne Hero’, right?” she catches me off-guard by mentioning Ava.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWIzKDCtaX
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“Oldzheil told us about her too.” She says76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2i26pYUkGv
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I sneer “That Oldman…...” tightening my fist76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVn8qXAcwnz
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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 explains76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBmMtKNTdY
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“Fine.” The thought of facing Ava still unnerved me. “Doesn't change that I need to see them.”76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkuhHmoY0s
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHg8qG83npK
“Why the long face? You think your sister won’t welcome you because you had a fight with her?” she asks76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllXPVI9WwZ
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“It’s---complicated. Right now, she hates me more than I hate the sword” I say76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIuz9hmdnU
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMb04UORokG
Gloria does not enquire further. But after a moment of quite walking she speaks76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSvmsmWJgo
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2T8ACOrcAw
“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 me76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNa3Dn1toIN
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“Friends?” I continue after reconsidering. “Hard pass.”76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuC9NxZCjc
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzltdCogMP
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2Q2b3YMvd
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6wiMRTerf
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But, Then I hear a few sniffs. My heart sinks.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExonLjrrZR
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5mMhYxZfM
Giggles after sniffs “I was just joking? Why would anyone want to be friends out of the blue with someone who attacked them.” She says76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0iAxrlN0h
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8vhbqnX6l
“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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5gkdcusw9
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“So, do you think I can become an Adventurer?” I ask trying to divert from the sobby mood.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTdAdMCcI3
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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 says76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPj6kTdMHl
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfGbrQpd60
“Can I ask for your help? Or did I hurt your feelings and you won’t help me?” I ask76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcTLXW0v43
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaYu9LwdVx
“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 ask76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3KUFWzHQJ
76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ELUCqadTp
“No, it opens up early, since adventurers start coming here.” She says as we walk through the town.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbanmbmD6Ff
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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 says76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrdgq80yzs
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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 say76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ518u3ZwfTi
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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 gasp76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgh91twttn
“Well, Geolard had it.” I say76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwarddN9jk
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“Oh, that makes sense.” She says with an analytical nod76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgVkN83UpB
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Soon, we arrive near a big, exotic looking building, magical almost.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnNQwD3608
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The doors are open and a Cat woman is mopping the front of the guild.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzo1UyenHpK
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“Nya-? Miss Gloria? What brings the Flame Queen so early to the guild?” she asks76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDcoaZM9XN
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“Good morning Canthrine, This is a guest of our house. And he wants to register as an adventurer.”76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyLEThCQXt
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I join my hand as a greeting which confuses them.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqICFLQyPkN
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“This is the way of greeting in my homeland” I say76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1S9omtmNKk
“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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sQjCONsnx
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLuKjxVqPV
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A half Dragon half Human girl sat on the center counter.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRelCpe1Nq
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As far as my knowledge go, they are called dragonewt.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaCrGKyTEG
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There are 5 counter openings and she is on the center.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOlnUOKLjj
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She Seems busy with some paper work, and doesn’t notice us.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwdVXyh2gL
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“Hey Sinfia!” Gloria says waving her hand.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcM72FHeQO
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“Oh, If it isn’t Sister Gloria.” The girl says76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vCX6pXCyW
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“Kid, Where is the receptionist?” I ask, teasing her76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WOvIhxO4U
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVp3eTLs2UZ
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Seeing her stare at my hand, I and realize that my hand really makes things complex for me.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzMPeH9v1Q
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“You mean This? Standard issue. Made For certain specialized… professions.” I say76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSXX4tYiBw
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“A gauntlet?” she asks suspiciously76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoudc9VJ3uf
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“You don’t need to hide it when I am with you Ronin, I will fill her in later.”76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATWFqpR4qQ
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQQ0FsoOSc
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“I am here to vouch for this man, Says he wants to be an adventurer.”76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqT1KwnzW9
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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 expression76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEoJzFRJI8
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRzuVXauMt
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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 says76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJvD23uWiu
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“A proof? I don’t think we have….” Gloria says but I know exactly what to do.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCFhPIXn9Z
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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?”76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaqk6AwUDb
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“I am not a kid!” she recoils76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWhRYc89qe
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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 answers76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEefjkD5jGK
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“Yeah, what if I saw it? The Heroes must have defeated the demon lord.” She says76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmy55joDJN
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“Heroes didn’t kill that monster.” I lean forward slightly. “I did.”76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiIn9srckm
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At first Sinfia covers her mouth and then starts laughing wildly almost falling off her chair.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yMe9Sg8IK
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡii6SXBSUYb
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“Guild Master Kainia, You returned from Holy Kingdom?” Gloria asks.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GEFqsSSS4
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpdf4yEm16
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Walking up to me she realizes something is wrong with her mana, her expression gives her away.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSyfCfDabD
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Kainia’s eyes narrow on me. “No mana In or around you… An artifact?”76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPFjC8M2wQ
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“As expected of the boss of the place. You know your stuff.” I say76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3D0rWM5pB1
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The guild master’s expression changes, now she feels like someone who is worth talking to.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8RK0fbRtM
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“Kid, going around, telling other that you have precious commodity doesn’t raise fame, it raise chances of death.”76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDfXTisp7I
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XaSF4AGs0
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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 say76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzNF1g8EQE
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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."76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvclemMSArR
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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?"76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34ek3xfapO
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“Me?” I ask76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWF0lO6GEhK
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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 asks76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAh4HR29Vb
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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."76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktadkJivT3
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“W-w-wait, tell me you aren’t joking boss!” Sinfia says76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCiYQS03qk
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“Not at all, Sinfia, you should apologies this man before he eats you.” She says teasingly to Sinfia, which works.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOep38CpVSI
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Sinfia is about to get up but I gesture her to sit down and relax.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlACgpVojp
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqxNxiZSpx
“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 suggests76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SJEVvy4d6
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“I see a fake card….” I dwell on it for a moment76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WlXSgC5rR
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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 says76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ893i3EswLz
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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 ask76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDa60Gz932
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBXQtQlEnY
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“B-b-boyfriend? We aren’t like that! How can I- with him.” She starts to stammer.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNcofxuphB
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“She is teasing you, snap out of it.” I say in a commanding voice76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflY6iFfCT4
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“so? What did you decide?” Kainia asks76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVznWexpcp5
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“Your proposition is not bad, ok let’s go with that.” I say76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdkDul44uZ
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uujmd6pqH
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZOPnjO8Cb
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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 says76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXfcriJNrV
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“Why tell me this?” I ask76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70cBlbHxgx
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“Your ancestors must have worked hard as adventurers to obtain such precious artifact. I can respect that.” She says76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEVgbpexPX
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Well, It’s good that she doesn’t know that it’s not an artifact. She is a good person.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuvteLgCi7
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwPyFpPj8O
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AdXiJsmaK
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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."76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8mlct9tQn
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aUP03VnYl
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My stance is relaxed, although the Vanquisher seems to be raring for a fight.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxASULA5ux
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpG16ot3epk
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“A small lesson for one so young as you.” She says in a whispering voice.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhC5ordsqw
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4t1NomPB3Z
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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."76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNxYiYB92c
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And we walk into the streets looking for cuisine that would satiate my hunger.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVcXqp4AFq
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmPOHPdESs
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6I9P93OLi
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1119G0fJ1R
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1pMECXoax
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCnRvMELQW
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPwCbOR9WE
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxlVtWcQql
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I notice them using sign language and then using magic to disappear like they were never there.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LhGGaCfZG
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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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0d9zmYp7jU
It hardly takes a few seconds to write "Good", but it boosts the confidence of us authors.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiINKyqB9sB
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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/Q27uA8vnfu76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEKf7BmyZQ
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