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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsceEQVeqWG
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoNUb3N0cT
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xr9JgorC1
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I can hear the whistling sound. And now that I am awake, might as well take a stroll.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHLXPbdoOd
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuR7tpAPnkZ
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgEAY7lLr8
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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lwD5ZLvaZ
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Although it pains my chest, I power through it307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYxuYTlCld
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“Cool..., lets go.” I say to myself optimistically.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRtR6k62gr
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGzSiGQxBq
But if someone saw me walking around I am sure they would avoid me.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFf3Qs26QQQ
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWOoW58ntM
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTNaWRamMc
I am sure the whistling sound must be coming from here. But there is no one here?307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60jFCyG91W
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Just kidding, they think they can ambush me, they are on my right in the darkness of the trees. I summon a dagger just in case.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡza08c5LXkJ
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFsy7vRfDg
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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5WeADVeYl
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9ytFD1DTz
It works for me but seems like it didn’t quite work for her.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9CrwbMMg9
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdrOfDprxM
Gold particles disappearing in the air signified her failed attempt to use her powers.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcNWgnuwqq
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLVJ6PCTJN
I catch her shoulders. Frail looking like any woman’s, But she sure is strong, and It felt like I am holding ambers.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaVYDs3YhA
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A hissing sound starts to come from my hands.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7WTSosqST
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“Get your hands off me!” she says as she tries to force my hands away.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKf9Zehv93a
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTaraoL4BC
“You should be in bed. I nearly killed you.” she says307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tORHs9Ytn
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWZBOs0pSl
“Don’t flatter yourself, and do you attack people out of the blue if they approach you?” I ask in a serious tone307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYApKx7eLyk
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9IRSpueVM
“Excellent, so you CAN~ talk?!” she says forcing a hint of surprise and frustration in her voice307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdv7UpL3UP
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JYnsLJxNQ
“This is my training ground. Restricted. I hate people Intruding during practice.” She says arrogantly.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EGKDw8Och
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOJi2FW0NO
She flicks her head to slight right “I didn’t injure you did I?”307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCCtDdt7P1
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeoYDO8L18
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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPOhKQZcHa
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKsRiDmaiD
I smirk, looking around.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MC20JBdCt
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wAyIpVk9T
“Oh, so you can smile. I though you were some serious guy.” She says307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcdP2xM5VC
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj19Ri1AEWv
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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSD9NiHCNZy
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNWcKIksgs
“Wha—Hey! If you didn’t want to practice you could have said so! Why break it?!” she says307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoe9xLPLZVL
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXMSMiuVej
“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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSjkLBqxXQ
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“….” Gloria flinches307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvY3LNsoLq
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9NuqDZhOR
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRFWUQFrKk
“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.”307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sRSXJJCMA
“You aren’t angry?” I ask307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WAsPaJGNF
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfJewophnm
“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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeCueCNgHx
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkfbguak8A
“A spar?” I considered it. Good exercise, but not worth reopening these wounds. “Maybe Another time.”307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdrktAZhdA
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiHAdKlNMp
“Then we have a deal?” she asks307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfL5i4YzNwN
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt48WHhpNvp
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“Last night, Old man said you defeated the demon lord. If you didn’t use a sword, then what did you use?” she ask307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpR7jdytDJy
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQwKiqFrak
“You want to know?” I ask, she nods immediately.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9Qk0CTfSN
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I point at the moon to distract her “Oh, look! A bird!” It works like it always does.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKsWuAf7mb
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtdTiyTRkP
I only need moments to summon my spear using my strange powers.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuwWcGkh4O
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Now that it was in my hand, I remember how badly its damaged since the last battle.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6YyX8w4tI
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“Hold on—Where did that come from?” she asks307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaBVgrPKul
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡng8RxZh3i4
“Magic?” I offer with a shrug “Maybe, who knows?” motion307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVo7BMfwSx
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SSvxp8K34
“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 asks307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylULNfsrX3
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I had a feeling she might ask this.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmja7AA98xi
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“Fine, It’s a lost technology. I had the staff, but in a miniature form.” I say307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGsPpRsAr0
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“Hmm, that might explain how you defeated the demon lord.” She murmurs while clutching her chin and the part of the mask covering it.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwbvL3wbTI
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlnE5KyRnr
“What rank are you anyway?” she asks307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVNsd8vv09
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“Rank?” I ask back in confusion307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpKUV0AgmK
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbcvYUouOA
“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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkieMDlTSSk
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“Adventurer, huh? I am not one, I am a Hitman.” I say307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYa6LpDpfq2
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMA4NrfK4q0
“Oldzheil did mention that before. What does that even mean? Is that some kind of title?” she asks307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Gwj0QfSbW
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkfRhN7d8V
my stomach lets out a deep growl as if a lion roar.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmrKBDHRqn
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQncBqnmzlZ
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“Now that you mention it, I am hungry too. But…” she hesitates307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRg0mJWgmlK
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“But I don’t think you would like what I eat.” She says.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54c0JuyAer
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“Anything that doesn’t scream first.” I pause. “Even a tree will do, if it comes down to it.”307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UkmLJe0JS
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She giggles “Your sense of humor sucks just like Oldzheil.”307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVw9WdWIId
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYgOTpcdla
“Problem with vegetables?” I ask with a flat voice307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡme8toNTrAj
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“Not at all stupid, as a matter of fact I am veg too.” she says307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpISxT52BmM
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“A veg like me in this world? Crazy fantasy world to be in.”307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvyCuYLnLx
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“HEHE, there are many out there. Meat is quite expensive for common folk. And, eating lower beings is the last thing I want to do,” She says307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ap7e7cdGS
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnJCPkOb7m
Gloria starts walking excited, and I follow behind her, we both walk for a few minutes, quite. But then she speaks.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Cn0v4xCao
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“You know, when I first saw you, I Mistook you for some god’s descendant too, Your eyes, although strange, speaks of wisdom and knowledge not meant For humans to achieve your age, It’s unbelievable no matter how I think of it.” She says307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUlAJbMTuD
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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?”307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBnaoKwAvx
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlLr0ZDfU3
“It’s an umbrella term, but yeah it involves bandit hunting, monster hunting and many other things.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrv3slMKKSY
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“So it’s a freelancing platform for people?” I ask307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1bVbacJka
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“What’s freelancing?” she asks307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznxhr1kfrW
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“Work on hire.” I say307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIwFvmexlP
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuBBzC19GA
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXILLCTOAS
“Geolard scrambled my memory before I met Warzheil. Only the important bits stuck.” I say307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekRaJ8n9Mk
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtTQGrLWMt
“Oh, Oldman didn’t tell us about that.”307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8q6p0u596
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgD8FJC9z4d
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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?”307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78avM5My4X
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWt7nxKbuJ
“It’s that bad? Maybe I should take those classes Sil was telling me to.”307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4K1ZVJ4P0c
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1Efwm7HzS
“One’s presence can be powerful when used with knowledge and precision.” I say.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JitIEfjQz
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“You should become a Sage.” She laughs307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTi5XMp6GQ
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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 asks307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjfNftiOaG
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSo0TInhkl
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3XwduQIZ3
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“You mean Ava ‘The Light Borne Hero’, right?” she catches me off-guard by mentioning Ava.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ErqrmcI1F
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“Oldzheil told us about her too.” She says307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9Z044M2Ur
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I sneer “That Oldman…...” tightening my fist307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ155RRGGzyS
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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 explains307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhSIolbg8q
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bBHiikEIB
“Fine.” The thought of facing Ava still unnerved me. “Doesn't change that I need to see them.”307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekouCeVRMV
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnLMIDn8wt
“Why the long face? You think your sister won’t welcome you because you had a fight with her?” she asks307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5sEarj8Zd
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“It’s---complicated. Right now, she hates me more than I hate the sword” I say307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTjkyOMXlN
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Gloria does not enquire further. But after a moment of quite walking she speaks307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQ2EI4Lhuu
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbj2YNBJgaz
“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 me307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuzVIaD09u
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96ugilR5id
“Friends?” I continue after reconsidering. “Hard pass.”307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiot1n6Wyin
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJl2dOhS4Z
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0yAQ9ujuG
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66aF8LIFg5
But, Then I hear a few sniffs. My heart sinks.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcJ7c3Ylbb
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTCSCU4Lns
Giggles after sniffs “I was just joking? Why would anyone want to be friends out of the blue with someone who attacked them.” She says307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRh5KDJQ4Vw
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxCAMVYl3w
“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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVA67SGYj6
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“So, do you think I can become an Adventurer?” I ask trying to divert from the sobby mood.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXNVMTMShr
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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 says307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbK7L0nLkWa
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“Can I ask for your help? Or did I hurt your feelings and you won’t help me?” I ask307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5obqmNyD1
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“I am not some fool who dwell on emotions for too long, and you are our guest, so I will help you. We are almost there anyways and Since there is still time until the food stalls open up, we should go there” She says
“Won’t the guild be closed as well?” I ask307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iDWLqMQxE
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“No, it opens up early, since adventurers start coming here.” She says as we walk through the town.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6mr6no637
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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 says307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqGV9keleD
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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 say307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSGfdiE4fm
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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 gasp307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cpUFmAuQM
“Well, Geolard had it.” I say307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQf10WtPvM
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“Oh, that makes sense.” She says with an analytical nod307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VfTmIC8dr
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Soon, we arrive near a big, exotic looking building, magical almost.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZYgkEcavp
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The doors are open and a Cat woman is mopping the front of the guild.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KRfnARtx3
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“Nya-? Miss Gloria? What brings the Flame Queen so early to the guild?” she asks307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSl0WMJ9Z9
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“Good morning Canthrine, This is a guest of our house. And he wants to register as an adventurer.”307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjkTTBfIXg
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I join my hand as a greeting which confuses them.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWaXD3kTzA
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“This is the way of greeting in my homeland” I say307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDM6bsaqsZA
“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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kTb7BmLIY
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0jyNgbxus
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A half Dragon half Human girl sat on the center counter.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHDPekEMsS
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As far as my knowledge go, they are called dragonewt.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAy43oNYoj
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There are 5 counter openings and she is on the center.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94AX96JYRW
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She Seems busy with some paper work, and doesn’t notice us.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqNz4Nh5YH
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“Hey Sinfia!” Gloria says waving her hand.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapy5KdRjP2
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“Oh, If it isn’t Sister Gloria.” The girl says307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxV9Jyr3NlA
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“Kid, Where is the receptionist?” I ask, teasing her307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDqaZScJmc
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aaM2b3GUO
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Seeing her stare at my hand, I and realize that my hand really makes things complex for me.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsb3wjyQSG
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“You mean This? Standard issue. Made For certain specialized… professions.” I say307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkJVtXGfPD
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“A gauntlet?” she asks suspiciously307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyjJdslIj2
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“You don’t need to hide it when I am with you Ronin, I will fill her in later.”307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cdPsD2JHB
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPutj97kRL
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“I am here to vouch for this man, Says he wants to be an adventurer.”307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx55hfgYBZA
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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 expression307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlaLC7KUv3
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpWfosyR49
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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 says307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvA7D4StJAt
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“A proof? I don’t think we have….” Gloria says but I know exactly what to do.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YgeIyfXRw
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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?”307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDRW60FRy8
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“I am not a kid!” she recoils307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaluXFCrPc
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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 answers307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8odJ5ZphI
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“Yeah, what if I saw it? The Heroes must have defeated the demon lord.” She says307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJ4RTMtPer
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“Heroes didn’t kill that monster.” I lean forward slightly. “I did.”307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTGhbxDuA1
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At first Sinfia covers her mouth and then starts laughing wildly almost falling off her chair.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3SotllKuM
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7dXPj7VRN
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“Guild Master Kainia, You returned from Holy Kingdom?” Gloria asks.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8et7IczOY
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoi6toucn0
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Walking up to me she realizes something is wrong with her mana, her expression gives her away.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVQRds9F7I
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Kainia’s eyes narrow on me. “No mana In or around you… An artifact?”307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTgKcAEaLW
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“As expected of the boss of the place. You know your stuff.” I say307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeT8kyGukM
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The guild master’s expression changes, now she feels like someone who is worth talking to.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYT8kqSuFAr
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“Kid, going around, telling other that you have precious commodity doesn’t raise fame, it raise chances of death.”307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SOIafxldG
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwhLEIvZVR
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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 say307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8cjYfwapK
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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."307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysFC0PwAfI
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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?"307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMku81cOQZ
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“Me?” I ask307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8EZMJNi9s
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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 asks307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM97EzNDs73
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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."307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs18NkrPf9i
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“W-w-wait, tell me you aren’t joking boss!” Sinfia says307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLqYbY3Ybt
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“Not at all, Sinfia, you should apologies this man before he eats you.” She says teasingly to Sinfia, which works.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7EnIxl3hm
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Sinfia is about to get up but I gesture her to sit down and relax.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJAa0TDO7R
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3huHjK8LHT
“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 suggests307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡau4TYO5mPG
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“I see a fake card….” I dwell on it for a moment307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhsvzrZc70
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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 says307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMxYLfp1xG
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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 ask307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EdERwEdtp
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuc3UWsoBR
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“B-b-boyfriend? We aren’t like that! How can I- with him.” She starts to stammer.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP55Cf9Lvj6
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“She is teasing you, snap out of it.” I say in a commanding voice307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwex8App4S
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“so? What did you decide?” Kainia asks307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfcDNavEa3
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“Your proposition is not bad, ok let’s go with that.” I say307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcedoWmidVk
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPUiMEHUrh
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6FMqlI2Cp
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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 says307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VJTWO6Yzr
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“Why tell me this?” I ask307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmafWC6Wm0F
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“Your ancestors must have worked hard as adventurers to obtain such precious artifact. I can respect that.” She says307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBruO0LGkW
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Well, It’s good that she doesn’t know that it’s not an artifact. She is a good person.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDeMA4jBlo
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9lSGSc4mV
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1f2ojXsMm2
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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."307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CCRFzx4lp
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwC3dOzYpny
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My stance is relaxed, although the Vanquisher seems to be raring for a fight.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1Z8XkqLoq
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjXPccbKjs
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“A small lesson for one so young as you.” She says in a whispering voice.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITG7CKj7Fe
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJSGRLgeMe
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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."307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTv1bHhB6Af
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And we walk into the streets looking for cuisine that would satiate my hunger.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcHBnjxKSG
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3aLdP4IQu
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAgaw9RVp0
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaL0aeoGGi
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcGSPvx6k5
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFrtsDdZ9x
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdUYlrJizg
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0t9OebkkV
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I notice them using sign language and then using magic to disappear like they were never there.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpkmrtpg0H
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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BugjVDkLS
It hardly takes a few seconds to write "Good", but it boosts the confidence of us authors.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06erSKXCz2
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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/Q27uA8vnfu307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcp58eC1AD
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