The hunters’ voices blended into a background hum as Ronin rode, the rhythmic clop of hooves vibrating up through his legs.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooS8yno5n4
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJzH8yhEEl
Disconnected from their conversation, he fidgeted with his left hand, the crystalline surface cool and unnaturally smooth beneath his fingertips. The red orb embedded in his fist caught the afternoon sunlight, casting tiny, shifting reflections onto his sleeve like shards of stained glass.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBG4PcD7v53
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtqmQiDshK
Noticing his distraction, Gloria guided her horse closer, the faint scent of sweat and oiled leather drifting between them. “You’re not good when it comes to socializing, are you?” she teased, her voice carrying easily over the creak of saddles and the whisper of wind through tall grass.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KLEStFDNv
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTj8lytm5sU
“My social skills liven up only when I need them to,” Ronin replied, his tone flat as he watched a hawk wheel overhead. “Talking about things that don’t matter to me feels like a pitiful way for distracted minds to avoid their problems.” He flexed his crystalline fingers, feeling the subtle resistance in the joints.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIk58UX3me
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsDRjVxDxy
A voice from the group piped up, rough with emotion, “No! Talking about my wife and child is not a pitiful thing.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldso2xGyMy
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtv6CHM9aN
“Maybe you’re right.” Wyran clenched his fist, the leather of his glove creaking softly. “I’ve been struggling with my shield and sword a lot,” he admitted, his jaw tight and gaze fixed on the horizon where the sun painted the clouds in bruised purple and gold.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMN40iBo1SZ
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxgCSKjQXs
“Isn’t that your way of thinking because you’re running from things too?” Gloria asked, her eyes crinkling with a hidden smile beneath the edge of her new mask. The polished metal caught the fading light, reflecting a sliver of Ronin’s face back at him.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ivkdHKlHy
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXCC1abplt
“Well, I’m no sage. I just have my own ideals,” Ronin replied, his gaze dropping to the shifting shadows on the ground as the horses moved.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvrL80jVta
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3GMMuW21i
“Hey, we all have them, don’t we?” Kade called back, turning with a grin that flashed white in the dappled sunlight. The others nodded, the horses’ manes rippling in the breeze as they rode through a patch of wildflowers that released a sweet, earthy scent.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnIYRMiFip
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlItixxu3J3
Ronin eyed Gloria’s horse, noticing its sleek flanks unburdened by packs or bundles. “Why don’t you have any bags hanging on your horse?” he asked, curiosity sharpening his tone.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjcOJT1s1u
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUdNfuVMkU
“Because I have this!” Gloria replied, her eyes sparkling as she pointed at the shimmering, translucent pouch. Light Reflected on it, casting prismatic patterns onto Ronin’s arm, it was a bit different than the ones Ronin had seen.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zNCIjQknO
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwpKf9xZ42
“Oh, of course, the dimensional pocket,” Ronin sighed, rolling his head back and feeling the stiff muscles in his neck crackle in protest.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMU546dH9lC
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1ItfTKbFR
“You’re one to talk,” Kade shot back, laughter rumbling in his chest. “You didn’t bring anything either. I assume the Old Man gave you one too?”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHjynicpzo
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnT71Kj2j6
“It’s… complicated,” Ronin replied, his voice dropping to a hush as the wind picked up, carrying the distant cry of a hawk. “So I won’t say no, but don’t ask me more than that.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIrB9Is57e
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOBBvbkDPS
A brief silence settled over the group, broken only by the rhythmic creak of saddles and the soft snort of a horse. Ronin finally spoke again.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsTtrdQ9E5
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntpaSqsXmN
“Anyway, what are these horses called?” Ronin asked, running his hand along the fine, silken mane of his steed, feeling the powerful muscles shift beneath him with every stride.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEsEbDv1LY
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccrWPLVFfA
“These bad boys? We call them Greizers,” the lead rider explained, pride coloring his words. “They’re adept at using wind and gravitational magic to levitate just above the ground, which gives them a strange, weightless glide. When they pick up speed, you can feel the air humming around their hooves. Not everyone can tame them—they’re a reaver-class beast breed.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0I5W4qCRb4
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdHOirvxvx
“Reaver class?!” Ronin’s eyebrows shot up. “Then can I assume we’re going this slow because of my artifact?” He eyed the group, catching their sheepish nods and shrugs. The horses’ pace felt almost lazy, the wind barely tugging at his cloak.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rDAdenqke
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaajuzIxPY
A pause hung in the air before Wyran asked, “Why do you never take off your artifact?” The question was quiet, almost lost beneath the steady rhythm of hooves and the creak of leather saddles.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0ikDUq6rh
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZ0HuLomL3
Ronin turned his head, his gaze sharp beneath the mask, making the speaker drop his eyes. “What’s your name?” he asked, his voice low.
“It’s Wyran…sir,” came the hesitant reply, barely more than a whisper.
Ronin let out a dry chuckle, the sound muffled by the mask. “Wyran? Did you know your name means ‘Deserted’?”
Gloria reached over and gave Ronin a sharp tap on the head, the movement swift despite the mask covering the lower half of her face. Her eyes narrowed above the mask, voice stern but slightly muffled. “Don’t be mean to him!”
Ronin rubbed the spot, feigning offense. “Hey! Why would you hit me? I’m just telling him its meaning!” His tone was light, the corners of Gloria’s eyes crinkling in silent amusement above the mask.
Kade spoke up, curiosity in his voice. “Even I’m interested in your answer to that question, to be honest.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlS6R451Gi
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMkNs22yPl
A heavy silence fell, broken only by the steady clop of hooves and the wind rustling through grass. All eyes turned to Ronin, then the group burst out together: “What?!”
Gloria leaned forward, her gaze sharp and incredulous above the mask that shielded her mouth and chin. “How can that be possible?”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11Sd7QWHA1
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdpGdQK3OT
“What do you mean how? It is what it is.” Ronin states flatly with a poker face78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRdFa47wVb
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerxMfmzyJU
Ronin’s expression stayed unreadable. “What do you mean, how? It is what it is.”
Kade’s skeptical voice cut in, tossing a half-eaten purple apple to the plains. “An artifact loses its power when combined with or consumed by organic beings. It can only be used as an object or embedded onto something else before being used. You saying the artifact is a part of you is nigh impossible.” The others murmured their agreement, faces tight with disbelief.
Ronin shrugged, the motion making his cloak rustle. “It is what it is.” His voice was final, leaving the others to exchange dissatisfied glances as the horses continued their slow, steady march through the open plain.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1H4wcYtwD
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaF2LR9vSRQ
Ronin squinted up at the sky, the sunlight glinting off the crystalline surface of his hand as he shielded his eyes. High above, Baverins wheeled in slow, wide arcs, their dark wings catching the light. “By the way, what are those birds doing over our heads? I have been noticing them since we departed,” Ronin asked, tracking their movement.
“Those are Baverins, they are large birds that Kade uses to scout the terrain,” Guothur replied, his deep voice steady as he watched the sky with practiced eyes.
Ronin turned in his saddle, studying the older man. “And, who are you?”
“I am Guothur. Except the Flame Queen, I am the oldest hunter in this group,” Guothur replied, a faint smile creasing the weathered skin around his eyes.
Ronin’s head tilted slightly in Gloria’s direction, the gesture subtle beneath the smooth, impassive surface of his full-face mask. His voice carried a note of curiosity, but his expression was hidden from view. “What do you mean, second oldest?”
Gloria’s eyes glinted with a hint of mischief above the lower half-mask that covered her mouth and chin. “Oh, it’s nothing. Dragons and gods have long lives. I’m almost a hundred years old, but for other species, that would be around twenty-five or twenty-six.” Her tone was light, pride shimmering in her gaze—she waited for Ronin to show even a flicker of jealousy.
But Ronin’s masked head turned away, his posture abruptly shifting as he spoke over her, “Kade, why did you let me sit with you? Doesn’t that cut your ability to use your power to scout?”
For a heartbeat, Gloria’s gaze lingered on him, her eyes losing their playful spark. The pride in her expression faltered, replaced by a brief, uncertain flicker. She shifted in her saddle, fingers tightening on the reins as a faint flush crept up her cheeks, hidden by her mask. The silence that followed was just a beat too long, awkward and heavy, before Kade answered.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFkeeSgNmk
Kade’s voice was calm, the steady clop of hooves and whisper of grass underscoring his words. “That’s because we’re not too far from town. I know these lands well. And I wanted to experience how it feels to navigate the terrain without sensing mana. I must say, the world looks like it’s lost its charm and glow because of sitting with you.”
Ronin adjusted his full-face mask, the gesture practiced and precise. “At least you can see one at a time. I can see both forms of the world at once. It’s nauseating, trust me.”
A deep, rumbling voice broke in, tinged with amusement. “Why do you wear a mask, are you trying to be more like Miss Gloria?” Jembo, the tiger beastman, teased, his striped ears flicking back.
Ronin turned his masked face toward Jembo, the expression unreadable, only the faintest tilt of his head betraying any reaction.
Jembo grinned, tail flicking. “Oh, I am Jembo. But feel free to call me Jem.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PVpj9SGwq
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFO79ySbdN
Ronin thinks “I can’t just tell them, ‘Oh, it’s a high tech mask.’ ”.
Ronin’s gaze lingered, the black eye-slits of his mask fixed on Jembo in an attempt to distract him from the question. His voice was playful, “You don’t say ‘Nyan’ like that girl I saw near the guild. Is it because she was a cat and you’re a tiger?”
Jembo’s tail lashed, pride sharpening his words. “I’m surprised you know of Tigers. They were our ancestors. They live in the forbidden lands. But yes, you’re right—although we are relatives of the cat family, I hope you do not mistake us for them. They are animals, and we are not.” He emphasized his point with a firm nod.
“Yeah, right,” Ronin replied, his tone light. Jembo grunted, feigning annoyance.
Jembo shook his head, a resigned smile tugging at his mouth. “I should have kept my mouth shut.” The group’s laughter rippled through the air, mingling with the steady rhythm of hooves and the soft breeze.
As the day wore on, they gathered herbs and made a few small hunts, the earthy scent of crushed leaves and fresh game clinging to their clothes. By nightfall, they camped in an open field, the grass cool and damp beneath their boots, a patch of trees rustling nearby.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTThg4f40u
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzxPxCkmo1
“Won’t you tie the horses?” Ronin asks
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31CsiIeuzx
“Greizers are loyal companions, they won’t leave their riders even if a giant cyclops were to appear.” Jembo says
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eFOGJGK41
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVSbrMYW8p
“Shit, you have those one eyed monsters here too?” Ronin asks
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLN7j1aXZF6
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4EgSctbhI
“They are everywhere.” Kade says
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKwU8pvQdY
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoq2WOrK26
As the day sets in and night rises. Gloria insists ronin to make the meal, on which Ronin gives in and prepares the dinner.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxo6ML9hVwk
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuMkV8OJzG
He crouched by the campfire, the flames casting flickering shadows on his mask. The others gathered around, drawn by the promise of food and Gloria’s determined request, though Ronin grumbled under his breath.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxovhM1Dko
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVtSWXSHsR
Kade leaned in, eyes bright with anticipation. “I don’t have a favourable opinion of a veg diet, but the way the Old Man and Gloria talk about your cooking, I’m eager to taste it.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5dhbeiDuA
Ronin shot Gloria a look. “Gloria, you have any dairy product with you?”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM448uHnj1d
She rummaged in her dimensional pouch, pulling out a small jar. “Yes, I did bring some Traenicon milk, but unfortunately it’s ruined,” she said, disappointment creasing her brow above the half-mask.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZI1953Lso
“What’s a Traenicon?” Ronin asked, curiosity piqued.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvtxDFI0BI
“You don’t know about the rulers of the plains?!” Wyran blurted, scandalized.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ909MHQquO3
Ronin rolled his eyes, the firelight glinting off his mask. “Gloria didn’t tell you I’m from the mountains?”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBawS9iCz4
Wyran explained, “It’s a branch species of Binecons—the cosmic cow species.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySGJcyEFVV
“Oh, so it’s a cow. Why not just say that?” Ronin muttered, snatching the jar from Gloria. He popped the lid, and a tangy, earthy scent of curd wafted up, thick and inviting. “You call this ruined? It’s perfect for a dish I’ve been dying to taste.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRn8yjwQBS
He wiped the dust from a large steel pot Jembo had crafted, the cold metal ringing as he set it near the fire. Pouring in the curd and a splash of water, he stirred, the mixture swirling into a creamy base. He added a generous spoonful of flour and handed it to Gloria. “Stir it. Make it thick.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmS0tjSqZVs
Ronin’s knife flashed in the firelight as he chopped green chilies and garlic, their sharp, pungent aroma rising and mingling with the night air. He tossed in a handful of spices from Gloria’s stash—coriander, cumin, a pinch of turmeric, and a secret blend that made Gloria’s eyes widen with curiosity.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPaW15X4t9
He glanced up. “This isn’t a restaurant, so you’re getting plain fry curry. That’s all.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFMbB635Qy
Wyran frowned. “We know curry, but what’s a plain fry curry?”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebohzfVhza
“It’s a dish that changes with the cook’s skill. Easy to make, hard to balance. You’ll see,” Ronin replied, voice low.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9qCwUhj2s
Gloria handed him the thickened dough. “Done.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0X7nr6PV1
He nodded, adding a swirl of red chili powder and finely sliced green chilies, then returned the bowl to Gloria. “Stir again. Get the colour even.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaRWhr6Sm3
He heated a steel pan, the metal hissing as he poured in oil. The scent of hot oil and spices filled the air, making stomachs rumble. When the oil shimmered, he leaned over the pan, spooning in a heap of ground spices. “Brace yourselves. This’ll be spicy—don’t sneeze in the food.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeW3GpjFU2G
The spices hit the oil with a wild sizzle, sending up a cloud of mouthwatering, nose-tingling aroma. The campfire crackled, and even Ronin sneezed twice before folding in the dough, the mixture turning golden and crisp at the edges. The curry thickened, bubbling with flecks of green and red, the scent now a riot of tang, heat, and toasted flour.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcA7iywIsxt
“It’s ready. Bowls out. Bread ready,” Ronin commanded, voice sharp.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJv15cbuHbi
Sneezing and laughter echoed as they served themselves, the curry’s aroma so intense it made eyes water. Ronin sat with his share, puzzled when no one took a bite.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXabau8d2uT
“Eat up,” he ordered.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7f9CPPjho
Kade eyed his bowl warily. “I fear my intestines will burn if I eat something so spicy.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi08pl2R8uM
Gloria gulped, then turned, lifting her mask just enough to dip bread into the curry. She took a slow, cautious bite—a long pause, then another, faster, her eyes widening with delight.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPToSuEZisr
Seeing her eat, Wyran steeled himself and tried a bite. His face lit up. “UMMM! This is… jilecious!” he mumbled, mouth full, eyes wide. “I’ve never tasted anything so good!”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfAPICRyuQ
The others dug in, and soon the pot was scraped clean, every last drop mopped up with bread. The firelight danced on satisfied faces.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlKmhTbSTP
Kade licked his lips. “I take everything back! You’re cooking every time we hunt. Grandma Sil needs to try this!”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluyQ6v2N49
Ronin waved a hand, voice mock-menacing. “Hey, hey, this is a one-time deal. Next time, the dish might be you.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhR9mLBdFK
The threat made everyone laugh—except Gloria, who just smiled behind her mask.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCejv491Oq
Ronin leaned back, exhaling. The warmth of the curry lingered, a pleasant burn on his tongue and a fullness in his chest. “That hit the spot. Now I can retire for the day.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0ypanYz7H
But Furvin licked his lips, frowning. “The dish is awesome, but it felt… incomplete.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBq3uBiRSf
“Oh shut up, Furvin, it was PERFECT!” Jembo retorted.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIiCZ20V5S
Wyran nodded, “Now that you mention it, I too felt something missing.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYcNNPLx6m
“You’re right,” Gloria agreed, thoughtful. Kade just looked at Ronin, waiting.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUGt22667s
Ronin shrugged. “Well, you’re not wrong. It’s missing something fibrous—like roti. But there wasn’t enough flour, and the dish was meant for Gloria, so I couldn’t make it.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YDfpDRdOA
“It was for both of us!” Gloria protested.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZrj2WEgRt
“You got just that much for both?” Ronin asked.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GnhiIsMMo
“What do you mean ‘just’?” Gloria snapped, Annoyance hinting in her voice.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nRysNmxLG
“I can just eat a tree if I need to,” Ronin deadpanned, earning confused looks.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KFze5iJsb
Gloria groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Stick to fighting, Ronin, I told you this before but your jokes suck, even worse in the wild.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL89oTqd3Ry
“Didn’t Old Dwarf tell you about my absorption ability?” Ronin asked.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfBYBJxVEM
“No,” Kade replied, frowning.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkz7P0P1mx6
“Gosh, that Old Dwarf…” Ronin muttered. “I need sleep. No more discussions.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEGZDaXYFL
Ronin let out a soft, muffled huff behind his mask and stretched out by the dying fire. Best I keep my abilities hidden for now. Too many eyes, too many questions, he thought, letting his body relax as if drifting into sleep.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyFniaDaYZ
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkNZ3MAfVM
The embers of the campfire glowed low, casting a gentle orange halo over the group as they settled into the hush of the forest night. The spicy tang of Ronin’s curry still lingered in the air, mingling with the earthy scent of dew-soaked leaves and the faint musk of horses nearby. Stomachs full and tongues tingling, the hunters sprawled around the fire, some still licking their fingers, others already drifting toward sleep.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNSUnUO5xk
A gentle breeze rustled the canopy above, sending tiny motes of ash swirling skyward. Gloria, sitting a little apart, watched the flames dance, her mask hiding a small, contented smile. The memory of the meal—its creamy tang, the fiery bite of chilies, the subtle crunch of toasted flour—was still vivid on her tongue. She found herself craving just one more bite, wishing for a scrap of roti to mop up the last golden streaks from her bowl.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP17JZa6Wy1
Kade, sprawled on his back, let out a low, satisfied groan. “I swear, Ronin, if you ever open a tavern, I’ll be your first customer. Even if you serve nothing but that plain fry curry.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHl5ZPCzXw
Jembo, still sniffling from the spice, grinned. “I’d pay extra for the nose-clearing effect. Beats any medicine I’ve tried.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuf3iIYB6i
Ronin snorted softly, eyes already half-closed. “Don’t get used to it. Next time, you’re all eating whatever you can catch or dig up yourselves.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeWmJdaGg9
Wyran, picking at the last crumbs in his bowl, said, “I’ve never tasted anything like it. The spices… the way the curd thickened, the crispy edges—how did you get that texture?”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSQtWf67f3
Ronin’s lips twitched beneath his mask. “Trade secret. Maybe I’ll teach you if you survive this hunt.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhVTDnkWBh
A companionable silence settled over the group, broken only by the crackle of the fire and the distant hoot of an owl. The night pressed in, cool and comforting, the afterglow of the meal warming them from within.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPVxlxCZ0q
Gloria, emboldened by the camaraderie, glanced at Ronin. “Next time, I’ll bring more flour. And maybe some fresh herbs. You’ll have no excuse to hold back.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZJNcgh2lY
Ronin grunted, but there was a hint of amusement in his tone. “You bring the ingredients, I’ll consider it. But only if you promise not to complain about the spice.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDD3PthPQa
She laughed, the sound light and genuine. “Deal. But you’ll have to teach me how to balance those Flavors. My last attempt nearly set the kitchen on fire.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQFZLLqJvI
Jembo chimed in, “You should’ve seen it. Smoke everywhere. Even the horses sneezed.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb05NzWLFhl
The group erupted in quiet laughter, the tension of the day melting away in the warmth of shared stories and full bellies.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAFh4Fqbcz
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUH17UAeeSE
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvDDsFe3jr
“I will keep watch” Wyran says.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1Y9siS7MC
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yoisqJgZa
“Me too.” Gloria says, the sound of her clothes shifting fills the air.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cCZEr23M6
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMsi0cOpPf
A few minutes pass
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRgjIYmzej
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCKBj1ZFel
Still hungry. Healing’s great, but this metabolism is a curse. I’m burning through energy faster than I can replace it, Ronin grumbled inwardly, his stomach already rumbling again.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBRQ1KXnih
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrnxFGOIgR
As he gets up, he expected everyone except Wyran and gloria to be asleep.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPUotlnefq
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLTaaFWs1z
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgdsVtORht
He rose quietly, expecting only Wyran and Gloria to be awake. To his surprise, Wyran was slumped against a tree, snoring softly, and Gloria was curled up on the ground, shivering, looking more delicate than ever.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoy948iusM
A faint smile tugged at Ronin’s lips. He slipped off his coat and gently draped it over Gloria’s shoulders, the heavy fabric cocooning her in warmth.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktxSQMX5fi
As he turned to leave, a small hand clutched at his pant leg. Gloria, eyes half-lidded with sleep, mumbled, “Where are you going?”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsl9HA4Vcf
“Nature calls,” he replied in a low, gruff voice, careful not to wake the others.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2HhPXyqm9
Gloria’s hand fell away, and she rolled over, pulling his coat tighter around her. Ronin padded away into the trees, the forest swallowing him in shadow.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqnRhltYbW
A few minutes passed. Gloria, cocooned in his coat, stirred. The warmth was comforting, and a faint, unfamiliar scent—smoke, steel, something wild—clung to the fabric. She pressed her nose to the collar, sighing. Then, as the night’s chill crept back in, she realized Ronin still hadn’t returned. He’s taking too long for a nature break. A frown creased beneath her mask. And we’re in dangerous territory…
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyXmDveOgK
She rose, careful not to wake the others, and slipped into the woods, following the faint trail Ronin had left. The moonlight filtered through the canopy, painting silver patterns on the leaf-littered ground. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and distant blossoms, the silence broken only by the chirr of crickets and the occasional snap of a twig underfoot.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9NxsHe5LW
As she drew closer, she heard a low, almost reverent whisper—Ronin’s voice, carried on the breeze. “I’m sorry, friend. But I need your life to save mine.” He stood before an ancient tree, his armoured form half-shrouded in moonlight, mask glinting dully, posture solemn.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGOcaFm5zF
Gloria froze, heart pounding. She watched as Ronin pressed his palm to the trunk. Slowly, impossibly, the tree’s colour began to drain, its leaves curling and bark cracking as if its very life was being siphoned away. The air grew colder, the shadows deepening around him.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjcT3ExxVe
“Oh gods…” The words slipped out before she could stop them.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sd9DrV1mQ
Ronin’s head snapped in her direction, his masked face unreadable but his posture suddenly tense. A faint red glow flickered behind the left eye-slit of his mask—predatory, unnatural.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnPk20nlju
“Gloria?” His voice was sharp, a ripple of alarm and something rawer beneath. “Why are you here?”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FZ8TEM9ZE
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ENijhmnbB
Shit, I let my guard down. Ronin thinks
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1e7TwLYp1j
Gloria’s training took over. She drew her sword, levelling it at him, her hands trembling but her voice steady. “Ronin… what are you? Who are you really?”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RmtdQGi8d
He let out a long, muffled sigh, shoulders sagging. “You shouldn’t have followed me. I told you I was just… lightening myself.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IGMH5VpJw
“You call this lightening? Don’t lie to me!” Gloria’s voice cracked, a mix of anger and fear. “I saw you drain the life from that tree. That’s not something any normal person can do. Are you even Ronin? Or a demon?”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7Cr7bP35z
So she thinks I am a demon, I need to deescalate this situation. Ronin thought78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlV2El9qpG
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL23Yp7I9ym
He stepped forward, hands raised, palms open. “I am Ronin. I wish I could give you a better answer, but that’s all I have.” His voice was calm, but there was a gravity to it, a weight that made her chest tighten.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2k0qwtGVQg
She hesitated, sword still raised. “That’s not enough to trust you—”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrskWUMyUhw
He cut her off, a note of vulnerability slipping through the mask. “You have every right to be afraid. But I promise you, I’m not your enemy. Not now, not ever.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vsh6HFgkS
The silence between them was thick, the air heavy with the scent of dying leaves and cold earth. Ronin’s hand drifted out, not toward her, but toward the coat she clutched unconsciously to her chest.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKelDHNbSb
“…May I have my coat back?” His tone was softer now, almost pleading.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeH8a4skun
Gloria blinked, caught off guard, and thrust the coat at him, her cheeks burning beneath her mask. “Don’t change the subject.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDyioPtUJ9
He accepted the coat, wrapping it around his shoulders. For a moment, he just stood there, the two of them separated by confusion and fear.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4p5Plp4Qy
“Do you… hate me now?” The words were barely audible, muffled by the mask, but raw with vulnerability.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeA4yDNxNU1
Gloria’s grip on her sword loosened. “No. I don’t hate you. I just—” She faltered, searching for words. “I don’t understand. And that scares me.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CSoapLpZw
Ronin nodded, the red glow in his mask dimming. “I don’t blame you. I barely understand myself.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBCK8xhPg1
A hush fell, broken only by the distant chirr of crickets and the soft rustle of leaves. The forest felt both impossibly vast and claustrophobically close.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoyfD6JA8T
He finally broke the silence. “Now that you know about this, I might as well show you the rest. Remember how my spear disappeared as I turned out of my room?” He extended his right hand, and with a shimmer, the Ramoon Spear materialized, cosmic runes glinting in the moonlight. Gloria’s eyes widened.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpDPzB0Re0
“How…?” she whispered, awe and fear mingling in her voice.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41ayXFhh5K
“I call it the dimensional ability,” Ronin said quietly. “It just… happened one day. I’m still learning how to use it. My left eye stores things. I wish I could explain it better.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGZHffcnFB
Gloria’s grip tightened on her sword again, but her voice softened. “Just—How much are you hiding? And Why tell me this? You barely know me. I haven’t even told you the full extent of my powers—and not like they’d work on you anyway.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyurFc5OZt
Ronin’s shoulders slumped. “Maybe because… I want someone to know who I am, even if it’s just a glimpse.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbRWkvZcoU
She let out a shaky breath, lowering her sword. “It’s midnight. We can talk more later. Let’s head back.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOvabTGVnB
He nodded, turning, but paused. “By the way… how far are we from Illumin Forest?”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sqMmezySX
She sheathed her sword, voice clipped but steadier. “Another day, maybe. We’d have been there by now if it weren’t for you.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPpW8M7F1q
He stopped, the moonlight catching the edge of his mask. “Gloria.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp99OzyehOX
She flinched. “Yes?”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjftkedX7jS
I am supposed to be her god’s father. It falls on me to protect her, but what if she thinks I am a monster?. Ronin’s mind spiral.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZ4W7BYNAw
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOfBSTO5Yd
“Do I… scare you?” His voice was barely above a whisper, raw and uncertain.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOWOgZsmJb
Gloria hesitated, then nodded, her voice trembling. “You do. Who wouldn’t be?” She came out raw “Magic doesn’t work on you, runes fizzle, you’re terrifyingly good at martial arts, and you killed the demon lord without being a hero. You’re the first person since the Great Holy War to be unaffected by the curse.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkO7ZsougFz
He stared at his crystalline hand, voice shaking. “I get it. I try not to let it show, but… even I’m scared of what I’m becoming. I just hope I don’t turn into the mindless monster I was before I met the old dwarf.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqc5HYyAH8
“You’re not a bad person, Ronin.” Gloria’s hands clenched around her armoured skirt, her voice trembling but sincere. “You’re just… lost. That happens to everyone at one point or other. That’s life.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZewX7xRzgr
He let out a shaky breath, relief flickering across his hidden face. “Didn’t think I’d hear that from anyone but the old Dwarf.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85e5RrAOfN
Instead of helping her, she is the one helping me instead. I guess I am still as useless as I was before. Ronin thinks.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68o01NDZto
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgDoCs2WUw
They walked back in silence, the night air thick with unspoken questions and the scent of damp earth.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ03vxdOCoW
At the edge of camp, Gloria asked, almost shyly, “What will you do if your sister forgives you?”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRRJFpecG3
He hesitated, then spoke, voice distant but more open than before. “Maybe… repay my father and grandfather. Rebuild the family. But my hands are bloodied. I’ve destroyed more families than I can count. Sometimes I wonder if I even deserve a second chance.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOFNZxpLBh
Gloria’s tone softened, curiosity and compassion mingling. “Rebuild? How?”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡho4DVh6rqb
He stared at the ground, voice rough. “Buy land, build a house somewhere peaceful. Help raise my niece. Maybe try to live a life that isn’t about running or fighting or hiding.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlF66J2wKwx
“And if they don’t forgive you, or don’t want to live with you?”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuNSUiGAPK
He paused, the question hanging heavy. “I… haven’t thought about that. Maybe I’d just… keep wandering. Try to help where I can. Or disappear.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpM0KS2AzH
Gloria’s voice was gentle. “In most traditions, the eldest starts a family of his own. Marries, leads. Have you considered that?”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdJfeBCJEs
He gave a hollow laugh. “Me, marry? At this age? Oh, right… I’m back in my late twenties. Feels like a lifetime ago.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsu6qsS7Cnn
She smiled, just a little, behind her mask. “You could do worse.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcs01oOPpFr
He shrugged, the movement weary. “I’ll think about it after my contracts are done.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80335pfSAm
“Contracts?” Gloria pressed.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeutHqCZmuf
He hesitated, then let the words spill. “I’m a hitman. Still have jobs to finish. Not a pretty line of work. But it’s all I know. Maybe one day I’ll be free of it. Maybe not.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWs7XuhU3c
“Must be hard,” she murmured as they reached camp.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlQRj5Btw8
Ronin didn’t reply, dropping to sit by the dying embers.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7fDkUMXXk
“I’ll keep watch. You can sleep,” he said, voice soft.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnxVicca2c
“But what about you?” Gloria asked, worry flickering in her eyes.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGxCyezU4u
“I’ll sleep during the day.” He nodded78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcZvl8ACE5
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANT4be2Btm
Gloria finally succumbed to her sleep.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7DbuCAyQc
Ronin sat awake, mind churning, trying to control the strange barrier within him. The night stretched on, silent but for the crackle of coals and distant animal calls.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGKMEsuBWC
Dawn crept over the horizon, painting the world in pale gold. The others stirred, groggy and stiff. Though the sun was not yet visible, suggesting its still a few hours before it does.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTptFK1WFSR
“You were up all night?” Kade asked, eyeing Ronin’s haggard posture.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qMgsLfr1p
“Yeah. Surprised you all can sleep so soundly out here,” Ronin replied, voice flat.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstsdjxTPJd
“I get the newbie Wyran being out, but Gloria? You too?” Kade teased.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibBGHgixoa
Gloria shrugged, rubbing sleep from her eyes. “I’m the leader. Ronin said he’d keep watch.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMHgiXGlBG
“He did?” Kade looked at Ronin, who just nodded.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwy3ondjBE8
“Alright, everyone, eat up and let’s move!” Gloria called, her voice regaining its usual authority.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLbB9noK4p
They packed up, mounting their horses and eating breakfast in the saddle.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcnkHaKTlI
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKC2pAf1oyZ
Ronin sits with Jembo this time.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fOlTCavlQ
Kade offered Ronin a loaf of bread, but he shook his head.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDe6vKpd1BL
“Come on, man, you can’t run on just one bowl of curry. You’ll keel over,” Kade insisted.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbmD5DuHCO
“Instructor Kade’s right,” Jembo purred, tail flicking.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2tRSpak7M
Ronin smirked. “And here I thought you were above cat clichés.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlB9GgCvvCd
“We’re serious, Mister Ronin,” Furvin said, glancing back.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqImslF0Hnh
Ronin shrugged, voice casual. “Told you, I’d eat a tree if I had to. Did so last night.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMucVci1FC
Furvin snorted. “Pfft. Sure, a tree. Next you’ll say you eat rocks for dessert.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPbDRel3V0
After a few hours had asses78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nrIMLehUX
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99jYEAHCIF
The sun had crested the horizon, painting the plains in pale gold, when Kade’s shout snapped everyone out of their morning lull.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0s7if1yGHv
“Halt! By the Gods, look at that!” Kade pointed sharply to the east, his voice tight.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1cEifkXKK
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTL7ZYZ57I8
The group reined in, eyes squinting into the distance. On the far horizon, a dark, undulating mass crept across the land—skeletal banners and the glint of rusted armor catching the light.
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaz4eQkujbD
Ronin rubbed his eyes, then with a frustrated huff, unfastened his mask and pulled it off, letting the cool morning air hit his face. His hair was damp with sweat, jaw set, eyes sharp and restless. “What’s that? Looks like a moving graveyard.”
Kade’s jaw tightened. “A huge-ass army of skeletons and undead filth. Seven hundred strong, at least. Death knights, rot golems… the works.”
As Ronin squinted, his left eye tingled—vision sharpening, then zooming in with unnatural clarity. He could make out the flicker of necromantic fire in empty sockets, the shamble of bone and rotted flesh. He blinked, startled. “Huh. My eye just zoomed in. That’s new.”
Jembo gave him a sidelong look. “Your eyes zoom now? What are you, a hawk?”
Ronin shrugged, rubbing his exposed face. “I don’t know. I just focus and… it happens.”
“How did you do it?” Gloria asked, her gaze lingering on his now-unmasked features.
Ronin shot her a dry look. “Don’t ask me for a manual. I barely know how half my body works.” He turned to Kade. “How can you see them? Special eyes like mine?”
Kade’s attention flicked between the horizon and a black bird circling above the undead. “I’m scouting through my Baverian. That bird’s my eyes out there—I can piggyback its vision. That’s how I knew what was coming.”
Ronin’s lips twitched. “That’s actually cool.”
Wyran piped up, “Kade’s always had a way with beasts. Animals trust him.”
“Is that so?” Ronin mused, but before Wyran could answer, Gloria’s voice cut through the chatter.
She rode up beside Ronin, her tone all business. “We need to move. Fast. We’re not fighting that army.”
Kade was already tugging his reins. “If they spot us, we’re dead. Even the best fighters would struggle with a death knight, let alone a whole army.”
Jembo’s tail flicked, brushing Ronin’s cheek. “We’re not paid enough for this,” he grumbled.
Ronin looked at the group, then at the Greizer horses, their manes shimmering with pent-up magic. He took a deep breath, mask dangling from his hand. “You know… I’ve been thinking. We’re crawling along because of my artifact, right?”
Gloria eyed him, skeptical. “What are you suggesting?”
Ronin’s lips curled into a confident grin, his face open for the first time. “Let’s pick up the pace. If I’m not riding, your Greizers can use their wind and gravity magic again. My artifact only affects things around me in a limited radius. I can run alongside—or ahead. I’ll finally see what these horses can really do.”
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfOICasDxU
Kade Frowned. “Don’t kid around Ronin. We don’t have time for that. I will keep one Baverians watching over that army lets get out of this place before we get malice sickness.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4GyI9ny6b
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStjBUkViKI
Ronin’s eyes flashed, and he swung off his horse, stretching his legs. “I’m not joking, Kade. Back at Dratnir Bridge, I ran at 110 kilometers an hour for hours—carrying a dwarf, without one on my back I am sure I can out pace these steads.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtheoGxLfy3
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIMkVlH3mr
The steads seem to understand as they recoil with flutters of lips.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNW7Kjuuy23
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZbrM2wTz7
“Now its about their pride” Kade says calming his horse “If you lag behind for even a minute, we are forcing you back on the horse back.”78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdI7TniyX7A
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKoFb5qfBX
“Works for me.” Ronin says as he gets ready to blitz off.78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzf4GfmMHt0
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIrSfhKuFl
78Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Uc5AEPp0i
