eyes fluttered open, greeted b

me ache that had plagued him. His wounds had barely hea

n found himself adhering to the healers'

ernity, but he knew

hall, he couldn't help but n

y infectious. Larion took a step down the

viting him to join their tables. Some even boldly

red by the sudden change in the adventurers' demeanor.

eir invitations. It was all a bit too overwhelming for his taste.

figure stood in the corner, hooded and enigmatic. Their gaze

to have defeated the monstrous creature on his own. But Larion knew better. H

ne piped up, mentioning a girl who

Larion's triumph over the Qiz

anted nothing more than for her to stay, but he knew her

aiming that he needed to step out for a moment. In truth, he

ixture of understanding and nonchalance

~

ookstore once again. He had to go back and exp

mething that would hel

dozing sage from his slumber. Larion greeted him cheerfully, ca

claimed, his voice echoin

eepy sage mumbled, tryin

ge finally recognized Larion's face, h

ay towards the shelves. The sage, now fully

h that Qizir, didn't you?" the sage chimed

a book he had picked up, not paying

ir when we encountered it," L

oking on his surprise. "A FULLY GROWN QIZIR?!" h

keeping his focus on

de it out alive!" the sage exclaimed, taking

expression unchanged. "Nope. Kille

ice echoing through the store, leavin

wrapped in bandages, evidence of a harrowing adventure. Even his left ey

on the ceiling. "You must be a blessed, my young friend. Usual

m his book and asked, "How did you kno

ound. See that single line? Above it, you'll find a small cross. If that cross elegantly thickens int

ymbol the sage had mentioned. It was true! He never knew there

ll be promoted in no time. I'd wager you'll even make it to th

ar?" Larion inquired,

divulge any further information. "Oh, you'll

he sage's desk to purchase a few books, pa

emerged from the depths of the shelves, appro

r, Durin?" the sage asked, hi

hide the final clue I needed within a children's storybook?"

re the guards catch wind of your presence here

Larion. "So, he's the one w

. Children these days, they're something else, aren't they?"

agreed with a

ng from the sky? Whispers say they are godkin, beings who des

rin responded wi

~

tling hall, a spring in his

g, brimming with mysterious ingred

ook on alchemy with new kn

wrist, he turns the doorkno

of adventurers scattered about. Larion finds a co

of the ever-busy waitress, his eyes cat

te, her dress accentuated by a brown vest and sleek blac

fair complexion. Beauty radiates from her, but

ongside her trusty bow, strapped securely

gued by this enchanting warrio

r, huh?" The woman quipped, a misc

tion. I had my team when I faced that beast," Lar

back, propping her arm on the table and resti

e's your party?" she inquired, her

elf. It's a personal matter," Larion rep

pry," the woman said, rising from he

and muscles, an enticing touch that threaten

ting slightly to create some distanc

my belongings you're interested in, good luck finding anything of value in that b

ing her head. "Oh, you silly man. Mone

now inches away from Larion's ear. "It's you that I d

d his composure, inching away from her. "Whoa, hold on there. I d

Oops, didn't mean to startle you there, big guy. So, tell me, are you o

, absolutely not. Just to be clear, I'm as straight as an arro

see. Well, how about we put your manliness to the test, hmm?" With a daring m

hand, his expression cool and composed. He stared at the

is voice laced with

usement coloring her features. "Oh boy, that was a silly move, w

is voice. "Look, miss, cut to the chase. What do you

an replied, scratching

egan to chat, the woman introducing herself as Lily Amberhart. With a friendly

n asked directly, taking a bite

ing, and everyone here in the Hall couldn't stop raving about you. He wanted me to invite

before his eyes. "Uh-huh," he replied, a bemused smile tugging at

ur party? If you're up for it, that is?" Lily

ay, within this week, I'm afraid I can't make it. The head healer ordered me to

citement dancing in her gaze. "Really? You'd joi

ify, if this quest is happening within the week, I won't be able

problem! And as for our mysterious 'he

n. The two made their way to the end of the hall, where

mates, Larion extended a friendly greeting

n that they're talking about. The local from Belaiv who took down a Qizir

I've always had a thing for strong men," she said,

elivered a light karate chop to Lily's head. "

o excuse Lily, she's got a wild and expressive side,"

~

ily had become Larion's loyal shadow, t

their meal, Lily would eagerly share all

the quirkiest facts about myt

tic one, would repeatedly ask Larion

y decline, preferring to focus

Larion had been making q

ed to the rank of Intermedi

The day of his promotion was nothing short of a wild celebration, with

lled with anticipation, th

anxiously for Larion's full recovery. It was a day of joy

~

bustling market in Old Town District

pastries, and colorful stalls lined the streets, displaying an

hgate District, his heart set on findi

gaming experiences about wielding different weapo

he crowds, his eyes scanning the shops

lays, stopping every now and then to in

irelessly searched for the pe

name, Larion stumbled upon a shop th

e in heaven for La

uch on the right, perfect for s

r pouch hung, ready to hold any myst

d five vial holders, a testament to L

dagger holster on the back, providing him

, along with a thigh belt for additional tactical sto

ed his exploration of the market, stumbling up

his future travels. Larion wasted no time and added t

led him to a stall selli

selected two plain daggers, their blade

rabbed a handheld axe, ideal for cho

made his way back to his room at the Adventurer'

e spotted Joffrey and Lily, their ba

ge and filled-to-the-brim bag,

sty pot, some rope, and a small stash o

help but be taken aback

red on top and a shiny new woodcutter axe casually hanging off th

how well-prepared Lario

Joffrey asked, his eyes wide with curiosity, a

, you know. I'm not too keen on spending it on meals or accommodations. I used to have a room here at the Adventurer's Hal

resourcefulness. It was clear that he had mastered the art

urprises he had up his sleeve as they

eceptionist's desk, their minds filled with tho

Lily suddenly halted Larion in his track

e're off to the City Guard'

adventure, Larion shrugged

y to the City Guard's office

d the office, its imposing presence making it

re them, guarded by stoic sent

heir skeptical gazes

were immediately drawn to a massive

fice" were emblazoned across it i

the bustling Newgrove District, rivaled only by the

ding buildings, a deliberate choice to bridge the cultural differences

ce filled with guards clad in sturdy leather armor, prou

onfalon outlined in a vibrant shade

embellished with a fierce dragon,

splendent banner proudly p

~

e guards, his tone polite and hopeful. "Could you ki

. "Can't you read, lad? It's right over there! Do

was not on the agenda fo

with judgmental gazes

high regard, considering their pure-blo

distinct white hair, a feature uncommon among the

the corridor, Larion couldn't help but express his

her blonde hair shi

t white. Besides, I'm from Theodus, not Aremnia," she

aying a myriad of wanted criminals, e

est, one open to all bounty hunters, merce

he Adventurer's Hall, this one required no

ers, carefully scrutinizing each c

rticular poster. "Let's go after this

rde, a defected Aremnian Lieutenant known for his ski

nted to a staggering one th

plunged into the game: for every hundred gold he earned, he could

er wouldn't do. Only a hundred gold

desk, hoping to glean some valuable

with disdainful glares and a co

rd, discovering that the culprit had last been spotted in the no

n to don a uniform o

~

no time and made a beeline for the stable

rade Hubert, a pang of bittersweet memories washed over him,

t's hit the road," Lily called ou

ide his worries for Piya, and

go! Next stop, Fiveton City!" Lily

im, Larion couldn't help but ask,

we head to Reabinga. It'll take us four days to reach Fiveton from he

, mounting his horse and jo

bustling Stormgate District of Billbone C

ring, they followed the winding road, eager to s