His mouth parted in a yawn, his eyes still droopy as if he could fall asleep at any moment. Sitting up straight, he stretched his arms and legs, the dull ache in his cheek lingering from the fall.


    His hand instinctively went to his chest, fingers brushing against the locket. The cold sensation of brass was reassuring.


    His blank gaze drifted to the ceiling of the carriage, where a crystal light hung, swaying gently with the carriage''s motion. His eyes followed its slow rhythm, lost in thought.


    Why did I dream of that day? The silent question echoed in his mind.


    Was it because of this… His hand drifted once more to the locket.


    With a quiet sigh, he shifted to the side of the long carriage seat, settling near the window. The worn leather creaked beneath him as he adjusted, leaning slightly against the cool glass.


    Outside, the world rolled past in a blur of muted colors. Vast stretches of farmland blanketed the landscape, the green fields seemingly endless, where commoner farmers worked under the open sky. The cobblestone road stretched ahead, lined with merchant wagons trundling along, their wooden wheels creaking under the weight of goods. Other carriages passed by, pulled by Stormmanes—horse-like beasts with crackling manes and storm-gray coats that gleamed under shifting light. Their luminous eyes flickered and each step sent sparks dancing from their ironclad hooves against the cobblestone.


    Their hooves struck the ground with a rhythmic clatter, a steady drumbeat against the cobbled path. Lucien''s gaze flicked to the riders—traders, mercenaries, and cloaked figures guided their mounts, their forms hunched protectively over their cargo.


    He slid open the glass window, letting the cool, crisp wind rush in. The scent of damp soil, fresh grass, and morning dew filled the air. He inhaled deeply—the earthy freshness was invigorating. His eyes fluttered open, renewed.


    His gaze snapped straight ahead. Beyond the moving carriages, he spotted the silhouette of a mountain. Even from a distance, it stood majestic—its jagged peaks reached for the sky, softened by the morning mist that clung to its slopes. A silver stream of water cascaded down, glistening in the soft light, carving an unbroken path through the rugged terrain.


    "Almost there," Lucien murmured, his voice laced with anticipation as his gaze remained fixed on the Aurelfall Mountain.


    As they advanced, more roads merged into the main path, swelling with the flow of carriages. The various creatures huffed and growled at one another, their riders guiding them aside to maintain distance and avoid collisions.


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    With so many carriages crowding the road, moving as fast as before became difficult. Dust billowed from the wheels, drifting into the carriage. Lucien''s face scrunched in discomfort as he pulled the window shut and leaned back into his seat.


    "At most, a few hours until we reach the district of Lorrent," he muttered, exhaling.


    I need to get that relic.


    His eyes flashed as memories surfaced.


    In his previous life, many of his teammates wielded powerful relics, most granted by the system upon completing missions. But one stood out—held by a close teammate, it hadn''t come from the system. She had found it in the black market of the Lorrent district.


    He didn''t know exactly when she had obtained it, but according to her, she hadn''t realized its power until the system itself descended, revealing its description.


    She had bought it merely as a decoration, drawn to its unique design without a second thought. But when the apocalypse arrived, she was stunned to realize that the unassuming decoration sitting in her home was anything but ordinary.


    If I can get my hands on it... He clenched his fist, his eyes burning with determination. It would make things a lot easier.


    Despite his prediction, they were still stuck after hours. On both sides, two large cargo carriages flanked him, blocking his view.


    "Damn, are we even moving?" he muttered, frustration creeping into his voice.


    His lips tightened, he moved ahead opening the coachman''s window he spoke in loud voice. "When are we getting there?."


    The wind rushed in as Lucien pushed open the small window, carrying the scent of dust and damp wood into the carriage.


    He coughed, clearing his throat. "Ahem… ahem."


    Through the window, he caught sight of the coachman''s broad back. The man turned slightly, revealing a bald, round face marred by a scar along his cheek.


    In a rough, gravelly voice, the coachman grumbled, "Road''s packed tight. With all these merchant wagons, we''ll be crawling till sundown."


    Lucien''s brows furrowed. Sundown? That was far longer than he expected.


    He shifted his gaze beyond the driver, trying to catch a glimpse of what lay ahead. The road stretched forward in a congested mess of carriages, beasts, and restless travelers. Some riders had dismounted, locked in heated arguments, while others remained tense, their expressions laced with impatience.


    Lucien frowned and spoke again. "Do you have any idea… what''s going on up ahead?"


    The coachman''s murky eyes bore into him, his irritation evident. "Kid, do you think I can see that far ahead?" He scoffed. "Why don''t you go and find out yourself?"


    Lucien exhaled. "Fair point."


    With that, he reached down and pulled his bag from beneath the long carriage seat. Shifting his weight, he pushed the door open—not fully, as the cargo carriage beside them left little room.


    Carefully, he slid his bag through the gap first, then wriggled his way out, squeezing past the narrow space.


    Once outside, Lucien stepped beside the bald coachman and gave him a light poke. "Hey, Mr.—"


    The coachman let out an irritated grunt. "What—" He turned, only for his eyes to widen in disbelief.


    "Where are you going, kid?" he asked, incredulous.


    Lucien tilted his head toward the road. "Forward." Without another word, he reached into his pouch and placed five copper coins beside the coachman''s seat before stepping away. "Let''s meet Lorrent."


    The coachman gawked at him, then scoffed, throwing up his hands. "And what about me?" he called after Lucien, his voice thick with frustration. "I''m still stuck here! You think five copper covers this headache? At least pay me extra for the trouble!"


    Lucien didn''t even glance back. He simply raised a hand in a lazy wave and kept walking