《Face your Fate》
Prologue: A deadmans rawgabbit
"Seek light on your knowledge; never trust the words of a glided man, nor the stories told by the people of the street -- And often not on the soldiers who seek remorse from their scars of the passing day. But those who ate scrags in the dust and watched the horror without shame."
- Fortress King, Meralith
Prologue: A deadman''s rawgabbit
Entering a bar for the first time, his mouth gaped by the number of heads in this room.
It was lively when he came to the door - expecting a rude welcoming from the indigenous locals - but he was only welcomed by a dark room, with the only light showing off a drunk old man stoned in the table accompanied by a barkeep with a pale and stoic expression.
If it was a clueless person entering the room, they''d mistake these pair''s peculiarity for a fountain guardian.
A pair of identification bars floated above the two. The young man shuddered lest to remain calm.
[LV 402][Unknown Warrior: Vitality Unknown.][Status: Drunk]
[LV 34][Unknown Bartender: Vitality Unknown.][Status: Undetermined.]
He knew the place he arrived to wasn''t normal. And that high level of the drunk man was a level only accessible for Rank S adventurers. It made him shudder but that was all.
He did not dare to think that he took the wrong door. He knew he took the right door and never the one in the far corner and that was it. He was not the kind of a crude man who''d believe at someone''s babbles and open the said door without gaining legitimacy from others.
Though a glimpse of suspicion lingers within his doubts. He thoughtsthat the antics of the living had already caught up to him, purposely misleading him to the corner.
But this was fine. Either he took the wrong door or not, at least, he found people. That was good enough for him.
The young man shook his head and proceeded to take heed of his predicament.
He called both of them but none of them turned their heads.
... It was weird that it took a toll on his logic. It ceased for a moment.
His summons was loud and all, it wasn''t loud to call the whole village, sure, but it''ll be enough to take in eyes from all sides if he did it in the day village.
He was confused and had nothing else on his mind but to leave and come back again... But he had already entered.
It would be a sham, throwing a rock into their windows, for these locals if he just simply left, even if they''re making a fool out of him.
He can''t afford to offend either of them. Not in the night, that is sure, but this place is strange. It''ll never go through the night.
He, a young person groomed by his parents to be a person of the fields, not a person who''d go after every living being in the woods with blades at hand. But that was not it. He was not a fine sort that would think reasonable explanations to something unnatural like this and make conjunctures, nor he was groomed by the Guild to develop a jester and blindside them for short-lived attention.
He could only wait and stand courteous for the playful men.
Maybe, just maybe. They''ll pay attention to him if he waited in the door.
He waited... Very long. Long enough for the melted candlestick to be renewed. But he wasn''t aware, He kept his mind into the two men and never on the surroundings.
The young man was entranced by their performance. He wasn''t sure how to make of this situation.
It was weird. Uncanny for expression. Yet the young man did not dare to call them again and waited patiently for changes in their person.
One of them was realms beyond his. It would be a shame if he offended him and shredded into nothing but dust.
He did not move from his spot, he stood there as he waited, but it was for naught.
The young man was sure he wasted an entire Holy Prayer Candlestick waiting for them to draw breath. As time even more pressed on, the young man was sure that this was no ordinary ploy to keep unwanted guests away.
No ordinary beings would be able to stay still. Not even the fishes nor the gargoyles, that is sure.
They were at standstill, sure, like an amateur fool doing their quip and waiting for the other party to recognize their attempts at humor, but that was not it. They were far worse than a living statue. It was as if they were dead. Their eyes never winked, it never has shown their black pupils either.
Perhaps,this is one of the oddities that this place has?
It was supposed to be a place pitied by a stench full of dread and iron, a place where rust shifts even more worse. Though he couldn''t sense any of them. Only a salivating smell of fresh-baked bread entered his noses.
The young man was left paralyzed in the vomitorium, he had the desire to run away and look for another bar. But he shrugged it off and instead waited.
What harm could it bring to wait even more? You already wasted time to wait for the other party, it is only fine to wait even longer.
Maybe, they would give up on their antics and expend more attention to the poor sod waiting in the door.
Another candlestick of time has passed. The young man was growing tired, much to his disdain, he couldn''t hold it anymore and turned around.
Because this place wasn''t up to his expectations when he knew of it - no, he never knew of it but his attempt to file things out for the better of his stay was less than zero.
It is safe to say that he had no expectations, to begin with, there were some, though he was not aware.
He tried to discover this place but never made progress, and thus, He only knew of this place''s fine class ''here and that'' by the guide of the book but, never lent an ear over to the local nonsense that would greatly appease his misinformation.
He never went nearby the pale people in this principality of neverday.
Even for a courageous warrior. None would come near over these dreadlords.
Just when he was about to reach for the knob, a heated argument sprang out of nowhere.
"When will you pay your bill, Joaquim."
"Right... Now..? Huh. Have a scurry of your own palate- Ugh. Nevermind... Pouches'' had a hole."
"None of the daylight you''ve spent in this seat had any coins rolling into the table. Since day one, if my cock is not mistaken."
"The last day of the Fire... I filed the full amount. Don''t take me for a fool, barkeep. Your cock must''ve been crazy. Put it into the fire and we''ll have a fill... A good choice, for both of us, don''t you think?"
"You jest. Have one final cup and scurry your ass back to your fountain. Don''t come back again, if your pouches don''t have an ounce of coin on it!"
A pair of old raspy and dry voice stopped the young man from leaving, one was devoid of tones that he was expecting from a living and the other one was hoarse yet vivid of life. The man turned towards once again and noticed severe changes in the mess.
There were light, perhaps there was in the beginning, but it was only limited between the two standstill men.
Right now, there were unnecessary ramblings left and right, and several identification bars hovered forth. It was too many for the young man to go through so he shrugged every single of them away from his sight.
He examined the place once again.
Old adventurers with scars that should''ve confined them in a coffin were laughing half-heartedly on their seats and cups that were thrown around for no reason.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
Knights of rusted honor were silently having their own palate of a variety of foods in the corner, and the proprietress finally made an appearance and winked towards the young man at the door before going into the crowd of brawny men, yet, she wasn''t that eye-catching.
With that deep scar. It was old. Unsightly. Sure, her features are desirable and cute. She was the ideal woman. Busty figure and all, yet that scar...
... It just ceased the young man''s palate and felt something was surging within his abdomen.
Unlike the waitresses in the day, who wore pretty dresses and an alluring aura. She felt horrible. Much... Horrible was the word, it was the safest word to describe her.
The young man couldn''t make out of her, much less the guests of this oddity.
Guilt warped the young man''s heart as soon as he remembered her predicament, but keeping her in mind wouldn''t do him any good.
The young man shook the image of her tattered dress and made a leeway of himself through the mess and into the old people rambling in the isle.
As they said, The older the wiser. The young man gave a gesture to give him two cups of beer to the barkeep who finally noticed him. The old bartender had a tacit understanding of what he meant and made a beeline to his station.
"New... To this place, young lad?" The old man oogled down his beer in one go ere he spoke in a weird tone. He gave an eye to the young man from toe to head.
"No... Not from that place... Right... The young body is still warm. Be thankful."
"A warm body. Heh... ''Tis has been a three fire cycles to see one! Good heavens. The warm must''ve wronged him for him to come all the way here. Huh? Doncha believe, Joaquim?"
The old Bartender let out a dry, ominous laugh. The old man gave a nod as he peered on his empty cup, silence befell to both of them till the old man shook his head.
"Good Gods. What are the people in the day are doing? You are young and had the strength. Surely you''re not running away from something..? Nah. That is fine equipment over there... Good stuff, lest you worry about the possibilities that are nigh of you settling anywhere in this creep."
"Not today, that for sure. But if you persist on and had the scythe, you will see yourself digging your own dust mantle in your prime."
The young man''s brows furrowed upon his words. The old man knew better for him, thinking the silence was the young man''s reply for his babble, he continued while massaging his fore.
"Yeah... You are not hearing bullshit... The Creep''s a place for good men who had a run of their prime. For me and even these kids at the back, ''tis a very good accommodation to wait for the scythe. Even the nobles had a great time here."
"For you? Pfft-. It is a total waste..! Scythe''s not choosy for the blood, young lad, it wouldn''t matter if you''re young or not. But for sure, it aims anyone who had a nosy business around here..." The old man scoffed. "Warm bodies should know better about their fate. They shouldn''t be here."
"Tomorrow is full of uncertainties... Be silent and leave through the gate once you''re done. Young lad. Don''t go through the fountain square, that''s where the lamp withers."
The young man gave him a nod and took heed of his words.
There was always room for enlightenment, mostly for things that speak for the devil''s tongue.
However, he did not forget his reason for coming into such a lonely creep. He took out a bag of crystals and displayed the entirety of them to the old man. The old man took heed to the shining spectacle and loosened the grip on his cup, this situation stood still - till the barkeep returned with the two cups of the best drinks he requested.
"What do you think of these." The young man said with a grin while flaunting the bag of gems, although his face is hidden, the old man knew he was smiling beyond that facade. It''s not as if the Old man grew another eye to look beyond it but, the muscles visible on the edges of his mask told otherwise.
"An everyday stuff... Heh. You know your jest well enough, young lad. I never grow too old to get tired of this." The old man sneered as he reached out for the spare cup. "I will be shamelessly taking this. You''re asking a big time for this junk, after all."
"Go ahead." The young man packed the pouch of gems back. "I''ll give it to you once you answer my question."
"What kind of information you''d like to know..?" The old man downed the cup in one go right before he spoke in a dead-serious tone. "Surely, you will not ask this poor old man to trace the alphabets of an ancient origin text? Perhaps, a wyrmspeak? A weapon forged by the fallen wyrm? Or seek an audience for the olden kings... That live up in that croaked castle beyond the creep? No. The scythe''s there. Maybe a knowledge from them?"
The young man shook his head. "Not those you spoke of. But I''d like to know one thing."
"Fire away."
"Grimayus valley." The young man said with a dark expression within his face. His face went even darker as he remembered the anomalies revolving around the said place. "I would like to know what is happening below Grimayus Vall-"
THUD. The cup that the old man was holding fell into the ground, spilling the good ol'' alcohol into the battered planks.
The young man furrowed his brows. His expression says otherwise, he was sure that his travel was worth it.
If the information that he seeks from gives a reaction, there''s always a light over it, unless faked which is nigh impossible due to that sour expression of his.
The laughter of the scarred adventurers had stopped suddenly when the young man spoke. The Barkeep who was close-by could not help himself but reveal an ugly expression for the first time.
The Old man was indifferent, he had a pale face as if his soul was snatched away. Neither was the waitress or the knights in the corner, had an indifferent expression. Their eyes were fixed tightly into the young man''s gaudy white scowl and his face covered by an expressionless facade.
Their expressions were filled with an unsettling dread.
There was silence. The laughter and rumblings of the people in the back were now gone.
The young man was unaware of it but all of them had started to back away as if to avoid an unforeseeable circumstance that the young man is about to bring in.
The old man shook his head. His eyes lost their light as he recalls a memory of his.
"N-No... W-We had enough..."
"... Huh?" The young man was taken aback by the old man''s words. "Wh- What do you mean..."
The young man felt something grabbed his heart the moment he heard the old man.
He was, sure enough, would slap the old man in front of him if he refuses to speak of the happening within the Grimayus Valley. This was a piece of very important information. A chesspiece that would determine the fate of his town.
He had come from far lands, went through numerous ordeals and near-death situations with the Church Pursuers, and nearly rotted to death due to a mistake. He waited for the correct Stellar Formations in the area where the creep usually appears, for three years.
For three years and this is all he got?
Just when the young man about to take yet another pouch of gems. The old man started to shake.
His muscles tensed up and his mouth started to foam with bubbles.
It was serious.
The people in the back nor the bartender tended to him. They had no courage to lose and were afraid to come near him - the young man. He noticed all of this and stood from his place.
"Never..." The old man said while curling, it was evident that something had hurt him real bad from the aforementioned place. The young man was still in a daze. This was much serious than the ploy that they made.
"Never... Please."
"I- I don''t wanna speak of that being- NO... I don''t want to remember him. Not today, not tomorrow, and if possible, I''d like my memories of the past go." The old man hid his face between his palms as tears fell from his eyes. "Never. Never... Never. That existence... We had enough..! Even the Heroes are afraid of it- No. The scythe was... Too..."
"I''ll pay your tabs with the Barkeep." The young man said out loud and fished yet another bag of gems. "I''m sure this wou-"
"NO!"
Death appeared inside the young man''s sights, without any further hesitation, he rolled into the ground and braced for impact.
BOOOM!
The old man slammed the table with all of his force - destroying the isle in a moment''s haste. The planks rolled and least hit anyone from the back. It was the young man and the bartender that got hit by the debris. Luckily, the young man had a thick cloak. None of the planks made serious damage over him.
For the bartender. He wasn''t aware but a plank had already pierced his abdomen. No blood was spilled, neither the smell of iron. It was as if having a plank pierced through is a common occurrence.
The young man looked in terror.
It was a force to be reckoned with! That power was perhaps on par with the Church Chapel Masters! He stabilized himself before he encourages himself to stand up and gain the information he painstakingly needs.
He stood up and fixed the stool as he sat beside the panic-stricken old man yet again. He was still shaken by the display of power but he must press on.
He tried to speak but words caught up to him when he saw the dire expression of the old man.
He sat in silence.
Stillness dreaded over the bar yet again.
No one dared to speak nor let a single drop of sweat interrupt the silence. It was weird, if not, something that even the mightiest warrior would feel awkward in.
"A calamity... That is unheard of... Should remain unheard." The old man broke the silence through his teeth. "You- You should give up."
"Why-"
"GIVE UP!" The old man blared and slammed both of his hands into the young man.
The young man groaned, though it is heavy, it wasn''t enough for him to break his bones. He only thought that the old man held most of his power, if not, he would be a brick paste before long.
The old man yet let a weak voice again. "Just... Give up."
"Stay away from Grimayus Valley. Travel through the seas, if you need to. Just give up on the Valley and run as far as you can." The barkeep couldn''t help but interfere with a dark expression. "Not even us could handle such a threat in our prime."
The young man was confused. Why such behavior is shown when there was no evident threat in Grimayus Valley, other than the incompetent bastards who flee from the Kingdom of Arenessa to the Dutchy of Morlissno and the bandits, there were no Wyrmhunt level threats within.
Unless a Soileater Worm decides to make the whole Desolate lands of Grimayus Valley its territory..?
The young man was confused, but he did not let up and decided to wait for the old man to open up. He sat there alongside him. In silence, yet again.
He wasn''t sure what to make out of it until the bartender gave him a look. His eyes switched back and forth from his pouch of gems and to the old man.
They had an understanding. He took out three pouches of gems out of his inventory and placed it on the laps of the old man.
"Will you..?" The young man said sincerely. "... Just think of your story as some rawgabbit. A lie for kids to behave."
"Never give up... Do you."
The old man finally caved in, he let out a dry exhalation before he took the pouches of gems and threw it into the bartender''s face. "... Ask for a craftsman to fix your poor isle... My tab''s done and all. Give us all the beer you have. The poor nitwits at the back are also included."
"You sure are generous after paying your ass up." The bartender squinted his eyes as he stared into the old man. "You sure about this?"
"Yeah... Damn it... This is a real pain." The old man groaned as he faced the young man. "A real pain..."
"Listen up, you shitty son of a goat... I have a story to tell you."
Prologue: A deadmans rawgabbit II
"The cruel is never the man who slaughters the toothless for pleasure; not the man who rules with tyranny; it is on the man who refuses to part an important knowledge for the better of the world."
- 34th Chapel Master of the Piety, Monico de la Rosielle IV
Prologue II: A deadman''s rawgabbit
Silence.
The two sat alongside each other, drinking a number of cups atop a makeshift table that sufficed for the destroyed bar isle. The young man grew impatient as he kept looking to the face of the old man who''d tell him the information he requires.
It had passed a long time already and the people at the back began their ruckus once more. The old man was not giving the young man, a heed to his actions until he spoke.
"... How about the Story..? I thought you''d tell this son of a goat, a story? Was everything you said earlier was a lie?"
There was no response.
The young man whose brows frowned upon the unexpected pause inched closer to the old man.
"I thought you''re going to tell me a story that existed Five thousand years ago?"
The old man shook his head before facing the young man. "That was the case, indeed... I would''ve brought you the rabbit if it was as simple as it sounds... Really."
"I...- It was a-..."
"Take the vomitorium with your legs tucked in and go beyond the night. ''Tis a dangerous play you''re trying to enter in, young boy. You''ve taken a liking to a thing that neither kings could handle without a wyrmforged ultimatum at hand." The bartender suddenly interrupted the Old man''s words whilst he cleaned up the wooden bar debris.
"There''s no way that Monster would be different from the first time it appeared-."
"I know how dangerous it is, forth-telling the expressive reactions you''d given to me. I could tell a thing or two." The young man interrupted the words of the bartender and looked at the old man once more. "I am more than a capable bunch to listen to some ol'' gibberish."
"Hmph. You''re holding a dim light to the Maker''s altar, young man. I admire your adamance but it''s not as easy as that..."
"Perhaps." The young man insisted. "But I require Information."
"You wouldn''t leave this fine young lad be insensible of the dangers that is lurking within the world, can you? And if it is as dangerous as it sounds. Wouldn''t it be better if you''d tell me what it is? The wiser you are is for the better."
A long pause succumbed between the three.
"... You''ve made a good ol'' point. It was bitter of me, an elderly, not to tell the younger peers the dangers that round human lives..."
The young man raised his cup in relief.
"But not this one."
*Thud*
A cup fell down into the ground, spilling its contents all over the floor. All of the eyes were fixated on the young man. The waitress made her move immediately and cleaned the mess, although the young man stood to make leeway for the waitress to clean it easier, his eyes were fixated on the old man losing himself on the alcohol.
"That makes it two of us, I guess." The old man gave out a dry laugh.
"I... I thought..?"
The old man spoke deeply. "Hah. A moment to give to me, young lad..! You are asking more than this damned ol'' junk more than he could fancy!"
The young man''s knees gave out and sat back right to his seat, his eyes were still fixated on the old man, unflinching. He was eager to learn of the Grimayus Valley, no matter the warnings that the old man gave off. He wasn''t that afraid now that he has come to a place where the Dead filled the plane.
He couldn''t back down now.
Not without the necessary knowledge that might lead to an unfathomable amount of treasures or a slumbering high-ranked monstrosity that''ll give a ton of experience points if slain.
He must know of this knowledge...
The Old man noticed his determination. He knew this look the most. He saw many of this determination back then, the determination that made even the outwitted soldiers into myrmidons. The willingness to fight towards the bitter end even with the little strength... Or that is what the old man sees in the eyes of the young man.
"Fine... Just this once." The old man said, exhaling deeply once again to ease his stress. "Just to be sure, young lad."
"You''re not planning on venturing onwards to the Deadzone of the Grimayus Valley after this, no?"
The young man shook his head after a short pause.
"The Church prowls the area, there''s no possibility of me going into the Center unless I use a Tier 3 Wind Magic to stay under their noses."
"Is that so." The old man''s lips curved. Seemingly to recall good memories from the old.
"The mad lads are still on it. Keep watch, my ass. They''re doing a lot more what they''re told. Damnable Church Warriors, If it weren''t for this creep, I''ll give them a taste of this alcohol already. I have yet to thank them for saving our poor sod''s asses back then."
"Tell you what, young lad. The Church''s support and missionaries prevented new faces from filling the creep here and there. They''re doing a fine work of the Maker."
"So. When will you tell the story?" The young man impatiently said. "The time''s gold. I am sure you know what that means."
"I''d rather meet the blade of a mortal than the scythe of the devil."
"Heh, that sort you''re making is golden. Young lad. Tell me more about the Church the next time you come here."
The young lad nodded as a reply. The old man gave out a deep sigh as he sat leaned towards the makeshift table, ordering an additional two cups for both of them.
"You''re a drinker. I''ll give you good points on that." The old man said with a slight smile. "You''re a fine sort. An admirable person. You must have a lot of girls waiting at you back home, ey? Kahahaha. Knowing what''s the best for you through gathering information. I wish my son would think the same way as you."
"Though I''ll say, you''re stupid on your own right. Not even a million of you could handle the thing beneath the Valley on your own. I recommend going by what that old shithead of a Barkeep''s words- Take the vomitorium with your tail tucked in." The old man added as he ordered another cup of relish.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
"I... Is that so." The young man sighed in relief. This time, it was the utmost relief.
"... Now let me tell you the story. This has nothing to do with me even with the years to come. I''ve realized that and now I must make my stand as an elderly for the young."
"Young lad. Open your ears. You shall bear the heart of hearing this soul''s tale."
"Thank you." The young man drank his cup in full as he prepared himself to listen to the old man.
"I''ve pressed you long enough, I''m afraid you won''t take the gates to the day that will soon open. I regret that. I''ll warp it up earlier so you can leave."
''Twas a long time ago.
Long before the Demon Lord ascended into their Powers. Long before the Northerners sought the verdant green fields of the South- falling the land ''neath the wings of the damned. The world was at slumbering peace for the longest time; Kingdoms rose, humanity spread and their technology proceeded throughout the years of tranquility.
And at that time.
There was this, a capable lot who thought that gaining knowledge was not limited inside an indifferent room full of wizardry and alchemy. These people formed up a party with arms, rations, and willingness to travel into the far ends of the world to learn its secrets. They were the first batch of Adventurers.
The ones who founded the Guild you''re at.
They had a silly name, much more of a jest than you''d fancy. I think they were called ''Fielders'' back in the days? Hahaha. Ahem.
The Fielders who traveled far and wide discovered nothing but different civilizations with a tint of their own uniqueness. They were nothing special. I''ll tell you.
But their perseverance to know each inch of the world had them discovered the first Dungeon
It had them reeling out of it for the first time due to the unaccounted powerful monsters that lurk within.
Their magics were crude and ineffective, so they had to rely on their ol'' metal sticks to fight the beasts. There were some ferocious beasts. Sure. But they were the bravest lot. The halls of the Dungeon that beckon ill fortune did not asunder them in the least, nor they took their asses off the ground and back into the city where they fathom their lives.
Some did, but those met the scythe sooner than the latter who remained still. Well. Most. Most of them.
The remaining group sorted out the beasts one by one, with blood and casualty. The halls made them mad. Everything that bears fangs ended up becoming their meal and weapon, their blood empowered the Fielders into unyielding myrmidons who''d thirst for the golden depths of the unknown.
They didn''t retreat. They pressed on into the labyrinth, fighting even with a missing limb and a scythe wriggling around their necks.
But finally, down to the last two men.
One they call, Alcatraz, he was the dullest. More of a books than a fighter. He was always at the back, throwing a giddy ball of fire that lest did deal damage to either of these monstrosities. The only thing keeping him alive was the staff he acquired from the labyrinth. It was gold, drown in fortune and gems, something that Kings of every country would covet for. It was a mighty- ridiculous staff that''d fallen even Dragons, summon forth maelstrom with just a word.
And the other sort was an unknown person, from the goons, they say... Heh. I''d love it if they knew of him more. He''s the kind of guy you''d want to drink with, that for sure!
The two pressed onwards to the end. With nothing in mind except gold and timber. They thought at the end of the door they approach is a world of unowned Kingdom. Something that''d give them the crown of the World to bear.
Lest, Alcatraz and the goon met, was something out of their reach. At the end of the Labyrinth. Beyond the golden door, lies a glittering please, containing the wonders of the laud night. It has the form, perhaps, the picture of a man.
Chained with something otherworldly. It was an entity beyond the man''s understanding. Alcatraz took a liking to the beauty of this ''artifact''.
They thought it was the body of a lost god. An olden deity lost in the records of men and women. Suppose, it was a mistake to call it a relic of the world. That was indeed frailty of our decision to make.
After all, we''re all humans. We love greed much more than the elven.
Alcatraz broke the chains asunder with the thought of bringing it to the Kingdom as a trophy of his ''own'' hard work. He wanted to covet all the glory for himself and, just to make sure that he had all the fortune, he turned towards me with his staff. The dungeon made him mad, after all. The goon couldn''t blame him for that childish behavior after seeing his sweetheart torn into pieces by an ogre.
He was gone wroth with all of that stress. He is not invincible even with the power of the Deities at hand.
But he never knew the glass would wake in its slumber.
At the final moment of his magic chant. The glass grabbed ahold of his face...
And tore Alcatraz in half with its raw strength. He couldn''t react in time and protect himself. It all happened in a flicker of light.
Level 500. Gone. Red filled the marble floor of the room. His body was left in that state for ages.
The goon was left in the corner, witnessing the end of his maker by the hand of the unknown. The entity took something out of Alcatraz''s body as if it is devouring his soul.
The entity then took the form of Alcatraz.
His face lacked the expression of his mortal appearance. His eyes were devoid of life though his skin wasn''t pale. The entity walked towards him with movements that resemble a golem- no, it looked more like a newborn humanoid learning how to walk properly. It was all unnatural for a human.
Magic surged from the palms of the entity. It was bent on killing him.
The goon... He was afraid.
Not because of the death that awaits him upfront. But the disaster that they brought into the world.
"For the sins of one must affect the world. Hark! Maker''s love! What must be done to relish this entity off the plane!? To bear the mien of a fallen, the power of the dread, and the strength of a demon to each living soul it has slain. It far goes beyond the logic of men!"
Alas, with his final reminiscence and furious cursing. The fireball went-
... Onto his side and blasted the wall apart.
The goon knew it was supposed to be the death of his, though he least expected the Church coming at the right time. The Church Knights brandished their blades into the entity which caused his aim to retract.
At least, for now, the last remaining Fielder was safe. The entity, however, it wasn''t dead. It was smart. But the Church thought it was slain and buried it. They left the body intact and rescued the Goon from the Labyrinth. One of them recognized by the Goon, one of the Fielders who fled before the entrance of the Labyrinth. She told everything to the Church and immediately started an expedition to conquer the Labyrinth and save the remaining Fielders from their death... Unbelievable right? There were a lot of good people back then. Haaah.
How glad was- The goon was glad at that time. That poor sod remained at peace for years till he was called for duty once more.
The Sophomore Heroes arose into power and brought down the Demon Lords, and now for the final unsung battle of them, they took the best of the best Fielders into the front and fought that entity... That happened right in the center of the Grimayus Valley. It was desolate, deserted and brown. The green that it covered was no more.
And on top of the valley was a familiar face...
Haah...
All we knew that the Fielders who stood at the front met a Bolide. Heh... We didn''t manage to fight that thing head-on nor knew more of the battle.
... That was the end of all.
"Thank you." The young man said and threw two bags worth of gems into the old man''s table.
"And may I know your name?" The young man said with a smile. "I have forgotten the introductions but if by chance, I''m coming back to his place, It''d be nice to know someone''s name."
"Joaquim. Joaquim Charvy. Don''t ever think of coming back here in your prime. Get more girls and enjoy your life." The old man laughed as he downed a cup. "There''s a lot of fine women here, but I don''t think warm bodies would like them."
"... Thank you once again... And... I''d thrown much more if you''d speak more of the battle and the aftermath."
"If I could." The old man said laughingly. "But there''s no way we could''ve survived that Bolide, no? Not to mention the Heroes at the back were useless in defending their subjects. They were nice but they''re horrible with mind works if you catch my drift."
"With that level, I''m sure you could''ve just used all of your strength to kick out of that formation." The young man said calmly.
"Fancy that you''d think I was one of the people in the ranks. You have brains."
"I think people would know that you''re telling a story of your life from the start unless it is a rawgabbit."
The old man looked astern towards the young man. "Hmph, young lad. If you''re talking about a regular fireball from the stars. Then you''re wrong. You shouldn''t speak about things that you don''t even know."
The young man stood silent and quietly left the Bar after taking a ''considerable'' amount of information from the old man. The old man looked at the fleeing figure of the young man from afar.
At that moment, he saw something from his behind. It was familiar. A pleasing sight of nostalgia.
"Maybe I''m just seeing things." The Bartender said out of the blue. "Doesn''t he look like you?"
"Gahaha, as expected of the Fielder''s renowned Treasure Hunter. You''d see everything behind the walls."
"He''ll be like me, I''m sure of it." The old man said laughingly. "That is, if he chose to align himself to his fate. It could be a cruel one."
Chapter 1: Going beyond the borders
Chapter 1: Beyond the Borders
"The place''s a waste of time. Huff"
A young man said as he passed through a ruined archway, leading to an empty, queer small cavern. He sat down nearby and took his mask off, revealing his youthful face. He had no striking appearance or anything that would make Royal Princesses fall to his heart.
He looked more like your ordinary Blacktown somebody.
He took a breather and warmed himself with his Fire Magic. He was exhausted running from the scythe that haunts the Warm within. He had to run as fast as he can or else he would find himself under the dusty mantle.
It was a good idea to use every mana potion he had in store.
And it was a good idea to leave right after the Old man had finished the story, else he finds the scythe.
The dark cavern was lit up but it was not enough to expose the dangers of the lonely cave. It was still darker than the night, perhaps, much darker with all the windy howls roaming about his ears.
He did not shudder in the presence of the dark; lest he dies from the fear.
It felt much safer here, that he knows.
The young man looked at the ruined Archway once more.
The Gate had opened a long time ago but it had no signs of being activated nor a picture that leads the eye would appear in its place. It is just a Hollowed Archway. It had no striking appearance that would fathom others of its mysteries.
... But its structure would be out of place in such a lonely cavern such as this.
''Tis a mysterious structure. An imposing one back in its day, perhaps.
It is like a crypt. Or some sort of. Maybe it is as it brings one to the land of the Night? The young man ponders once more about it.
He had many questions about the mystery behind the Arch. Was it made by a lonely archmage to meet his beloved past the hereafter? Or a haunting menace looking to overlive his date and hunt the day once more through the gates he had established?
Even with that thought, he wished that he never knew the reason. For it would haunt his dreams forever.
... Because businesses with the dead are unjustified.
The Gate would open once every week of the Season of Ice and after, it would return next cycle. It was fortunate of him to catch the Gate''s opening or he would''ve spent a long, dangerous time withering inside the Night.
... Or it was thanks to Joaquim for warping the story much shorter than it had.
Had he told the rest of it... The young man shook his mind in cold.
Once the young man had regained a portion of his Mana and stamina, he gathered himself, wore his emotionless mask, and moved towards the exit of the Cavern and looked from afar- searching for the nearby town.
He looked far and wide. Before he knew it, he had gone farther from the vicinity of the cavern.
He did not stop looking and at last- he had caught a glimpse of light. It was a fast-moving one, a tower of smoke follows in its wake; not a horse, nor a stampede of monsters. It had a distinctive metallic sheen that would scare even the most formidable adventurer standing in its wake.
"Over there."
The young man whispered to himself as he took off from the ground and strengthened himself with Tier 3 Wind Magic; Lightened Steps. A Magic that focused on asking assistance from the wind to give the user leverage over movement.
Even though Tier 3 Magics require a considerable amount of Mana. The young man still chose to expend his stock without hesitation.
He followed the Train without hesitation.
He needs to hang onto it.
Else he finds himself emptying his pouches for paying the absurdly expensive ticket.
*CHOOOOOOO-*
The steam engine left out one last blaring whistle before it departed into the next station, leaving behind a blow of gust and tower of smoke. The sun has just begun to break, leaving a purplish-red into its shimmering steel body. The beauty bears fruit, the train was indeed a masterpiece to blend the dawn into glamorous paint to taint its features vividly.
He watched the iron wall pull its carriage into the horizon, easily as if some Goliath that could fell even the mightiest city.
This iron titan is one of the prized inventions of Humanity long before the end of the Second Uprising of the Demon Lords that happened three thousand years ago. It played an important role in delivering the required rations and siege weapon munitions for the Frontier cities and Forts.
Although it looked tougher than any knights. Sure, the exterior is enough to take a blow from a mighty wyvern... But... It was fragile. Its sloppy engineering would cause it to break down here and there, and unlike horses, it required a rail that would take several thousands of slaves to build a hundred mile. It was also costly due to the Steel frame and the upkeep that is required as coals are highly in demand due to the upcoming Season of Eternal Ice.
The train was impractical.
"But give it more time, it will become as strong as any fortresses around." A young lady beside him- who noticed the young man looking at the metallic sheen surface of the goliath- said in a joyful manner.
"... Excuse me?" The young man said as he faced the young lady.
"I can tell that you were making a mental documentation of the train." The lady said as she inched closer to the young man. "A documentation wouldn''t be enough without the voices of others, so I added a little of my voice in there. Very good, eh?"
"I appreciate it." The young man said slowly. He looked at her from head to toe and felt assured. He did not saw a slight scar in her body. She had a good body, although lacking in some areas, it was enough for men at his age to fall down to their sorry knees and offer flowers to her. Her brownish, golden hair, and a scarlet eye.
It was a good sight. The young lady never noticed him due to the mask.
"So? Do you need any more voices? I can offer you one."The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
"Surely, you''re not talking to me due to that reason. No?" He said with a straight voice.
"Strange. I thought you''d never realize." The young lady said while smiling. "Most of the men here would keep acquiring words and words, and until I tell them what I need would they ask."
"From the looks of your attire. You did not come from the Dragnact Principality, am I not right? The locals would always wear Yukata''s and Kimino''s regardless of the towns they visit."
The young man gave a nod as a reply.
"I have a good offer for you." The young lady said as she rummages through her bag. "My mother runs an inn nearby, you can go there by checking this map. I''ll give you a silver discount, just for you~! So make sure you come there, alright? We really need costumers as of late."
A good timing.The young man whispered within his mind and took the paper pamphlet from the young lady''s hands. He hid it immediately within his person to secure his discounted lounging.
"The name''s Altisse Mareroriver, well, see you later~"
The young lady, who named Altisse, waved as she walked into the distance. The young man rechecked the pamphlet hidden in his pocket once more before he looked into the crowds.
"Now then... Where will I find you?"
And searched for a certain man amidst the crowd that filled the exit. He was an important asset if at all, a person that would help him go beyond the border. He was sure that the man operates within this town and looks for his costumers through the Train station or else he wouldn''t get that much of money through bypassing the local border.
Unless that man got caught, the young man could only look for another one.
He began his search by looking for a familiar name through ''Identification''.
... Though... The young man looked all around him.
There are... Difficulties.In searching for that specific man.
"Looking for Maria! Maria! Are you there!?"
"Liliaaaa~~~! Long time no see!!"
"Oh, what a surprise! You''ve grown taller now, sonny!!"
"Cut it out, dad!"
The train station is crowded and noisy.
The lack of air around the place, coupled with the sour sweaty smell and the lingering heat of the steam engine that is enough to make everyone unprotected by air magic, feel light-headed. The young man who had expended a vast majority of his Mana would be feeling the same.
He only nudged the feeling as if he is entering the Night once again.
... It wasn''t different except for the living soulless husks of men that thirsts for warm bodies welcoming you at the door''s steps.
The Man he was searching for was the very same person who took him out of the Grimayus Valley with a bit of an underhand change. He was capable enough to pass-through the Church''s patrols unscathed or without even having his face postered up with a bounty in the Adventurer''s Guild unlike the newbies or the much capable ones who grew arrogant and ended up being bought out by their peers. Unlike them, the man he was searching for, had no promises over mistakes nor he accepts the change from the moment thereof.
The young man doesn''t know how long the man is doing his job as an illegal migrator, but one thing for sure, He will be very needed for his operation.
The search was a hassle, a noisy bunch of scrawny rags and dimwitted adventurers all around the train station make the searching nigh impossible. Adding in the civilians that creak in tight spaces. It was very chaotic.
But after taking some time, the young man had finally found the man.
After a long time of looking at each of the people''s faces in the crowds and dismissing their status profile. He found him, a very familiar name for him.
He was a shady one, to be precise, someone who looked a lot more like a bandit than a civilian.
Everything tells the young man he should know about this man. Through his face and through the status window that is only unique to gift holders who were blessed with ''Identification''.
[LV3][Mintoro Livingdale: 23,403 / 23,403][Status: Normal]
He had received this Gift years ago. Although he could no longer remember how. He still knew he got it was when he was 10 years old.
Non-holders of this Gift can still see their statuses, but it is only limited to themselves, unlike him who could take a peek at everyone with available data his Identification could give.
"Mintoro."
The young man called out, taking the attention of the man who, still, had his eyes set on the encroaching people.
"Ja..? Oh. Yes?" The man jolted in surprise while scratching the back of his head. He took a second to search for the speaker who called out his name. He had a face of panic for a moment until he realized it was the masked young man who was standing idly by his side. He feigned an aloof look into the young man and spoke in a joking manner.
"Well... Hahaha, forgive my short-sightedness. Erm, my good sir? Have a moment to this old fellow?"
"I have a queer business with you. I hope you''d entertain this poor fellow for a moment? Let us speak while we take a walk." The young man said as he gave a bow ere gave attention to his surroundings. "Tis place is crowded, noisy and unwell to have our businesses be spoke of."
"Speak to me? Uh, that is rather... Sudden, I presume. May I have the liberty to ask who you are, my good sir?"
"It will be quite troublesome to introduce ourselves in this place." The young man abruptly added with caution. "There are too many ears in this place. Hopefully, you''d agree to go with me, since it deals with the lines..."
"Hmm. That''s surprising. Quite. That is really unheard of. Really. Perhaps, my good sir is taking me for a fool?" Mintoro said while laughing. "This might be an issue... Considering you''re well unknown to me, my good sir. I''ve been known to this place as someone terrible and scary- enough to give my good dear sir an unpaid installment plan to the local hospitallers. I say yes?"
"That is intriguing, perhaps, you''ll fill the void between people''s entertainment ''round here if you start telling it to the locals of how mighty you are? Your humor might be scant of use and earn more than you do right now. I''ll give you that, Mr. Cross-over-the-line."
"You''re hilarious. I wonder how your mother groomed such a rude young fellow like you? Oh, schnei-... Excuses. That is very indeed rude of me. Now, that is somewhat of my scary side, I say."
"I may say rough things but as the olden ones speak, if it hurts, it is most likely gives a good ol'' damn impression to both your heart and mind. So give me a good laugh on my behavior, shall you?" Mintoro said while smiling.
"Silly enough." The young man exhaled heavily as he slowly calmed his heating expression of his mind.
Mintoro''s sudden argument nearly made the young man back into giving such an aggressive manner. He wasn''t used to being made fun of as he only knows how to look down upon the low leveled masses due to his considerably high level. The young manwouldn''t back down in any fights unless it is a higher leveled person, but this man- Mintoro - is just a mere level 3. He could beat him into a pulp if he wanted but he chooses to stay calm and acquire this silly person''s help in crossing the border.
After all, getting into the borders of the Church is difficult even for him.
... He was nearly caught when he entered the Grimayus Valley.
And there were high-level knights lying in wait nearby. Seemingly waiting for a troublemaker to beat their sore muscles into. Getting into a fight with other people would mean seeing either the dungeon or the coffin in the heat of the moment.
"Hark. Closely. Your face is familiar. I doubt you''ll remember someone beyond the borders once the pouches'' had a fill." The young man said monotonously. "But I do remember you. Consider it a final word in this place."
Mintoro''s smile withered at the spur of the young man''s words. He did not speak any further and seemingly reaching out for something well-hidden in his belt. He looked surprised with sweat falling down from his forehead. Though he did not leak any further emotions nor a bloodlust.
The young man could tell that this very man in front of him is skilled in hidden businesses that deadmen only count. His intention, however, is very obvious. It lacked the skillfulness that one would require when making a quick clear of a person without the attention of the said subject.
It was as if he''s making the other party a fool of them, or, a vividly showing his action through a large swing that could be seen from afar.
But he never released an inch of bloodlust or hostility. He still had that gaudy expressive face of his.
The young man gave Mintoro points on his lucidity.
"Enough." The young man said before Mintoro had reached the handle hidden behind his belt. "Your old steel friend at the back of the belt and the angle of your wrist... You were planning on throwing that blade of yours into the right angle to make it look like some sort of, well-executed, far-away assassination, am I not right..?"
"My good dear sir has good eyes. It is precisely the action I''d take in this regard," Mintoro said, seemingly saddened by the fact his actions were exposed. He returns his gaudy expressive face of his in the instant he lowered his hand and gave the young man a wide smile. "However. That was not the case I''m going after."
Mintoro gave out a slight curve of his lips and swiftly took the handle behind his belt immediately and threw it to the young man. "I remember that mask, my good sir. You pay dearly. I would not miss the chance of acquiring more wealth from someone like you, no? Meet us in that marked location in the night."
"We''ll leave candles before the dawn. Keep a time of it now."
The young man gave a nod before he left for the depths of the town. Mintoro turned his head over to the crowd and stood to wait, seemingly searching for more costumers drag along onto his business.
The young man took out a pamphlet and made his way to his lounging.