ã€ŠLiam&#x2019;s Duality: A tale of two selvesã€‹


 Chapter 1 - The Unfair Transfer

    Chapter 1 ¨C The Unfair Transfer

    I strode through the majestic halls of the Raakwell Adventurer¡¯s Guild, my boots reverberating against the polished marble floor. The lavish surroundings stirred my heart, igniting dreams of a gilded future.

    To my left, towering windows flooded the corridor with golden sunlight, their rays casting elongated shadows along the opposite wall. At the far end, a darkwood door loomed, its surface adorned with an engraved darksteel plaque bearing gilded letters: Aldric, Executive Guildmaster..

    I knocked with measured resolve, determined not to let the promise of wealth disrupt my composure.

    ¡°Enter,¡± came the succinct reply from within.

    Every visit to Aldric¡¯s office was a study in contrasts¡ªthe imposing mahogany desk, the sumptuous wyvern-leather chair, and the breathtaking panorama of the sprawling city all served as both symbols of authority and bitter reminders of the power I so desperately coveted. Yet, nothing captivated me more than the royal seal tucked away in Aldric¡¯s drawer. One day, that seat of power would be mine.

    ¡°You called for me, Mr. Aldric?¡± I inquired, meeting the sharp gaze of the wiry man draped in fine dragon-silk robes, intricately embroidered with adamantite. The room exuded an oppressive grandeur; shelves lined with ancient grimoires testified to treasured knowledge, and the mere presence of the archmage set my senses on high alert.

    Engrossed in a document, Aldric barely acknowledged my entrance. After affixing his final signature and stamping the parchment with his seal, he slid it into an envelope before finally regarding me with a scrutinizing look.

    ¡°Liam, take a seat,¡± he instructed, his fingers steepled in thought.

    I obeyed, my gut already warning me that this conversation would be nothing short of unpleasant.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been hearing things, troubling things,¡± he began, his voice measured. ¡°Reports about you.¡±

    I kept my expression neutral. ¡°What sort of reports?¡±

    Aldric exhaled, feigning reluctance. ¡°Sir Haines has accused of misusing your authority, claiming you are intentionally hampering the development of dungeon in his region.¡±

    The dungeon in Haines¡¯ region, he had requested a loan to develop a mining quarry there. However, the loan requested was exorbitant to say the least.

    ¡°Sir Haines¡¯ request was unjustified,¡± I replied, ¡°the dungeon in question is C ranked. It¡¯s floors mostly have rocky terrain, and while there are ore veins, they yield only non-magical ores. A large scale mining operation to get them would be unnecessary, and the requested sum was egregiously excessive.¡±

    Aldric exhaled through his nose, as though instruction an obstinate pupil. ¡°Whether the sum was excessive is irrelevant. This is not about the viability of investment ¨C it is about power. The duke¡¯s son is not a man we inconvenience.¡±

    This was out of the script. Normally, the whole meeting would have been a formality, after he had given his answer, he would be asked to write a report based on which the guild would refuse the loan.

    It wouldn¡¯t have even come to this had Haines made a more reasonable, though objectively still excessive, request. The blatant corruption of the request had left Liam with little choice but to reject it.

    ¡°Mr. Aldric, you know my history. This request is just a thinly veiled scheme to siphon funds,¡± I reasoned.

    Had I sanctioned a loan of this scale, and it collapsed, it would have been my career on the guillotine.

    Aldric held up a hand. ¡°Regardless of the truth, Haines has powerful connections, and somehow, he managed to involve the crown.¡±

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    What? Why would the crown interfere in his matters? He¡¯s sixteenth in the line of succession, the duchy will tear apart before he gets a chance at it.

    Aldric¡¯s expression hardened. ¡°As a result, Liam, you are being transferred.¡±

    The words hung in the air. ¡°Where?¡±

    ¡°Niege.¡±

    Niege? The name was foreign to me. A bad sign. I knew every economically relevant dungeon in the kingdom. If Niege didn¡¯t ring a bell, that meant one thing ¨C it was nowhere of importance.

    Aldric confirmed it. ¡°It¡¯s north of the tower of Cujor.¡±

    Oh serene lady, not those lunatics. The tower of Cujor was notorious for being the easiest to get into, and the hardest to learn from.

    ¡°But Mr. Aldric, look at my past performances, I¡¯ve led the development of ¨C¡°

    Aldric cut me off, his tone final, ¡°You have one week to report to Niege, Liam. The decision is final, you can either accept it or resign.¡±

    For a while, neither said anything.

    ¡°Your reassignment is not a punishment, Liam,¡± Aldric continued in a conciliatory tone, ¡°Niege has a small dungeon, yes, but it is free of problems. Oversee the operations there, consider it an opportunity to reaffirm your standing within the guild.¡±

    Aldric slid the envelope he had just sealed across the table, and I accepted it with deliberate control. Resistance was futile. This was exile in all but name.

    Aldric studies me for a moment before adding, ¡°We all make mistakes. The important thing is to learn from them and stand back up.¡±

    I scoffed, a smirk adorning my face. ¡°To stand back up, the legs need to remain safe.¡±

    Aldric¡¯s dry chuckle held no warmth. ¡°Perhaps. Now, unless you have further business, this meeting is concluded.¡±

    I turned on my heel and exited without another word.

    Outside, I rested in one of the staff waiting rooms. Lounging on a cushioned sofa, I massaged temples before ripping open the envelope. Inside was my transfer order, along with a cheque for ten large gold coins. At least they aren¡¯t skimping on my severance.

    Deciding there was nothing for me to do here anymore, I visited a repository to look at the maps and gather information about other branches. I found Niege, and it stood true to both Aldric¡¯s description and my expectations.

    A small town tucked away towards the dwarven lands, semi-arid region, and a small, single floor dungeon that spawned Dire rams and Simian goblins.

    After gathering all the knowledge I believed I needed, I stepped outside.

    The guild¡¯s manicured lawn stretched before me, framed by towering trees and neatly arranged ponds. Off to the side stood the stable where the tamed mounts were kept. I ducked inside and found Jericho, my trusted steed, lounging as if he had no care in the world.

    The smokeling bicorn lifted his head, his white mane contrasting sharply against his midnight black coat. His twin horns, sharp and menacing, gleamed fairly in the dim light, making most other mounts that shared the lodging wary.

    ¡°Enjoying your rest, are we?¡± I murmured, running a hand along his muzzle. He snorted, leaning into my touch. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s get out of here. I¡¯ll get you that stew you like.¡±

    I mounted with practiced ease, riding out onto the streets of Raakwell. The capital of Dreseon bustled with life, its avenues still lively before sundown. Yet, despite the vibrant scene, my mind was elsewhere. It wasn¡¯t easy securing a position here. Now, I was being cast aside like refuse.

    By the time I reached home ¨C a modest two-story hybrid of wood and stone with a stable and a small lawn ¨C my frustration had shimmered into a cold bitterness. Jericho wandered off to amuse himself while I settled in for the night.

    A hearty meal later, I sat in my study, a steaming cup of Brinepaw milk on the table. The night was silent, save for the whisper in my mind.

    Will you let them walk all over you like this?

    I exhaled sharply. The voice. I expected it, but that didn¡¯t mean it was welcome.

    ¡°I won¡¯t be able to even scratch Aldric if we fought,¡± I mused, acutely aware of the gulf between our abilities. Though I had honed my mastery over Aura to a respectable degree, I remained a novice in the presence of an archmage.

    Had you listened to my instructions, you could have beaten Aldric today.

    ¡°Had I listened to you, I would¡¯ve been dead, my body digested in some dungeon,¡± I muttered in a low voice.

    Bah, excuses. But what about Haines, you know you can just waltz in his home, decimate him, and disappear. No one will know.

    ¡°Oh, come on. Haines is the son of a duke, and he¡¯s apparently got influence. Even if I were to kill him, and that¡¯s a big if, the council will have their hounds after us in a heartbeat,¡± I explained patiently.

    You can¡¯t do it, but I can.

    My jaw tightened. My left fingers twitched, curling into a fist. Before I could restrain myself, my knuckles slammed into the wooden table¡¯s edge. The impact split the table, splinters flying everywhere as a jagged crack ran through the gran. A chair leg groaned under the sudden force, tilting precariously before I kicked it away, sending it crashing.

    A neigh outside the window snapped me from my frenzy. There, Jericho stood with a plume of smoke billowing around him, poised to transform into his predatory form.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, buddy, nothing¡¯s wrong here,¡± I opened the window, patting him. Slowly, the smoke stopped as the voice inside me receded, chuckling.

    You know it¡¯s the truth.

    I sighed. I shed an affliction, only to inherit a curse.

 Chapter 2 - The Last Night

    Chapter 2 ¨C The Last Night

    Dawn¡¯s light spilled through the window, painting the wooden beams of my ceiling in hues of amber and gold. I sat on the edge of my bed, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, the weight of yesterday¡¯s events still in my mind. It was not, after all, a dream.

    I freshened up, grateful that my ample funds afforded me magical conveniences¡ªsaving me the labor of mundane tasks like fetching water. Yet, the reflection in the mirror offered little comfort: my disheveled hair, dark circles beneath my eyes, and untrimmed stubble painted a dismal picture. Goddamn you deserve a trip to the boonies, who¡¯ll sign big deals with you.

    I had once aspired to emulate the refined style of bureaucrats, keeping my dark hair cropped short and my face clean-shaven. My muscular build and chiseled features could have given me an edge, had I not allowed laziness to dictate my appearance. Perhaps Aldric would have rescinded his decision had I been well groomed.

    I shrugged off the thought, shivering at the implied implication of Aldric¡¯s taste into men. The man was old, and just the thought of intimacy with him was enough to disgust me.

    Looking around, I noticed that I was in for a loss, though small. I would have to leave the furniture behind.

    Moving on from brooding, I decided to get on with packing, folding my clothes, putting the utensils in a sack, and some other things for personal hygiene. I did not want to worry about laundry once I was in Niege.

    Once I had gathered everything, I brought out the cubes. One tap later, they expanded, a black ethereal wall expanding between the compartments that later turned transparent. Everything was packed in two cubes, leaving only my armor, axe and sword out.

    ¡°Come on, buddy, we got places to be,¡± I called out Jericho once I had finished packing my stuff.

    Mounting Jericho, I made headway towards the tavern, taking a detour towards my favorite sweet stall.

    A stout dwarf was manning the stall, who gave me my favorite fire gourd tart, with which I was once again on my way towards a well-kept tavern. There, I grabbed breakfast while ordering a stew for Jericho. My pal liked his meat and broth seasoned with carrots and peas.

    A particularly delightful tart as a dessert later, I was on my way to the guild.

    When I had left yesterday, the guild¡¯s building had seemed to drown out all light, while its saloon doors felt like the maw of a vicious beast that had chewed me up and regurgitated me once I had lost all value. After a good night¡¯s sleep later, I was over the beast part at least.

    Every corner of the hall evoked memories of my past life¡ªas both adventurer and guildmaster. Although guild layouts were invariably similar, I had always favored the Raakwell guild for its spacious design and meticulously maintained gardens. I absorbed the familiar sights¡ªthe expansive hall, the five counters, the notice board, the bustling exchanges¡ªstruggling to stifle a surge of sentimentality. I was leaving it all behind. Tears threatened as I beheld these unchanging scenes; even in Niege there would be a guild, albeit a modest one, but it would never be the same. I was, in effect, retiring for the second time.

    Before I started really shedding tears, I moved out. Guess Flavel¡¯s not here.

    I turned back, leaving a message for Flavel - an invitation to the tavern for a final farewell party ¨C before pressing onward towards the Industrial district.

    Cutting straight through the streets lined with tanneries, smithies, mills, and who-knows-what, I headed for my target ¨C Tharfel¡¯s Fireborns.

    ¡°Tharfel!¡± Once inside the smithy, I shouted over the constant clang of metal, calling out to the elderly dwarf undoubtedly hard at work in the back.

    Moments later, I encountered Lisha¡ªthe elven clerk whose slender, blonde beauty had drawn considerable business to Tharfel¡¯s establishment, setting it apart from other dwarven smithies. ¡°Hey, Lisha, how¡¯s it going?¡± I called.

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    ¡°I''m doing well, Liam. How are you today?¡± she replied with her characteristic confidence, her eyes locking with mine. Every conversation with her sent a flutter through my stomach.

    ¡°I''m not doing too well,¡± I admitted, glancing at the glass shelves that displayed exquisite examples of dwarven craftsmanship. ¡°I''m being transferred¡ªto a no-name place called Niege.¡±

    ¡°So sudden?¡± she remarked, surprise tinting her tone. Perhaps I ought to have a drink to brace myself.

    ¡°Things happened,¡± I explained. ¡°Would you accompany me to dinner tonight? After all, who knows when we might meet again?¡± I offered my best smile, extending a hand in invitation.

    ¡°Hmm, where to?¡± she mused, an amused smile playing on her lips as she leaned against the counter.

    ¡°I was thinking-¡° Before I could continue, our conversation was abruptly interrupted by a loud voice from the rear. ¡°Back off, Liam! If you''re leaving, there''s no point in wasting Lisha¡¯s time! Ain¡¯t that right, laddie?¡± bellowed Tharfel as he sauntered in. The old dwarf sported a lush white beard reaching his chest and, like his pride, had yet to succumb to baldness. As with all dwarves, he was compact, broad, and sturdy¡ªthough now he wore glasses to compensate for his failing eyesight.

    ¡°Tharfel, did I ever tell you that you dwarves have excellent sense of timing for smithing?¡± I said in the most deadpan voice I could muster.

    ¡°That ain¡¯t even a compliment, tis¡¯ a fact,¡± he boomed.

    ¡°Well, try to incorporate the same timing to your life outside of forge. Maybe start by not barging in when a successful deal is about to be closed.¡±

    He just scoffed. The nerve of this shorty.

    ¡°Well, ¡®eard you got transferred to boonies?¡± he began.

    ¡°Yeah, and no, nothing can be done. I received the order directly from Aldric, face to face. Just wanted to let you know I was holding a party tonight at the usual tavern, and you have to come too, Lisha,¡± I let them know that no excuses for absence will be entertained.

    When I got out, Jericho had been waiting for nearly an hour, and he made his dissatisfaction known, snorting and pawing the cobblestone road.

    ¡°Sorry, sorry, buddy, just one more stop, then you¡¯ll be free to laze around all you want.¡±

    The final stop of the day was the Dreseon Central Bank¡ªa massive edifice built entirely of stone, its halls illuminated by golden chandeliers and guarded by both golems and human sentinels. I had no doubt that even a minor transgression here would invoke the full might of Raakwell.

    ¡°I would like to cash a cheque,¡± I said to the clerk behind the counter, handing in my guild issued slip.  Niege, being such a small town, was certain to lack a bank.

    The clerk processed my request, coming back with a tray. On it were eight large golds, ten small golds, and a hundred silvers.

    ¡°On second thought, could you exchange two silvers for copper as well?¡± I thought about the possible situations I could encounter.

    Once all transactions were complete, I departed the bank with eight large gold, ten small gold, ninety-eight silver, and two hundred copper coins in hand.

    The only thing left was the dinner party.

    The remainder of the day passed uneventfully as I headed toward the tavern¡ªthis time without Jericho. I knew he would not appreciate waiting outside for the hours I planned to spend inside, and I did not wish to impose that on him. For a change of pace, I proceeded on foot rather than by carriage. The enchanted lamps along the main road burst into life, casting a luminous glow on the path as the common folk began retreating to their homes.

    The tavern was just as I remembered¡ªteeming with boisterous patrons and suffused with the pungent aroma of cheap alcohol. Scanning the room, I quickly spotted Flavel. The rouge was sitting with his hood lowered, exposing his snowy hair and youthful face. He was popular, made evident by the glances passed to him by the females around him. I promptly moved to sit with him.

    ¡°So, I hear you going away for good, and the best you can do is a dingy tavern?¡± he remarked as soon as he saw me.

    I lifted my hands in mock surrender. ¡°I¡¯ve also invited Tharfel and Lisha, and I assure you that none of us are inclined toward fancy restaurants,¡± I grinned. ¡°Besides, you¡¯re hardly the picture of refinement yourself.¡±

    He offered no retort, merely a wry smirk in response. ¡°I heard about what happened,¡± he said suddenly, his tone shifting to seriousness.

    ¡°From where?¡± I really could not puzzle out who would rat out the guild¡¯s inner workings. I could use a guy like that.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got my ways,¡± came his enigmatic reply. ¡°You know, brother still asks about you. If you want-¡±

    I understood the unspoken message. ¡°Let¡¯s leave it. I¡¯m content with the current circumstances - who knows, maybe I¡¯ll even make a name for myself here. Hey, Boss!¡±

    I ordered the finest alcohol on offer¡ªa move that earned Tharfel¡¯s hearty approval, as he pounded my back when he arrived a short while later. ¡°It looks like they gave you some nerve with that transfer, lad!¡± he declared with a grin, as the two jugs of alcohol vanished without leaving their mark.

    ¡°Nah, old man, I¡¯m just drinking because I¡¯m with you all. Doesn¡¯t mean I like it,¡± my speech was a bit slow, but still understandable.

    ¡°Hmm, you and your Brinepaw,¡± Lisha teased, her eyes upturned in playful admonition. ¡°Perhaps you need to sample another type of milk to refine your taste.¡±

    Is she implying something more?

 Chapter 3 - Out of the Capital

    Chapter 3 ¨C Out of the Capital

    I woke in the chill of early morning, my head hurting from all the alcohol last night, and my heart hurting from rejection. Me and Lisha, we had been having fun, and I had become certain that she was flirting with me. What went wrong? Should I have shaved? Maybe gotten a haricut?

    How about some balls?

    ¡°In the adventuring days, I always scored game because of my wild appearance,¡± I murmured to myself ignoring the voice, ¡°but maybe, the ink wielders have a different taste?¡±

    Hmph. You¡¯ve lost your mettle, your courage. If it were me, I would¡¯ve brought her home way before you even thought of trying.

    ¡°It isn¡¯t a contest of strength, kiddo,¡± I chided the arrogant brute, ¡°for while might wins battles, it is wit that ultimately conquers hearts.¡±

    Ignoring any further ramblings, I ran a hand through my disarrayed hair. What kind of hairstyle should I get? And better yet, who will be able to cut my hair well enough.

    Once someone awakened aura, their whole body underwent an evolution. As I was now, a normal human might need to use garden shears to cut my hair. Yeah, I¡¯m not taking that risk.

    Looking at myself in mirror, I¡¯m feeling thankful that I can groom myself.

    A snort from Jericho interrupted my thoughts. I saw amusement in his eyes. ¡°What say''st thou, old friend? Hath my spark been utterly extinguished, or doth it merely require a measure of refinement?¡±

    The horse snickered before wandering off. That answers it I guess, but seriously, these dark circles need to go.

    Let¡¯s go back to adventuring ¨C the clamor of battles, the thrill of exploration, that¡¯ll bring life back to you. There¡¯s nothing but drudgery in pushing papers all day, and you know it.

    A constant pressure to lead the adventurers ¨C without having any leverage over them ¨C had put me through a psychological wringer. Thankfully I won¡¯t have that problem once I take charge in Niege. No one expects much from there.

    You won¡¯t have anything once you take over in Niege! At least the dungeon in Raakwell is suited for us, we¡¯ll be dealing with child¡¯s stuff in Niege!

    Heh.

    Lisha had said that she was looking for something permanent, not a one-night stand, and I could honestly understand it. Though strong people, whether they be human, elves, or dwarves, live the same length, neither me nor Lisha are that young. Most people have a plan to settle by my age.

    I clapped my hands to get rid of the mopey mindset. I had finished informing the landlady of the impending vacancy of her house yesterday, and now it was time to just move out. After completing all the morning rituals, I grabbed a knife to finally get rid of the stubble and give my hair a decent trimming.

    A faint red glow enveloped the blade as I infused it with aura, employing it to effect a clean shave and trim the sides of my hair. When I finished, the sides of my head were nearly bald, while the top, initially a wild tangle, fell into place after a deft sweep.

    Looking like a gentleman now.

    I took Jericho out afterwards, because while I had finished grooming myself, my friend had not. Specially to prepare for the long journey ahead, I had prepared herb-soaked warm water. After a wash, I meticulously removed every knot in his fur, and if I left anything behind, the voice was kind enough to bring it to my notice.

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    After trimming the excess hair, and polishing his hooves, he was ready. ¡°Well, aren¡¯t you looking handsome?¡± I remarked petting him, and he perked up.

    With Jericho ready, I went on to make my own preparations. Looking over my armor, I spotted the battle-scars and the signs of multiple repairs it had been through.

    No point in dwelling on the past.

    Ignoring the occasional whisper, I donned my armor, strapped my single edged axe on my back and arming sword on my waist. With all the preparations complete, I headed out towards my destination, mounted on Jericho.

    When I had first gotten him, he did not appreciate the presence of either armor or me, however these days, he was waiting for me to take him for a run. Looking around the capital, I could see various points of history, and it still stung leaving it all behind.

    With a gentle prod, Jericho quickened his pace, and the scenery receded in swift succession. Before long, I found myself before a crystalline spire¡ªthe Tower of O¡¯lzuth, colloquially known as the Radiant Obelisk.

    I had visited this place on several occasions, and its architectural grandeur never failed to inspire awe. Adorned with shifting arcane runes both within and without, the tower was reputed to function as a spell array, endowing its mages with myriad capabilities¡ªfrom instant communication to enhanced spellcasting and beyond.

    Maybe this spell was what helped them reach the top in Dreseon?

    I idly wondered for a moment if something similar could be implemented in Niege or Cujor, but quickly dismissed the idea as fanciful. Niege remained backward, and while I was no adept of magic, the mages of Cujor were reputed to be the worst of their kind.

    With these musings, I stepped inside the tower. From the exterior, one might assume that the entire edifice was fashioned from crystal; in truth, most of the walls were transparent while the floors and chambers were hewn from greenstone, likewise enchanted with runes. Yet, in contrast to the free-flowing grace of runes upon the walls, those etched into the stone moved with a measured, almost mechanical precision.

    What could be the reason for that?

    The interior brimmed with mana, so much so that even I, with my undeveloped mana sense, could feel it.

    Leaving Jericho at the stables, I made my way towards the reception counters.

    ¡°I would like to use a teleporter to the Tower of Cujor. I have a tamed equine, two size 1 storage cubes, and one storage pendant,¡± I stated all the requirements to the clerk before he could ask. He looked over to the stables and I pointed out Jericho. His glasses glowed blue for a second as he seemed to take some measurements of both Jericho and me.

    ¡°Two Large Golds, please,¡± he stated after finishing all the calculations. I was to be unencumbered by material and familial possessions, else most of my allowance would have been expended just getting to Cujor.

    Two tickets were given to me after I had completed the payments, and I led Jericho to the first floor.

    While the ground floor teemed with activity, the first floor was much more subdued, populated predominantly by mages ¨C both neophytes and seasoned practitioners ¨C clad in flowing blue robes.

    Being no stranger to this process, I led Jericho straight towards the teleportation chamber. An elderly mage scrutinized my tickets and belongings to ensure all was in order before returning one ticket and directing me to step into the chamber.

    The chamber itself was vast and circular, hewn from grey stone ¨C a stark contrast to the prevalent green of the Radiant Obelisk. Across its floor, runes inscribed in concentric circles pulsed and warped with an eerie dark green luminescence. Though their glow was initially subdued, as Jericho and I advanced to the center, several of these runic circles began to intensify.

    Coincidentally ¨C most probably by design ¨C the intensifying circles converged to envelop us in an inverted, ephemeral bowl of light, while leaving the rest of the floor as is.

    ¡°Brace yourselves!¡± called the mage from outside. I patted Jericho reassuringly and crouched slightly, as he assumed a similar stance. In moments, the runes¡¯ brilliance became nearly blinding, and the teleportation was set in motion.

    First came an overwhelming weightlessness, as if I were plummeting at breakneck speed. Then, as abruptly as it began, the sensation ceased. In it place, a pressure built overhead, causing me to strain briefly, only to vanish suddenly, leaving me standing in a chamber identical to the one before.

    Teleportation never fails to deliver.

    I had been an ardent fan of teleportation since the first time I took it. Granted, that time I had broken a few bones, and it wasn¡¯t before I became an Expert Axeman that I was able to stay standing after a teleportation. Now I have awakened aura and teleportation is dangerous to me only in name, but I still find my heart beating at the thrill of uncertainty, not knowing when my knees may buckle.

    Retrieving the storage cubes and backpack that had been separated and put down for safe transfer, I walked out of the chamber to a completely different tower. I was at the Tower of Cujor.

 Chapter 4 - Into the Crucible

    Chapter 4 ¨C Into the Crucible

    Emerging from the chamber, I transferred the second ticket to the mage stationed at the gate while my eyes absorbed the transformed surroundings.

    The tower of Cujor diverged markedly from the resplendent Radiant Obelisk. Unlike the latter¡ªwith its transparent crystal walls that bathed polished greenstone rooms and rune-adorned floors in sunlight¡ªCujor¡¯s edifice was constructed as a fortress. Its walls, hewn from ivory stone, permitted little light, and its runes were sparsely and deliberately placed, evoking a restrained mystique rather than overt grandeur.

    Maybe those are strategic locations? Or the most efficient?

    The mages themselves further distinguished this locale. Their demeanor lacked the measured solemnity and composed elegance of their Raakwell counterparts; instead they moved with an almost frenetic energy ¨C a likely consequence of their overwhelming numbers. If I were to exaggerate a bit ¨C they made a sea of white.

    Then why is this guy wearing blue?

    Along with the ticketchecker, I spotted a few other colors going about the field of white.

    Exiting the tower with Jericho, I noted that the Tower of Cujor was diminutive in scale compared to the Radiant Obelisk. And why is it built in the wilderness? A dense forest enveloped the structure, intersected by a narrow dirt road ¨C a strip of grass scarcely twenty paces wide that separated man from nature.

    ¡°Does this road lead to Niege?¡± I asked a group of youthful mages poised to enter the tower.

    After an affirmative nod from them I mounted Jericho and set forth along the widened animal trail ¨C a meandering path through an endless canopy of trees.

    I found myself pondering the peculiar decision to erect a mage tower in such a remote location. Traditionally, these structures are built atop mana nodes, yet I detected no discernible difference in mana density between the tower and its surroundings. As our path wound deeper into the forest, no monstrous presence disturbed the quiet; only the gentle chorus of birdsong, the rustle of leaves and the occasional hum of insects accompanied us.

    Gradually, the forest receded, trees growing sparser until the landscape revealed a formidable mountain range that jutted from the earth like the scales of an ancient dragon.

    Here I am, Orkazines.

    Legend holds that the tyrannical reign of the Ancestor Dragon, Malthrog, was ended by the Serene Lady, Uzena, his colossal form now decaying into the Orkazine Mountains, while his head lay in the dwarven empire of Crudamore. Here ferocious beats adapted to the harsh clime roamed the snow-capped peaks that had, for millenia, divided Dreseon from Crudamore.

    Did the kingdom even exist a thousand years ago?

    As I pressed onward, a cluster of man-made structures emerged against the mountainside ¨C presumable the settlement of Niege.

    I spurred Jericho, the horse galloping up the slope with ease as I idly noted the passage changing from dirt to stone. The mountain was bereft of abundant greenery, a sentiment echoed by the entire range.

    Upon reaching the settlement, a sign at the town¡¯s entrance confirmed that I had arrived in Niege. Strikingly, the town lacked fortifications. The main body of town was surrounded by uniform stone buildings ¨C slabs hewn from various stones formed waist high boundaries, metal beams and pillars arranged above it to support glass walls and roof. Withing these structures, crops flourished, a curious integration of agriculture and architecture.

    That answers one question.

    Further inside, most buildings were modest in size, made of uncut stones bound together with mud and crowned with roofs of grass and timber.

    The living standard here seems abysmal.

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    I spotted an armored individual ahead of me, and with several hours of sunlight remaining, I decided to visit my new workplace.

    ¡°Excuse me, can you point me towards the Adventurer¡¯s guild?¡± I querried.

    Turning around, the man recoiled slightly, expression turning apprehensive. ¡°Just keep going along this road, and you¡¯ll find it on your left. It¡¯s a big building, you won¡¯t miss it,¡± he said, his eyes roaming over my equipment and Jericho, the wariness never leaving.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± I replied, gently urging Jericho, who snorted at the man before trotting forward.

    Is that the dialect here? The man had spoke with a rapid cadence compared to the plains. Moreover, the people here generally had a shorter stature, which would make me more conspicuous. I wasn¡¯t especially tall, but I was still taller than most.

    Before long, I arrived at the Adventurer¡¯s guild. A wooden sign, positioned beside the entrance rather than above the gave as I was accustomed, bore the guild¡¯s name. The building itself was an edifice of cut and polished stone, crowned by a gable roof lined with blue tiles arranged in a distinctive, cross-shaped projection.

    ¡°Unfortunately, they don¡¯t seem to have stables, buddy,¡± I patted Jericho upon dismounting. ¡°Wait here for a bit, okay? I¡¯ll be back in a jiffy,¡± I instructed, earning a mildly disgruntled snort and a playful nudge from him.

    ¡°Yeah, yeah, you won¡¯t have to wait long,¡± I moved through the sliding double doors noting that the interior bore a familiar semblance to what I was to.

    Twin application counters flanked by a stone counter for rougher work were present across the doorway. Attached to the left wall was a notice board, a few notices posted on it. Notably, there were no waiting seats for adventurers.

    Overall, there¡¯s even less traffic than I expected. Or maybe that¡¯s just because it¡¯s afternoon right now.

    ¡°Who¡¯s in-charge here? I¡¯ve been transferred from the capital,¡± I addressed the man at the stone counter.

    He was fat. That was the first thing I noticed. The other thing ¨C his biceps looked bigger than mine, but maybe that was because of the brown woolen jacket he was wearing. I couldn¡¯t tell his hairstyle beneath the similarly woolen cap, but his clean-shaven face adorned hazel eyes. The next most prominent thing about him was his wide chin, and like all the other people I had seen here, had fair skin, unlike mine which was slightly tan.

    He looked at me, the other clerks ¨C girls, both of them ¨C also glancing over. One of the girls dropped her client as she came to me while the guy was in the process of pointing to her.

    Is he reading on job? He put the book under the table as he saw me looking at it.

    ¡°I¡¯m Carmel. I¡¯ve been heading things here in the absence of a guildmaster. Might I ask who are you?¡± she said. I noticed both girls were wearing the same woolen clothes, with a black torso and white arms, a white cap and black pants. While Carmel had brown hair, the other girl had black flowing down her shoulders. Like all guild receptionists, they were beautiful.

    They¡¯re dressed identical. Maybe best friends?

    ¡°I¡¯m Liam, transferred from Raakwell. I¡¯ll be taking charge here,¡± I said, then added, ¡°tomorrow,¡± after a moment¡¯s thought.

    ¡°Oh, so they finally dispatched someone,¡± Carmel said. Pointing to both of the other members, she continued, ¡°That¡¯s Adrija, and he¡¯s Montel, our dismantler.¡±

    ¡°Good afternoon,¡± they both said after standing up.

    ¡°Good afternoon to you too, are you three the only people here?¡± I asked.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Montel replied. He looked tense.

    ¡°Well, don¡¯t worry about me and just do your job. I¡¯ll come back tomorrow. For today, can you point me to an inn? Oh, and here¡¯s your copy of transfer order, please update the archives, will you?¡± I took the letter out of my pendant cube, handing it over to Carmel.

    After all of this was done, I was on my way towards the inn they had recommended.

    <hr>

    Back in Raakwell, in the same chamber where Liam had been transferred, a meeting was taking place between Haines and Aldric. Sitting on the same chair that Liam had sat on, Aldric was flanked by two guards that stood at attention.

    ¡°Guildmaster Aldric, now that Liam has been transferred, when will the Loan be approved?¡± inquired Haines ¨C a slender young man draped in a red coat, brown trousers, and a scarlet cape.

    Aldric, draped in the same white robes, replied, ¡°You loan will be approved, Sir Haines, however, you have to remember your end of the bargain. I have yet to receive permission to shut that dungeon.¡±

    ¡°Oh, come now, Aldric,¡± Haines said to which Aldric raised his eyebrows, ¡°that¡¯s just a measly dungeon. You¡¯ll get your permission, but are you really implying that you¡¯ll impede me for it?¡±

    ¡°Heines von Darlen,¡± Aldric began, steepling his finger and leaning on the table, ¡°it would be prudent if you learned how to address your betters.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Haines had just uttered before Aldric¡¯s eyes flared a brilliant blue as a torrent of Aether surged forth. The guards, to their horror, found their body and aura both rendered immobile, same as Heines.

    ¡°Let¡¯s see,¡± Aldric spoke after some deliberation, ¡°your loan will be approved upon securing the requisite permission and disbursed once I have acquired the dungeon core.¡±

    ¡°B-But, that will take at least three months,¡± Haines stammered out.

    ¡°Yes. And so?¡± Aldric looked in Haines¡¯ eyes, his meaning clear but unsaid.

    ¡°N-nothing. We shall do as you say, guildmaster Aldric.¡± Haines forced out through his trembles and sweat.

    ¡°Good. Then, gentlemen, if there¡¯s nothing else, I will have to ask you to leave.¡±

    With that, the pressure radiating from Aldric dissipated and Haines and his guards could move again. Without a word, they scrambled out of the office as Aldric went back to perusing documents.

 Chapter 5 - The Suspicious Mage

    Chapter 5 ¨C The Suspicious Mage

    I awoke before the sunrise.

    This place can seriously use some work.

    Apparently, the inn was a large house with the family living downstairs and renting the upper floor to the needy. Thankfully, for the modest fee of two silver, they were amendable to providing me with a bed and arranging water for me. It would have been easy for me to fetch it myself, but I had been spoiled by Raakwell¡¯s luxuries.

    I need to look for a house and commission some amenities.

    While aura made it so that the nocturnal chill was ineffective on me, I still craved a warmer environment.

    Are you up?

    ¡°Yeah, and I would¡¯ve been up even earlier without someone¡¯s constant nagging,¡± I quipped in a low voice, going about my daily rituals. In this unfamiliar land, even bantering with the voice felt nice.

    Be thankful I look out for your future. Anyway, that mountain range, let¡¯s explore it.

    ¡°No,¡± I dismissed the idea immediately. ¡°It¡¯s a dangerous place, even masters find it impossible to cross. The monsters, the terrain, the environment, everything¡¯s an obstacle, unforgiving, unfeeling.¡±

    Clad in my snug gambeson, leather trousers, and sturdy boots ¨C with my heavier armor secured to my belt in a storage cube ¨C I armed myself with both axe and sword and descended to breakfast.

    That¡¯s the best part! You¡¯ll have strong opponents to fight against, and get this, you¡¯ll have them all to yourself! Unlike Raakwell¡¯s dungeon that had parties parading through the whole floor.

    ¡°There were barely three parties other than ours that could reach there,¡± I mumbled while stirring the porridge I had been served, ¡°and everyone stuck to their own areas.¡±

    The porridge, while humble in its composition, was unexpectedly delightful. I got a big portion for Jericho as well, and we moved towards the guild after breakfast, all the while a mosquito droned on in my head.

    Despite the morning hour, the guild was sparsely populated. There were more adventurers than afternoon, but not enough to call it busy.

    ¡°Carmel, please come see me in the office,¡± I ordered while moving towards the back. The modest guild building comprised a single staff waiting room, a diminutive archives chamber, and, upstairs, a corridor leading to three rooms: one housing the guild¡¯s magical devices, another safeguarding confidential documents, and finally, the guildmaster¡¯s office ¨C overlooking both the bustling front road and our tranquil backyard.

    Seated in the guildmaster¡¯s chair, I surveyed the room ¨C a broad table in front of me with a pair of visitor chairs, a sofa paired with a glass table along one wall, and a well-appointed bookshelf on the other. A measured knock heralded Carmel¡¯s entrance.

    ¡°So, tell me about the figures. What are the main monsters, who do we sell the produce to, who are the adventurers to look out for, and please give me all the ledgers,¡± I told her while going through the drawer to check if my essential identifications were present.

    As anticipated, the main monsters were sheeps and goblins. Well, Dire Rams who dwarfed wolves, and simian goblins, robust, fur clad caricatures of their lesser kin. Of them, only the Dire Rams had any commercial value, their hides coveted by local families for processing.

    By now, Carmel had retreated to her station leaving me alone to peruse the ledgers.

    There¡¯s nothing worth salvaging here.

    ¡°I know,¡± I sighed with exasperation. ¡°I just wonder if there¡¯s anything I might do to enhance our fortunes.¡±

    My meticulous scrutiny was finished in little more than an hour, my superhuman capabilities and the guild¡¯s lack of transaction both contributing to the comparatively thin ledger.

    ¡°Other than mild embezzlement, everything seems to be in order,¡± I remarked putting aside the books.

    Carmel seems talented, handling everything for a whole year after the previous guildmaster retired. Too bad she doesn¡¯t breathe fire else she could¡¯ve easily taken over after him.

    Where are you going now?

    ¡°I intend to inspect the dungeon. Since it has stone tunnels, maybe we can develop a quarry. Moreover, I need to see what this Mirabel is up to,¡± I replied to the voice while moving out.

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    On the first floor, the staff were engaged in quiet chatter.

    There¡¯s a lull after morning rush.

    ¡°Hey you all, how is everything?¡± I asked, emerging from the stairs with deliberate silence.

    ¡°Oh, nothing, guildmaster,¡± it was again Carmel that spoke, all three standing up in alarm.

    ¡°Relax, I¡¯m not mad at you. With a place this quiet, even I would¡¯ve joined you in gossip,¡± I assured them, some tension leaving as their shoulders relaxed. ¡°First of all, Carmel, excellent work you¡¯ve done. I checked everything, and it was spotless. I imagine it might¡¯ve been difficult handling everything in the absence of a guildmaster, but you all have done wonderfully.¡±

    ¡°It was no trouble, Mr. Liam,¡± this time, Adrija was the one to speak while Carmel only gave a quiet smile. Her voice was soothing unlike Carmel¡¯s sharp pitch, ¡°we all handled it together. I handled adventurers, Carmel handled most of the paperwork, and Montel dealt with the unsavory elements.¡±

    I looked over to the guy who nodded. ¡°It was no trouble, really,¡± he remarked, ¡°most of our adventurers are neophytes, and the occasional experts don¡¯t really cause trouble.¡±

    I nodded appreciatively. ¡°Well, people, while I would¡¯ve really like to cut you some slack for the wonderful work you¡¯ve done here, I¡¯m afraid I must make a trip down the dungeon. So, who¡¯ll be my guide?¡±

    Both Adrija and Carmel turned to Montel, and I followed their gaze.

    ¡°That would be no problem,¡± he said with subtle reluctance, ¡°When do we leave?¡±

    ¡°Now,¡± I replied.

    <hr>

    From the outside, the dungeon of Niege was similar to all the other dungeons in that it was a gaping hole in a mound that rose out of the earth.

    ¡°So, you don¡¯t hate the guild¡¯s backyard, huh?¡± I said to Jericho who was walking beside me while fondling his white mane. We had walked to the dungeon that lay on the opposite side from where I had arrived.

    Montel trailed behind, looking apprehensively at the horse, more particularly, his horns. It was currently noon. We could have gotten here a bit sooner but neither I nor Jericho were favorable to the idea of giving Montel a ride, and thankfully, he seemed to have the same thoughts.

    The inside of each dungeon was unique, generally representing their surrounding but sometimes mirroring something else altogether. This particular dungeon had wide tunnels inside of it, their walls made of stone.

    I addressed Montel as we moved inside, ¡°So Montel, are you from here, or did you move in from somewhere?¡±

    He replied while I noted the unchanging brown rock, ¡°I¡¯m a native. Me and Adrija are siblings, living here with our family. Carmel¡¯s from here too, though she lives alone.¡±

    That was surprising, as most guild staff were people that had migrated in search of opportunities. But maybe that was because the dungeon here wasn¡¯t lucrative enough. Descending some flat stones arranged like stairs, we came across three openings.

    ¡°So did you train here? Attained experienced rank in this dungeon?¡± I asked, stepping aside so Jericho cold take the lead.

    ¡°Yeah. The dungeon appeared five years ago, and I was a teen then. As luck would have it, the dungeon was a great place for neophytes to safely attain experienced rank,¡± he replied while Jericho moved towards the left tunnel. That will be where most of the adventurers went, our years together requiring no voiced command.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you move out? I reckon there isn¡¯t much here for someone like you,¡± I once again moved to take the lead, and we finally had our first encounter ¨C a goblin with brown fur cascading down its body as it charged at us with its sharp claws.

    A kick from me evaporated its torso to gory bits, and I noticed Montel flinch before he replied, ¡°Well, I wanted to, but there aren¡¯t any good dungeons in the province. Moreover, the guildmaster retired and some people started causing trouble at the guild. Adrija was already working at that time, so I jut joined to make sure she stayed safe.¡±

    I nodded, a lull forming in the conversation as we kept moving through the floor, every monster dying in one hit from me.

    ¡°Montel, I believe I¡¯ve seen most of what this dungeon has to offer. You can go back, and I¡¯ll join you after exploring some more,¡± I finally dismissed the man who retreated the same way we came.

    ¡°Now, onto the more important task,¡± I started walking through the dungeon, utilizing my full speed and senses to avoid any more battles. The dungeon was underutilized, that much I could see. Even though it was small, there were more than enough monsters to go around.

    That might be why the adventurers don¡¯t move out of here. But it isn¡¯t enough for an expert to progress.

    The experts ¨C those who either transmuted mana into aether or wove dormant aura into their very flesh, needed more pressure to progress, which this dungeon clearly wasn¡¯t providing.

    Montel¡¯s own condition testified to this. He had been at the guild for about an year, and had internalized aura even before that, yet his prowess barely surpassed that of a fledgling expert. In adventurer ranks, he would¡¯ve barely qualified for yellow.

    As I ventured deeper, I noticed the mana in the air gradually intensifying. Though it came nowhere close to the inside of mage towers, the mana here was unmistakably richer than ambient mana outside. Soon, I found myself before a magic barrier ¨C an opaque screen aglow with a faint blue luminescence, resolutely barring path.

    I retrieved my axe, for what lay ahead could be dangerous, its weight in my right hand bolstered both my body and mind.

    Here goes nothing.

    Channeling my aura, I observed the axe head shrouded in a distorting red glow. With a decisive swing, I shattered the barrier, a subsequent stroke widening the breach sufficiently for my passage. I was on my way to locating the densest location of mana once again.

    It took a while, as the difference was minute, but in moments I was across an intersection and in front of a seemingly inconspicuous dead end. The stone here held marginally more mana than its surroundings, but that was how most dungeons fooled adventurers.

    Taking a moment to ensure Jericho was right behind me, I lifted my axe.

    Aura Art: Explosion

    My aura flared brilliantly, gaining a yellow core as I struck the wall, dislodging fragments of stone in every direction. A few more swings later, a blue glow started emanating from a hole in the wall, and a couple of swings saw the opening enlarged enough for me to step inside.

    I came across a girl scurrying along the floor, ¡°W-Wha-!¡° she stammered as I took in the room. In front was a man sized oval crystal, hovering above the floor, its body glowing a soft red as visible streams of blue mana circled it.

    I was in front of the dungeon core.

 Chapter 6 - Core and Creation

    Chapter 6 ¨C Core and Creation

    I observed the mage, noting her unmistakable youth¡ªshe appeared scarcely older than her teens. Her short, neck-length hair lay in disarray, and her delicate, oval face was etched with terror as her vivid green eyes registered my presence. Clad in the distinctive green robes of the Cujor Tower, she was retreating slowly along the floor, prompting me to narrow my eyes in cautious scrutiny.

    Have I met her somewhere? I wondered silently.

    Before I could dwell further on the question, I detected a confluence of mana gathering near the core. Mirabel, too, seemed to register the phenomenon, as she turned her head in that direction. In a matter of seconds, the coalesced energy transformed into a goblin mage. Like its kin, its body was cloaked in gray fur, and beneath its hooked nose, two diminutive fangs protruded sharply.

    The creature¡¯s visage was contorted in fury, its eyes flickering with the incandescent spark of aether. I deduced immediately that it was an expert-level mage. The moment its birth was complete, it took notice of our presence and commenced incanting a spell.

    It¡¯s fast. I arced my axe upward, releasing a scarlet surge of aura that cleaved both the spell and the mage in a single, decisive stroke.

    The goblin mage collapsed before it could execute any further action, and I observed its body disintegrating with unusual rapidity. Ordinarily, the dungeon required anywhere from an hour to an entire day to dissolve the bodies of monsters and mortals alike. Yet here, either the dungeon itself was extraordinary or the core room possessed unique properties, as I watched the goblin mage¡¯s form gradually dissolve before my eyes.

    Glancing back at Mirabel, a realization struck me.

    Ah, she must be his sister.

    The young mage had been fixated on the disintegrating corpse when she suddenly rushed forward, her eyes scanning the remnants as if searching for something vital.

    ¡°Ahhhh! My monster crystal!¡± she shrieked, rising abruptly and gesticulating with theatrical exaggeration.

    She advanced toward me with determined steps while I struggled to process the unfolding events. ¡°Do you know what you have done?!¡± she demanded, her words punctuated by a spittle that nearly reached my face. I stifled a recoil. ¡°Do you know how rare mage monsters are?! How are you planning to compensate me?! I had to scour the whole forest for it! You¡¯ll have to ¨C ¡°

    Before she could continue, I pointed my axe directly at her, silencing her protest.

    ¡°Mirabel,¡± I intoned gravely, ¡°you are trespassing upon the private property of both the kingdom and the Adventurer¡¯s Guild by entering the core room without authorization. In my capacity as the acting guildmaster of Niege, I hereby apprehend you.¡± Although I remained uncertain whether she was indeed related to my friend, the breach of the dungeon core was an offense of the highest order.

    Dungeons are strategic assets¡ªcapable of yielding valuable resources repeatedly over eons¡ªso any threat to their integrity is treated with utmost severity by both the reigning kingdom and the Adventurer¡¯s Guild.

    Her voice trembled as she stammered, ¡°W-What?¡± It was evident she had not fully grasped the gravity of her situation, yet I afforded her no further time.

    ¡°You owe me some answers, young lady,¡± I said, ¡°What have you been doing here? What was that goblin? Why did it materialize here? From your earlier words, I¡¯m inclined to believe that your actions have been intentional, what is your objective? Do not try to run, for I am an Aura Master.¡±

    Her expression flickered through a range of emotions, her eyes darting nervously as she slowly retreated. Gradually, she calmed down, and while I did not rush her for the possibility that she might be related to my friend, I was vigilant for any movement of mana or aether in this space.

    She took a deep breath before starting, ¡°My name is Mirabel, as you are already aware. I am an experienced rank mage affiliated with the Tower of Cujor, and currently, here, I¡¯m studying creation magic.¡±

    Creation magic. The magic utilized by dungeons for, well, everything.

    ¡°Creation magic?¡± I scoffed lightly. The Tower of Cujor had long been notorious for its inept mages; if she were indeed pursuing creation magic, it would have been far preferable to do so at another institution. ¡°Before we proceed, produce your identification¡ªthe one issued by the tower,¡± I ordered, intent on verifying both her claims and my growing suspicions.

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    She hesitated before pulling out a card from her waist pouch. I noted the fist-sized pouch swallowing her hand upto her forearm. A storage bag, meaning she was rich. In moments I was looking at a small silver page that detailed her credentials.

    Name: Mirabel Stromvale

    Rank: Experienced

    Affiliation: Tower of Cujor

    Magic: Null, Ice

    ¡­

    A few additional lines followed, filled with technical jargon likely intelligible only to seasoned mages or as part of Cujor¡¯s internal classification system.

    ¡°It only says you know Null and Ice magic?¡± I queried.

    ¡°Well, yeah. I am learning creation magic,¡± she replied with sarcasm. Clearly, she did not share the quiet reserve of her brother.

    ¡°So, Miss Stromvale, enlighten me, why is the daughter of a margrave trying to master one of the most arduous disciplines at one of the least reputable mage towers?¡± I pressed, my voice laced with deliberate disdain.

    ¡°Well, there can be multiple reasons,¡± she hesitated to say more.

    ¡°I¡¯m all ears,¡± I urged.

    ¡°It¡¯s a long story.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m a bachelor. Time is one thing I have plenty of,¡± I remarked with a self-assured smirk.

    She looked at me before huffing. ¡°Fine, you want the whole story?¡± I nodded. ¡°Okay then. Unlike you boorish people who swing metal all day, we mages try to learn the truths of the world, and the truth is, there is no decent teacher of creation magic in Dreseon.¡±

    ¡°Still, why come to Cujor? Or a dungeon for that matter?¡± I asked, but it occurred to me before she could answer, ¡°Ah, because dungeons are reputed to epitomize creation magic?¡±

    She nodded, ¡°This one,¡± pointing around herself to the dungeon, ¡°was a small dungeon. Recently emerged, commercially insignificant, and in our territory too. I thought, if I have to learn from a dungeon ¨C¡°

    ¡°This will be the best choice,¡± I finished for her, nodding along, ¡°after all, it has only one floor, weak monsters, and located in an isolated town. The locals won¡¯t suspect a thing.¡±

    ¡°They didn¡¯t, I just had to rent the deepest recesses from the guild for a more legal cover,¡± she mumbled, ¡°I don¡¯t know where you came from.¡±

    I ignored the unsaid question, continuing, ¡°Either the previous guildmaster was ignorant or lax, but that doesn¡¯t explain what you are doing here?¡±

    She sighed, ¡°Do you have to know everything?¡± she sighed again on seeing me stare without responding, ¡°Let me just show you.¡±

    She pulled out another monster crystal from her bag. ¡°This is from a normal goblin,¡± she said, pointing to the thumb sized specimen.

    My brow furrowed, ¡°Don¡¯t goblins have fingernail sized crystals?¡± I inquired.

    ¡°Yes,¡± she replied, then elaborated, ¡°normal goblins have fingernail sized crystals, but as they continue living in a dungeon, they grow, along with their crystals, before evolving when a certain threshold is reached.¡±

    ¡°And your presence in core room fits in all this, how?¡± I inquired, now keenly interested.

    ¡°Observe,¡± she said, placing the crystal in her left hand while her right hand unleashed intricate tendrils of magic. Gradually, the crystal began to emit slender threads of mana that merged seamlessly with the stream enveloping the dungeon core. As this occurred, the crystal diminished in size until it vanished entirely.

    ¡°When the crystal is unraveled, instead of letting the dungeon absorb it normally,¡± she explained as mana coalesced in one spot, ¡°it allows the dungeon to resurrect the monster. In fact, when forming their new body, the dungeon takes into account their experiences, thereby producing a being that is not only more capable and robust but also imbued with greater wisdom than its predecessor.¡±

    Before me now stood a humanoid monster ¨C a creature reminiscent of a simian goblin, yest distinct enough to be classified as a separate species. Whereas its kin were typically lanky and shrouded in dense fur for insulation, this specimen was notably robust, as though enhanced by some unnatural vigor, and its sparse fur made it look hirsute instead of furry.

    It moved on the first instance of noticing us, its form purposeful, athletic, a stark contrast to the instinctive, clumsy motions exhibited by its brethren.

    Mirabel cast a shield before us, and the monster seemed to detect it, stopping just outside. Cocking back its fist, it delivered a sold strike, producing some cracks that soon mended under Mirabel¡¯s manipulation.

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t just learning creation magic here,¡± Mirabel was giving me the stink eyes, rousing me out of my deeply engrossed state, ¡°before someone came along and ruined it.¡±

    An icicle materialized and hurtled toward the goblin, lodging itself in its eye, showing the difference between the mage and the warrior. As the goblin collapsed, she swiftly pulled out a dagger and moved to remove the monster crystal.

    ¡°So you mean to say that, every time the crystal is, uh, unraveled and fed to the dungeon core, the monster comes back stronger?¡± my voice held a certain apprehension.

    She nodded. ¡°Not just stronger, it also adapts to the method of death, albeit slightly. This goblin¡± she pointed to the dissolving corpse, ¡°had gotten faster and stronger over the iterations, while the mage you killed, my primary target, was versed in spell fight.¡±

    I deliberated on her words, comparing the pros and cons of this process, when voice inside me resonated its approval.

    It¡¯s perfect!

    ¡°It¡¯s dangerous,¡± I refuted.

    ¡°It¡¯s enlightening,¡± Mirabel added.

    I gave her a flat stare. ¡°Don¡¯t judge me,¡± she said, manipulating her magic.

    Soon, I was looking at a small, humanoid figure of ice. To my astonishment, even when she had cut off her connection to it, the doll sized figure continued to move, albeit with clumsiness.

    ¡°It¡¯s a technique I devised by imitating the dungeon¡¯ creation process,¡± she explained. ¡°Even creating this toy required repeated attempts and an aether control that still makes my head hurt. That mage was vital for my training.¡±

    In the brief time she had finished her words, her creation had crumbled, though it still moved, evoking conflicting emotions inside me.

    ¡°The only way for the creatures to resurrect,¡± she said, perhaps sensing my worries, ¡°is if the crystal is unraveled here, in the core room. In every other circumstance I¡¯ve observed, the monsters spawn from the dungeon walls outside.¡±

 Chapter 7 - Takeover

    Chapter 7 ¨C Takeover

    I walked through the stone tunnels in silence, Mirabel following behind me. Even though I tried, my mind kept going back to the events of the core room, and my focus towards the mana flowing through the walls. The earlier conversation had left an indelible mark in the air, the tension between me and Mirabel palpable, I could feel her glancing at me often.

    Pausing in a quiet spot, I turned to her, and she flinched under my serious gaze.

    ¡°Mirabel,¡± I began softly, ¡°your actions today have put you in grave danger. Should it be known that you trespassed into the core room, you will be fortunate to escape with your life, no matter how worthless the dungeon. Worse, your family will most likely be dragged into this, facing sever, perhaps draconian, punishments.¡±

    She nodded hesitantly, chewing her lips but not saying anything.

    I thought for a bit before continuing, ¡°How do you relate to Vaelric?¡±

    ¡°Vaelric? He¡¯s my brother,¡± she replied.

    So not a cousin.

    ¡°Do you have a way to contact him?¡± I inquired, implying she might get out of further scrutiny if the ties were indeed as she claimed.

    ¡°I can contact him through the tower¡¯s communication mirror,¡± she hesitantly replied, probably thinking of my snitching.

    ¡°There¡¯s a communication mirror at the guild, we¡¯ll use that. I assume you have the contact coordinates?¡± she nodded, ¡°then let¡¯s go. I hope you understand my hesitation to let you out of my care until this matter has been sorted.¡±

    ¡°Are you implying that I, a Stromvale, will run away from the consequences?¡± she said in a somewhat disbelieving tone. It was valid in a way, the Stromvales being reputed for their ironclad words.

    ¡°Who knows. But I know for a fact that you are currently acting as a mage from the tower of Cujor,¡± I replied with a smirk, and that shut her up. Now that I had seen the abundant number of mages at the tower, I could somewhat understand how they had some rotten eggs amidst them.

    We walked in silence after this, the dungeon not posing a trouble for either of us. Many adventurers saw me walking back with her, some even pointing to me. I could hear them talking to their companions, disclosing my identity as the new guildmaster.

    ¡°Do you really have to tell brother?¡± Mirabel asked as we neared the etrance.

    ¡°Yes,¡± was all I said, the single word sealing any further debate.

    The walk back to the guild was marked by heavy, unbroken silence, and Mirabel dallied enough on the path for me to know her reluctance clearly.

    ¡°Stop behaving like a child,¡± I said with frustration upon seeing her slow down for the umpteenth time, ¡°just moments before you were insinuating how a Stromvale will never turn away from their deeds. Now you¡¯re dragging your feet.¡±

    ¡°Hmph,¡± was her only reply, the admonishment sufficient to speed up her steps, and we covered the distance with twice the efficiency.

    Once I entered the guild, I noticed Carmel, Adrija and Montel all looking at me and Mirabel. I did not explain anything as I moved towards the back.

    Leaving Mirabel in the room with the guild¡¯s magical devices, I moved towards my office to get my seal, which will be required for activating the artifact. As I entered, I noticed a small beeping sound going off continuously. Opening the drawer, I saw a small crystal ball flashing red intermittently.

    A communication request from Raakwell? I deduced from the code.

    Pulling out the seal, I moved into the artifact room. Since the color was red, I needed to contact Raakwell as soon as possible.

    ¡°There¡¯s been a slight delay, Mirabel,¡± I told the restless girl upon entering, ¡°why don¡¯t you wait in my office. There¡¯s some official work I have to take care of.¡±

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    After escorting her past the corridor into my office, and strictly instructing her to wait, I moved back into the room. After closing the door, a couple of enchantments isolated all sound, and I walked in front of the thin full-length mirror attached to the back wall.

    It was taller than me, but barely wide enough to reflect my width. Its edges were encased in brown wood that imitated cascading vines, and had a circular indentation in the top middle to place the seal.

    I did just that, and the mirror lit up with myriad symbols. Inputting the contact coordinates of Raakwell, I waited for someone to notice, as the mirror in front of me lit up a soft milky white.

    About ten minutes later, the scene rippled and I was once again faced with the stoic Aldric. Somehow, his look did not inspire confidence in me.

    ¡°Liam,¡± he began, ¡°I hope your takeover of Niege has been uneventful.¡±

    ¡°There has been no trouble at all Mr. Aldric,¡± I replied neutrally.

    ¡°This might come as a shock to you, but there¡¯s been an unfortunate incident,¡± Here it comes, I thought as Aldric¡¯s gaze momentarily lowered before rising again, ¡°the crown has decided that the dungeon in Niege has not been contributing to the kingdom.¡±

    For a moment I did not understand what he meant, and Aldric took it as a sign to expand on the situation.

    ¡°It has been decided that the dungeon will be decommissioned,¡± Aldric declared, his words a shock to me.

    ¡°But, Sir, it¡¯s a dungeon,¡± I said, ¡°it doesn¡¯t require any investment, it just produces resources, continually.¡±

    ¡°It is so for all dungeons,¡± Aldric conceded, ¡°however, Niege falls at an unfavorable location. The dungeon is small, and it lies on a mountain. Running a guild there for such a small dungeon, sending tax collectors, help in case of a hazard ¨C inefficient in the long term.¡±

    Aldric¡¯s tone was the same as it had been when he transferred me ¨C unchanging, unfeeling.

    ¡°You have three months to finish all the operations there,¡± he continued, ¡°inform the adventurers and the staff and begin preparations to transfer all equipment. The directive is to extract the core.¡±

    Core extraction. Excessively clearing the dungeon, not leaving behind any corpses or crystals to drain the dungeon of its mana, starving it to death instead of destroying the core.

    ¡°What of me?¡± I asked cautiously.

    ¡°You will come back to Raakwell, and will be provided a new assignment after that,¡± Aldric replied.

    ¡°There are only twenty-three dungeons, though,¡± I said, looking into Aldric¡¯s eyes. Dungeons were killed very rarely, and the number of times core extraction happened in the history of adventurer guild could be counted on one hand.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Liam. Someone of your caliber will have no trouble finding a reputable station. I will leave you to get some rest, you are going to be very busy starting tomorrow,¡± with that Aldric terminated the connection.

    I had read the archives to learn all about this operation, and there were no laws regarding guild personnel, but the fact that this happened the day after I took charge did not leave me with a good feeling.

    What are you even thinking about?

    The voice was calm at this moment, completely unlike its usual haughty manner. I sat at a nearby table holding some artifacts.

    I sighed, running a hand through my hair. ¡°You know,¡± I started, ¡°it wasn¡¯t so long ago that my future was looking bright.¡±

    I remembered my initial dungeon developments. When I had joined the guild, I had trained at a green ranked dungeon, and had worked on a Yellow and Orange ranked one after that.

    ¡°I was really looking forward to a good future,¡± I continued dreamily, ¡°I would¡¯ve married some beautiful girl, retired early, maybe somewhere in the countryside, and we would¡¯ve spent our days peacefully.¡±

    For once the voice did not interrupt me.

    ¡°Should I have bowed down to that Haines?¡± I asked the voice. It did not answer.

    Then, wouldn¡¯t it have been best to seek noble patronage from the start? You life would¡¯ve been much more stable.

    ¡°You have a point,¡± I conceded. ¡°Maybe, I just wanted to test my mettle. To make something of myself, on my own.¡±

    All¡¯s not lost. You can still make something of yourself.

    There was seriousness to its tone that cut deep.

    ¡°I can¡¯t,¡± I shook my head with a wry smile. ¡°The party disbanded with me leaving. Taresh is off doing his own thing, Vaelric has returned to his estate, while Dhalrum has gone to Crudamore.¡±

    Then let me do it.

    I paused, ¡°What are you gonna do?¡±

    I got my answer as my aura started roiling. Starting from my left hand, the scarlet tide rushed over my whole body.

    ¡°No! You are going to get us killed!¡± I screamed, trying to get both my aura and the voice under control.

    It shouldn¡¯t be happening! I haven¡¯t pushed myself nearly hard enough for him to take over!

    I¡¯m tired of your methods, always looking for a safe way. You let Haines talk down to you, let Aldric dictate your fate, and now, you¡¯re about to serve some guy you¡¯ve never seen a dungeon core.

    ¡°That some guy you¡¯re talking about is most likely some royal scion!¡± I tried to reason, my head pounding so hard I had to grip it lest it explode. ¡°If you do something reckless, we¡¯re gonna have a whole army to deal with!¡±

    My words fell on deaf ears as the assault intensified. It seemed to have been waiting for a vulnerable moment, saving its strength, and I was on the receiving end of it now.

    I will take care of all to come. That girl has shown me a way. If everything goes as planned, there will be no one daring to question my actions.

    With a final burst of aura, the switch was complete.

    I rose with heaving breaths, sweat dripping down. Looking around, the room had become a mess from the uncontrolled aura, and there were a few broken artifacts.

    I¡¯ll take care of them later.

    I moved towards the guildmaster¡¯s office, thinking of ways to put everyone in their place. Just the thought of all the fun I was going to have had me grinning ear to ear.

 Chapter 8 - The Plan

    Chapter 8 ¨C The Plan

    I strode into the room to see Mirabel leafing through the books.

    ¡°What did I say about not touching anything?¡± I demanded, looking at her sternly.

    Startled from my gaze, she skittered over to the chair, saying, ¡°Nothing. You were just taking too long, so I decided to have a look at the books. There¡¯s nothing even remotely interesting there.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s forget that,¡± I said, seating myself at the table in front of her and folding my arms, ¡°there¡¯s been a change of plans. You will help me in making the dungeon grow.¡±

    She looked perplexed. ¡°Helping the dungeon grow?¡± I nodded at her inquiry. ¡°How do you do that?¡±

    ¡°I just got off the mirror,¡± I pointed towards the other room, venturing a guess, ¡°killing a dungeon somehow involves starving it of mana by not letting it absorb anything, so maybe by feeding it mana?¡±

    ¡°Perfect theory, it goes well with the principles of dungeon killing,¡± she said dryly, ¡°but how are you going to feed it mana?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re the mage looking for the truths of the world,¡± I shrugged, ¡°You tell me.¡±

    ¡°*Sigh. This is why I dislike dealing with simpletons,¡± she shook her head, massaging her temples and her tone dripping with disdain, ¡°Everyone knows there are two ways for a dungeon to grow, either you let it stew ¨C which takes ages ¨C or you stuff it with corpses, a labor intensive affair, and both are impractical. It¡¯s like burning your house to stave off cold.¡±

    ¡°Look, the communication just now? It was from Raakwell. The crown and guild bigwigs have decided to extract the core,¡± the subtle widening of her eyes indicated she knew the weight of this matter, ¡°The reason given is that the dungeon is small and insignificant, and I¡¯ve been given three months to ensure the dungeon starves.¡±

    She listened attentively as I continued, ¡°You like creation magic? Forget about it. Every other dungeons is under established guildmasters ¨C you won¡¯t even be able to see their cores before being put down.¡±

    ¡°And you want to grow the dungeon to you keep your position here?¡± she asked in a sharp tone.

    I spat to the side. ¡°Who wants the job? I just want them to know I¡¯m no pushover.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re gonna insult the crown for this?¡± Her tone was incredulous.

    ¡°So what? The king is also human,¡± I retorted with a scoff and she looked at me like one would a madman.

    She started talking after thinking for a bit. ¡°I can help you a bit, but you have to let me stay in the core room.¡±

    I easily nodded, adding after a bit of thought, ¡°Prepare a goblin crystal for me too. The one that resurrects. I¡¯m gonna make it an aura master.¡± The only dungeon with master level monsters was in Raakwell, and I wanted to have something close by.

    Her face twisted, but she still nodded before continuing, ¡°And you¡¯re going to bring bodies for dungeon. The more the better. You¡¯ll have to go to the mountains since I¡¯ve already scoured the forests for a mage, that you destroyed.¡±

    I ignored her protest.

    ¡°Then let¡¯s get to it,¡± I said, moving towards the artifact room. Thankfully, the storage cubes were more robust than normal artifacts, so they had survived my outburst.

    ¡°I¡¯m gonna depart immediately, so you better get ready,¡± I said, already thinking of various plans. Unfortunately, there was no artificier in Niege, limiting me to my two storage cubes, so I¡¯ll have to make do with 2 cubic meters of storage. I emptied the one with my clothes in the office, while taking the armour.

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    ¡°Wait, I¡¯ll need a bit more help,¡± Mirabel spoke suddenly, causing me to look at her sternly. She did not turn away. ¡°You¡¯ll have to protect me when I engage in magic combat there.¡±

    For a while, we held each other¡¯s gaze, my mind replaying the formation of goblin mage in the core room.

    ¡°As long as you help me with the aura master,¡± I agreed in a low voice.

    ¡°Great!¡± she was bubbly with excitement. ¡°It will be most efficient if you only took the monster crystals, as they have the most mana in the monster¡¯s bodies.¡±

    I nodded and moved out. It was already evening as I descended the stairs, and all three of my staff were waiting for me there.

    ¡°Has everything finished, guildmaster?¡± Carmel asked.

    I remembered my duties. ¡°Everything is fine. This is Mirabel, from the tower of Cujor,¡± I said pointing to the trailing Mirabel. ¡°You all can head home after locking the guild. I might be out for a few days, on a confidential mission. Carry on as you have been.¡±

    After saying that I was about to leave them all behind when I remembered something. ¡°Mirabel, you can continue your research as you were. Your rent contract is valid, and sorry for barging in.¡±

    With that, I was on my way out. A shout summoned Jericho, and together we set off for the mountains. Dungeons went unchanged for years, feeding on adventurers, and I only had three months to achieve what otherwise would take decades.

    We passed through the town and veered off the main road towards the peak. As we kept ascending, the cold air on my skin felt refreshing while the approaching darkness sent an invigorating shiver down my spine.

    Soon, we reached a vantage point from where I could see beyond the mountain. Above me, the stars twinkled, their gaze anticipating my adventure, before being cut off by a never-ending expanse of dark clouds. Below lay an expanse of gray snow on steep slopes, beckoning me with the promise of unknown. Ever since I had left the town, my lips had been stretched, as if held by a perpetual force, and this view only served to make it stronger.

    I directed Jericho, and he turned, galloping down into the valley.

    However, my spirits started waning as I explored the mountain-scape. The valley contained a lake and sparse scattering of trees ¨C the final bit of greenery before snow. Crossing it finally led me onto a snow-covered mountain, but except for a few trees and giant boulders, nothing else stood out.

    *Sigh. Why can¡¯t anything be simple?

    ¡°Jericho,¡± I addressed my loyal companion, patting his neck, ¡°can you smell anything buddy? Any monster?¡±

    A snort and a flick of the ear later Jericho started sniffing around, moving to and fro the mountainside. In the end, however, he stopped with a snort. It was dead end.

    Are you really going to do this?

    ¡°Look who¡¯s awake,¡± I jeered, my face splitting back into a grin, ¡°had a good night, sweetheart?¡±

    Argh. Can you not, for once, stay put? I¡¯ll deal with this mess.

    ¡°Hmph. Why would I? I¡¯ve emerged after years, and I¡¯m not going back until I¡¯ve had my fun,¡± I declared. ¡°I¡¯ll show you how to put these people in their place.¡±

    Ah, I¡¯m so gonna regret this. Alright, if you¡¯re going to do this, you need to do it smartly. Aldric gave us three months, but we only have one if we are to pull this off.

    ¡°Why?¡± I tilted my head.

    He will ask a report after a month, and you¡¯ll give it to him unless you want him to come here directly, with force.

    My brow furrowed. While the proposition was interesting, I will not be able to face Aldric head-on in a month.

    Now that you understand why you¡¯ll need to do it, here¡¯s what you¡¯ll do.

    I listened to the plan, gradually coming to terms with the fact that the other me was able to use his head a little better than me. Dismounting Jericho, I put down the cube hanging on my waist, expanding it to see the armor pieces jam packed inside.

    Pulling them out, I scattered them on the snow, freeing up space. Then, with a scarlet flare, I grabbed the pieces with my aura, and the armor that would¡¯ve been a pain to wear attached itself to my body.

    ¡°Got something to say?¡± I addressed inside me with a smile, not getting a reply. ¡°Your silence speaks volumes. This! This is the gap between our skills.¡±

    I turned to Jericho.

    ¡°You have a very important task, my friend,¡± I said in a somber tone. ¡°Shift, and find some prey for us. Strong ones.¡±

    Jericho did not make a sound, yet a wisp of smoke began to curl from his body, coiling around him as his form shifted. His neck shortened and thickened, his head broadened into a more rounded, ferocious visage bristling with fangs. Where once there were hooves, savage claws now reigned; his limbs swelled with muscles. His shoulders and hips grew more robust, resembling twin humps, while his once hirsute tail split into five spindly tendrils tipped with bony spikes. After the shift, his body became even bigger.

    In front of me was a horned monstrosity, dark, leathery and ferocious, its form igniting both fear and respect. The thing I most needed now was his enhanced sense of smell, depicted by his enlarged nostrils. In his demon form that lacked both eyes and ears, he could perceive the world with much greater precision.

    Putting one hand on his back, I jumped, mounting him as he started sniffing the ground and moving. Soon, he caught a trail and we were on our way, the reassuring thuds of his transformed bulk echoing the night.

 Chapter 9 - Disappointing

    Chapter 9 ¨C Disappointing

    Jericho barrelled through the mountainside, soon crossing the snow laden terrain to step on dry land. Up ahead, a cluster of animals roamed the cold lands. As I got close, I could make out their features ¨C Sheep, with their spindly legs and a pair of horns curving to either side of the head, sleeping against a slope on grass. Their behaviour seemed ordinary, sleeping together without a restlessness common to all monsters. I tapped Jericho¡¯s flank, urging him to seek a fresher trail.

    He paused, nostrils flaring as he resumed sniffing again. This new scent led to a hare¡¯s burrow. Time trudged on, and every trail we followed either led to or hinted at herbivores ¨C creatures so bound to their simple diets that there was little chance of mutation in them.

    As we trudged through the mountains, looking for traces of any monsters, we came across a carcass. The head of the sheep was left intact, its tongue slack and eyes void. Separated from the head was a mess of a body, two legs attached to an open stomach, and two others lay separated.

    Red lay splattered, bones exposed, stripped clean of all the meat. I focused on the scene, noticing that the bones themselves were cracked, all the marrow sucked out. Whatever had hunted it had not left anything for scavengers. Jericho¡¯s keen nose caught a trail, leading beyond the grassy slope to the snow tipped peak. With a grunt from Jericho, we were on our way.

    I saw intermittent paw prints decorate the otherwise flawless snow, furthering my trust in Jericho¡¯s ability to track down the predator, finally giving me something to show for all the time spent.

    I finally spotted a group of wolves, and they seemed to have noticed us too. I counted eight grey patches moving, their white fur almost hidden in the snow. They had stopped moving, heckles raised, head low as they all growled at us. Jericho himself moved in a prowl, horns pointed and fangs bared, head low and tails poised - all weapons ready to strike.

    Though they only came up to Jericho¡¯s lowered head, their elongated bodies sported a head half as big as their torso, their whole physique covered in long fur that draped low. Dire Wolves. Or at least the winter variant of them.

    I extended my senses, noting the sterile mana around their forms - they did not have aether, so no magical beasts. I investigated deeper, noting the steady structure of aura that permeated their flesh, filled with power yet presently stagnant.

    ¡°Experienced rank,¡± I whispered, patting Jericho¡¯s neck. We closed to within a few feet, a distance allowing either side to strike in a heartbeat.

    A low, rumbling growl reverberated from the pack.

    The largest of them fixed Jericho in its gaze, advancing slowly while the others started spreading out around us, their paws barely disturbing the snow. Jericho edged forward, the alpha backed up, and the others used the opportunity to completely encircle us.

    I did not unsheathe my sword, sitting above Jericho surveying the impending slaughter. There was no need for any intervention, Jericho will take care of it all. They were worth little to either of us personally, yet necessary for our objective.

    Growls escalated from both camps, Jericho¡¯s gaze locked on the alpha. Some other wolf had to be the first sacrifice. A soft crunch sounded behind me; my body bent forward, leaning to the left, followed by a wail. I did not need to see to know Jericho had kicked the initiator.

    I felt myself lurch back, followed by a sudden gust to my face. Jericho had jumped in the direction of my lean. The wolf had barely advanced a step before a claw rent its left flank, spilling blood and severing a leg in a display of brutal aggression.

    Whoosh~

    The pair of wolves flanking the target caught Jericho¡¯s tails with a sickening squelch, followed by them being lifted off and thrown back.

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    Turning right, I caught the smell of fur, looking at the alpha lunging at Jericho¡¯s leg. Before the wolf had even gotten close, Jericho turned, his bloodstained claw slamming into the alpha¡¯s cranium. Rather than letting up, he shoved the creature down, crushing snow underneath. With his other claw, he steadied the wolf¡¯s rear as he sunk his fangs into its back.

    I heard the squelch of flesh being pierced, saw the spurt of red dye the snow followed by the crunch of bone. As if he hadn¡¯t established his dominance, Jericho¡¯s neck tensed as he ripped the bit flesh right off the wolf¡¯s body. The prey spasmed, the damaged spine taking away its movement.

    While this was happening, his tails, now free of their burden, lashed out at the other three wolves with vicious precision, putting see through holes in their bodies.

    A final thump later, the only sound present was of the occasional wind blowing through the valleys and the regular squelching.

    I dismounted, looking at the source of the wet sound. ¡°Let me cook it up for you,¡± I said to Jericho, pulling out a dagger and stripping off the skin of the alpha wolf on one side. Using the same dagger, I cut apart the meat, my fiery aura flaring to life, searing the flesh in a crude display.

    Jericho¡¯s red stained fangs clamped down as he devoured his prey, and I started dismantling the wolves. I left a portion of the alpha bleed out, separating it from the body in hopes of hastening the process while I fished out the monster crystals from every carcass ¨C a task completed in mere minutes.

    The meat had not bled out, which was unfortunate. I cooked it as it is, eating it to save precious time. Once we both had our fill, I mounted Jericho again as we continued our quest for monster crystals.

    Occasionally, I came across carnivores that had successfully resisted mutation, but that did not save them from death. We continued with this method, but I was gradually becoming aware of the scarcity of monsters in this part of mountain range. Although every monster and predator I encountered was in the experienced rank, their quantity was not enough to fill the storage cube quickly.

    Meanwhile, the mountains grew increasingly inhospitable as we pressed deeper, the temperature plummeting faster than my aura could sustain.

    I had to maintain a thin film of aura to shield us from the cold, lest we find ourselves shivering, first occasionally, then uncontrollably. The fortunate thing was that the valleys were somewhat warm, with the occasional tree and a lot of grass and shrubs. The unfortunate thing was that almost all predators, be they monster or animal, liked the vantage point of rock cliffs and snowy peaks.

    Are you going to continue like this?

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± I demanded, voice gruff and patience worn as I kept an eye out for anything that moved. With Jericho lacking vision in this form, it fell on me to scour for distant targets.

    Jericho is tired, he¡¯s been in his demon form for at least five hours.

    I looked, and noticed the exhaustion for the first time. His head dropped, nostrils flared, searching for any trail, but it swept the ground listlessly. The thumps of claws had changed to soft pats, my station has lowered, his back bent from the fatigue. The tails were still poised and moving frantically, but they did not do so upright, looking like a stumbling drunk. I felt my stomach knot and my face contort.

    ¡°Let¡¯s take a break, buddy,¡± I dismounted him, moving to the side of the valley, towards a slope. Jericho shifted back to his bicorn form to save stamina, while I grabbed handfuls of grasses. Since I had spent the night sitting on his back, I¡¯ll make it up to him.

    The red veil of my aura singed the grass a bit, but wasn¡¯t enough to burn it. Jericho was shivering, but he would have to wait a bit. I gathered a lapful of grass in front of him, along with many shrubs.

    Aura Art: Fire

    Drawing aura in my open palm, I watched as the red gained streaks of yellow and started dancing like a flame, red embers flying from it. Putting my hand in the grasses, it did not take long for the fire to take hold, the damp nature of greenery not being a challenge to my transformed aura.

    I saw Jericho¡¯s head drop to the ground and his eyes close. I stroked his snout gently. Looking up, the stars still twinkled, the wind still blew, the world was silent, but only I knew that I had pushed a friend too far without needing to.

    What will you have done without me.

    ¡°I will have noticed his fatigue, too,¡± I muttered softly in a bitter tone. I knew I would not have noticed it soon enough.

    This is why I dislike you taking control, the only thing you know is to fight, to challenge, everything else is almost meaningless to you.

    I thought of the words, and there was truth to them.

    ¡°I know I did wrong, but that was only because I had gotten lost in excitement,¡± I schooled my face, ¡°and because you never let me out except during possession. I have learned my lesson, this mistake will not repeat itself. You do not have to lecture me.¡±

    Oh, yeah? What will you do in case a master attacks? With Jericho this tired, a possession will darn near kill him. Reality is, you can¡¯t even fight, you only know how to swing that sword.

    My hands clenched, jaw set and breaths turned ragged, but I knew he was right. I did not say anything, taking all the rebuke. He could say all he wanted now, for he will not get another chance.

 Chapter 10 - Orcs

    Chapter 10 ¨C Orcs

    I slogged through knee-deep snow after dismounting from Jericho, determined to conserve his strength. We had crossed more mountains than I cared to count, definitely above ten, all while spending every moment of the last four days looking for monsters.

    Every blink sent a searing pain through my eyes ¨C half from the biting wind, half from the lacking sleep. A persistent, gnawing ache plagued my lower back, and each step demanded the fortitude of aura tempered steel. However, I could not stop now, for I had discovered the method to fill the storage cube at last.

    Before me stretched the frost laden expanse that I had recently come to associate with snowy peaks, and upon it trudged two figures, hauling sheep carcasses atop a makeshift sleigh.

    Why are there only sheep here? And when will these two reach their destination?

    The lack of sleep had made me irascible enough that I considered forsaking my mission on multiple occasions, but the last bit of sanity kept me on track. The two orcs, complete with their green skin, hulking frame and less than stellar minds were not having trouble with either the environment or the weight.

    Their white pelts seemed to be made of thick wool, betraying the presence of someone with common sense among them. A minor obstruction, for the orcs¡¯ minds evolved with their strength, and given how the whole mountain range was teeming with experienced rank creatures, even I had to be careful.

    I was quite far behind them, ever careful lest they notice the red veil cloaking me and Jericho. After nearly four hours of pursuit, my patience was rewarded with the sight of a mountain crowned by a cluster of crudely constructed huts, sprawled along a slopeside beneath a snowy peak, where scores of orcs milled about.

    Now that I had a vision of my target, there was no need for the guides to stay alive. I remounted Jericho, who quickly shifted to his demon aspect and descended on the prey. The heavy-footed clamor betrayed our presence, prompting them to turn towards us in alarm.

    Before their startled eyes, Jericho charged ¨C black smoke billowing from his form ¨C while I steered him towards our foes. The orcs abandoned their ropes and drew their bows ¨C limbs of wood as thick as a man¡¯s forearm, bending under the force of their powerful muscles, and equally formidable arrows of two-meter length, leading one to suspect whether they were ballistae.

    ¡°Fu*king brutes!,¡± I let loose an unintentional curse looking at the arrows tearing through the wind, defying gravity like no-man¡¯s business. Their raw strength allowed them to contend with newly ascended human aura masters, and using that strength for ranged weapons was almost a guaranteed victory. Thankfully orcs did not have enough dexterity to aim very well, but there were exceptions everywhere, and I just had to run into them.

    But the effort was useless, the instant sound reached Jericho, his tails tensed. In a fleeting moment as the projectiles neared, a swift, savage strike reduced them to splinters.

    With the initial skirmish over, there wasn¡¯t much distance left between us. I unsheathed my longsword and, in a silent communion with my partner, adjusted my stance. Once the distance was sufficiently reduced, Jericho released a blast of smoke, and I saw the orcs hold out their bows in front.

    Siezing the moment, I leapt off Jericho, carrying all the built-up momentum to decapitate the left orc, while through the smoke, I felt Jericho just break past the other orc¡¯s bow while impaling him with his horns. When the orc did not die, Jericho used his tails to inject noxious smoke directly into his adversary¡¯s body, rendering him immobile as his bled away.

    Before the smoke cleared, I had finished removing their monster crystals. Looking towards the village, I only saw a blur. The exhaustion was getting to me. Squinting my eyes, I made out the details of the village ¨C perhaps four hundred huts clinging to the mountainside, ascending from the valley below.

    Veering aside, I heard the murmur of flowing water. Looking down, I could barely make out the silver stream flowing along the valley.

    Dismounting from Jericho, I plunged my head in the frigid current. The biting water, compounded by the stark cold air, struck my bones like a spear. Within moments, I was convulsing under the cold, yet the chill somehow dispelled a measure of my fatigue.

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    ¡°Alright, Jericho,¡± I said, voice rough and panting, ¡°I am going to do something objectively stupid, and you are to help me.¡± As I stood, using aura to dry my head, I felt myself come alive again. The village that previously hid behind a veil of blur was now visible crisp and clear. My thought that seemed burdened galloped like horses.

    Dropping the storage cube filled with monster crystals, I told Jericho of our plan. Donning the helmet, I advanced towards the orc village.

    Do you really have to do this?

    ¡°If I don¡¯t do it, how will I ever know if I am capable of it?¡± I replied, thinking of my distaste for the other me. A half-hearted coward, afraid of pain and adversity. Without me, he would have still been crawling among the experienced rank.

    You can come back later, after having rested. Right now, you aren¡¯t even half as strong.

    ¡°And waste time? Hell no,¡± was my reply. Our conversation died down, while I drew my sword and started rousing my aura.

    Time was a luxury, as said by himself, yet he was the one advising me to waste it now. Presently, the battle ahead required my focus. The shock of water will subside sooner or later, exhaustion returning with renewed vigor. Moreover, Jericho was ill suited to endure the prolonged exposure to biting cold.

    A red haze covered my body as I broke into a spring, even the thought of exhaustion banished by the thrill of impending combat. Soon, I was gliding along the ground, the village moving closer ever faster.

    Drawing close, I sought cover behind the huts. The same crimson haze suffused my blade as I hacked an entry through the wall of one such structure. No sooner had I entered than the thatched roof began to crumble and descend. With a couple more swings, I extricated myself from this hut and dashed into the adjacent one.

    This one was not deserted, an orc woman breastfeeding her child inside. Before she could even cry out, a quick swipe of my blade severed her head and split her child asunder. The child gave a brief cry before all returned to normal.

    I moved quickly, and with two precise strokes, I had created incisions exposing their monster crystals covered in pulsing veins. With my right hand, I extracted the crystals and advanced towards the next target.

    Emerging from the hut, I noted that the orcs had yet to perceive my presence, perhaps dismissing the child¡¯s cry as happenstance. But before I could move on, the first hut collapsed, and this, they noticed. A few orcs started converging towards the hut, and one of them noticed me.

    An unintelligible scream echoed across the valley, and I moved towards them. They were without weapons, but that did not deter them from taking me on.

    ¡°Come on!¡± I felt the forgotten thrill of battle as my lips stretched into a feral grin, the blade in my left darting out to disable the monsters. One got cut on his thigh, the other on his shoulder, and one had his forearm lopped off, all while I navigated between them with my three limbs.

    After incapacitating my foes, I retrieved their crystals with cold precision, leaping into the air from a bent over corpse. Twisting midair, I looked at the dark some rising in the distance, a jerk of my hand sending my spoils to Jericho.

    The new company I got was armed and displeased. Fashioned out of stone, their axes, hammers and spears lacked the refined gleam of metal, however, clasped in their meaty hands, I did not doubt their ability to rend me limb from limb.

    I was not one to let fear stifle me, however.

    ¡°Aura art: Reinforce! Strengthen!¡± I bellowed, the aura surrounding me flared and coalesced under the effect of strengthen, while that around my blade sharpened its edge and increased its toughness. I was twice as deadly now, and these orcs were about to learn it in the most brutal fashion.

    A step brought me to an axe wielder, my movement not allowing him any instant to react. With an upward stroke, I nearly tore him asunder from waist to shoulder. Unrelenting, I dodged a spear thrust with a nimble jump and then, using the enemy¡¯s own weapon as a makeshift platform, beheaded its wielder.

    The remaining brutes, now resembling a pack of enraged swine, charged with primal fury ¨C their shouts melding into a dissonant chorus of loss and retribution. The axe coming my way was deflected with the sword, the hammer was dodged before its wielder got eviscerated and the axe orc got his tusks shattered with a brutal elbow.

    Exploiting my diminutive stature, I darted between their staggered ranks, using the fallen axe-wielder as a shield. Using the hesitation of others, I used the window to behead three more before narrowly evading a thrust aimed at my flank.

    Retreating momentarily, I swiftly reclaimed their crystals while adroitly evading further blows. Just as I lobbed them toward Jericho, a seething, emerald wave prevented me from further harvesting the crystals.

    Metal clashed with stone ¨C red and green auras collided and I was forced backward, my feet exposing the rich, brown earth beneath the sodden grass. Standing before me was an orc of prodigious stature, his extremely muscular torso crowned by a grotesque visage and a long, unkempt ponytail. H

    ¡°Don¡¯t like the heat?¡± I jeered, my eyes never leaving the massive axe. Its blade dwarfed my forearm, having a jagged edge from constant use, while the darkwood handle was wrapped in red leather.

    Bending low, I assumed a forward guard with my sword, a seriousness settling over me for the first time in this blood-drenched affair.

 Chapter 11 - Retreat

    Chapter 11 ¨C Retreat

    The hulking orc assumed a combat stance, his axe-bearing arm thrust forward while his free hand fanned open, ready to seize. With a tacit accord, we lunged simultaneously¡ªhis brutal axe surging toward my midsection as my blade sought the vulnerable space over his heart. In that split second, our weapons arced gracefully; my cross-guard caught his wicked edge, and the resulting shockwave pushed his compatriots back as we locked in a brief, titanic contest of strength.

    I was held at bay with a single hand, while his other hand darted in for a savage grab. With a measure thrust, I advanced, forcing my sword inside his guard and redirecting the axe aside. The orc retreated, not allowing me to use my small stature, his weapon retreating into a defensive posture.

    We clashed anew, and once more the collision of our arms unleashed a concussive force. From my flanks, a sphere-thrust and a ferocious axe swing converged. I sidestepped toward the oncoming axe; the master orc¡¯s weapon descended with lethal intent to deflect the spear, while my aura-reinforced greave intercepted the brutal axe. In a heartbeat, a swift decapitation¡ªalbeit incomplete¡ªignited a wild frenzy in my opponent, sending him into a berserk attack.

    That frenzied attack shifted the tide. I ducked beneath his furious strike, pirouetting to land a stinging blow on his shin. Had he been a rank lower, I might¡¯ve severed his leg; yet as a battle-hardened master, his sinew proved too robust, though the wound was enough.

    ¡°Forgot your armor?¡± I jeered, my voice dripping with cynical mirth, as I reengaged him while vigilantly scanning for reinforcements.

    A guttural curse¡ªsomething unintelligible yet unmistakably commanding¡ªescaped his lips, and with it the other orcs began to withdraw. A smug grin tugged at the corner of my mouth as I disengaged and darted toward the mass of foes.

    In his overzealous attempt to keep me tethered, the orc overextended; I seized the opening for another strike, though his defense held just long enough. Swiftly, I shifted my focus back to the remaining brutes, weaving between them like a jester of death. In a ruthless ballet, I gathered the spoils¡ªcrystals¡ªat a pace I had never before experienced.

    Another crude order echoed¡ªfollowed by a fresh surge of orcs charging forth. The narrow gap between my current opponent and the master orc was the only respite, yet I pressed the attack on the lesser combatants.

    ¡°Bul¡¯tar!¡± A roar, electrified with raw aura, compelled me to glance behind. There, amidst a furious inferno of emerald flames, the orc¡¯s already monstrous frame swelled to a veritable colossus. With no time to squander, I dispatched my immediate quarry and leapt into the open to confront this new, more perilous adversary.

    ¡°Tier 2, is it?¡± I mused darkly, ¡°No¡ªmerely a resonance.¡± An aura master might elevate his strength by evolving his aura, yet sometimes, his innate prowess resonates with his aura¡¯s properties, producing an effect akin to a higher tier. My adversary¡¯s aura, imbued with the property of brute strength, had conspired with his natural power to create this phenomenon.

    Bounding on a single leg, the behemoth faced me with renewed, unbridled vigor. His wounds had deepened, crimson rivulets marking his skin, yet he appeared indifferent¡ªas if the slaughter of his kin mattered more than his own survival.

    ¡°Bring it on, you roided-up greenhead!¡± I bellowed, gauging my own wearied state. My eyelids had grown progressively heavier; the once-vibrant aura that had sustained me now faltered. My sword tip trembled as I pressed it forward, every labored breath a testament to the high-speed fray that was drawing to its inevitable close.

    In one savage leap, the orc descended upon me. Even as I angled my defense, his strike bore enough force to shatter my guard. I recalled the adage¡ªthat a well-structured defense is near impossible to break¡ªthough, such wisdom applies only to human foes. Anticipating his next move, I bent backward, evading the splitting axe. Exploiting the orc¡¯s compromised mobility, I rolled low along the ground, targeting his lower extremities.

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    Alas, my gambit proved only partially effective. The once-devastating blow now left naught but superficial cuts and scratches, its severing intent diminished. Yet, hindered by his own clumsy movements, the orc could not land a decisive strike as I danced about with my three free limbs. Rolling, leaping, and contorting in bizarre configurations, I clung to life¡ªalbeit at the steep cost of my dwindling stamina.

    I attempted to lure the hulking brute into the midst of his retreating kin, but they merely adjusted their formation to maintain the encirclement. I vaulted back, rising to sprint towards them. The orc, undeterred, moved to me with a single jump, closing the slight gap with the relentless fury of a berserker.

    Again, I lowered my stance and vaulted in another direction. The macabre dance continued¡ªeach leap drawing me nearer to the tightening circle, while my adversary followed, the encircling orcs shuffling like a living tide. At long last, I executed a final, desperate jump in the opposite direction, closing in on the only sanctuary: the rim of the encirclement.

    The startled orcs stumbled, affording me just enough time to use their craniums as crude stepping stones. I vaulted across their disordered mass and began a full sprint toward Jericho. A few unsteady steps soon gave way to a determined run, the orcs¡¯ clamour fading behind me.

    Then¡ªa roar that reverberated through the chaos. I dared not slow; a glance behind revealed a towering figure, its immense arms toppling lesser foes as it hopped on one leg with an agility that belied its size. Its pace, nearly matching my own, was nonetheless hampered by the awkwardness of a single-leg bound.

    I had carved out a respectable lead, yet a menacing whistling soon heralded an incoming volley. Without pausing, I veered aside, narrowly evading an axe that struck the spot I had just vacated. Soon followed the dreadful symphony of a spear, a hammer, and even arrows¡ªa cacophony of whispers that strained my acrobatic limits.

    I did not have to worry about melee weapons, I would soon be out of throwing range. Butthe arrows, swift and unyielding, presented an altogether different peril. Midair, I twisted to survey the onslaught¡ªonly a scant few orcs brandished bows, yet their salvo threatened to overwhelm me.

    The instant I landed, a roaring sword of aura struck the ground at an angle, sending dirt and stones skyward with enough force to deflect a handful of the airborne projectiles. The unhindered arrows, I dodged with desperate precision.

    Thus resumed the deadly game of cat and mouse. The flat valley loomed ahead, for the orcs had barred my ascent. I might have been angry at my inability to push against the meat tide, but it worked out in my favor right now. I burst into the valley in moments, sprinting towards Jericho.

    ¡°Jericho!¡± A shout split the din, drawing my gaze to a figure leaping forth from swirling smoke. In his bicorn guise he had emerged, yet a glance behind me provoked an immediate, demonic transformation. ¡°Turn back!¡± I cried as we neared. His form hesitated briefly before pivoting, allowing me to launch myself onto his back¡ªhis tails deftly intercepting the lethal arrows whizzing past.

    The impact on my stomach was as severe as it was brutal; his broad, muscular back bore down upon me with the force of a seasoned orc as he picked up speed. My eyes locked onto the storage cube abandoned on the ground. ¡°There!¡± I pointed, and Jericho neared it, allowing me to pick it up. I attached it to my waist with some effort and corrected myself. Even as the orc tribe fell away into the distance, my exhaustion threatened to overwhelm me.

    ¡°It¡¯s about time, don¡¯t you think?¡± I rasped to my inner self, weariness dripping from every syllable.

    Time indeed. But I¡¯m thinking about something. You can keep the body for a while.

    I snorted, ¡°For a while? It won¡¯t be more than a few damned hours. Jericho, we need to get back quick,¡± I ordered, feeling the muscular back ripple and grow fur beneath me. My view lowered a bit, the heavy thumps changed to sharp gallops as the rapid cadence sped up even more.

    It will take you at least morning to get back, and that is if Jericho keeps moving.

    ¡°You¡¯ll have to endure, buddy,¡± I patted my companion, resigned, ¡°I¡¯m far too spent to fight now.¡± My head dropped before I reigned myself. Jericho slowed his gallop to a measured canter, my breaths ragged and my will the only force keeping me upright.

    Sleep. Lay on his back, if something happens I¡¯ll take over.

    I did not want to follow this advice, not until we had reached Niege at least, but I was in no condition to keep going. I lay face-down on Jericho¡¯s back, each thundering step punishing, knocking the wind out of me, yet tolerable as his pace had eased. Sleep clawed at me, my grip on consciousness loosening with every labored breath.

    ¡°Be careful, buddy ¡­ and sorry,¡± I managed to croon before my eyes surrendered to darkness. Unconsciousness claimed me, and in that final moment, a flare of waning aura signaled my retreat back into the recesses of the left hand.

 Chapter 12 - Dungeonless

    Chapter 12 ¨C Dungeonless

    I was roused by a sudden, heavy thump against my chest, followed by a penetrating, musky odor that invaded my senses. Before me, the very ground seemed to writhe, and the oppressive cold had given way to a more tolerable warmth. As I adjusted my position, I found myself collapsing onto the earth.

    ¡°UGH!¡± came my startled cry as I realized Jericho had stepped on my hand. The pain was sharp and immediate, banishing any remnants of sleep. As it gradually subsided, I allowed my eyes to take in the unfolding scene. In the distance, a serene lake lay cradled within a valley, beyond which loomed a snowless mountain¡ªa silent promise that, if I crossed it, I would reach Niege.

    Jericho ambled over, nuzzling against me, and I reached out to stroke his head. ¡°Let¡¯s walk from here,¡± I murmured, gazing at the pale sunlight that caressed the distant peaks. ¡°After your relentless night of running, you deserve a rest.¡±

    With a renewed sense of purpose, I led us down toward the valley. Though my eyes still stung with the remnants of sleep, any pain had long since faded. By the time we reached the valley, I was fully awake. I washed my face, sipped some water, and couldn¡¯t help but address the voice in my mind.

    ¡°Couldn¡¯t you have brought some food? Embarking on such a journey without rations or water¡ªimagine what might have happened had you not encountered any monsters or if there had been no snow at all.¡±

    Hah! Ramblings of the weak. I would¡¯ve forged a path to survival even in the heart of a desert. Came the reply, The words arrogant, and the loud sound causing me to wince.

    Unfortunately, I can¡¯t shut him out, I thought.

    ¡°Jericho, let¡¯s race to the mountain foot,¡± I called out, my tone light as I set off at a brisk pace, my steadfast companion bounding after me. Our games made the final stretch seem shorter, and soon the final town appeared ¨C unchanged, despite the looming threat of destruction.

    Winding through the town¡¯s streets toward the guild, I resisted the temptation to simply collapse into an inn¡¯s embrace. I needed to verify whether any changes had occurred in the dungeon or if Mirabel had taken any action.

    The guild was as usual, with sparse activity and my staff engaged in subdued chatter.

    ¡°Hey people, how goes the guild?¡± I asked after entering. All of them went alert, looking at me.

    ¡°Sir, it¡¯s good that you are back. Someone sent by the Margrave is here, and they¡¯ve been waiting for two days,¡± Montel said with urgency.

    I paused, considering those words. Margrave ¨C a noble surpassing a count, nearly akin to a duke, endowed with special privileges by virtue of military duty. There was only one Margrave in Dreseon ¨C Stromvale. To send someone here was completely under his jurisdiction as the ruler of Fedhara dutchy, but the fact that it happened only after my recent accord with Mirabel was somewhat disconcerting.

    Drawing a steadying breath, I replied, ¡°Alright, where are they?¡± Montel¡¯s directions led me to the guildmaster¡¯s office.

    Someone sitting in my office without me ¨C it was blatant disrespect, a reminder that in this modest town of Niege, where I had been exiled in all but name, no one found me worth anything.

    As I ascended the stairs, I was immediately aware that an important person had graced Niege. The corridor was lined with knights, resplendent in gleaming steel armor etched with the sigil of Stromvale ¨C a pentagon with five rivers converging to its center, crossed over by an unsheathed sword.

    These knights, trained to a razor¡¯s edge, instantly went on guard as they perceived my arrival. Their hands rested on the hilts of their weapons, their armored visages fixed intently upon me, and the aura woven in their bodies shifted, slowly ¨C a sign that they were progressing towards the master rank.

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    Reaching the top, I declared, ¡°I am Liam, guildmaster of Niege. I was informed that a messenger sent by Margrave is here to see me.¡± One knight, stationed at the far end of the corridor, knocked before entering my office, while the others maintained their unwavering gaze.

    Soon, the knight came out and announced, ¡°Please, enter. My lord will see you forthwith.¡± I noticed the form of address. ¡®Lord¡¯ was always used for either the noble themselves or their heirs. I moved to the gate and paused, perplexed by the absence of any effort to halt my progress.

    ¡°Do you not wish to keep my axe?¡± I asked, unsure of what to make of it. On one hand, retaining a weapon was always prudent; on the other, should any mishap befall the Lord, I would be an all too convenient scapegoat.

    ¡°Ah, yes, please,¡± the knight responded. I surrendered my axe and sword with hesitation. The knight¡¯s behavior, as if he was unused to this procedure, sparked a subtle unease.

    After knocking, I entered the room to find a young man seated in the guildmaster¡¯s chair, while a weathered man reclined on the nearby sofa. The young man, with dark hair cascading to his cheat and a beardless face, was dressed in white robes adorned with multiple metals, jewels, and filigree, his gaze fixed on a map unfurled across the table. As he looked up at my entrance, I couldn¡¯t help but murmur, ¡°Vaelric¡­¡±

    A sudden outburst from the side made me flinch. I turned to see a man with snow-white hair and a face scarred and contorted in indignation. ¡°How dare you address the child of Margrave Stromvale so casually!¡± he thundered.

    It was a display of noble propriety¡ªan admonition for my habitual informality with someone as familiar as Vaelric. ¡°It¡¯s all right, Uncle Marcus,¡± Vaelric interjected with a playful reprimand, ¡°Liam is a friend, though perhaps not the best of them.¡±

    Ignoring the elder¡¯s anger, I sank into a visitor¡¯s chair. My eyes drifted to the map, meticulously detailing the environs around Niege. ¡°So, after all the times I¡¯ve protected you, you still choose to tarnish my reputation?¡± I teased, memories of our past adventures¡ªthree fledgling adventurers led by an experienced mage¡ªflooding back. The arduous journey of discovering Jericho, attaining masterhood, and ultimately seeking peace after a particularly brutal confrontation all seemed to play out before me.

    ¡°The fact that you left right when everything was finally coming together really makes me doubt your good nature,¡± Vaelric remarked, his gaze never leaving the map until he finally rolled it up and regarded me fully.

    ¡°Imagine my surprise when Mirabel informed me that the new guildmaster of Niege was named Liam¡ªa man who claims acquaintance with me,¡± he continued dramatically, ¡°and now I learn that this very Liam intends to defy a direct order from the crown.¡±

    I cast a glance at Uncle Marcus, but seeing his calm composure and Vaelric¡¯s talking confidently in his presence, I just shrugged.

    ¡°I was exiled here from Raakwell, and then they planned to obliterate this dungeon,¡± I confessed softly. ¡°I guess, two years of labor left me under immense strain, and this decision was the final spark.¡±

    ¡°If you were troubled, you could¡¯ve come to me,¡± Vaelric chided, his eyes locking with mine.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t want to get entangled in the political web,¡± I admitted, glancing upward at the lofty ceiling. ¡°I believed that serving in the adventurer¡¯s guild ¨C directly under the king ¨C would allow me to harness my strength and gain influence without stepping on anyone¡¯s toes.¡±

    ¡°And look where that led you,¡± was Vaelric¡¯s reply. My head dropped in shame. I recalled how, when I chose to abandon adventuring, he had once offered me a commission under his father¡¯s command as a knight. As an aura master, I could have risen to become a captain with my own retinue, yet instead, I had opted for the guild, relegating myself to the role of a mere administrator.

    A heavy sigh escaped me as I shifted the conversation. ¡°Alright, what brings you here?¡±

    ¡°Couple of reasons,¡± Vaelric began, his gaze drifting as he withdrew a book and began inscribing intricate designs upon its pages. ¡°Firstly, I¡¯m very interested in the idea of personalized training in the dungeon. And secondly¡­,¡± He looked up, his eyes aflame with a resolve I had not witnessed before, ¡°I cannot allow this dungeon to perish.¡±

    It was evident that the latter was his true purpose. The aetheric flame dancing within his body betrayed his rank as an Archmage, rendering normal training almost superfluous, while his underlying motive remained shrouded in mystery.

    ¡°Why? Even if you save this dungeon, it¡¯s only Red rank. With the haul I¡¯ve secured this past week, I can¡¯t guarantee that it will even attain Orange in time,¡± I remarked, the unspoken question hanging in the air¨C why would the Margrave covet such a low rank dungeon?

    Vaelric¡¯s pen tapped thoughtfully against the book before he stated, ¡°Fedhara possesses but one dungeon.¡± The remark stirred memories of the other twenty-three, scattered across lands where dungeons, though not common, were not altogether rare in sufficiently large areas. Yet, in Fedhara, encompassing the entire northwest of the kingdom, they were conspicuously absent.

    I straightened in my seat as the realization dawned on me. ¡°Do you mean¡­?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± he replied softly, ¡°every dungeon born in this land has been choked before it could thrive¡ªits demise always justified by the same claim: unsuitable for development.¡±