Titan's Advent

er of the Adventurers, officially marking th

s humble place within the hall, a space reserved exclusively for beginne

y, Larion's stomach growled, re

nearby table and or

ulent meat was soon placed before him

ed the reception table, where a woman nam

during his stay, exchanging names a

arion greeted, a warm s

Larion?" Aira replied,

pped, "You know what they sa

she inquired about his recent que

dramatically, and h

ed further, urging hi

he counter, ready to re

" he began, his voice tinged

a noble's daughter as she vent

at's strange. Usually, nobles have the

he arrived here, her face concealed beneath a hooded robe. It piqued my curiosity, so I asked E

ities. "Perhaps she's hiding from someone or something? Or maybe she just

against his weary back. "Who knows? As long as I get paid for my services, I don't s

nding. "Indeed, privacy is a precious commodity in this

ed to ask Aira for the be

aper requests and one by on

rmal requests. From escort

sts beyond his capabilities like party

more and save up in the meantime s

n hands the single piece of

ing in front of his shop an hour from now before heading to the logging s

ll, his heart brimming with anticipation as he set out to

the early morning hustle and bustle,

e air, mingling with the earthy aroma of damp soil

eyes were drawn to the various shops tha

ently arranged their wares, their h

th succulent cuts of meat, destined for the lively ma

reet as a horse-drawn carriage passed by, c

ived at the lumber shop and found a y

he inquired, "Are you Mr.

nce but quickly regained his composure. "Uhm... No

then." He waved goodbye to the boy and pushed open the door, revealing an expans

middle-aged man with a physique th

, a testament to the strength needed to carry t

ned his gaze towards him, a warm

ed my request," Mr. Greymond, or ra

d respectfully, his voice

By the way, since you

wered, eager to get s

re here early, can you help me with the equipm

erly. "Of course,

olo made their way to the back of the shop, wher

with which Aron handled each item, his yea

ded the necessary gear onto the waiting cart, se

ation, Larion, Aron, and Rolo s

he wheels grinding against the gravel as

oliage above, casting a dappled pat

and damp earth, a testament to the pristi

nto the heart of the fores

owering trees, their majestic presenc

izing with the gentle rustle of leaves as a

t sound of axes striking against wood, signal

ugged path, the distant figures

strong, their axes glinting in the sunlight

waved excitedly, his youthful ene

g site was filled with a sen

ertly cut through the trees, their m

hrough the air, intermingling with the chirping

e food from the cart, the tantalizing aroma of fre

eir laughter and conversation

us one, turned his att

are you?" he asked, his voic

ting Aron's, felt a

ould respond, A

uestions, and you're not required to answer,"

ilently acknowledging the unders

p worked tirelessly, their m

f carrying the logs, pushed through their

t, ensuring its safety amidst the chao

arm glow over the horizon, the g

t, his hands covered in sweat and blisters, but

shop, Larion settled at the back of th

ull of youthful enthusiasm

aughter, the weariness of th

banter, Aron's voice broke t

u," he said, his eyes f

nd stay away from the city guards as

nfusion as he listened intent

sadness, the weight of years of suff

the locals and the injustices they e

ry, Larion ponder

on, the delicate balance between survi

, knowing that Aron had shared this knowl

ed with a somber silence, each member

unload the logs, the weight of their

paper, a symbol of their successfu

made his way to the Adventurer Hall, the we

er to Aira, a sense of dete

someone who had weathered th

nd listen to the wisdom of those

k and a newfound resolve, Larion couldn

he stayed longer within Belaiv, he would inevita

gate the city with caution and to be mindful

~

o the comfort of his bed as he

l danced in his mind, leaving beh

the feeling of time slipping away, the relentl

passed differently compared to the game, but the

and exploring the vast landscapes, had only amount

ween the two worl

mach reminded him of

t Luca couldn't resist the u

e pizza, a guilty pleasure he indu

rrive, Luca grabbed his phone a

rience in Titan's Advent propelled

tories from the game, to relive the thri

zzed on his screen, brimming wi

gratitude for having suc

ual experiences in the game, exchan

a startling fact to his friend - He was the only pl

Luca that he would find a way to overcome this

e stated that he would find ot

tivation for entering Titan'

s minor setback det

pported Luca's decision and encouraged

ght turn as they shared their

ed that they were situated at di

didn't dampen

the game someday, to reunite and co

tion back into the real world, Ald

r was a month ago when Aldrin gi

lose, they bid each other farewel

oom with the mouthwatering aroma of

devouring his food while watching l

displaying the daring exp

neuvers, their lightning-fast reflexe

tronger again and bring back his prime,

s hunger was sated, and his m

d would be challenging, but h

~

as Larion found himself back in hi

t shake off the feeling of having missed almost a month

as he made his way

girls at the reception would grow

anted attention that could poten

by, he noticed Emma and Ai

urprise upon seeing Lario

im with concern e

ide your room for almost a month!"

d anticip

d not know other players

an explanation that wou

r, I guess?" Larion answered, his voice lac

nd water?" Emma chimed in, her eye

d of sweat trickl

see me going out from time to time?" he offer

r gaze fixed on Larion as

, it seemed his explanation had bee

welcome back?" Aira said, h

ak laugh, grateful

he quest board, eager to divert the conversat

ing a quest was a uni

uilds, listen to folk songs and tales, read books, or even eavesdrop and listen to go

ard, searching for a quest

ns, he couldn't help but feel a sens

was eager to dive into the next thrilling

t of the Adventurer's Hall and into the b

res filled the air, their voices blendi

Larion found himself caught up in

es darting from shop to shop, each displaying a

~

ty, Larion stumbled upon a quai

and ink wafted through

p inside, the soft chime of

owledge, its shelves lined with

ion as he scanned the titles, his

crets, hidden wisdom, and perhaps even

of books, Larion l

the store, reading passag

okkeeper, noticed his enthusiasm

the bookkeeper asked, his voice carrying a sens

"Yes! I seek guidance on my next quest. Do you hav

stured for Larion to follow him to

pages filled with pieces of informati

might do the trick. Would yo

ut having a new map. Thanks for that!" La

ment as the sage disappeared into the depth

und the bookstore, taking in the sights

paper, carrying with it the weight of c

s, casting a warm glow that danced upon th

bookkeeper emerged from the labyrinth

worn leather-bound book

icipation as he eagerly reache

g to reveal a vast expanse of land dott

or a moment, and then som

is field of vision, a miniatu

of his eyes, its det

knew he h

to the book, its pages

words, his fingertips gliding ge

him on his quest, insights into the forest b

se?" Larion asked, breaki

es twinkling with wisdom. "That woul

ulled out the necessary coins, pl

e bookkeeper's gaze turned thoughtfu

est beyond Zulhic Hill?" he asked

curiosity piqued. "

r a moment, his hand dis

held a massive map, lar

rion instinctively took a step bac

e him, Larion's eyes catch sight of the continent they curren

led in the southern reaches lies the Kingdom of Belai

quires of the bookkeeper, "Are these all

without diverting his attention, "Nay, young lad. To the east lies

map from the bookkeeper, its contents seam

-perhaps the key to updating h

once more, feigning a question regarding th

ve fruitless as the m

to update the ever-evolving representation in his visio

rths the information he sought

trated portrait of a creature that sends shivers down th

its spindly legs tapering to sharp red and green tips

ustered upon its front and one perched u

ates with a note of caution

derlings, or Qizir Spawns as they are commonly known, can be f

tive during the dark hours, and like their bret

et them apart, for a mere brush against your

on Larion's shoulders, he remains unfazed b

, the courageous adventurer steels himself for the impending dangers tha

r, offered a sincere thanks to the

awaited, but also pointed him in the right direction to find po

s directions, Larion made

, a wave of anticipa

tles and vials, each containing a differe

ut to the shopkeeper, exci

h potion and two of each for the

experienced hands deftly ga

ful selection, they present

each, my friend," they

on left the shop, his bag now fille

nce as he walked through the bustling street

low upon him as if cheeri

rance of the Fogend district, where t

he decided to bide his time, waiting for the da