As I walked along the streets of the 2nd Respite Zone, also known as the 14th realm, the city of Easrich unfolded before my eyes. The swift decision we made to venture into the violet lake after Gary’s resignation brought us to a white hall adorned with doors numbered differently. We chose the last door, marked with the number 14 glowing in a mesmerising white light, and crossed over to this realm.
Upon our return to Easrich, we were pleasantly surprised to find our belongings still safely stored at the inn, even after nearly a month had passed since our departure. Upon inquiring, we learned that Celina, in her unwavering hope for our return, had paid for the room and left behind a generous sum of money and a heartfelt note.
In her message, Celina expressed her intention to embark on a journey to gather the powerful paladins of Compound 009, urging them to protect the place until the next Herald was chosen. She bestowed upon us the freedom to follow our own path, unaffected by Baek’s final words. Furthermore, she vowed to seek vengeance for her brother’s suffering.
Under the enchanting glow of a blue moon, the entire realm of Easrich seemed to be embraced by an ethereal aura, casting a mesmerizing spell upon the city. The night was alive with the harmonious coexistence of the city’s dwellers and venturers, immersed in an atmosphere of peace and tranquilly.
As I wandered through the enchanting streets of Easrich, the city revealed itself like a captivating dream, reminiscent of 19th-century Paris in its elegance and charm. White marbles adorned the pathways, glistening under the moonlight, leading the way to ornate fountains that graced every corner. The soft, soothing sound of water cascading from these fountains added a melodic touch to the night’s symphony.
As the blue moon ascended high in the sky, its ethereal light bathed the entire city in a celestial glow. The streets came alive with a magical aura, transforming the architecture into delicate silhouettes of beauty. Gas lamps lining the avenues cast a warm, amber hue, creating a romantic atmosphere that seemed to transport us to a bygone era.
As I ambled through the lively streets, the air reverberated with the delightful sounds of people’s conversations and a distant, melodious tune. The thoroughfare was adorned with an array of diverse shops, each offering a captivating variety of items for the venturers to explore and acquire.
"I can’t believe I got so lost in the beauty of this place that I almost forgot my main motive," I exclaimed, face-palming myself in frustration. In the captivating allure of the surroundings, my purpose had momentarily slipped my mind.
With a determined mindset, I reached into my pocket and retrieved a transparent orb filled with a chilling, pale white liquid. This relic was a residue left behind after Cyanthos, the leader of the Voidshades, was defeated and disintegrated. My companions had acknowledged me as the rightful owner and entrusted me with this enigmatic artefact.
Uncertain about its true worth, I set out on a mission to find an appraisal shop that could shed light on the mysterious item’s value. As I scanned the streets, my eyes caught sight of a prominent establishment named "Radomir’s Appraisals." The name sounded familiar, as I recalled it being associated with the craftsman who had created my weapon.
Entering the shop, a small bell chimed, announcing my presence to the elderly proprietor. His hair had turned white with age, and he was engrossed in reading a parchment crafted from fine leather.
"Welcome to my old shop. How can I assist you with... His words trailed off as his eyes fell upon the weapon hanging at my waist.
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Intrigued, he stood up and carefully examined the intricacies of the weapon, taking note of every detail. After a brief moment, he spoke up.
"I am quite certain that’s the work of my little brother. Do you happen to know him?" he inquired with curiosity.
Surprised by the coincidence, I responded, "Actually, it was the familiar name that drew me into this place. He’s the talented craftsman behind my cherished weapon."
Understanding the connection, the old man revealed, "I see. We are both named Radomir; I am Radomir II, and he is Radomir III. In the next respite zone, the 21st realm, we have our eldest brother, Radomir I. Together, we run our business in Compound 009."
"In what manner may I be of service to you? You’re the first customer we’ve had this week. Ever since the Herald’s demise, news of it has rippled across Limbo, prompting a considerable exodus of people from this place. If you cast your eyes upon this city now, you’d scarcely encounter any Venturers; it’s mainly the Dwellers who remain," he stated in a resonant voice.
"Allow me to show you something," I interjected, presenting the orb to him. Its surface glistened with a pure white hue, emitting an aura of frost that mesmerised us both.
His eyes widened in surprise as he examined the item. Bursting with excitement, he exclaimed, "How did you manage to attain an essence this pure?"
Perplexed, I asked, "Essence?"
He proceeded to explain that an essence was a residue left behind after defeating a creature or entity with an enormous amount of sol flowing within them. This phenomenon occurs exclusively in creatures and sentient monsters, not in humans.
"This," he continued, "is of the highest grade. To obtain an essence this pure, you must either slay at least a hundred native creatures in the lower realms or defeat a powerful inhuman entity, such as a Voidshade." His gaze shifted back to me, as if awaiting an answer.
"I received this from a paladin who is my friend," I responded, subtly hinting that the first option might be the more plausible explanation.
Seemingly intrigued, he offered a suggestion without waiting for my response: "Your weapon seems rather dull, as if it has encountered numerous battles. While the chains are made of Avlyrran steel and won’t be an issue, they do feel rather heavy, don’t they?"
"Yes, I struggle to balance the weapon," I admitted.
"Well, here’s an idea. I can recreate your scythe blade using this essence, replacing the previous dull one with something far superior. As for the chains, I can also imbue them with the essence, making them sturdier and, most importantly, lighter. This will perfectly balance out the weight. In short, I can craft you a newer and more powerful weapon using this essence," he proposed.
The prospect of possessing a stronger weapon and elevating my power to the next level was enticing. However, I hesitated, saying, "Sure, but I don’t have much money."
Waving away my concerns, he reassured me, "Don’t worry; give me what you can. It has been years since I quit the forge due to my old age, and I yearn to work at it one last time. My skills are as good as they’ve ever been, and I assure you the finished weapon will be of the finest quality."
Grateful for his kindness, I bowed and said, "Thank you for your generosity."
**
After handing everything over to Radomir II, I left the shop and strolled through the streets, deep in thought about my next move.
"I’m running out of time. I can’t stay here for long. In Aurorium, I had the luxury of three months for training, but now I will only stay a week. If I linger here instead of venturing further down, who knows what consequences I might face?" I muttered to myself, contemplating the choices before me.
"There’s only one way forward—to grow stronger as I descend into the lower realms. I won’t waste a single moment and will dedicate all my free time to becoming more powerful. My training won’t stop as I make my way to the depths of Limbo."
As I stood on the precipice of my next journey, a myriad of thoughts swirled in my mind. The path ahead was fraught with peril, uncertainty, and untold challenges. Yet, I felt an unyielding determination burning within me, the embers of which were stoked by the desire to become stronger and protect those dear to me.
My resolve was unwavering as I thought about my friends, Celina, Kei, Elsie, and the memory of Baek. Their trust in me pushed me forward, and I couldn’t let their faith go to waste. The burden of their hopes and dreams rested upon my shoulders, and I was determined to prove myself worthy.