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Hey :) thanks again for having sailing with me so far, Sorry to cut this chapter short as I don't have enough time but I will make it up later :) that said have fun and enjoy

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“ Please make it in time.”

This pebbles and wild grass is annoying as hell, Why are they here ! for Fu… okay calm down, remember words are power, I better spent my energy for running then grumbling. The sun almost disappear in the horizon and I’m still here, descending the short cut path that cross the island immediately.

Since this route was uncommon and hard to traverse, it becomes less popular for the majority of locals, only few hunter knew this place and I am no exception since Juan would take me here whenever I missed the count of rakat when we were in the sea. He would point out certain object and asked me the guess distance, then he would if possible throw or hide that object out of my sight but he would still make sure, that the object was clearly audible to me. He then would asked me again what was the distance but meh I was wrong most of the time.

Oh no…. why did I remember about Juan now off all the time  ? Focus focus !.

[ Slip ]

“Aaaaaaaa …..”

Good bye  my dear life I thought in my hearts. I wonder if Juan or Lisa ever heard that I died because of slipping, would they feel sad or pissed ? I was too preoccupied remembering Juan and I didn’t notice that the earth below me was weak since its wet. I didn’t notice something simple like that and I chose to walk where there was much soil rather than plant ! Yeah ...now I know that words are power… shouldn’t have badmouthed the pebbles and bushes that would save my life.

“ No NO NOO !”

In front of me I was a row of random rocks and trees. what can I do , what can I do to keep my dear life now. My but hurts…

“ That’s it !”

My but hurts means I can still control my slipping I mean sliding. I then look for a moment towards the stick that I got in my right hands. I had always abide by Juan words up till now for not wearing the stick in my backs outside yeah, when I was climbing to help find Hime, but now it proved to save me !. If it was stuck in my back what can I do ?

I felt a bit tingling and regret for wanting to use the stick right now since it might break and the warping will definitely get ruined, but I guess my life is more important to bring back to Lisa rather than a gift from her.  Okay let’s use it.

“ Haa’ !”

I tried to make the stick got caught to some trees and rocks. I dare not to immediately broke my sliding tough. I used it to slow my sliding speed first. There was hardly any dust involved on my slide since the ground was wet and the soil that fall with me already long disappeared, merging with the surround soils. They unlike me, stopped right after I went past some wild bushes and now I was just sliding with the leftover speeds that hadn’t decreased at all !

“ Hap Hap Hap.”

I still hadn’t gave up though, I kept trying to slow my slide even when my buts felt so hot and ruined my focus as I often miss the chance to help me slow down. I got no more time to think just focus on my task, my life depends on it !

“Uhuhuhuhu.” I cried inwardly

5 more mins already passed, strangely I hadn’t stopped at all and  my speed just kept getting faster ! I then instead of trying to break my speed, decided to just stick with it and navigate my way through this unfortunate path.

[ BUK ! BUK ! BUK ! TAK ! ]

Now that more times had passed I somehow enjoyed this occasion and even considering to do this again in the future if the chance ever arise. I felt quite excited that in fact I forgot, I had already ruined the stick warping for both of the stick tips. They even already showed up  bare naked clearly without any protection. Well I suppose my stick didn’t need any added protection since It still hadn’t break yet...

My robe also hadn’t been ruined as it was flapping gingerly in my back while my pants somehow had gotten an additional layer of protection. Now that I realize it, A huge wide leave was stuck in my bottom. It acted to soften the friction that I should have gotten when I skidded down and it had liberated me from ever hoping to stop, so long the path keep descending !

“ Oryaaaaa ! ”

I shouted as I could see a sudden light after the thick of bushes and trees disappeared from my vision. Right now I was floating as the descending path ends and was replaced with nothing. Oh no, if this keeps up I will either fall head first or bottom first which both of them is a bad news !

Struggling to stabilize my self in the air which I imagined to look silly, I managed to change my position into somewhat resembling what people do when they want to land safely after jumping a long distance.

“YEESSSSS !”

I was really happy that I stopped shouting oryaa and said yes instead. I couldn’t be more happier, right now I already arrived in the central market. I still hadn’t landed tough and it seems I was in the residential area, which located in the south side of the normal entrance that I always took whenever I went to central market.

“ HAP !”

I landed safely in squatting position. Then I tried to stand up, a numb feelings in my legs stopped me from an immediate recovery. After some time I felt better and I cleared some soil that was stuck within my robe. I also went ahead and grab my body here and there to check if anything broke and mysteriously nothing was ruined ! Even my sacred tool in my bags stays just fine.

“ Huh ?” I felt goosebumps as I realized many people look at my appearance. I imagine I must look silly and dirty since I just come out from the cliff that acted as their perimeter that they never thought someone would ever use it as a means of entering their area. However, contrary to my expectations some people began to clap while others smiling !

“ Mama !!! that person looks cool !!”

Said one of the children nearby while pointing out at my direction. Not long after others children also began pointing out at my direction.

“ I want to do that too !!”

“ Not bad young man !” said some old man while giving me a thumbs up.

“ Keep it going !” said others young man.

“ Young man, you are an adventurer right ? Then you must hurry otherwise the expedition recruitment will end before you got there, I heard they got only 15 places left.“ said some old woman after she take a look at my attire.

I just nodded to her information and mentioned thanks with my hand while smiling. I then continued to walk the path towards the center of the central market. A large space should already be prepared there for the large crowds that will undertake the Eru sites trials today.

As I ran and arrived in the market area, I could saw a large mass of merchant and adventurer chatting or doing their business. My eyes darted left and right looking at the merchandise they were selling or trading.

What keep my attention the most was the rare sight of magic scrolls that somehow appeared abundant today. I always want to buy on of those scrolls, a magic scrolls that capable to instal and bestow magic to an artifact.

Both the scrolls and artifact were rare, and seldom adventurer wants to part with one of those but the merchant somehow managed to secure a way to do that in a good way, otherwise there would be riot everywhere over those artifact.

An artifact from what I’ve heard originally only got 1 spells that was ready to be used at the time they were acquired, but an artifact were also capable to be bestowed with some magic from magic scrolls that was somewhat compatible with the main spells.

I also know that an artifact normally had the ability to store maximum 5 spells  and using magic was not as easy as it looks to be. They said something like storing some kind of energy inside the artifact beforehand and it would take days if not weeks depends on the person before it was ready to be used without fear of running out of energy immediately.

Well it doesn’t really matter to me since I will get my own artifact later on after I joined this expedition. It is not in my must have agenda but if I ever get the chance, why not ? My responsibility in joining this expedition was to stop whatever bad feelings that I got.

“ Huh ??”

I noticed a familiar figure running pass through the crowds. One got a big body and the other one got a small body, similar to what we would found on girls. Then I noticed a flock of red hairs flutters as it escaped the hoods that the owners was wearings. They went straight ahead to the center where the military encampment and Eru Sites were supposed to be.

“ Those hair …”

Oops bad, I remembered the time girl I saw earlier today, her name was Hime if I am not wrong since her grandpa called her that. She was the epitome of outside beauty for me. She got everything I want from a girl, long silky hairs, huge round eyes radiating with bravery and dignity. A hint of kindness could also be seen within her expression. Well the first time I saw her was when she was hunting something, so If I saw too much kindness radiating from her, It would be strange would it not ?

Her body ? well I didn’t notice it since she was busy fighting but it seems she was rather fit and nice to look at, even with all the blood that was drenched in her cloths at that time. Now that I mention it, weren’t those two hooded figures resemble the old man and his granddaughter a lot ?

“ 5 Place left for those who wish to join us, the Ra kingdom expedition !!!! come here register your self !”

I turned my head right and I saw a long line of people, if I count it, it would be around 45 rakat long standing in a straight line. I immediately joined them though since I knew it was the line the announcer had mentioned for the expedition recruitment.

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Actually In my hearts I almost gave up though, since they only got 5 place left and I imagine only strong adventurer would be picked, even with the boost of me being a local Calmar spear hunter, I wouldn’t Imagine the expedition needs more version of me. They should have already secured those in the first place and just add some extra slot for those who weren’t selected by them.

“ Stop ! better not give up now, I will even grab any left chance that was provided for me to join the expedition !” I muttered when the people around me smirked after hearing that.

I care not for them though as I tried to refocus my mind that was began to slip away into some sort of yielding, surrendering before fighting mental kind attitude.

Okay I got time now since the line only shorten around 5 rakat, what should I do ? looking at the people nearby ? nah it would just make me more nervous.

Ah better remember what Lisa had told me…..

10 rakat away and my mind began to think about the beauty that I met in the forest. Why, I couldn’t stop my mind to think about her ? Lisaaa help me, I don’t want to get captured by those sly women you often mentioned to me !

Well Hime might not really one of those sly girls, she might be just as kind as Lisa … oh no, I am captured already, what was it called again ? Love ? I don’t know, better think about her grandpa.

I  had said those mighty words to him before but look at me now, 20 more rakat since I first lined up, I kept remembering his granddaughter. Shame on me huhuhu. I cried in my hearts for not being manly.

Man should stay true with his words but why I couldn’t ? It was the truth though that It felt like I was just enjoying some beautiful flower that I passed by in the road, but right now I got the feeling to turn back, visit that flower again and maybe pluck it out gently and brought it home with me so I could enjoy its beauty whenever I want.

“ Ugghhhh so bad….”

…..

“ Young man can you hear me ?”

“ Young man, place your hand in this table stone.”

“ Young man ??”

“ Okay I gave up, guard bring him out of the line ! we just need one more person anyway and he was definitely not him !”

[ Snap ]

“ Sorry, Sorry, I will place my hand now ! let me !”

“ Finally, don’t you see the irritated people behind you.”

“ Yes, I am sorry.”

I beg for his forgiveness while trying to put my hand towards the stone tablet. I don’t know what is it for, I will just do it and wait anyway for his next command. I am still frustrated for not being able to make Hime goes out of my mind and I almost got disqualified without trying because of that.

[ DING ]

Suddenly I heard a strange sound as an even more strange thing followed it. A blue screen had appeared in front of me and the test giver were busy reading it right now but suddenly he laugh.

“ HAHAHAHA … Young man you better give up now.”

“ Yes ??” I was surprised by his words.

“ HAHAHAHA … I’ve never seen any worse wannabe that tried to join a huge expedition like this with this kind of profession ! You can’t be serious hahaha.”

the guards beside him too began to chuckle as they could see the blue screen and read it , I was curious and asked the test giver If I could see what was written in it.

“ Of course you can ! Hahahaha but after that you better scram young man.”

I didn’t reply to him and just went ahead to take a look at this blue screen from his sides, on it tough was written something that surprised myself as despair showed up in my faces.

 Title : None NAME : Lupaage16ProfessionA novice with a StickRelicsNoneArtifactNoneMagic AptitudeNoneFamiliar WeaponsCooking knives

“ Now scram young man Hahaha..”

I don't understand nor care about the other parts but why is my profession not a local Calmar spear hunter, but a novice with a stick ? I at the very least knew that novice was someone who doesn’t know anything from left to right. What is wrong with me… I began to despair but a hope shined within me.

“ Wait, you don’t know about my skills !”

“ Really ? It is no use to lie young man! this stone table are one of the artifact with the ability to read  a person memories and with the spells that I’ve installed on it, It is capable to extract important information from anyone who touched it.”

“ But It Showed nothing about skills, just weapon familiarity and Eru sites things.”

“ And you got nothing ! that means you are worthless.”

“ But is it not true !”

“ What is not young man ? please don’t joke around me like that, this thing could extract any amount of information who touches it.”

“ What ! then that is dangerous !”

“ Not at all, only we of the royal adviser got the permit to use this kind of artifact from the Benua Kingdom Alliance and it is limited in number since the magic scroll was very rare… what am I doing telling you this ...just scram !”

“ No No no, please let me join the expedition, I ll do anything even being a chaperon, lackey, cooks or anything.”

“ Nope, we got that covered already, Guards take him away from me !”

“ Sir, yes sir.”

now the guards walk towards me, taking both of my hand with them and all I could do just gave up and get dragged by them. I had no intention to fight back at all. My resolve was crushed easily like that until…

“ Now now, take it easy Fesgur.”

“ General ?”

I then turn my heads towards the new guy that was speaking, from toe to necks. He seems very familiar until I stopped when I look at his faces. My jaws dropped and hang in the air. I wanted to say something but the general quickly send a murderous glance towards me which make me shut up and just nod.

“ Yes, It is I am.”

“ Where have you been ?”

“ Just walking around the market.”

“ Are you sure ?”

The general just nodded at his question. This Fesgur guy seems skeptical towards the general words but he just let it go afterwards without any pursuit to justify his doubt.

“ So why did you stop the guards from taking the young man away from my presence ?”

“ I had bought a few more supplies when I was walking in the market, I think I might need someone to bring those supplies ?”

“ Didn’t we have enough for 3500 people to feed a whole month ?”

“ Yes, just precaution in case we couldn’t finish the trials in time.”

“ Nonsense, we of the Ra Kingdom never fail to complete Eru trials in time !”

“ I know , but that is back in Benua, here in Archipelago everything might be different right ?”

“ …. Fine, you can bring him with you but if he makes any trouble, I won’t be responsible, you will be the one to be blamed in front of her majesty the fourth princess.”

“ Sure , now guards, I want one of you to take him towards the army supply camp, tell the main cooks to take him under his wings, I heard he was willing to even cook before.”

He said that short words before he turn back towards the army camps with an aura of dignity around him that make the guards stumble in their words before compiling to do their task. I in the other hand feels that the general, Sir Galahand was grinning when he turned back.

I better watch my words about him in this area, his advice now ring the truth in my ears and it is not pleasant but, well he helped me I guess. Now we are equal in term of favor, I owe him nothing and he owe me nothing...hopefully … I did inflict some pain to him when I helped him so I really hope he won’t do the same to me. But of he is the general of the army ? who is his granddaughter  then ?

I was busy thinking all of that  after the general left and the guards finished saluted towards him, which they happen to forgot doing so when he arrived. No one is perfect I guess and he just let it slide too. My thought was interrupted though by the guards as he was about to do his task.

“ You there, follow me I will take you towards the army chef.”

“ Yes sir, thank you.”

The guard that takes me then proceed without replying to me and just went ahead doing his task, dumping me in the cooks tent and after a few words with the main chef, he left me behind.

The chef suddenly smiled to me and I felt a chills in my back. He wore a gray suit with what I would categorize as not that much different from what the soldier wore, but he did wore a huge and tall hat, with a cook tailored on it.

“ Welcome welcome, your bravery to join us shall not be wasted.”

His big white long mustache shook and trembled as he grinned while ending his words of welcome.

“ Y-yes..” I stumbled with my words, an unexplainable fear shrouded me.

“ Now put your belongings over here in this box and register your valuables or weapons in the camp next to us.”

I then put my bags, robe in the boxes the chef had pointed out, while I bring my dagger that I got from Juan and the stick with me towards the next camp.

“ Young man, your name ? you sure a rude one.”

“ Ah yes I am sorry, I am known as Lupa.”

“ Lupa is it ? your first task is to find out my name after you register your weapons … If you failed to do it, beg pardon from the general to left this expedition HAHAHA ! “

“ Sir, yes sir.”

My fear seems wasn’t wrong after all, the chef looks like a devil to me, even more scary than the general of this expedition that I suspect wanted to have his revenge on me.