Viers would make enemies in the future, lots of them. This was something unavoidable whether he was a villain or a hero. All stories in his head told him so.

He feared that one day his enemies or someone that had a grudge against him would go after his family.

This was particularly a frequent occurrence in xianxia novels. The MC offended someone - most likely by killing a pretentious young master prick. He managed to get away, but then the bad guys went after his family. His parents, siblings, clan, or someone important to the MC fell into a predicament. The bad guy’s side publicly proclaimed that unless the MC surrendered himself, his family would suffer.

The MC already had some renown, the very act of offending the bad guys might be the reason or it might be some other thing. The peanut gallery far and wide speculated the MC wouldn’t show himself unless he was a fool.

Lo and behold, the MC gallantly appeared. People around the world lamented the loss of a bright rising star but commended his sense of righteousness and familial love.

There were two divergent paths at this point.

The first was where the MC triumphed by trashing all the bad guys and sending them all to the Yellow Springs to meet their ancestors. Wreathed in flames of fury and clad in righteous cause, the MC satisfyingly ended the lives of the young master, his guardians, and his clan’s higher-ups. Old guys with atrophied brains that allowed things to develop until that point.

The second was the MC didn't manage to win. He struggled valiantly, exposing OP techniques he previously kept hidden and used one-of-a-kind treasures with heaven-shaking effect. His fight was impressing foes and allies alike but the opposition’s might was greater still. And when all seemed lost, the MC got saved. Either by a beautiful love interest or by some righteous expert cultivators.

The first path was all and good, it was the second path that Viers dreaded. It suspiciously smelled like plot armor.

The closer he was to his family, the more likelihood this scenario became a reality.

This terrified him.

Should this scenario really happen, if Viers had the strength to go through the first path then all is well. However, if his enemies were too strong for the 'him' at the time then Viers would not show himself. No surrendering to the enemy, even if his family and loved ones were in their hands.

Viers shuddered to think about what might happen to them afterward.

Xianxia novels must value family and depict filial piety. Therefore novels that depicted the MC abandoning his family didn't pass censorship and thus didn't exist. At least, Viers never read about it.

But Viers was different. He would survive, not because he was sure a plot armor would save him but because he prized logic more than feeling. In time, his power would grow continuously, eclipsing his enemies. At that time, all parties responsible would experience his terrible vengeance. All losses and grudges shall be paid a hundred times over.

Still, Viers didn't want this to happen. As with everyone, he wanted his family and loved ones to be happy.

Therefore Viers must leave his family behind and let them believe he was gone. Just another victim of the town-destroying catastrophe.

It's for their own good, Viers convinced himself as he went back to Mokash town in the darkness. His steps were heavier than before.

***

“Halt. Where are your credentials?”

A guard stopped him at the town’s gate.

“Here it is. Is there anything wrong officer?” Viers asked.

“Something came up. We’ve been told to tighten the security. Especially against new arrivals without the necessary papers… All is in order. You may pass,” the guard passed him back his identification.

Viers saw around him that the rest of the guards were doing their jobs zealously. Carriages inspected, goods counted, people searched for anything illegal. They were doing things in a meticulous manner.

“Hear ye, hear ye. By the decree of the mayor of Mokash town and the Estellian Church, anyone who entered the town for the first time must submit themself for inspection.”

It was still early in the morning but the crier’s voice was really loud. There was a long queue at the gate. Viers had the parchment that he got by bribing the fat guard so he managed to return back without complication.

There! This must be the ripples from Luxore town’s destruction. They must be searching for the ones responsible and imposed a security net around the surrounding towns… Thankfully I have anticipated this.

After he escaped Luxore, Viers traveled with astounding speed. Covering a large swathe of land, Viers crossed what a normal journey took five weeks in just two. Forgoing luxury and comfort, Viers prioritized speed above all else, cutting sleep time and rationing food. He even used his Victa and cut across perilous terrain to arrive at Mokash faster.

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He avoided closer villages, neighboring towns, and settlements as he made way to Mokash town, a pretty distant town from Luxore. Viers also went one step further by making a large detour. Luxore was located at Mokash’s east, but Viers came from the south gate.

Viers highly suspected that even his family had not heard that Luxore town was destroyed. Thinking Viers was still receiving education at the Training Center.

The news has started to reach this place. If I had just arrived at this time, they would have definitely questioned me. With security this tight, bribing the fat guard for identification papers might take a significantly higher amount of coins or might not be possible at all.

I should leave. I’m already at Level 2 and got the Euryale Sight. Although I was hoping to stock up Victa for another two or three days, this changes things. The farther I am from Luxore the better. I’ll buy supplies for the journey today and leave tomorrow.

Viers, who had just arrived at Mokash town, was already making plans to leave it behind.

His first order of business was going to the Adventurer's Guild to pick up a quest as a cover.

Deliver letters to Osemore town, perfect. It's to the east, just where I need to go.

“Confirmed,” the guild lady gave him six sealed letters. “Please complete the delivery one week from now at the latest. If the seal is no longer intact, there will be a penalty so please take note.”

“Got it. I’ll leave at first light tomorrow. See ya,” Viers left the guild.

Next, Viers walked to a three-story stone building. It looked big, steady, and secure. There were two guards at the entrance, unmoving like statues.

“Welcome to Florenzi Bank. Would you like to make a withdrawal or deposit?” The bank lady greeted him.

“Withdrawal please.”

“Of course. Right this way,” the nice lady led him to a counter away from prying eyes.

Viers didn't know whether banks existed in Earth's medieval era but it did here. Yesterday he also visited this place. Before he went to Peja town, he took most of his clean money from his account to be given to his family. His coin pouch was very light and needed more coins to buy the supplies he needed.

From Wollter’s secret account.

He got the account number and password so there was no snag. It took some practice to copy Wollter's signature but Viers managed to copy it to an acceptable level. He took a bit to fatten his coin pouch and sent the rest to his account. Naturally, the name on the account wasn't Viers or Cain. It was something else entirely.

Now that he had the funds, Viers went to the shopping district to buy the goods he needed. When he was in front of a clothing shop, it got Viers thinking.

Should I buy clothes? Viers checked his attire. Still wear worthy. I’ll buy a replacement at the next town.

Without a horse, he decided to travel light once more. Too many items might slow him down.

Although… I can buy magic shoes to make my movement speed higher! Yes! I should do that. ‘Sides, Wollter’s buying.

Viers decided to buy movement speed-boosting items in place of a horse, with money Wollter generously saved for him.

Just like in DOTA, I always buy boots first. I wonder if they have Power Treads around here?

Viers sought shops that sold enchanted items.

***

“Hmm hmm hmnnn~”

Viers finished his shopping spree and walked back to the inn in a pleasant mood. While humming a familiar tune, he spotted a stall.

“Vendor, give me this Bubude flavor ice cream. The big version!”

“Righto boss… Here you go!”

“Thanks, keep the change.”

Viers tossed a coin and took the ice cream. He licked the cyan-colored treat and enjoyed the flavor, then a light bulb lit up in his head.

Let’s try it… hmph!

Inside his realm of consciousness, three ice creams floated in front of Clarissa, Farley, and Paina.

“Hehey, it worked! As a Level 2, it seems I now can replicate things for you girls. Enjoy the ice cream.” Viers’ voice resounded from the meadow’s starry sky.

“Thank you, Lord Viers.” Farley accepted the ice cream.

“Oooh, what a nice flavor~ It's been too long since I tasted food. Thank you Viers!” Clarissa was very pleased.

“...Ice cream,” Paina gave it a lick while remembering something from the past. “It’s sweet...” she said melancholically.

Only Farley felt something was off.

The Viers I know would use every second he has to train, train, and train. If he didn’t train then he would do something to increase his powers. There are many options for him, such as constructing Arte, polishing his soul search, or even push-ups to build his muscles. His actions are a bit different since we left Luxore town. Is he loosening up since we managed to escape? Impossible, he also knows we aren't in the clear yet. What gives…?

Viers returned to the inn, ordered a bath once again, and slept early because he had not slept yesterday.

Tomorrow morning, at the town’s gate.

Lena and the rest of the group gathered to send him off.

“Here, a little gift to commemorate our time together,” Viers gave them gifts that he bought yesterday during the shopping spree… once again, with Wollter’s money. Viers felt it hilarious that this particular monster gave him money after he killed it just like Japanese RPG games in the past.

Dark green scarf for Irene, sword belt for Oliver, Lena got a homely apron, and he gave Paul a pair of thick gloves.

“You can use this when blacksmithing,” he said to Paul. “And that is for the kitchen when you’re cooking a meal for your family,” Viers mischievously smiled at Lena and Paul.

“Here’s an extra.”

Viers gave Oliver and Irene two vials of health potion to each of them. A bottle of wine for Paul and Lena. He actually already treated both of them as an item.

“When things get bad, this might save your life,” Viers nodded to the younger pair. “And this wine is special, best to finish it within five days,” he offered the wine bottle to the soon to be newlywed.

“Thank you, I’ll cherish it.” Lena said while holding his gifts with both hands.

“Good luck. Take care of yourself,” Paul gave a firm handshake.

“We’ll meet again. I’ll become stronger than you at that time,” Oliver hit his own chest confidently.

“...Farewell,” Irene, a woman of a few words didn't say much. Although, Cain felt she truly wished him well.

“I enjoyed our time together, despite how short it was. Goodbye everyone. May our paths cross once again.”

Viers waved his hands and turned around. Farther and farther he walked, to the next journey.

“What a good day,” Viers muttered about the weather.