The sun was slowly going up. Since leaving town we have not spoken about the incident however we cannot keep avoiding it. At the next break, I approach Lana.

[Ken]" Hey, are you feeling a bit better now?"

[Lana]" Yeah i'm better now, it was scary but it's over now. Besides Ken came to my rescue, you were quite the white knight"

[Ken]" Leaving you to a guy like him wasn't an option ahahaha"

As I said those words, my cheeks tinged red and I looked away. I didn't fail to notice Lana look down with bright red ears.

[Lana]" Hey Ken what was that black arrow you used?"

Despite still having red ears, Lana's face turned slightly serious and asked me a question. It has probably been on her mind since the beginning. There's no point hiding it from Lana.

[Ken]" Promise me you will keep it a secret."

[Lana]" I promise."

Though the reply was short, her conviction was shown in more ways than words could.

[Ken]" I have a magicka called Dark Magicka, I used my Unique Skill Logger to see. It seems to have come from a divine protection. "

[Lana]" Dark Magicka?? Isn't that the magicka that those demons use? Wait what god gave you a divine protection?!"

Lana lost her cool instantly and fired a barrage of questions. However not a hint of fear or repulsion could be felt from her. I smiled gently at her and hugged her.

[Ken]" Thank you Lana for not leaving me after hearing that. Yes it is the same magicka as those savages, my Logger say's I have two divine protections. One from a Death God though it says I stole it, while the other is unreadable."

[Lana]" You stole a divine protection?! Well I knew you were not normal since you rescued me. Let's leave that talk for another day, I have a request. Could you tell me my status? Its been so long since I have been to the guild to get myself appraised"

[Ken]" You can't get appraised elsewhere?"

[Lana]" No you can't, it seem's like the country and guild prohibit those with the appraisal skill working outside of the guild or courts."

I nodded my head at Lana's explanation. It was probably a method used to monitor people within the country. While I was thinking about that, I activated Logger and concentrated on Lana.

Lana

Age: 28

Occupation: Adventurer, Apprentice Merchant

Titles: None

Level: 10

Base Stats:

HP: 660

MP: 470

STR: 60

AGI: 95

INT: 80

MGA: 75

VIT: 60

Skills:

Effect Skills: (Skills which are constantly active providing effects to the user/others)

  Awareness Lvl.3

  Presence Detect Lvl.3

  Hide Presence Lvl.2

  Magic Aptitude Lvl.3

  Poison Resistance Lvl.4

Combat Skills: (Skills which are used in combat, can be used outside however they're most effective in battle)

  Adept Daggery Lvl.4

    Instant Slash Lvl.3

    Critical Slash Lvl.2

    Duel Blade Strike Lvl.3

    Wind Dagger Slash Lvl.1

  Basic Stealth Lvl.4

    Shadow Walk lvl.2

    Infiltrator Lvl.1

  Adept Evasion Lvl.2

    Quick Reaction Lvl.1

Production Skills: (Skills used to produce things)

  Merchant Lvl.2

    Negotiation Lvl.1

    Appraisal Lvl.1

  Cooking Lvl.3

Magicka:

Elemental Magicka:

  Light Magicka Lvl.1

  Wind Magicka Lvl.3

    Aerosteps Lvl.2

    Air Slash Lvl.2

    Cross-Wind Strike Lvl.3

  Earth Magicka Lvl.2

    Earth Wall Lvl.2

    Sunken Ground Lvl.1

I read out the contents to Lana as she nodded her head. I was suprised at the trained stats despite her low level. It seemed she had the potential to surpass that captain easily.

[Lana]" That sound's about right. You look suprised, I was a former adventurer you know though I am more inclined towards the scout role of a party"

[Ken]" I was just shocked at the large amount of potential you have"

[Lana]" If life didn't throw obstacles in my way then I would probably be at least level 30 right now, but now i'm with you Ken i'm sure I can surpass that easily"

She smiled brightly at me causing my cheeks to redden.

Our time passes slowly as we continue to walk along the path, we have yet to be attacked by Demon Beasts so we leisurely chat about random topics to pass time.

On the 5th day of our journey, we encountered our first foe. In the outskirts of the Deaths Feeding Grounds, a large grey bear charged at us. It's limbs we're muscular as they could be seen clearly from many meters away. Two protruding fangs hung out from it's mouth when it was closed.

As it charged, the ground below it shook. It swung it's claws down on Lana but she dodged it elegently and slashed at the bears chest. Blood came out from the contact between blade and skin. The bear howled in pain and backed away. Not missing this opening I let go of an arrow and muttered 'Dark Sniping'. The arrow flew straight and pierced the bear in the head.

[Lana]" Nice shot, we make a good team if I do say so myself"

[Ken]" I second that, if it wasn't for your slash I would not have had an opening"

[Lana]" But still, to think we can bring down an A-rank Demon Beast with just us two. It usually take 4 C-Class Adventurers to even fight equally"

[Ken]" Oh yeah I forgot to ask you, what rank are you at the guild"

[Lana]" I am C-Rank though I was close to a promotion. If you sign up you will be E-Rank so you need to work hard, for yourself and for me"

After saying that Lana walked over towards the bear without looking back and started to take apart the Bear for it's valuable parts. I followed her, when I approached the bear a dull voice echoed inside my head again.

"Terror Bear Beast Death Confirmation, Bottomless Greed Activated:

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Acquired Effect Skills: Body Strengthen has risen to lvl.2

Acquired Combat Skills: Penetration has risen to lvl.2, Reckless Charging Lvl.2

Acquired Magicka: Earth Magicka has risen to lvl.2, Earth Wall has risen to lvl.2"

I see, well it's good that earth magicka is increasing. I wonder how normal people learn earth magicka.

[Ken]" Hey Lana, how do you normally learn magicka?"

Lana stopped what she was doing and looked at me.

[Lana]" First they need to touch an Identifier Orb which shows their aptitudes then they will have to at least a year reading about the magicka to activate it. After that they will have to train with the activated magicka daily until they can finally use it freely."

Isn't this skill to much of a cheat? For some reason I feel hollow inside now.

[Ken]" Thank you, it seem's I can use a few magicka despite not learning it, its probably because of my unique skill."

[Lana]" WAIT WHAT? Did you say you can use it? As in magicka other than your divine protections? Logger helped you learn?"

[Ken]" Calm down Lana, the magicka I can use are Earth, Fire, Dark and Light. But no, it isn't Logger. I have 3 Unique skills currently. the one that helped me was Bottomless Greed."

[Lana]" Three Unique Skills? Usually it is rare to find people with even one! What kind of skill is this Bottomless Greed?"

[Ken]" It allows me to take the skills from a corpse."

[Lana]" Ken. Never tell anyone you don't trust about that. Your life will be a living hell."

Taken aback from Lana's change in attitude I gulped and nodded. It was all I could do in face of her worried expression. Her mature charm coupled with her mahogany coloured eyes captivated me.

[Lana]" Do you understand Ken?"

[Ken]" Y-yes, I only told you because I trust you completely Lana"

Lana's eyes went wide from the unexpected attack. She quickly hid her face and resumed dissecting the bear. I helped her and we finished it within minutes.

The sun was long gone from the sky, we sat around a small fire with a single tent behind us. Silence filled our surroundings. Lana looked up at me and spoke with a hint of anxiety.

[Lana]" Hey Ken why did you save me?"

[Ken]" Isn't it a bit late to ask a stupid question?"

[Lana]" I know, I just want to know the answer."

She looked down at her hands, I followed her. My sight showed her hands lightly trembling. I sat up straight and looked directly at her.

[Ken]" As corny as it sounds, I don't want to give you to another man."

A tone of embarressment filled my words but I said them strongly. Lana turned to me with her mouth agape and eyes slightly watery.

[Lana]" You, what do you mean?"

Her voice trembled but she maintained eye contact making sure not to miss a single moment.

[Ken]" God don't make me explain, its embarressing. I don't want to give you to anyone else, in simpler terms I want you to be mine"

Despite my rough way of saying it, the message reached Lana and tears slowly fell from her eyes.

[Ken]" Wait don't cry, I didn't want to make you cry!"

While I was panicking, Lana smiled sweetly at me and stood up. She slowly walked over to where I was sitting and sat next to me. The distance between us was non-existant as she placed her head on my shoulder.

[Lana]" Stupid, I am happy. So happy that I cried. I wanted to say that to you but the boy I like said it to me first, of course I would be happy"

I placed my hand on her hair and ran my finger through it. It was soft and pleasant.

[Ken]" I take it you accept then"

Lana removed her head and looked up at me. Confusion filled my mind as her silence continued.

As I was about to speak, her face closed in on mine and my mind went blank. After a few seconds, my thinking came back and I realised what was happening. We were kissing. Knowing that I brought my hand behind her head and held her as our kiss continued. Our tongue's explored each others mouths as our hands crept across each others bodies.

After what felt like hours, Lana stared at me with glazey eyes.

[Lana]" That's my answer Ken, it is the only answer I would ever give you"

I grabbed her shoulder and kissed her again. This kiss lasted longer. Our night continued like that until the early hours of the morning. We decided to wait from going further until we were at town.

Our journey continues, it's been two days since I have started dating Lana. Not much has changed, except that there is no distance between us anymore. We walk along the dirt trail with our hands together. Recently we have seen more people on the trail, the gazes we recieve from others are not exactly pleasant. Probably because we are getting closer to the town, there is very few monsters around. Since the bear we have not been attacked once.

After scaling a small hill, a large grey structure fills our view. An imposing atmosphere surrounds the structure.

[Lana]" That's Castium City. It is a fortress city known for it's sturdy defense."

[Ken]" True, that wall feels almost like an unbreakable barrier"

[Lana]" Since it's construction 400 years ago, it has never fallen. Honestly at this point it feels like the safest part of the kingdom"

[Ken]" Is the immigration tough then?"

[Lana]" Not really, you need to show ID or pay the toll of 30 Coppers each. It's quite expensive for a commoner so it lowers the chance of misbehaviour"

[Ken]" Oh I see, well we should have enough for the both of us"

[Lana]" I have ID though so it is only 30 Copper"

[Ken]" Stupid, you can't use your ID anymore. We will be tracked for the Baron's death."

[Lana]" Oh right, well I should be able to get the name changed on my adventurers card. I have a friend here after all. we will have to pay the 60 coppers first though"

[Ken]" It's fine, it is a good investment. I'm sure we will make that back easily"

[Lana]" Well a typical C-Rank quest gives roughly 80 coppers so that's 40 coppers each."

[Ken]" Problem solved. After I register we will form a party"

We approached the gate and spoke to the guards.

[Ken]" We would like to enter please"

[Guard]" Show us your ID"

[Ken]" We don't have any"

[Guard]" 30 coppers each then lad, can you pay?"

I handed the guard the money and he let us through.

[Guard]" Kid be careful, the city is on edge recently. I can't say why but the top brass are being extremely vigilant"

[Ken]" Thank you Sir, I will be careful"

We waved goodbye to the Guard and headed into the city.

Before our eyes were stone buildings with wooden supports built into them. Compared to the village we are from the people walking about seemed like a tidal wave. Merchant were advertising whilst guards patrolled the streets.

[Ken]" Where to first Lana? The Inn or the Guild?"

[Lana]" Probably the Guild. We get a discount at inns if we register as adventurers"

[Ken]" Off we go then, lead the way"

I grabbed hold of Lana's hand and she led us towards the guild building. The building was at least 3 times bigger than the commercial buildings in the surroundings, the double doors were polished wood with two banners with a sword and shield on the them.

[Ken]" So this is the guild right? It's a lot more civilised than I thought it would be"

[Lana]" This city helped with the guild building so it is a lot more developed. trust me, a guild like this is rare"

I gently push open the doors and walk in. The moment I step in, multiple sets of eyes stare at me. Ignoring the stares, I walk towards the counter.

[Ken]" I would like to register please"

The receptionist quickly straightens his back and grabs a registration form.

[Receptionist]" Please fill out this form"

I enter the required fields and hand the form back to the receptionist.

[Receptionist]" Thank you, in a few minutes you will need to take a combat exam and guild lecture. Both are short but necessary for the guilds registration. What about your companion?"

[Lana]" I would like to meet someone please. His name is Gareth Holde the guildmaster. Please tell him L is here."

[Receptionist]" Sure? I will let him know now?"

Both me and the receptionist were confused. He left to the back. A few minutes later an old man with a muscular build entered from the doorway.

[Gareth]" Long time no see runt. You've grown since the time I was training you."

[Lana]" Thank you Gareth, I have a request. Its important so may we talk about it elsewhere?"

Gareth nodded gently and guided us into a free room at the back. The room seemed to be his office since paperwork was piled in every corner of the desk.

[Gareth]" Let's cut the pleasantries, what's your request?"

[Lana]" You haven't changed. I need you to reprint my guild ID but with a different name on the records"

[Gareth]" What did you do?"

[Lana]" It's best not to ask, all I ask is that you issue me a new C-Rank ID with the name Lanavelle. Being known as Lana in the guild records will likely be the end of me and Ken here"

[Gareth]" Fine. I will help you out but don't do anything stupid."

[Gareth]" Now then, let's deal with you. You said you were Ken right?"

His eyes became cold and sharp as he stared at me.