He then leaped effortlessly onto a nearby tree branch, his feet finding the solid wood with practiced precision. The branch creaked under his weight, but before it could even sway, he propelled himself higher, launching off with a burst of energy. He soared above the canopy, his body cutting through the morning mist as the treetops fell away beneath him. As he descended, he landed lightly on the broad leaves of the next tree, his mana enveloping him like a second skin, allowing him to balance effortlessly. The leaves barely rustled under his feet, as if the forest itself recognized his control.
"Haaa..." he exhaled, his gaze shifting toward the horizon. The first rays of dawn were creeping over the distant hills, casting long shadows across the forest floor. From his elevated perch, he could see the dense, sprawling wood stretching out in every direction, but beyond that, the world seemed untouched, a vast expanse of road that went on forever.
He didn’t hesitate for a second. With a push of his legs, he took off, running atop the branches with breathtaking speed, the wind whipping past his face. His senses sharpened as he moved faster, the trees blurring into streaks of green and brown. He could feel the hum of his mana as it flowed through him, amplifying his movements, keeping him light and fast.
As the final tree loomed ahead, Travis gathered his momentum, then effortlessly sprang off the last branch, landing atop the next trunk in a single fluid motion. He paused, letting his breath steady, and his eyes swept across the vastness ahead. There was nothing but an empty road that stretched as far as he could see, the horizon seemingly untouched.
A heavy sigh escaped his lips. 'This’ll take a lot of time,' he thought, the weight of his journey settling in.
Despite the speed he could muster, the distance to be covered felt endless, and the road ahead seemed just as lonely as the one he’d already traveled.
---
A whole week passed as Travis continued his journey, the road stretching endlessly before him. He only stopped four times to rest, each break brief but necessary. Food was scarce, but he was fortunate enough to find a few wild fruits along the way. They didn’t satisfy his hunger completely, but they were enough to keep him going, providing just enough energy to push through the next stretch of his journey.
During his travels, Travis couldn’t help but experiment with his new fire ability. It had come from the sword, a gift or curse he still didn’t fully understand. He knew that it connected to his mana, an idea that made sense, but how the sword was able to summon fire from within him was still a mystery. Every time he wielded the weapon, fire surged through him—sometimes erratic, sometimes controlled, but always powerful. It intrigued him, the way it felt almost like the sword had a mind of its own, guiding him in ways he couldn’t yet comprehend.
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As the days passed, the landscape around him began to shift. The dense forest gave way to rolling hills, and as he reached the top of one such hill, Travis could see his destination in the distance. The sight made his heart quicken. He squinted at the horizon.
"That must be Eldermoor. Looks pretty huge," he murmured to himself, admiring the sight of the sprawling city. At its edge, he noticed a massive mountain-like area, towering and imposing beside the town. He wondered what secrets it might hold but quickly dismissed the thought. He was here for a reason—no time for distractions now.
With steady determination, Travis descended the hill, the town growing larger with every step. When he reached the gates, he showed his adventurer card to the guards. They scrutinized it for a moment before nodding and allowing him entry, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"This was a gamble," he muttered under his breath as he walked through the gates. "Those assholes back at Valorim didn’t even bother telling me what this card could do."
He couldn’t help but chuckle. The town reminded him of something from the stories he’d heard, walls towering around the settlement, an imposing barrier separating the city from the unknown. The high walls made him think of Attack on Titan, and he smiled again, shaking his head at the thought.
As he wandered deeper into Eldermoor, the bustling energy of the city hit him. People filled the streets, shouting, laughing, and moving with purpose. The atmosphere was alive with possibility, and the difference between Eldermoor and Valorim couldn’t have been more striking. The contrast was night and day—the streets of Valorim had felt quiet, almost somber in comparison.
Travis wandered through the city, the sounds of merchants peddling their goods and adventurers chatting about their latest hunts filling the air. Eventually, he found what he was looking for: the Adventurer’s Guild. The building was grand and imposing, a stark contrast to the humble guildhouse back in Valorim. It was a beautiful structure, with intricate designs that made the smaller, less impressive guildhouses of his past seem insignificant.
'Now this is an Adventurer's Guild,' Travis thought, a sense of awe filling him as he stepped through the entrance.
Inside, the atmosphere was nothing like he had ever seen before. Parties of adventurers filled the space, laughing and enjoying their meals at long wooden tables. The counters were busy with people—some collecting their rewards, others eagerly picking up new quests. It was a world alive with excitement, and Travis couldn’t help but feel his heart race in anticipation.
With his eyes wide, he walked toward the assignment board. He could hardly believe what he was seeing—so many jobs, all waiting to be claimed. His excitement mounted as he scanned the board, the sheer volume of opportunities overwhelming.
'I better transfer here so I can take my very first job,' he thought, his face filled with excitement.
At a nearby table, a group of seasoned adventurers noticed Travis as he walked past, a knowing smile spreading across their faces.
"A rookie here to make it big," one of them said with a chuckle, shaking his head. "If I had a gold coin for every time I saw one, I'd be a nobleman by now."
"Same here," another adventurer agreed, leaning back in his chair. "But he's got decent gear. Must have a little skill, though I can't sense his mana. He’ll probably last a week, maybe less." He shrugged casually. "As long as he stays out of the Dungeon, of course."
The first adventurer raised an eyebrow. "If he did, I'd give him a few hours, tops."
The third adventurer smirked, shaking his head. "I’d give him a second. The place chews through rookies like nothing."
A pause lingered in the air as the group exchanged glances, the challenge hanging between them like an unspoken dare.
"Wanna bet?" one of them asked, a playful gleam in his eyes.
"You got it," came the swift reply, and the group laughed, settling back into their seats with a knowing look. They'd seen it all before—rookies who thought they were ready, only to meet their end in the unforgiving depths of the Dungeon.
Meanwhile, Travis continued on, unaware of the whispered conversation behind him. He had finally made it to Eldermoor. The possibilities stretched out before him like a vast new world. What adventures awaited him here? Well, that would unfold in time, and whether he was ready or not, he was about to find out.
TO BE CONTINUED...