It’s been five days of traveling. I passed through the place where my house once stood, but there was no sign of the Knight. Now, here I am, standing before a kingdom.

As I step closer, a man in bulky armor suddenly shouts,

"HALT!"

His voice echoes through the air, his hand gripping the hilt of a sword as he blocks my path. His eyes narrow as they assess me, clearly ready to react if I make any sudden moves. I stop, meeting his gaze, my grip tightening around my sword. The tension between us is palpable as he waits for my next move.

"What's the purpose of your entry?" the knight follows with, his voice firm and unyielding.

I stand still, studying the man before me. His hand remains on the hilt of his sword, and his posture is tense, ready to spring into action if needed. I know he’s only doing his duty, but I can't help the surge of frustration that wells up inside me.

I take a step forward, meeting his gaze with resolve.

“I’m here for the adventurers guild” I say, my voice steady.

The knight’s brow furrows.

Got it! Here’s the revised version:

"Ah, wait, are you him? The guy who rose through 3 ranks in 1 week?!"

The knight’s eyes widen in recognition, a mix of surprise and curiosity crossing his face. For a moment, I see the tension in his posture ease, but only slightly. His grip on the sword remains firm, though.

I stay silent for a beat, letting the question hang in the air, and then nod slowly.

"That's me," I say, my tone cool but determined. "Now, move aside."

The knight hesitates for a moment, as if weighing whether to let me through. His eyes flicker to the sword at my side, and then to my face, sizing me up. Finally, he steps back, though his hand still hovers near his weapon.

"Guess you're not just anyone," he mutters, almost to himself, before nodding. "Go on, then."

Who the hell is that guy. I walk past the guards entering the kingdom.

Hisssssssssss

Huh? A train?

I quickly run towards the sound, and as I draw closer, the sight of the kingdom stuns me. The architecture here is unlike anything I’ve seen before—vast, towering structures of dark stone and iron, their spires reaching toward the sky. The buildings are ornate, with intricate carvings of mythical creatures and strange symbols etched into every corner. Giant, arching bridges span across deep ravines, while colossal gates stand as silent guardians, almost as if they could close at a moment’s notice.

It’s like something out of a forgotten era, where the heavy weight of history lingers in the air. The streets are lined with grand stone columns and gargoyle statues, all carved with immaculate precision. Iron lamps flicker along the pathways, casting a warm, eerie glow across the cobbled streets.

The kingdom feels like it was pulled from the pages of an ancient book—untouched by time, yet somehow fused with something more... futuristic. It's like that time I went to Europe, but this place? It’s far more imposing, more real, like stepping into a world of both past and future, where everything is built for grandeur, and power hangs in the very walls.

"Woah..."

My eyes widen as I take in the sight.

"ALL ABOARD, ALL ABOARD!" a man in a crisp uniform shouts, waving his hand as he gestures toward a massive steam engine.

I stand there, captivated by the steam engine, when suddenly, a sharp pain hits my stomach.

It growls loudly, a reminder of how long it's been since I last ate. The ache intensifies, making me wince and clutch my abdomen.

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I glance around quickly, hoping no one heard it. I haven’t had a decent meal in days, and all this traveling and fighting have drained me.

I sigh, my stomach growling again, louder this time. I need food, and I need it now. The train might be a way to get to my next destination, but first, I have to find something to satisfy this hunger.

"Daoz, are you there?"

"Yes, Kelvin."

I pause for a moment, the hunger gnawing at me, but I push it aside for now.

"I hope you don't mind me turning off companion mode."

"No problem!"

"No problem?"

I smell it—the unmistakable, mouth-watering scent of fried chicken.

How long has it been since I’ve seen a chicken or even smelled one? The thought makes my stomach growl even louder, but this time, it’s not just hunger; it’s pure craving.

Without a second thought, I bolt in the direction of the aroma, my feet pounding against the cobbled streets. My eyes scan the area, and before long, I spot a small stall tucked between two towering stone buildings.

The vendor stands there, a huge basket of golden-brown fried chicken steaming in front of him. The crispy coating glistens in the light, and I can already feel my mouth watering. I don’t hesitate. I’m already walking towards the stall, my stomach leading the way.

"Ah, young man, are you interested in some chicken?"

The vendor grins, holding up a crispy piece as if to tempt me further.

"Yes... Please."

My mouth is watering just looking at it, but as soon as the words leave my mouth, the vendor’s smile fades into a more business-like expression.

"Ah, that would be 1 silver coin, please."

I freeze, staring at him.

"Huh?" A silver coin? Money?

My mind races. I’ve got no silver coins. I haven’t had to deal with currency since before everything changed. I came here with nothing but the clothes on my back and my damn toothpick.

FUCK.

I stand there, frozen for a moment, realizing my hunger is about to become a whole lot worse unless I figure something out fast.

How do I make money... How do I make money...

I rack my brain, trying to come up with something, anything that could help me out of this situation.

What if I kidnap children and... No, that wouldn't work. Not only would it get me into trouble, but it’s definitely not the type of thing I’m about to start doing.

GROWL~

My stomach growls louder, a harsh reminder that I’m out of options. This is getting ridiculous. Desperation is setting in, and I can feel the weight of hunger clawing at me. I need something quick, and I need it now.

Then it hits me—there’s gotta be some way to earn money in this place. Maybe there’s work available, or someone in need of help. I could fight, or even hunt, something. Anything that’ll get me enough to pay for that damn chicken.

A voice, clear and filled with authority, cuts through the air.

"Hey, give my friend a chicken. I'll pay for it."

I turn to see a tall figure standing nearby, his presence commanding and confident. He wears simple but well-tailored clothes, a faint aura of leadership radiating from him. The vendor doesn’t hesitate, his posture suddenly deferential.

"Ah, yes sir... Here."

The vendor quickly hands over a steaming piece of fried chicken, his hands shaking slightly as he passes it to the stranger. I’m still processing what just happened when the man turns his gaze to me, a knowing smile on his face.

“Enjoy,” he says with a slight nod, before stepping back, clearly expecting nothing in return.

I glance at the golden chicken in my hand, then back at the stranger.

“Why... why are you helping me?” I ask, still caught off guard by his sudden generosity.

"Hahahaha... A mere commoner speaking to me casually."

The man laughs again, the sound echoing through the street, almost as if he’s enjoying my discomfort.

"A commoner? Me? How’d you know?"

I ask, genuinely curious but still caught off guard by his confident tone.

He smirks, eyes glinting with amusement.

"Well, if you take a good look at yourself, your hair's too long. It’s almost as if you can’t even pay for a haircut. Hahahahaha."

His laughter cuts through the air, making me feel like I’m standing under a spotlight, exposed. The audacity in his voice stings, but... part of me can’t help but be intrigued. Is he trying to make me feel small, or is there more to him than just this sharp-tongued exterior?

Well anyway at least I got free food.

I quickly finish the chicken in my hand, devouring it in a few swift bites. It’s crispy, flavorful, and even though it’s not enough to fill me up completely, it’ll last me through the day. The warmth and satisfaction spread through me for a moment, a small but welcome relief.

Still, my stomach isn’t quite satisfied, but the hunger pangs dull a bit. I take a deep breath and glance back at the man who just paid for my meal, unsure of what to make of him.

"Well," I say, wiping my hands on my pants, "thanks for the food."

I’m not sure where this conversation will go, but right now, all I want is to move forward.

"Now... Where can I sleep for tonight?"

I mutter to myself, scanning the kingdom around me. The streets are bustling with people, and the buildings towering over me feel a bit too imposing. I need a place to rest for the night—nothing fancy, just somewhere out of sight.

As I walk, my gaze lands on a stable tucked away at the edge of the street. It’s small, but the door is wide open, and inside, I spot heaps of soft hay stacked up in the corner.

"This is good enough," I murmur to myself, relieved. The hay seems like the perfect hiding spot.

I step inside quietly, making sure no one is around to notice. I find a spot near the back, just out of view from the entrance.

Taking a moment, I settle into the hay, my long hair falling over me like a makeshift camouflage. Hopefully, my hair’s messy enough to blend in, I think, trying to get comfortable. The smell of hay is earthy and fresh, the warmth from the nearby animals making it feel like a temporary refuge.

As I lie there, my mind wanders, and despite the roughness of the situation, I allow myself to relax—just for a moment. Tomorrow is another day, and I’ll figure things out then.