The notification for the arrival of the guide had come abruptly. Ark did not want to take any chances. The guide he knew was an eccentric old man who would weird out most of the group. Ark had to reach there in time so that he could manage everyone properly. The same went for Adam. They both rushed towards the place they were staying at. If they just walked from the Merchant shop to their lodgings, that would have taken hardly any time but they ran.

The reason was simple. The man was equally as good at pranking people as he was as a guide. If his shenanigans were to be discovered by Adam’s group, they would no doubt throw a hissy fit. That itself would not be the cause of concern for Ark but the guide hated those people who couldn’t take a joke. The chances of the people getting a good card deck would decrease drastically if they got on the guide’s bad side.

As Ark ran at full speed, he did not think Adam would be able to keep pace with him. It seemed that Adam had invested his pints into Agility from the way he was breathing out loud while running beside Ark. Adam did not have that many chances of getting stronger in the second scenario. That was not going to be true for the third scenario though. It was designed in such a way that adventure awaited at every corner. Even the mundane of tasks like fishing near the harbor could turn into an adventure.

If someone was fishing and a group of people attacked the shore, it would be up to the adventurer to meet out punishment to those. If he were not up for the task then there would only be suffering for those unfortunate. Adam could never just stand by when innocent people were being harmed which meant that at every turn, Adam would have an opportunity to prove himself. That was good for Adam.

Ark himself was planning on just doing his task which was pre-planned. That was the plan which was made around the bonfire in his previous timeline. He would only have to go on one adventure and that would take up most of his time. He was after a Fragment of a Mythical card after all. Ark was sure that an opportunity would present itself sometime soon.

Just like how in a game, the players encountered random scenes which turned into quests, the third scenario functioned in that exact same way. It was just an unwritten rule of the land. People of the island did not say it out loud and most people ignored the signs. Nothing was truly random in this vast space. As Ark continued to run, he realized that he had perspired not a single time during his run. This was probably because of the sword he was carrying on his back.

Ark was surprised when he was first handed the Sword. It had a cool texture and an even sharper blade. He would have never realized that it was a failed Replica if not for the Status screen. Ark recalled the status screen of the Artifact and looked at it once more

[ARTIFACT] [SWORD TYPE]

‘Blade of the Northern Wind’: The legend of The Northern Wind has been passed down through centuries. It is a place where the Frost gathers at your very fingertips, a place where the coldest winters sweeps away those who are wary. In the coldest of regions, lived a master Blacksmith. He had made a vow and he had kept it. Forged from the unseen depths of the Northern wind, the blacksmith created a blade, which could bring calamity.

This is not that blade. Instead, centuries after the Blacksmith’s demise, well-known blacksmiths have tried to recreate that exact masterpiece. This blade is a failed replica of that very same effort

Active Effect: Inflicts Frostbite on the opponent

Passive Effect: Allows the user to control Frost to a limited degree

Ultimate Ability: Allows the user to freeze the opponent for a very short period of time

Cool down period: Five minutes

Type: Fabled Replica

This was probably the passive effect of Ark’s blade which was keeping him cool. Ark would have liked to experiment with the sword a bit more but he did not have the time right now. After the introduction was over and Ark was free to go his own way, he would check out the sword.

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Ark had a certain love for all things swords. It was to such an extent that he had kept a collection of Fabled Grade swords in his house a lifetime ago. Gradually, like all things the love for it also faded. This sword seemed to have renewed Ark’s love again. Ark desperately waited for the day when his Inventory would activate again. In the meantime, Ark would have to buy a bag of Holding from any of the Merchant shops.

As the two grown men ran through the busy street, weaving and dodging random street vendors, Ark could not help but hear the conversation of a throng of children sitting beside a fruit stall

“Oy Oy Oy, Let’s go to the Zoo. You know I bet 50 coins on that fight!”

“Pilter, you stole coins from your father again?” The group asked in unison. Ark did not even need his Perception stat to hear that

“Shhh!! The old man does it too! Why shouldn’t I?”

Ark realized that the group of children was probably talking about one of the things that happened in the Zoo on the island. It was one of the things, the guide was going to show them today. It really seemed like a wonderful world. Ark had never noticed how beautiful the houses were. In his previous life, all Ark could think about was how to get stronger. He had been a freak then, jumping into every possible danger, just to get a little stronger than the rest.

The Tower was a cutthroat place and Ark still planned on getting stronger but not in the way he had done so previously. The Tower resembled beauty in every single aspect of it and Ark had just realized that when he saw the vibrant pink flowers that grew from the vines. Those vines were hung up above houses and each person smiled casually without any care in the world. That was how life should have been in the Tower.

Ark smiled in a self-deprecating way. They were the freaks who constantly vied for more power. Well, that was necessary…and Ark stopped. They had finally reached their destination with much of the time left to spare.

As they entered the Tavern, they saw the group sitting on one of the tables while an old man continued to regale tales while sipping on some kind of fruity drink. Even in the middle of the day, the tavern had an atmosphere of fun, drunkenness, and sweetness. Music from a traveling bard was playing from one of the corners and the murmurs of the crowd made the atmosphere lively and full of spirit

“And there comes our Man of honor!” The old man smiled as they entered

“This lovely bunch was telling me all about your exploits. Young man! I am Javier Francis and I am pleased to welcome you to my humble town” Javier took a long sip of his drink once again

This was the other reason why Ark had rushed towards the Tavern. Francis Javier, their guide was also the mayor of this little town they were staying at. Despite his small Frame and somewhat hunched back, the man was a very powerful individual. Ark didn’t even need his past knowledge to know that. This was a man who controlled the underworld of this Town. He was a very amicable man though and Ark had no intention of stopping him. He did not care what Javier did with black market items.

Francis Javier had a white flannel shirt on and loose baggy pants. His mustache was white and was so big that it almost covered his entire mouth. He was clean-shaven and had a stack of white hair that fell loosely on his shoulders. Beside the table, Ark also noticed a vibrant yellow cane that had a fire Symbol on it. This was no doubt a precious artifact.

“Let me buy us a drink” Adam, the most social of all of them, immediately picked up the cue and ordered a drink for everyone. Ark respectfully declined his offer but just as Javier was about to tell Ark to buy one, Ark procured one of the fruits he had brought earlier. That seemed to satisfy the man as well

“A fellow Buyatil enjoyer! I see…Very good taste young man! Very good taste”

“You have good taste too” Ark responded in kind. The drink Javier was drinking was the island's way of making a bloody Mary. It used some of the most expensive fruits exported to the island. Adam was soon going to have a rather huge dent in his pocket if he continued to buy the man the drink

“Oh, Young man! You know this drink! Wonderful… Simply Wonderful... but as I was telling your friends, I am the humble one who will be your guide.”

“By guide you mean?” Adam had come back from ordering and asked Francis the question

“Simply a humble guide. I cannot let travelers such as yourself alone or by one of those incompetent morons after all. You need a…what do they say in your language…Card deck too”

Many in the group visibly flinched when they heard of the card deck. No doubt, it was fear ingrained into them through the worlds of the Jackals. Javier was not down with their reaction and quickly tried to console them

“My young lads and ladies, I am not like those animals whose only job is to spread Chaos. Instead, I have taken personal responsibility for all of you! I shall give you the best possible treatment! Believe me, just this once Yes!” As fun, as Javier was, in times like this, it was evident to Ark why he was the Mayor of this place. He had a certain charm to him, enough to even sway Ark. Ark knew the man was a good person. Only if he were not involved in illegal activities, would he be a great person.

Ark would have to warn the group about possible adventures near the Black market. Any one of them could be involved and Francis Javier would take ‘personal responsibility’ to kill them off. Ark thought it was a matter for a later time. Javier got up and so did the rest of the people

“Sit down lads! Sit down! I shall take these people and give them a fantastic tour!” Javier gestured all of them to come with him and left the tavern alongside his cane

“Let’s go then! What are we waiting for?” Adam as usual was the one who said this to the group. This was going to be an interesting trip, Ark thought in amusement and sauntered out along with the rest of the group. Ark felt like a kid again in one of the picnics. This certainly brought back nostalgia