'A map, huh?'

Rafe nods and looks around the library, wondering where they could find one. The room is massive, with towering bookshelves that seem to touch the ceiling, and cobwebs hang from the corners.

The walls are adorned with strange patterns and symbols, and the musty smell of old books fills the air. Rafe notices a ladder propped against one of the bookshelves, leading to a higher level. Perhaps they could find what they're looking for up there.

"I found something" Rafe shouted.

Quickly, Twilight came running, her stunning looks leaving Rafe startled for a moment.

'Pure thoughts. Pure thoughts'

It seemed his time on the Land of the Stranded had made him weak to temptation.

When was the last time he saw a girl his age? Especially one as stunning as this.

"A ladder?"

Twilight looked with confusion.

"Could be up here. We can check this, since it's likely smaller than the library. If it isn't fruitful, back to painfully searching this hell"

Rafe grimaced at the thought. The library was way too big to find some crumpled up map. However, if they had a map, that would be a game-changer.

'Well...that was if we stuck together after all this'

He sighed.

Soon, Rafe and the beautiful Twilight would soon split up.

'Good riddance. She's a rude bastard'

Still, after this, he'd return to being a lone wolf. How sad.

Sure, it wasn't the worst thing in the world, but it was certainly harder. Not only in fights, but on the mind. Years of no human contact was detrimental to one's psyche.

He'll that that battle when he gets to it. For now, the map.

Soon, they were rummaging through dusty items, looking for anything that could resemble a map. Basically, they were praying because if it wasn't here, they'd have to search the whole damn library.

Suddenly, Twilight gasped.

"What is it?" Rafe was curious.

"I found something"

'Is she going to elaborate? Great. So she wants me to ask, hey? How full of herself. Bet it's the map. Well, that's good news, at least'

"What is it, princess?"

Rafe wasn't amused.

"A map"

'Really? Wow. What a shocker'

Yet now, they had concluded their search. Now, they were ready to move on.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

It was time to study the map.

Twilight and Rafe studied the map carefully, tracing the lines and symbols with their fingers. The map was old, the parchment yellowed and creased, but the ink drawings were still sharp and clear. The map showed a path that led north, through mountains and forests, to a fortress that was marked with a tick.

"Gonna take a guess that's where to go," Rafe said.

Twilight nodded, but she was distracted by the thirst that was gnawing at her throat. She rummaged through her pack and found a waterskin, which she handed to Rafe. "Drink," she said. "It's enchanted. It never runs dry."

Rafe took the waterskin and drank deeply, savoring the cool, clear water.

He handed the waterskin back to Twilight, who took a small sip and then stowed it back in her pack.

They left the castle, walking past Flower's body without a glance. They both knew that any items he carried would have been destroyed with him, so there was no point in trying to salvage his sword or any other gear.

They walked north, following the tick on the map that had been left by the previous owners. The path wound through rocky terrain and dense forests, but they were able to navigate their way thanks to the map and Twilight's keen sense of direction.

They walked in silence for the most part, both lost in their own thoughts.

Twilight was still reeling from the fight with Flower, and she couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched.

Rafe, on the other hand, was focused on the task at hand. He had his mind set on reaching the fortress, hopefully there were others.

It wasn't until they were passing through a dense thicket that they encountered their first obstacle.

A wolf-like beast with three eyes and a gaping mouth blocked their path.

It had eight long legs and two giant wings on its torso, but it didn't seem to be able to fly. Twilight felt a surge of fear as the creature lunged at them, its jaws snapping.

She drew her rapier and prepared to strike, but Rafe was already swinging his Dao. The creature was quick and agile, but Rafe's blade was faster. He sliced through one of its legs, and Twilight lunged forward, stabbing it with her rapier.

It groaned, seemingly about to throw it's large and peculiar body at Twilight, but then it froze, it's eyes widening to an outlandish extent. It seemed to be unable to move, or at least struggled to do so, forced to suffer Rafe and Twilight's attacks with no defence. Perhaps it related to the reason it couldn't seem to fly despite doing so beforehand. Perhaps nature itself had bound the creature.

It howled in pain and fury, but Twilight used her ability to blind it, causing it to stumble and fall. Rafe took advantage of the opening and slashed at its neck, severing its head.

The creature thrashed and bled, but it was no match for the two skilled adventurers. Soon it lay still, dead from its wounds. Rafe looked down at the creature's body, his dao dripping with blood.

"That wasn't too bad" he said.

Twilight nodded, feeling a mix of relief and satisfaction.

She had been worried that they might encounter something they couldn't handle, but it seemed that they were more than capable of taking on whatever the world threw at them.

[Creature Slain: Corrupted Korgin]

[Item Received: Korgin Eye]

'Interesting...'

"Got an item"

Twilight looked up at him. He continued:

"Korgin Eye"

"What's it do?"

Rafe focused for a moment, and with a thought his status appeared before his eyes.

Name: Rafe

Title: Rafe of the Fallen

Rank: Wanderer

Inheritance...

Items: [.....]

There it was....

[Korgin Eye]

"Well...?"

Rafe glared at the girl.

"Give me a fucking minute"

He focused again, and with that thought, the item's status appeared.

Item: [Korgin Eye]

Item Description: Created to kill the Lord of Faces, the Korgin was a terrible beast. It's eye could see behind any mask. The eye could see one's true face. With that, it defeated the Lord of Faces.

Abilities: [Lost Fascade]

Ability Description: You can sense lies.

'Well...isn't that ideal. Especially for someone like me'

"It increases your sight"

The eye twitched.