I walked inside the adventurers guild, with the necklace of the troll in my bag. Day was slowly ending, and the room was lit mostly by the fireplace that was to my right. Annie looked at me with a smile when I entered the building, and I greeted her.

“Came back already? And where is the girl?” she asked, while wiping a mug that she had in her hands.

“She told me, that she doesn’t want to see your ugly fa-”

“Hey! If you don’t want to tell me, then just stay silent.” the girl frowned, while waving a wet cloth before my face.

“Stop that. You’ll get water on me.” I replied, and she just smiled.

“So, how did it go? Did you do it? I was a little worried, to tell you the truth.”

“Yeah, we had no problems with taking care of him.” I said, and took a necklace from my bag “I didn’t take an eye, because you told me not to do this, but I took his necklace. Is this proof enough, that we ki-”

“You idiot! I didn’t want an eye, because it’s dirty! Take it… Oh, the smell.”

Annie was covering her nose with her left hand, and I smiled a little. After that I put the necklace in my bag, and looked at her.

“You seem to be in a great humour. Something good happened?” the girl asked, and looked at me with perverted eyes.

I knew what she meant, but the thing that happened in the forest wasn’t as romantic as she imagined. I killed a person. Once again, I took someone’s life for my own benefit. This person that I have become; sometimes he disgusts me. The things he can do for himself are pathetic, and selfish.

But he is alive, and well. This is the only thing that matters.

“You can put it that way.” I replied, and smiled once again.

When I did, the girl covered her mouth, and looked at me with surprised eyes. She was blushing, and probably imagining some weird things.

“But… Why are you alone right now. Don’t tell me that you went for a kiss, without permiss-”

“No, I didn’t. She didn’t come here for long. Probably was on a mission, and needed to leave soon. That’s why she didn’t come with me.” I interrupted her, and Annie looked at me with stupid eyes “You don’t understand? Why would a golden adventurer come to a place like this.” I added, and I saw a spark in her eyes.

“Ah… You are right… Wait! She was a golden adventurer?!”

“You didn’t know it? Didn’t you see the badge, that she was holding in her hands?”

“Why would I look at her hands!?”

She looked angry, but this was just an act. After that she smiled, and brought me a big sack full of gold. Once again I opened it, and started counting. This time she didn’t make any snarky comments, and just waited for me to finish.

“So, is this enough?”

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“More than enough. Are you sure, that you should be giving me bonuses? Others might get jealous.” I said, and she leaned towards me.

“You just need to keep quiet, okay David?”

“Well, I can do that, but I don’t think I will get any more money from you.” I said, and she looked me with interest “I’m going to leave the Blouver. I think about going to the capital city, to find some better jobs.”

“Oh, I will miss you…” she said, but after that she once again looked at me with perverted eyes “You said, that the girl already left? And now you are going to the capital city?” Annie then added, and smiled brightly.

“I know what you are thinking, but this isn’t the case. I really just need t-”

“Don’t say anything more. Your every excuse makes it even more suspicious.”

“Well, take it how you want. I will probably leave tomorrow morning, so this is our last meeting.” I said, and Annie looked at me with sadness.

“How long was it? Few years? I remember when you were crying here, after your first adventure…” she said, and after that smiled “And look at yourself now. People in here are looking up to you, and they want to become like you. Are you sure that you are going?”

“I’m sure. The road might be difficult, but I need to take more challenges.” I said, and looked at the girl’s face “I need to meet powerful adventurers.”

“You really did change. Well, if I knew that you were going, I would throw you a party. Now I can just wish you everything best. Can’t do more, can I?”

“I’m afraid you can’t.” I replied, and she smiled, but her smile was a sad one “I would want to chat with you some more, but I need to get going. I need to prepare, and there is much I need to do.”

“Well, I can understand that. It was a pleasure to meet you David.”

“Farewell Annie. I hope that we will be able to meet again.” I replied to her warm words, and started slowly walking away.

Some of the adventurers that overheard our conversation, were now looking at me. There was a mixture of sadness, and excitement in their eyes. If I were to go away, they would get more quests, and they wouldn’t be compared to me by the people living in the city.

Yeah, but on the other hand I was someone they adored. I still remember being laughed at, when I first returned from a quest, covered in big toad’s slime. They liked me, and they gave me tips on becoming someone powerful.

In this place I met my first companions that were always smiling so brightly. As if they weren’t afraid of dying.

Where did it go so wrong?

I thought, as I opened the door. The sun was slowly setting, and the temperature was getting lower.

I looked at the city, that I was now going to leave. The buildings, and the people. When I first entered its walls I was excited. I thought that I will become a hero, but I’m not a hero.

I walked, while looking at the view. The sunlight was reflecting off the windows, covering the road in its yellow warmth. Everyone was walking slowly, probably because they were returning back from their work, finally coming to their houses.

When did it all go so wrong? When did I become a beast? I thought, and looked at the letter that I took from the Calane’s corpse.

Why is the thought of devouring experience so exciting to me?

----------------------------------------

Dear child,

I write to you because of something of great importance. Our house is in a great danger, and there is little we can do about it. The demon king is gathering his armies, and we don’t know for what reason. We don’t know if he wishes to attack us or if he is preparing for something else.

Those thoughts don’t let me sleep at night. I only pray for your safety, but I can’t do more. I’m sorry for everything I have done to you, while we were still living together. Now that I look back at it, I realise that I was a fool.

You are my only child, and I don’t know what would happen to me, if something were to happen to you. I understand now, that the life in the castle doesn’t suit you. I fully understand, why you ran away.

I’m not asking you to go back, I’m just asking you to take care of yourself. I hope, that we will be able to meet once again.

Your loving father,

Adam Nightshine