About two hours before dawn, the tunnellers finally settled all their disputes. Right on the spot, the sheriff handed the guest team the money they were owed. After a precise evaluation of all the trophies obtained from the dungeon, I got my rightful share as well. The sum was even higher than I had anticipated – by one gold and twelve silver coins, to be exact. If the locals had initially considered skimming a little off the top from me, they seemed to have thought better of it, especially after seeing how I conducted myself during the expedition and learning that I was one who Understands the Primal Speech, as those who comprehend Runes are called here. Or perhaps it was the inherent honesty of Gronthor, who not only led the local tunnellers but also held the position of the district's sheriff.

After a conversation with Antan, while Gronthor was still haggling with Vivien, I bathed in the river, cleansing myself for the first time in ages, washing away the grime from the journey. I even managed to clean my gambeson and do some laundry, leaving me in just my trousers. As I emerged from the river, I noticed an intrigued gaze from the lass with braid and playfully winked at her.

Having settled our shares, we collected our loot and headed to Norton's village, which was only three kilometers away from the dungeon. We deposited our trophies in the yard of a spearsman, and everyone dispersed to get some rest. Unlike me, the locals were exhausted from clearing the dungeon since they lacked not only an adamantium but even a mithril body. I left the remnants of my boots with Norton, who promised to take them for repairs at dawn, and returned to the inn with the guest tunnellers. I hung my items out to dry in the yard and, after grabbing a basin of water from the kitchen, headed to my room. Once inside, I washed my bare feet, spread my arms, and collapsed onto the bed.

So good!

Honestly, at that moment, I felt absolutely splendid. This dungeon expedition was not only beneficial and intriguing and provided me with one of the Runes needed for the quester task but also restored some of my self-belief. The very confidence that had wavered after my encounters first with Reygyana and then with Scully. At that moment, I felt that if I were to face off with the Australian at the Alchemists' Guild tournament in Tries, I would probably have won. Purely strength-wise, if we exclude the artifact Scully had lucked into, I wasn't inferior to the Shard. And she certainly wasn't the weakest one. These thoughts instilled hope in me that, with proper preparation, I could take Nate down. As fantastical as that might sound to the "past me."

I had barely closed my eyes when I heard a soft knock on the door. I quickly jumped to my feet and flung it open with a broad smile. However, to my surprise, the person standing at the threshold wasn't who I had expected.

"Judging by how you splashed around in the river, I take it you're not too tired?" Vivien winked at me. She had already managed to remove her armor, change her clothes, and, judging by the pleasant scent, also took a bath. "And given how swiftly you opened the door, you were clearly expecting someone." A slight shadow fell on her face. "But from your reaction, it wasn't me." In her hands, she held a bottle of wine and two simple travel mugs. "Alright, then I'll leave."

Before she could retreat, I grabbed her by the elbow and pulled her close. She didn't resist, and I realized I wasn't mistaken about her initial intentions. Her lips had a pleasant scent of lavender...

"That's it, that's it, Raven! Enough!" Once I heeded and pulled away, Vivien weakly fell onto a pillow. A slightly bewildered smile roamed her face. "Four hours! Ha-ha-ha!" Her laughter was filled with melodic exhaustion. "And here I thought I was insatiable. But you really wore me out." That candid compliment from a village girl drew a genuine smile from me. "Where do you get all this strength?" She took another pillow and covered her face with it. After half a minute, she tossed it at me with a soft chuckle. "It was good. Very good. But it's too much... Even if I weren't tired from our journey, it still would've been too much." She stretched, showcasing her magnificent, trained body, reminiscent of the gymnasts I had brief affairs with back on distant Earth. "Look out the window, and you'll see that Antan has been patiently waiting for you for an hour now."

"I enjoy our time together too," I replied with a smile and leaned in, but her hands firmly pressed against my chest, stopping me.

"Enough... Please..." Vivien whispered, gazing into my eyes. I understood her sincerity, not mere flirtation. I retreated, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Don't you want to sleep?"

"A bit," I admitted. In truth, I was sleepy.

"Then don't keep Antan waiting any longer. An hour ago, he was biting his nails. By now, he's probably biting his flesh instead. He genuinely worries about his wife and her childbirth. This is their third attempt; the previous two ended sadly. Even the priests couldn't help."

"I don't want to leave."

"No! Just no! I've had enough for a month in advance!" Vivien laughed, again hiding her face behind a pillow. "Just go, please."

As the girl watched me dress, she observed me closely.

"You have a beautiful body," she remarked, and catching my gaze, she quickly waved her hands, "That's not a hint at anything further! You look like a hero of ancient times, come to life from the frescoes. That's why, after seeing you swimming in the river without your gambeson, I won time with you against Annetta."

"Won?" I asked, confused.

"Yes! In a game of dice!" She admitted and blushed ever so slightly.

I wanted to joke that they both could have come, and I wouldn't have been flustered. But judging by Vivien's behavior in bed, she's a bit possessive about such matters and probably wouldn't get my joke. So, having put on my trousers and turned to face her, I replied candidly:

"You know, I don't regret your win, not one bit."

"You're not like anyone I know," said Vivien, propping herself up on her elbow and scrutinizing me. "Different, in every way. Not like those accustomed to the forests and nature, and not like the city folk I know. Just... different." She snapped her fingers, lifting her head. "But not frightening or off-putting. Your 'otherness' is magnetic. We women can sense it right away. Who are you, Raven? Where did you come from? This isn't an interrogation, and I'm not prying. I'm genuinely curious."

"I come from far away. Very far. So far that Deytran feels like the neighboring settlement. As for who I am? I don't have a complete answer to that. Some call me 'sortudo', whatever that word means. But one thing I can tell you for sure, I'm a human."

"Thank you," relief was evident on her face. "You know, I can sense lies, and you didn't lie. Because of your insatiability and the fact that I felt so good with you, unlike with anyone before, I was scared for a moment. Scared that all those tales about the Sidhe, who disguise themselves and seduce human women, making them mad with passion, weren't just childhood horrors but true. I was scared for a moment."

"I am Raven from Seattle, a Steel-ranked tunneller," I smiled at her, lifting the Sign of the Tunnellers' Guild from the table. "See, the Sign accepts me. It cannot be faked."

"The Sign can't be faked," Vivien nodded in agreement, "but one can slightly alter what my eyes see, making me notice what's necessary, not what's really there."

And here she's right. Illusion and Mental Magic can pull something like that off.

"If I were a Sidhe, I'd have to be at Ruby rank to pull off such a trick. Do you agree?"

"Yes," tension crept into her voice for the first time.

"Then how would I have entered the dungeon with you while being at Ruby?" I asked, not breaking eye contact.

"Oh!" She placed her hand over her mouth. "Indeed! How silly of me. I'm sorry. I lost my mind with you and got scared. It's easier for me to believe that everything I've done in this bed these past hours, I did under Sidhe's influence than to believe I did it willingly." She licked her lips, "Moreover, I even liked it!"

"Want more?" I winked, pretending to take off my pants.

"Ha-ha-ha! No! Not because I don't want to, but because it's really enough. Or do you want me to chase after you like a devoted dog, leaving everything here? I see you don't. And for now, I don't either. But I feel my 'don't want' is quite shaky."

"Understood."

"I hate falling in love!" With some anger, Vivien exclaimed, throwing another pillow at me. "Leave. Right now!"

Genuinely not wanting to hurt her, I grabbed my shirt and left without a word. I deliberately stomped down the stairs barefoot, loud enough for Vivien to hear that I was indeed leaving, and descended to the inn's kitchen. I chugged down a large mug of fresh milk offered by the landlady, washed my face, and went out to the street.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

At the large table where we had drinks the day before, Antan sat, indeed biting his nails, just as the girl had described. As soon as I stepped out of the door, the giant sprang to his feet and bowed deeply.

"Hey, what's that for?" I shouted at him. "I haven't done anything to deserve such respect. At least not yet."

"Reader," Antan said on an exhale, tiredly but firmly. He waited for me to sit across from him before continuing, "My mother is a good fortune teller. For many months, she cast the Dice, and they always indicated that my child would be born dead. Before dawn, even before I returned and told of meeting you, she cast them again..."

"And?"

"And the result of the throw changed! My child will be born alive if I follow the advice of the one walking the Road!" He hands me a roll of fabric folded several times over, then places a stick on the table before me, with a fresh piece of charcoal affixed in a split at one end.

In the world of Ain, divination isn't the same as astrology and Tarot on Earth. Here, in a world saturated with magic, genuine predictions do occur. However, I've always avoided them, as I don't believe in predestined fate. Moreover, my "past memory" experience tells me that any prophecy is just one of the possible Paths, often merely the most obvious, not necessarily the one that will come true. Nevertheless, Antan believes in a positive outcome, so I won't try to dissuade him. Nodding to his words, I unfold the fabric and carefully draw the Birth Rune on it with charcoal. The Rune's design slightly differs from what was inscribed on the remnants of the Runes Circle found in the Library Dungeon, but I Know this is how it needs to be Written now. Finishing the drawing, I take a small parchment sheet prepared by Antan in advance, place it on the Rune to prevent the image from smudging on the cloth, then fold the fabric and hand it back to the giant. Gently, as if handling a great treasure, Antan accepts the folded cloth and places it on the bench next to him. He then straightens up and looks at me with a firm gaze.

"Raven. Fate and Geruda do not favor the ungrateful." With these words, he bends down and takes out from under the table a long, about two-and-a-half meters, yet slender roll. "Please. Accept."

Unfolding the roll, I'm momentarily stunned. Before me lies an old, yet magnificent spear. Two meters of inscribed beechwood shaft, tempting to grasp, and a long, elbow-length, double-edged wootz tip shaped like a straight sword. It's clear this weapon has seen dozens of battles and came through all of them honorably. On the tip, there's a somewhat faded, yet still discernible sign of a minor guild of artifactors that earned their own insignia. The tip also features a deep etching with the script of Nemelida, the goddess of Nature, natural magic, and fertility. The inscription reads: "Steel, steadfast as yon Firmament." Not only is this spear very expensive, but it would also be fitting to use even on the Precious Coil of the Spiral.

"I'm sorry," I push the weapon towards the giant, "I can't accept such a valuable gift."

With a heavy sigh, Antan confidently moves it towards me again.

"It's my grandfather's spear. For two generations of our family, it's been sitting unused. Selling it would be unbefitting."

"You can give it to your son or daughter when they grow up." My fingers itch to take this weapon for myself, but it feels wrong to take a family relic.

"Raven." The giant gestures with his hands, almost in despair. "When I found the cloth and was about to leave, my mother approached me and handed me this spear, telling me to give it to a traveler guided by Sundbad! This spear is her father's; who else but her to decide its fate? Moreover, by the Dice, if Milkara and I have children, they will be predisposed to magic, not the warrior's craft. And the spear will sit idle for yet another generation. It's not right. Not at all. You must feel it yourself, how it longs to be used." I honestly didn't feel anything like that, but I nodded in agreement, just in case.

"Tell me about it." I have a feeling this isn't just an ordinary weapon.

"From the stories - as I never met my grandfather - my mother's father, having reached Wootz, was preparing to move to the Precious coil, and that's when he ordered this spear. But in his entire life, he could never get past the First Wall, always remaining at Wootz. And for all the subsequent years, this spear served him loyally. This weapon is made for a Precious coil fighter, with a Valirium core at its heart. Thin," the giant stretches out his hand and shows me his little finger, "thinner than my finger. Yet, this core was forged from magical ore, saturated with the power of a natural Magic Source. A true master made it."

I, too, can see that a master made it. Even Katashi Atsushi wouldn't hesitate to hold such a spear, and that's a sure sign of genuine quality.

"If it accepts me." Taking the weapon in my hands, I stand up from the table.

Waiting for Antan's nod, I move to an open space and begin my warm-up with a basic exercise. This weapon is different from my previous spear, but it feels as if it was made specifically for me. The shaft doesn't slip or try to escape, and its thickness is perfect for my hands. Not even three minutes pass before I can't resist and break into the Dance. Merging with the weapon, feeling it as a natural extension of myself, I send a Discharge through it, and it obediently and effortlessly erupts in a burst of sparks right at the tip of the spearhead. Excellent conductivity! But then, if its core is truly made of Valirium, it should be that way.

On Ain, Valirium refers to steel made from ore formed near a natural Magic Source. The same ore, formed at a Spirit Source, is called Avalonium.

My Dance goes on and on, and I don't want to stop it. Antan's gift is far superior to my previous weapon. It truly befits a fighter of the Stone Coil. A splendid, honest weapon, free of alchemy traces and superficial enchantments. It takes a Herculean effort to stop myself. Even greater than when I left my room, leaving Vivien inside. Yet, overcoming my desires, I interrupt the Dance.

A smile wanders across my face. Barely stopping, I immediately hear numerous claps. It turns out that not only the giant was watching me but also all the inn workers. Sincere admiration is unmistakably evident on their faces. As if they just witnessed "Swan Lake" performed by the Grand Theatre company for the first time in their lives.

I bow deeply at the waist to Antan, signaling that I accept his gift. A look of relief instantly crosses the giant's face, and he smiles for the first time this morning.

Having warmly said goodbye to Antan, who felt very awkward in the whole situation, resulting in a somewhat clumsy farewell, I returned to the inn. I went to the kitchen, took a basin with clean water again, and, with it in hand, went up to my room.

As I thought, Vivien had already left. Somehow, I never doubted that she'd be gone when I returned. It made me slightly sad, but just a tad. Placing my new spear by the head of the bed, I thoroughly washed my feet in the basin I had brought. Afterward, I fell onto the bed and, burying my face in the pillow, drifted into a gentle, soft, cloud-like sleep.

This time, no one disturbed me. And when I opened my eyes, feeling wonderfully refreshed, I looked out the window. Judging by the sun's position, the sunset was still far away, and I had slept for about five hours. Heading down to the kitchen, I had a hearty lunch, and as I was paying, I noticed a thin stack of clean and very fine paper on the innkeeper's table. Just like parchment, this material is still very expensive in Ain. But this village is indeed quite wealthy if even the innkeeper can afford paper for notes. Earthlings will soon explode the paper market with their progressive innovations and flood local shops with cheap and quality paper, but that, as far as I "remember," will only happen in about a couple of months. Taking out money from my purse, I bought the thinnest sheet from the innkeeper and headed outside. Sitting at a table and asking for some milk and a few coals from the oven, I began folding the sheet.

"Beautiful," I was so engrossed that I didn't notice Norton approaching and sitting opposite me, closely examining the paper crane.

Nodding to him, I took the coal in hand and began to shade the paper bird, aiming to make it vaguely resemble a raven. It didn't turn out great, but Norton liked it nonetheless. Especially when he learned that my name means "raven."

Having asked the spearman to wait, I returned to the innkeeper and instructed her to give the origami I made to Vivien when she woke up. I don't know why, but it felt good to make and give it to that girl. Even though I won't see whether she accepts this farewell gift or throws it away immediately. After that, I returned to the table.

"Here!" With that exclamation, Norton places my boots directly on the table. "Done. I keep my word!"

Examining the footwear closely, I concluded that "it would do." It was crudely and clumsily done, but as the spearman had said earlier, it would last for a few days of travel.

"Thank you, how much do I owe you?"

"What do you mean, how much?" With arms crossed over his chest, Norton exclaims, "We agreed I'd fix them from the common pool."

"Alright," I readily agree.

"It'll be evening soon; will you stay another day?" The spearman inquires, looking up at the clouds drifting by.

"There are still about three hours until sunset," I shake my head in response, "I'd rather spend them on the road."

"Yes, yes, I remember, a pilgrimage," my companion smiles, "but can't it wait?"

"Will you guys continue your drinking spree?" I smirk.

"This is a new one!" Norton corrects me with a playful wink. "We need to celebrate the victory over the King!"

"Let's make a deal. If my gambeson is still wet, I'll stay. If it's dry... the Road awaits me." Saying this, I rise from the table.

"Agreed," the spearman quickly concurs.

When we took turns feeling my gambeson hanging in the backyard, Norton remarked a bit disappointedly:

"It's dry."

"Well then, I apologize," I said, spreading my hands. "Send my best wishes to everyone."

"If you don't mind, I'll walk you out."

"Not at all. You can also show me the way to the lesser temple of Magevra."

Passing by the kitchen with the gambeson on my shoulder, I asked them to pack some food for the road, the kind that doesn't spoil quickly. Afterward, I went upstairs, got dressed, put on my boots, slung my backpack over my shoulder, grabbed the new spear, and came back down.

"Oh wow!" Norton exclaimed, noticing my weapon. "I thought Antan was just carrying a stick this morning. So it turns out Marcala, Antan's mother, indeed found worthy hands for the 'Striking Whisper.' And from what I've seen of you in battle, she certainly made the right choice."

"Striking Whisper?" I asked, stroking the shaft of the spear with my fingers.

"Did that blockhead forget to tell you its Name?" Norton laughed heartily upon seeing my nod. "That's so typical of Antan!" Once he stopped laughing, he added, "Yes, the spear's name is 'Striking Whisper'."

"Thank you."

"No problem," the tunneller waved it off, "Antan should have told you, not me. Well, since you really can't stay to drink with us, let's go."

"No hard feelings, Norton."

"No hard feelings, Raven. I'm just grumbling from lack of sleep. I do understand that if the Road leads someone... it just..." He failed to find a more suitable word and simply repeated, "leads them, right?"

After saying goodbye to the innkeeper and the staff, I followed Norton. To my slight surprise, we didn't head to the trade path but went in the opposite direction. Engrossed in light conversation, we passed the village and reached the riverbank.

"Here's the deal!" Norton, pointing ahead, said, "Our river flows right into the Swift River. Just walk along the bank, and you won't get lost. When you reach the confluence of the rivers, continue downstream. The abandoned temple is right on our bank; you'll notice it immediately."

We hugged tightly in farewell, and I started walking along the sandy shore. I walked on, never looking back, because those led by the Road never do.