My, you do well in surpassing my expectations, a quick learner and heavy in determination. All are fine traits.

The voice started to talk, in her tone was infatuation and satisfaction.

You again…..

Indeed, me again. I told you before that we would meet again if things went well.

And I have the achievement that I bled so much for…

The voice laughed.

Dear child, your skills only grow and you managed to surpass this first one, many perished before you, unable to even kill one queen, much less an empress.

It paused.

Your potential grows, from a child of the snowblade clan, and Master Carwel’s favorite student. Now, an interesting aspirant to me.

What will you do to me, more importantly? Aspirant? Aspirant of what?

It laughed again.

Your curiosity only grows my liking of you. To answer, you will continue in aiding this world, to accomplish what you originally wanted. When all is said and done, i will bring you to gain far more than just the fame and reputation of this world.

Kayd was silent, unable to think of what to say next, hell what to even think of right now.

Do not let the turmoil of this world damper your goal, remember why you are here. The peers you were with, are now far greater than you were renowned and loved while you. You remain below it all, without an ounce of glory. Continue helping this world, and you will continue getting what you were robbed of. I can see it in you, you were robbed of great potential, taken by one's most undeserving of such strength and sway of the people.

Yeah…Those damned peers of mine…Their titles…Achievements…I wanted a taste of it…

And that’s why you’re here. Fortunately for you, you will gain far more than what those worthless dregs can ever dream of getting. Now, a greater and more eventful journey awaits you beyond this forest surrounded by mountains. Your reward is here and you shall have a first hand taste of what fame and glory feels like.

Will it involve me losing multiple limbs again?

Kayd laughed to himself, unexpectedly the voice also laughed.

The price of such fame and glory comes with a price of blood, one your peers could never comprehend. Worry little though, the reward I spoke of in the reward should make losing limbs much less of an issue. Best of luck once more my child. May we speak once more when you and your friends have reached greater heights in this world.

With an echoing giggle, the voice stopped speaking.

Kayd jolted awake in a gasp, sitting upright and looking around hastily. He was inside a medical tent, the one he entered before.

“I heard the explosions and the cave crumbling on itself, was pretty nice to hear. Wish i was there to hear those rats scream though.” Mian’s teammate lay next to him, still worse for wear but fortunately awake and able to talk. The room was filled with the pained cries and grunts of dozens of injured soldiers, militia and soldiers alike.

A healer ran to Kayd, starting to patch his wounds up, and even handed him a cup of water.

“Thanks, but where are the others?” Kayd asked, taking a sip of the water.

“They’re also here sir, unfortunately, we delegated most of our efforts to healing the princess who has sustained some injuries to herself as well.

‘What happened after I jumped out anyway?’ Kayd put a hand to his head, feeling a slight headache, noticing many sections of his body were patched up in wraps of bandages and herbs.

‘That voice talked to me again, and still won’t give much answers. What reward does she speak of now?’

Looking to his right, the same heap of medals he was holding lay on the floor next to him.

Checking further around the medical tent he could see his teammates, also bandaged up and just as injured as he was, many asleep except Ikari who was simply busy rubbing the skull of the rat.

“Wait, you managed to still keep that?” Kayd questioned her, shocked.

“Yeah, it’s not every day you get a rat skull with six eyeholes and one that leads entire hordes ok?” Ikari slyly responded, causing the two to start laughing.

“Say, are those medals?” She pointed an arrow at the heap next to him.

“Yeah, got them after completing our first mission. If what the papers before said, they should change certain things.”

“As long as they keep giving me animal skulls for my collection like this, i wouldn’t mind charging in again.” She chuckled.

“You literally got torn apart or beaten down multiple times by the rats.”

“Hey! That was before I realized that the prize included giant rat skulls ok!?” After talking, the two took a moment to rest. It had been a while since they got actual good relaxing rest without worry or fear. Kayd thought again about what the voice said.

More fame and glory hm? I wonder what lies beyond this place, more rats? Or something else…

—---

The sound of metal boots stomping on the mud woke Kayd from his nap. Armed knights in shining armor walked through the door, all situated near one bed in particular, the one holding Princess Evelin.

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“Princess Evelin, we deeply apologize for our delayed arrival. We will bring you to the royal healers at once!” One of them shouted.

“Pathetic, if it took us that long to retrieve high-ranking officials we would have been beaten to near death, or sent to sleep outside the camp for a few nights,” Quellin remarked. They took her away, holding her up by the arms and slowly exited the tent. Once she was out, a few of the guards approached the team.

“Who’s your leader here?” he asked.

“Captain Ishmael, the one with curly black and gray hair.” He groggily replied. The knight looked up and quickly found her. The two started to exchange words with each other, but were too quiet for Kayd to hear what they were saying.

.After a minute, the knight stood up and rushed out.

“What was that about?” Ikari asked, turning her head to the awake Ishmael.

“Something about bringing us to the kingdom, just basic stuff.” She groaned.

‘The kingdom!? As guests!? Odd that she’s so calm and nonchalant about it.’

“You went there before?” Kayd asked.

“Well, how did you think I received those other titles in the first place?” She laughed.

‘Fair, wow that was stupid of me to ask.’ She stood up, stretching her arms and running a hand across her hair.

“He said the king wishes to see us,”

“Oof, if i learned anything about putting princesses and princes in harm’s way then getting called to the king, it normally doesn’t end well,” Ikari replied.

“Being summoned as a common soldier or simple commoner is one of the highest honors one can be given by the royalty, show some more excitement with the prospect.” Quellin berated her.

“Alright alright, I’ll get up in a few, just wanted to get some more minutes here. Least Feathers over here is having a good rest.” She pointed with her thumb to Lia, who slept next to her, using her feather robe like a blanket with her face being the only thing visible. She was wounded like everyone else, but at that moment, she looked extremely peaceful, unlike in the dens.

“She earned that rest, and this time of peace,” Kayd commented.

—---

Everyone started getting up from their beds, feeling the pain of their wounds and bruises emerge.

Lia was the last to come out, still yawning from her sleep.

Outside, soldiers were scattered everywhere. Near the now sealed-off rat den, dragging away dead bodies, counting heads, and simply helping each other march their way back to the kingdom, they were happy, albeit in bad shape but alive and victorious.

In front of them were two carriages, adorned beautifully in black and red along with gold ornaments decorating the carriage.

“Princess Evelin requests that the overseer of the militia and Captain Ishmael be seated with her in the carriage for a discussion, the rest are ordered to stay in the other carriage.” A man in a modest but clean and noble outfit helped everyone into the carriages.

Kayd sat down, taking in the fresh wooden scent lingering inside the carriage, he had never experienced luxuries as good as a royal carriage before. The seats were softly cushioned and there was a good amount of space with a small table in the middle.

Kayd awkwardly sat to the side, looking out through the window. First time gaining recognition and this is how he’s treated.

Quellin sat in the middle with his hands on his legs while Ikari hogged the majority of the space on her side, forcing Lia to sit next to Quellin. Before long, once everyone was settled, the carriages set off for the kingdom.

Thoughts rushed around in Kayd’s head, questions or simple rambles of the situation right now.

“First time in a carriage Kayd?” Ikari asked.

“Yeah, just horseback, what about you?”

“Nope, not a single time. As if any kingdom is going to spare an entire carriage to bring me.”

“It is best to remain on your best behavior, royalty set a far higher standard compared to commoners and nobles, it is best to respect and obey these customs to ensure a good relationship between us and them,” Quellin explained, taking off his helmet and fixing his hair.

“You spoke with your royalty in Ferrous hands, Quellin?”

“Sparse times but we were always taught to eat like them, to act like them, to be guided by them.” He quickly replied.

“Well, that should be useful for us.”

—-----

The trip was largely uneventful, passing by endless trees and seeing the escorting horsemen and marching soldiers on the side.

“Ugh, this is taking sooooo loooooong. Is sleeping disrespectful to royalty?”

“In this situation, yes. It is best to remain attentive.”

“Ughhhh” Ikari was bored to tears, swaying her head side to side like a child.

Unable to carry the medals any longer, Kayd placed the heap onto the small table in front of him. All of a sudden, Ikari’s entire bored demeanor changed.

“Oh right, the medals.” She browsed through them, finding a pair of medals with her name on it. One resembled a rat head while the other, a shield.

“Do you think what the paper said is true? Or this is a scam?” She asked. Kayd grabbed two of his medals from the table, followed by Quellin, who helped hand Lia hers. Her expression was jaded and sad, even after they completed the mission.

“One way to find out.” Kayd attached the two medals to his chest. Nothing seemed to change at first, but suddenly the carriage interior was covered in a bright light for a few moments, and a moment of pleasure, bliss, relaxation, and elatedness filled them.

The feeling stayed for a few more seconds before disappearing, returning them to normal.

“Well, that was anticlimactic.” After she spoke, a windchime rang out, prompting everyone to check theirs.

As the Splendor Seekers accomplish their first mission, it is time to rest, bask in the glory and fame, and to gain the strength promised as a reward.

NEW TITLES ATTACHED

Ratslayer: Killing the Rat Empress and destroying the dens has granted the title of Ratslayer. Your name will be remembered by kingdoms you come across. Damage inflicted by rats is heavily weakened while your attacks cause more damage. If you ever see rats after this.

Savior: You are a savior of the people of the forest and Stone's edge kingdom from becoming wiped out and slaughtered. You gain a good amount of reputation and are well known in the area.

With these in mind, the final parting gift! Stats!

‘Stats?’

As the paper vanished, multiple card decks fell on the table. To the surprise of everyone.

“What are these things?” Kayd grabbed a stack, and as his finger torched the topmost card, the deck flew upwards and hovered around Kayd, creating a gold-yellow aura around him before vanishing without a trace. The same result occurred with everyone else.

Kayd looked around his body and noticed that a card was hiding inside one of his pockets.

Upon pressing it, a slew of cards appeared before him bearing different words on them.

‘Gold, Abilities, Kill count: Titles, reputation. What are these things?’