Six days quickly passed and the newbie group finally left the dungeon. They have successfully explored the first three levels and defeated the monsters without much injuries. They also encountered their first trap and learned how to disarm it.

Travis watched as the seven youths were wrapping up the camp with the help of Kezzan providing pointers. Zenni was standing beside him. As they smiled proudly at the results of this lesson, their eyes fell on the ten year-old boy, Sievor.

His existence was a mystery. Aside from the event on the first day, he had not shown any other astounding abilities. His fighting style was slightly amateurish despite the assistance of the brand, as could be expected from a beginner and a child. Still, they could not remove from their memories the image of the knife and bolt stuck in the Giant Armored Spiderling’s head.

For the rest of the duration of the camp, Sievor did well. He continued on with the formation that he and Lauren made, but increased their vigilance to the surroundings to prevent the same thing from happening. Being attacked from behind unaware was a very deadly situation. Learning from mistakes was good, as long as those mistakes doesn't cost one’s life.

Aside from the first time that power had appeared, he was not able to use it again. He didn't know if it was a spell or the direct actions of his God, but he was truly grateful that it happened when it did. It might be something that only occurs when he is in a life and death situation, but if he was able to use it consciously, then it would be a great asset. Adventurers already have a very good reaction time due to their brand’s blessing. If he was able to slow time, that would mean that he could do even better than just rely on his own reaction time.

He also saw that no one had noticed that a strange power had activated at that time. Even the three veterans had asked him how he did that feat with the spiderling. They didn't ask about any time-slowing magic which meant that they didn't notice it. He only told them that it was due to luck, but based on their expressions, they didn't quite believe him. Yet, they didn't force it out of him. This was part of an Adventurer’s etiquette.

After clearing up the camp, they made their way back to the city.

The first thing they did as they returned was to fill a quest completion form in the Adventurer’s guild. This would give them reputation points. These points could be gained by completing requests submitted through the guild or by donating loots gained from the dungeon.

In the first three floors of the Payton Labyrinth, most of the monsters were spiders, rats, and snakes. The useful loot they got from their corpses were fangs, claws, skin, and blood. There were also stuff like mushrooms, ores, and artifacts in the dungeon. The low-quality items were mostly given to the guild for reputation points, while the high quality ones were sold to merchants and auction houses for gold. The guild requests would also reward gold every now and then depending on the difficulty of the said request.

For the seven youths, they gained their very first reputation points through the completion of the introductory lesson. Although it was only a meager 5 points, it was still their first step in their path as Adventurers. High reputation points would mean that they were more trustworthy, and so some requests that would involve sensitive information could be handed to them. Because these requests were rare, extremely difficult, and usually only handed out by those in high positions, the rewards were also great. This was why some of the Adventurers aim to increase their points as fast as they could. This was another alternative to just hoping to conquer a dungeon and strike it rich.

For the three veterans, their points were gained because they served as the escorts and instructors of the seven beginners. They had successfully ensured the safety of the seven. They also had the hidden task of observing and analyzing the seven’ combat abilities and providing that information to the guild. This was a safety measure of the guild. Once an Adventurer goes rogue, they would be able to predict if it could pose a threat to the guild. If it does, they would immediately take that Adventurer down. Otherwise, they could just let him be.

Faye was surprised when she heard of the description of the events regarding Sievor on the first day in the dungeon. Her surprised expression disappeared after hearing that he had then performed normally, if not a little below standard afterward. As soon as the group dispersed, she hurriedly compiled a report which she sent to Father Trag.

With a few coins traded for the materials they brought back, Sievor ran happily back to the shop. Once he showed his earning to Old Gregor, he could then tell him to rest his old bones and leave the earning to him. He was so excited that he actually tripped a few times. Some of the bystanders watched as the little boy stood up with a bruise on his chin, yet a wide smile was still plastered on his face.

As soon as he reached the shop, he was dumbstruck. The old wooden building was gone. In its place was a stone building in the middle of construction. There were people milling about, carrying stone bricks and putting them into place. Some were hammering supporting log pillars. Others were discussing measurements on a parchment containing the blueprint.

“Wha—” as he was about to ask the nearest worker on what was going on, he saw a familiar face come out from within the building. Four people were trailing behind him. They were obviously Adventurers. The young man leading the pack saw the boy and revealed a cruel smile.

“What are you here for, boy?” he asked.

“This… What did you do?!” Sievor felt angry at the sight of that grin. This man had tormented him and his grandpa for years. How could he feel anything other than hatred for him?

“I did nothing. It is that stinking old geezer you should ask.”

The man’s insults to Old Gregor caused Sievor to lose control. He pulled out the carving knife and dashed toward the young man. Before he could even get within five steps, one of the Adventurers behind him suddenly appeared in front of him. With no difficulty, he caught Sievor’s head with his big hand and pushed his face down on the ground.

“Listen well, brat.” The young man stood beside the Adventurer and kicked Sievor’s head. “What I say, I make happen. The old man wasn't able to pay, so we took back the property. If you have anyone to blame, blame that grandpa of yours. Well, it’s not like you’re related by blood anyway.” The man then turned back and signaled for the workers that had halted their work to watched was happening. “Go back to work! And take that brat away from here.”

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

Sievor couldn't remember clearly what happened after he was pummeled to the ground. When he came to, he was inside a small room. A middle-aged lady was sitting nearby, squeezing a wet towel. She was the baker’s wife.

“You finally came to… I’m sorry about Gregor,” she said while placing the damp towel on his forehead.

“What happened to Grandpa?” he asked with a confused expression. He noticed that his body felt hot and his head hurt. Did he have a fever?

“You don’t know?” She had a surprised expression. After a while, she explained what had happened right after he left for the dungeon.

The governor’s son and his Adventurer goons went to the shop to extract the rent. It was the last deadline that he had given to Gregor, but how could he pay such a huge amount. It was five years worth including interest. Also, whenever the young man came, he would take all of the old man’s money but would unfairly reduce only a small amount from the debt. This, Sievor had witnessed a lot of times.

Gregor begged for him to extend the deadline. He went on his knees and bowed many times, hitting the hard ground with his forehead. He even went as far as to kiss the governor’s son’s dirty shoes which he intentionally stepped on dog turd. It was a disgusting sight, but all that had witnessed it had no courage to intervene. This was the son of the governor after all.

He made Gregor do many shameful things one after another. The old man was willing to do anything. But then, the governor’s son said to sell Sievor as a child whore to some perverted official. This made Old Gregor extremely mad. Forgetting about all the things he had just done, he went crazy and tried to attack the governor’s son. One of the Adventurers reacted in time, but his blow was too much for the old man’s body. Gregor went limp, then suddenly spasmed. He died right then and there.

“What!?” Sievor screamed after hearing what had happened. He jumped out of bed and ran out of the house, ignoring the shouts of the baker’s wife from behind. It was already night time.

He ran back to where the shop had been, and it was now empty and deserted. He saw a random passerby and asked if he knew where the governor’s son was. Seeing the young boy’s crazed eyes, the poor man could only point in a random direction.

Sievor ran in circles. The city wasn't that large, but the roads weren't straight and organized. He went through alleys and side streets, until finally he heard a familiar voice filled with laughter. It came from a bar.

He rushed straight in and saw the laughing figure of the governor’s son. He was filled with fury.

His grandpa died with injustice, and the cause of his death was spending his merry time, surrounded by women, laughing and drinking his heart out. This was too unfair. He was hoping to finally relieve of the old man of his burdens, only to find out that he was forever gone.

Oh, how he wished he could just turn back time on that day before he left!

Oh, how he wished he could spend more time with the old man’s warm smiles!

But time was forever flowing. It wouldn't stop. It wouldn't turn back. But he could slow it down.

Once again, the world was gray. With heavy steps he walked forward, the carving knife in hand. Figures around him watched him with shocked gazes. A young boy, nonchalantly walking into a bar with a deadly gaze and knife in hand.

The governor’s son had noticed him, and so did the Adventurers that were accompanying him. They reacted and moved to defend him. All this, Sievor could clearly see through this slow-moving world.

Still, he forgot to take into account the strength of the Adventurers that were with the young man. One of them was a veteran swordsman, branded by the God of Swords.

In this slowed world, a figure moved faster than the rest. Wielding a longsword inscribed with magic runes, he moved smoothly and unhesitatingly. The runes glowed, providing color in this gray world. Then with a flash of silver, a hand went flying in the air.

“GAAAHHHHHH!!!”

Pain! Intense Pain!

Sievor could only scream as he grabbed his left wrist with his right hand, blood spurting out. His left hand fell on the wooden floor in front of him with a thump. On its back was the brand of the God of Time. It was glowing gray a moment ago, but faded into nothing. The brand also was slowly disappearing.

The flat of the longsword hit him in the temple, knocking him unconscious.

“Strange ability…” the swordsman said as he sheathed the sword back to his waist, no trace of blood could be seen on its blade.

“Amazing as always!” the young man said while clapping. “I’ll treat you to any woman you like. You there, get rid of this mess. And everyone else, don’t be afraid! Let’s continue the fun!”

With those words, the festive mood in the bar returned. One of the Adventurers went and picked the boy up and his cut hand and carried him out.

“Unlucky brat,” the Adventurer said as he walked to the outskirts of town. He had been working under the governor’s son for a while now, and knew of the young man’s personality. When he said to take care of the mess, it meant that he had to finish the child off. Still, he was not as heartless as he seems to be, but he was given a job, so he had to do it. He didn't want to kill the boy directly so he brought him to a river with rushing water.

“You may be unlucky now, but fortune may sway and change.” He was branded by the God of Fortune. His belief was focused on luck. Lending a small prayer, he threw the unconscious boy into the river.

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End of Chapter 1

A/N: And thus ends the first chapter... Whew!

The first chapter was divided into four parts for a total of 9000+ words. At first I was planning to submit everything all in one go, but my hands were just itching to upload something, so I posted them part by part. I hope that it wasn't a bad thing to do.

This remaining part was a bit rushed. I have somewhere to go right now, so it was rushed a bit. I'm really sorry if there are some plot inconsistencies and grammar errors!

Anyways, get ready for the next chapter, cause I'm sure it would be something you will never expect. Even I got surprised by my own idea. As a hint, check out the genre tags. ;) It got updated.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you continue to read this work of mine!