"Now that the tiny misunderstanding has been taken care of, let's finish up here. Line up in front of me and open your [Inventories], then take out everything that you've gathered today and pass them to me. After that, you're free to leave."

The knight strode off the stage, positioning himself in front of the exit passageway, the two halberd-wielding knights by his side.

"And, one last thing. Since you all have nowhere to stay since you're all new here, the king has graciously offered a free night stay at one of our various inns. Just show them this token here." Howard reached into his [Inventory] and fished out a bronze circular coin. "Now line up, there’s another group waiting outside."

Reluctantly, the group lined up before the knight, submitting to his authority. Axel found himself among the first few who were lucky enough to surrender his spoils.

"Come out, come out [Inventory]," he announced when it was his turn.

The knight and the other guards couldn't help but let out a few snide chuckles in response.

"Ahhh never gets old," the knight sighed while patting Axel on the shoulder.

"And what's your name, boy," asked the knight.

"It's Axel," he responded.

"Very good, Axel. Here's a tip for you and for all of those whom our forever favorite jokester had taught earlier. You just have to think about wanting your [Inventory] to open up, instead of saying all that nonsense. It’s all in the mind."

"What? Who's that?" asked Axel.

"Blonde hair, electric whip. Ring a bell?"

"The Dig Rat lady? She told us that's how you open up the [Inventory], and all the other parts of the system."

“Dig Rat lady? Oh boy, pray that she never hears you say that. Well anyways, thanks to her we can always expect a good laugh," the knight chuckled, "You don't actually have to say it out loud, well you can if you want to, but thinking about what you want to open is good enough."

Curious about the validity of their words, Axel started to think about his [Quests], willing the screen to materialize in front of him. Much to his dismay, the screen suddenly opened up before him, catching him off guard. Axel’s face flushed red, he had been played a fool.

"Thanks for the laugh, boy. Always brightens my day seeing how she comes up with new ways to mess with the newcomers. Here's one last piece of advice for you, since I’m in a good mood, no jokes this time. If the key to bringing down the barrier were in this kingdom we'd have found it already. Your best bet is exploring the land. The only way to survive is to get stronger and the best way to get stronger is to keep killing monsters. So scurry along little rascal, and good luck. Lord knows you all need it here."

As Axel stepped through the exit, he found himself on a bustling street, full of people who had gone through the same ordeal he had been through, probably from the last batch. Some had tears streaming down their faces, others silently trudged in solemn dejection, and a few were venting their frustrations into the starry sky, shaking their fists up high.

All Axel could do was sigh and move on, accustomed to the familiar sting of being taken advantage of. It was, after all, just a minor setback in the grand scheme of things, a small bite from the big world.

Axel did wonder what would happen to the white-haired boy, but in reality, there wasn't really anything he could do except offer a fleeting prayer. Axel could empathize with the boy's reaction, having been taken advantage of countless times. It was tough being nothing more than a cog. Once defective, once broken. Easily discarded, easily replaced.

A night's rest did sound appealing after the day's events, so he followed the muddled flow of people towards one of the kingdom's inns. The walk was short, within minutes the buildings became visible against the far more impressive backdrop of the barrier. A row of identical inns lined the road, all uniform in design, boasting a charming two-story stature. Each inn stood welcoming, with well-lit windows on the second floor and sturdy doors below, promising a cozy retreat for those in need of rest.

At the entrance of each inn, a bronze plaque displayed its name, each accompanied by a distinctive emblem: Neophyte Nest Meadow, Neophyte Nest Clearing, Neophyte Nest Summit, Neophyte Nest Grove, and so forth.

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Axel chose an inn at random, they were all most likely the same anyway. A franchise inn, he overheard someone from the crowd labeling them as such. The engraved plaque simply read: Neophyte Nest Clearing.

Stepping inside, he approached the innkeeper stationed behind a sturdy oak wood counter. The main lobby was decently sized, big enough to house at least a good number of patrons. It was adorned with a sofa and numerous inviting cushy chairs all arranged around a roaring fireplace at the end. The soft crackle and pop of firewood that filled the room helped to relax Axel, releasing him from the tension and stress of the day.

"Welcome to, Neophyte Nest Clearing." The innkeeper, a chubby young man, bowed. He was dressed in a neatly pressed crisp clean white shirt that was tucked under his pants with a brown vest on top, paired with black gloves. "How can I help you today?"

"I was told I could get a free night's stay using this." Axel opened his [Inventory], this time without the embarrassing antics, and took out the bronze circular token, which featured an inn engraved at its center.

The innkeeper smiled, as he took the token, his gloved fingers lifting it towards the light. With a practiced eye, he examined the bronze token, twisting and turning it in his hand.

"Indeed, this token entitles you to a night's stay in one of our inns, a complimentary meal is provided as well," he reaffirmed with a warm smile. "Would you like to stay here or would you prefer to take your patronage at one of our other fine establishments?"

"Just here is fine," answered Axel. All he wanted was a warm meal and a good night's sleep. Tomorrow would be a new dawn, a new day, a new life, for Axel.

The innkeeper opened a drawer concealed beneath the counter, slipping the bronze token inside with practiced ease. From the worn board behind him, he retrieved a key, the familiar routine carried out with a seasoned touch. The key dangled from a wooden ring, accompanied by a wooden tag bearing a sequence of carefully etched numbers.

"Here's your key, room 214. The stairs are behind me, and the dining area is past that. Please check out by 11 am tomorrow, and I wish you a pleasant evening." the innkeeper said, offering the key with both hands as he bowed graciously.

Axel grabbed the key and strolled beyond the counter, making his way down a narrow passageway that guided him to a staircase. At the foot of the stairs, another corridor echoed with the lively symphony of joy and laughter. Eating can come later, for now, Axel just wanted to take a look at his room. It had been a while since he had the luxury to embrace a soft mattress. After all, the ground could only offer so much comfort.

Axel ascended the stairs and wandered along the hallways, passing numbered rooms on both sides, the doors themselves spaced evenly apart. His room, 214, was a modest dwelling, offering the bare necessities required for any weary traveler to refresh themselves after a long journey.

A bathroom was attached to the bedroom, equipped with all the amenities required for a comfortable stay, while a window overlooked the street outside, giving him a glimpse of the stars shining high above the barrier. A single bed covered with freshly laundered sheets sat at the end of the room, a small table beside it holding a simple oil lamp and voucher that promised a complimentary meal.

It was perfect for him, the simplicity and warmth it offered made him feel like he was home. The only thing that would complete it would be his big sister. Axel wondered how she was doing right now, having entered the barrier three years prior, how did she fare, was she still alive, or had a monster gotten to her first? No, that was a ridiculous notion, he couldn't afford to doubt her, she was tough, tougher than anyone he knew, and stronger too. If not, what was the point of even entering the barrier in the first place? He just wanted to be with her again, but instead, she had lofty goals. Goals that could only be achieved through owning a kingdom.

Taking a deep breath, he washed his face and took in the beauty that the room had to offer. It was his little haven inside this chaotic and confusing world.

He left his room and headed downstairs, eager to claim his free meal, not forgetting to take the voucher of course. The smell of freshly cooked food filled his nose, wafting through the air and filling the hallway with a sweet aroma, causing his stomach to grumble loudly. It was a good feeling knowing that he would have a proper meal tonight. And by the smell of it, finally a decent tasting one too, better than the hard biscuits and water he had to ration during his long arduous trek to Pavhorn.

The dining area was well-lit with lanterns and candles that hung on the walls, creating an inviting atmosphere that gave off a warm glow. The place was small but cozy, furnished with haphazardly arranged wooden tables and chairs. Patrons chatted animatedly with each other, their laughter and chatter filled the air as they savored their meals. Serving maids drifted seamlessly between the crowded tables, delivering plates of steaming hot food to the hungry patrons, taking orders, and clearing away empty dishes. The hubbub of conversation swirled pleasantly throughout the room, lending it a comforting ambiance.

It had been a while since Axel had the opportunity to enter such a lively establishment, it made him nostalgic for the days when his big sister would bring him along when she performed odd jobs to keep them afloat. For now, he could enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of the bustling environment.

Approaching one of the serving girls, he inquired about available seats. She directed him to a corner table near the bar, where Axel made his way through the crowded room, voucher in hand, to claim his spot.

Sitting down on a worn wooden chair, Axel leaned back and scanned the surroundings, taking in the scene around him. The hall was abuzz with activity, guests from all walks of life were indulging themselves in delectable dishes and alcoholic beverages being served. Musicians played their instruments softly in the background, providing a soothing soundtrack to the happy chaos.

It wasn't long before one of the servers came over. She was a lovely young woman, dressed in a simple dress with a white apron tied around her waist. Her dark hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail, and her eyes shone with kindness as she greeted him.