Signs of winter were beginning to show over the coming days. Nights were getting colder, and the fauna prepared to hibernate, while the flora started to wither and turn to chaff.
A week passed since Liam had completed his guild test. During this period of time, he had ramped up his training intensity by a lot, suffering bloodshot eyes and hours of unceasing migraines.
Still, his senses rapidly improved. Among them, his reaction timings and taste had become incredibly accurate, so much so, he could recognize the different ingredients that his meals consisted of.
Bodily cultivation, on the other hand, had a much more nourishing approach, strengthening his muscles in a slow but painless way. Liam cultivated within the 'Ora' caves underground, since they had a higher concentration of world essence.
In fact, he felt himself approaching the second cycle.
Along with his cultivation, he hunted Rank-1 beasts on the side in order to train his martial arts, while continuing to sell the magical beast corpses to restaurants and pill-alchemists alike.
The magical beast core was an instrumental ingredient for many pills, and likewise for the beast's body.
Over time, Liam's savings had reached a substantial amount, giving him the means to renovate their house in preparation for winter.
The wooden walls of their home were now made out of white-painted stone, and the dirt floors were fixed with wooden planks. Proper lights illuminated the space from the ceiling, expanding the space much more than it seemed.
'I don't really need to do this since my body can filter out the cold, but Eve might get really sick. It's really the least I can do for her.'
His mother raised more than a few brows at how Liam got the money for the renovations, but she couldn't hide her proud and amazed expressions. Although they held a tinge of guilt.
The sun had just risen when Liam woke up and started to get ready. He washed his face with a warm water vessel, then wore his usual tight black clothing — donning a small coat over his gymsuit.
Today, he had to choose which guild branch to work in.
Mindlessly choosing wasn't Liam's way of doing things. He weighed the pros and cons first, his face growing pensive and distant.
'On one hand, it leads to strength. More connections, more training and experience. On the other hand, it's riddled with iron shackles and chains.'
Liam reminded himself of his new purpose.
'I have to fight against my status anyways. Getting stronger quicker doesn't hurt. Besides, I have no intention of serving these people.'
Liam made his way out of his dwelling and silently exited, since Eve was still asleep.
Outside, in the distance, Lloyd's yawning figure could be seen approaching Liam's home.
With a quick greeting, Lloyd instantly asked as he gestured for Liam to follow him:
"Did you make up your mind?"
Liam's response was immediate.
"Yes… I'll take the job."
Lloyd nodded. It seemed as though he already knew what his student's decision would be.
"Can you tell me anything about it?" Liam asked as the pair made their way towards the underground.
Lloyd's face turned pensive. After a few seconds of silence, he answered:
"It's simple really. You just kill people."
Liam sighed. 'Thanks for that.'
"Never mind that, let's get you a pair of blades."
The pair entered the underground and entered various armories. The shopkeepers would shoot him strange looks now and again, but with the cold look on Liam's face — and Lloyd's presence — they didn't bother him.
Strangely, most of the weapons he inspected had small but strange black writings on them.
Even Wryel's saber and Lloyd's blades had them, but Liam thought it was just some adornment or insignia. Looking at their labels, he came to realize they were called 'inscriptions', and were vastly more expensive than non-inscribed weapons.
The pair were in a shop surrounded by axes, blades and spears, when Lloyd quickly clarified.
"Inscriptions are special writings that could give your blade unique properties. They're not limited to weapons either. It's one of the more complicated uses of 'Ora', and they're practically used all around us. Though, it requires devotion to understand and develop one's comprehension of it.
"Basically, it's an entirely different branch, similar to cultivation or alchemy."
'That's… pretty amazing.'
Liam shifted to the blades in his grip. It was a black-metal katana, designed with curvy stripes on its edges.
On the other hand, his wakizashi had a similar appearance, only the edges were spiked instead of smooth.
'Night Blades. 350 'Ora' Stones. Inscriptions can absorb 'Ora' and add a layer of sharpness, capable of cutting through steel.'
Liam swung the blades a couple of times, before nodding in satisfaction. "Good enough for me."
Lloyd stared at the price tag and let out a wry sigh. "Kid… at least buy something cheaper so my pockets don't weep."
350 'Ora' Stones equaled 3500 gold coins. In Ucladd, ten gold coins were enough to feed a family of three for half a year.
As such, cultivator's held a powerful edge against normal humans. However, their way of life was much more dangerous, and death loomed around every corner.
"A promise is a promise, old man." Liam grinned, causing Lloyd to vow never to make another promise with his student again.
Reluctantly paying the shopkeeper the price for the blades, the clerk sheathed the blades in a matte-black scabbard, before giving it to Liam.
Liam fixed the blades to his hip, tying it together with a black sash that wrapped around his waist. Overall, it gave him a slick and suave appearance.
'Damn, I look so… edgy.' He thought, letting out a bitter laugh.
Lloyd had led him towards the furthest wall of the underground. The surroundings became more desolate, with only a few shacks and rundown inns visible.
Eventually, Lloyd entered a small wooden hut with Liam closely behind. It wasn't furnished at all, save for a small wooden table in the middle.
Lloyd placed his hand on the hut wall, searching for a specific spot, before pressing it.
Clunk!
Suddenly, the wooden table in the middle sunk inside the ground, revealing an underground staircase.
'An underground… within an underground?'