As Aldric disappeared into thin air, leaving Rowen with one more mystery to solve, Rowen didn't dwell on it for long. Instead, he focused on the path ahead and continued moving forward in the north direction of the forest. With each step, he felt a renewed sense of determination coursing through him.
As Rowen ventured deeper into the forest, the dense foliage around him seemed to thicken, casting eerie shadows that danced with the faint glow of twilight. With each step, he could sense the presence of more creatures lurking in the shadows, their faint rustlings echoing through the stillness of the woods.
Drawing upon his skill, Rowen focused his "Omniscient Gaze" once more, scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger. Suddenly, his senses tingled as he detected the familiar energy signatures of two goblins nearby.
Novice-level hatchlings, their aether energy pulsated with youthful vigor, yet their lack of skills made them predictable adversaries.
As the goblins emerged from the underbrush, brandishing crude weapons and snarling with feral aggression, Rowen remained calm and composed. With a swift motion, he unsheathed his sword, its blade gleaming in the dim light as he prepared to engage the creatures in battle.
With precise movements honed through countless hours of training with Gavin, Rowen swiftly dispatched the goblins, their feeble resistance no match for his determined resolve. As the last creature fell to the forest floor, Rowen took a moment to catch his breath, his heart pounding with exhilaration at the successful encounter.
After taking some rest.Rowen pressed onward with renewed confidence, his resolve unwavering as he continued his journey through the heart of the forest. Though challenges lay ahead, he knew that with each battle, he grew stronger and more adept at harnessing the power within him.
As Rowen pressed onward in the northern direction, the dense forest seemed to close in around him.
Suddenly, the sound of rustling underbrush alerted Rowen to the presence of more goblins lurking nearby. With a steady hand, he once again invoked his "Omniscient Gaze," scanning the area for any signs of danger.
And a group of goblins emerged from the shadows, their eyes gleaming with malice as they spotted Rowen. These were no mere hatchlings; they were savages, their aether energy pulsating with strength and aggression.
But Rowen was ready. With lightning-fast reflexes, he parried their strikes and countered with devastating precision, each blow finding its mark with deadly accuracy. The clash of steel echoed through the forest as Rowen fought with unwavering resolve, his determination shining like a beacon in the darkness.
Rowen said, "It's already the third day. How long will it take me to reach the city that Aldric told me about?" After saying this, he sat down near the tree and relaxed his body. Rowen continued, "Let's check how much I have grown in those days."
Then he focused on himself, using his skills, and information about him appeared in his mind:
• Attribute - Chaos { Initial- Stage }
• Rank - Expert-Novice
• Aether energy - 810
• Skills - Origin of Infinity { Rank - Primal }
Omniscient Gaze { Rank - Unique }
Slash { Rank - Common }
Rowen thought to himself, "I've encountered so many goblins in this forest and absorbed numerous monster cores. But now, as I near the breakthrough to the second rank, these cores no longer provide much aether energy. They've become useless to me. And I haven't been able to find any higher rank monsters in this dense forest. The city must be nearby by now. Let's first collect these goblin cores; even if they don't provide much aether energy, at least I can sell them for money."
Having continued to walk north for three whole days, Rowen stood up again and started running towards the north. After running for some time, he saw a way out of the forest.
As Rowen emerged from the dense forest, a sense of relief washed over him. The canopy of trees gave way to open sky, and the cool breeze carried with it the promise of civilization beyond the wilderness.
With renewed vigor, Rowen quickened his pace, his eyes fixed on the horizon as he raced towards the city. The distant outline of buildings grew clearer with each passing moment, fueling his determination to reach his destination.
As he approached the outskirts of the city, Rowen slowed to a halt, taking a moment to catch his breath and survey his surroundings. The bustling streets teemed with activity, merchants hawking their wares and travelers coming and going in every direction.
With a sense of anticipation coursing through him, Rowen stepped forward, ready to embark on the next chapter of his journey. For though the forest behind him held its own mysteries and challenges, the city ahead promised new opportunities and adventures waiting to be discovered.
As Rowen approached the front gate of the city, he joined the line of people patiently waiting to enter. The bustling crowd buzzed with conversation and activity, each person eager to reach their destination within the city walls.
Rowen took a moment to observe his fellow travelers, noting the diverse array of faces and attire that spoke of different backgrounds and walks of life. Merchants with laden carts, adventurers clad in armor, and humble villagers all stood side by side, united in their shared purpose of entering the city.
As the line slowly moved forward, Rowen felt a sense of anticipation building within him. What wonders and challenges awaited him within the city's walls? What new allies and adversaries would he encounter on his journey?
With each step closer to the front gate, Rowen's excitement grew, his heart pounding with the thrill of the unknown. For in this moment, standing on the threshold of adventure, he knew that anything was possible. And with courage and determination as his guide, he was ready to embrace whatever fate had in store for him within the bustling streets of the city.
When Rowen reached the front of the gate where guards were collecting entrance fees, one guard addressed him, "Please submit your 20 gold coin entrance fee here."
Rowen replied, "I don't have any money on me. But would this count as entrance fee?" as he showed one of the many goblin cores of the Goblin (Savage) he had in his pouch to the guard.
The guard's eyes widened in surprise as he examined the cores. With a tone of respect, he said to Rowen, "But sir, this is more valuable. This is worth at least 100 gold coins."
Rowen shrugged, unfazed. "It doesn't matter. I don't have any money on me, so you can have them."
The guard's eyes widened in surprise as he examined the goblin core. After a moment of consideration, he nodded and said, "Very well, sir.Thank You for your offering. And this will suffice as your entrance fee."
With a sense of relief, Rowen stepped past the gate and into the bustling streets of the city. The first thing he saw was a floating piece of land hovering in the center of the city's heart. Upon it stood a tall building that exuded a magnificent aura, much like an imposing fortress beckoning travelers from afar.
Curiosity piqued, Rowen couldn't help but be drawn towards the floating piece of land at the center of the city. Its ethereal presence seemed to defy the laws of nature, casting a mesmerizing glow that illuminated the surrounding area.
As he made his way towards it, Rowen couldn't shake the feeling of awe that washed over him. The towering building atop the floating platform loomed large, its architecture both grand and mysterious, hinting at the secrets it held within.
With each step, Rowen's anticipation grew, fueled by the desire to know more about the enigmatic structure. For he knew that within its walls lay the potential for knowledge, adventure, and perhaps even the answers he sought on his journey.
As he drew closer, Rowen couldn't help but wonder what wonders awaited him within the confines of the floating building. With a determined stride, he pressed onward, ready to embark on the next chapter of his journey in the heart of the city.
As Rowen reached the center of the city, his gaze was immediately drawn to a large platform carrying people up to the floating land above. In the line of passengers, he noticed individuals clad in armor, each carrying formidable-looking weapons.
Recognizing them as hunters, Rowen observed their stern expressions and the air of determination that surrounded them. They are also fellow seekers of adventure and challenges like Rowen.
As Rowen observed the platform and the hunters in line for some time, he eventually made the decision to join the line of people. After waiting for his turn, he stood on the platform alongside the other hunters, feeling a sense of anticipation building within him as the platform started moving upward.
With each passing second, Rowen could feel the sensation of ascent as the platform rose higher and higher. The ground below grew smaller, and soon he was able to see the entire city spread out beneath him.
A rush of excitement surged through Rowen as he took in the breathtaking view. The city stretched out in all directions, its bustling streets and towering buildings now miniature in size. From this vantage point, he felt a sense of awe at the vastness of the world around him.
As Rowen finally reached the floating land, he stood at the end of a long road that stretched towards the tall building ahead. Its magnificent presence loomed before him, exuding an aura of mystery and grandeur.
With a sense of anticipation coursing through him, Rowen began his journey down the road towards the towering structure. Each step forward filled him with excitement and a growing sense of wonder at what lay ahead.
As he drew closer to the building, Rowen couldn't help but marvel at its intricate architecture and imposing stature. Its walls seemed to whisper secrets of ancient times, with colors like gold and white adorning them.