Normally, healers aren't skilled in combat or defense. Only a few are capable of fighting while healing, and those rare ones, And only priests or saintesses—are usually gifted with light magic, which grants them high defense. Scarce, however, was none of these. She lacked both the strength to defend herself and the awareness to sense danger.
She might have survived if she had even the slightest idea of what Esdeath was planning. But it was too late. Her life had ended abruptly, and her body was disposed of so quickly and cleanly that no one had any idea what had just happened.
Esdeath, unfazed by the gruesome act, used Scarce's bath to wash the blood off her body. The warm water ran red as it rinsed away the evidence of her brutal deed. Once she was clean, she calmly changed into a set of clothes she found in Scarce's room.
Her new outfit was striking—oversized red-tinted sunglasses hid her sharp eyes, adding a layer of mystery. Her deep crimson lips curled into a confident, almost smug smile. She wore a high-neck black top that fit snugly around her slender neck and shoulders, paired with a flowing red dress that moved gracefully with her every step. The vivid red fabric stood out sharply against her pale skin, making her seem both elegant and dangerous.
Silver cross-shaped earrings dangled from her ears, swaying faintly as she moved. A delicate silver chain rested around her neck.
Esdeath glanced at Maruti and firmly told her to change out of her tracksuit, suggesting it would be better to wear something else. However, Maruti stubbornly shook her head, crossing her arms as she replied, "This tracksuit is way more comfortable. I'm not changing." Her tone was casual, but her stubbornness was clear. Esdeath sighed, deciding not to argue further.
After Esdeath finished changing into her new attire, they turned their attention to the silver coins that maruti had given scarce as payment earlier. Without hesitation, they collected every single one of them. However, when it came to Scarce's own money and her stash of healing-type essence stones, Esdeath didn't even touch them.
Why?
Of course, they're valuable. But that's exactly why they can't take them, If Scarce's disappearance ever leads to an investigation, and they discover her money and essence stones are missing, it won't just be a mystery anymore—it'll turn into a case of theft. Once that happens, they'll dig deeper, and they don't need anyone poking around unnecessarily."
That's why it was better to avoid trouble before it finds you.
With that, Esdeath and Maruti stepped out of the room, leaving the silence behind as the lively atmosphere of the bustling city greeted them. The capital was alive under the warm rays of the sun, its streets crowded with countless people. Most were humans, but here and there, you could spot elves with their elegant features and dwarfs carrying heavy tools and goods. The air was filled with overlapping voices—merchants advertising their goods, children laughing, and the faint melodies of street performers.
Maruti's eyes sparkled as she took it all in, her smile widening until her cheeks hurt. "Now *this* is what we call a fantasy world!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with excitement. Her eyes glistened, overwhelmed by the sheer beauty and liveliness of the scene before her.
Esdeath glanced at her with a faint smirk. "Don't get too carried away. We're late already," she said, her voice carrying a sharp edge of urgency.
Realizing the truth of her words, Maruti nodded, and the two began their journey through the bustling streets.
As they walked, they passed by numerous shops lined up on both sides of the wide cobblestone road. The vibrant banners flapped gently in the breeze, and the scent of fresh bread and roasted meats wafted through the air. Merchants called out loudly, their voices competing with each other to draw attention.
"Massive discounts today! Buy three Rank E paper blast stones for just five silver coins!"
"Fresh yellow light banana fish king's flesh! Only twenty silver coins for one kilogram!"
Big and small shopkeepers alike stood proudly by their displays, each trying to outdo the other. Since this was the capital city, wealth was evident everywhere. Shiny silver coins exchanged hands with ease, while the humble bronze coins were nowhere to be seen—here, they were simply unnecessary.
The duo walked for what felt like ages, taking in the sights and sounds of the lively city. Eventually, hunger got the better of them, and they stopped at a cozy restaurant tucked into a corner of the market. The aroma of spices and sizzling meat filled the air as they savored a warm, hearty meal. Maruti hummed in satisfaction after every bite, while Esdeath ate quietly, her eyes scanning the crowd outside through the restaurant's large window.
After finishing their lunch and resting for a bit, they resumed their journey. Another hour of walking brought them to their destination—a grand structure that resembled a museum but carried the air of something far more official. The large building was surrounded by soldiers in polished armor, standing guard with unwavering focus.
"This is it," Maruti muttered, glancing at the imposing structure.
The property belonged to the government, marked by the intricate sigils carved into the tall gates. Inside, dozens of shopkeepers managed small counters, each bustling with customers. These shops specialized in a single, highly sought-after item—teleportation essence stones.
The stones were magical artifacts capable of instantly transporting people to predetermined locations. However, there was a catch: they weren't permanent. Once teleported, you had to return within the specified deadline or pay extra to fully claim ownership of the stone.
Without wasting any time, Esdeath strode up to a nearby shopkeeper, her steps confident and purposeful. The shopkeeper, a middle-aged man with a wrinkled face and a cautious expression, looked up as she approached.
"I want to go to Colac Village," Esdeath said plainly, her tone casual as if she were asking for directions to a park.
The shopkeeper froze for a moment, his hands trembling slightly as he adjusted his spectacles. "Colac Village?" he repeated, his voice laced with unease. "Why in the world would you want to go to such a dangerous place?"
Esdeath raised an eyebrow but kept her composure. "Don't worry," she replied with a calm but firm tone. "I'm just going for a little survey. I'm not planning to go any further. And besides," she added with a faint smirk, "I'm an awakened individual. There's no need to worry about my safety."
Her words carried an air of authority that made it hard to argue, though there was no real need for her to explain herself. Yet, Esdeath knew that she and Maruti, being young girls in appearance, could be easily dismissed or even refused. The shopkeeper might think they were reckless and unfit for such a journey.
The moment Esdeath mentioned being an awakened, the shopkeeper's demeanor shifted. Awakened individuals were known to possess extraordinary powers, and some could even alter their appearance to look younger or older. His eyes flickered with uncertainty as he studied Esdeath. Her confidence, maturity, and the unwavering tone of her voice made her seem far beyond her years.
"What if she's older than she looks?" the shopkeeper wondered to himself. The possibility made him hesitant to press further.
Without another word, Esdeath pulled out forty silver coins from her pouch and placed them on the counter. The coins clinked softly as they settled, shining under the shop's dim lighting. The shopkeeper nodded and handed over two essence stones, each shaped like a miniature Rubik's Cube with intricate patterns etched on every side.
"Take care," he muttered, still unsure but unwilling to question her further.
Esdeath and Maruti stepped out of the shop, their new destination set. After finding a quiet, secluded spot away from the bustling crowd, they inspected the essence stones.
"These look more like toys than something that can teleport us," Maruti said, tilting her head as she examined the cube in her hand.
Esdeath smirked. "Don't judge by appearances. They're filled with magic, enough for two uses each."
She placed her stone on the ground and activated it, and Maruti quickly followed her lead. The essence stones began to hum faintly, a soft vibration running through them. Without requiring any mana input from the users, the magic stored inside sprang to life.
The Rubik's Cube-shaped stones suddenly split apart, each one dividing into four glowing pieces. The pieces hovered in the air, moving outward until they formed a square, about one and a half meters apart from one another. Between the floating pieces, a hollow, blurry light shimmered into existence.
The light was faintly colorless, almost like a rippling veil of water.
Esdeath and Maruti exchanged a quick glance. The faint excitement in Maruti's eyes was mirrored by Esdeath's calm determination. With a slight nod, they both stepped forward, each entering their respective gates.
The moment their feet crossed the threshold, the light enveloped them, and the world around them seemed to stretch and blur. For a brief second, it felt like stepping through a dream—weightless, soundless, and surreal.
And then, with a flash, they were gone, leaving the quiet corner of the city behind.
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Well.....
I found two different arts of the kid, Tell me which one is better...