I finally left the place consumed by an insatiable hunger for wealth. I needed a lot of money, a craving that couldn't be satiated by this measly few coins. Yet, paradoxically, that couldn't be fullfilled. The irony that haunt me and remind me my father's lifelong illness and my mother's turbid life. The happiness that was far-fetched from the grasped of someone like me.
However, even if I felt this task was insurmountable and daunting for someone of my limited abilities still I dared to dream of a scenario where I was standing at the peak of everyone, living a life of pure bliss with my family. Triumph over on my parents all hardships and waking up my father from his grave illness.
My father, once a seasoned soldier working under the Belarus Kingdom dedicated his entire life for its well-being. Honed his skills in battle and risk his life to protect the kingdoms peoples. His bravery and selfness has always inspired me to strive for greatness, to pursue the unreachable heights, no matter how impossible they seemed.
But, mey how strong his spirit be seems, my father's bravery was met with a devastating blow. Protecting his loved kingdom against the enemy on the battlefield he recieved a severe injury that left him bedridden all this while, shattering his indomitable will and distorting our tranquil life into a thousand of pieces.
Once a invincible superhero of my childhood memories although a little tad foolish, had become a shadow of his distant past. Making our merriment happy life to turn sour completely.
Even if it was in past, the memories of our carefree days, filled with laughter and merriment bringing them was still possible.
Also seeing the despair and loneliness appearing on my mother's face was very palpable. Her life consumed by the hollow eyes looking at his bedridden husband had stabbed me multiples of times.
As I couldn't bear the thought of her living her entire life in solitary I scrambled to grow up with a heart full of hope. I was certain there'd be something I could do even if I didn't possess any skills. There should be some way to restore the happiness that had been lost.
But it didn't take much time to bust the bubble full of my hope. Despite my efforts and struggles I couldn't able to find any decent job.
The world that was only moved by the name of Skills couldn't accept me. So I ended up working at the knife edge, hunting the monsters at the outskirts of my village end. A precarious occupation that tested my courage daily.
I only hunt the low-level monsters who couldn't posed no real threat to me. Yet, it was truly grueling work and I could only able to hunt one monster a day with my limited capacity. Occasionally, I encountered a ferocious beast forcing me to hide and flee for my life.
Hunting the monsters was never easy, but the meager pay I received was enough to keep me going.
Truthfully, monster hunting wasn't a task for commoners or villagers like me, as this task deemed too dengerous for common villagers like myself so it was a profession reserved for skilled soldiers, knights, and adventurers.
However, driven by the harsh realities of poverty with our impoverished states, many people take up this perilous occupation to hunt monsters for some stacks including myself. Working as a hired laborers, alleviating some of the burden from kingdoms knights.
"Thud." Walking lost in thoughts, with my delusional spirit I trot to someone and fell on my rear, earning a scornful remark from a passing person.
"Hey, loser! Can't you walk without slacking off?"
The young boy standing in front of me a little pissed off looked at me while dusting off his clothes. He was the second son of Derrick's family, one of the geniuses of Seipheor village, Owen Derrick.
He was the son of our village chief. A tall and handsome and truly gruesome person. He disgusts me to my core.
Like a dark cloud casting a shadow over the village, Owen Derrick loomed before me.
He was once my classmate always opposing and bullying me with the power of his father.
Yet, there was no mistaking he was an outstanding awakened in his own right and the outright person who was accepted by the prestigious Valmier Academy a testament to his remarkable abilities.
I stood before him, dusting off the dirt from my fall, "I'm sorry, young chief Derrick," offering a hollow apology.
"Hey, so where is our young hero heading out this time? Attacking a demon castle?" One of his minion, a sniveling sycophant, chimed in. His words dripped with sarcasm.
[They also disgust me too.] I couldn't stand either of them.
Owen was a master of manipulation. He always acts benevolently and magnanimously in front of others. But beneath this facade lurked a most frigid and venomous person that ever could seen.
"Here, please don't mistreat him." His words, laced with feigned concern and dripped with malice as he strolls in my direction. Extending his hand like a snake slithering through the grass. Before I could avoid it, his snake like hand already caught up to my shoulder.
"Are you alright?" Before I could evade his grasp, his fingers closed around my shoulder like a vice as chuckled viciously. A mirthless sound that sent shivers down my spine.
I couldn't talk as scritching pain suddenly shot through my left shoulder, the crushing sound of my bones echoing through my mind little by little.
"Hey, are you listening to our young master? His asking you something?" His minions voice, a sniveling whine, cut through my agony as his words dripped with sadistic glee.
I could see the vicious glints glowing in his underlings' eyes. They were feasting on my suffering like vultures reveling in carrion. Enjoying my painful expressions to their heart content.
"I... I'm... Alright," I stammered, struggling to hide the pain that was making my shoulders quiver and my body tremble.
I wanted to smack his hand off of me, but my trembling body couldn't support the silent fury coming from my mind. His hand was strong while his strength far surpassed mine.
The difference between us was like an ant vs a mammoth. Even if hundreds of Ard were to stand against him he would crush them with just the sole of his shoes.
This disparity between us was a chasm, a vast and unbridgeable gap that left me feeling insignificant and vulnerable.
I could feel my body giving up and my legs succumbing to the crushing weight of Owen's grip. If I didn't get out of this stalemate I could see myself becoming completely unconscious. But then, a voice, like a lifeline, cut through the haze,
"Hey kid, why are you blocking young chiefs Derrick's way?" it asked, as the pressure on my shoulder began to disappear.
The voice belongs to an middle-aged man was like a getle breeze that soothed my frazzled nerves. Easing my trembling body and nerves.
"Why did young chief suddenly appear here?" The middle-aged man stood between both of us. I could see his wide back in front of my eyes like any sturdy barrier.
I mindlessly looked in his direction when his tilting gaze fell on me with a faint smile.
Saying...
[Hey kid are you alright?] As I did understand his concerned gaze directed at me I nodded my head in response and closed my eyes briefly as if to reassure myself of my own well-being.
[Yes! I'm fine. Please don't mind me.]
As I nodded my head, I instinctively clasped my left shoulder with my hand which was throbbing with intense agony as if to soothe it.
"Is Mr. Kannor also come in Village Seipheor after so many years?" Meanwhile, Owen's voice cut through fleeting silence, his tone laced with a hint of agitation.
"Yes, as a subject of the kingdom Belarus and a proud adventurer belongs to the prestigious Guild, it is my solemn duty to protect the ordinary citizens." Mr. Kannor said with a gentle smile. His subtle tone carried his conviction and a commitment to his work.
"Tch. Anyway... My father had asked me to convey that he would like to have some small meeting with the Adventurers here." Owen retort, laced with irritation. Probably still angry at Mr. Kannor for spoiling his little play.
"Ohh. I also like to meet Chief Derrick. Please inform him that we will be there in just a minute." Unfazed, Mr. Kannor responded with great diplomacy.
Owen stared at my direction before clicking his tongue and walking away, as his minions scurrying after him like his loyal lapdogs..
"Hey, kid, are you really alright? I could see your shoulder throbbing." Mr. Kannor's concerned eyes refocused on me, and looked at me with worried eyes.
It was so long since someone had worried about me other than my parents, this brought a faint smile on my lips, a sense of joy that I hadn't felt in ages.
"I'm... I'm fine." I stuttered. My voice was barely audible, as I struggle to keep my nervousness. As it was first time in my life I was talking to an high class adventurer. Although I have seen adventurers so many times seeing and talking to a high class one was a very different thing. It was making me lightheaded.
"Thank you. Thank you for your help." I sincerely bow in front of him, expressing my gratitude and pouring out all of my sincerity like libation. Even forgetting about the injury I just received.
In this moment I finally understood the difference between adventurers and ordinary folk. The aura surrounding them was palpable but it could also give you a sense of security that you adored.
Although he wasn't wearing any stunning armor at the time, I could still feel his strength radiating from his body. Like a gentle warmth of a morning sun both calming and empowering.