After a long night of hunting and defeating Nersin in the forest, Ethan returned to the local guild, exhausted but brimming with the energy he had absorbed from the beast.
The Devourer's power within him had subsided for the moment, but he knew the hunger would return. The guild's door creaked softly as Ethan stepped inside, greeted by a quiet atmosphere.
The place was nearly empty, with only a few adventurers sitting in the corners, preparing for their missions.
Ethan approached the guild's attendant, Jean, and requested a room for the night. With minimal formality, Jean handed him a key, and Ethan headed upstairs to rest.
In his simple room, Ethan collapsed onto the creaky wooden bed. His body felt heavy after the brutal fight with Nersin, and even though he had absorbed the creature's energy, exhaustion still gripped him.
His eyes slowly closed, and his mind drifted into a soothing darkness.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the small gaps in his window, warming Ethan's face as he lay half-awake. He winced slightly as the light roused him from sleep.
Slowly, he sat at the edge of the bed, his vision still blurred, trying to gather his senses.
"Ethan, we have a mission today," Valdraxx whispered in his mind, the voice as cold as a chill wind creeping into his thoughts. "Prepare yourself."
Ethan nodded slightly. He pushed the blanket aside and rose from the bed. His mind quickly focused on the mission in Trakan Village, a place rumored to be filled with mysterious dangers.
He knew today would be a critical point in his journey, and he couldn't afford to let his guard down.
From the small table beside the bed, Ethan grabbed his leather belt, where he kept his dagger.
He inspected his weapons one by one a dagger, a short sword made of horn, and his zoology book, which he never left behind. Once assured that all his gear was in place, he opened the large leather bag on the floor and packed the rest of his items blankets, dried food, and rope.
However, Ethan's attention was suddenly drawn to something lying in the corner of the room Nersin's horn, which he had cut off the previous night.
The horn still emitted a soft glow, though the energy it contained was much weaker than when he first severed it. The faint blue light made the horn stand out in the sunlit room.
Before Ethan could reach for the horn, Valdraxx's voice echoed in his mind again, this time with a warning tone.
"Hide it well, Ethan," Valdraxx's voice sounded serious, almost urgent.
"Be cautious if Lina detects Nersin's horn. Some mages have the ability to sense energy and aura."
Ethan paused, considering Valdraxx's words. Lina, the mage who would be part of his team later, had the magical ability to detect the flow of Mana and Hyak within a person.
However, the residual energy in Nersin's horn could raise suspicion if Lina sensed it.
The horn could serve as proof of Nersin's power, but it could also cause problems if Lina or Draven realized that Ethan had absorbed such a strong energy from the creature.
Without saying much, Ethan took a thick cloth from his bag. He carefully wrapped the horn, ensuring no light would escape to draw attention.
Once tightly secured, he tucked it into the bottom of his leather bag, making sure it was well-hidden.
"That's better," Valdraxx whispered softly, sounding satisfied. "We don't need to tell them everything, Ethan. This secret will be our strength."
Ethan merely grunted in response, then continued with his preparations. His mind buzzed with plans and strategies.
Though he trusted in Valdraxx's power, he knew that with greater strength came even greater challenges.
Once fully prepared, Ethan donned his adventurer's cloak and gave himself one last glance in the small mirror on the wall.
His eyes looked slightly darker than usual, a side effect of the Devourer's growing power inside him.
He realized that this power was slowly changing him, both physically and mentally, though he didn't fully understand the extent of its influence yet.
Ethan slung his bag over his shoulder and left the room, descending the creaky wooden stairs. Downstairs, the guild was starting to come alive again.
Other adventurers were up, sitting at tables, talking, eating simple breakfasts, or getting ready for their own missions.
The sounds of conversations, laughter, and clinking glasses filled the large room.
But Ethan paid them little attention. His focus now was solely on Trakan Village and the mystery that awaited him there.
As he approached the reception desk to inquire about his team, Nyssa suddenly appeared at the guild's entrance. The white-haired woman moved with her usual calm and grace.
Her eyes immediately locked onto Ethan, and with a slight nod, she approached him.
"Everything ready?" Nyssa asked, her voice steady and professional.
Ethan nodded. "Yes. I'm ready. What about Draven and Lina?"
"They'll be here soon," Nyssa replied. "We'll meet at the south gate to begin the journey."
Ethan sensed that the initial tension between them had lessened, but there was still a cautious distance.
Nyssa might have started accepting his presence, but he knew she hadn't fully trusted him yet.