"So, what was the nearest town again?" Emperal mused aloud, his tone laced with mild irritation as his eyes scanned the vast, seemingly endless forest surrounding him. His footsteps were steady, but the monotony of endless trees was beginning to wear on his patience. "Ugh, such a big forest. Maybe I should find a flying beast or something... would save me all this walking."
Days passed as Emperal and Grimblaze traversed the dense forest, navigating through winding paths and overgrown trails. The distant sound of civilization finally broke through the cacophony of rustling leaves and chirping birds. They had reached a town—a sight that brought a momentary spark of interest to Emperal's otherwise stoic face. Unlike the rural simplicity of the villages he had passed earlier, this town had a distinct charm. Rows of wooden houses lined the cobbled streets, their craftsmanship robust yet elegant. Small pavilions dotted the bustling streets, adding a sense of liveliness to the air.
As they approached the town's gate, Emperal's eyes narrowed slightly, taking in every detail. The guards stationed there immediately caught his attention. They were clad in light yet sturdy armor, their postures sharp and disciplined. His gaze swept over them, noting their strength. Cycle 2, Second Stage! For mere guards to possess such cultivation, this town must harbor powerful experts, Emperal concluded, his lips curling into a faint, intrigued smirk.
Passing the gate without incident, Emperal stepped into the heart of the town. It was a hive of activity, alive with the hum of commerce and conversation. The streets were crowded with elves, all moving with purpose. Market stalls and shops were set up along every street corner, their vendors enthusiastically calling out to potential customers. The aroma of freshly baked goods and exotic spices lingered in the air, mingling with the faint metallic tang of crafted wares on display.
Grimblaze, ever the opportunist, began sniffing the air with an exaggerated motion, his stubby legs trembling with excitement. "B-boss, I think something or someone is summoning me!" he exclaimed dramatically, his nose flaring as he caught a particularly enticing scent.
Emperal couldn't suppress a chuckle at the absurdity of his companion. "Suit yourself," he said, waving him off. Without another word, Grimblaze dashed off toward a nearby food stall, his small figure disappearing into the crowd.
Shaking his head, Emperal continued through the throng, his sharp eyes scanning the area. It wasn't long before his gaze landed on a shop that seemed promising. The storefront was modest but well-maintained, its wooden sign carved with intricate elven runes that glimmered faintly under the sunlight. Judging by its clean exterior and the steady stream of customers entering and exiting, it seemed like a reputable place to find the supplies he needed.
Emperal stepped inside, the soft chime of a bell announcing his arrival. The interior was cozy yet organized, with neatly arranged shelves lined with various items. His black hair shimmered faintly under the light filtering through the windows, and his heterochromatic eyes—one a sharp crimson, the other a striking silver—immediately drew attention. The chatter in the room quieted momentarily as heads turned to observe the newcomer.
"Hey, who do you think that guy is?" a whisper came from one corner of the shop.
"No idea, but look at him," another voice replied in awe. "By the way he carries himself, he must be from the upper woods."
"No way..." someone else muttered incredulously.
The hushed murmurs of curiosity and speculation filled the air, but Emperal paid them no mind. His focus was solely on the shelves before him, where numerous small glass bottles were neatly arranged. Each vial contained two or three pills, their vibrant colors glinting faintly in the sunlight. The meticulous labeling on each bottle hinted at the skill of their creators.
As his eyes lingered on a particular shelf, an elven shop assistant approached him with a polite smile. "Welcome, sir. How may I assist you today?" the assistant asked, his tone deferential yet warm.
Emperal barely acknowledged the man, his gaze fixed on a bottle labeled 'Aetryn Booster Pills.' Without turning, he said, "Hmm, give me that Aetryn Booster Pill."
The assistant didn't hesitate, quickly fetching the item and presenting it with both hands. "Of course, sir. That will be 15 Elyths," he said, his voice steady and professional.
Emperal raised an eyebrow slightly, his surprise well-hidden. 15 Elyths? These things are sure costly, he thought, though the corner of his mouth twitched into an amused smirk. Without a word, he reached into his pocket and produced the required Elyths—rectangular notes adorned with intricate depictions of the Great Tree, Astryssil-Eltharion. His supply of money was the result of a rather lucrative "borrowing" arrangement with the bandit group they had encountered days ago.
The transaction was completed smoothly, and Emperal pocketed the pills. As he turned to leave, the murmurs in the shop resumed, though now tinged with a mix of admiration and trepidation. He couldn't help but smirk faintly at the attention, his stride confident as he exited the shop and rejoined the bustling streets.
…
As Emperal continued his stroll, he couldn't help but marvel at the town's size and liveliness. It stretched far beyond what he initially expected, its streets bustling with activity. Everywhere he turned, there was something that caught his eye—food stalls displaying exotic delicacies, vibrant fabrics hanging outside clothing shops, and even gleaming weapons arranged meticulously in various armories. The sheer variety of goods was overwhelming.
"This town is far bigger than I thought," he muttered, his eyes narrowing slightly as they scanned his surroundings. The abundance of weapon shops, in particular, piqued his curiosity. "I wonder why they need so many weapons here. It's not like they're preparing for war... or are they?" His musings were cut short by the pull of his wandering feet, urging him forward. "Guess I'll have to figure this out later."
After weaving through the crowd for some time, he found himself standing before an elegant clothing shop. The exterior was decorated with elven patterns that gave it a sophisticated yet welcoming feel. Without hesitation, Emperal stepped inside. The shop's interior was just as impressive—rows of finely crafted garments hung on enchanted racks that softly glowed, preventing dust from settling on the fabrics.
He examined the clothing carefully, selecting a few pieces that caught his eye—he assumed they were the most expensive. He purchased a few sets.
Satisfied with his purchases, Emperal made his way toward an inn he had noticed earlier. The inn stood at a prime location, its architecture bold yet refined, with a sign bearing its name: "The Silver Elm." Entering, he paid the required Elyths for a room and ascended the wooden staircase to his quarters.
The room, much to his surprise, was enormous. Its size could easily accommodate Grimblaze's entire family tree, grandparents included. The furnishings were simple yet tasteful, with a large bed draped in silken sheets, a sturdy writing desk, and a small seating area by the window.
Emperal set down his belongings and gave the room a quick once-over. Satisfied that it met his standards, he moved to the center of the room and sat cross-legged on a thick mat. From within his robes, he pulled out a curious object: a ring that pulsed faintly with spatial and dimensional energy. It was a ring he took from the bandit.
"This energy…" he murmured, his fingers running over the cool metal surface. "It feels so familiar yet so different." His eyes narrowed as he contemplated the artifact's potential. The ring exuded an essence reminiscent of dimensional hex he performed in his past life. Yet he knew better than to act rashly—if he attempted to wield that kind of power now, in his current body, the consequences would likely be disastrous.
A wry smile crept onto his face as he flexed his fingers. "This physique may have boosted my physical prowess," he mused, "but it's ultimately not a body-strengthening type." He sighed, shaking his head to clear his thoughts. Without wasting more time, he lightly activated Solustasis.
With a faint pop and a ripple in the air, a cauldron appeared before him, landing on the wooden floor with a metallic clang. The cauldron's surface was etched with intricate runes, glowing faintly under the dim light of the room. It was the same cauldron the village head, Rahuel, had given him—a relic whose true potential he was eager to unlock.
"Time to test this," Emperal muttered, his lips curling into an evil smirk. From his newly acquired storage pouch, he retrieved the bottle of Aetryn Booster Pills.
…
Meanwhile, a little distance away from the town gates, a pair of cloaked figures stood concealed in the shadows of the dense forest. The taller of the two glanced toward the distant glow of Seiphor Town, his demeanor tense but resolute.
"Sir, he's entered Seiphor Town," the shorter figure reported, his voice hushed yet laced with urgency. His cloak shifted slightly as he spoke, revealing a glint of polished metal beneath—a dagger, no doubt.