Reyna snapped her fingers, causing the floor to be filled with a brilliant red light.
CRACK
The weight of solitude pressed heavily on me, amplifying the silence.It was an oppressive feeling of abandonment, as if even the air had turned cold and indifferent around me.
My every footstep seemed to sound like a lonely hollow note in this cave, echoing a constant reminder of my isolation. The emptiness of the cave matches the void within me, and I must bear the crushing weight of my insignificance.
***
6 days later
I dashed down the creaky wooden stairs of the inn, each step echoing in the quiet of the morning. The inn had a simple, welcoming feel. The wooden beams showed their age, and a warm fire flickered in the hearth, filling the room with a soft light. Old decorations hung on the walls, and a red rug covered the floor, making the place feel comfortable. The innkeeper, a large man with a kind smile, waved goodbye as I decided to end my stay.
I glanced around the common room one last time before stepping outside. The street was bustling with activity. Passing by the blacksmith shop, the only sound was a heavy clash of metals in the air. A hairy old blacksmith with a thick beard hammered into one piece of glowing metal. Close by, a NPC alchemist was preparing a booth, offering potions and equipment for sale. His inventory was meticulously displayed on a wooden table, and he enthusiastically called out to anyone passing by, his voice a blend of eagerness and formality.
Next to the NPC, a cluster of players had gathered, their excitement palpable as they huddled around something. Upon closer inspection, I noticed a flier pinned to the wooden board, drawing their attention. The group—about ten or so players—stood in a tight circle, eagerly reading its contents and discussing what was written with hushed voices.
I pushed my way through the small crowd, inching closer to get a better view of the flier.
—-------------------------------------------------------
News Guild Update
Due to the death of (Ascend)Darius, updated Player rankings.
Top 10 Player Rankings.
As of July 15, 2035
Rank 1:Sho – Sho
Rank 2:Ascend – Valen
Rank 3:[Guildless] – Rhy
Rank 4:Order – Dante
Rank 5:The 10 Slayers – Thorne
Rank 6:[Guildless] – Arthur
Rank 7:Black Cats – Archer
Rank 8: Mana – Lyra
Rank 9:Crusaders – Adrian Kundra
Rank 10: G2 - Reyna
—-------------------------------------------------------
"Seeking potions or equipment?" the Alchemist proclaimed, holding a vibrant red vial and causing me to lose focus. "Affordable prices in the area!"
passed by the alchemist, noticing another NPC not far ahead. "Rings! 1 copper each!" she yelled.
I found it curious how she called them copper instead of bronze, even though they were the same thing. I'd noticed that throughout the tower, NPCs seemed to have different names for the same currency. Some had even referred to platinum as "king's coins," which struck me as odd.
I thought carefully about whether I needed these rings before approaching her. She was a middle-aged human NPC.
"How many do you have in total?" I asked.
She rummaged through some boxes before replying, "I have 1,000 rings on me, and I could get a few hundred more."
"No need," I laughed. "I'll take the thousand," I said, handing her 10 silver coins.
"Thank you," she said, bowing.
As she passed me the rings, I decided to purchase other items like potions and gear during my assessment phase. I left the city and the scenery shifted from the lively streets of the town to the serene, rolling hills. The path was lengthy and curvy, and the time flew by as I walked steadily, my feet aching from the trek.
As the day turned into evening, I arrived right at the gate to the 23rd. The gate was secured with heavy iron bars, casting long shadows in the dimming light. I established my base near the gate, carefully unpacking my equipment and setting up a compact tent. The sky above was a canvas of oranges and purples, a stunning view that momentarily halted my progress.
"The sky is truly beautiful," I said..
I settled into my tent, my camping gear scattered around me, and reflected on the journey that awaited. "This could change my life," I mused aloud, "but is it truly worth it?" My voice trailed off, filled with a tinge of sadness.
Beyond the tent, the evening quieted down to a gentle calm. The only sounds were the occasional sway of leaves or the distant call of birds.