Skyler was deep in peaceful sleep, drooling over the bed like a carefree child. It had been ages since he felt such tranquillity— without any worries at all. The peaceful sleep was shot-lived as someone knocked at the door, interrupting his slumber.
"Skyler, are you up there?" The inn keeper lady called, carrying a trey with breakfast— a bread and a cup of tea.
"Just a moment." He yawned, getting up from the bed. As he opened the door of his room, he was surprised. "Umm, miss. I didn't paid you for the breakfast." He replied.
"Oh, don't worry dear." She said warmly, "It's on the house. Can't let a guest leave without breakfast, can I?"
"That's very generous of you." He chuckled, taking the foods, "And I appreciate your generosity. I'll head out after I'm done."
"No rush, dear." She said waving a hand, "Take your time as much as you want. Or are you leaving this country already?"
"No. not now at least." He replied, "I don't have enough money right now. So, I was thinking taking some quest back at the clan to earn a bit."
"So, you'll be back here tonight?"
"Yeah, probably."
"In that case, I'll prepare something special for you." She said excitedly before she walking away. Skyler stood there for a moment, holding the food she provided, and smiling on himself.
'She's really a sweet lady.' He smiled, thinking her cheerful image, 'I wish she'd been my mom back at my world.'
Placing the food on the bed, he sat down to eat. The nice and warm tea hit the spot as he took small and gentle sips. The bread felt soft as he eat a small portion. It was good and flavoured his taste-buds.
"Umm-umm, what a delightful flavour." He exclaimed, savouring every portion, "I never knew bread and tea can be this tasty. Come to think of it, I still need to check the 'Surprise Box' I received yesterday. Inventory."
Among the items in his system inventory, he selected the surprise box— the reward he decided to check later.
['Surprise Box' has been selected. Do you like to open it?]
[
"Certainly yes." He commanded, still savouring the bread.
The box opened with a flash of light, nearly blinding him. As the light faded, a mask appeared, floating before his face.
It was pitch-black, with crimson accents around the ages. The mouth part was flat with grey teeth pattern, while the eyes shinned in piercing navy-blue. It looked ferocious— like a wild beast yet surprisingly astonishing; similar to a relic of an ancient predator.
[Congratulations! You have received the magical item 'Mask of the Dawn']
[Active Effects: It can decrease your mana required for high-level spells by 20%, and can also reduce your exhaustion by 50%. (Usage:3 times. Cool down:24 Hours)]
[Passive Effects: Wearing the mask prevents appraisals on your stats and hides your presence]
"For real? This is insane!" Skyler's eyes sparkled with stars, "Man! This is what I actually needed, no more unwanted peeking in my stats. And it can also decrease my required mana on attacks. But moreover, my exhaustions will be reduced too. Hell yeah!"
To try, he put on the mask instantly. He looked ferocious yet dazzled magnificently in the morning sunlight. His bluish-white hair waved gently over the forehead of the mask, completing his looks.
[Equipped magical item: Mask of the Dawn. Stats are in effect]
"Cool!" He exclaimed, taking off the mask, "I'll use it when I'll hit the clan. For now, Inventory."
He put it back, and finished his breakfast. Waving his shiny hair, he put on the rob— the outfit he received as a gift from Azrathos.
********
The fresh breeze of morning, and warmth of the gentle sun lifted his spirit as Skyler headed for the clan. He intended to take some jobs where he could level up, and earn some Siets as well, while keeping a low profile— only reason, why he put on the mask.
"Umm, How may I help you, sir?" Hellen asked, startled, unable to appraise the unknown figure stood before her, "Do you wish to register as an Adventurer or do you like to make a request?"
"Hellen. It's me— Skyler." He said, slightly pulling down the mask to reveal his face.
"Skyler!" She gasped, still blushing from the encounter they had the other day, "Pardon me. I didn't recognize at all. Your entire presence, somehow seems to be supressed."
"It's actually the work of this magical item I found last night." He replied, putting back the mask on his face, "How're you doing?"
"I'm fine." Lowering her eyes, Hellen replied, "What about you?"
"I'm doing okay." He looked at the wall on his right side— on the quest board. Various quests had been on due; some required high stages, while others required low. The reward price was also included in the list; higher the reward, higher the risk.
'I think I should be fine with some mid-level quest, I suppose.' He thought, looking carefully on the lists.
"Hellen, I was thinking of taking some quests. Do have anything suitable for me?" He asked, unable to determine by himself.
"If you're talking about your actual strength, how about this one?"
She gave him one of the flyers stuck to the board. It was a job for collecting fangs of the 'Black Serpent'.
"This quest requires a party of five, at least stage three or higher, but given your capabilities, it'll be an easy job." She stated, "More importantly, our best adventurers are preparing for exploring the Volcanic Mountains. So, no one's actually taking this one right now."
He thought for a moment, and read all the information given in the flyer. Surly it was a risky one, but he could handle that.
"All right. I'll take it." He replied.
"Great!" she smiled, looking at his newly get-up, "By the way, Skyler. About what I said yesterday, the elite members are leaving tomorrow. Will you join them?"
"I'll give you my answer after my return." He said, turning her down for now, "By the way, where can I find this 'Muddy Swamp'?"
"Let me explain." She started speaking.
The Nation of Rosevill was a small kingdom. The southern and eastern parts were bordered by the barren and gloomy landscape, spanning vastly and ended by the volcanic mountains.
On the northern part, it was a dense forest, yet less dangerous as the monster activities were not much of a threat. However, the western part was different. It was known as 'Dark Forest'. Rays from the sun barely fell on the depth of that forest.
It was gloomy, creepy and most of the deadly beast lingered there— so as the 'Muddy Swamp' where the 'Black Serpent' lived. Skyler needed to go there and collect its fangs. The reward for the quest was 150 Siets, higher than typical for involving greater risk.
The geography of Rosevill was now clear to Skyler. He, by the way, didn't care whether it was a sinister forest or not. Only thing he cared about was to level up.
Thus headed for the forest, waving hands to say by. Hellen stood still, blushing on her cheeks, watching him leaving the clan as she murmured, "Take care, Sorcerer."