The sun had barely set when DK stood in his room, staring at the faintly glowing orb of the mana lamp on his desk. His mind churned with thoughts of the days to come. He had poured over countless pages, rehearsed theories, and run through scenarios in his head. Yet, a gnawing uncertainty remained. The concept of "soul resonance" still felt like an enigma—both a possibility and a peril.
Lucy's knock broke his reverie. She entered, holding a small, unassuming wooden card engraved with faint runic markings. "Here it is," she said, handing it over. "Your new identity. From this moment on, you're no longer Aiden Lin. You're DK—a wanderer with no ties to any noble house."
DK took the card, feeling its weight in his hand. It wasn't heavy in the literal sense, but the symbolic detachment from the Lin name gave him a strange mix of freedom and unease. "Thanks, Lucy," he said, his voice steady. "Tomorrow is the start of something new."
Lucy nodded, her expression uncharacteristically solemn. "I've packed everything you'll need—clothes, basic rations, and a few protective charms. The cart will be ready a few hours before dawn. We'll leave quietly and head to the outskirts where we can avoid any Lin household staff or guards."
DK nodded, but he could sense the hesitation in her tone. "You're worried," he said plainly.
Lucy sighed, crossing her arms. "I won't lie. I am. You're stepping into a world that's harsh and unforgiving, DK. The Trials, dungeons, this soul resonance thing—it's all life-threatening. And now you're shedding the protection of your family name. If something goes wrong, there's no safety net."
DK gave her a faint smile. "Lucy, the Lin name hasn't protected me in years. If anything, it's been a chain. It's time I find out what I can do without it."
As the hours passed, DK found himself unable to sleep. Instead, he stood by the window, watching the twin suns of the Celestia Realm dip below the horizon. The dying red dwarf cast a crimson glow across the landscape, blending with the golden hues of the larger sun. It was a strange, alien beauty that reminded him how far he was from the world he once knew.
He clenched his fists, feeling the faint ache of his muscles from the relentless training he'd undertaken. His body had grown stronger, but the question remained: Would it be enough? He couldn't sense his mana pathways or the nexus core, yet he believed, with every fiber of his being, that he could break through. The Trials loomed ahead, and he couldn't afford to fail.
When dawn broke, DK was ready. He dressed in simple but durable travel clothes Lucy had prepared and stepped into the courtyard. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of morning dew. A small cart waited near the gate, loaded with supplies. Lucy stood beside it, checking the straps.
"Everything's ready," she said, looking up at him. "You sure you're ready for this?"
DK smirked, his eyes gleaming with determination. "Let's find out."
Without another word, they climbed onto the cart. As the gates of the Lin estate receded into the distance, DK felt a strange sense of liberation. For the first time in this new life, he was free.
"Our first stop is the Adventurer's Hall to pick up the dungeon permits," Lucy explained as the cart rolled down the quiet streets, her voice steady despite the early morning chill. "You'll need to register in person. No proxies allowed, and they'll likely ask a few questions to verify your identity. Stick to the story we agreed on."
DK nodded, running a finger over the wooden ID tucked into his pocket. "DK, the wandering nobody," he muttered. "I think I can manage that."
The road was surprisingly peaceful, the distant hum of the city's waking activity growing louder as they approached the bustling heart of the Celestia Realm. The Adventurer's Hall, Lucy had explained, was the central hub for those who sought to take on dungeons, quests, or mercenary work.
As they reached the hall, DK's eyes widened at the sheer scale of the building. It loomed over the surrounding shops and homes, its stone façade carved with intricate runes that seemed to hum faintly with mana. A massive double door stood open, revealing the lively chaos within. Adventurers of all kinds milled about, their voices overlapping in a cacophony of banter, negotiations, and clinking gear.
DK followed Lucy closely, his gaze darting around to take in the sights. Stalls lined the walls, selling everything from enchanted weapons to exotic potions. A giant noticeboard displayed available quests, each one marked with its difficulty and reward. At the center of the hall stood a circular desk manned by uniformed clerks, their hands moving swiftly as they processed adventurers' requests.
"This way," Lucy said, leading him toward the desk. The clerk behind it, a stern-looking woman with sharp features, glanced up as they approached.
"Name?" she asked briskly.
"DK," he replied, his voice steady despite the clerk's scrutinizing gaze.
The woman's eyes flicked to the wooden ID he handed over. She examined it for a moment before nodding and tapping a rune-engraved tablet on the desk. "Dungeon permit application. Low-level clearance," she murmured, more to herself than to them. After a few seconds, she handed him a slip of parchment etched with glowing runes. "You're cleared for entry to the Verdant Grotto. Standard beginner's dungeon. You'll need at least two others to form a party before you're allowed inside."
Lucy interjected smoothly, "We've already arranged for a third member. He'll meet us at the entrance."
The clerk called Lucy back "Umm, excuse me. The records show that DK has not yet registered his mana affinity with the Adventures Association. We cannot technically allow someone who has not registered and …" "Dont worry about that. I am a beginner Spellcaster at level 3 and our third member is a level 4 Tank." Lucy interjected.
The clerk raised an eyebrow at Lucy's explanation but ultimately shrugged. "Fine, as long as your party meets the requirements, we won't question it. But you'll have to ensure the safety of all your members—especially if one of you is untested."
Lucy gave a polite nod, expertly deflecting any further scrutiny. "Understood. Thank you for processing us so quickly."
DK, still adjusting to the bustling environment, glanced at Lucy as they moved away from the desk. "Beginner Spellcaster? Level 3? You've been keeping secrets," he muttered under his breath, a smirk playing on his lips.
"So tell me about our third member. Can we trust him with my secrets of my conditions and what I plan to achieve in the dungeon for my nexus core and mana pathways."
Lucy hesitated for a moment, scanning the crowd as they walked toward the entrance of the Adventurer's Hall. "Our third member is Garin. He's a reliable mercenary with years of experience. A level 4 Tank, as I said before. He's not the type to ask questions or pry into personal matters. That's why I chose him."
DK arched an eyebrow. "So, he's trustworthy because he doesn't care?"
Lucy glanced at him, her expression calm but serious. "Exactly. Garin's a professional. As long as he gets paid and the job gets done, he won't concern himself with your goals or secrets. It's better this way. The fewer people who know, the safer you are."
DK nodded thoughtfully. "Fair enough. But what about you? Aren't you worried that he might start putting two and two together?"
Lucy smirked. "Not unless you start glowing with mana mid-dungeon. Just stick to the plan, act like any other rookie adventurer, and let Garin handle the heavy lifting if things get dicey."
As they exited the hall, the vibrant energy of the adventurers and merchants gave way to the quieter outskirts of the city. DK spotted a familiar figure standing near a large wooden sign that read Verdant Grotto: Beginner's Tier. The man was massive, clad in battered but functional armor that looked like it had seen more than its fair share of battles. His warhammer rested against a nearby post, the metal head gleaming faintly in the morning light.
"That must be Garin," Lucy said, gesturing toward him. "He's a bit rough around the edges, but I made sure to vet him thoroughly."