NOVEL NEXT Chapter 91: The Way of Adventurers
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Ethan leaned back against a half-splintered tree trunk, brushing dirt from his blade as he glanced at her.
"Putting that aside… your arrows packed quite a punch back there. The serpent's scales—those same scales I couldn't cut without aura—you pierced right through them. Honestly, I'm shocked."
Lirael lowered her bow, her lips quirking into the faintest smile. "Maybe my strength is finally showing. You know… the same strength you keep saying I can't use to resist you."
Ethan chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. "Ah, that reminds me. I should probably distribute your remaining stat points."
She snapped her head at him, eyes narrowing. "No. Not now."
"What?" he blinked.
"First let me get used to the strength I already have. I grew too much in such a short time—it doesn't feel natural yet." Her hand tightened over her bowstring as if reassuring herself of her own control.
Ethan gave a small nod, his tone turning firm. "Fair enough. But get used to it fast. Because this kind of growth… it'll only become more common from here on out."
Lirael's eyes brightened. "Oh, and by the way—I leveled up. Hit level ten."
"Then I need to go to a temple. Any god tied to archery should be able to grant—"
"No." Ethan's voice cut her off, calm but absolute.
She frowned, brow furrowing. "What do you mean, 'no'? That's how it works. Everyone goes through it."
"Not you," he said, meeting her gaze. "The way I received my class—through the system itself—that same path is waiting for you. You don't need temples or gods. The system will handle it. The only catch is… I don't know how long it'll take."
She crossed her arms, skeptical. "The same way as you? You mean getting thrown into some unknown place and beaten senseless until I'm unconscious? Don't joke with me."
Ethan's smile faded into something more serious. "I'm not joking. That's exactly what my system says. As for you fainting… I can't say. But don't worry." He stepped closer, his voice dropping lower. "I'll make sure you're fully prepared before it happens.... And I also have a surprise for you" he suddenly shifted his tone.
Lirael looked away, reluctant but unable to dismiss the conviction in his tone. Finally, she sighed. "Fine. But you said something about a surprise? What is it?"
Ethan grinned, a spark of mischief flashing in his eyes. "If I tell you now, what's the point of calling it a surprise?"
She glared at him, but curiosity lingered in her expression. "At least give me a hint."
"Let's just say…" Ethan leaned back, resting his hands behind his head, "…when you see it, you'll be much stronger than you are now. Strong enough that you might start to resist me." He said with a sly grin.
Lirael raised a brow, skeptical yet intrigued. "Strong, huh? Fine. I'll wait."
But deep inside, she felt her heart quicken—half anticipation, half thrill.
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After their talk, Ethan crouched near the serpent's remains. With a thought, the shimmering glow of his inventory swallowed the molted skin, leaving behind only the bloodstains on the forest floor. He gave the clearing one last sweep, ensuring nothing was left behind, before straightening up.
"Everything's packed. Let's head back," he said, brushing his hands together.
As they walked along the narrow forest path, Lirael glanced at him from the side. "So… are you planning to sell the corpse to the Adventurer's Guild?"
Ethan shook his head. "No. I'll take it there as proof of subjugation, but the sale will be to Darian. We still haven't collected our payment for the monster materials that he took, and I'm certain he'll be very interested in an intact serpent corpse."
Lirael nodded thoughtfully, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Smart. I've heard the guild deliberately lowers their buying price for convenience. Easier for them, worse for adventurers. But if you have merchants you can trust, you get a much better deal. And we happen to have one."
"Exactly," Ethan said with a grin. Then his smile faded into a long sigh. "But still… I'm in desperate need of a new set of armor. And some decent clothes wouldn't hurt either. At this rate…" He rubbed the back of his neck, muttering, "…we'll be broke all over again."
A faint laugh escaped Lirael, light but genuine. "That's the way of adventurers, isn't it? You earn gold in buckets and spend it in rivers. The cycle never ends."
"Haah, comforting words," Ethan said, rolling his shoulders as the forest opened up into a faint trail back toward the town. "Guess we'll just have to make sure the next job pays even better."
The two of them continued down the path, the rustle of leaves overhead mixing with the distant hum of cicadas, the promise of coin and trouble both waiting for them back in the city.
On the way back toward the guild, a low rumble broke the rhythm of their steps.
Grrrll—
Ethan froze for half a heartbeat, then cleared his throat with feigned dignity. "Ahem… Well then, I can't possibly let a young maiden walk around on an empty stomach. That would be terribly rude of me." He said it with such exaggerated thoughtfulness, as if he were some gentlemanly knight, shamelessly ignoring the fact that the growl had come from him.
Lirael tilted her head, her lips twitching before she broke into a soft giggle. "You really are something else."
"Something charming, I hope." He smirked, patting his stomach. "Come on, let's eat first before the guild. I can't negotiate prices while I'm distracted by roasted meat in my head."
They veered off the main street into a small eatery tucked between two stone buildings. The air inside was warm, filled with the smell of grilled pork, freshly baked bread, and stewed vegetables. Adventurers laughed over mugs of ale at a nearby table, the atmosphere lively yet comforting.
They ate quickly but not without savoring—the bread still steaming, the broth rich, and the meat seasoned just enough to warm the tongue. Lirael found herself smiling despite the fatigue, while Ethan demolished his plate with the gusto of a man who'd fought on an empty stomach far too long.
By the time they stepped back outside, the sky had shifted. Shades of orange and violet painted the horizon, the sun dipping low, lanterns beginning to flicker to life along the cobblestone streets.
"Finally," Ethan stretched, satisfied. "Now, let's head to the guild before the day runs out."
Lirael glanced at him, amused. "Just don't suddenly get hungry again halfway there."
He shot her a sideways grin. "No promises."
Together they walked through the bustling streets toward the Adventurer's Guild, the city slowly giving way to the calm hues of evening.