NOVEL NEXT Chapter 48: Ghost [2]
The sun hung high in the sky.
A soft wind breezed through, creating a rustling sound as it brushed against the leaves.
On the dirt path, inside a forest, a lone figure walked, their face covered.
[<Feeling good now?>]
Kai just gave a nod.
Though his mind was still in turmoil.
[<Don't tell me you— >]
"I don't! Damn it. Just shut up!" he bellowed, a vein throbbing on his forehead.
[<Then why were— >]
"I don't fucking know."
[<Is that so?>]
Kai let out a tired sigh.
"I really don't know what happened to me back then..." he lowered his voice, calm now.
He kept walking straight. Since he didn't have any particular direction in mind, he let the path take him wherever it led.
Vex purred softly, stretching lazily atop his head.
"Woke up, huh?" Kai said, gently scratching her ears.
"Meow..."
Kai chuckled, the sound echoing softly in the quiet forest.
After walking for who-knows-how-many hours, his steps finally came to a halt.
His eyes fell upon the high stone walls, fortified with iron spikes.
A large iron gate, adorned with intricate carvings of beasts and warriors, stood tall between them.
Several armored figures—possibly guards—stood atop square-shaped towers, their gazes scanning the surroundings.
A wooden signpost hung above the gate, its weathered letters spelling out—"Bramwell Town."
Kai's eyes narrowed as he took in the sight.
"A town...?" he murmured.
[<Boy, you really lose your cool... like a lovesick fool taking out his frustration on anything that moves.>]
Kai kept walking toward the town's gate, completely ignoring the texts flashing on the blue panel hovering in front of him.
As he reached the town gate, two guards stepped forward to block his path.
"Name and purpose for coming?" one of them asked.
Kai wordlessly flashed his Adventurer's card.
The guard took it, examined it briefly, then gave a nod of approval.
They stepped aside, clearing the way for Kai to enter the bustling yet peaceful town.
Travelers and residents moved in and out through the gate.
As Kai strolled inside, he was greeted by the sight of a few vendors near the gate, selling snacks to weary travelers who had journeyed long distances.
A tavern stood just beside the cobblestone road, its wooden sign swaying gently in the breeze.
With no particular destination in mind, Kai chose to step inside.
As he pushed open the door, the hum of lively chatter filled his ears. The air inside was thick with the scent of ale and roasted meat.
He walked toward the counter and slid onto a stool near the bartender.
The bartender, a burly man with a thick beard, glanced at him while wiping a mug.
"New in town?" he asked, his tone casual.
Kai gave a slight nod.
"Just a drink," he murmured, leaning forward slightly.
"Got it. One regular coming up."
The bartender placed a sturdy wooden mug in front of Kai.
"Here you go," he said.
Kai glanced down at the drink—a dark amber liquid with a thin frothy layer on top.
He took a small sip. The bitterness hit first, followed by a smooth warmth that trailed down his throat.
After a brief moment, he looked up at the bartender.
"Is there an Adventurers' Guild in town?"
The bartender paused, his hand still wiping the same mug.
"Yeah," he nodded toward the door. "Just follow the main road straight ahead. You'll see a large building with a crest of crossed swords and a shield. Can't miss it."
Kai paid the price and left the tavern.
As the bartender had instructed, he kept walking straight down the cobblestone road.
[<You're awfully quiet today...>]
The familiar blue panel hovered in front of him again.
"..."
But Kai didn't bother to respond.
[<Did I hit a nerve?>]
"..."
[<Or perhaps you really are— >]
"Can you stop bothering me for a moment?!"
Having had enough, he lashed out, his voice echoing louder than intended.
Multiple gasps filled the air.
Kai's eyes widened as he realized what had just happened.
All around him, people had stopped in their tracks, their curious and confused gazes fixed on the young man who was—apparently—shouting at thin air.
His face, partially covered by the black scarf, flushed with embarrassment.
Without a second thought, he lowered his gaze and quickened his pace.
[<Where's the fun in that?>]
Kai kept walking straight, ignoring the blue panel hovering in front of him.
[<You sure made quite the first impression.>]
"And whose fault is that?"
[<Yours, of course. It wasn't me who shouted... or did I tell you to?>]
"I yelled because you kept asking those ridiculous questions."
[<Hey! Don't say that. I was just having a friendly conversation to lighten your mood.>]
Kai gritted his teeth but said nothing.
Zer kept bickering, throwing in more sarcastic comments, but Kai refused to entertain him.
Eventually, Zer gave up and went silent.
Soon, he found himself standing in front of the large wooden doors of the Adventurers' Guild.
As he stepped inside, he immediately noticed that it was different from the one in Ashenford Town.
This guild had only one counter in the center, where a single attendant was busy assisting the adventurers.
Kai made his way toward it and patiently waited in line.
When his turn came, his eyes fell upon a young woman wearing the standard uniform for guild attendants.
A badge etched with her name—'Ela'—was pinned just above her chest.
With a polite smile, she said, "How can I help you, sir?"
Kai handed over his Adventurer's card and asked, "Can you check my status and any recent updates?"
The attendant gave a small nod and took the card from him.
Placing it on a square-shaped artifact, she muttered an incantation under her breath, and a faint magical circle appeared beneath the card.
A few seconds later, glowing text surfaced on the object. After reading it, she handed the card back to Kai, her expression slightly grim.
"You've received a warning. Your adventurer privileges have been suspended for 30 days," she said.
"I see..."
Kai took the card and placed it back into his bracelet.
"Thank you for your assistance, Miss Ela," he added with a brief nod before turning to leave the building.
Once outside, he sighed.
But beneath that sigh was a faint hint of relief in his eyes.
He knew that abandoning or failing a mission always came with consequences.
Some were minor, like deducting a portion of future mission rewards or being unable to take assignments for a few days.
But those who posed a threat received warnings.
Unlike other punishments, these warnings were far more severe.
One warning meant losing all adventurer privileges for 30 days.
Two warnings resulted in a demotion of rank and detention for 60 days.
Three warnings... meant being blacklisted and permanently stripped of the right to continue life as an adventurer.
However, the severity of the punishment often depended on the level and stakes of the mission.
But since he had not only failed the mission but also abandoned his party to their cruel fate,
He thought his punishment would be far more severe—perhaps two warnings... or maybe even three.
Sigh!
"Now I need a way to make money for 30 days..." he muttered in frustration.
He took a few turns and entered a small inn tucked away in a quieter part of town.
After ordering his food, he carried the plate to an empty table and began eating.
[<I have an idea.>]
Kai narrowed his eyes, glancing at the panel with suspicion.
[<You could become a street performer... maybe juggle knives while blindfolded. I hear it pays well.>]
Kai's lips twitched.
'Why did I even think about trusting this fool?'
Before he could curse Zer, a conversation from a nearby table caught his attention.
Two men were deep in discussion.
"I'm telling you, that broker knows something. He's got his hands in everything that happens around here."
"Will you shut up already?" his partner hissed, glancing around nervously. "You wanna get us both killed? Talking about him in public... do you have a death wish?"
"Relax," the first man scoffed, but his voice dropped to a whisper. "I'm just saying... if someone wants real money, they go through him."
Kai's ears perked up.
"Broker, huh?" he muttered, his curiosity piqued.