Chapter 27 Finally Back To Adventuring （1）
The morning sun bathed the village in warm light as I stood at the gate, ready to set off once more. Behind me, Sylendra, Darruk, and the mayor waited, their faces filled with both pride and a quiet sadness at my departure.
Sylendra stepped forward first, her emerald eyes calm but tinged with emotion. "Well... this is where we part ways. Thank you again, Raito-for helping me save this village. I won't forget it."
I clasped her hand firmly, meeting her gaze with a smile. "You don't need to thank me. I'm glad I was here when you needed me."
Next came Darruk, his broad grin hiding the weight of unspoken gratitude. He grabbed my hand in a strong shake. "And remember, kid, you're always welcome here. Anytime you hear me? This place will have a spot for you."
I chuckled and nodded. "Yeah, I got it. Don't worry-I'll be back someday."
The mayor stepped forward last, his old but steady eyes shining in the sunlight. "Take care out there, young man. The world beyond the forest is wide and dangerous, but I believe you'll find your path."
I smiled at him warmly. "I will. Thank you-for everything."
With that, I turned, lifting a hand in farewell as I began walking down the forest path. "I'll see you again!" I called back, my voice carrying in the crisp morning air.
They waved until I disappeared among the trees, their figures growing smaller with every step, until the village was behind me once more.
Moments later, I reached the heart of the forest, where the trees grew thicker and the air felt heavy with mana. I stopped, placing a hand on my chin as I muttered, "Now then... which direction should I go?"
Closing my eyes, I activated my Advanced Search skill.
A shimmering, translucent map unfolded before me like a spectral scroll, hovering in the air.
My gaze scanned over the glowing lines of terrain.
To my left, about sixty kilometers away, I noticed the faint outline of a man-made road-a safe route, predictable and boring.
Straight ahead, however, the map flared with pulsing red dots.
A path choked with monsters, danger, and bloodshed.
A grin tugged at my lips. "It's been a while since I cut down anything besides Groomcroaks and Molguraths. Guess I'll shake off the rust."
I summoned my Glacier Sword into my right hand, the blade glinting coldly in the dappled light of the forest canopy. "Best to use this one. If I go with the Flare Sword, I'll end up burning the meat."
Taking my stance, I whispered, "Let's hunt," and in the next instant, I dashed forward like a streak of wind.
The forest erupted into chaos. Wolves with twisted horns lunged from the shadows-I bisected them in a single arc, their blood crystallizing into shards of frost before they even hit the ground.
A pack of tusked boars burst from the underbrush, but I weaved through their charge, slashing each in turn.
My blade sang as icy trails followed every strike, monsters collapsing before they even realized I had moved.
And yet, I never slowed. My momentum carried me forward, my feet barely brushing the earth.
Every corpse vanished into my Item Box the instant it fell, whisked away by the skill's gleam of light.
Wolves, boars, armored lizards, even manticores that descended from the treetops-none of them could stall me for even a heartbeat.
The path ahead ran red with spilled blood and frost, yet I pressed on, unstoppable. By the time I had broken through the final line of beasts, nearly forty monsters had fallen, their bodies stored neatly in my Item Box as though I had harvested them from a market stall.
At last, the trees parted, and the edge of the forest came into view. My boots struck firm ground as I stepped onto the open path beyond, the cool wind of freedom brushing against my face. I exhaled slowly, lowering my sword.
"Not bad," I muttered with a faint smile. "Wonder how many coins I could get from selling them."
few minutes later, I found myself walking along a well-worn man-made road, the kind that wound between villages and towns.
My boots crunched against the gravel, and for the first time since leaving the forest, I let my pace relax.
As I walked, I glanced at the faint glow of my status window, flickering in the corner of my vision like a lantern in the dusk.
"The timer for my last three skills has already finished," I muttered under my breath. "Guess it's time to make another set."
A grin crept across my face as I opened my Skill Weaving menu.
Rows of glowing script unfolded before me, an endless tapestry of possibilities waiting to be crafted.
My thoughts turned back to the reason I had created Non-Stop Cultivation in the first place-because the stronger my mana grew, the stronger this skills becomes.
"Alright... let's see what I can cook up this time."
The first one came easily. I visualized the flow of mana coiling around me like a second skin, dense and unyielding. A shimmer spread across the glowing threads of my menu as the concept took form.
[Skill Created: Mana Armor]
Encases the user in an armor formed entirely of mana. The strength, durability, and protective power of the armor scale directly with the user's mana capacity.
I chuckled softly. "A shield that grows as I do. Perfect."
"For the second one."
[Skill Created: Weapon Mana Creation]
Allows the user to shape raw mana into any weapon of their choosing. No fixed limits-blades, bows, spears, even tools of war. The form and strength depend solely on the user's imagination and mana capacity.
I smirked. "No limits, huh? I have some stupidly op ideas with this."
"Then came the third one."
[Skill Created: Advanced Mana Giver]
Allows the user to transfer mana to allies within a certain range. Multiple recipients can be supported simultaneously. The efficiency and distance scale with the user's mana capacity.
I let out a long breath as the three new skills settled into my status. "All of them are mana-based... and that means they'll keep getting stronger alongside Non-Stop Cultivation. This is exactly what I need."
A timer appeared beneath each freshly forged skill, glowing faintly as it began to count down. I slid my hands into my pockets, my grin widening as I kept walking down the road.
"Well, now all I have to do is wait."
The evening air was cool against my skin, and for the first time in days, I felt the faint thrill of anticipation buzzing in my chest.
Three days later, I finally arrived at a town near the border. The stone walls loomed high in the distance, their watchtowers standing like sentinels against the horizon. Just the sight of them made my shoulders sag with relief.
"Man," I muttered, dragging a hand through my hair, "that took forever. I thought I'd never find a proper city out here."
I opened my Item Box and scrolled through the inventory. Rows upon rows of monster corpses were neatly stacked inside, each preserved as if freshly slain. The sheer number made my eyes widen a little.
"Tch... that's way too many monsters," I said with a half-smile, shaking my head. "Hopefully the Adventurers Guild won't start asking too many questions when I try to sell all this off. Heh."
I closed the status window with a flick, but the thought lingered.
The past three days had been nothing short of exhausting.
Every time I tried to rest in a nearby grove or patch of woodland, monsters came crawling out of the shadows as if the entire forest had placed a bounty on my head.
Wolves, boars, slimes, even a few oversized lizards-I couldn't catch a break.
I scratched the back of my head, letting out a sigh. "Guess I should've expected it. That's what I get for choosing the monster-filled path."
Still, I couldn't deny that part of me enjoyed the nonstop battles. Each fight pushed my skills sharper, my mana deeper, my body faster. My exhaustion was real, but so was the quiet thrill that pulsed in my chest.
"Alright," I said to myself, straightening my posture as the city gates drew closer. Guards in steel-plated armor stood watch, their spears gleaming under the midday sun. The noise of merchants, travelers, and carriages carried faintly over the wind.
I adjusted the strap of my pack, squared my shoulders, and started walking toward the gate.
As I reached the city gates, one of the guards stepped forward, lowering his spear to block my path.
"Halt. Identification, please."
I gave him a calm nod and slipped my hand into my item box, pulling out my Guild Card. The guard took it, giving it a quick look before his eyes flicked back to me. He nodded once, sharp and professional, then handed it back.
"Everything checks out. You may enter."
"Thanks," I replied casually, tucking the card away as I stepped through the towering gates and into the bustle of the city.
The moment I passed inside, the air was alive with noise-vendors calling out to customers, the clatter of wagon wheels, the smell of fresh bread mixing with horse sweat and iron. It was the familiar chaos of a border town, and yet... something felt different.
As I moved along the stone-paved street, I noticed a large crowd gathering around a spot near the plaza. Curious murmurs rippled through the group, and I caught bits of conversation as I drew closer. People craned their necks, pointing and whispering, their faces a mix of excitement and unease.
"What's going on here?" I muttered, weaving my way through the onlookers until I reached the front.
It was a billboard-covered with notices, wanted posters, and job listings. But at the very center, freshly pinned and larger than the rest, was a striking poster that had everyone's attention.
The crowd began to disperse, giving me space to step closer. My eyes scanned the bold letters, and as I read the details, a small smile tugged at the corner of my mouth.
"So... this is where you guys are headed, huh?" I whispered under my breath, my voice laced with both amusement and interest.
I let out a soft chuckle, turned on my heel, and walked away from the billboard, my thoughts already racing ahead.
A few minutes later, I finally arrived at the Adventurers Guild. The building loomed before me-two stories tall, with its emblem carved into the wooden sign above the door. A sigh slipped out of me.
"Finally," I muttered, pushing open the heavy doors.
Inside, the guild was lively as always. Adventurers crowded around tables, some boasting about their latest quests, others arguing over shares of loot. The air smelled of ale, parchment, and the faint tang of steel. I made my way through the bustle and approached the reception counter.
"Excuse me," I said.
The receptionist, a young woman with chestnut hair tied neatly behind her, looked up from her ledger. Her professional smile brightened as her eyes met mine.
"Hello there. How can we help you today, sir?"
"I'm Raito," I introduced myself. "I was wondering if I can sell monsters here."
She nodded politely. "Of course. We just need to confirm your guild membership. May I see your Guild Card?"
"Sure," I replied, handing it over. She inspected it carefully, her eyes scanning the engraved details.
After a moment, she returned it with a satisfied nod.
"Alright, everything is in order," she said, then gestured to the right side of the hall.
"If you head over there, Werner can assist you with that. "
I glanced over and saw a burly man standing at a stall lined with crates and scales. His arms were crossed, and he had the kind of look that told me he'd been doing this job for years.
"Thanks," I said to the receptionist with a small smile.
I walked over, my boots thudding softly against the wooden floor, and stopped in front of the man. He looked me up and down before speaking in a gruff tone.
"So, you're here to sell some monsters?"
"That's right," I replied with a nod. "But..." I leaned closer, lowering my voice slightly. "Can we move to the back? I've got a lot of them."
His eyebrows rose, surprise flickering across his face. Then, a grin tugged at his lips.
"Oh really? A lot, huh? Alright then. Follow me."
He grabbed a keyring from his belt and motioned for me to follow, leading me past the counter and toward a side door that opened into the guild's storage area.