Because of Arthfael's earlier statement, Gerhard finally softened a little. He brought Arthfael into his house and now offered him a cup of hot tea."Please, have some. I don't have much food to offer you," Gerhard said as he placed the cup of tea and a small plate of snacks in front of Arthfael."Thank you," Arthfael replied.Gerhard sat across from Arthfael and looked at him. "How long have you been here? I don't quite remember," Gerhard asked."About a month, more or less," Arthfael answered, tasting the snacks that were served to him and seemingly enjoying them."You must have been surprised to suddenly find yourself in this world. A world that makes no sense," Gerhard said.Arthfael wiped his hands clean of the remaining food and looked at Gerhard, nodding his head."Yes, when I first came to this place, I was in the middle of a battle in an arena against a Dreadspawn monster. Amazingly, I won because I understood how to use the power of this body," Arthfael replied."Fighting a
Arthfael finally returned from Gerhard's place after the man decided to meet Gerhard alone without being accompanied by his other friends. When Arthfael arrived, he saw Camilla immediately turn around upon hearing the sound of footsteps climbing the stairs in the inn.Camilla rushed towards Arthfael and hugged him, saying, "Ah, thank goodness you're back! I was worried something happened to you, Arthfael!" she exclaimed.Arthfael was confused why Camilla suddenly hugged him. His gaze turned to Ian and Zeke, who were both looking at him. They even simultaneously shrugged their shoulders, not knowing why Camilla hugged him like that.After hugging Arthfael tightly, Camilla finally let go and looked at him. The woman immediately inspected Arthfael's hand, making sure there were no new wounds."Are you okay? He didn't hurt you, did he?" Camilla asked."No, he didn't. Maybe we should discuss this over a meal? Do you want to dinner outside? I heard there's a new restaurant nearby," Arthfael
The food ordered by Arthfael finally arrived. Everyone looked astonished to see the food served before them larger than they had expected. Moreover, everything looked more delicious.Because all the pictures on the menu were magically painted and couldn't accurately represent the actual appearance of the food."Wow, all of this looks so delicious! I can't wait to taste it," exclaimed Valentina enthusiastically.Arthfael smiled and said, "Let's eat."They finally started enjoying the food, savoring each dish without missing a single bite. Flare, the phoenix bird monster, eagerly devoured the food.During their dinner, Camilla remembered Arthfael's previous conversation and asked, "Oh, what did you want to say earlier? Maybe now is the right time to discuss it."Arthfael nodded, put down his spoon, and then looked at everyone sitting with him in turn.Before speaking, Arthfael took a deep breath and answered, "Gerhard wants to make Soulfire for me."Zeke, Ian, Camilla, Valentina, and ev
Arthfael unsheathed his newly acquired Moonfall sword from its scabbard. Then, he threw the empty scabbard in a random direction and his eyes instantly sharpened.Seeing Arthfael getting serious, an old man named Gerhard immediately flashed a smile. Just like Arthfael, he also raised his sword towards Gerhard, fueling Arthfael's enthusiasm even more."I won't hold back in attacking you, Arthfael," Gerhard said."Thank you for that. It's what I expected," Arthfael replied.The two men, prepared and facing each other, finally began to prepare to attack. Eventually, Arthfael took the initiative and launched an attack on Gerhard.Gerhard quickly defended against the attacks aimed at him. He easily evaded and parried every strike from Arthfael. Despite his old age, he possessed considerable experience. One of his skills, the sword technique, had not been practiced in a long time.Gerhard's defense was impenetrable to Arthfael. Even when Arthfael attempted different techniques and attacked
Day by day passed. Arthfael's muscles grew stronger with the intense and rigorous training given to him by Gerhard. However, up until this moment, Arthfael had not managed to defeat Gerhard in combat.He couldn't even read Gerhard's movements, let alone counterattack. This frustrated Arthfael and made him feel like giving up.After an intense training session that lasted for four uninterrupted hours, Arthfael finally sat down and tried to catch his breath. Meanwhile, Gerhard was able to regulate his breathing without any signs of exhaustion."You're old, yet your energy and strength are far beyond mine. Is it because our levels are so different?" Arthfael asked.Gerhard approached Arthfael and sat in front of him, pointing at his own face. "Levels and age don't matter. Didn't I tell you before that it's all about technique?" Gerhard replied."Yes, I know! But your techniques... ah, never mind," frustratedly responded Arthfael, lowering his head.Suddenly, Gerhard stood up and reached
The SS level monster named Naiadrex immediately attacked Arthfael with its water power, and as a result, Arthfael's body instantly became soaking wet. Not stopping there, the monster prepared a giant water ball to throw at Arthfael, leaving him staring at it in disbelief."Oh shit! Is he going to throw that at me?!" exclaimed Arthfael.He turned to look in Gerhard's direction, but unfortunately, the man had already disappeared and hidden somewhere. Arthfael could only avoid the attack as Naiadrex threw the giant water ball towards him."Focus on the battle in front of you and don't get distracted by anything else!" shouted Naiadrex, then threw the water ball towards Arthfael.Arthfael jumped to the other side, rolling and gasping for breath. He looked at Naiadrex, who failed to hit him with the giant water ball and seemed to sink into the ground.Now, Arthfael could only wait for the monster to reappear. He remained vigilant of his surroundings, remembering Gerhard's advice to focus a
"What do you mean by saying that Naiadrex is your contract monster?!" Arthfael asked incredulously, pointing at Naiadrex.Gerhard turned towards Naiadrex, who was now flying lower. Then Gerhard reached out his hand and gently stroked Naiadrex. He also made sure that Naiadrex's fin, which had been damaged by Arthfael earlier, had completely healed without any pain.Arthfael approached Gerhard, who was still ignoring him, and saw how the man longed for his contract monster, whom he had almost killed in a single attack."Naiadrex has been my contract monster for 50 years. But when my wife passed away, I closed myself off, and we never fought together again... Then I asked him to return to his original place, here," Gerhard explained.Arthfael still didn't quite understand, but his gaze was now fixed on Naiadrex, who slowly turned towards him."I'm sorry for my attack earlier. I was asked not to hold back to test your abilities," Naiadrex said to Arthfael.Arthfael simply nodded stiffly.
The next day... As requested by Gerhard earlier, Arthfael arrived with Flare at the training grounds. The phoenix bird seemed very excited about the training session it would undergo with Arthfael. Especially in the past two weeks, Arthfael had only been allowed to train alone without inviting anyone else.Not only Flare wanted to watch Arthfael train, but also Camilla, Ian, Zeke, and Valentina. However, unfortunately, only Flare was allowed to train alongside Arthfael.Gerhard had his reasons for prohibiting Arthfael's friends from coming. The old man simply didn't want to disturb Arthfael's concentration during training. Moreover, according to Gerhard, Arthfael still had a long way to go before being ready to fight Venomweaver.Just like a regular training session, Arthfael arrived in the morning with Flare and they met at the hill where they usually trained. When Flare set foot on the spot, the bird momentarily stopped, sensing the aura of an SS-level monster nearby."What's wrong
A week had passed since Alvin's initiation into the corporate rhythm of Graham Company. As he approached the office building on that particular morning, he noticed Marshall standing near the entrance. The two exchanged a friendly nod, and without hesitation, they walked side by side into the bustling lobby.The elevator doors opened just as they reached it, and Alvin and Marshall stepped inside. The hum of the elevator's ascent enveloped them in a brief moment of solitude. It was within this confined space that Marshall broached a topic beyond the realm of work."Hey, Alvin," Marshall began, leaning casually against the elevator wall, "how's Camilla doing these days? Last time we talked, she had just lost Richard."Alvin's expression softened at the mention of Camilla. "She's doing much better now," he replied. "She's formed a contract with Neptunis and even mastered the art of lightning magic. It's incredible how resilient she is."Marshall's eyes widened in genuine amazement. "That'
With the introduction to his new workplace, Alvin felt a mix of excitement and anticipation. Sophia led him to the 3rd floor, where his workstation awaited. Upon entering the spacious, well-lit office area, Alvin noticed the hum of productivity and the scent of freshly printed documents.Sophia directed Alvin to a desk where a woman was working diligently on her computer. Alvin's eyes widened in recognition — it was the same woman from the elevator earlier. Sophia approached the desk and tapped Felicia gently on the shoulder."Felicia, this is Alvin, our newest addition to the team. Alvin, meet Felicia, your colleague here. She'll be showing you the ropes," Sophia announced with a warm smile.Felicia turned around, her face lighting up with recognition. "Ah, we did meet earlier, didn't we? Good to officially welcome you, Alvin!" Felicia extended her hand, and Alvin shook it warmly.Sophia, pleased with the positive atmosphere, continued, "Felicia, please help Alvin settle in and guide
Alvin, with a head full of new memories and a heart carrying the weight of two worlds, stepped off the bus into the familiar hustle and bustle of the city. The urban landscape, with its towering buildings and constant hum of activity, seemed both alien and strangely welcoming after his fantastical adventures.He strolled down the busy sidewalk, a stark contrast to the forest trails and mythical creatures that once accompanied him on his journey as Arthfael. The echoes of his footsteps resonated with the rhythm of city life, and he couldn't help but feel a twinge of nostalgia for the simplicity of the human world."Missed this place," he muttered to himself, his breath forming a small cloud in the chilly air. Despite the bustling crowd around him, Alvin found himself longing for the solitude of the forest, where every rustle of leaves told a story and every creature held a secret.Approaching the Graham Company building, Alvin gazed up at its sleek exterior, adorned with reflective gla
A man with black shirt, still caught in the hazy transition from one reality to another, found himself in a small, cozy room. The remnants of dreams clung to his consciousness as he heard the persistent knocks on the door. The voice outside, insistent and slightly annoyed, belonged to someone who seemed to know him well."Alvin! Alvin! Wake up, it's already morning! I've cooked breakfast, and if the food gets cold, I'll hit you!"The words echoed in his ears, and Alvin groaned, trying to make sense of the unfamiliar surroundings. The name "Alvin" echoed in his mind, and he muttered to himself, asking aloud, "Who's Alvin?"Reality asserted itself, and with a jolt, Alvin's memory clicked into place. He wasn't Arthfael, the hero navigating a magical realm. He was Alvin, and this room was his own. He rubbed his eyes, willing himself to wake up from the lingering traces of the fantastical adventure.As he stirred, the room revealed familiar details—a worn-out poster on the wall, a collecti
The room, adorned with the regal elegance of the Kingdom of Dragomir, became a sanctuary for Arthfael, Valentina, and Flare. As they entered, Arthfael locked the door behind them, enveloping the space in a cocoon of privacy. The air within held a palpable weight, a prelude to the poignant moments that would unfold.Valentina, with her tiny form and delicate wings, sighed audibly. "This might be our last meeting, Arthfael. We may not see each other again."Flare, the Pyroblaze Phoenix, who had accompanied Arthfael through battles and triumphs, let out a cry tinged with sorrow. The fiery aura surrounding her seemed to flicker, revealing an underlying emotion.Arthfael, perceptive to their sentiments, inquired, "Flare, are you crying?"Flare, attempting to conceal her emotions, retorted, "No, it's just something in my eye."Arthfael, recognizing Flare's attempt to mask her true feelings, chuckled and pulled her into a tight embrace. Unlike her usual blazing form, Flare's body now held a
The night settled over the Kingdom of Dragomir, casting a gentle glow on the palace gardens. Arthfael, Camilla, Neptunis, Flare, and Valentina gathered under the twinkling stars, surrounded by the fragrant blossoms of the palace garden. The soft hum of crickets and the distant murmur of the celebration in the courtyard provided a serene backdrop.Seated on a stone bench, Camilla began reminiscing about the first encounter between her and Arthfael in the Esteria Kingdom castle during Prince Frederick's birthday celebration. The memory brought a nostalgic smile to her face."Ah, that was quite the eventful night," Camilla chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Who would have thought that a simple escape plan would lead to such extraordinary adventures?"Arthfael, leaning back against the bench, nodded with a grin. "It was a night of unexpected turns, and I'm grateful for every moment."Neptunis, the calm and observant one, added, "Fate has a way of weaving its threads in the most
The wedding celebration continued with an air of jubilation that permeated every corner of the grand hall. Arthfael, standing amidst the joyous crowd, felt a warmth in his heart as he witnessed the union of Zeke and Ian with their brides. The bonds of love, forged through trials and triumphs, now culminated in a celebration that seemed to transcend the boundaries of kingdoms.Camilla, with her innate grace, approached Zeke and Ian, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "Gentlemen, it is customary at this point to seal your vows with a kiss," she announced, her voice carrying across the hall.The guests, caught up in the enchantment of the moment, erupted into cheers and applause. Arthfael, smiling at the genuine happiness surrounding him, couldn't help but appreciate the beauty of this tradition. Zeke and Ian, their eyes locked with their brides, exchanged a glance that communicated a shared excitement.Zeke, turning to Molly, took her hands in his and pulled her close. The room fell int
The day of Zeke and Ian's wedding arrived, and the air in the groom's preparation room was charged with a mix of excitement and nervous energy. The room was adorned with elegant white suits hanging on racks, symbolizing the union of two souls about to embark on a journey of love and commitment.Zeke, a mix of anticipation and nervousness etched on his face, adjusted his tie in front of the mirror. Ian, standing nearby, mirrored his feelings, his hands betraying the subtle tremor of anticipation. Both grooms, resplendent in their white suits, exchanged glances that spoke volumes about the emotions swirling within them."How are you feeling, Ian?" Zeke inquired, turning to his partner.Ian, attempting a confident smile, replied, "My heart won't stop racing, Zeke. I've never been this nervous in my life."Zeke chuckled, his eyes softening with affection. "Well, they say it's a good sign. It means you're ready for this, and so am I."As the two grooms shared a moment of reassurance, the d
Arthfael, standing in the room that served as a temporary sanctuary within the Dragomir palace, took a moment to collect his thoughts. The events that had transpired — battles fought, alliances forged, and the sacrifices made — weighed heavy on his mind. He couldn't shake the memory of Freya's selfless sacrifice, a haunting reminder of the costs endured in the face of darkness.In an instinctive motion, Arthfael raised his hand, and a holographic screen materialized before him, displaying a series of information. His eyes focused on the screen as he rotated his hand, prompting a pop-up that revealed a number: 999.Arthfael's level, a reflection of his strength and capabilities, stood at the pinnacle. The enormity of his power, however, was juxtaposed with the feeling of inadequacy that lingered within him."Freya," Arthfael murmured, his voice tinged with regret. "I'm sorry. You sacrificed so much for me, and yet I couldn't protect you. I was too weak."At the bottom of the holographi