"Through violence, you may murder the hater, but you do not murder the hate."
It was something Kain had read somewhere, probably while browsing quotes during one of those random midnight rabbit holes. Martin Luther King Jr. said that. Some civil rights guy from Terraeth, formerly known as Earth. He fought for freedom, for peace. Got shot in the end anyway.
'But does it even matter here?' Kain thought, dragging his blade across a snowy wolf's throat as steam rose from the beast's blood. 'We're killing not out of hate. Just to survive. Just to grow stronger.'
He did not dwell on it too much though. It was just his quote of the day. No deep message. He liked collecting one each day. Helped him stay... sane? Maybe.
Right now, he and Ivory were on the freezing slopes of the Snowy Peak mountains, just outside Carmine City. These parts were known for their harsh winds, tougher monsters, and were great for training.
'Ivory! Cover for me!' Kain called out, his voice cutting through the wind.
Without hesitation, Ivory raised her bow, her fingers glowing faintly as she whispered an enchantment.
*Thump!*
The arrow shot past Kain like a streak of light and struck the wolf. It collapsed.
*Flash!*
*Flash!*
Both of them leveled up.
Ivory cheered under her breath, her bow still half-raised. "Yes! Woooho!"
"Level 4, huh?" Kain asked while slicing open the wolf's fur. "Not bad."
He had reached level 5. Progress.
They had been hunting here for nearly five hours. Honestly? The grind was worth it. Monsters here were not pushovers, but the EXP gain was insane. Plus, Kain did not even have to rely on his Sin's power. Not yet.
He had learned that using his Sin abilities too often started messing with his mind. The whispers got louder. The temptations stronger. Three or four uses per day max, he had decided.
Blood abilities? He did not need them right now either. His blood points were at 40. No need to drink.
"Thanks, Mr. Kain!" Ivory beamed, brushing her snow-dusted hair behind her ear. She gave him a small bow, polite as ever.
Kain blinked. "Stop bowing. You're not my servant."
"Ah—! S-Sorry!"
…
Later that day, the mission hall near the city center was abuzz. People were whispering and gathering around a giant noticeboard, forming a thick crowd that blocked half the hall's entrance.
*gossip* *gossip*
"What's going on?" Kain asked, walking past the crowd.
"No clue," Ivory said, tugging his sleeve. "Let's check it out!"
They weaved through the crowd, elbows out, until they finally caught sight of the notice.
[New Mission: Unknown Ancient Temple Ruins Dungeon]
A dungeon mission.
Dungeons were rare. Dangerous. And exciting as hell. But they were restricted to E-rank adventurers and above. No exceptions.
Kain leaned in. "Ivory… what rank do we hit after turning in today's hunt?"
"Maybe E-rank," she said, eyes wide. "If we're lucky."
They stared at the mission board for a few more seconds.
Kain smirked. "Wanna come?"
Ivory blinked. "Wait—are you serious?! You mean—if we qualify?"
"Yeah. It's better than hunting wolves all day, right?"
…
The two later headed toward the market, coins jingling in their pouches.
"Mr. Kain! That shop—right there, the one with the red roof! They've got the best armor and all kinds of weapons!" Ivory practically skipped ahead of him.
They had earned ten silver coins from today's haul. Not bad at all. Yesterday, they had barely scraped one silver.
Kain walked in behind her, letting the warmth of the shop seep into his cold bones. He glanced around. Weapons lined the walls. Leather, chainmail, cloaks, boots—all neatly organized. A good shop.
His blood points were still high. No thirst. No craving.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Almond! How are you doing?" Ivory chirped as she waved at the shopkeeper.
The man—round belly, big mustache, and tiny spectacles—grinned. "Ah, Ivory! Back already? Brought a new friend, huh?"
Kain just gave a small nod, scanning the gear.
Kain had decided to buy new armor from this shop. The gear sold by the people of the towers used to be top notch. The only problem was that Tower climbers were not allowed to bring them out.
Kain still decided to buy armor here, after all, the armor he brought here had already turned to crap.
People can bring outside things inside the tower, but the tower does not allow its things to leak outside.
He looked around, his eyes settling on a light but sturdy set—reinforced leather with hardened shoulder plates and a dark crimson cloak tied at the back. Not too bulky, easy to move in, and decent resistance.
"How much for this?" Kain asked.
"Alright... that one's 6 silvers. I'll make it 4, discounted just today," Almond replied with a grin.
Kain nodded as he placed the armor back in its place.
'Too costly!', thought Kain.
"Ivory, why don't you look for anything you might like?" asked Kain as he looked towards a section which kept some bows and arrows.
"No thanks, Mr. Kain, ranged dealers like me do not need as many things as close combatants," she spoke as she shook her head. She spoke softly, "I know that armor is a little bit costly, considering the materials it is made from, but you must buy it since we will need its help tomorrow." She spoke reasonably.
"That's... true. Alright, I'll buy it, this sword and this dagger as well," spoke Kain as he picked up a sword and a dagger from the shelf.
He handed over the dagger to Ivory as he spoke, "Even if you are a long ranged fighter, you must not be vulnerable to close combat. Practice close combat using this a bit. It will not hinder your movements."
Ivory slightly blushed when Kain came a little too close but distanced herself as she nodded and took the dagger, looking away as if taking a look over other items.
Kain nodded as he asked the shopkeeper, "How much?"
"Just give me 9 silver coins," Shopkeeper Almond spoke.
"Give a discount and I'll come again," spoke Kain.
"8 silver coins, take or go," spoke the shopkeeper as he humphed.
"Deal!"
...
Kain and Ivory came out of the shop as they started walking.
"The share of the items was supposed to be 50-50. You gave me a big part of your shares, take these silver coins and 50 copper coins from me, this will compensate for now," spoke Kain.
"I will not take them, Mr. Kain," she spoke as she looked at him.
They both were currently walking side by side together. Ivory's hands behind her back.
"Why?" asked Kain. He was confused.
"You're homeless, aren't you?" spoke Ivory as she giggled and looked at him with a playful smile.
A sudden arrow pierced through Kain's heart which had 'Homeless' written in big words over it.
"I'm not from here! Of course I will be homeless! Anyone will be who comes into a new place!" spoke Kain as he held his chest.
"And since you are homeless, you must be staying in an inn, right?" asked Ivory.
"Yeah? What of it?" asked Kain.
"You need to have some money for your expenses, do you not? I have a home and I do not need to spend as much as you. So please keep the money to yourself. I'll just take a share the next time," she spoke as she gave an angelic smile.
Kain felt a little touched.
"By the way, Mr. Kain, I have two questions, if I'm not being too privy, may I ask?" she spoke politely.
"Hm? What question could you possibly have?" asked Kain as he looked back.
"For what reason did you come here?" asked Ivory.
"Why do you ask? Isn't it common for people to travel between towns?" asked Kain as he slightly narrowed his eyes.
"Well, not really," she replied.
"Hmm?" Kain looked at her with an expression as if demanding answers.
"Oh—well, people do travel, but either they are merchants, or have some really important reason to travel," she replied as she added, "Due to the ice, most people only live in their own towns, not trying to leave them."
"As for adventurers, there are animals and other kinds of things all around the world, so it cannot be that an adventurer came here just to work, or we would have seen many adventurers other than you, Mr. Kain," she replied, her face serious.
'This girl... is smart!' Kain deduced.
"That's true... I came for a reason," spoke Kain with a solemn face.
"Hm?" she hummed slightly.
Kain looked over to her and sighed.
He held her hand as he pulled her.
"W-Whhhat?" spoke Ivory as she was too surprised by this sudden action.
When she composed herself, she realized they were no longer on the path—they had stepped into a narrow alley beside the shop, dimly lit, the outside noise muffled.
Ivory's back touched the cold wall behind her, and before she could ask, Kain stepped in close.
His hand raised slowly—not to touch her, but to rest against the wall beside her head, blocking the only way out.
"M-Mister K-Kain..?" she whispered, voice trembling just a little.
His eyes did not waver.
He was too close.
Ivory's heart pounded.
She could feel his breath.
Her words caught in her throat.
Kain extended his hand towards her ear gently as he tucked her hair behind her ear.
"Mmm-h", she let out a meek sound.
Kain barely heard it, but he ignored it as he spoke.
"Do not tell it to anyone, okay?", spoke kain in a solemn face.
Ivory heavily nodded.
"I came here to change this world back to it's original form.", kain dropped the bomb.
It was not written in any rule that he could not share this information with the locals.
And maybe... the locals could help him with the mission?
"W-What?! Are you serious.", exlaimed Ivory as she widned her eyes.
'Too Unbelievable!', she spoke in her mind.
"Yes. i was given this mission by...someone.", Spoke kain as he maintained eye contact with her.
She pushed kain away gently.
She also started supressing her blush.
'too close.. uff.'
"Then Maybe, this dungeon can help you in your mission in some way.", spoke ivory.
"Oh? And How?", asked kain as he raised his brow.
"But! Before that..", Ivory interuppted as she stopped in the middle of the road.
Kain turned around to look at her.
She was currently Clenching her fists, her face was not clearly visible yet.
'Ivory? Could it be?....'
"Mr. Kain...", she spoke softly.
"Y- Yes? A- A- Ivory, do you? d-d-do you-", Spoke Kain as he stuttered slightly.
He was not ready for this! he is getting caught off guard!
"Yes. Mr. Kain...", she spoke as she looked up.
She had a smile over her face.
"No! W-W-Wait! I'm-", kain was about to speak but was interuppted.
"Mr. Kain, can i please be your....."