[50km run ✓]
The running app notified him of his goal for the day.
He was now halfway into the month.
Ferris stopped dead in his tracks and collapsed on a nearby bench like a dead corpse.
The harsh training regiment taught to him by his teacher proved to be effective. It was a mix of both his physical strength and essence strength, since he used his essence alongside the workout.
This meant that his body was not the only thing being trained, but also his body's essence reserves and output.
Did I make a mistake running in a single direction this time? Ferris questioned himself.
He traveled almost 40km till he found himself on an isolated road, then another 10km to find himself in a remote town.
This town was much more peaceful and quiet compared to the inner parts of the city.
Ferris was born in the supercontinent Henosis. Including the 7 cities that are under the control of villains, the supercontinent contained 26 cities, from City I to City XXVI.
But more specifically, Ferris was born in City XIII, or simply called City 13.
Now the disaster level of Dragon had a more significant meaning.
"Hah... Another 50 kilometers on the way back," Ferris pumped himself up.
As of now, his body had reached its old physique that was used for the first and second hero exams, but he didn't plan on stopping there, he needed to build and tone his muscles even more.
But with a tight budget, food was hard to come by, and he had no experience with cooking.
He needed the nutrients to sustain his developing body as essence alone wasn't enough.
There was no point to his training if he wasn't fed well.
An idea popped up inside his head—an idea that terrified his very being.
Should I... start dumpster diving for food? If I go around supermarkets, I might be lucky and find myself some canned goods—
Slap!
He slapped himself.
No... That's a last resort. A knight's dignity is very important.
Ferris stood up and looked at the time on his phone. It was just about to hit noon.
I just need to grab a bite before running back home.
Luckily, the forever-open 24/7 Holy Taverns were always present to welcome Ferris and his hunger and this town had exactly one when he checked his map app.
Ferris casually walked the short distance and entered the store.
Unfortunately for him, remote branches where often subpar.
It's practically empty... And the food here is...
Ferris was not impressed—even more so when the prices seemed to be about the same compared to those in the dense city.
Let's see...!!! Ferris's expression froze in shock at the sight of a round sticker.
80% OFF!
Could this truly be?! His eyes twitched in a mix of fear and excitement.
It's such a big platter! And has a lot of meat too!
He hurriedly grabbed the plastic container and inspected this suspiciously cheap feast.
. . .
As I thought... It's expired. It's a remote branch, so maybe the owners could do certain practices.
He looked around the display. Plenty of the food there had hefty discounts.
But it's 80% OFF!
Is this even legal?
Is this truly what I live for?
Will my duty as a knight accept this?!
Ding!
"Thank you for purchasing, let me reheat it for you," the cashier said with a smile.
I ended up buying it... Ferris gloomed at his own actions.
"Here you go!"
Outside, Ferris quietly sat down at one of the outdoor tables.
He inspected the platter and smelled the food.
It doesn't smell bad...
Swallow.
And it's really better than anything I've tasted before...
However, these kinds of activities were illegal.
So, as a knight, Ferris had to do something about it.
From now on, I'll come here and I'll buy every expired food! He began devouring the food like a gluttonous pig.
---
New workout routine.
500 push-ups!
500 sit-ups!
500 squats!
And a 100km run!
Do it every single day!
---
After that, he took out a stainless steel water bottle and drank it dry before refilling at a public tap water source.
Ferris trashed the plastic utensils in the correct bin and returned to the tables outside the convenience store.
He took out his phone and began reviewing.
The hero exam was composed of two types.
One of them was a written exam, but thanks to his body's diligence during the first attempt, all he had to do was refresh his mind.
For this, he used an online website made for the public and began answering the multiple-choice type exam.
. . .
[79% correct! Pass!]
His phone congratulated him, but Ferris wasn't satisfied with the results.
The exam used a vast array of questions from the Hero Association's database, but only 200 of them would be selected during the actual exam.
The reason why Ferris failed the two exams was the other part of the exam type.
It was the physical exam.
To make up for this, he needed to pass the written exam with flying colors.
I'm not leaving till I get at least 90%.
An hour passed.
[84% correct! Pass!]
Damn it...
Ferris pressed his lips together in spite. He went over to press the retry button but was suddenly interrupted.
Bump.
A hooded girl suddenly bumped into his shoulder, causing him to drop his phone on the table.
He tried helping her out, but she stood up quickly and entered the store beside him.
Is she hungry or something? Ferris wondered and returned his gaze towards his phone.
He picked it up, but he only noticed his expression behind the reflection of the black screen. Did it close?
He pressed the power button.
. . .
Damnit, I didn't get to reach 90%.
Ferris sighed, but he suddenly noticed the store's door opening. The same hooded girl appeared again and hurriedly went off in another direction.
Now that he looked at her state, there was something definitely wrong with her.
Then suddenly. "!!!"
He hid his shock well as he suddenly felt an ominous intent from behind.
Two large men went past him, following the girl's direction.
Something's definitely wrong...
Without hesitation, he stood up and waited for a bit before he started tracking the two.
I don't have time to ask the cashier what happened. I mustn't lose them.
Ferris quietly traced the two men's path.
Eventually, he stumbled upon an isolated alleyway, but he chose to wait near the sidewalks.
They stopped, and that girl is cornered...
Regardless, Ferris remained quiet till something dangerous happened.
From the way they walk, they're unarmed...
"Hold her, quickly," the man hushed.
The other man quickly placed a cloth on her mouth, causing her to thrash around violently.
"Damnit, this bitch doesn't want to sleep." The man pressed the cloth even harder till she finally lost consciousness.
"This time, lock the fucking door so this product doesn't escape," the other man berated his partner.
After that, they quietly helped her "walk."
Human trafficking, and a product... That implies there's more. Ferris quickly hid himself, letting the two men pass by him.
Ferris's phone was dead, so he couldn't call the authorities.
Since this town is so remote, it was practically a wasteland. Even if he found one to borrow a phone from, then it would've been too late.
I have a feeling that police and heroes would take too long. I'll just have to follow them.
Every other option would result in simply being too late. Except one option.
What I'm going to do is so blatantly stupid and risky but... his knightly instinct took over his mind.
There's no way I could let this slide. I need to.
Furiously, hunt them down.
Carefully, he followed the two.
The kidnappers then went into a truck, and just before they were about to drive off—
Ferris sneakily used his essence to perform a quick burst of speed that allowed him to latch onto the truck's back, and slowly climb on top.
Thud.
"Huh? What was that?"
"Probably a bird. Now drive!"
An hour, two, or maybe three hours.
Ferris couldn't tell what exactly the time was and where the hell he was even at, but it was almost sunset.
He had been clinging on the top of the truck since who knows how long.
But he didn't regret a single second of it.
***
Felix, 15 years old. Maximized 9th layer apprentice.
It was the dead of night. He was on a mission with other fellow comrades. But just like the rest of the young bloods, he was only there to stand by and watch until an emergency happened.
It was a hideout in the middle of a dark forest. The only sources of light came from the burning tents and houses.
"H-Help." A dying man held up his hands towards Ferris.
Stab.
Unfortunately for the dying man, Yaromech was there to expedite his departure. "Don't let their pleas get into you, sometimes—
Crack.Snap.
"These animals just stay animals."
"But." Yaromech cleaned the bloodstains on his sword. "You must never get used to killing. Will you promise me that?"
Felix shivered at the twitching corpse. "Ah... I—
"Yaromech!" A fellow knight called out. "We've finished purging the ones here. All that's left are the ones hiding in the underground cave."
The knight approached them and took off his helmet to take a breather. "Ever since the prophecy began, these bastards been living life like it was their last." He gulped. "This is the biggest bust this kingdom's ever had... There's hundreds of slaves here, even more in the other camps in this godforsaken forest."
"You said the last of them were underground?" Yaromech asked to confirm.
"Yeah, there's a secret hatch we uncovered in the main house. The mages say it's a one-way hole, but we can't be too sure—
"I'll handle it myself." Yaromech turned his back and then went in the house's direction.
"Uh, Sir Yaromech, are you sure—
I. Said. I'll. Handle. It.
Myself.
Felix couldn't describe what creature he was seeing. His easygoing, careless, airhead teacher was now a completely different being.
At that moment, that night became a very bloody one.