Rhen left his new home and stepped onto a street that was nearly empty, most likely because people were working now.
Why were they working? Because it was daytime here!
'It is likely around 10 hours behind Grayland. That's good, if I spend the day here, by the time I return, it'll be dawn and I can make it for the Union's exam.'
Rhen walked forward with the air of someone who knew exactly where he was going. Gradually, the streets around him grew busier.
The further he walked, the more vibrant and alive the city became, with sounds of chatter and movement filling the air.
He could have called one of the carriages pulled by monsters or horses, but he chose not to so he could observe a little more.
He silently darted his eyes around as he observed everyone and everywhere.
The variety of species surprised him, yet he kept his composure, moving through the streets as if he belonged there.
'These are races of myths. Now I see why it's a world of endless possibilities.'
Rhen chuckled lowly. "I wonder if there are dragons."
[There are.] Zena replied to his rhetorical question.
"What are the chances I'll have time to explore this world? I want to see dragons!" Rhen mused.
Moving forward, the diversity here defied the boundaries Rhen grew up believing in.
The polished streets and ornate buildings told him this was a district for the mid-to-high class. He walked on, and only after a while did the tidy storefronts give way to humble stalls and bustling shops.
He reached a stall that sold accessories and looked at the middle-aged woman standing behind it with a smile.
He had a brief conversation with the woman, inquiring about where he could buy particular things.
By the end of their brief conversation, the woman had given him two clear options.
'A guild or a private company…' Rhen thought.
Saying his goodbye, Rhen walked away, asking Zena what option he should choose.
[A Guild. That will help build reasonable associates now.] she said.
Rhen saw her point instantly.
Satisfied with what he'd seen, Rhen decided to save time by calling a horse-drawn carriage.
He told the carriage driver to take him to the guild building near here. Apparently, there was only one guild branch that sold high quality items here.
Seated within the carriage, Rhen passed by the familiar building structures he had seen during his previous visit to the cities when he traveled with his parents back then.
"Hey, Zena. This just feels like a normal city—maybe just larger. So why is it called a Haven?"
Zena appeared and sat opposite him, staring at Rhen with her hands resting gently on her lap.
She glanced out the carriage window, expressionless, before explaining:
"There were two reasons this place was called a Haven back then—both tied to the Enma System.
"The first is that this territory was naturally free of beasts when Enma was created, due to the System's influence pushing them away.
"The second is that a Safe Haven serves as a place where one can appear after dropping an Anchor.
"For Otherworlders like yourself, an Anchor—which opens a gate to this world—can only be safely dropped in a Haven. More generally, if you die in certain places in this world, you can be reborn here in the Haven. Though… that comes with a cost.
"Beyond Haven regions, Anchors become unstable. That can cause someone to respawn—or appear—at random locations in the Wild."
'Reborn? Death isn't final in some places?' Rhen was stunned.
Zena paused before adding, "I think the Havens have expanded. The influence of the Beast Repellent is probably weaker at the Haven's edges, and Anchors should be risky to drop near the borders."
"I have a lot to learn… After all this, please brief me on the history and other important stuff you know," Rhen said.
After giving a nod, Zena disappeared, leaving Rhen to silently think as buildings passed by.
'The longer the ritual lasts, the higher my talent gets upgraded too… And it's meant to be very painful to the extent that I can break mentally…'
It was scary, honestly, but with the opportunity being provided, Rhen decided to push through.
Rhen might have considered taking it slow and steady, maybe picking up that Quest: Path to Pyroknight while creating plans to overthrow the Union.
But now, he knew that someone in the Union was after him.
In the past, he would have assumed it was just an old grudge. Now, knowing there were people determined to kill his family, a far more dangerous possibility came to mind.
After all, it was exactly on the day his ancestors' preparations to handle their enemies arrived that someone decided to launch a full-on attack on him.
'Even if it's just B rank, I'll be satisfied for the meantime, then I can try to become the Pyroknight later…' he thought.
Soon, the carriage came to a stop and Rhen was required to pay.
Rhen flickered two of those silver coins from the chest and quickly turned around, leaving the driver to stare at his hands with widened eyes.
Ignoring the driver's fondling gaze, he looked at the tall and wide building made of marble. Above the entrance was a large crest depicting a heat-resistance monster with red liquid–lava–pouring on it.
Rhen walked into the reception area, immediately locating the long reception desks, split into four for decorum.
There were a few people dressed as explorers and adventurers in a queue, but Rhen wasn't really impressed by that.
After a brief wait, the line moved, bringing him to the desk where a brown-haired woman with a neat ponytail and warm brown eyes greeted him.
"Good day, sir. I have not seen you here before. Are you new?" she asked with a warming smile.
Rhen gave a smile and said, "I'm new here. Good day. I want to buy items."
"What are on your list?"
Based on Zena's words, Rhen listed, "The Core of a creature at A-rank, if there's one of higher available, that works too. Blood of any creature B rank or above. And an Ice attribute catalyst."
The receptionist tilted her head subtly as she said, "There's a core of an A-rank creature and its blood available too–it was recently killed. There are options for the catalyst too."
"Just get the highest quality for the catalyst," Rhen said with a smile. "How much in total?"
"That's 73,000 En."
"Alright."
Seeing he didn't drag it, the receptionist led him to a common room on the second floor for him to wait.
The room was small, with two armchairs and a low table placed between them. The light coursed through the single window, bathing the room splendidly.
A short bookshelf was at the corner holding books Rhen would care to read.
Rhen refrained from accepting any drinks, as he was in unfamiliar territory.
Still within him, Zena said, [The Guild's higher ups know you're special already.]
"Why'd you say so?"
[Because you appeared out of nowhere. In a district like that, there's no way no one noticed you leaving the house which has been sealed for centuries.]
Seeing her point, Rhen asked, "What now? You seem to be satisfied with this."
[It's through them that we'll rise in this world.] Zena said flatly.
At that moment, a tall bulky man dressed in a white coat with a red accent walked in.
The man's deep voice cut through the quiet, his eyes sizing Rhen up before he offered a faint smile.
"Hello there… Mr. Otherworlder."
Rhen remained silent for a few seconds as he looked between the bulky man and the familiar receptionist, who stood behind the chair opposite him.
"Hello," he said, not denying the claims. "Are my requests ready? I don't have the luxury of time."
The bulky man had blonde hair streaked with red and a single red eye, his goatee giving him a more rugged appearance.
A heavy silence filled the room before the bulky man stepped forward, his red-streaked hair glinting under the dim lights.
"For security purposes, I have only one question right now," he said.
"I'm all ears."
"How did you get into this Haven?"
"A quest I obtained in the Wild rewarded me with this," Rhen replied after Zena telepathically guided him.
"I am Zamir," the man said after a moment of thought.
"Could I bother you to visit us again when you return? I assume you have been in the Wild for a while and you desire to return to your home."
Rhen offered a faint smile, extending his arm. "Call me Blank," he said, his voice smooth but unreadable.
Seeing the other party reciprocate his interest, Zamir extended his arm and shook Rhen's hand.
'His hand is pretty rough. I guess he's pretty strong considering his seemingly high status too.' Rhen thought based on experience.
His instincts and senses weren't honed enough to judge accurately.
Zamir instructed the receptionist to drop the items and Rhen also instructed Zena to prepare the gate after giving her access to his system.
His dull golden screen opened as he looked down to the wooden box on the table.
He opened it and confirmed its contents.
"I'll transfer," Rhen said.
He sent it to the receptionist using a System feature by shaking her hand after receiving Zena's guidance.
He raised the wooden box and put it within his inventory.
The bronze screen then expanded to a tall door with endless space within, causing a slight increase in air within the room.
"I hope to see you soon," Zamir said.
Rhen nodded.
With one last glance over his shoulder, Rhen stepped into the shimmering portal. Space twisted, light folded in on itself—and the Haven vanished behind him.
Watching him leave, Zamir sighed, turning to leave the room. "I expected someone stronger…"