It had now been half a day since Rin and Soren had separated from each other. Soren continued to travel in one singular direction. He knew that he had to move toward the south-east if he wanted to eventually reach the border of the Holy Kingdom
Traveling alone like this was not normal in this world
Most roads between settlements were only considered safe when guarded by merchant caravans, mercenary escorts, or adventurer parties. The wilderness between cities was filled with things far worse than wild animals. Monsters roamed the forests and jungles, bandits preyed on lone travellers, and there were places where entire groups had vanished without leaving a single trace behind. Because of that, anyone attempting to cross even a portion of a region usually hired protection or joined a caravan
Crossing an entire region alone was almost unheard of
His eyes moved constantly as he walked, scanning the tree line, the road behind him, and the distant hills ahead. Every rustle of movement drew his attention for a moment before he forced himself to keep moving. Surviving the journey to the east would require far more than just avoiding Stormguard's soldiers. The land itself was dangerous enough
Which was why Rin's artifact had stayed in his mind
If even a single magic artifact could enhance a person's abilities that much, then having one might be the difference between surviving the journey, or dying somewhere in the wilderness. But artifacts weren't something you simply found lying around. Not many people are able to craft high ranking artifacts in this world, being able to utilise high grade monster materials and high grade materials was almost unheard of and that is why rank 4 magic artifacts are extremely rare with only a few ever being seen in each generation, however the opposite can be said for lower ranking artifacts. Low grade artifacts are much more accessible with even mortals who cannot use magic often procure them to assist them in slaying monsters
That was Soren next plan of action, this way he could increase in strength quite quickly through the use of these tools. He already had ways to be able to kill his enemies and be able to sense his surrounding well enough however he still wanted an actual weapon more ore importantly he wanted to acquire something that could increase his speed during fights and long journeys. Something that could help conceal his identity so he could move through settlements without drawing attention. Or even something that could strengthen his defences, or reduce the amount of mana he consumed when using his spells
Any one of those would make a difference
Soren entered the minor town without slowing his pace, weaving through narrow streets lined with low wooden buildings. The town was quiet, more so than the settlements closer to the kingdom's centre. Here, most of the people were mortals, merchants, and laborers, going about their daily business, and the sense of danger that normally accompanied city streets was largely absent. Guards were few, and those that were stationed at the gates or patrolling the streets moved lazily, expecting nothing more dangerous than petty thieves or drunkards. Magic users were rare in places like this, and while there were a few who carried low-rank artifacts, most were simple folk unfamiliar with the nuances of magic
In this world, artifacts were a commodity. Even in a quiet town like this, someone was always trying to sell them. The rarer, higher-ranking pieces were difficult to obtain and always expensive, but lower-ranked items circulated widely. Soren moved along the street, glancing at the trinkets on display amulets that sharpened senses, rings that boosted stamina, small charms that made weak spells easier to control
'I should be safe in a town like this. Not for long though its still to close to the kingdom'
Soren kept checking his shoulder as he walked through the town. He hid his mana well concealing it incase their were any mages around. One could roughly estimate the level of a mage by sensing the amount of mana their body can efficiently take in, by intentionally absorbing low levels of mana one could disguise themselves as a mortal hiding themselves from prying eyes
Soren moved through the market with a measured pace, keeping his hood low over his face as he passed stall after stall. The smells of baked bread, roasted meat, and herbs mingled with the faint tang of metal and faint traces of mana from some of the smaller trinkets scattered on the stalls. He let his senses sweep the area, noting the subtle magical auras lingering on certain wares, searching for anything that could give him an advantage on the journey ahead
Eventually, his eyes were drawn to a small garments shop tucked in a corner of the market, its wooden sign swinging lazily in the breeze. The windows displayed practical clothing and simple boots, but behind the display Soren could sense the faint hum of magic, enough to pique his interest. He entered, the bell above the door jingling softly
Inside, the shop smelled of oiled leather and fabric, a faint metallic scent lingering in the air. The owner, an older but burly man with a lined face and thick arms, looked up from folding a set of tunics. His eyes narrowed slightly at the newcomer but softened when he noticed Soren's curious gaze
"What're you looking for, young man?" the man asked
Soren walked further into the shop, letting his eyes fall on a pair of boots resting on a low shelf. Something else caught his eye a collection of masks neatly arranged on a high shelf. One in particular drew his attention: it was blackened metal with smooth edges, designed to cover the upper half of the face. The eyeholes were sharp and angular, giving the wearer a predatory, calculated look. Fine etchings along the sides traced faint, swirling patterns that seemed to shimmer slightly when he focused on them. It wasn't a magical artifact, but it could conceal his identity, perfect for traveling without drawing attention
Soren moved closer to the counter, letting his fingers brush over the boots again as his eyes lingered on the mask. The hum of latent magic in the boots pressed against his senses, calling for him to take them, but he kept his expression neutral
"How much for these?" he asked, voice calm but firm, gesturing first to the boots, then to the mask
The old man leaned back slightly on his stool, scratching his thick beard as he studied Soren. "Those boots? Rank one, wind magic. One hundred gold coins. The mask there? Not enchanted, just decorative… still, I'll throw it in with the boots, same price. One hundred gold coins for both"
Soren's eyes narrowed subtly, the number hitting him like a weight. He glanced at the faint hum of the boots again, then at the mask with its sharp, angular eyes, and realized he was far from able to afford them. Rin's twenty gold coins were nowhere near enough. Even with the stolen money, he was short
He let out a quiet, controlled sigh, his mind already racing through his options
'Reserve these for me I'll come back later in the week''
As he stepped back from the counter, his thoughts immediately shifted to the next step. He couldn't linger here too long, and waiting for the boots and mask later meant he had to make sure he stayed alive in the meantime. The nearest adventurers' guild was only a short walk away, and in a world like this, with monsters lurking in every corner, every town even minor ones maintained some form of organized hunting system. Guilds were everywhere, and they offered contracts for all sorts of forest, swamp, and jungle hunts. For someone like Soren, who needed money, information, and a low-profile way to operate, this was ideal
He mapped it out quickly in his mind: enter the guild, find a contract that would keep him moving deeper into the jungle, and if possible make a bit of profit from the materials he could harvest from the monsters. Even the smallest creatures carried parts imbued with magic particles, and for a rank-two bounty hunter who could handle himself alone, a solo expedition was risky but manageable. Most of these contracts were aimed at teams, and the presence of a single, capable hunter often went unnoticed until the work was done
He adjusted the hood over his head and moved toward the guildhouse, a low, timbered building with a weathered sign swinging in the breeze. The sounds of the town faded behind him as he approached. Inside, the guild would have contracts posted and notices for monster hunts, some small, some deadly. Soren's instincts immediately kicked in, scanning the room and noting any potential obstacles, other hunters, or anyone who might recognize him
Soren pushed open the heavy wooden doors of the guild. The main hall was bustling with activity, hunters of all kinds moving between tables, glancing at contracts pinned to boards, merchants haggling over materials, and scribes hastily writing notes for those who had already returned from hunts. Approaching the large board at the centre, he saw the variety of requests laid out. Small raids on wolf packs, tracking down poisonous lizards, clearing infestations of giant insects, and larger assignments for dangerous magical creatures deeper in the western wilderness. His gaze lingered on a section marked "Jungle Expeditions." A scribe nearby, noticing his interest, muttered over to him, "That section's not for the faint of heart. Western jungle's dense. You can lose a party of hunters just tracking the rivers, let alone the monsters"
Soren read quickly: the western region was dominated by sprawling rainforests that stretched for hundreds of miles, filled with layers of undergrowth, towering trees, and rivers that carved through the land like veins. The density of the foliage created constant shadows, perfect hiding spots for predators, and the abundance of life meant everything from venomous snakes to giant, clawed beasts. Even lower-level monsters could be lethal if underestimated, and the more exotic creatures elemental spirits, magical predators, and territorial giant insects made the jungles a nightmare for any solo traveller
A parchment caught his eye: a small map indicating that the forest only began to thin and the terrain gradually opened up closer to the borders of the other four regions
'So this region is mainly populated by dense rainforests where the surrounding only begin to change as you go closer to the other four regions. Interesting.'' Soren started resting his chin on his hand, ''That means that if anyone were to follow me they would have to do so whilst being chased or trying to go unnoticed by hordes of monsters. But that also means that I need to be strong enough to escape whilst being chased by hordes of monsters and mages coming after me''
Soren approached the reception desk, his eyes scanning the posted contracts as he leaned forward slightly. "I'll take this one," he said, pointing to a parchment pinned under the "Deep Jungle" section. The paper described a hunt for mid-to-high-level predators that had been attacking caravans along the jungle edge. He kept his voice calm but firm, leaving no room for negotiation
The receptionist, a younger man with striking red hair and sharp green eyes, blinked in surprise and adjusted the stack of papers on his desk. "Alone?" he asked, voice tinged with disbelief. "You're sure? Rank-two classified monsters roam in that part of the jungle. That's… dangerous. Are you really going in by yourself?"
Soren didn't flinch. "Yes. I'm going alone," he repeated, his tone leaving no room for argument. He could sense the man's hesitation, but he didn't care. He didn't want partners. Too many variables, too many risks if someone else was involved
The receptionist raised an eyebrow but said nothing further, jotting down Soren's name and handing over a small map of the jungle routes. "Well… you asked for it. Good luck, I guess," he muttered, though there was a note of concern in his voice
Unbeknownst to Soren, a small cluster of adventurers at a nearby table had noticed the exchange. They didn't approach or speak, but their eyes followed him carefully, whispering amongst themselves. The notion of a single hunter taking on deep jungle monsters alone was unusual and risky. Their interest was quiet, calculating, their curiosity piqued. Soren, unaware of the scrutiny, simply adjusted his hood, tucked the map into his pack, and began heading toward the door. The guild hall continued its bustle behind him, but the weight of unseen eyes trailed him into the streets. A group of three man especially paid close attention towards him whilst holding a piece of paper in their hands, but they just watched for now anyway
The paper flopping about in their hands with the words BOUNTY as they just watched and watched