We talked for what felt like forever, letting our words flow freely, like a dam had broken inside both of us. There was something so freeing about being honest, no filters, no masks—just stories from the heart. At one point, she noticed the tattoo on my right arm, her eyes narrowing with curiosity.
"Why that design?" she asked, leaning closer.
I shrugged with a small smile."I guess I never had the chance before. It's like... a fresh start. A new me, you could say."
She laughed, the sound light and teasing."So, does he have a name, if I may be so kind to ask?"
I sat up straighter, puffing my chest out proudly."His name is Zephyrax."
That sent her into a fit of laughter—clearly, she hadn't expected me to actually name it. She had only been kidding, but now she looked both amused and stunned.
I shot her a sly look."Should I have gotten your name and face instead?"
Her cheeks turned bright red, and she stammered,"Sh-shut up—don't say stuff like that!"
I chuckled, thoroughly enjoying her reaction. She tried to recover but then muttered under her breath,"Honestly… that would've been way better than some dragon."
I leaned in, teasing just a little more."Well then... next time, I'll make sure to get your name."
Before I could go on, she quickly pressed a hand to my mouth, stopping me before I could say anything that might make her more flustered. As the first rays of the sun began to rise, painting her silhouette in a soft glow, I asked,"Lai... how are you feeling now? Better after everything that happened last night?"
She stood up slowly, brushed some leaves from her skirt, then bent slightly to pat me on the head. Her smile was radiant—so gentle, so genuine—it could've melted the morning frost."Get up," she said softly. "I forgot to give you something earlier."
She reached into her side pocket, her hand closing tightly around whatever she was hiding. With a little grin, she placed something into my palm—her fingers brushing mine, soft as clouds, nearly divine. But all my attention was locked on the small item she gave me.
"A bracelet?" I asked, puzzled yet touched.
"Yes, a bracelet," she confirmed, then raised her wrist. There, I saw it—she was wearing a matching one.
"This will be a constant reminder of us... and that we'll always be together."
My eyes lit up like a child's seeing magic for the first time.
I slipped the bracelet onto my wrist without wasting a second. It was simple, yet striking—plain white on one side and plain black on the other, with a small charm shaped like a potion bottle dangling from it.
"So... do you like it?" she asked softly, a faint smile tugging at her lips, like she was bracing herself for disappointment."I asked the palace guards what kind of bracelet might suit me," she continued, eyes drifting downward. "They showed me all these fancy ones with jewels and gold... but in the end, I picked the most basic one I could find, because..."
Her voice trailed into a long, thoughtful silence. But in that pause, her effort spoke volumes.
Moved by how much care she had poured into something so small yet meaningful, I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around her in a warm, firm hug. She froze for a moment, completely stunned, unsure of how to react to the sudden gesture.
"Your efforts are never wasted," I whispered. "Any gift you choose is always the best. So don't worry about what's enough—just keep being you."
She didn't say a word, but she didn't need to. Her expression said it all. That smile—her real smile—was glowing with emotion. And in that moment, it was more than enough to give me the energy I needed to carry me through anything.
But the joy was short-lived. As much as I wanted to stay, we had to leave. It was the last thing I wanted, but there was no other choice. As we stood apart, we gave each other one last wave, the kind that stretches time just a little longer.
Watching her walk away into the distance, I cupped my hands and shouted with every ounce of breath in my lungs,"TRUST ME, LAI! WE WILL MEET AGAIN—SOON!"
She stopped in her tracks, turned around in a flash, and raised her hand in a peace sign. That was her silent promise, her way of saying it won't be long. And that small gesture filled me with the reassurance I desperately needed.
For now, that was enough. And I was glad.
As I returned to the inn, I gathered everything I needed—the map, the compass, my short sword, and most importantly, the pouch of money I'd stashed away for this journey. After all, what good is ambition without a means to reach it? With everything packed and secured, I slung my gear over my shoulder and made my way to the main gates of the capital, determined to finally begin what I'd set out to do.
But just as I approached the exit, I found myself stopped once again by the guards.
"Haven't we already told you? You can't leave until our Lady gives the word, kid—"
Before he could finish, a familiar voice rang out from behind him, clear and calm."Let him through, Rufus. I've already granted him permission to go, so there's no need to worry."
There she was—The Lady herself—standing tall in the morning light, her presence as commanding as ever.
I gave her a crooked smile, a silent nod of gratitude."Well, thank you for letting me pass, 'Lady of the Capital.' Don't worry—Skinwalker will be back before you even know it."
Leaning casually against the stone gate, she gave me a smirk."You'd better be. The capital will be waiting."
And with that, I charged forward with a grin, rushing through the gates at full speed, brushing past Lai with a whoosh of wind. My thoughts raced alongside my footsteps—Val's quest needed to be done swiftly, and I couldn't afford any delays.
If I wanted to return stronger, with a loyal companion by my side and a plan bold enough to take down the Seven Deadly Sins... then my journey had to start now.
As the days dragged on, and then blurred into weeks, the weight of the journey began settling into my bones. I had known from the start that this wouldn't be easy, but knowing and living it were two different things entirely. Endless walking under a relentless sky, fighting off abominations that seemed to crawl out of every shadow—it was exhausting. Still, the constant battles had paid off; I had climbed to level three and earned a handful of new skills that were slowly starting to shape me into something stronger.
I paused along the trail, unrolling the map again and holding it open in both hands. One thing that had proven incredibly useful—maybe even lifesaving—was a tip I'd gotten from the guy at the tattoo shop. He told me to channel a bit of my magic into the map, just by imagining the flow of energy entering it. Like clockwork, the parchment would glow faintly and reveal my exact location. Without it, I would've been hopelessly lost long ago.
"I predict... two more days, max, until I reach the destination," I muttered to myself while chewing on a piece of cooked wolf meat beside a flickering campfire. "Not too far now... but man, I'd kill for a clean set of clothes."
The same meal every night had worn thin on my patience, and my cloak was beginning to smell like smoke and blood. I had gotten lucky finding an old, slightly torn backpack earlier along the road—it wasn't much, but it meant I could finally stop carrying everything in my arms like a wandering fool.
The journey was rough, sure. But with every step forward, I knew I was getting closer to something that would change everything.
I eventually drifted off to sleep, holding onto a sliver of hope for the day ahead. But let me tell you—sleeping on the hard, uneven ground of the plains wasn't exactly something I looked forward to. After nights of stiff backs and sore muscles, I finally came up with a better idea. The towering trees of the forest beside me had giant, broad leaves—soft, thick, and sturdy. I'd climb up, cut a bunch, drag them back out of the woods, and layer them into a makeshift bedding.
To my surprise, the plan worked better than expected. It wasn't just comfortable—it was heavenly compared to the ground. That night, I slept like a baby under the stars, with the faint rustle of trees singing me to sleep. No monsters. No nightmares. Just peace.
Now, only two days of travel remained. I was determined to make them count, keep my pace strong, and stay on guard. Unfortunately—or perhaps fortunately, depending on how you look at it—fate had something else in store.
As I walked along a narrow path just before noon, a group stepped out of the brush ahead, blocking the way. They looked scrappy, mismatched, and a little too smug for comfort.
"Oh, look what we have here! Another little lost boy who doesn't know his itty-bitty path home," one of them sneered, his grin stretched too wide to be friendly.
I wasn't scared—just mildly annoyed. I had met their type before.
Another stepped forward, this one a bit bulkier, arms crossed as if trying to intimidate me with his posture."We're bandits, boy," he said with a mocking tone, eyes flicking dismissively toward my worn-out backpack. "Hand over your money, and maybe we'll let you go without a scratch."
I sighed deeply. All I wanted was a peaceful last leg of the journey. But of course, the world had other plans.
Trying to ignore them, I attempted to sneak past quietly, hoping to slip through unnoticed without drawing any attention. Unfortunately, luck wasn't on my side. One of them suddenly grabbed me by the back of my shirt and yanked me straight toward his smug, grinning face. He looked down at me, clearly thinking he had the upper hand just because he was taller, broader, and meaner-looking than I was.
Big mistake.
Without even bothering to draw my sword fully from its sheath, I slammed it—still encased—right into his crown jewels. Direct hit. He dropped to his knees like a sack of bricks, clutching himself and gasping in pain.
"What happened, dude? You lost your balls to fight me? Oh wait... you actually did." I smirked, hoping my stunt would throw them off—and it totally did. The rest of the bandits burst into laughter, wheezing and slapping their thighs. Bandits, as it turns out, can't resist a good low blow joke.
I used their laughter as the perfect distraction. "Skill activate: Stealth," I whispered under my breath.
Not only did it help me slip away unnoticed, but I also managed to pick a few pockets while I was at it. By the time I left that camp, my coin pouch was fuller than when I arrived, and best of all—not a single scratch on me.
Traveling as far as I could before nightfall settled in, I set up camp once again under the stars. Only one more day remained—I reminded myself that I was almost there. Before resting, I wandered into the forest nearby. It stretched endlessly in all directions, each step revealing more of its mystery. It was captivating, almost like it was alive, but I reminded myself that this wasn't my destination. One day, I'll come back and uncover the secrets hidden in its depths, but that's not the quest I'm here to complete.
Another night passed, and I found myself back on the move, sprinting through the golden plains. I could feel it—just a little longer, and I'd finally arrive. To be honest, the journey itself had its fair share of challenges, but I've enjoyed it more than I expected. The one thing that's truly kept me going, though, is Lai. The bracelet she gave me hasn't left my wrist—it's like carrying a piece of her with me. Every time I look at it, I'm reminded of why I started and who I want to see again.
"Just wait for me, Lai," I whispered. "We'll meet again—with bigger dreams and brighter hopes. Just trust me."
And then I saw it—Tersina, the Duke's Town. It rose from the horizon like a scene from a legend. Stone walls wrapped protectively around the clustered buildings, and glimmering lanterns danced on the rooftops like stars brought to earth. Tiled towers spiraled into the sky, their banners fluttering proudly in the breeze. Market stalls bustled along the outer square, their colorful fabrics and voices spilling over the gates. At its heart stood the Duke's Manor—grand, regal, and carved with symbols of an ancient order.