Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

Seeing the expression on Eina's face, Vahn smiled at the success of his prank. He also noticed that the aura around her body had been in disorder since his outburst, and he found it very amusing to watch it squirm back-and-forth.Noticing the grin on Vahn's face and hearing the jeers of the surrounding adventurers, Eina couldn't help regretting the fact she had consoled him. She ignored the sounds of laughter and false congratulations and focused on counting the magic cores on the table. Once again she was mildly surprised at the sheer number present. If Vahn was telling the truth he had obtained 139 cores in a single expedition.As her expression changed from embarrassment to shock, Vahn was grateful he had the insight to keep half of the cores. Given the surprise showed on her face, she would probably have a mental breakdown if he told her it was just half the actual number.Eina left for the back room to have the value of the magic cores appraised. The value of a magic core depended on its composition, element, and the amount of magic contained within. There was a special form of authentication and analysis magic used by the Appraisers within the guild.Distribution of cores was one of the primary sources of income for the guild. The cores were used in a variety of important functions like generating heat, water, and even electricity, so the Guild had enacted laws that guaranteed it had a monopoly on the market. Though a person could use cores they obtained for their own personal use, if found distributing or selling them they would face arbitration from the Guild and be blacklisted or exiled in the worst case scenario.After twenty minutes, Eina returned with an odd expression on her face. She was carrying a sack full of Valis in one hand, but the other was holding a magic core. Setting the core on the table, she handed the bag to Vahn before repeating what the appraisal expert had told her."Our expert was unable to determine the value of this magic core. Though it appears normal on the outside, there is a mysterious force present within that makes it impossible to identify using conventional means. I was asked if you'd like to turn it over to the Guild for research in exchange for the usual price. We would also pay you a bonus after identifying why the core is unique."Vahn looked at the core on the desk and was unable to distinguish it from the others. He decided to hold on to it since he figured the inventory would be able to identify it faster than the Guild. There was also the chance it contained a unique trait that would be beneficial to him in the future, and he didn't want to turn it over to the Guild before finding out."Sorry Ms. Eina, I think I'll hold onto it for now." Vahn picked up the core and stored it into his inventory through the satchel.Seeing him put it away, Eina frowned slightly. She didn't see any benefit it holding onto it, and he had previously tried to exchange it. He couldn't have any attachment to the core, so she was curious why he decided to keep it after considering for a few moments.Noticing her expression, Vahn smiled before saying, "I think it's cool to have a core that can't be identified normally. It creates a bit of mystery, and I can use it as a good luck charm in the future."Considering Vahn's odd nature and quirky personality, she decided it was very like him to keep a magic core for such reasons.The two concluded the transaction and began to part ways. Before leaving, Vahn turned towards Eina and gave the largest smile he could muster while waving goodbye. Seeing the goofy smile of the innocent looking boy, Eina couldn't help but return the gesture. To anyone looking closely, they would be able to see a slight blush on her ears.Leaving the guild, Vahn weighed the pouch of Valis in his hand. He had obtained a total of 43,900V within a single day, slightly under twice the amount of a party of five level 1 adventurers. If he wanted to he could spend several weeks lazing about at the Inn without having to make any real effort.Using his newfound 'wealth' he increased his pace and headed towards the Hostess of Fertility. With each step, he could feel the seal containing the beast within his stomach loosening. If he was unable to satiate its appetite there would be terrible consequences...(A/N: This is a mild delusion of the MC. Late stage chuuni~!?)He arrived outside the pub in record time and took a moment to enjoy the fragrance coming from the inside. Stepping through the threshold of the door, he was greeted by a playful voice."Weeelcome to the Hostess of Fertility~nya!" Came the shout of a young woman with brown hair, brown eyes, and a fluttering pair of cat ears.Vahn recognized the girl as Arnya Fromel and was taken aback slightly by her energy. She was the same height as he was at 150cm and possessed a cheery, vibrant demeanor which contrasted his relatively dark and bland appearance. Vahn noticed her aura was sky-blue with azure accents.Seeing the boy staring at her through the door, something seemed to click in Arnya mind. "Oooh, aren't you the boy Chloe was fawning over~? One moment, I'll get her for you nya~"Before he could stop her, Arnya whisked her way across the room leaving a baffled Vahn in her wake. He began to struggle against the idea of leaving, but the protests of the monster in his stomach and the aroma of the food kept his feet firmly rooted to the spot.A few moments later he saw the black-haired Chloe in the distance. When they made eye contact she smiled as a glimmer appeared within her eyes. Vahn began to feel a sense of danger and almost managed to convince his feet to retreat outside the pub. Even his stomach seemed to be in agreement, but before he was able to put his plan into action the lithe Chloe had intercepted."Nyaa~? You just arrived, why not stay a while~?" Not waiting for his response, she grabbed his arm and guided him towards the same spot he sat at previously. After seating him, she took up the stool to his left and began to stare at his face with a mischevious grin.Vahn was reminded of the time he had first encountered a goblin and was put in a life and death situation. He felt like the look coming from Chloe's eyes were like a predator observing its prey. He felt like if he dropped his guard she would devour him down to the bones..."Umm, Miss-""Just Chloe is fine~" She interrupted as he began speaking.Swallowing his previous words, Vahn continued, "Chloe...shouldn't you be working right now?" He looked towards her and saw the smile on her face grow larger."Nyahaha~I asked someone to cover for me and decided to take my employee break. I even got permission from Mama Mia~nya."At the mention of Mia, Vahn noticed the woman giving him an amused grin from across the bar. It looked like she found his situation entertaining...Vahn turned towards Chloe and tried thinking of what to say. He didn't know if he should try asking her questions, or if he should make an excuse and try to leave. She seemed to take pleasure watching him struggle to find words and slowly closed the distance between their bodies while he was distracted.Noticing the distance between them had shrunk before he was aware, Vahn quickly brought up a topic while inching towards the edge of his stool. "Chloe, what's your favorite item on the menu!?" He practically blurted out the question in a single breath.Seeing how he had responded to her approach, Chloe couldn't help but chuckle. He was much more innocent than she had expected and her desire to tease him increased exponentially."I think it's all good~nya. It would make me happy if you tried them all~." She continued to close the distance until Vahn had lost the ability to retreat. He would fall from the stool if he tried inching any further away...Just as their bodies were about to make contact, Mama Mia threw a cork which hit Chloe square in the forehead. The young cat girls head jerked back and she began to rub the sore spot where the cork had impacted."Mama Mia~nya! That's mean~!!" She glared towards Mia with tears in her eyes."Break times over Chloe. Take the boys order before you scare him out of the place! You can flirt on your off-time." Mama Mia laughed seeing Chloe's resentful expression before turning towards a customer.Chloe could be heard muttering under her breath as she continued to rub her forehead, "Selfish Mia, just because you can't find a man-"Before she was able to finish her sentence a brown beam of light carved through the air and clipped the bangs of Chloe. The light continued onwards before exiting the doors and disappearing beyond the horizon. Those with excellent dynamic vision would have recognized the object as a wine cork beginning its ascent to heaven.Turning her head, Chloe could see a now ferocious looking Mia glaring directly at her. After leaving her stool, she took Vahn's order before quickly disappearing into the kitchen area.Meanwhile, Vahn was resolving to never get on Mama Mia's bad side. That cork which had flown near Chloe was also just a few inches away from his head. He felt like it was powerful enough to decapitate a dragon, much less him with his meager level 1 status...For the second time that afternoon Vahn felt his conviction to grow stronger improve...After a short wait, Chloe returned with several plates of food. She was now acting like a proper waitress as she laid out each plate on the bar. As Vahn stared at the food, he couldn't help but smack his lips while swallowing a mouth full of saliva. Without giving any extra thought, he began to devour the food in front of him. Each dish was something he had never experienced before, and he savored each and every bite with moisture in his eyes.Seeing the fervor in which Vahn ate, Chloe exchanged glances with Mama Mia who looked over periodically. Mia shrugged as if she didn't know what to say about the situation before shaking her head with an awkward smile. Turning back towards Vahn, Chloe had a gentle smile on her face as the curiosity she had towards him continued to grow.She began to wonder what kind of life he lived to have such an appreciation for food. As an orphan and professional assassin, she had seen many children that had suffered due to the cruel nature of this world. That is one of the reasons she was drawn to Vahn in the first place. She could intuit from experience that he had experienced an uncommon amount of suffering.Though he seemed to be simple and easy to read, there was a deeply rooted caution in all of his actions. It was almost like he was protecting himself by creating a barrier against the outside world. She thought his tendency to stare at others was due to the inner turmoil he experienced when trying to judge if someone could be trusted or not.She wanted to know more about him and, if possible, help heal some of the wounds in his heart.When he had finally finished all the plates and released a happy sigh before taking a drink of apple cider, Chloe finally gave in to her curiosity..."Vahn, would you like to go on a date?"*pfffffftttttt*Vahn nearly choked on his drink hearing her words. He looked towards her and saw a seriousness that had replaced her usual expression. Though her actions put him under a lot of pressure, he could tell from her aura that she harbored no ill-will towards him. After thinking for a few seconds he finally decided to nod."Sure, Chloe. I'd like that." Upon finishing his words he was surprised at how big the smile on her face became. For some reason, he felt like the smile contained something very important that he lost a long time ago.After making the arrangements and confirming the time and place, Vahn left the Hostess of Fertility. He didn't remember how he returned to the Inn, but he walked up the stairs under the curious gazes of the mother and daughter pair before finally arriving at his room and collapsing into the bed.The last thing he recalled before falling asleep was the sound of various notifications that had constantly been ringing since he agreed to the date.//Chloe Lolo: Affection + 3////Chloe Lolo: Intrigue + 10////Chloe Lolo: Affection +1////Chloe Lolo: Affection +1////Chloe Lolo: Affection +1////Chloe Lolo: Affection +1//....[View Affection: Chloe Lolo] [Affection: 73[Caring], Intrigue:85[Desire to Protect]Title: Date!?

Vahn wasn't able to sleep well that night. He kept worrying about tomorrow and feared the rising of the Sun. He would wake up periodically throughout the night before spending a few minutes trying to fall asleep. At one point he began to dream...Strapped to a table within a sterile room Vahn was unable to move. It's not that he didn't want to, but the rig that had been affixed to his body prevented him from doing so. His eyes were forced open by rubber prongs that prevented him from blinking. The only thing he could do was stare at the bright, blinding light that shone down on him from above. He could hear the movement of unseen creatures within the darkness as they poked and prodded his body with various tools, each more terrible than the last. The worst part was the terrible pain emitted from the bands on his arms and legs. Though he had lost feeling when they were first applied, over time the numbness was replaced by a very painful sensation. He began to worry that he would lose function in the limbs if the bands weren't removed. From the shadows, he heard muffled sounds like words...one of the creatures laughed...Vahn could see a large saw exit the darkness...Vahn awoke in a cold sweat gasping for air. He felt a numb sensation from his arms and legs and began to panic before he confirmed their presence. ("It was just a dream...") he sighed as he lay back in his now damp bed. From the window, rays of light had started to creep in through the wooden blinds, causing Vahn to give up trying to go back to sleep.Escaping from his bed, he made an extra effort to clean himself to prepare for the date. He hadn't really taken the opportunity to bathe ever since entering the City, other than when the medics had wiped him down during his treatment. Though he didn't mind too much, judging by how people reacted when he was walking around he probably stank quite a bit. Thinking about this, he remembered how Chloe constantly tried sticking to him and began to wonder if there was something wrong with her nose.After dressing himself, he realized there was still two hours until the start of the date. He wasn't really sure how to pass the time, and he remembered how in manga one of the characters would always show up very early. Thinking it was probably the appropriate thing to do, he prepared to leave the Inn and head for the meet-up location.They had decided to meet up outside the tower of Babel before browsing the various shops inside. Vahn figured that even if he showed up early, he would just use the extra time to grab some breakfast and laze around on a bench until Chloe arrived. It would give him some time to look through his system and decide what he needed to prepare for the coming months. He still had plenty of time to complete his quest, but he wasn't satisfied just grinding away endlessly on kobolds, goblins, and lizards. His goal was to advance down to the safe zone on the 18th floor, Rivira, relying on his own strength.As he exited the stairs leading to the reception/dining area, Vahn came across the small cat-girl, Tina. Unlike the dark purple aura she had previously, now it had turned into a combination of yellows and greens. When Vahn entered the room, she approached him with a concerned look."Mister. I don't know what happened, but you should try to cheer up. It's sad to see you walk around with such a sad face..." She looked at him with her large upturned golden eyes and a slight frown.Hearing what she said, Vahn touched his hand to his face and could feel that the muscles were tense. Without realizing it, he had been wearing a grim expression on his face and caused the young girl to worry.Vahn relaxed his expression and tried giving her a smile. "I thought you were afraid of me?" He inquired, noticing that she was not shying away like she had during their previous meetings.She gave him a look like she couldn't understand what he was saying, "I'm not afraid~nya! I was just listening to my Mom. The way you kept staring at my ears and tail was very creepy~nya!" She exclaimed loudly causing her mother to investigate from the back room. Seeing that her daughter was interacting with Vahn, she gave a light chuckle before returning to her duties.Vahn noticed her actions and felt very awkward. "S-sorry...I had just never seen a Cat Person before and got carried away. I didn't mean to creep you out or anything..." He turned towards Tina and bowed as he apologized.The young girl began to stamp her feet as she scolded, "Geez! You need to have more backbone~nya! Girls won't like you if you always look so glum nyaa~know!? After her remark, she blushed a bit before running through the same door her mother just left through.Vahn stared at her retreating figure in confusion before making his way out of the Inn. He took his time and arrived at the Babel plaza after walking for fifty minutes. He saw one of the various clocks indicate he still had more than an hour before Chloe was expected to arrive, so he purchased a kebab from a nearby stall.He had only seen kebabs in manga, so he was very curious about the dish. He put the lamb-based skewer into his mouth and let the spicy juices soak into his tongue before swallowing. As expected, it was delicious. Just like all the food he had tasted since coming to this world and leaving the forest, Vahn loved the taste. He began to contemplate purchasing a cooking manual through the system and learning to replicate the dishes so he could eat them whenever he wanted.Complimenting the vendor, Vahn bought an extra skewer and left a generous tip before heading towards the rendezvous point. As he approached the location, he could see the lithe figure of Chloe in the distance. Pausing, Vahn checked the time and noted there was still 53 minutes before they were supposed to meet up.He made his way over and caught the attention of Chloe as he approached. She smiled and started walking in his direction. Once they got near each other, she sized up his appearance before speaking."As expected, you still wore that dark getup~nya."Vahn glanced at his attire before looking over Chloe's appearance. Almost as if to contrast the matte color of his clothes, she wore a beige pinafore dress with a navy blue undershirt that accented her hair and made the dress stand out. Around her neck was a lime green embroidered choker, and she completed the ensemble with white stocking and grey long boots."Sorry, I didn't really have anything else to wear. I don't own many clothes and these are the most useful among those in my possession...By the way, why are you here so early?"Chole listened to the first part of his explanation while nodding her head. When she heard the second part, she began to smile and looked directly into Vahn's eyes. "Nyahaha~ I thought someone might show up very early and decided to surprise you~. Well, did it work~nya?"Vahn nodded as he started eating the kebab he had been holding. Seeing his curt response and the fact he had decided to continue eating, Chloe felt her ears twitch a bit.She closed the distance and locked arms with the unsuspecting Vahn. "Nyaa~whats that~. I want a bite~Gimme~"Vahn flinched at the unexpected touch. He looked down at the arm Chloe was nuzzling and marveled at the soft sensation pressing against him. In his dazed state, hearing her ask for the kebab, he mindlessly held it towards her."Nyaaaaaa~ahm!" *munch* *munch* "Oh~It's very spicy~nya!"Seeing Chloe devour the kebab, Vahn was torn from the mystical feeling pressing against his left arm. He stared at the now empty skewer and felt his eyes begin to moisten...Before he was able to complain, Chloe released his arm and began pulling his hand towards the entrance of Babel. "Don't worry about it~nya. We can buy more food while shopping. I'll even treat you if you like~"Nodding in response, Vahn allowed himself to be dragged into the tower. Upon entering, he looked towards the entrance of the dungeon and began to think about what he should do the next time he entered. He still needed to earn money for living expenses and also stockpile OP for his quest..."Now then, first things first. We need to shop for some clothes~nya! Clothing doesn't always have to be practical like you're expecting a fight ya know? Wearing comfortable clothing is one of the things that can bring happiness to people~."Hearing her mention the phrase "happiness" Vahn stopped thinking about the dungeon. "You mean wearing clothes can make people happy?"Seeing that she had finally caught his attention, Chloe beamed. "Yes, yes, certainly~. Don't you prefer to wear new and clean clothes instead of things that had been covered in grime and sweat~? Also, it's not just wearing clothes yourself that can make people happy~""What do you mean?" he inquired."Well, how did you feel when you saw how I was dressed~nya?" Chloe stared into his eyes as she asked the question and held his hand between both of her palms.Vahn thought back to when he saw Chloe near their rendezvous point. The first thing he remembered after seeing her silhouette...was her smile. She seemed happy to see him, and her outfit made all of her expressions stand out more-so than normal. The clothing seemed to enhance the atmosphere coming from her body and drew the eye to all of her actions..."I felt...I thought it suited you. It matched your personality a lot more than the clothes you wore at the pub." Vahn tried his best to summarize his feelings as he stared at the two hands cradling his own."Right~right~? It's that type of feeling. Clothing not only changes how you see others, but it also changes how you see yourself. By dressing up, you can appeal to those around you and even impress the people you interact with~nya."Vahn nodded as he listened to her words. He remembered how everyone gave him strange looks as he walked around town, and how he stood out from the crowd due to his clashing appearance. Even the people that seemed to not mind his presence all wore expressions of confusion when they first laid eyes on him...except for one person.He looked towards the girl that was fiddling around with his fingers as an unknown emotion tickled his heart. Without thinking he asked, "Why don't you look at me like everyone else?"Hearing his question, she stopped playing with his fingers and looked directly into his eyes. After a few seconds, she gave a gentle smile that seemed to resonate with something in Vahn's mind."Its because I can see the boy hiding beneath the appearance. I can see that you are in a pain that you believe nobody else can understand..."Vahn began to tense up and made an effort to extricate his hand. Though she wasn't gripping it hard, he noticed Chloe held his hand in a firm manner that didn't allow him to free himself without forcefully doing so."I can't understand your pain Vahn, but I want you to know that there are people in the world that can empathize with what you're going through. Know that you'll never be alone as long as you are willing to accept the hand people extend to you. And maybe, one day, when the pain begins to fade...you'll be able to offer your own hand to someone else that needs it."Chloe continued to stare into his eyes the entire time she spoke. Vahn could feel his body shaking and gave up trying to remove his hand from hers. He kept replaying her words in his mind, wanting to believe them, but something deep within him still resisted.While he was still ruminating over the words, he could feel a gentle tug pulling in forward. He looked up to see Chloe still staring with her gentle expression as she guided him deeper into the tower, completely ignoring the looks given by the crowd around them."Let's get you some new clothes Vahn. I'm sure you'll be surprised by how much a fresh appearance can change how you feel..."Vahn nodded his head and didn't resist her guidance. As she pulled him along towards their destination, he used his free hand to wipe away at the tears that had appeared without him noticing...

Vahn exited the dungeon and prepared to head towards the Guild. Just as he was about to exit Babel he felt a powerful grip on his shoulder. Turning his head he saw Nicholas with black lines hanging down his face concealing his eyes. Vahn noticed a vibrant red flame-like aura emanating from his body...Tightening his grip on Vahns shoulder, Nicholas slowly raised his head. "Vahn Mason, I believe I owe you a lecture."Vahn could see veins bulging on NIcholas's head as the strength put into the hand on his shoulder increased. He recalled the chilling sensation he had felt when entering the dungeon before bowing his head. "I am very sorry. I should have been more careful."Hearing the apology and seeing Vahn's expression, Nicholas released some of the pressure he had been using in his grip. He sighed while giving a cursory glance at the boy in front of him. Unlike the previous day, this time he managed to return without any injuries. Even his clothes, tacky as they might be, hardly had a single speck of blood even though Vahn had spent a longer period of time within the dungeon."Judging by your appearance, it would appear that you had learned your lesson. Make sure you show extra caution in the future and don't overlook making proper preparations. Remember that the Guild has numerous resources and books about the dungeon. Don't discredit the importance of knowledge, as it could be the difference between life and death when you encounter a new monster.Lightly patting the shoulder he had previously been gripping, Nicholas began to turn away before noticing a peculiarity in the situation. He gave a second glance at Vahn and determined where the weird feeling was coming from. No matter where he looked he was unable to see a weapon on Vahn's person. Moreso than that, he didn't even see a pouch to hold magic cores and drop items..."Where are your weapon and the loot you obtained from the dungeon? Don't tell me you just pretended to enter and spent the day playing around..."As Vahn had already been preparing to walk away, he almost tripped after hearing the question. He tried coming up with various excuses in his mind but was unable to think of one on the spot. Sighing, he turned towards Nicholas and considered everything that had happened between them.Though it was just his job, Nicholas had given him a very detailed explanation regarding the dungeon. He was also one of the people present when Vahn had passed out at dungeon's entrance. He was even there to lecture Vahn when he woke up at the medical ward..Vahn looked closely at the aura coming from Nicholas, before remembering the contact from before.'View Affection: Nicholas Grimm {[Affection: 51[Neutral], Intrigue:60[Concerned]}Seeing the values Vahn decided to mention his 'storage magic' to alleviate Nicholas's suspicions. He held out his hand where it was not easily seen by outsiders and withdrew a magic core from his inventory.Seeing an item aparate right in front of his eyes, Nicholas was very surprised. He quickly looked around before shepherding Vahn towards a more discreet location. After he was satisifed nobody was paying attention to their conversation, Nicholas looked towards Vahn and gave him a fierce look."Is that Storage Magic?" He glared directly into Vahn's eyes as if trying to peer through any falsities.Seeing his expression, Vahn felt a bit of pressure. "Yes, it's a unique skill that I've always had since my time in the forest with my Grandfather..."Though he could feel something off about the statement, he was unable to detect what was true and what was false. Knowing that it was considered taboo to force someone to reveal their secrets, Nicholas decided to not press any further. He looked towards Vahn before cautioning him with a firm tone."Vahn Mason, you should know that Storage Magic is a very rare skill right?"Vahn nodded."Good. Then you should also be aware of the dangers if people discover you have such a skill. If anyone with malicious intent became aware of your capabilities, they would do everything in their power to use you for their own agenda."Vahn nodded again. He had considered this previously when discussing the matter with Sis. He knew that before he was strong enough it would be best to keep the existence of his 'storage magic' and inventory a secret."From now on, whenever you're entering and exiting the dungeon you should carry supplies on your body. Though it's not obvious at first, seeing someone walking around without even possessing a weapon is a red flag to anyone paying close enough attention."After hearing those words Vahn felt like slapping himself in the head. He had grown so accustomed to the ease of use of the equipment system, that he would often keep his gear stowed away until he needed it. He looked around and saw that every other adventurer was carrying their weapons openly and realized the foolishness of his oversight.Vahn discreetly removed his dagger bow from the inventory and slung it over his shoulder. He also withdrew a quiver and fixed it into the area of his belt around his lower back. Luckily whenever he purchased arrows, they always came in bundles of 30 with a corresponding quiver.Seeing the items continually appear from thin air, Nicholas could feel a cold sweat on his back accompanying the twitch in his eye. He tried to use his body to block the line of sight of anyone that could potentially look over. After noticing Vahn had finally situated all of his gear, he released a heavy sigh and almost wanted to yell at the airheaded boy before him..."That's much better, but remember to buy a backpack or satchel to store goods in the future. You don't have to keep anything in it, but it will be a helpful disguise against any inquiring eyes." Turning away from the nodding Vahn, Nicholas felt a strong desire to just go home and sleep.After his interaction with Nicholas, Vahn decided to quickly leave Babel tower. It was now approaching 4:30 PM and he wanted to exchange with the guild before rushing over to the 'Hostess of Fertility. Though it had been less than two days since his last visit, he was no longer able to find the roasted meat and jerky within his inventory palatable. He wanted to try all of the dishes he hadn't experienced yet. If they were half as good as spaghetti, he might even be willing to 'get pet' by the black-haired Chloe in exchange for a larger portion...Shivering at the thought, Vahn turned into a nearby alley away from the view of others. He looked through his shop for a few minutes before purchasing a leather satchel that could be attached to the belt. He swapped locations with the quiver and stored both the bow and arrows back into his inventory. Removing his sword, Vahn placed it into the corresponding sheath that had been sitting in the inventory since it's purchase. He felt that walking around with a sword was a lot cooler than carrying a bow...Satisfied with his setup, he continued following the route towards the Guild. Though he was in a hurry, he decided it was a good opportunity to increase the quality of his map. He took note of the various buildings and shops along the way and made mental marks for each of them. In the future, he would be able to find their locations easily if needed.After nearly half an hour, Vahn finally reached the guild. It was actually a bit faster than his expectations, likely a result of his increased parameters since entering the dungeon.He made his way through the large entrance of the guild and looked around. He had expected to see Fauna or Millie, but it seemed as if they were both off-duty at the moment. Since he didn't recognize anyone, he slipped his hand into the satchel and withdrew half of the spoils he had obtained in the dungeon from his inventory. He felt the weight of the bag increase, but there was no noticeable change in appearance so he didn't worry that anyone was aware of his action.Making his way towards one of the booths for exchanging items, Vahn had to wait in line for ten minutes before coming face to face with someone he hadn't expected. Standing before him at around 158cm was the half-elf receptionist Eina Tulle. He hadn't recognized her at first due to how young she looked, but the emerald green eyes and brown hair made it very obvious she was in fact Eina. At this point in time, she wasn't wearing her glasses, and Vahn felt it made her look particularly cute.Noticing the blank stare of the boy in front of her, Eina gave a gentle smile before speaking. "Welcome to the Guild Exchange Counter. I'm Eina, and I can help you exchange any cores or items you may possess for Valis. I can also log items for any missions you had previously accepted."Hearing her speak, Vahn turned his gaze away and sighed slightly. He needed to break the habit of staring at people so directly, but it was just so interesting seeing the real-world versions of the characters he had only known from the pages of manga in his previous life!"I'm sorry for staring miss Eina. You looked very familiar and I got a bit distracted when I saw you. Please forgive me if I offended you."Hearing his polite response and seeing him bow, Eina couldn't help but chuckle at the boys' innocence. "It's alright Vahn. I wasn't offended in the least."Vahn looked up and saw her aura was gentle like sunlight and had a mysterious purple hue along the edges. He quickly took out the monster cores from his bag before arranging them on the table.Though it had been a quick glance, Eina was still able to see the change in the boys' expression. She began to wonder if maybe the person she reminded him of was someone close to him. His expression seemed to carry a hint of affection and curiosity. As these thoughts crossed her mind, she began to look at the items he had been neatly arranging on the desk by size.Though it was just a few small magic cores at first, Eina began to sweat as he continued pulling more and more out of the bag on his waist. Out of curiosity she began to count and noticed he had already laid out more than fifty cores and didn't seem to be slowing down any time soon."Vahn, why did you wait so long before bringing in all these monster cores?" Out of curiosity, she couldn't help but ask. Seeing the boy look at her with a confused expression, she began to feel a strange unease in her stomach. ("Don't tell me...")"I got all these when I went into the dungeon today though? I haven't been waiting or anything like that." Vahn couldn't understand why Eina asked the question.Her intuition had been correct. Apparently, the boy in front of her, who seemed to lack common sense, was more capable than she expected."Can I ask what level you are and what familia you belong to?" Eina found it odd she had never seen or heard of such a peculiar young boy before.Vahn nodded mechanically while answering. "Sure...I'm level 1 and don't belong to a familia yet since I just arrived in the City a few days ago."Eina almost fell over after hearing his words. Level 1? Not in a familia? This boy who earned more than most small groups earn in several days was just a freelance dungeoneer!? She gave Vahn a curious look before asking the question that plagued her mind."You're able to earn so much in a single day...why aren't you in a familia yet? Surely someone that is as strong as you are at Level 1 would be able to join an A or B ranked familia. You're only hurting your growth by staying as a freelancer." She stared at the large sword on his back and imagined him cutting through hordes of monsters only to end up surrounded and die due to entering the dungeon alone.Vahn finished lining up the remaining cores as the contemplated his answer. Even he wasn't sure why he hadn't joined a familia. He felt it was a combination of trying to protect his secrets and the fact he didn't recognize most of the Familia on the list. At the same time he felt that joining a familia might restrict his actions, and he still wasn't sure exactly what he wanted to accomplish in this world.Though he had said he wanted to become the strongest adventurer, he was beginning to get distracted in various other things. There were so many interesting people and places he wanted to visit. And after eating at the 'Hostess of Fertility' he could feel an obsession rising in him to try the various different foods and dishes within the City.In summary, it came down to the fact he didn't know what he had to do to 'live free and happy' like his mother wanted. He felt that even in the forest he was free, at least compared to his previous life. Just making enough Valis to eat good food was enough to make him 'happy', or at least the closest thing to happiness he had ever known.Eina could see the various emotions her question had stirred in the boy. She began to feel guilty that she had introduced so much doubt into his life with just a few simple questions. Remembering he words, she couldn't understand what had set off his moment of introspection. It was likely due to something that happened in his past and was likely his reason for coming to the City in the first place. Judging by his shabby appearance, he was a few years younger than her and yet had to make a living venturing into the dungeon alone. She began to feel pity for the boy she had just met and wanted to say something to alleviate his melancholy."I didn't mean to upset you Vahn, I was just a bit curious. Even though you're so young, you're able to easily enter the dungeon and return with a large harvest. I'm sure you'll become even stronger in the future and be able to find the answers you're looking for!"Vahn listened as her words went from downcast to a more upbeat tone towards the end. He looked into her eyes and could see concern and expectations for his future, and understood she was trying to encourage him. ("That's right, as long as I'm strong I can do whatever I want...I don't have to be in a rush, and even if I joined a familia it's not like I wouldn't be able to join another in the future. I can go at my own pace, and even if I decided to become the strongest adventurer, that doesn't mean I can't enjoy good food. It would even make it easier to do so!")Vahn began to tremble with excitement at his realization. He couldn't help but laugh within his mind at how he had begun to waver over nothing. Looking towards the young girl before him, he smiled remembering a scene from the manga.He bowed towards the girl that had just given him advice."Thanks, Miss Eina, I love you~!" Vahn shouted, causing everyone within the Guild to look over while the girl he made his proclamation towards turned beet red up till her pointy ears.

Chapter 27: *Spoilers : Title at End*

Chapter 27: Spoilers : Title at End