CHAPTER 98: ARROGANCE IN THE HOLLOWS

Deep in the heart of Kahsar Novice Grove, a "Veshari" with a strange name turned a corner.

’Tch, another Sentinel...’

Thirty minutes had passed since he entered the grove, but he had yet to meet the merchant.

This was due to a few reasons.

However, the main problem was the patrolling Grove Sentinels — level 50, tall, lean, and fairly muscular Vesharis with blinds covering their eyes.

Daru had encountered three of them now, and every time he did, he was forced to turn a corner to avoid them.

This naturally resulted in him taking paths he didn’t plan to.

Aside from this and the unfamiliar layout of what could be called a Veshari City, his unreliable internal compass wasn’t helping, either.

He could only hope he would encounter the Waykeeper he needed to meet as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, even this had to wait. Five hours were almost up.

Thus, Daru decided to return to the inn he had seen a dozen minutes earlier for now.

He was already in what could be called the second level, as he was somehow able to locate a relatively remote rope ladder, which he used to ascend.

The problem was that the inn was on the first level.

He had to brave the misty, dimly illuminated dirt streets of the grove again.

Fortunately, after passing by a few shady, pirate-harbor-looking establishments, he was able to find the rope.

He observed the surroundings, and only after confirming that it was safe did he descend.

The streets were unique in their own, gloomy ways, allowing Daru to find his way more easily than expected.

He stood in front of Kahsar Novice Inn’s half gate for a moment, appreciating its unique architecture carved in the trunk of the colossal redwood.

Only then did he enter.

The interior was just as somber, and there were no people inside, despite almost a thousand novices starting in this location.

It was understandable, as the common leveling grounds were now the level 19 to 32 ones —the Haunting Mist Valley, for example.

The five-hour limit was nowhere near enough for the enthusiastic youngsters of each race.

Who would actually utilize novice inns?

Daru ignored the strangely cozy lobby and headed to the blackwood counter, selecting an empty room as a prompt appeared and paying the Waykeeper the appropriate amount of Swordcoins.

He then made his way to his room, a small and simple wooden one with only a bed, a small desk, and a cheap mirror hung on the walls.

The moment he locked the door, a translucent-gray barrier appeared.

Daru walked to the bed and plopped down, unmoving.

***

’I hope I meet that merchant later...’ He mused while adjusting his slumber capsule.

Daru then stood up, stretched, and left the classroom

He was the earliest to leave this time, heading over to the canteen to have lunch before returning to his dormitory room to prepare for his afternoon swordsmanship classes.

An hour later, he stood at the gates of the Sixth Training Field, watching a blueberry-haired young woman strike a dummy.

It seemed that Skylar’s threats were very effective.

Daru walked closer, glancing at the wooden training shortsword in his hands.

He had been using it since he was young, and it was already very worn down.

However, being struck by it would hurt all the same.

Daru had been carrying it with him wherever he went for the past few days — from his dormitory, to the lecture building, to the canteen, and to the Sixth Training Field.

Only when he was inside his room would he lean it against the shabby walls.

After all, Lucas and his goon squad might appear out of nowhere and attack him. How would he be able to respond to their challenge if he weren’t armed?

Thinking of Skylar’s underlings, he couldn’t help but sigh in slight disappointment, thinking:

’When will they attack?’

The answer was clearly not today again.

He could only place his worn, wooden shortsword down alongside his training bag, proceeding to grab a wooden tachi in one of the weapon racks and heading over to where Snowflower was.

The two then performed their customary, awkward greeting before Daru proceeded to strike the dummies alongside Iris.

Multiple pairs of eyes watched from a distance as their peaceful early bird training proceeded.

Daru found it difficult to fully focus this time, hearing a new set of gossip from his classmates, one that he was interested in.

Apparently, yesterday, an Aetherborn was sighted in the Crystal Hollows, resulting in a shocking death confirmed by Darren Zillman, the A-ranker of class 69, himself.

Iris’s classmate lost a life in the hollows after encountering the novice bladeborn of the prideful and mighty race.

The exciting thing was that the Aetherborn was claiming the Crystal Hollows as "his" for the duration of his stay in Valmaris.

That they, the humans, can try to take it back, but the arrogant bastard recommended that they bring in an SSS-ranker, or there wouldn’t be any chance or challenge.

It appeared that Aetherborns were as proud as described in the online articles.

’I’d like to face an Aetherborn...’ Daru mused, deciding to take a short waterbreak to restore his focus first before striking the dummies again.

Unfortunately, he was in Veshara, struggling to navigate a Novice Grove.

He could only wait for his turn.

After wiping his face, he noticed that Iris was standing in front of him.

"Hm? What is it?" he asked, curious.

"Ah...I forgot to tell you, but the government was asking if you’re somewhere near the Crystal Hollows. Miss Hailey said that if you can deal with the Aetherborn, they’ll reward you once the novice event ends." Snowflower relayed.

She would’ve normally felt excited about this. Unfortunately, her circumstances in the realm didn’t allow such a luxury.

Daru sighed in response, catching Iris off guard:

"I would definitely go if I could. But I’m on another continent. They should probably look for someone else..."

Snowflower’s brows rose in surprise:

"You’re on another continent, too?" She asked with weird enthusiasm.

It wasn’t that she was gloating that Daru was in a similar tough spot as her. It was just that she now felt less alone, knowing that her training partner was also facing the same troubles.

"Yeah," Daru confirmed, slightly surprised as he placed his towel and water container on the bench and stood up. "You too?"

"Yes..." Iris nodded.

"I see, so you also got lucky..."

"Lucky?" Snowflower was puzzled for a moment. "Ahh...if I may ask...which con–"

Unfortunately, before she could finish her question, Daru was already back in front of the dummy.

She decided to just drop the matter.

It was next to impossible that they were somewhere near each other, anyway...