CHAPTER 54: PLAN

The rays of sunlight streamed into the room from the window and shone brightly on Arthur’s face, causing him to squint as he woke up from his sleep.

Feeling the familiar squishy sensation on his face, Arthur inhaled lightly and stayed there for some time, unwilling to get up.

It felt so soft, so smooth, and so perfect.

Wild imaginations surged into Arthur’s mind as he felt the warmth on his face rather than the familiar morning cold.

He decided internally... this was definitely how he’d be sleeping every night.

There was a brief silence in the room as Arthur just enjoyed the rhythmic heaving up and down of Nephis’ chest.

He could hear her loudly beating heart, which sounded slightly rhythmic and melodious to him.

Finally, feeling that if he stayed that way he might not achieve anything for the day, Arthur reluctantly stood up to see Nephis staring at him.

The veil covered her face but from the way she seemed, Arthur could tell she was staring at him.

He wanted to reach out to remove the veil and see her flawless face for the first time but felt that might be a little inappropriate.

A smile curled Nephis’ visible lips as she said warmly,

"Good morning, master."

The way she always said master sent blood rushing through Arthur’s body, but he tried to calm himself.

Now wasn’t the time for his physical desires. Not yet.

Taking a deep breath, he smiled as he stood up.

"Trust you had a pleasant night?"

"Yes." Nephis nodded, also standing up as she walked to Arthur’s side respectfully.

"I’ll head out for my morning exercise now and will be back in a bit."

"Titan, you can wait behind. I don’t think it will be anything dangerous," Arthur interrupted, seeing that Titan was about to make a move to follow him.

Nephis blended into his shadow, and Titan’s golden eyes flickered with hesitation as he stared at Arthur.

Arthur sighed and shook his head, signaling to Titan that it truly wasn’t important for him to follow.

Finally, after seeing that Arthur was certain about this, Titan decided not to interfere.

Arthur exhaled and left his room. He glanced to his right and left where Aella and Jason had lodged and didn’t see their doors open.

Guessing that they were still busy, he immediately strode out of the rooms section.

A place brimming with life opened up to him as early morning drinkers filled different places in the tavern.

However, it wasn’t too early since the time was just about eight when Arthur woke up.

Ignoring the groups, he walked out from the inn without much expression on his face.

Just as he was about to reach the door, he felt something through the corner of his eyes and, without hesitation, dodged.

Snapping his eyes in that direction, he noticed a youth with a sneer curling the corner of his lips.

"What’s the meaning of this?" Arthur calmly asked as he approached the youth who was seated with a group of friends.

Immediately, murmurs spread through those seated in the inn.

"The village head’s son is at it again. Looking to bully someone and this time it seems to be a visitor. How unlucky."

"Another innocent youth falling victim?"

From the murmurs of the crowd, which he could hear through his enhanced senses, Arthur understood exactly what the situation was.

Another cliche? Arthur rolled his eyes internally, exasperated.

He didn’t think he would be part of this cliche situation that only happened in novels where the main character would visit a place and immediately trouble would begin stirring all around.

The youth sneered and didn’t reply to Arthur. Instead, he signaled to three of the lackeys beside him.

"Deal with him. Passing a boss like me early this morning with no sign of respect... what a bas"

Before the youth could finish speaking, a swift silvery glow appeared on his neck and the next moment his head tilted to the side, dead.

Successive silvery glows flashed and within mere seconds, the other youths at the table were dead too.

Their lifeless heads collapsed onto the table, causing blood to begin pooling beneath it.

Instantly, everyone turned pale with fright.

"What? What? What?" Everyone was in disbelief as they didn’t even see how Arthur had attacked.

"Master, please have mercy and spare our pitiful lives." The eyes of those who had been hazy sobered up instantly at the threat to their lives.

Arthur cast them a fleeting glance but was inwardly astonished.

He hadn’t expected Nephis to slaughter the youth and his group of friends without him having to say anything.

It was a little surprising of her.

Still, since it was to protect his honor, Arthur didn’t reprimand her.

Glancing at everyone coldly, Arthur snorted and walked out, no longer paying them any attention.

Immediately after he left, the bunch heaved a collective sigh of relief and broke out in a cold sweat.

"Who’s that monster? What is he doing in our village?" one of the middle aged men glanced in the direction Arthur had run off to.

Silently, a few others slipped away, not willing to endanger their lives anymore.

"Who knows? Perhaps a traveling player with a terrifying class."

There were also other quick witted ones who began making guesses in their hearts due to the strange appearance of dungeons in the surrounding villages.

Guessing that this might be related, they could understand why Arthur possessed such strength.

Unwilling to offend Arthur further, the group only cast pitying glances toward the dead bodies of the village head’s son and his friends.

It seemed they finally got the karma they deserved.

...

Arthur did his morning exercise for roughly an hour before he finally left the place and returned to the inn.

He noticed that the dead bodies from before had been cleared away already. He also noticed that Aella and Jason were sitting at a seat not too far away, discussing something while waiting for him to arrive.

Arthur came in with sweat still clinging to his skin and gave them a fleeting glance before entering the inner section of the inn to freshen up.

He returned a few minutes later dressed in new clothes.

Arthur glanced at them and approached the table with a smile.

Sitting down, he asked, "What next?"

Aella began explaining what she and Jason had been discussing previously.

"We plan to visit the village head for him to lead us toward the locations of the dungeons before clearing them. Along the way we should also try to look out for anyone suspicious."

Aella gave Arthur a knowing look, and Arthur nodded, recalling what had transpired two days ago at the Jaell state.

"Alright." He agreed with the plan without any complaints.

After that, she went on to tell Arthur a few things.

"According to what we heard, there are a few E rank dungeons here. It seems that since there are no players present, this place isn’t truly being considered a priority."

"Hmmm." Arthur nodded, falling into deep thought.

"Okay, in that case let’s hear the rest from the village head and then we can head on to clear the dungeons."

Aella and Jason stood up and they walked in the direction of the village head.

It was located in the center of the village based on what they had glimpsed from the map, so they didn’t need to ask around.

Along the way, the villagers kept giving them strange glances, noticing their clothes and the unique air they carried as youths, which seemed far different from what people were used to in the village.