CHAPTER 45: BACK TO SINDRA

"Let’s keep moving. My boar is here. You’re gonna see my boar named Zuru," Nolan said.

"Okay," Lyra replied.

After a few walks, they finally reached the floor. Zuru was there, the Minotaur core visible in his massive form.

As Zuru saw Nolan, he stood up and ran toward him. Nolan rubbed his head.

"Is that a boar? It’s actually really big for a boar," Lyra said.

"Yes, it is," Nolan replied.

What do you need their core for? Lyra said.

I’m about to go sell it to the Adventurers Guild to make some money. And I don’t know what Celia and Linda are going to say if I bring you in to come live with us. It’s going to be strange. I don’t think they’ll find it comfortable, Nolan said.

Well, I don’t know who they are, but it’s fine if I stay with you guys. I won’t cause them trouble. Are they all of us? Lyra said.

What are you saying? No, they’re not. They’re my allies and friends, Nolan said.

Well, let’s just get out of this place, Nolan said.

Yes, but I’m going to have to put the core, this massive core, on the back of this boar. But it’s going to be a lot of work to take this out to the guild, Lyra said.

Well, that’s fine. I don’t need to put it on the back of the boar. Why can’t you just put it in your store? Nolan said.

What do you mean? I don’t have the skills, Lyra said.

Not ever. And I forgot to tell you, not every skill you have shows up on your skill window or your status window. Some skills might not show. This is something you are capable of learning. But for now, let me store it myself. We don’t have time to be putting it on the back of the boar, Nolan said.

Are you really in that much of a hurry to step outside of this dungeon? Lyra said.

Yes. I haven’t stepped out of this dungeon, Nolan said.

Wait, I want to ask you something. People say, people suspected there is a behemoth in here. What is that? Lyra said.

I’m not sure what you’re talking about. When monsters were moving up from the last floor to the top floor, it was because of me. My presence, this time of year, they were sensing it. That’s why they started running up, Nolan said.

"You have done great, Zuru. You can go back to the forest now, and stay," Nolan said as they finally came out of the dungeon.

"Wow, the sun is so beautiful. It’s been a while since I saw the sun," Lyra said.

"Hey, wait. Didn’t you say it was 300 years since you last saw it?" Nolan asked.

"Yes, but 300 years to me is not the same as 300 years to you. For me, it feels like only two years have passed since I last saw the sun," Lyra replied.

"Well, let’s just get going," Nolan said.

"Last night, as I was walking away from the dungeon, I saw something in the sky... it looked tasty, sweet. I haven’t eaten anything since," Lyra said, pointing upward.

"Wait, what do you mean you haven’t eaten anything? And what do you mean tasty? That’s... a wyvern. This is my first time seeing one. Wow. In my world, some people might even call that a dragon," Nolan said.

"You can go ahead, I’ll meet up with you later. I need that. I’m going to take it down and eat it," Lyra said eagerly.

"No, you’re not. Follow me. Let’s go back. You’re already human now—you’re not a behemoth anymore. Just let it go," Nolan said as they walked away from the forest.

They kept walking through the forest.

"Wow, why is it taking so long? This place feels endless. The village you live in... is it really that far?" Lyra asked.

"Nah, we just have to walk a little bit more," Nolan replied.

"Can’t you just fly us there?" Lyra asked.

"I’m not able to use flight magic. Can you?" Nolan said.

"It’s as if I can..." Lyra muttered, then shook her head. "No, let’s not. We’ll just walk."

"Fine," Nolan said as they continued toward Sindra.

When they reached the gate, the knight standing guard recognized Nolan immediately and waved them through without question.

As Nolan entered Sindra, only one thing filled his mind: seeing Linda and Celia again. But Lyra’s attention was elsewhere.

Her mouth watered, and drool slipped from her lips. "What is this smell...?" she whispered, eyes fixed on a row of vendors. Stalls lined the street, selling skewers and roasted meat, the scent thick in the air.

She wandered closer, drawn like a moth to fire, until Nolan grabbed her hand.

"Hey, no. Let’s not. I don’t have any money with me," Nolan said, pulling her back.

"I just want a little bite!" Lyra protested, resisting his tug.

"I can’t believe it," Nolan muttered. "You’re the behemoth I fought—one that nearly killed me—and now you’re acting like a child over street food."

He shook his head, dragging her away as she pouted, and together they headed toward the Adventurer’s Guild.

As Nolan walked through the streets, people’s eyes followed him. Girls whispered to one another, some even staring openly.

"Why are people looking at me like this?" Nolan muttered under his breath. "Especially the ladies. Do I look weird? Is there something on my face?"

Lyra gave him a sly look. "No. What I sense is admiration. They’re admiring you—your strength, your body. You’re more muscular than most men they’ve ever seen."

Nolan frowned, unsure what to make of it, and kept walking until they finally reached the Adventurers’ Guild. The massive gate loomed before them, and as they stepped inside, murmurs spread through the hall.

"Why is he shirtless...?" one adventurer muttered.

"Wait, who’s that girl with him?" another asked.

Their eyes shifted to Lyra, who was walking proudly at Nolan’s side, wearing the top half of his battlesuit like a coat. The sight was strange enough to stir even more whispers.