Looking at the man whose face was a mix of disbelief and excitement, Lancer couldn't help but frown.
Based on his words, the man didn't seem to know him personally; in fact, he didn't even seem to believe that Lancer—or rather, the "Azure Star"—was actually real. This strange attitude immediately triggered Lancer's vigilance.
'Could he have the wrong person?'
"Save you? I'm just a passing spearman, so are you sure you haven't mistaken me for someone else?"
The confusion on Lancer's face didn't look faked. Heng, who had been brimming with excitement, suddenly froze.
"Mistaken? Is it possible that you, Lord Azure Star, are not the legendary 'Azure Star' who created this continent?"
The man's words confirmed Lancer's suspicion: he definitely had the wrong guy.
Created the continent? This guy really thought highly of him. With his current abilities, even if he went all out, the most he could do was create a large iceberg to float on the sea.
"Certainly not. The name 'Azure Star' is just a nickname a friend gave me recently. You're probably only the third person to call me that, besides myself and the one who gave it to me. I was actually going to ask if you knew her?"
Seeing that Lancer's confusion was genuine, Heng's body—which had been tense with excitement—completely slumped. With a bitter smile, he let go of Lancer's arms and lay flat on the ground.
"So you're not... I guess it was never going to be that simple."
However, after the initial disappointment, he recovered quickly. Pushing himself up into a sitting position, he bowed his head deeply and solemnly toward Lancer.
"Sir, I am truly sorry for my behavior earlier."
"It's fine. At least that Kirin wasn't enough to threaten my life. On the other hand, how exactly did you provoke it? My impression is that the Kirin is an extremely docile 'Elder Dragon.' Generally, they don't attack hunters or civilians. What did you do?"
Lancer remained calm regarding the apology, simply waving his hand to accept it. From the man's earlier actions, it was clear he hadn't intended to cause trouble, otherwise Lancer wouldn't have saved him. But as Lancer said, he was curious why this man was being hunted by a Kirin.
In his memory, during the farewell banquet at the Guild the night before he left this world, someone mentioned seeing a Kirin with their own eyes and even picking up some of its mane. According to that hunter, the Kirin was one of the least dangerous Elder Dragons.
Hearing Lancer's question, Heng rubbed his head helplessly.
"I don't know either..."
"Huh?"
Seeing Lancer's surprise, a bitter smile appeared on Heng's face.
"I left my hometown on a ship to find the legendary 'Azure Star,' following a blue comet in the sky. I was guided all the way here by that 'Azure Star,' but after I arrived, I lost track of it. As for the Kirin... I stumbled upon it by accident while searching for food."
Not only did he answer Lancer's question, but he also explained why he was here. Lancer froze for a moment upon hearing the explanation.
"This is an island off the main continent?"
Heng didn't know why Lancer looked so shocked, but he nodded. After receiving confirmation, Lancer's expression became quite complicated.
"Now I finally know why I couldn't find any hunter markers. It turns out we ended up in a 'no-man's land.' But... is this really an island?"
Lancer didn't say the last part out loud, only muttering it to himself in his mind.
Lancer was certain that there was no seawater near the area where he appeared. Seawater has a distinct scent compared to regular moisture, and after walking for ten days, he hadn't found any trace of the ocean. Their pace wasn't slow, and there were no signs of a coastline ahead...
Could it be that this wasn't an ordinary island, but a New World?
If this really was a "New World," then it was a massive discovery!
But here was the problem: a third of Lancer's time was already gone. It was basically too late to return to Pokke Village. He glanced at the young man beside him—who didn't look particularly strong but had crossed the sea alone—and decided he would at least protect him until he returned to the old continent.
"I don't know why you're looking for the so-called 'Azure Star,' but I think you've realized by now how dangerous your journey is. Aside from that Kirin, the Flying Wyverns scattered around could take your life at any moment. Personally, I suggest you head back. If you still want to search for the 'Azure Star,' you can surely get a significant reward from the 'Guild' for the feat of finding this place. By then, hiring help or finding like-minded hunters should be much easier..."
Though they had only just met, Lancer could tell from his speech that the man had a decent personality. Lancer wasn't stingy with his help for such people. However, upon hearing Lancer's words, the man's expression became hesitant.
"Is something wrong? You can speak freely. You've given me a lot of useful information; I won't hide things from you if I can help it."
Lancer's words finally gave the man the resolve to speak. He looked up, eyes filled with confusion.
"What is... the 'Guild'?"
The raw curiosity and confusion on the man's face left Lancer completely stunned.
What is the Guild?
The simplest explanation is a place that provides monster hunting contracts. As long as there is a valid reason and sufficient reward, a quest can be posted, and hunters can hunt monsters after accepting the quest.
Why do you need a quest to hunt?
It's actually quite simple. The mainstream philosophy of this world is that "humans and monsters are both masters of this land; there is a symbiotic relationship between them, and indiscriminate hunting will invite disaster."
Lancer didn't quite grasp this philosophy himself, but he didn't judge it either. Different worlds have different values. Furthermore, according to some hunters, history indeed recorded disasters caused by overhunting.
One could say that in a world teeming with monsters, it was impossible to survive without accepting the protection of the "Guild."
Could there really be someone who didn't know the Guild existed?
Moreover, someone who dared to cross the sea alone to reach this strange land was definitely not a shut-in from a secluded village. Even if he were born in such a village, a headstrong guy like him would have definitely broken out. So why didn't he know?
Suddenly, a strange suspicion dawned on Lancer.
Could it be that there really is no Guild?