After eight long days of endless travel—battling monsters, enduring hardships, and pressing onward—they finally arrived at the eastern gate of the Easter city.
Standing before the massive entrance, May took in a deep breath.
"Yeah… finally, we can rest," she whispered with relief.
Rick, however, was struck silent. His eyes widened as he gazed at the towering wall that loomed above them. It was far larger and more imposing than the one protecting their hometown of Emu. The sheer size alone left him awestruck.
Without another word, the group stepped forward, passing beneath the enormous gates into the city.
What greeted them inside was beyond anything Rick had ever imagined—a place far bigger, livelier, and infinitely more fascinating than Emu. His heart raced with excitement, unable to contain the wonder spilling onto his face.
Kai noticed and laughed. "What do you think? Impressive, isn't it?"
Rick nodded eagerly. "Yeah… it's incredible."
Kai smirked. "Don't get too amazed just yet. There's a lot more to see here than just this. And more importantly—" Kai's voice rose cheerfully, "—there's even a train station in this city!"
Rick's head shot up. "Really? A train station?! Then what are we doing here, Let's go. "
Kai grinned. "That's right! Let's go." May stopping them " Stop! before anything else, we need to report the completion of our quest."
Kai groaned, throwing his hands up. "Seriously? Quest reports first? Can't we at least enjoy the city a little?"
Andrews shook his head, checking through his bag until he found their quest acceptance paper. "Rules are rules, Kai. No report, no reward."
Kai scowled, muttering under his breath, but in the end, she followed along as they made their way toward the guild.
For Rick, every street was a new marvel. The shops, the merchants, the bustling crowds—all of it was fresh and dazzling. His excitement reached its peak as they finally stopped before a grand structure.
The guildhall stood tall and proud, larger and far more magnificent than the one in Emu. Its carved stone walls and soaring spires seemed almost alive with history and prestige.
Rick's breath caught in his throat. "This… this is the guild?"
After reaching the guild, May turned to Rick.
"Rick, you wait here with Rony and Mark while we submit our report."
Rick's eyes lit up. "But… I want to come with you too!"
Kai shook his head firmly. "No, Rick. You shouldn't go in."
Rick frowned. "Why not?"
Kai sighed, his tone serious. "Because this isn't like Emu. Adventurers here won't welcome you kindly. Sometimes, just being in the wrong place can drag you into trouble."
Rick clenched his fists, unwilling to accept it, but Andrews spoke up, his voice calm yet firm.
"Listen, Rick. Kai's right. The guild in a big city can be dangerous if you don't belong. This is for your own safety."
Rick lowered his head, his shoulders heavy with disappointment. May noticed the sadness in his eyes and gently placed a hand on his head.
"Don't be upset, Rick. I know you want to come, but just wait here this time. Once you're strong enough, you'll walk through those doors on your own terms."
Rick gave a small nod, though his heart still ached with frustration.
May, Kai, and Andrews stepped inside the guild, leaving Rick, Rony, and Mark waiting outside.
Rick sat quietly, the disappointment still painted across his face. Mark noticed and nudged him.
"Hey, don't make that face. You'll get your chance soon enough."
"Yeah," Rony added with a grin. "And besides, it's not like the guild is anything special anyway."
Rick blinked. "Really?"
Rony leaned back casually. "Trust me, it's not even that great. I'd rather hang out with girls than be stuck in there."
Mark gave Rony a sharp look. "Don't say stupid things in front of the kid."
Rony chuckled. "Relax, I'm just saying he doesn't need to be discouraged. One day, when he's strong enough, he'll get to go inside the building even the adult one. "
Rick's lips curled into the faintest smile. Seeing that, Mark punched Rony's shoulder. "I told you, don't say stupid things." with that they started arguing with each other.
Rick burst out laughing, the earlier sadness melting away as the three of them joked together.
After submitting their report, May, Kai, and Andrews stepped out of the guild—only to find Rony and Mark bickering loudly in the street.
Seeing that "Will you two stop it already?" May snapped, her eyes flashing with irritation. Both of them froze as she stormed toward them. "Arguing like children in front of Rick—have you no shame?"
The two immediately fell silent, shuffling awkwardly under her glare.
After a tense moment, Andrews cleared his throat and handed out the quest rewards. "Here—everyone gets their share." He passed a few silver coins to Rick as well.
Rick's eyes widened. "For me too?"
"Of course," Andrews replied simply.
No one objected—not because they all agreed, but because none dared to challenge Andrews when he looked so serious. Rony opened his mouth as if to say something, but Andrews' sharp stare cut him off instantly.
"What?" Andrews said quietly, his hand already resting on the hilt of his sword. "Do you have a problem with it?"
Rony swallowed hard, forcing a smile. "N-no… nothing at all. Not a word."
Rick, meanwhile, clutched the coins tightly in his hands, his heart pounding. He barely understood what had just happened, but the weight of the silver filled him with joy.
Eventually, the tension faded, and the group's mood began to lighten again.
"Alright," May said, clapping her hands. "Enough standing around. Let's visit the city!"
Everyone agreed, though Andrews looked reluctant at first. But seeing their expectant faces, he finally nodded.
"Where should we go first?" May asked.
"The station!" Rick said immediately, his eyes sparkling. "I want to see the trains!"
May chuckled softly. "I knew you'd say that. But there's no train arriving until one o'clock. It's still too early."
Rick's smile faltered. "Oh…"
"Don't look so down," Rony said cheerfully. "How about we check out some of the other popular places first? By the time we're done, the train will have arrived."
Rick's face brightened again. "Yeah! That works too!"
"Then let's go," May said warmly.
With that, the group set off together, their spirits lifted. Even Andrews, usually the most serious of them all, allowed the faintest smile to tug at his lips as they began their exploration of the city.
It was a bright and sunny day when they set out to explore the lively streets of Easter City. The group wandered through bustling plazas, admired the grand stores, and even stopped at the rhythmic clang of a blacksmith at work. After visiting several popular spots, hunger eventually pulled them into a small eatery where they enjoyed a hearty meal.
When the plates were cleared and their laughter began to fade into content silence, the moment Rick had been waiting for finally arrived. The train. His heart raced with excitement at the very thought of it. Everything in this world was new to him, and the idea of seeing a real train was like stepping into the pages of a dream.
Together, they began walking toward the great Easter City Station. The road was long, yet each step felt lighter to Rick as anticipation pushed him forward.
At last, they arrived.
Before him towered a massive iron structure, alive with smoke and steam. A large sign above the gates read "Easter City Station." Rick's eyes widened in awe. Without thinking, he hurried forward, eager to step inside, but May's hand caught his arm.
"Wait. You can't just wander off on your own," May said firmly. "This place is huge. You'll get lost."
Rick lowered his head, realizing his mistake. "Sorry," he muttered.
May smiled gently and ruffled his hair. "Don't worry. We'll go together. That way, you won't miss a thing."
With a nod, Rick fell into step beside them, his excitement bubbling once again.
Inside, the station was alive with motion. People hurried in every direction—some carrying luggage, others waving goodbye as conductors called out the last boarding times. The air was filled with whistles, chatter, and the clatter of wheels on polished floors. To Rick, it was chaos—yet beautiful chaos.
And then he saw it.
The train.
Majestic and immense, it gleamed like a beast of iron and fire. Rick stood frozen, unable to believe his eyes. He traced every detail—the polished steel, the endless line of cars, the clouds of steam rising into the air. He circled around it, gazing from every side, until the whistle shrieked and the train began to move.
As the wheels turned and the engine roared to life, Rick's breath caught in his throat. Watching it depart was even more magical than he imagined. It wasn't just a machine—it was a promise of journeys, of lands unknown, of possibilities beyond the horizon.
For Rick, who had known nothing of this vast and wondrous world, seeing the train was more than an adventure. It was a dream fulfilled.
And at that moment, the dream of a child—simple yet profound—came true
After the train departed, the group lingered a little longer at the station before wandering through the streets again. Rick, unable to contain himself, kept talking about the train—its size, its sound, the way it moved with such power. His words tumbled out one after another, and though the others smiled at his excitement, none of them grew tired of listening. For them, it was heartwarming to see the world through his wonder.
By evening, they returned to the inn. After a long day of exploring the city, they gathered around a warm meal, their laughter and chatter filling the air. The weariness of travel began to weigh on them, so they decided to stay at the same inn rather than splitting up. Together felt better, safer, warmer.
Once the rooms were arranged, they each headed to rest. Rick lingered for a moment, watching everyone say their goodnights, before slipping into his own room. He collapsed onto the soft bed, staring at the ceiling. His thoughts drifted—back to the train, to the people he was with, and to the strange and beautiful city that stretched far beyond anything he had ever imagined.
It was strange to think that just months ago, his world had been so small, filled only with pain and uncertainty. Yet now, here he was—smiling, dreaming, and discovering wonders he never thought existed.
A quiet peace settled over him, and slowly, sleep embraced him.
Thus ended Rick's first night in Easter City.