[Item acquired] Level 5 "Assassin's Dagger"
[item acquired] level 5 "assassin's mask"
[item acquired] level 5 "assassin's leggings"
[Item acquired] level 5 "Assassin's Tunic"
I was able to get a lot of things with all the money left over from the first time at the shop and the money I gathered recently.
The assassin's gear is very light, so it allows me to get around quicker while maintaining durability.
The assassin's dagger is very sharp and light; it does risk breaking, but it would last at least a few weeks.
With all these items, I decided I would leave the village.
As long as I don't actively attract the wildlife, I should be fine getting around.
For my destination, I decided on going to Salmalkia, a region on the west coast of Lorra, the largest continent.
I only recently found how expansive my world was through the books I found in the village library.
There were about 6 continents, not including the unclaimed ones, and all contained about 8-9 nations.
The largest continent was Lorra, which was occupied by one nation, Thelaria, which was obviously the largest nation on the planet.
Anyway, back to my journey, the reason I want to go to Salmakia is because I heard they have a training ground there that supports levels 1 and up.
And it is the only one in the world like that.
It is also the largest building on the planet, being a huge square tower with 10 floors, each one about one-half of a square mile.
Every floor contained 100 rooms that contained training equipment that worked with the corresponding level of that room.
For example, room 257 on floor 2 would have training equipment that perfectly fits those who are at level 257.
The only catch is it's expensive.
50 gold pieces an hour.
I have no idea how I'll pay for it, but I'll figure it out.
like I always do.
I equip all my gear, suddenly feeling like my body is lighter.
The assassin's gear is made of leather with a hood and mask, black knee-high boots, and a laced tunic with pauldrons and several straps that form an X on the back, and finally a corset-like vest that has thin metal plates inside that goes under my tunic.
I not only feel light, but I also feel a sense of protection.
Finally, I believe I'm ready and start to venture into the forest. Heading west for Salmakia.
***
As I go deeper into the forest, deeper than I have ever gone, the darkness starts to consume the atmosphere.
Sunlight barely shines through the thick trees, and fog flows through the small open area, giving the forest a dark aesthetic.
Suddenly, I hear a loud roar that likely belonged to a beast of some sort.
I quickly dash behind a tree, hiding from whatever created that horrifying sound.
I clasp my hand over my mouth, though I could hear my breathing and feel it against my palms.
A bead of sweat trickled down my forehead, then it fell into my eye and caused a slight burning sensation.
'Why does this happen every time I go into a forest?'
I hear heavy stomps coming my way, the ground shakes under me, and whatever monster they are, they are coming from.
I quickly try to slow my panting with breathing techniques my mother taught me whenever I felt anxious...
Bless her.
Suddenly, I feel a feeling of absolute primal horror.
as if something terrible is nearby.
Then, on my right, I behold a sight more terrifying than any other.
I see a 12-foot-tall beast with the skull of a deer for a head with long antlers and a long, shaggy fur coat covering its slender body.
But what scares me are the claws.
They are easily 5 inches long and are sharper than my own dagger.
Out of nowhere, I see it starts to turn its head over to me, and I don't move.
paralyzed in fear.
It's looking straight at me.
growling.
This is death…
I'm dead…
…
uh…
Nothing is happening…
Wait a second…
This thing doesn't have eyes, ears, a nose, or a mouth!
It can't detect me!
I could kill it…
but I don't want to take any chances.
After all, those claws are longer than my foot!
I quickly rise up to a crouch and make my way down the trail, away from the shaggy beast.
Then, the monster I was so scared of disintegrates into blue shiny particles.
Somehow it stares me in the eye as it fades into God knows where.
Its gaze… was somewhat warm.
somewhat prideful… No, straight up full of itself.
and bittersweet…
It just feels familiar…
Wait…
Dillon…
It's him!
"DILLON!"
I cry out as I run towards the monster, not caring about safety anymore.
It must be Dillon!
It has to be him!
Right!
I see it in its eyes!
I run as fast as I can, but the beast fades before I can touch it.
But a familiar voice echoes.
"blessings of grace"
What?
What does that mean?
Suddenly, all the shiny blue particles are sucked in from far away to build a figure.
When I looked hard enough…
It was none other than the man himself.
Dillon.