Chapter 80 – Road to their Second Quest

Chapter 80

Road to their Second Quest

Date : Day 6 of Grimleaf 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.

Hyoren and Elise stood in front of the guild. Slight hints of red still decorated Elise's pointed ears.

She faced Hyoren. Her expression had shifted back to practicality. Devoid of anger. She had already shelved her frustration toward Ina in the back of her mind. She had known Ina for years. Dwelling on it too long would only sour her mood further.

"Let's buy supplies and quickly depart, Hyoren."

Hyoren looked at the horizon. Sol and Luna had started to peek over the line—golden and silver light bleeding into the sky.

"Okay, Elise."

Both of them began walking. Side by side. Weaving through the morning crowd of the Adventurer's District's main street.

"So, how much should we buy?"

Elise twitched her ears. Considering.

"Maybe six to eight days' worth of supplies?"

She glanced at Hyoren without slowing her stride.

"Let's assume the worst that there are 100 goblins in the settlement. With our current strength, I'm confident we can wipe them out in three days. Four days at most."

She stepped around a merchant pushing a cart.

"To prepare for the worst, I want to have enough for twice that amount."

Hyoren nodded. Learning the logistics.

"I see. With our storage bags, our supplies won't deteriorate even if we hoard weeks of supplies. And all of it will be weightless."

Elise nodded.

"That's right, Hyoren. A storage bag is so convenient. Fufu."

She tapped her chin. Her lips curved slightly.

"And we can still procure food from the wilds. Fruits, meat from horned rabbits or mossback squirrels. There are plenty in most forests. As long as we have necessities like spices, we can camp outside for months. Fufu."

Hyoren smiled.

"But I don't want to camp for one month anymore, Elise. My survival days in the Forest of no Return were enough."

Elise giggled. Her silver hair swayed with her motion.

"Fufufu. Of course I don't want that either. I want to take hot baths and sleep in comfortable beds too..."

With lighthearted feelings, they continued walking.

When they found a vendor with the supplies they needed, they stopped.

From the butcher, they bought a few kilograms of fresh meat. A few kilograms of smoked meat. Sausages and bacon. A small portion of fat for cooking. The butcher wrapped everything in brown paper. Elise slipped each package into her storage bag. The void ate everything.

They arrived at a fresh produce vendor next. Elise selected vegetables that would last. Potatoes. Carrot-like vegetables with orange skin. A few tubers Hyoren didn't recognize. She also made sure to buy noodles and flour.

"We need carbs to fuel our bodies."

Hyoren agreed with her choice. She will be the one who cooks. She knew their needs. She then added everything to her bag.

They bought supplies from a general goods vendor after that. Spices. Soy sauce. Miso paste. Bread. Jerky. Other necessities. Their storage bags grew full—though they felt none of the weight.

After the last shopping spree, Hyoren turned to Elise.

"So, what else? Should we buy more potions? We'll be fighting a lot."

Elise reached into her storage bag. Her hand disappeared into the void as she checked the contents.

"Right. We still have four minor healing potions from before."

She pulled her hand out.

"But I guess we should buy more."

Hyoren nodded. His mind wandered to Elise's best friend's alchemy store.

"We go to Oria's?"

Elise shook her head, her silver hair swayed with the motions. She then glanced at the sky to check the time.

"She'll still be sleeping. That pipsqueak is not a morning person..."

She chuckled.

"She often pulls all-nighters to brew potions. So she almost always sleeps through the morning."

She looked around. Scanning the street.

"Let's just buy from a random potion vendor."

Hyoren chuckled. He imagined the small elf with monocle busy brewing potions late into the night, then not waking up until the suns were already high.

They stopped at a potion vendor's stall. Bottles of various colors lined the wooden shelves. The vendor—a middle-aged man with a thick mustache—looked up at their approach.

"Mister, please give us six minor healing potions, potions, two stamina potions, and two minor magic potions."

The vendor nodded. He packed their order into a small box. Elise paid quickly, counting out coins from her pouch, and gave the payment the vendor. He nodded, confirming their payment.

She then turned to him.

"Okay, Hyoren. I think we're prepared enough... or do you have anything else in mind?"

Hyoren shook his head. His growing hair swayed with the motion.

"No, Elise. I can't think of anything you haven't thought of yet."

Elise smiled.

"Okay then, Hyoren. Let's go to the Merchants' District. We'll depart from the North Gate."

Both of them started walking again. Weaving through the busy streets of the Adventurer's District. They passed through the archway and ascended the slope that separated the two districts. The streets became sparser here.

Their steps were faster now. No need to weave through crowds. And not long after, they reached the North Gate.

As they approached the gate, the two gatekeepers halted them. These were not the guards they knew. Both were young men. One of them was clearly a new recruit—his posture stiff, his eyes darting nervously between the travelers and his senior partner.

"Halt. Please present your ID Card and state your purpose."

The slightly more experienced guard stepped forward. His hand rested casually on his belt.

Hyoren and Elise retrieved their Guild Cards from their storage bags. They presented them to the guard.

The guard examined both cards. He glanced at their faces. Checked the names. Verified the details.

"Okay, Hyoren and Elise from the Freedom Party. Checking up on the Old Quarry, huh..."

He handed their cards back.

"You two are clear to go."

His voice lowered slightly.

"I heard from villagers of Lakeview who frequent Akela—the situation is deteriorating rapidly. Glad someone finally took the quest."

Hyoren nodded. He took his card and slipped it back into his bag.

"Thank you for the information. We'll definitely resolve the goblin issue."

The gatekeeper smiled.

"Good. The villagers will be grateful. I hope your quest goes well. Safe travels and goodluck!"

Hyoren and Elise walked through the gate. They stepped out of Akela City.

Hyoren scanned the surroundings. The road ahead was small—only two wagons wide. Unlike the wide King's Highway, which stretched from the Gate of Guts or the West Gate.

He also noted the lack of buildings. No stables. No stagecoach terminals. The guardhouse was smaller too. Just a simple structure beside the gate.

He turned to Elise.

"Why does the North Gate look so... sparse, Elise?"

Elise smiled. A soft laugh escaped her lips.

"Because there's almost nothing north of Akela, Hyoren..."

He looked up. Trying to remember his geography lesson from Ina. The map she had shown him. The regions beyond the city.

"Oh right…"

He nodded slowly.

"Unlike the Gate of Guts, which connects to the rest of the Kingdom. And the West Gate, which is connected to the national border… North of Akela only has villages, mountains, and a lake."

The logistics started to make sense. No need for stables or stagecoach terminals if there was no movement of people. The only ones using this gate were villagers from the north side. Or adventurers taking quests in the area.

Elise giggled.

"Fufu. That's right."

A gust of wind blew. It carried the chilling air of autumn. The cold bit at their exposed skin. They shivered slightly.

Hyoren looked at Elise's green leather tunic. She had mentioned before that she planned to ask Jena if modification was possible—to cover the bare parts of her armor. The design was aesthetically pleasing. Pleasant to look at. But it left small gaps on her body. Bare arms and shoulders. The cleavage. The exposed skin between her short skirt and leather stockings.

"Elise, you said you wanted to ask Jena to modify your armor?"

Elise looked at Hyoren. She smiled wryly.

"Jena and I decided not to."

Her hand touched her armor. Tracing the fabric. Tracing the bare parts that showed her skin.

"I love the design so much already. And Jena said modifying it would be hard without making the armor look plain."

She let her hand fall.

"I decided I'll keep it like this. The cold can easily be taken care of if we use our cloaks anyway."

She shrugged lightly.

Hyoren nodded. He would not comment on her choice. As long as she was comfortable with it, he had nothing to say.

"If you say so, Elise."

Both of them retrieved their cloaks from their storage bags, draping the fabric over their shoulders. After channeling Aethell into the runic arrays woven within, warmth spread through them, chasing away the chill. Their expressions eased.

They reached into their storage bags once more.

Elise withdrew her bow and quiver, fastening the quiver at her waist where she could draw arrows with ease. She then slung the bow over her shoulder before taking out her short sword and sheathing it at her opposite hip.

Hyoren did the same. He drew four Cinder-maw daggers, securing them along his belt. Next, he retrieved his new spear—the Mithril-alloy Yari.

The two-meter weapon emerged from the void, its distinct crossguard and counterweight catching the light. He gripped the shaft of polished Yew-wood, its yellow—almost golden—grain reflecting faintly in the dim glow.

Hyoren—now ready—stepped forward.

"Let's go, Elise?"

Elise nodded. Her silver hair swayed with the motion.

"Let's go, Hyoren."

Both of them started walking. Leaving Akela City behind. The walls grew smaller in the distance. They walked toward their new quest. Scouting the Old Quarry.

***

Akela's North Gate and the sturdy city wall faded behind them. The familiar scent of earth and grass greeted them.

Hyoren walked beside Elise. Their steps fell into a comfortable, synchronized rhythm. The twin suns—Sol and Luna—cast long, dual shadows across the road. Gold and silver painted the world in overlapping hues.

"It's good to be out, Elise."

He took a deep breath. The fresh air filled his lungs, crisp and clean. Untainted by the smell of crowded streets and city life.

Elise nodded in agreement. Her pointed ears twitched slightly.

"It is. The city is nice too, but the wilds..."

She inhaled deeply.

"I like the fresh air..."

She turned her head. Her emerald eyes sparkled in the dual light. Her silver hair swayed with each step.

"Hyoren. I have a suggestion."

Hyoren turned his head without slowing down. His dark eyes met hers.

"What is it, Elise? I'm all ears."

Elise slowed her pace. Hyoren matched her stride shortly after.

She looked forward. The road stretched ahead—dirt and stone, winding through gentle hills.

"I think we should not rush, Hyoren. The Old Quarry isn't going anywhere."

She gestured vaguely ahead.

"It will take us most of the day to reach it on foot."

She pointed toward the horizon. A vast, shimmering expanse of water was barely visible between distant rolling hills. Blue and silver under the twin suns.

"See that? That's the Lake of Akela. Our path will take us right along its southern and eastern shore."

She lowered her hand.

"There's a small village there—Lakeview Village. A fishing village that supplies the city with fresh produce."

A thoughtful smile touched her lips.

"I was thinking... we shouldn't rush."

Her voice softened.

"We could enjoy our walk. Reach the lake by late afternoon. Find a beautiful, secluded spot to camp for the night…. We could have a proper meal. Watch the dual sunsets over the water..."

She trailed off. Her gaze grew distant. Soft.

"It would be nice to have one last evening of peace. Before we delve into a goblin-infested quarry."

She looked at him. Her emerald eyes held a quiet question.

"How about it, Hyoren?"

Elise wanted a moment of intimacy. For them. Before they truly began the quest. It was so like her. This feeling stemmed from yesterday's crisis—and, to some extent, from Ina. As if she wanted to affirm their relationship. Under the night sky. Not confined by roof and walls. Just like their first night together.

Hyoren looked toward the distant glint of water. The idea was appealing. A small smile appeared on his lips.

He decided to accept her feelings. Her request.

"I love the idea, Elise."

He turned to face her fully.

"A night by the lake sounds perfect, enjoying our moment together before we hunt goblins tomorrow"

Elise smiled. She looked at the lake with hints of longing. She couldn't wait for tonight. Her voice dropped to a more intimate tone.

"Tonight, the world is just us. The three moons. And the lake."

Hyoren caught her words. He smiled. Her sentiment was shared by him as well.

They had a new quest. They had just passed through a crisis that tested their relationship. But the prospect of spending an intimate evening with Elise under the three moons again—just like their first time—made his heart feel blessed.