Chapter 54: Damian Blacksun [2]

The vibrant, bustling streets of Old Central Town—the bustling capital city of the Myrain Viscounty—were alive with color, music, and the intoxicating scent of roasted meats.

Lanterns hung between the wooden rooftops, and vendors shouted their daily specials over the cheerful roar of the crowds.

Walking calmly through the crowded thoroughfare was a handsome young man who appeared to be in his early twenties.

He carried a heavy woven basket in one hand, his posture relaxed despite the energetic chaos around him.

Sleek, night-black hair fell in a luxurious cascade all the way down to his waist, framing a sharp jawline and striking, icy-blue eyes that gleamed with quiet warmth.

This was Damian Blacksun.

He had arrived in the Myrain Viscounty purely as a traveling mercenary, hoping to turn a modest profit during the ongoing regional Harvest Festival.

Draped in a well-fitted, dark leather battle suit that accentuated his broad shoulders, a finely crafted arming sword hung sheath-first from his waist belt.

He made no effort to conceal his identity as a Superhuman, nor did he suppress the subtle, dense aura of a certified Ranker that lingered around his frame.

Damian waved at several local shopkeepers who recognized him, offering a bright, genuine smile as he navigated the stone cobblestones toward a cozy, three-story establishment known as the Silver Feather Inn.

The basket in his hand was piled high with fresh, high-quality produce—ripe crimson apples, freshly cut cuts of red meat, aromatic baking spices, and rare medicinal herbs he had bargained for in the central marketplace.

Thanks to the festival, the market was far busier than usual, overflowing with laughing children playing tag, local farmers selling seasonal yields, and foreign merchants vying for booth space.

The inns across the capital were packed to maximum capacity with travelers, rogue hunters, and tradesmen all seeking to line their pockets.

"I wonder how the grand hunt turned out," Damian muttered under his breath, letting out a soft, trailing sigh as he looked toward the distant, shadowy peaks of the Jeju Forest.

"Lucky fellows."

He had experienced deeply mixed feelings when the Heaven’s Net Castle publicly announced the large-scale monster purge across the Viscounty’s four C-level danger zones.

As an active Superhuman warrior, his instinctual drive had practically begged him to join the frontlines and test his steel against the horrors of the wilderness.

Yet, he had forcefully reined himself in.

He carried a heavy, solemn responsibility on his shoulders in this life—a precious life he could not afford to risk for the sake of a few common 1st-Tier Abomination bounties.

Reaching the Silver Feather Inn, Damian pushed open the heavy wooden door. He greeted the elderly innkeeper behind the counter with a polite nod.

The old man smiled warmly, waving a welcoming hand as Damian climbed the creaking wooden stairs to the second floor.

Stopping in front of a door at the far end of the hallway, Damian unlocked it and stepped inside.

"Annie, I’m home," Damian announced, his voice instantly softening with affection as he set the door key on the small side table.

The words had barely left his lips when a flash of motion blurred across the room.

A young teenage girl rushed forward, throwing her arms around his waist and hugging him tightly in a fierce greeting.

She shared the exact same striking features—sleek, waist-length black hair and brilliant, crystal-blue eyes that sparkled with youth and vitality.

This was his beloved younger sister, Annie Blacksun.

"Did you miss me while I was out, Annie?" Damian asked, a wide, fond grin spreading across his face as he patted her dark hair.

Annie immediately released her grip, taking a step back and dramatically swaying from side to side with a mischievous smirk.

She shook her head, her long hair swishing behind her. "Humph. Miss you? Not a chance! I didn’t miss you at all—I missed the food you promised to bring back!"

Damian chuckled warmly, not taking the slightest offense at her playful jab. "Alright, alright. Take a seat, little monster."

Annie scrambled over to the soft feather bed, sitting cross-legged near the footboard while watching her brother with wide, eager eyes.

Damian walked over to the sturdy wooden desk beside the window, gently setting down the heavy basket filled with fresh groceries.

Curiosity getting the better of her, Annie leaned over from the bed and peeked into the basket.

Her eyes lit up at the sight of the fresh fruit.

She stretched her arm out, grabbed a polished, bright red apple, and immediately took a crisp, loud bite.

While she chewed happily, Damian stepped toward the large double windows, pulling back the heavy velvet curtains.

Warm afternoon sunlight flooded into the cozy room, illuminating the drifting dust motes and bathing the wooden floor in a golden glow.

"So, what’s happening out there in the festival today?" Annie asked around a mouthful of apple, swinging her legs over the side of the bed.

"Is it as noisy as yesterday?"

Damian turned back to face her, leaning his lower back against the window sill with a relaxed smile. "It’s quite lively. The festival is in full swing now. Merchants, rogue mercenaries, and travelers from neighboring viscounties and baronies have flooded the capital.

Everyone is here to trade goods, sell rare materials, or offer their specialized martial services."

He looked at the basket of herbs and meat, his tone becoming more practical. "And since our coin purse is looking a bit light after buying our supplies, we’ll do the same. My plan is to wait until the grand festival concludes in a few days.

Once the merchant caravans start packing up to leave, I’ll take up a high-paying escort contract for a guild heading north. We’ll earn a solid stash of silver coins so we can comfortably make our way back home."

Annie’s cheerful expression instantly collapsed into a pout, and she let out an exaggerated, grumbling groan.

"Do we really have to go back so soon?" Annie whined, slumping her shoulders. "I’m actually enjoying the West so much! It’s warm here, the food is amazing, and nobody is constantly fighting over territory."

She held up her small hand, a faint, flickering spark of vibrant pink mana dancing across her fingertips.

"I just recently awakened my mana core, Damian! I’m officially a Mana Apprentice now, and my talent is in the Transformation Path! I want to travel more, see the big cities, and explore the world... not go back to hiding in the freezing North."

Damian looked at his sister, letting out a long, quiet sigh filled with brotherly concern.

He walked over to the bed, sitting beside her and gently placing a hand on her shoulder.

"I know, Annie," Damian said softly, his blue eyes softening. "I know it’s nice here. But we don’t have much of a choice. For people in our situation, living quietly in the Northern territories is far safer and easier than trying to survive as outsiders here in the West.

The West is ruled by ruthless noble houses and strict bloodline laws... and don’t even get me started on the Eastern continent. The East is an absolute meat grinder for unaffiliated warriors."

Annie huffed, staring down at her half-eaten apple for a moment before looking back up at her brother with a sudden, thoughtful glint in her eyes.

"Well... what about the local nobility here?" Annie asked, tilting her head. "If surviving alone as a rogue mercenary is so hard, why don’t you just join the Heaven’s Net Castle?

You’re a certified Ranker, Damian! A Sword Runner! A powerful figure like the Darkstar Seventh Succesor would definitely accept a genius like you into their high knightly ranks, wouldn’t they?"