I was worried that Stella would run away or be mad at me for forcing her to do the contract, but surprisingly, she didn't.
"Sir… that skill you have is still active."
Oh yeah… that skill. Honestly, I don't know what it is. She can't really read it because it's just random characters. What surprises me more is that she's not even asking why she sees them.
"Stella, what skill did Adrian use?"
Stella flinched at his name. It seems that she is still affected.
"Chains of the Dead."
I already knew. I was just checking if her ability worked or if she was lying.
"I see… let's go, Stella. There's one little place I want to go."
On the west side, there's an old man who runs a small restaurant. The food is not the best, but it's better than nothing. Since it's already midday, I need food for Stella. Knowing that old man, he'll probably give her something.
The street's still busy—people going up and down like usual. This city's always noisy during the day, and dead silent at night. Feels like two different worlds.
In a little corner near a big hospital that somehow still runs, there's a small red house. As we step inside, an old man clicks his teeth.
"Tsk. You again, Willy? What do you want this time?"
I don't want to be here either. The smell of fish is awful. Honestly, I don't even know how people eat fish. It's just disgusting.
"Cut it. I'm not here to cause problems. I want to know if you've heard anything about the churches around the area."
Not sure what's going on exactly. Better to get a bigger picture.
"What, did you suddenly become a believer?... I have the information, Willy, but info's not free. I need something in return."
Sigh. He already knows I've got nothing. He just likes to tease me.
"You never have anything, Willy—not that it matters. But since you're so eager… there are rumors the churches are rescuing refugees. Because they are trying to find their 'heroes.'"
Heroes? That's new.
"Heroes? What on earth are you talking about?"
"Seems each church has its own 'hero.' The Temple of Abundance and the Temple of Destruction already found theirs. Even their saints. Can you imagine?"
So every temple has a hero… and a saint.
"Oh yeah, except for the Temple of Corruption. They've got a hero but no saint. Makes sense, if you ask me. A saint of corruption? What a joke."
A joke, huh?
I glance at Stella.
The Fallen Saint.
Yeah. Sounds exactly like what they're looking for.
"Anything else?"
Now it makes sense why there were so many people in the Corruption Temple—they're probably looking for their saint.
"There's also word that dungeon portals are starting to spike everywhere. I heard some hunters talking about a breakout on the other side of the country."
A breakout? Makes sense. There aren't enough hunters to clear dungeons anymore. Even if people know how to use their systems, that doesn't mean they're dumb enough to run into almost certain death.
"I see. Talking about dungeons—give me a little of your food for the girl. I'll pay later."
"At least try to sound more casual, Willy. But fine. I knew you'd ask for food."
He tossed over a small piece of fish—still warm, probably just cooked.
"If it's for the girl, I'll give it to you. Just remember to return the favor if the restaurant ever needs something."
He knows I hate fish. That's his way of making sure I don't steal a bite from her. Not that it matters.
"If you say so."
I glance around the room—completely empty. Makes sense. Most people come around noon or at night. Stella sat down in front of the old man and started eating.
"Anything else you feel like sharing, old man?"
"There is. But it's not exactly good news."
That's nothing new. Nothing ever sounds good to him. Probably better not to ask.
Stella handed me the empty plate, still chewing. Guess she was starving. It hasn't even been five minutes.
"Alright. Thanks for the food. I'll pay back the favor when the time comes."
Better to leave before he thinks of asking something else. The old man simply nodded and turned around. He already knew I'd walk out like that.
Stella's steps were more relaxed now—good. That's perfect. I need her calm for the next part.
We're going to visit him.
Stella's eyes were fixed on the large hospital.
It's curious how a place like that still runs in this mess. Probably because of the first-generation hunters—they're the only ones still capable of holding things together.
As we kept walking, a kid suddenly crashed into me, knocking both of us down.
"Sir, are you okay?"
I nodded.
"Yeah."
Things like this aren't rare anymore. I let out a small laugh and stood back up.
The kid jumped up right away, shot me a nasty look, and took off running.
"What was that?"
"Just another kid trying to survive. Stella, what did your eyes see?"
He ran into me on purpose. Probably tried to steal something. Too bad for him—I don't carry anything in this jacket.
"I didn't see an ability, but the moment he bumped into you, his hand slipped into your pocket."
Just as I thought.
Guess that's why he gave me that look.
What a shame—I didn't have anything worth taking.
I didn't think too much about it and kept walking until we reached an old apartment complex.
I'm here to dig up more about the heroes and find a decent dungeon.
One of the buildings had a window entirely covered in metal.
Knowing him, it's probably his idea of protection.
But honestly, if I saw something like that without knowing him, I'd assume whatever's behind it is worth stealing.
As I stepped up to the door and knocked,I spotted a tiny camera instead of the peephole.
"Open up before I destroy the door."
The knock echoed with a hollow metallic sound. Feels like the door is reinforced with iron.
A soft click, and the door creaked open. I walked in without waiting for permission.
The inside was a mess of wires. Thousands of cables ran across the walls, floor, even the ceiling. One wrong step and someone could trip or disconnect something important.
"What a surprise. Did you suddenly remember you have a friend, Willy?"
Sigh
Yeah, yeah. It's been three years. Give me a break, kid.
"Cut the nonsense, Cristian. I'm here for info."
"For info? What, finally interested in dungeons?"
Cristian…
He's kind of a shut-in, but online he's known for his info networks. If you want a dungeon, news, or anything else worth knowing, he's the guy.
But of course—he's expensive.
"I'm just here because I need one of your best dungeons. I want to try something."
Stella was well-hidden behind me. Seems like she's still afraid of everyone else.
"A good dungeon? I can give you that... but who's the little girl behind you?"
Stella flinched and tucked herself completely out of sight.
"Just ignore it. Think of her as your new little girlfriend."
"How humble of you. Is that your way of saying sorry for ignoring me the last three years?"
Actually, I have deeper plans than you think, but it's better if Cristian doesn't know them.
"Yeah yeah, cut the nonsense, Cristian. Just tell me what's the best dungeon you've got."
Cristian walked into a room with three monitors and started scanning a map. His ability lets him spot dungeon locations just by looking at one. How it works? No one really knows. Same with most spells—sure, it's called magic… but how does magic actually work? How does mana?
"There's a dungeon in a cave near the next city. It was abandoned after the last breakout. No one's been back since the issue was 'resolved,' but a new dungeon appeared. If you want more details, I might come with you to see it in person."
Yeah… no thanks. Cristian talks too much. And knowing him, he'll start digging into why I've been avoiding him all this time.
"I got it, Cristian. If you say it's good, then it's good."
Since I want to test my sword, I'd rather go alone. Having someone else around might slow down my progress in the dungeon.
"Stella, stay here with Cristian. I'll go alone."
Stella flinched at my words, her hands tightening around my jacket.
"Don't worry, Stella. He's not like Adrian."
"Adrian? Why did you visit him?"
I'm not in the mood to explain what happened with Stella. Better to ignore Cristian's question. He'll figure it out eventually. Or knowing him, he'll probably get Stella to talk.
"Stella, make sure to be a good… girlfriend. Cristian doesn't like clingy people, so act cute and quiet. And hell be more likely to feed you
"Quit it, Willy. She's not even close to my age. What in the world are you teaching her"
"She's eleven, Cristian. You're only fifteen. There is not that much of a difference is you ask me."
Yeah, as ridiculous as it sounds, Cristian is fifteen. After a few unfortunate events, we ended up together.
"I swear to God, Willy, quit the nonsense."
Stella's face turned red. So she does know what the word girlfriend actually means. Interesting.
"Stella will do her best, sir."
Maybe it's the contract, or maybe something else, but she's not questioning me or resisting what I said.
"But sir, I'm not elev—"
"Shhh. From now on, your birthday was yesterday. June 10th. Congratulations, you're eleven."
Stella simply nodded and stepped beside Cristian.
"I'm Stella, sir. Please take care of me."
Innocent, isn't she? She's really just accepting the idea that Cristian is four years older. Not that it matters.
"Just call me Cris," he said, clearly uncomfortable. "And don't listen to William—he's just messing with you."
Stella looked at me, her eyes asking if Cristian was right.
"He's just shy, Stella. Feel free to give him a kiss to… mark your love."
Make sure to thank me later, Cris. I'm doing this mostly for me—but that's irrelevant.
Cristian is a good friend, to be honest. But I know he wouldn't hesitate to leave—or just not help at all—if things got complicated. That's why I need someone or something to make him stay.
"Anyways, Cristian, I'm heading to the old man to grab his car. That city's not exactly close."
Cristian simply nodded and turned around, with Stella following behind him. I know how moral he is, but if he spends time with her, they might get along. In the future, maybe that's enough for him to stick around.
Better get moving before something else happens. I need to see the old man—maybe he'll lend me the car, or maybe not. Knowing him, he might just say no.
Now that I'm walking alone through the streets, I'm noticing things I usually don't. Makes sense. I normally only come out to eat at the old man's place, and that's it. These last five years, my whole world has been that house and the restaurant.
All these houses and stores—restaurants, jewelry shops, even a few clinics. There's a lot to see. And the streets... it's a miracle we still manage to use cars. That hospital—I can still see it even from here.
It's already 4 p.m. Time really flies, especially when most of it's been spent walking. And Stella... it's only been two days, but a lot's happened.
"Yo, Willy. What do you want now? Don't tell me you're here for more food for that little girl."
Sigh "I'm just here to ask if I can borrow your car."
The old man raised an eyebrow. "My car? Sure. For what though?"
"I'm heading to a dungeon in the next town over. I could boost my speed with mana and run, but honestly, I don't feel like it."
"You're doing dungeons again? That's unusual. It's been what... five years since you touched one? Well—have fun."
I'm walking straight into something close to a death sentence. Fun isn't on the list.
He tossed me the keys and went back to the kitchen. Honestly, that's all he ever does. Work, work, and more work.
I turned around and headed to the back of the restaurant where he kept his car. There it was—an old white thing he usually used to transport food.
The trip's going to be long and boring. Better take a detour through roads cars don't usually use. Less eyes on me. I don't need to attract any unwanted attention.
The road was rough, full of cracks and holes. I turned on the radio—maybe the news had something worth hearing.
"Hello, people of Northfind, and good afternoon to all our listeners. Welcome to the broadcast of Terry and Max!"
Sigh Better than silence, I guess.
"On today's news, the temples have finally broke their silence. They've announced their heroes and saints. Honestly, pretty surprising. Who would've thought every temple had their own pair? That's unusual, don't you think, Max?"
Just the same news again. Heroes this, saints that. Nothing useful. Until the next segment that caught my attention.
"And let's not forget the Ten Great Families, Maxy. As active as ever—bringing in new and capable hunters, alongside the five biggest clans in the world."
The Ten Families? That's strange. Everyone already knows about them. Why bring them up now?
"And in the Top Five: the Ironfold House just introduced a new A+ rank fire hunter. Now that's something worth talking about."
The rest of the broadcast went on about the Big Five—Ironfold, Frost, Castillo, Wu Dao, and the Blackwells.
"And let's not forget about the Blackwells, Max. Tell us more about them and their new… exiled member."
"Absolutely, Terry. The Blackwells—known for their high-level corruption element users—just exiled a family member for being born with a light element. Can you believe that? Turns out, that same person is now the hero of the Abundance Temple. Now that's what I call a plot twist. The family's been reconsidering bringing him back in, but the temple is firmly against it."
"I feel bad for them, Maxy. What about the other families?"
"Honestly, not much to report. The Castillo family's been quiet ever since that inheritance dispute. They've stopped producing strong Terra mages and are focused on settling who's going to be the next head."
"Tsk tsk, what a mess. If they don't fix that soon, they might lose their spot among the strongest, Maxy."
"Oh, and wait till you hear about the Wu Dao family—straight from the Asian continent. Known for their elite knights and unusual martial arts, they've introduced a new S-rank hunter. And guess what? He's only 18 years old. Now that's something."
"Now we're talking, Maxy. Give me more!"
"Absolutely, Terry. The Frost House—famous for their top-tier ice users—just brought in a new hunter, and she's turning heads. Not only is she powerful, but the families are flooding her with marriage proposals. All of which she's completely ignored. People are already calling her 'The Ice Queen' for that cold, untouchable attitude."
Sigh This is going to be a long trip.