Day 5.

In one of the rooms in Bird Nest Inn, there was a pile of mana crystals and trinkets worth a small fortune. Like a crow taking shinies to its nest, raider Viers did the same. It was almost fate that he stayed in an inn with such a name.

The room had been reinforced with additional security in the form of arrays and enchantments, courtesy of a certain ghost. The inn was pretty safe from the riot thanks to its location in the middle class district. The rent was high, but Viers could afford it. Now more than ever.

If this was a cartoon, Viers would see the pile with dollar signs in his eyes.

Boram was still struggling in the wilds in the name of training so Viers was by his lonesome, physically anyway. His acts might be too much for Boram; there was no need to trouble the boy further, Viers thought.

Viers was examining the many items he’d stolen. Currently, he was twirling the circlet in his hand.

This item is good. It can unleash a beam of burning light without the user’s Victa. The power is equal to a Level 2 Arte. Compared to my Artes that got a boost from Horizon, it is quite weak but the 0 MP is too good to pass. Frequent use can make it very hot. There’s a usage limit though. Someday it will break, but until then…

Viers named the circlet with yellow gem Sunburn and moved on to the next item. He separated the ones that were useful to him and the not.

And these are Boram’s presents.

It was a Ring of Regen that gave the wearer lesser regeneration from injuries and an Orcish Belt that raised the user’s brute strength. Those two were items with plain but practical effects.

Viers could clad Boram with high-end equipment but he didn't want Boram to grow reliant on powerful items so he gave just enough.

Viers sold the loot that didn't have much use to him to the Rich Goblin’s Vault, the place where he bought his adventurer gear. Viers was wearing a disguise to prevent recognition. The shopkeeper gladly accepted the items. Viers reckoned his business must be booming. Since Viers was not in the haggling mood he let the shopkeeper to lowball a bit, turning the not useful items into cold hard cash that he put in his bank account, along with most of the cash he stole.

If Viers had a storage item he would have kept them but that wasn't the case, and having too many items would only hamper his mobility. The Florenzi Bank cared not for the amount Viers deposited. It was nothing compared to the wealth of tycoons and other high-level Pathseekers. Viers didn't suddenly jump into the list of the wealthiest men in the city, he was only a mere Level 2 after all.

Still, Viers was currently the wealthiest he had ever been. The numbers in his account almost made him salivate.

After sorting and cleaning up his inventory, Viers visited the Adventurer’s Guild.

Viers imagined people in a refugee camp after a nasty earthquake would have the same look as the adventurers in this place right now. On the other hand, the scenery on the streets might make that sentence not far off. Battles between Pathseekers were not exactly the preserving environment kind.

“Robbed, again. Fuck my life.”

“-so I made a turn in the alley but the Silent Boogeyman was waiting for me in front! I swear he was behind me just a moment ago. He used some kind of Arte on me and I passed out.”

“Shit! Do those bandits think we’re fat pigs for slaughter or something? If they want the riches in the Biome then fucking get in there!”

“-then the Silent Boogeyman emerged from the continuous breath of fire, clad in water from head to toe. He squashed the neck of the fire-breathing assassin. The poor guy’s entire torso rapidly exploded in a rain of gore and fire. The Silent Boogeyman walked away as if he was just crushing an annoying bug. Not one scratch on him.”

Viers heard various conversations taking place with his sharp ears. A certain title caught his attention.

Silent Boogeyman, huh? A bit of a mouthful.

There were quite a few adventurers currently in the guild. Some were drinking alcohol even though the sun was still up. This bunch were the ones who didn't delve into the new Biome today. Perhaps they got fed up after being robbed, by Viers or by other bandits. Not all adventurers became prey for the bandits though. Some adventurers had enough teeth to turn the hunter to the hunted.

The ones who still hadn't given up and had the will to try should be in the new Biome by now.

As for Viers, he was here to complete his ‘main quest’.

“I’ve completed the quest. Please check it,” Viers said to the guild staff. The sharp-tongued and my pace guild girl, Viers nicknamed her Peanut.

“Mmm… Congratulations, you have finished the qualification quest for becoming an Obsidian,” Peanut said in a flat tone as if she was reading aloud a pamphlet.

“Are you really congratulating me?” Viers teased.

“Not really but it’s a requirement for me to say it. Good job to not die after all this time,” she took up a book and started writing something. “Name?”

“Avel of Javia. Am I worth your time now?”

“Uh-huh...” she finished scribbling and gave viers a different guild tag. “Continue your ‘not dying’ streak during your Obsidian status if possible, though I doubt it,” she said the last part more softly than the rest.

Her attitude didn't change at all, much to Viers' amusement. He found this girl with an attitude truly refreshing. It was a wonder she wasn't fired yet.

“You know, I never caught your name. What should I call you?” Viers asked.

“Ask again when you’re Iron-ranked. Until then, stop hitting on the guild’s staff and do some work. We’re very busy today.”

Viers scoffed playfully. “You wish. But I’ll take on that challenge. See ya later, Peanut.”

If we’re both still alive and somehow able to meet again.

“...What did you call me?”

Viers didn't answer and left the guild.

***

Day 5, almost evening.

For the past few days, it was the hunting time for Viers. Today, Viers was contemplating. He’d finished his two objectives. He just needed time to unlock the rings and the Obsidian guild tag was hanging from his neck. As a bonus, he also got Boram; a slave with quite a high spec. All in all, his business at Marakkus had been concluded and he should resume his journey to Valkut city.

Viers was watching the orange sky and the setting sun from the window of his room. Two choices were before him now, to leave or to stay.

“Leave of course. Why risk it? You’ve already got what you wanted,” Paina felt it was a clear choice. Why was Viers hesitating?

“True, but here’s the thing, my gains are much too little this time,” Viers said as if he was an all-knowing sage.

“What, you want to rob them more of their pennies? Isn't your illicit funneling of bank accounts more profitable? We’ve seen the numbers,” Paina said with more emotion than she used to.

“In the Fables-”

“Here we go again. Your ‘Fables’,” Clarissa sighed.

“Those have not failed us so far, Clarissa. Lord Viers, please continue.”

“The MCs must gain massive benefits from each arc and turn them into their foundation. Therefore, when the next opportunity or calamity comes, they have become strong enough to gain even more benefits. Creating this snowball effect is imperative in the journey of cultivation.”

“Let's say we buy that, what are you going to do if you stay? You already got a plan?” Paina remained unconvinced.

“Truthfully? None.” Viers didn't try to hide it.

“There are Level 5s in the city, at least one. I wouldn't dare to presume much, Lord Viers, but I think you’d rather not clash with those people. After you destroyed the three Ravens so thoroughly yesterday, they should be looking for your trail like hounds. The Blood Church is planning something big which we know next to nothing. On top of that, there's also the matter of grudges you’ve sown after your previous wanton thievery…” Farley paused meaningfully. “Staying might not be a wise course of action, Lord.”

“I know. I also have the same reservation as you three…”

Now it was Viers turn to pause. He closed his eyes to dive deep into his thoughts.

Should I really slink away? I’m not satisfied with what little gains I got, but the risk… If I don't manage to create the cultivation snowball effect, how can my strength rise sky-high in a short amount of time like those xianxia MCs? ...Fine, let's use it.

Viers took out a small red candle with runes carved on its body.

“That’s-!?”

“You're gonna use it? We just got it!”

“S-Shouldn't we save it for a more important time, Lord?”

Despite the girls’ protests, Viers had made up his mind. He cut himself and a drop of blood fell on the candle.

“Snowball effect, angels. I need it! If I didn't make sure, I'll regret the decision for the rest of my life!”

The sound of the match struck was like the fall of a great tree and the candle was lit.

It was called the Fortune Guiding Candle. It was, without a doubt, the most precious thing he obtained from his round of banditry yesterday. Whether the previous owner got it from the new Biome or found it through a stroke of luck, it ended up in Viers’ hand.

While the user thought of their future endeavors, put blood on the candle before lighting it up. The more danger or difficulty involved, the blacker the flame would be. Conversely, it would turn golden if it indicated fortune and good tidings.

“Hauh… I hope it's worth it,” Paina said nervously.

Viers and his three tenants were watching intently. Shortly, the room gained darker shades of color.

“Black. Not jet-black but quite black,” Clarissa observed. “Not impossible but the risks are high.”

“Welp, I suppose I should pack up now.” Viers tried to appear positive but he couldn't help but feel disheartened.

Suddenly, there was a surge of power. It was as if the air became solid and he was encased by it. Viers’ mind turned into combat mode. He thought he was under attack. However, the feeling only lasted for three seconds before fading.

“Lord, window!”

Euryale Sight!

Viers saw three streaks of light in the sky, fading to the distance.

“Level 5s. Only Level 5s can fly and emit pressures like that,” Carissa said. “They seemed rather angry.”

“They are… leaving the city?” Paina said.

“What happened?”

“I have some ideas. You see, in the Fables, the MC often, scratch that -always- got unexplainable happenings near their vicinity. Possibly a natural treasure maturing or secret realm opening or something along those lines. A friend needed help or a world-ending threat. I always wondered why the matter seemed tailored to the MCs’ degree of power when they occurred. If that is so common, I suspect there should be many happening like that all around the world. I called it the ‘plot point’ and this should be one. Seeing the Level 5s are on the move, I suppose it's out of my hands.”

“Lord, look!”

Viers turned around. He looked surprised at first and then the edges of his lips curled upwards.

The candle was burning with pale golden fire. Not deep golden but it was still a golden fire.

“Change of plans, girls.”