When Sylvia woke up few rays of lights were already visible in the depth of the cave. She stretched her body before checking her surroundings.

Did he sleep outside?

Grey was nowhere to be found inside, so she decided to see if he was already outside. She walked out of the cave before being welcomed by a strange scene. Grey was indeed outside. He created something akin to a table with ice and placed some food on it while he was on an ice chair, eyes closed.

Was he already awake? And he prepared breakfast too?

Sylvia quietly approached the table and took a seat. The moment she did, Grey opened his eyes and looked at her before signalling her to eat quickly so they can resume their journey. She didn’t delay and obediently ate. Unlike last night, she couldn’t feel a warm feeling and the protective barrier after eating, but she could feel her body being more energetic nonetheless. When they were about to leave, she smelled something strange. Though it was faint, she could smell the scent of blood. When she was certain of that fact she rushed to tell Grey of what she had discovered. Grey raised his eyebrows seemingly surprised.

“You are sure?”

“Yes.”

Grey frowned.

“Well, we can’t delay. We’re lucky enough that no beasts followed this scent to our cave. We need to move on. Though I can protect you from few monsters, if we’re greatly outnumbered I can’t guaranty your safety.”

“I’m… not weak… I can protect myself well! Humpf, just you wait, in a few, I’ll be stronger than you.”

“If you can beat me one day, I’ll teach how to cook.”

Sylvia looked at him like he just said the strangest thing in the world.

“Who said that I can’t cook?”

“If you could, you would have offered your help earlier. Unless you consider me as one of your servants.”

Sylvia went silent after this. It was true that she didn’t know how to cook. And her mother was greatly disappointed in her because, if we put aside her clothing and her body, she lacked in many ways as a woman.

“I… can’t cook well…”

“I know.”

Grey answered her without turning his head. After he finished packing everything he had in his backpack, they continued their travel.

Actually, if Grey wasn’t here, Sylvia would have been lost. Though this forest was not too far from Archon, each time she came here, she never went too far from the main road or known hunting grounds. So, travelling like they were doing, was basically suicide for her.

They continued at a ‘slow’ pace. Grey was getting used to her speed and always stayed in her line of sight. By noon, Grey told Sylvia that they would be at the city if they kept it up by this evening. Sylvia nodded. This wasn’t too bad for her. In their way, she gained a point in endurance and in agility. Though it wasn’t much, she was rewarded for her continuous effort for trying to match Grey’s ‘slow’ pace.

When they stopped to eat, she found a quiet spot and checked her status.

Status.

Name Sylvia Bethel Race Human Level 23 Class 1st rank Valkyrie Mana 140/140 Strength 29 Agility 27 Dexterity 31 Endurance 29 Will 30 Intelligence 50 Wisdom 24 Attributes Earth magic (Grade: Rare) Lightning magic (Grade: Epic)

Her status was considered as very good for her age and level. She among the talents who were going to attend the academy for the next term. Her Valkyrie profession was said to be very rare because the requirements were hard to meet. To obtain it, she needs to have at least 10 points in strength at 6 years old and 12 in wisdom, agility and dexterity. Furthermore, she had to be able to sense mana. When she got her class at the temple, her family celebrated this event. Though her older brother class more amazing than hers, she wasn’t envious. All she ever asked was enough strength to be able to live like she wanted to. But, yesterday she saw how powerless she was against those monsters.

No need to think about this anymore. I just need to be stronger.

However, there was something she wanted to know. She wanted to see Grey’s Status. However, asking for someone’s status was very inappropriate. You’d only show your full status to your family or lover. So if she wanted to see Grey’s status, she needed to be more intimate with him.

Thinking of this, Sylvia’s cheeks gained a taint of red.

No! Impossible! There will be only trouble for him… He is only a commoner… And I don’t like him… Yeah… I just find him reliable, a bit cold, but he is kind. Though he wouldn’t shed a tear if I were to die…

The reason she thought that was because he was ready to let her on her own at any moment. If she was with him, he would protect her if he could do it without endangering his life. But if she was to leave, he wouldn’t even look for her.

After clearing her feelings, her face regained its usual calmness. She headed toward Grey location who already had finished cooking. Like this morning, his cooking replenished her energy. She didn’t know how his cooking could do such a thing, but it way too inappropriate to ask, so she stayed silent and followed his instructions.

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Inside the forest, where Grey and Sylvia stayed for the night. Multiple hooded figures appeared next to their cave. They were scanning the entire area as if looking for something. One of them was shorter than the rest, but his aura wasn’t weaker. If someone paid enough attention, they could see smalls bump on the chest area of this person.

“His trails stop here. He should be nearby. Where is he?”

A soothing voice came out of this person. There were no rooms for more doubts. It was a woman, or at least looked and sounded like one.

“Miss! I… I found him.”

One of the hooded spoke while stuttering on his words. Anxiousness could be felt on his body. He led the ‘woman’ toward the place he discovered. There, was a naked old man with his limbs frozen in black ice. Next to him, there was a small message.

MESSAGE FOR HEADLESS GROUP LITTLE GIRL: NEXT TIME YOUR UNCLE WILL BE DEAD.

PS: THANKS FOR THE MONEY.

Those who stood next to the ‘woman’ felt like the temperature dropped drastically. They could see their little demon shiver from anger.

“Free him. And wake him up. Look around again, if you find any clues of who did this, report it to me. I don’t know who did that. It’s my first time seeing this type of ice. But no matter who he is, we will find him. And according to the situation, we’ll kill him.”

Her voice was devoid of warmth. Those who heard her felt a little bit of pity for the one who dared to anger her.

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Twilight, a beautiful moment of the day. It was at this time that Grey and Sylvia could perceive Archon’s city wall. The wall was ten meters high, multiple defensive and offensive array could be seen on the outer part of it. From the outside, some buildings could be seen, as the city’s Library. It was the tallest building. Its construction was like a pagoda, but some ramifications on the main building have been added with time.

Seeing the city wall, relief could be seen in Sylvia’s eyes. She liked wilderness, but these two days have been tiring her out. Feeling her enthusiasm, Grey lightly smiled. This city will be his first step. He already came here numerous time. He never used the front door, though. And he couldn’t enjoy his time there.

They arrived at the East gate of the city. Carriage and caravans could be seen, peddlers and adventurers as well. They needed to queue before going in until their turn came.

“Identity card, and put your backpack on this platform please.”

Grey put his backpack on the platform before turning his head to the guards.

“I don’t have an identity card. I lived in the forest since I was young, thus I wasn’t registered in any city.”

Hearing this, Sylvia came to a certain understanding.

No wonder he is so strong…

“I see… Then I will need you to put your hand on this orb and to show me your short status.”

Full status revealing a person’s stats, it was forbidden to force someone to show it. However, a short status only revealed a person name and race.

After verifying that there was no dangerous weapon in Grey’s backpack, he took out a white orb to verify his intentions. As long as one whished for the demise of the city, the orb could detect it. Grey placed his hand on the orb, and after a while, it still didn’t react. The guards nodded his head, and Grey retrieved his hand. Then he showed his short status to the guard.

“Show short status.”

Name Grey Cromwell Race Human (Nephilim)

After confirming that Grey was human, he let him pass and asked Sylvia her ID if she had one. Sylvia had already returned to her cold demeanour. When she showed the guard her ID, his back became drenched in sweat.

What the fuck! A Bethel! Why is she here? Don’t they usually travel with a carriage?

Seeing the panic-stricken guards, a faint smile appeared on Sylvia’s icy face.

“Can my friend and I enter now? Or do we need to wait here?”

“No no no! Please enter! I didn’t know that Miss Bethel was coming!”

Make you wait? I have yet to give up on my human rights! Being a slave of your house no thank you!

His fear wasn’t baseless. The Bethel family was a household which had yet to achieve nobility but whose financial power was second to none in Archon. They started as slave traders and slowly expanded their domain. Their position today is mostly because several rare and powerful class appeared in their family. Their business was thriving and their members were getting stronger. And with Sylvia and her older brother who were considered as geniuses, their end had yet to come.

“Good.” Sylvia didn’t even spare a glance to the guards before heading towards the inner city. Grey followed her. Since it was supposed to be his first time here, he couldn’t afford to show her that he already knew the city.

When they entered, a large paved road was ahead of them. It was one of the main streets of Archon. Multiple stores and building were on each side of the road. Since it was the end of the day, besides the rustling of caravans and carriage and few people talking there was not a sound.

“Do you perhaps know where I could find an inn?”

“Huh? An inn? Hum, yes… But, I still need to repay you for your help. I could take you as a guest in my house, it would save you the trouble to find an inn.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I must refuse. My mother wouldn’t like me to sleep at the house of a woman who is not my fiancée or girlfriend.”

Hearing him, Sylvia’s cheeks turned slightly pink. But after seeing him grin, she knew that he was teasing her. She stomped her feet before pointing at a building behind few stores.

“This is the Pendulum Inn. Food is quite good there, not magical like yours but their lodging is great… Just a bit expensive… Oh yeah! Do you have money? I can lend you some if you want…”

“No. I’m fine. I dare say I have more money than your whole family.”

As Grey said this, he walked toward the inn, waving his hand at her. Sylvia knew that they had to part at some points, but she didn’t why it gave her this bitter feeling. After shaking her head slightly, she walked toward her home.