Aki walked over and sat across from him. [Soe smiled]:"You're finally here. I was starting to think you got lost again." Aki raised an eyebrow. [Aki jokingly]:"I only got lost once." [Soe laughed]:"And that one time somehow led you into a desert full of monsters." Aki looked away. [Aki embarrassed]:"Okay... maybe I should not defend myself on that one." The two laughed lightly.
After a few moments, Soe reached into his pocket and pulled out something. Aki immediately recognized it. His adventurer license. He placed it on the table and slid it toward him. Aki reached out and picked it up. The copper-colored card felt exactly the same as when Amy first gave it to him. His name, level, rank, and information were still written on it.
Then Soe placed something else beside it. A small pouch. It was simple, but the moment it landed on the table, Aki heard the faint sound of coins moving inside. Aki looked at the pouch. He already knew what it was. The reward. Part of the payment for defeating the skeleton warrior. He picked it up, feeling the weight. It was not extremely heavy.
He carefully placed both the license and the pouch away. The two continued talking casually, discussing small things about the previous mission.
The conversation flowed awkwardly for Aki but naturally for Soe. But after a while, Soe became quiet. He stared at Aki. Not suspiciously. More like he was trying to solve a puzzle. Aki noticed. [Soe tilted his head]:"You're not from around here, are you?" Before he could answer, Soe chuckled. [Soe smiling]:"Don't worry. You don't have to explain if you don't want to." Aki looked back at him. [Soe continued]:"But I have an idea." He stood up and stretched.
[Soe]:"How about I give you a tour of the kingdom?" Aki blinked [Aki]:"A tour?"
[Soe nodded]:"You clearly know almost nothing about Justia. And since today is a special day, you're actually lucky." Aki became curious.
Soe smiled. [Soe excited]:"Because the hero is returning." Those words immediately caught Aki's attention.
The hero. Even before coming here, stories always had one. The chosen warrior. The legendary person who appeared when the world needed them most. Aki stood up. [Aki curious]:"The hero?" [Soe nodded]:"Yeah. Come on. I'll explain while we walk." The two left the café and entered the streets of Justia.
The city was brighter than before.
More decorations covered the buildings. More people gathered outside. Children ran through the streets holding small flags. Everyone looked excited. As they walked, Soe began to explain.
[Soe explaining calmly]:"Every few centuries, a Demon King rises." Aki listened carefully. [Soe continued]:"A being powerful enough to threaten humanity itself. Kingdoms fall to ashes as his army passes them, monsters become stronger, and people lose all hope of survival." The story sounded like something from a fantasy game. But the seriousness in Soe's voice made it different. This time it wasn't a game but real. [Soe]:"And every time... A hero appears with enhanced power surpassing any normal human."
Aki looked at him. [Soe]:"The hero faces and defeats the Demon King and saves humanity from extinction."
Aki frowned slightly. [Aki questioned]:"So people just wait for someone else to solve everything?"
Soe shrugged. [Soe]:"Maybe. But that is how legends work. No normal human can ever dream of taking down the demon king." The answer made Aki think. Legends always sounded simple.
A hero appears. A villain falls. Everyone celebrates. But real life was never that simple. Aki looked around at the people celebrating.
For them, the hero was not just a story. He was hope.
[Soe spoke proudly]:"His name is Damien King." Aki turned back. [Soe]:"He is nineteen years old."
Aki raised his eyebrows. Nineteen?
That was younger than he expected.
[Soe continued]:"He is currently level sixty-eight." Aki's eyes widened. Level 68. The difference between him and the hero was massive.
[Soe]:"And he is the wielder of the legendary blade..." Soe paused dramatically. [Soe nodded]:"One of the greatest weapons in existence. A blade said to be forged in heaven."
Aki immediately thought about his own weapon. The Axium Blade. But Soe did not know the truth about it.
[Soe]:"Only someone worthy can use this blade... Excalibur." Aki looked toward the crowds. For the first time, he became genuinely curious about this hero. Who was Damien King?
And what kind of person could hold a weapon like that? Or was he just another pretty boy self hero. The only way to find out was to see him with his own two eyes.
The streets of Justia were louder than usual. People walked around with excited expressions, children ran through the streets holding small flags, and merchants decorated their stalls to welcome the event. Aki looked around curiously.Soe noticed his expression and smiled. [Soe]:"Still surprised?You'll get used to it." They continued walking until a massive building came into view. The structure was impossible to miss.
It was made from thick stone walls reinforced with metal, with large banners displaying the symbol of adventurers hanging from the entrance. Adventurers constantly entered and exited, some carrying weapons covered in monster blood, others discussing quests.The Guild Hall.