Milixion, the crown jewel of the Milis Holy Nation—the second-largest country in the world—stood as the most beautiful city ever created by mortal hands.
Daniel Cross's first glimpse of it took his breath away.
Two structures dominated the skyline, visible from miles outside the city walls: the Milis Cathedral and the Adventurer's Guild Headquarters. The Cathedral radiated a brilliant golden light that seemed to pulse with divine energy, making it look like a fallen star had been reshaped into architecture. The holy luminescence washed over everything around it, creating an aura of otherworldly sanctity that made Daniel Cross's skin prickle with an almost physical sensation of power.
The Adventurer's Guild Headquarters, by contrast, emitted a soft silver glow—cooler, more welcoming, like moonlight given solid form. The light was comfortable to look at, soothing rather than overwhelming, and it beckoned travelers and warriors from all corners of the realm.
Magic, Daniel Cross thought with barely contained wonder. Those buildings are literally glowing with magic. This world is insane.
He'd followed Aris's squad through the forest and down increasingly well-maintained roads as they approached the city. The journey had taken most of the day, with the adventurers setting a steady pace that ate up the miles. Daniel Cross had tried to memorize the route, the landmarks, anything that might help him navigate this world—but honestly, everything just looked like variations of "fantasy medieval countryside" to his inexperienced eyes.
The city walls were massive—at least forty feet tall, built from pale stone that seemed to gleam in the afternoon sun. Guard towers dotted the perimeter at regular intervals, and Daniel Cross could see soldiers patrolling the battlements with practiced vigilance.
As they approached the main gate, Daniel Cross noticed a line of people waiting to enter. Most looked like merchants or travelers, their carts loaded with goods. But scattered among them were others who stood out—people with pointed ears, or unusual skin tones, or other features that marked them as decidedly non-human.
The gate guards were checking everyone thoroughly, and Daniel Cross soon understood why.
"State your business and your race," a guard barked at a merchant ahead of them in line. The guard's tone was professional but carried an edge of suspicion.
"Human merchant, bringing textile goods from the eastern provinces," the merchant replied smoothly, clearly used to this routine.
The guard waved him through without incident.
But when a family approached—two adults and a child, all with distinctive pointed ears and slight builds that suggested elven heritage—the guard's demeanor changed noticeably.
"Elves? What's your business in Milixion?"
"We have relatives in the foreign quarter, sir," one of the adults replied respectfully, producing some kind of documentation. "We're just visiting for the Harvest Festival."
The guard examined their papers with exaggerated thoroughness, making them wait far longer than was necessary before grudgingly allowing them through.
Daniel Cross frowned at the interaction but said nothing. Aris had mentioned during their journey that Milixion had... issues with non-humans. Particularly with the demon race.
When their turn came at the gate, the inspection went smoothly. The guards recognized Aris's squad—apparently they were regular visitors to the city—and after a cursory check that confirmed no demons were among them, they were waved through.
"No demons in this group," one guard commented to his colleague. "That's always a relief. Last week we had to turn away a whole merchant caravan because they'd hired demon porters. The paperwork was a nightmare."
Daniel Cross filed that information away carefully. Racial discrimination against demons. Probably related to some kind of war or historical conflict. Need to be careful about that.
The squad passed through the gate and into Milixion proper, and Daniel Cross's breath caught in his throat for the second time that day.
The city was gorgeous.
Wide cobblestone streets stretched out before them, lined with buildings that ranged from practical shops to elaborate townhouses with intricate architecture. Everything was clean—remarkably clean compared to what Daniel Cross had expected from a medieval-style city. The streets actually had proper drainage, and he could see workers sweeping and maintaining the public spaces.
Magic, Daniel Cross realized. They probably used magic for sanitation and infrastructure. That would explain why the city looked more like a high-fantasy theme park than a historically accurate medieval town.
"First time seeing Milixion?" Mira asked, noticing Daniel Cross's wide-eyed expression.
"Yeah," Daniel Cross admitted, not even trying to hide his amazement. "It's incredible. I didn't expect it to be so... clean."
Mira giggled. "The Milis Church uses purification magic throughout the city. It's one of the benefits of living in the Holy Nation's capital—everything stays pristine thanks to divine blessing."
Or thanks to theocratic control and magical labor, Daniel Cross thought but wisely didn't say aloud.
On the way to Milixion, Daniel Cross had taken advantage of his supposed amnesia to ask the squad members about the world. He'd learned quite a bit:
The Milis Holy Nation was one of the major powers in the world, second only to the Asura Kingdom in terms of size and influence. The nation was technically a theocracy, governed by the Milis Church under the authority of the Pope. The current doctrine emphasized human supremacy, monogamy, and worship of the God Milis—beliefs that shaped everything from law to daily life.
The discrimination against demons stemmed from a centuries-old war between humans and the demon race. Though official hostilities had ended generations ago, the prejudices remained deeply embedded in Milis culture. Demons were restricted to certain districts, faced extra scrutiny from authorities, and were generally treated as second-class citizens at best.
Adventurers, however, existed somewhat outside the normal social hierarchy. As long as you were registered with the Guild and followed their rules, your race mattered less—though discrimination still happened, just more subtly.
Daniel Cross had also learned about the currency system: copper coins, silver coins, and gold coins, with a hundred copper to one silver and a hundred silver to one gold. The squad had given him one millis silver coin as payment for his contribution to killing the Brown Lion—a generous gesture that Daniel Cross deeply appreciated.
Though according to Olka, Brown Lions are apparently rare nowadays, so the materials from that one corpse will sell for a premium. I guess I earned my share.
As soon as they entered Milixion, Daniel Cross made his decision. He turned to Aris and the others, giving them a respectful nod.
"Thank you all for bringing me here and for the silver coin," Daniel Cross said sincerely. "You've been incredibly kind. I don't want to take up any more of your time, so I'll take my leave now."
After all, they had not only been generous enough to escort him to the city, but had also healed him and given him money. He really felt embarrassed to keep bothering them, especially since they'd probably want to cash in their monster materials and rest after their hunt.
Aris studied him for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Alright. If you need anything—or if your memory comes back and you need help—the Guild can usually track us down. Our squad is called 'Aris's Fangs.' Just ask for us at the Adventurer's Guild headquarters."
"I'll remember that," Daniel Cross promised. "Thank you again. Really."
The squad members said their goodbyes—Mira gave him an encouraging wave, Olka offered a lazy thumbs-up, and the others nodded respectfully. Then they headed off toward what Daniel Cross assumed was the Adventurer's Guild to report their successful hunt and sell their materials.
Daniel Cross stood alone in the street for a moment, slowly raising his head to take in the full majesty of Milixion.
The city exuded a unique charm that went beyond just its physical beauty. There was something in the air here—a sense of history, of significance, of being at the center of something important. It made his heart beat a little faster, stirred something ambitious in his chest.
This world has magic, he thought, his mind racing with possibilities. Actual, real magic. And I have a system—the Dan Heng • Imbibitor Lunae template, with abilities and powers that I'm only starting to understand.
I died in my old world. Literally died. But here? Here I have a chance to be something more. To do something incredible.
A grin spread across his face, equal parts excitement and determination.
Since I've already come to this other world, I might as well make the most of it. Time to show what I'm capable of!
With renewed purpose, Daniel Cross started walking toward where the crowds were thickest. He was currently in what appeared to be an adventurer district—lots of people in armor or carrying weapons, shops selling equipment and supplies, buildings that probably served as guild halls or training facilities.
But his primary goal was to find the commercial district. That's where he'd be able to find an inn, get food, and start establishing himself in this city.
"I remember Aris saying that the east side is the commercial district," Daniel Cross muttered to himself, trying to recall the brief orientation the captain had given him during their approach to the city. "Since I'm currently on the south side near the adventurer quarter..."
He cast his gaze toward the east, where the crowds did indeed seem even more dense and diverse. He could make out the tops of what looked like market stalls and larger storefronts in the distance.
Alright. Let's do this.
Daniel Cross made his way through the streets, weaving between armored adventurers and their retainers. The sheer diversity of people amazed him—humans of every description, yes, but also elves with their elegant features and pointed ears, dwarves with magnificent beards and stocky builds, and even a few beast-folk with animal features mixed with human characteristics.
Fantasy races are real. I'm walking past actual elves and dwarves. This is so surreal.
When he finally reached the commercial district, he was immediately captivated by what he saw.
The marketplace was bustling with activity. Dozens of stalls lined the main thoroughfare, vendors calling out their wares in cheerful voices that competed for attention. Fresh produce, exotic spices, magical components that glowed with mysterious light, weapons and armor of every description, jewelry that sparkled with enchantments—the variety was overwhelming.
But interspersed among the temporary stalls were proper storefronts—permanent buildings with hanging signs and display windows that showcased their goods. These ranged from simple general stores to elaborate shops that clearly catered to wealthy clientele.
Daniel Cross walked slowly down the street, taking it all in. He'd already eaten the dried meat Aris had given him, and the healing magic had taken care of his immediate physical needs, so he wasn't desperately hungry yet. But he did need to find a place to stay.
First priority: secure lodging. Second priority: don't run out of money immediately.
He started checking the inns and taverns he passed, asking about room rates.
His hope died pretty quickly.
"Five silver coins per night, meals not included."
"Three silver for a shared room, seven for a private room."
"Our luxury suites start at ten silver per night, with complimentary breakfast—"
Daniel Cross's despair grew with each inquiry. With only one silver coin to his name, he could barely afford a few nights at the cheapest inns—and that was without factoring in food and drink.
This is bad. I need to find a way to make money, fast. Or find a really cheap place to stay.
He sighed, his earlier enthusiasm dampened by economic reality. "I can't find any affordable inns."
Time slipped away as Daniel Cross continued his futile search, checking shop after shop with increasingly desperate hope. The sun began its descent toward the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and gold.
Night was falling, and Daniel Cross—busy searching all day—still hadn't found a place to stay. He could only wander blindly along the streets, his frustration mounting.
This is pathetic. I survived a giant monster, got a magical system, and now I might have to sleep on the street because I'm broke.
Finally, he accepted defeat. At least for tonight.
"If it really doesn't work out, I'll just sleep outdoors for a night," Daniel Cross said to himself, trying to sound more confident than he felt. "It's not that cold here anyway. I've got that one silver coin still—I can use it for food tomorrow and keep looking for work or a cheap room."
He found a relatively clean spot in a side street—not a main thoroughfare where guards might hassle him, but not so isolated that he'd be vulnerable to thieves. Daniel Cross sat down with his back against a building wall, trying to make himself comfortable.
Well, this is humbling. From modern civilization to homeless in one day. At least I'm alive.
He began organizing his thoughts, trying to plan his next moves.
Okay. Let's think practically. I'm in another world now, and I need to adapt. First, I need income. How do I make money here?
The most obvious option is becoming an Adventurer. I have the Cloud Knight Basic Spear Technique now—I actually know how to fight, at least in theory. And I apparently have some kind of powerful golden energy that let me kill that Brown Lion.
But there's a problem: I'm still afraid of monsters. That lion today terrified me. If it hadn't been wounded and exhausted, I would've died. I can't be an effective adventurer if I freeze up every time I face danger.
Daniel Cross frowned, acknowledging the uncomfortable truth. The Brown Lion he'd encountered had been a B-rank monster according to what Aris had told him. Luckily, it had been severely wounded by the adventurer squad—otherwise, with a lion's natural speed, it definitely would have caught him during the chase.
I need to overcome my fear. I need practical experience. And I need to figure out how to use my abilities properly before I take on any real dangerous commissions.
Lost in thought, Daniel Cross almost didn't notice the approaching footsteps.
A pair of figures—a man and a woman—were walking down the street together. They moved with the easy familiarity of longtime companions, their conversation quiet but warm. Both wore adventurer gear, though nothing as formal or matching as Aris's squad had worn.
"Gadaruf, I wonder what dinner the landlady has prepared for us today," the woman said. Her voice was soft and slightly breathy, with an undertone that could only be described as sultry—though it seemed unintentional, just a natural quality of her voice.
Daniel Cross looked up as they passed, and his eyes widened slightly.
The woman had distinctive curved horns growing from her head, sweeping back from her temples in an elegant arc. Her skin had a faint lavender tint, and her eyes were a striking amber color. She was undeniably attractive, with features that would turn heads anywhere—but the horns marked her clearly as a demon.
"Most likely sandwiches," the man beside her replied. His voice was steady and calm, the tone of someone who'd seen enough of life to remain unflappable. He wore an eyepatch over his left eye, and his visible eye was a sharp green that missed nothing. His build was solid—not bulky, but dense with functional muscle.
They were clearly adventurers, experienced ones from the way they carried themselves.
As they walked past Daniel Cross's sitting spot, both of them noticed his gaze. Being adventurers—professionals who made their living in dangerous situations—they were naturally attuned to when they were being watched.
"Eh?" The demon woman's eyes landed on Daniel Cross, and her expression shifted to one of confusion mixed with concern. "There's a young man here. Why aren't you going home so late? Do you live nearby?"
Then something seemed to occur to her. Her amber eyes widened slightly, and she quickly stepped behind Gadaruf, using his larger frame as a shield.
"Oh dear, look at me," she said with a nervous laugh. "I've forgotten myself again."
It took Daniel Cross a moment to understand what she meant. Then it clicked: she was worried that Daniel Cross, seeing her demon features, might react with fear or hostility. In a city like Milixion, where anti-demon prejudice was so prevalent, her instinct was to hide.
That's... actually really sad, Daniel Cross thought.
Gadaruf's gaze also fell upon Daniel Cross, his single eye assessing the situation with practiced efficiency. When he spoke, his tone was calm and measured—the kind of voice that could either comfort or intimidate, depending on the context.
"You look like you need help."
A weaker-willed person might have been intimidated by that tone and that piercing stare. But Daniel Cross had already faced down an elephant-sized lion today. A man with an eyepatch, while certainly imposing, didn't quite hit the same terror threshold.
"Um, today is my first day in Milixion," Daniel Cross said honestly. "I don't have much money, and I haven't been able to find any affordable inns. Do you happen to know of any cheap places around here where I could stay?"
These two are adventurers, Daniel Cross reasoned. They probably know the city well. And they seem... decent? At least they stopped to ask if I needed help instead of just walking past.
"So it's your first day in Milixion," the demon woman said, emerging slightly from behind Gadaruf. Her nervousness had lessened a bit, though she still seemed wary. "You're probably not a Milis Sect follower then, are you?"
There was an edge of hope in her question. In a city dominated by the Milis Church—which openly preached against demons—finding someone who wasn't a devout follower was refreshing for members of the demon race.
"I am not a Milis Sect follower," Daniel Cross confirmed, shaking his head. He'd heard enough from Aris about the Milis Religion: it excluded the demon race, advocated strict monogamy, and generally tried to control every aspect of its followers' lives. Daniel Cross had zero interest in joining.
The demon woman's face brightened considerably. "That's wonderful! Then the fact that I'm a demon shouldn't cause you to dislike me."
She stepped out from behind Gadaruf completely now, standing with more confidence. Up close, Daniel Cross could see more details—the slight shimmer to her skin that suggested an otherworldly quality, the way her horns curved back in a way that was actually quite elegant, the intelligent warmth in her amber eyes.
"So that's what demons look like," Daniel Cross said, studying her with undisguised curiosity. He knew it probably wasn't polite to stare, but he'd genuinely never seen a demon before—unless you counted special effects in movies.
The woman laughed, not seeming offended. "There are many different races within demonkind, you know! We don't all look the same. Some have horns like me, others have tails, some have wings or scales. It's quite diverse, really."
"Oh, that makes sense," Daniel Cross said, feeling a bit foolish. Of course demons wouldn't be a monolithic group.
"By the way, my name is Eliaria," the woman introduced herself with a warm smile. "And this is my partner, Gadaruf."
The man with the eyepatch gave a small nod of acknowledgment but didn't speak.
"My name is Daniel Cross," he replied. Then, because he'd noticed it earlier and found it genuinely interesting, he added: "Your names match so well—they're both four syllables and have that similar rhythm to them."
Eliaria. Gadaruf. Yeah, they sound like they belong together.
"Hehe, right? Right?" Eliaria's face lit up with delight at the observation. She seemed genuinely pleased that someone had noticed and commented on it.
Gadaruf's expression didn't change much, but there was a slight softening around his eye that suggested he was amused by his partner's enthusiasm.
"Let's go," Gadaruf said to them both, his voice carrying a note of gentle authority. "It'll be completely dark if we wait any longer. Eliaria, the landlady will worry if we're too late."
"I know, I know," Eliaria said, then turned back to Daniel Cross. Her expression became more inviting, her earlier wariness completely gone. "Daniel Cross, why don't you come with us to the tavern?"
Daniel Cross blinked in surprise. "To a tavern?"
Are they inviting me to drink with them? I'm literally broke...
"Can I... sleep there?" Daniel Cross asked hesitantly. He appreciated the friendly gesture, but he just wanted somewhere to rest for the night. Socializing could wait until after he'd secured his basic needs.
Eliaria's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Of course you can! The place we're staying at is run by a very kind landlady. As long as you tell your story with enough pathos—you know, really play up how you're new to the city, have no money, no connections, nowhere to go—she'll definitely take you in for the night. She has a soft heart for strays."
A soft-hearted landlady who takes in homeless adventurers? That sounds too good to be true, but...
"Really?" Daniel Cross felt a surge of hope. Free lodging would be a godsend right now.
"Really!" Eliaria confirmed. Then, before Daniel Cross could react, she reached out and grabbed both his hand and Gadaruf's hand, pulling them along with surprising strength. "Come on, let's go before all the good food is gone!"
She set off at a brisk pace, practically dragging them down the street. Gadaruf allowed himself to be pulled along with the long-suffering patience of someone very used to his partner's enthusiastic behavior.
Daniel Cross stumbled along beside them, equal parts bemused and grateful. Well, this day has certainly been unpredictable.
As they walked, Daniel Cross noticed something interesting: many of the people they passed on the street were also dressed like adventurers, and most of them were heading in the same direction Eliaria was pulling them.
Are they all going to drink at the same place? Is the tavern business in this fantasy world really this good?
For adventurers, every time they took on a high-level commission, they risked their lives. The threat of death was a constant companion in their profession. Only alcohol—and the camaraderie of fellow risk-takers—could help them properly relax. Mentally relax, anyway, even if their bodies remained tense from accumulated battle stress.
The tavern district of Milixion was where adventurers congregated after successful hunts, where they spent their hard-earned money on food, drink, and temporary escape from the knowledge that tomorrow they might face something they couldn't beat.
And Daniel Cross, homeless and lost just moments ago, was about to enter that world.
From destitute to... whatever this is. I guess things are looking up?
He allowed himself a small smile as Eliaria continued to chatter cheerfully about the landlady's cooking, Gadaruf occasionally interjecting with dry comments, and the three of them made their way toward what Daniel Cross hoped would be his first real refuge in this strange new world.
Throw Some Powerstones For
Next BONUS CHAPTER at 200 powerstones