Fresh air.
Blue skies.
Green grass.
It felt like forever since I had seen them.
I had no idea how long I had been trapped inside that dungeon.
I felt happy...
And sad at the same time.
Happy because I had finally escaped.
Sad because Uncle Carl remained behind.
I looked at the silver medallion resting in my palm.
What exactly did Grandfather do...?
According to Uncle Carl, he had been an honorable man.
I had never met him.
So I didn't know who was telling the truth.
"No matter what others say... be proud that you're a Silvervein."
Those were Father's last words.
Pride.
Honor.
I didn't understand either of them.
All I cared about...
Was surviving.
I slipped the medallion into my pocket.
"Time to move on."
Looking around, all I could see was an endless plain covered in green grass.
Somewhere in the distance stood a cliff.
"Maybe the dungeon sends people to random locations after they leave."
It was peaceful.
Quiet.
For the first time in a long while...
There wasn't a monster trying to kill me.
I started walking.
Eventually, I found a river.
"Water..."
A smile spread across my face.
"It's been forever since I took a bath."
Without hesitation, I stripped off my filthy clothes and jumped in.
"Ahhh..."
"This feels amazing."
As I swam beneath the surface, I spotted several fish.
Instinctively, I reached toward one.
"...Right."
I couldn't store living creatures.
Instead, I picked up a smooth stone and stored it.
Diving underwater again, I aimed carefully.
The stone shot out from my Force Space.
Thunk!
Bullseye.
The fish floated to the surface as bubbles rose around it.
I caught several more before climbing out of the river.
After gathering dry wood, I used the Flame Staff to start a fire.
Then I absorbed the flames.
I no longer needed the staff.
With enough stored fire, I could ignite flames directly from my fingertips.
Soon...
Fresh fish roasted over the fire.
I took a bite.
"...This is life."
No porridge.
No Ravihen meat.
Just freshly caught fish.
"Care to share?"
A voice suddenly spoke behind me.
Cold steel rested against my neck.
I didn't panic.
Not anymore.
I glanced over my shoulder.
"If the river is right there..."
"Only a fool can't catch his own fish."
"What did you say?"
I turned around.
A large man carrying a heavy club glared at me.
I couldn't help but chuckle.
"Bring it on."
"I'll wipe that smug look off your face."
The giant roared and swung his club.
BOOM!
It slammed into my crossed arms.
"Hahaha!"
"That's what you get, fool!"
He laughed triumphantly.
"Huh?"
His smile faded.
I hadn't moved.
The giant swung again.
And again.
Neither strike accomplished anything.
At the same time, the swordsman rushed toward me.
"Taste my blade!"
I stepped aside.
Then drove my foot into his stomach.
He folded over and rolled across the grass.
"If you want fish..."
"Catch your own."
"And leave me alone."
"Argh!"
The club wielder burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! That's what you—"
Thud!
An arrow buried itself in my chest.
I looked down.
"...An archer."
So there was a third one.
I hadn't expected that.
The two in front of me weren't dangerous.
The hidden archer was.
I jumped backward and pulled the arrow free.
The swordsman smirked.
"Fool."
"You'll bleed to death if you pull it out."
Without saying a word, I drank Miracle Water directly from my Storage Space.
The wound closed before their eyes.
"W-What?"
"There wasn't enough time to explain."
I flicked two small stones from my Force Space.
Thunk! Thunk!
Both men collapsed instantly.
Then I sprinted toward the direction the arrow had come from.
Finding the archer was surprisingly easy.
Before he could fire again...
Crack!
A stone struck his forehead.
He fell unconscious.
A short while later...
All three men were tied together.
I searched their belongings.
Weapons.
Stolen coins.
Jewelry.
Travel supplies.
"...Bandits."
One of them laughed.
"Hahaha..."
"Our boss will kill you."
"The Red Fang never forgets."
As he spoke, I noticed the tattoo on his neck.
A crimson snake.
I shrugged.
"Boring."
I confiscated every weapon they had.
Then I picked up one of the cooked fish and placed it in front of them.
"If you wanted fish..."
"Then here is your fish."
I turned around and walked away, leaving the three bound bandits staring after me in silence.