Since I had the blessing of the Titan Rune, I didn't need to spend months building raw strength.
That alone felt like cheating.
Using a wooden sword I had carved myself, I copied the first stance from the Blink Knight Arts.
Dash forward.
Thrust.
Jump backward.
Lower the sword and relax.
With the Titan Rune strengthening my legs and arms, I could already perform the movement smoothly.
The second stance.
Dash forward.
Horizontal slash.
Leap to the side.
The third stance.
Light footwork to the left and right while the sword rested across my back.
"So this is an evasive stance..."
It completely contradicted the third form of the Exploding Rock Fist.
That style taught me to stand my ground and absorb impact.
This one taught me never to be hit in the first place.
Even though Blink Knights trained their bodies to become stronger...
They wore light armor.
Speed was everything.
"...Argh."
Everything about this style contradicted what I had already learned.
I was more of a tank than a swordsman.
Still...
Maybe there was a way to combine both styles someday.
I rested beneath a nearby tree.
"What should I do next?"
Before leaving, I returned to the cave one last time.
I brought several freshly caught fish for Mama Bear and Baby Bear.
"I'll be going now."
"I know you can't understand me..."
"But take care."
The cub rubbed against my leg while the mother simply watched me.
I smiled and continued following the trail toward Templora.
Tig... tig... tig...
The sound of wagon wheels echoed down the road.
A merchant wagon approached.
An elderly man smiled warmly.
"Greetings, young man."
"Are you traveling alone?"
"Yes."
"Are you heading to Templora?"
"I am."
"Then you're in luck."
"We're heading there too."
"We?"
A young girl peeked out from the back of the wagon.
"Come ride with us!"
"It's still a long walk."
"Don't worry," the old man added. "We're merchants."
I shrugged.
"Thank you."
"I'd be happy to."
I climbed aboard.
"Where are you from?" the little girl asked.
"Benny."
Her mother gently tapped her shoulder.
"It's rude to ask."
"Oh..."
Benny scratched her head.
"Did you eat already, big brother?"
"I caught some fish earlier." - I replied
"You look really strong!"
"Haha..."
"You think so?"
I scratched my cheek awkwardly.
Before anyone could continue—
The horses suddenly stopped.
"What happened?"
The old merchant frowned.
"I think..."
"We're surrounded."
"By what?"
"Monsters."
I immediately jumped down from the wagon.
"Hey!"
The old man called out.
"Stay back, child! It's dangerous!"
The two escorting adventurers stepped forward.
Ahead of us stood a pack of monsters.
Black-and-red wolves with burning fur.
Flames escaped from their mouths with every breath.
"Flame Hounds..."
One adventurer muttered.
"There are fifteen of them."
"We're only two."
"I thought this escort would be easy."
"Bandits have been quiet lately."
"If I'd known..."
"I would've requested more men."
The other adventurer sighed.
"Too late now."
He looked back at the merchant.
"Old man."
"Our priority is keeping you and your family alive."
"If we have to abandon the cargo..."
"So be it."
The merchant nodded.
"I understand."
He turned toward his wife.
"Take Benny."
"Grab the small chest."
"Leave everything else."
I looked at the two adventurers.
"What's the plan?"
"Oh."
"I forgot you were here."
"We'll free the horses."
"The merchant and his family each take one."
"My partner and I take the other."
"What about me?"
The adventurer hesitated.
"Kid..."
"Try to survive."
I smiled.
"Don't worry."
"I can take care of myself."
The man laughed.
"Now that's courage."
"Let's see what you've got."
I answered by running straight toward the pack.
"Hey!"
"Get back here!"
The merchant shouted.
"No!"
"Big Brother!"
Benny cried.
"Tsk..."
The second adventurer shook his head.
"Too young."
"What a waste."
The first Flame Hound lunged at me.
I shifted into the third stance of the Blink Knight Arts.
Mana surged into my hips and feet.
I sidestepped effortlessly.
As the beast flew past...
My dagger flashed.
A clean slash across its throat.
The monster collapsed.
Another came.
Dodge.
Slash.
Another.
Step.
Cut.
Some broke away and charged toward the two adventurers.
The rest continued attacking me.
One after another...
They fell.
Until the last Flame Hound collapsed into the dirt.
Silence filled the road.
The two adventurers stared at me.
"...Whoah."
"I never expected someone your age to move like that."
"And you definitely have a rune."
I simply chuckled.
"What's your name, kid?"
I opened my mouth.
"You blood of a traitor."
The chief's son's voice echoed in my mind.
I looked away.
"...Cole."
"Cole Silvie."
The adventurer grinned.
"Not bad."
"Come visit the Adventurers' Guild once you reach town."
"We could use someone like you."
"But first..."
He looked at the dead Flame Hounds.
"Let's see if any of them have runes."
Out of the fifteen monsters...
Only six contained rune stones.
"Not bad."
"These will sell for a decent price."
He handed them to me.
"You killed most of them."
"They're yours."
I shook my head.
"I can't sell them."
"People will think I stole them."
The adventurer laughed.
"...Fair point."
"If I met a kid carrying six runes, I'd think the same."
The merchant stepped forward.
"I'll buy them."
"Oh."
"Right."
"This is Mr. Norman."
"He owns a trading company."
Mr. Norman examined the rune stones.
"Six Normal-rank Flame Runes."
"They're commonly embedded into cookware and heating tools."
"They'll sell for about sixty silver."
"...Embedded?"
I whispered to myself.
"I'll pay you now."
He handed me a heavy pouch.
I weighed it in my hand.
"...This feels like more than sixty."
Mr. Norman smiled.
"It is."
"I doubled the price."
"You saved our lives."
"If not for you..."
"We would've lost everything."
"This is the least I can do."
He extended his hand.
"My shop is called Sun Trading."
"It's in the center of Templora."
"If you ever need to sell monster materials..."
"Come to me."
"I won't ask where you got them."
I smiled and accepted the pouch.
"Thank you."
Quietly, I tied the silver around my waist.
For now...
No one needed to know I possessed a Storage Rune.
As the wagon continued toward Templora...
I finally began my journey beyond the dungeon.