He got out of the cheap inn he had rented.
It was still early in the morning, and the city was just waking.
He moved quickly, walking up the city road.
He had to reach the Adventurer Guild, and find himself a suitable mission.
The money he had left on him was running low.
He had to at least get a decent weapon.
Meeting a demon in the intersection, or the proper term according to the Adventurer Guild, The Outlands was a certainty.
He therefore wasn’t about to start fighting bare handed.
The building of the Adventurer Guild was soon before him.
It was a tiring walk, but it at least saved him some money.
The first floor was devoid of yesterday’s rowdy patrons.
It was the same over at the mission board.
He walked over.
The barkeeper was at his station, cleaning the cups.
Neo said a brief greeting.
He stopped before the mission board.
It displayed only the missions for F-Rank to D-Rank adventurers.
His eyes, however, did not wander.
He looked directly for the F-Rank demon hunting missions.
In particular, the ones requesting for valuable demon parts.
Their contribution point reward was substantial.
Yesterday night, had been one of serious studying for him.
The book given to him by the Adventurer Guild was very helpful.
Looking at the missions, he took note of missions within his current limit.
Then, he selected two.
Tapping his Adventurer Card on the board to accept the missions.
He then walked to the bar.
He sat on the stool, and waited for the barkeeper to finish cleaning the cup in his hand.
“Where can I get a decent sword?”
Neo, after some deliberation had decided on his weapon of choice.
Of the many weapons he had trained in, it was the one most suitable for him.
The barkeeper dropped the cup.
“What type of sword do you need?”
“A longsword.”
The barkeeper nodded.
He took out a notebook, scribbled something on it, and tore off the page.
“Go to this address.
Show your Adventurer Card.”
Neo took the note and kept it.
“Thank you.”
The barkeeper smiled.
Neo left the Adventurer Guild.
The address he was given was a short distance away.
It was a classy blacksmith shop.
He entered and was greeted by the sight of different weapons hanging from the wall.
Hammers, maces, swords, spears, axes.
All sorts of blunt and bladed weapons.
“Welcome to the Thunder Hammer shop.” A man greeted him as he entered.
He rushed out from behind the counter.
He was disheveled, and appeared to be in serious need of sleep.
“What would you like, esteemed customer?” The man asked, eager to show him around.
“A longsword.”
“Good choice!” The man exclaimed.
He looked at Neo carefully, then took off a longsword hanging from the wall.
“This suits you just well,” the man said.
“It complements your graceful posture.”
Neo took the sword.
It was fine, but it was far from what he wanted.
He shook his head.
“I am an adventurer.”
He took out his Adventurer Card.
“Oh.”
The man however regained his composure quickly.
With a smile, he continued.
“I have something that suits you better then.”
He took off another longsword from the wall.
Neo held it, and only shook his head again.
The man forced a smile.
“Ah.
A man who knows his swords.
You will be forcing me to bring out my special collection then.”
The man went into a room, and came back dragging out a chest.
He opened it.
In it were all kind of longswords.
Looking at the swords, Neo could tell they were excellent.
He unsheathed each sword, swished them through the air.
He tested each sword carefully.
In the end, he made a tough choice between two excellent swords.
It was a single edged longsword.
Neo left the shop, with the man smiling behind him.
Neo however was not in the mood for a smile.
A good chunk of the money he had left had just been exchanged for this single sword.
There were still other preparations to be made.
The life of an adventurer wasn’t turning out to be so glamorous.
*
He looked once more at the city, until it was finally out of his sight.
The carriage moved on to The Outlands where he would carry out his mission.
He was quiet.
The other adventurers around him were having the time of their life as they bantered.
People who traveled to The Outlands in these hired carriages were mostly adventurers.
The road to The Outlands was devoid of any signs of civilization.
Just vast swathes of land that stretched as far as the eyes could see.
Neo knew this sight would be all he saw for a while.
He turned his mind inward.
To cultivate essence.
Breath by breath.
The air of the mortal world could not compare to the Immortal World.
However, essence was still present.
With the basic cultivation techniques he had from the Immortal World, his cultivation speed was still superior to any native of the mortal world.
As night came, the carriage stopped.
Everyone got out.
They would rest the night, and continue the journey tomorrow.
Well rested after a good night sleep.
Some adventurers had gathered around.
A bonfire was soon lit.
Soon, the crackling of wood, the chatter of men, women and the sounds of nature filled the small encampment by the roadside.
Neo sat there, a small distance from the revelry.
His attention caught between observation and meditation.
A long night was ahead.
*
The morning.
The carriage, at this very moment was devoid of chatter.
The snores and sleep mumbling, however, were just as annoying to Neo.
The woman next to him who seem to not understand the meaning of personal space, wasn’t helping matters too.
Her grumblings in her sleep and the way she leaned on him.
Pressing his body into the person next to him.
Neo could only take it all in.
The carriage rolled on to The Outlands.
Soon, it was noon, and there came another daytime nightmare for Neo.
With more adventurers waking up, the chatter increased to a level that disturbed all concentration.
Neo had no choice but to realize one conclusion.
This was going to be one damned long journey.
(^o^)
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