Before leaving Blackspire, I decided to explore a bit more. The first part of the city was quiet, almost too quiet. But as I ventured deeper, I stumbled upon what seemed like a hidden market. It wasn’t bustling, but there were more people here—enough to make it feel alive.


    The goods were different too. In Vermillion, you’d see flashy trinkets, rare spices, and performances meant to lure in travelers. Here, it was simple. Basic supplies, plain clothes, the kind of stuff you’d grab if you just needed to get by.


    But what really caught my eye wasn’t the goods. It was a name.


    Isolde Evercrest.


    I’d seen it carved into walls and etched on stones around the city, but here, in the center of the market, stood a statue. Tall, elegant, and worn from time, it bore the same name at its base.


    I stepped closer to the statue, taking in the details. It depicted a woman, her hair tied back in a tight bun. Her hands were raised, casting some sort of spell—definitely a mage.


    At the base of the statue, a plaque caught my eye. The lettering was weathered, but still readable.


    Isolde Evercrest


    The First Female Sentinel from Blackspire.


    What the heck? The first female Sentinel? And she came from here? I’d never heard of her before. Maybe she’s a newer Sentinel? No, that didn’t make sense. The statue looked ancient, worn down by time.


    "Isolde Evercrest..."


    Something about this place felt different now. Knowing that a Sentinel had risen from here... it made Blackspire seem less like a quiet, forgotten city and more like a place with real history.


    After wandering for a while, I stumbled upon a fountain tucked away in a quiet corner of the city. It wasn’t in the center like you’d expect, more like a hidden gem. I wouldn’t even notice it unless I went looking.


    The water sparkled in the sunlight, and a group of kids was gathered around it. Some were tossing coins in, others laughing and splashing.


    I leaned against a nearby wall, watching. They were... wishing?


    I shook my head, trying to clear the thought. Would I be rich if I pulled those coins out of the water?


    Nah, I needed to focus.


    One kid, probably around eight, closed his eyes tight, holding a coin like it was some artifact. His lips moved in a whisper, but I edged closer, just curious enough to listen.


    “Please make my brother stop snoring,” he said, dead serious. “Or at least make him sleep somewhere else.”


    I stifled a laugh. Yeah, that checks out. Kids have their priorities straight, I guess.


    The kid tossed the coin with dramatic flair, watching it sink before turning to his friends. “It’s gonna work. I can feel it.”


    I shook my head, grinning as I walked away. Who knew a hidden fountain could offer such entertainment?


    As I walked through the streets, I heard some murmurs. A group of guys were talking, and their conversation caught my attention. They were talking about a man—a Sentinel from the East.


    I slowed my pace, keeping my head down, trying to blend in while I listened.


    One of the guys was saying, “There’s this guy… he’s been crashing the ranks of sentinels lately.”


    “Crashing ranks?” That was new to me. In my past life, there were only three Sentinels—no ranks to climb.


    The guy continued, trying to recall the name of the Sentinel. “It’s right on the tip of my tongue… Ah, Zarathis. That’s it.”


    Zarathis.


    The name hit me like a wave. My body froze. The guy kept talking, describing him. “He’s huge. Muscled as hell. Tall as… well, really tall.”


    I stood there, rooted to the spot. My mind went blank. Zarathis. The name seemed so familiar, but it also felt distant.


    The group of men noticed me standing there, staring at nothing. They exchanged uneasy looks.


    “Uh, you okay, buddy?” one of them asked, raising an eyebrow.


    But I didn’t respond. I couldn’t. My thoughts were too loud.


    They exchanged another glance, clearly uncomfortable, and quickly turned to leave. I was still stuck in the same spot, my mind racing.


    Zarathis. That name. I knew it, but I couldn’t place why. The more I tried to remember, the more my head ached.


    I was about to lost it but suddenly an old woman appeared in front of me. She moved slowly but deliberately, her eyes locked onto mine. Without a word, she reached for my hand and placed something in it.


    It was a small pearl-like ball, smooth and faintly glowing.


    “This will protect you,” she said, her voice low but firm. “From the evil that is nearing to destroy this world.”


    I blinked, caught off guard. Before I could even respond, she turned and started to shuffle away, leaving me holding the strange object.


    A few people nearby had seen the exchange. They started whispering, loud enough for me to catch snippets.


    “Crazy old hag,”


    “She lost it years ago,” another added. “Always rambling about the end of the world.”


    I glanced back at the woman. She was hunched and frail, but her eyes... they were filled with something. Not madness. Something deeper.


    I didn’t really care what the others said. She might’ve been strange, sure, but there was no malice in her. Just a kind of quiet urgency.


    I bowed my head slightly. “Thank you,” I said, tucking the pearl into my pocket.


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    As I walked out of Blackspire, my mind raced.


    First Zarathis. Now this old woman talking about the some evil nearing. It was hard not to feel like pieces of some bigger puzzle were falling into place.


    But honestly? I didn’t like where this was heading.


    What if the peace we all enjoyed was just the calm before the storm? I hated the thought, but I couldn’t ignore it. If things were about to take a dark turn, I had to be ready. That’s what the old woman’s strange gift reminded me. Stay sharp and get stronger.


    Then the system popped up.


    [You have received an Anti-Dark Magic Pearl.]


    Effective in repelling any dark magic energy within a close range.


    Maybe she wasn’t so crazy after all. If I ever saw her again, I’d make sure to return the favor somehow.


    With that thought, I kept walking, leaving the city behind.


    Then I figured I could take down a few monsters, test out my skills. It’d be a good way to clear my head.


    After thirty minutes of walking, I reached the edge of the forest. The trees were taller here, their thick branches casting long shadows. But I didn’t stop. If I wanted to find something worth fighting, I had to push deeper.


    Soon enough, I spotted them.


    Squish.. squish...


    Rabbit slimes. Small, squishy creatures with razor-sharp teeth. They hopped around aimlessly, gnawing on tree roots. Their levels barely scratched ten.


    I drew my blade and made quick work of them. Slash, dodge, repeat. They were fast but predictable. After about ten minutes, the forest floor was littered with defeated slimes.


    The system chimed.


    [+3 to all stats. Aura excluded.]


    The problem was obvious. I wasn’t pushing myself. Low-level monsters weren’t going to give me the growth I needed.


    By the time I made it back to Vermillion, it was already getting dark. The streets were busy with people closing up shops or rushing home.


    As I approached my residence, I noticed a small group of Garrick’s workers standing near the entrance. They were huddled together.


    “Evening,” I called out, giving a small wave as I walked up.


    They turned toward me, a mix of surprise and amusement on their faces. One of the older men, Davos, spoke up.


    “Well, if it isn’t young Alistair,” he said with a grin. “Didn’t expect to see you back so soon.”


    “Yeah, thought you’d be off training or chasing down some monster,” another chimed in.


    "I couldn’t find any monsters out there, so I just came back here to get some rest." I replied “What’s going on? You all look like you’re plotting something.”


    Davos chuckled, scratching his chin. “Actually, we were just talking about a job posting that might interest you.”


    That caught my attention. “Oh? What kind of job?”


    “It’s from one of the nobles here in Vermillion,” Davos said, leaning in slightly. “They’re looking for an escort team to guard a caravan heading to a neighboring kingdom. Important cargo, from what I hear.”


    “And they’re paying well,” another worker added. “Gold coins. Enough to make it worth your while.”


    “Sounds like a good deal,” I said, crossing my arms. “But why mention it to me?”


    Davos gave me a knowing look. “Because this isn’t just any escort job. There’s a Gold-ranked adventurer already signed on for the mission. Working alongside someone like that could be a real opportunity for you. Build your reputation. Maybe even learn a thing or two.”


    I nodded slowly, the gears in my mind turning. “Fifteen people, you said? How do they pick who gets the job?”


    “That’s the tricky part tho.” Davos admitted. “They’re only taking people eighteen and up. The only way you can apply is to bend the rules and fake your age.”


    I raised an eyebrow. “You think so?”


    He shrugged. “Couldn’t hurt to try. You’re strong for your age, and you’ve got that... determination. Plus, it’s a good deed, protecting people. Might even impress some higher-ups but still I also want to warn you that it is risky.”


    The others murmured in agreement, and I couldn’t help but feel a spark of excitement.


    “Thanks for the tip,” I said, bowing slightly. “I’ll look into it.”


    The group fell silent, clearly surprised by my gesture. One of them muttered, “Kid’s got manners, huh?”


    Davos just chuckled. “Don’t let that fool you. This one’s got fire in him.”


    After chatting with the workers, I finally made my way back to my room. The quietness was almost a relief, but it didn’t last long. I stripped off my travel-worn clothes and hopped into the bath. The warm water helped me relax, but my mind wouldn’t stop spinning.


    I tried to focus on the feeling of the water soaking into my skin, but all I could think about were the things I’d heard today.


    The job. Zarathis. The old woman. It was like they all collided in my brain, and I couldn’t escape the mess of thoughts.


    When I finished, I wrapped myself in a towel and headed to the bed, but the comfort of the blankets didn’t help. I tossed and turned, unable to sleep.


    Eventually, my thoughts drifted, and I found myself thinking about my family. I hadn’t allowed myself to really think about them for a while. The memories of my little sister, her laugh, her smile... I missed them more than I thought I would. But it wasn’t the kind of missing where I wanted to drop everything and rush back. No, it was more of a longing, a quiet ache. I wanted to hold them again. See them safe. See them happy.


    I wondered if my sister missed me too. I could almost hear her voice in my head, calling for me, asking when I was coming back.


    I shut my eyes, trying to block out the thought of them. I couldn’t go back—not yet, anyway.


    But the job offering … that’s when my mind shifted again.


    Could I pull it off? Faking my age would be risky, but it wasn’t impossible. I could probably pass for eighteen with the right clothes and attitude. But what if they found out? If I got caught, I’d be sent packing, and I couldn’t afford that. Not when a chance like this might not come again.


    Should I ask Garrick for help? No, that would just complicate things. He had enough on his plate, and I didn’t want to drag him into something that could backfire.


    I sighed, running my hand through my hair. Maybe I was overthinking it. I needed to sleep on it. Think it through tomorrow when I wasn’t so tired.


    I pulled the covers over myself and tried to close my eyes, but the thoughts kept coming. The job. My family. Zarathis.


    It was no use. I stayed awake for hours, staring at the ceiling, until finally, exhaustion overtook me, and I drifted into an uneasy sleep.


    When I woke up, I glanced at the window. Damn, it''s already late. I usually get up earlier than this to get a head start on my day. Guess staying up late last night thinking about everything caught up with me.


    I groaned and shoved the covers off, jumping out of bed. Time to get moving. I quickly threw on some clothes and headed straight for the center of town.


    After a short walk, I finally spotted the building with the flag bearing a horse logo on it.


    That''s the place.


    My heart kicked into gear as I walked up to the entrance, but as I reached the guards, one of them stopped me.


    "Afternoon," he said, giving me a once-over. "You’re here for the job? You’ll have to wait. Applications only happen in the morning."


    I frowned. Of course, the one day I wake up late, the session''s already over.


    "Great," I muttered under my breath. I had no choice but to wait.


    I sat on a nearby bench, running my fingers through my hair in frustration. Not far from me, there was an old man sitting, leaning on a cane, humming to himself. He looked like he was waiting for something too.


    After a minute, I couldn’t help myself. I nudged him, “You here for the job old man?”


    The old man chuckled, his wrinkled face lighting up. “Yep, that’s right. Needed to make some money. My granddaughter’s medicine isn’t cheap, you know. Poor girl’s been sick for a while now.”


    He said it so casually, like it was no big deal. But the way his eyes softened when he spoke about her, I could tell it meant everything to him.


    “That’s rough. I hope she gets better.”


    The man waved his hand dismissively. “Ah, don’t worry about it. It’ll all work out. Everything always does, doesn’t it? But hey, I’ll make sure I grab a big paycheck for her, that’s for sure hehehe”


    I smiled, impressed by his optimism. But then, as if something had clicked in his mind, he looked me over.


    “You sure you’re applying? You don’t look like you’re 18.”


    I almost jumped and cover his mouth but stopped myself just in time. He was an old man, and I didn’t want to be rude, but damn, he was making me nervous.


    I forced a laugh, hoping he wouldn’t say anything more. “Yeah, I’m applying old man. Just don’t let the guard hear that.”


    The old man’s eyes twinkled, and he leaned in closer. “Relax, kid. I won’t say anything. But seriously, you should take care with that. They can’t let anyone under 18 on these kinds of jobs, you know? It''s too risky.”


    I groaned internally. "I''m nervous, really. But thanks for the reminder..."


    He chuckled, then nudged me lightly. “Ah, come on. You seem like a bright kid. Just don’t let ‘em catch you, that’s all. Besides, you’ve got that look, you know?”


    I raised an eyebrow. “What look?”


    He grinned. “That ‘I’ve been through some crap and come out the other side stronger’ look. You’ve got that determination. I can see it.”


    I couldn’t help but feel a little lighter. His words were strange but somehow encouraging.


    “Yeah, maybe you are right old man,” I said, giving him a nod. “Thanks, I guess. But what about you? You don’t look like the type to be stuck waiting for a job.”


    The old man let out a loud laugh. “Well, I’m not exactly applying for a noble’s caravan job. No, no, kid. I’m just here for the coin. Couldn’t care less about the adventure. Been there, I''ve done so many jobs and adventures but I’ll take whatever I can get these days.”


    I raised an eyebrow. “You sound like you’ve had quite a few adventures of your own.”


    “Oh, don’t get me started. Back in my day, I could outfight any man twice my size. But now? Well, let’s just say I’ve got more stories than strength left to back ‘em up.”


    He winked, and I couldn’t help but laugh. He definitely had a way of making light of things.


    “Alright, kid, let me give you a bit of advice,” he said suddenly, leaning forward. “When you’re out there, on these jobs, don’t just think about the money. Sure, it’s important, but the real prize is what you learn. Trust me. When you’re doing a job like this, you’ll learn more than you ever expected—about the people you work with, about your enemies, about yourself. Take it all in, every bit of it.”


    I nodded, taking it all in. His words felt heavier than they should have, but in a good way.


    “You’ll do alright,” the old man added. “Just remember to keep your head cool and your heart strong. Don’t let anyone push you around, not even the guards hahaha.”


    I chuckled. “Yeah, I’ll keep that in mind.”


    As the conversation went on, the tension in me started to fade. The old man had a way of making everything seem like it was just another story in the making. I didn’t know if I was ready for whatever came next, but at least I had something to hold onto now: a little advice, a little laughter, and a strange feeling that maybe, just maybe, I could pull this risky move.