Once they returned to the Town, Colin walked back to the Elder’s house with everyone staring at him. It was unnerving that he saw many people looking at him with admiration and many others terrified.

Weirder yet, there was a small group of people who watched him with another type of look. It was a very ‘come hither’ look that made Colin swallow. He somehow got the impression that McKenna was grumbling about him back home and that she would murder him if he cheated on her, in-game or out.

“Hello, handsome,” someone called out to his left. He turned and looked to see a pretty, middle-aged woman wearing a patchwork dress and a bonnet. “I’ve been hoping to speak with you.”

“What about?” Colin asked, hoping that he was wrong about why she was talking with him.

“Marriage,” she said, bluntly stating her purpose.

Colin blinked. “Uhm, no. I’m going to have to pass. You see I’m-”

“Oh no, silly boy. Not to me, my daughter. She’s old enough to marry and what better match than the Adventurer that saved the village,” she explained, a coy smile playing across her face. “I also think she’s infatuated with you, Walker. Considering she was one of the people you saved from that damnable Scarecrow last night,” she said, pausing to give him a chance to remember.

“Young, maybe sixteen or seventeen. Maybe around five-and-a-half feet tall, with brown hair?” Colin said, trying to remember the other female that was grabbed by the Scarecrow’s Fleshwarped minions. He didn’t really get a good look at anyone but the woman it was about to kill and what he remembered of the girl was only fleeting.

“Yes, that’s my Heidi!” she exclaimed, pleased that Colin remembered her. “Well, I know that arranged marriages aren't popular anymore, but I promise that you will get a good wife,” she said, trying to up-sell her daughter.

Colin didn’t even have to think about it. He pressed his hands together and took in a deep breath. This whole little thing was a performance, he knew that, and he planned to enjoy this. He pointed his upward pressed together hands towards the woman and uttered a single word.

“No,” and he promptly turned and walked away.

Stunned, she stayed put and watched him for a long moment as he headed to the Elder’s house. Flushed, she turned on her heel in a huff and stomping away. Something told Colin that this woman was not used to being told anything besides yes. If he wasn’t planning on leaving today, he certainly was now. He didn’t want to spend a few more days dodging that woman because he insulted her delicate sensibilities.

Your reputation with Hattie Hurti has decreased from worshipped to despised. Be warned, this person may try to sabotage you or may seethe quietly. Who knows?

With her gone, Colin walked the rest of the way to the Elder’s house in peace and was greeted by a pleasant earthy smell. The Elder was standing in his kitchenette, making some tea and looking out one of the windows.

“So you’ve met Ms. Hurti,” Elder Chevy said, a little mirth in his tone.

“Yeah, tried to marry off her daughter to me,” Colin said, sighing.

“Oh,” he hummed, a little surprised. “Ms. Hurti has never thought anyone here was good enough for her daughter. Always calling the young men here ‘Hooligans’ You must have made quite the impression if she offered you Heidi’s hand,” the Elder explained.

Colin shrugged, “Yeah. I got that sense that she likes to say no, but not receiving it. Besides, the woman is obviously crazy,” he told the man, smiling.

“What makes you say that?” the Elder asked, curiously. He took a tray with two teacups and a pot of steaming liquid over to the table. Before colin spoke, he poured the tea into each cup and took the seat across from Colin.

“What sane person names their child Heidi Hurti?” Colin proclaimed to the Elder, smiling at his own joke.

The Elder snickered and managed to restrain a full laugh with effort. Smiling widely, he whispered, “I would be careful. If you talk negatively about a woman, rest assured that she will be close enough to hear it.”

Colin let out a single, happy sound, “better safe than sorry, right?”

“Oh yes, Walker. Better safe than sorry,” he agreed. Both men took a drink, and the Elder hummed in joy at it. “They gave me the good stuff this time. Imported tea is very spotty on taste sometimes.”

“Wouldn’t know,” Colin told him. “More of a coffee drinker myself,” Colin said, sipping half his drink in one swallow. He squinted at the teacup and cursed its small size. He would have liked a mug for all his hot beverage needs.

“Pity. Most people are. But my Mother got me into this drink when I was a child, and she drank it often enough that I sometimes wondered if it kept her sane,” he grinned at his own mention of his Mother. “I was the oldest of six children,” he explained before Colin questioned it.

“Wow,” Colin said, immediately thinking that this older man must have had a chaotic childhood. He had no frame of reference since Colin was an only child. “Sounds insane,” Colin said, finishing the small cup’s worth.

“It was,” he told him. “But Mother’s main source of pleasure came from her teas, and since I wanted to spend time with my mother, she shared,” he said, finishing his own cup and pouring them both another cup.

“So, Walker, tell me. Are you still heading for BriarThorn, or are you going to stay here for a time? The hero of the Town is more than welcome to stay for a time,” he said, sipping his cup.

“Yeah, my plans have not changed. I still need to head there for work and personal business, I can’t really put it off,” Colin told him.

“I understand, a little disappointed, but I understand,” the Elder nodded sagely. “When were you planning on leaving?”

“First thing in the morning,” Colin said. He took a moment to judge the time and figured that it was around three-ish in the afternoon, “yeah, tomorrow morning.”

“Well, one of the people you directly saved from the Scarecrow wanted to offer you some assistance. Mr. Ardeu, the man who was in the line up to join the Scarecrow’s abominations, came in while you were gone. He wanted to offer you something more tangible as thanks for his rescue,” the Elder took another drink from his tea.

“He wanted to offer you a ride to where you were heading next,” Elder Chavy informed Colin. “I did not tell him where you were going, not my place, but he feels like he owes you directly for his survival,” the Elder finished.

Just the idea of not having to walk to BriarThorn was impossible to resist. He nodded to the Elder, “please tell him that I would gladly accept a ride outta here. If he can leave tomorrow morning.”

“I will talk with him,” the Elder confirmed. “I also have your payment,” Elder Chevy pulled a bag from his belt that sounded like pennies jingling together.

“It’s not much, but here are 51 copper bits for you, and I have something extra for you. “The Elder stood from his seat and walked back to his bedroom. He came back with something that Colin recognized from the night before.

He handed Colin the Banjo and retook his seat, “while I couldn’t hear you. Some of the neighbors heard you playing last night, and we have no need for the instrument. It’s yours if you want it,” he offered.

“I think I will, thank you,” Colin said, his plans coming together in his mind. His only real wish was that this Banjo was a Guitar, but beggars can’t be choosers. He leaned the Banjo against the table and finished off his tea.

“Would you like another?” the Elder asked, grabbing the handle of the teapot. Ready to pour if needed.

“No, thank you,” Colin said, thinking about how he could be spending the rest of his day. “I think I have a few things I want to work on before I leave in the morning. Do you mind if I head back to where this fella came from?” Colin patted the Banjo.

“Go ahead,” the Elder agreed readily. “Oh, feel free to take any of his books if you want any. Otherwise, we are probably going to sell them to the next trader we see. We need to get the house ready for its next tenant,” the Elder said, pouring himself the remainder of the teapot.

“Really, that was quick,” Colin commented.

“Well, we were getting ready to build another house for a couple that had gotten married a few weeks back. As unfortunate as this is, we need to be pragmatic,” the Elder informed Colin.

“I’ll take a look at the books,” Colin told him. The Antagonist stood from his seat and extended a hand to the Elder. The other put the bag of copper into his pocket. “Thank you, Elder. May I join you for this evening’s dinner?”

“Of course!” he announced happily, taking the young man’s hand and shaking it. “Tonight, we are having Fried Chicken and Collard Greens, and it will be delicious,” the Elder said, a happy expression emphasizing his enthusiasm.

“Sounds like it,” Colin agreed. “Could you send someone to get me when it’s dinner time?” releasing his hold on the Elder, grabbing the Banjo, and moving towards the door.

“Of course,” the Elder said. “See you then.”

“Bye, Colin said, heading back to his current residence.

---

The next morning Colin left with the entire Town waving their hero away. Most of the people were smiling and cheering as he got on the cart that was ready for him when he got up in the morning. The one exception was Ms. Hurti, who was standing next to a young woman that he indeed recognized from when he stopped the Scarecrow. She was glaring daggers at him, and he simply ignored her. One upset person versus everyone else was okay.

According to his driver, if he had gone on foot, this trip would have taken two weeks. By cart, the trip took less than half that. The roads between Scutch Town and BriarThorn was one that was regularly patrolled by the national army. Hence, the two only had one dangerous encounter. Colin and his driver, a Mr. Francis Hork, had to go around a creature that Nox had suggested they avoid for a while.

He called it Honey Slime, and it was a sentient blob of golden brown syrup the size of a Clydesdale. Francis did not need to be told twice to go around the thing and was glad they did not get too close. Slimes were usually calm monsters unless hungry or provoked.

Any time the cart that he was riding in stopped, Colin took the opportunity to train his abilities.

He’d ignite and douse pieces of wood that he collected along the way until they were useless, or the MP cost to do so was too high to work with. He practiced his Frost Shaping skill and got a feel for the level of complexity that the skill afforded him the ability to make. He found that he could make a good dagger with it but was dismayed to find that it looked like an edged piece of an icicle. Colin also spent some time using his kinetic spells on anything that Knockback could move.

Over the course of the six-day trip to BriarThorn, Colin managed to level his Fire Magic Manipulation skill and Ignition subskill twice with Water Magic Manipulation and Frost Shaping only going up one. Between training, he read the books he bought in Willows Cross and the ones he took from the house back in Scutch Town. His primary focus was on the enchanting books and history books.

Why history? Colin had already discovered that the past of this world mattered when he found the Antagonist class AND when he got both the previous Demon Lord’s body and the weapon used to kill her. Knowing more about the past of this world could be very useful in finding more stuff. Not to mention that it might shed some light on what the One God Above All Others meant when it mentioned a door without knob or hinges. Just four locks.

By the end of the book, Colin felt like it had been a waste of time in that respect. There was no mention of any particular locked door without knob or hinges. That did not mean he didn’t learn anything interesting.

The first thing he learned was that there had been four full Demon Lords before his candidacy.

The First was named Ethanol. He was best known for destroying the country of Sageon, population, and landmass together, before the hero of his time stopped him. This forced everyone to change their maps since this country was smack in between the countries of Hyssop and Myrtle and two major seas.

The second was Demon Lady Sharbour, and she was best known for her victory over the combined armies of the Dwarves, Elfin, Humans, and Gnomes. She was killed not long after by the Hero Hurass, who was well known for completing impossible tasks.

The third was the Demon Lord Krvavý Hlad, also known as Kurve. His greatest feat involved eating enough Nightshade Dragons to almost wipe out the species and somehow gain its potent poisonous breath. It was said that he was a Sky Elf before becoming the Demon Lord, and his overall size was over double the average of his species. The battle that destroyed him involved a hero, and a Golden Dragon called Lenova.

The latest Demon Lady, Ari, was the one that I was familiar with. According to the book, everything that her magically saved ‘last will and testament’ said was accurate. She was most known for being a right pain in everyone’s ass. She kidnapped princesses, stole relics from kingdoms, pulled pranks on Generals and Kings during speeches. You know, messing with the strong and entitled. She was killed by the now-famous Hero Prince Erik in the now destroyed Old Willows Cross.

There were other details that he made a note of. Like how Gnomes were known for advancing technology compared to magic and the Elfin were the complete opposite. There had been several wars between the two involving the Dwarves siding with the Gnomes and the Elfin got assistance from the Human kingdoms. There was no victor, just a ceasefire that officially ended the war.

Colin learned many other pieces of information from the book, and when he finished the book, Colin had gotten a prompt.

You have gained a new skill, Knowledge: Lore level 3. You get a 3% increase in charisma when applying this knowledge near other people. Gather or discover more knowledge in this area to level this skill and get more detailed prompts towards anything related to history or Lore.

Colin was so glad he had taken the time to read that book. Literally, the next day, Colin and Francis got within sight of BriarThorn.

So far, all the two could see was a tall and thick looking gray stone wall with spikes along the top of the ramparts. The road they followed led right up to the tall, massive gate that stood ready to intercept them. A black banner hung from each side of the reinforced gate, a white silhouette of an Axe overlapping a shield, the symbol of the goddess Anaheim, fluttering gently in the breeze.

As they got close, a new prompt appeared.

This will be the first and only time the system will tell you when a knowledge skill is affecting your prompts. (knowledge: Lore) the city of BriarThorn is a city that has struggled over the years since its founding. Everything from the Vernali Plague to the Doppelganger Governor incident, this city has survived numerous things to get to where it is now. A haven for those who feel the call to arms and the pursuit of justice. This city is known for having the most unique temple in honor of their goddess, Anaheim.

Colin dismissed the tab and waited as they approached the gate. Four men, two in full armor, and two in simpler suits of metal guarded the entrance with pikes in hand and crossbows hanging from their belts.

Francis stopped the cart, and one of the simply armored guards approached, “business in BriarThorn?”

Francis started talking first. “A few things. Dropping this man off, picking up some supplies for my Town, and getting a new protection runes stone. Ours is running low,” Francis listed, waiting patiently as the Guard stared.

“What about you? What is your business here?” he asked, turning his attention from Francis to Colin.

“I was hoping to get into the Church of Anaheim, get some work, and maybe get some quests for the nearby region. I’m sort of an Adventurer,” Colin said, choosing his words carefully to avoid whatever means the man had to detect lies or untruths.

Your Deception skill is now level 4. The chance for people to believe your lies as increased by a small margin. The opportunity for lies to bring unexpected results has increased by a small margin.

The Guard stared at Colin for long seconds as if he could tell that something was off or wrong. He eventually slammed the back end of his pike into the ground several times before stepping away from the cart. “You may enter. Just know that any disorderly conduct, civil unrest, unprovoked conflict, or other unsavory behavior will result in your death or immediate expulsion from the city. Is that understood?”

Colin and Francic nodded in unison, and the Guard slammed his pike one more time.

The doors to the city opened and with the sound like rolling thunder accompanying it. Once the door was opened to its entirety, the Guard gestured with his pike for them to enter. That same Guard watching them as they did so.

The city inside reminded Colin of images from Paris in the late fourteen hundreds. Houses and buildings were made with offwhite colored brick, many of which were at least three stories tall near where the two men entered. Iron lamp posts with banners that matched the ones on the gate were spread around the area.

A little ahead of them were people working in a makeshift marketplace. Most of the stalls were mounted on hand carts or had a way to move wares nearby, all of them had their wares displayed prominently.

“Welcome to BriarThorn, Walker,” Francis announced, grinning at Colin.

“Thank you,” Colin said, returning the smile. “I think I’ll get off here,” he told Francis as he stood up from the cart’s bed. “Is there anything you need that I can help you with?”

“Nah, I just need to do some stuff. Nothing that I need your help for,” he lifted an arm and flexed it for Colin. “I’m still young, you know.”

“Oh, I know it,” Colin agreed. “Look, I do want to do something for you, so here.”

The man watched as Colin reached into a pocket and withdrew a single copper coin and handed it to Francis. He pushed it into the cart driver’s palm, “use it for food or a beer or whatever you want. You saved me time, Francis. I appreciate it,” Colin extended a hand. “See you around?”

The man actually teared up at Colin’s kindness and took the hand gratefully, “thank you. I hope we do. Please come by the Town if you are ever close by. We’d love to see you,” he said, pocketing the coin.

“We’ll see,” Colin nodded and turned away from the man.

He walked a few dozen paces away from the man he spent almost a week with and spoke, “how’re you doing, Nox?”

“Could be better,” he answered. “I’ve been in here for nearly a week, and your shadow is getting stuffy,” he moaned.

“Sorry, but since you won’t just let us teleport, I took the next best thing,” Colin jabbed at the Goblin. “Now, where is it?” he muttered, looking around for one building in particular.

“I’m not apologizing for not helping you flit about the world too easily. Part of growing in levels involves actual travel. Unless you want to become a serial killer, you need to go out and do things,” Nox explained grumpily.

“Alright, Nox. I’m gonna let you out now, but I need a favor,” Colin told him, still looking for his destination.

“What is it?” Nox asked. “If it requires actual work, you know what I’ll say.”

“Not until you get paid what I already owe you, I know, and I plan to look for those things tomorrow. No, this shouldn’t be too hard for one like yourself. You just need to see if you can find the thieves guild or the outlaw syndicate or anything like that. No contact, killing, or stealing. Just find out who I need to talk to. How does that sound?” Colin finished, looking down the street and finding a sign with the correct symbol.

“I reserve the right to charge you later, but now I just want some fresh air. Just find me a good spot to get out,” Nox agreed readily.

Colin changed direction almost instantly and walked past a stall towards an alleyway between two buildings. It was dark, smelly, and had several metal waste bins lining the walls.

Immediately, Nox appeared at his side and let out a massive, relaxed sigh. “Oh yeah, this is nice. Almost like getting shade and a breeze afternoon in a desert.”

“You know roughly where I will be?” Colin inquired.

“Yes,” Nox answered. Are you sure this plan will work? I know you worked on this, but your skill level still isn’t that high,” he asked, looking up at Colin.

“It should be fine,” Colin waved him off. “Even Francis said I was doing better when we went to bed last night.”

“It’s all due to that new ability you picked up, Nox informed him. “Simple guided practice, that’s all,” he reminded him.

“I am aware. Now go, I need to get there before it gets dark,” Colin said, looking up to find that the blue of the sky had gotten slightly darker.

“Good luck, DevilWalker. You may need it,” Nox said, sliding down into the shadows and out of Colin’s sight.

“Alright, Colin,” he said, mentally preparing himself. “You can do this, you’ve had gunfights with terrorist’s for god sakes,” he nodded and steeled himself.

Walking back out of the alley, Colin found one of the stall dealers who was hocking vegetables looking at him with a speculative look. She looked like the type of woman who was a nice sort of comfortably large woman wearing a peasant dress under a cardigan of all things “What were you doing down there?”

“Just hoping to find a bathroom, “Colin told the woman.

She arched an eyebrow, “down a waste alley?”

The name was a little literal for its purpose, but okay. “Yeah, I think I got turned around. First day here,” Colin admitted, rubbing the back of his head in false embarrassment.

“Ah,” she said, nodding in understanding. “The closest place to find a bathroom would be in the tavern just over there,” she said, pointing towards where Colin was heading.

“Oh. Thank you, miss.” Colin bowed his head just a little and waved his hand with a bit of a flourish.

A moment later, he stood up straight and made his way down to the tavern where the woman had pointed. He had almost tripped over a Gnome who’d walked past him but corrected himself quickly enough and paused.

Colin took a moment to take in the small humanoid in. He was as tall as Nox at maybe four feet tall, had ears with the slightest tip to them, and eyes slightly disproportionate to his head. The man wore a set of stained leather armor along with a set of revolvers at his hips. The firearms were a direct opposite of the sword it had on its back.

This was the first time Colin had seen a Gnome, and it was a little odd. If it had just been a small human, he wouldn’t have batted an eye. But with each difference, he found himself a little more weirded out by the gun-toting shorty.

“Oi,” the Gnome called, turning around to face Colin. “What are you looking at?” he asked, annoyed.

“You. Sorry about that, just haven’t seen a Gnome before,” Colin admitted with a shrug. “Sorry about that.”

The scowl over the Gnome’s face lightened immediately, “where do you come from?”

“Willows Cross.”

“Ah, that would do it. Mostly humans there,” the Gnome accepted. “Just try not to stare, we’re not freaks. Right?” he asked pointedly.

“Of course not,” Colin agreed readily.

“Good,” he said, turning away to leave. “Good luck.”

Shrugging at the exchange, Colin turned back to the door and stepped inside the tavern.

The building wasn’t as upscale as the Brewed Perfection back at Willows Cross, but it was still a tavern. A long bar sat against the back wall with a line of alcohol bottle shelved behind it. Tables of different sizes were spread throughout the room. A few patron’s even sat in them drinking before the dinner rush. Opposite the bar, a small elevated stage sat with a stool, and curtains ready to encircle the stage.

“Hello there, Stranger. Welcome to the Rema’s Outlook!” Called a pleasant-sounding tenor. Colin looked to the bar and found to people working behind it. One was a young woman who couldn’t have been any older than twenty and a man in an apron looking right at him. “What can I get you?”

“Actually, I was hoping you could help me. You see, I-” Colin started before the man raised a hand in a very definite stop signal.

“We don’t give handouts, we don’t hire new workers off the streets, and we definitely don’t let vagrants use the room. If it’s any of those, please leave,” the man said, turning to face the shelves of drinks behind him and check their amounts.

“Actually, it’s not,” Colin told him. The man turned a little to face Colin more appropriately. “I am a traveling Bard, and I was hoping you’d let me play for your tavern tonight,” Colin told him, producing the Banjo from his back. “If you like it you can pay me tomorrow. Tonight though, I would take a free meal if I bring in more business.”

The man stared at Colin, eyes squinting at the Banjo, “really? Your instrument of choice was a Banjo?”

“It’s what I could get at the time, sir,” he humbly told the man.

After a long moment of consideration, the man spoke, “Since the boss ain’t here tonight, I will agree to this. But if I think you suck, you get nothing,” he told Colin, his tone broking no discussion.

“But of course,” Colin said, smiling widely at the man. “Thank you for this opportunity.”