As the afternoon turns to dusk, the sun sets itself.

The gentle orange light covers the exterior wall of the city. The pavements and buildings of each street bounces of the orange illumination of the sun from their surfaces.

During this time, the brave adventurers of Agartha are erupting from the other side of the wall.

As per usual, after a busy day in the Dungeon, lives are lost and glory is gained. This is the ecosystem of the Dungeon. Everyone will go home with or without something.

I was supposed to head to the Dungeon today, but that Nue appeared.

Hopefully those that lost their lives earlier are given a proper burial but I think their bodies are too mangled to do such.

Some of those adventurers are losing whole limbs, I think even one of them was missing a head and was nowhere to be found. Probably in the dead monster’s belly.

Tomorrow is the weekly post of the Guild about the recent adventurers that just achieved a level-up. I’m expecting that the spotlight will shine on me directly and people will speculate my unusual achievement.

I better expect the worst.

Whole factions will target my head just to know my secret. Every single adventurer has a desire to become powerful the fastest way possible.

The problem is, even though I’m at level-2. My stats are level-1.

Krissa couldn’t even tell me how my stats were at negative. I was the first to ever acquire a negative stat. On top of that, all of them are negative.

To increase a stat, one must use techniques or moves that will exercise that stat.

For example, to increase the strength stat: you must use your strength like attacking enemies.

Blocking, receiving, or parrying attacks will net you defensive stats.

Doing a lot of dodging from enemy attacks will increase your agility stat. These are only a few examples.

The Dungeon isn’t the only way to increase stats, some prefer to train in their faction houses or sometimes alone in a secluded mountain.

The fact that I didn’t do any of these trainings is the reason why all my stats are at negative.

I only pulled a trigger on a monster.

I didn’t go to the Dungeon every day and slew monsters.

I didn’t wake up every day to lift weights to increase my strength.

I didn’t stretch myself to become more agile.

I didn’t study books to increase my intelligence in magic.

I just made a strong weapon and pulled its trigger.

I am a level-2 adventurer. But the weakest level-2 adventurer in the whole world.

The frustration is just killing me, the reason I made such a weapon is to help me explore the Dungeon but without it, I’m just an ordinary person.

Nothing special, nothing strong, nothing unbelievable.

It’s starting to get dark. The many adventurers that got back from the Dungeon are doing their daily routine: After the Dungeon, straight to the pubs.

The early moon was up in the sky, but the colour surrounding it is still dyed in an orange hue. The sun’s light was still visible but the early starts are starting to take over.

Well, I’m already outside.

I start heading towards East Exit. The familiar exit near the apartment complex. It’s funny that it’s just been 3 days since I first discovered that red tree, I’m curious to see how it is. I just hope there’s no landbears around.

The familiar city guard was still standing on the iron bar gate. He’s leaning with his spear on the entrance wall, looking bored. So bored that he has his arms crossed and he’s looking at his nails.

I must say, he must be very hygienic.

I pity him. Everyone is having fun dying in the Dungeon but he’s just sitting there going along with whatever boring duties he has due.

“Greetings, how are we this fine evening?”

I come up to him with a friendly approach, slightly waving my hand and giving an amiable smile. I do hope that he still remembers me.

“………”

I’m sure he noticed my presence just now, but he’s deliberately ignoring me. His eyes were still fixated on his fingers, the same aloof expression is hanging on his face.

“E-hem”

“Look I’m not allowed to—!!”

He stops mid-sentence and looks at me in surprise from head to toe. His jaw was hanging low and his eyelids are shot open but the pupils in his eyes were tiny. He looks like he has seen a ghost.

“Y-you!”

“M-me?”

“How are you still alive?!”

“…Excuse me?”

“Weren’t you getting tea leaves from Mrs. Hudson?”

“Yeah, I’m here to head outside again.”

“Wh-What?! Everyone thats trying to get those leaves died except for you!”

“Those damned landbears huh?”

“Yeah, they’re a pain to drive out of the city… Wait… you shall not pass this gate!”

“Oh come on, I’ll be out for just a jiff.”

“None shall pass without an exit pass.”

“Well… I’ll just go and call a little Mrs. Hudson I know…”

“O-oh, uh… did I say anything about no one can exit without a pass?”

“I’m pretty sure you didn’t.”

“Haha! Looks pretty good for a walk ain’t it?”

“It sure is, my fine man.”

He smiles at me awkwardly, a drip of sweat was coming down from his temple. I flash a smile back at him.

“Let me just get this gate right here… Yeah.”

He starts pulling on the handle of the crank lever attached to a rope that serves as a lock mechanism for the city wall’s gate.

He awkwardly smiles at me while he gestures me with his hands that the exit is now open, free for me to leave.

“I’ll stay right here alright? You give me a shout if you’re back.”

“You have my gratitude, fine sir.”

The iron bars slam behind me as I step into the open field.

Alas, the orange has turned to dark. The peeking eyes of the stars on the sky twinkles as it bounces to my eyes. The moonlight was touching every surface of the open field including my face. The serene feeling of the evening wind was stroking the flourishing trees, creating a tranquil sound that would make everyone’s heart at peace. Each step I take was producing the sound of rustling grass.

It was such an appeasing moment, to be in the open field and whiff the brilliant air that flows from north to south.

Letting my guard down wouldn’t be that dangerous. This placid environment would make the landbears lay on the grass and sleep.

I almost forgot the reason why I went outside, The Red Tree.

If you were to observe the peacefulness of the field, the first thing that your eyes will come across is the burning red tree with the ash-white trunk.

It stands out from the littering trees that populates the calm fields. The fiery look of its bushes doesn’t fit the setting, instead, it has its own beauty to exhibit.

Little did people know that the tree was deadly when caught by the own blaze it imitates.

What strikes me unusual is not the amazing display of the odd-tree, but the out of place silhouette that was sitting on the patches of grass. The figure has never been there the first time I visited the tree. The figure was arguably human at first glance, but I’m certain that it doesn’t mean harm.

The winds outside are a different take from the inside of the metropolitan city. I wouldn’t be surprised that some people would like to take a break from all the business and just breath and hear the gentleness of the fields.

With all the time in the world, I lightly took my steps forward the red tree.

As I close in the gap between me and the figure, we both start to recognize the familiarity between the two of us.

We’ve met each other.

Her brown hair wasn’t tied unlike the first time I laid my eyes on her. I could still remember the faint glimmer of her blue eyes, like the morning sky just earlier. Her perfectly symmetrical, well-defined face is easy to recognize by any adventurer in the whole of Agartha.

The person in front of me is Yerin Black, the Sword Princess.

Our eyes have met. My thoughts starts to recollect the events from the last few days.

Her beauty was like no other, but surprisingly, numerous scars were covering the lot of her face. Black spots were covering her left cheek,.

Is that a boot mark on her face?

The strength that was once beaming from her character was replaced with gloom.

Her expression was dark and sad. A word that fits her current state was depressed.

“…”

“…”

We stare at each other, surprisingly, there wasn’t a hint of awkwardness in the air. It was just me and her acknowledging each other’s presence under the serene beam of the moonlight and stars.

“…”

She looks away from me and towards the beaming moon. Her very blue eyes was reflecting the crescent white. Her steady breaths made her look like she was staying still. It was a beautiful sight to be seen; a beautiful lady being illuminated by the dazzling moon.

“… Ms. Black.”

Her eyes went back to me, but her lips were sealed tight and her gaze was only showing an expressionless state. She’s showing no signs of making light conversation, she only intends to listen but it doesn’t feel like she wants to be left alone.

“It looks like you’re being through a lot right now… and so am I. I just turned into level-2 today.”

“..?”

“Some of your scars doesn’t show that it’s been done by a monster. You’re one of the most remarkable adventurers in the City. The intention of committing physical abuse to you is for the suicidal… Except if they’re someone in high authority than you. Some of those are from your father, aren’t they?”

“..!”

“I have no intention in meddling with the events in your life, but hear my words. Follow the screams of your heart but always direct with your mind.”

“…”

“I arrived in this city without knowing anything about my past. I made it to level-2 because of this.”

I take the hefty weapon from its holster.

The barrel of the gun reflects the very light the moon shines on it.

“I don’t know what will happen to me in the city. I don’t know anything about the Dungeon and I went there, almost killing myself. Only to be saved by you.”

“……”

“I’m thankful for the deed you’ve done and I owe you my life. I don’t know what’s your father’s goal with you, but intuition tells me that he’s pushing you to be stronger. He wants you to rid of any emotions that wouldn’t turn you into the fierce warrior he wants you to be.”

“…”

“I’m only telling you to do what your very heart desires, but to always guide it with your mind. If I know anything, it would be that what makes someone a warrior is their emotion.”

“My mother…”

“Hm?”

“There was a great war in the City, 10 years ago. I was only 7 years old at that time. The City was invaded by the ones who call themselves the Marauders. They practiced a combination of curse and witchcraft magic to infuse their own blood with monsters. Giving them the ability to tame them and use them in battle. The attack was done from the very heart of the city. Nobody noticed the evil brewing from the very bowels of Agartha.

…

Mother died in that war.”

“…”

“It was one of the reasons why my father is obsessed of taking charge of the city. He wants revenge. The Marauders are still out there. They escaped when their forces was starting to be defeated by the adventurers but a third of Agartha’s population was claimed in the battle. This includes both the Marauders and the citizens themselves.

…

I want to avenge mother too, I want to become stronger… no, the strongest.”

“…”

I stand there in silence, I’m lost for words.

A struggling daughter under the corrupted retribution of her own father because of the death of her mother.

I don’t have anything else to say…

I bring my body near the tree and sat on the opposite side of the trunk from her.

Our faces could not make contact, we were both facing separate direction, divided by a tree in the middle.

“Thank you, by the way.”

“hm…?”

“I never really thanked you properly for saving my life.”

“Ah. Yes…”

“Why not make your own faction?”

“Huh…?”

“Your own faction, without your father. The Sword Princess, leading an army of adventurers against the Marauders.”

“My…own…faction?”

“Yes, let’s see… Sword faction? Blade faction?… or maybe the Princess Faction?..”

“Chuckle… The Princess Faction?”

“Yeah, It could be the first ever all-female faction in Agartha.”

“I never even wanted to be called the Sword Princess.”

“Really?…”

“Yes, people just started calling me that because I started holding a sword when I was 4.”

“You must be pretty sharp I guess.”

“You’re terrible…”

I can only imagine the look on her face right now. She must be pretty disappointed.

I hear the patches of grass starting to rustle, she seems to be standing up.

“I must take my leave. Goodbye…”

“Already?”

“If you didn’t make that horrible pun, maybe I would’ve considered staying a little longer.”

Without seeing her face, her light steps on the grass was slightly fading away to the distance.

I was left alone, with only the moon, stars, and wind accompanying my senses while I look up to the heavens.