The day passed in the medieval equivalent of partying, very much like the time Dallion had first awakened. There was lots of food, by local standards, a healthy number of people, as well as lots of talk and laughter. However, it also seemed different. Lacking the echo, Dallion could feel the fakeness of it all, as if he had been put in a tv drama in which everyone played their own roles. The smiles seemed fake, the questions seemed shallow, even the people’s reactions appeared predictable, almost rehearsed.

Dallion’s mother was the only exception. Only now was he able to see her actual degree of sadness. When he left the village, he thought that she was just being quiet. Now, he could see the truth beyond that.

“What happened to the beast?” Dallion’s father asked. “Did you skin it?”

“Others did, not me.”

Dallion had long since stopped correcting that he hadn’t gone hunting some wild animal, but an awakened monstrosity. Ultimately, there was no point. The echoes had done their task, changing the perception of events in real time.

The massive hunting party became a group of neighboring villagers, the Dame—a village chief’s sister. As for the chainling itself it varied between a wolf, bear, or a really large wolf. In the eyes of Dallion’s family and neighbors, he had merely helped out the Luor family deal with a local nuisance outside the village.

“I liked the story with the monster better,” Lin pouted. For some reason, he was one of the few who remembered the original story. Maybe it had to do with his age, or the child really had an active imagination.

“Yep, the creature was a great monster.” Dallion winked. “And tomorrow I’ll tell you about it more, but now I must go out for a bit.”

“Go out?” All the cheer suddenly stopped as everyone stared at him. “What do you mean, son?”

“Oh, I just wanted to walk about the village a bit before I went to bed. Nothing to worry about. I feel as if I haven’t been here for so long that I want to get to know it again.”

“Right, right.” The large smile returned to his father’s face. “Yeah. I remember when I first went on a hunt to catch a boar it felt like I’d been gone for days.”

Most likely you were, Dallion though keeping the smile on his face. You probably went to a neighboring village, but have forgotten. I’ll make sure you remember soon.

From what Dallion had learned during the hunt, Dherma was the only village to be so isolated. It had been decades since people frequently went from one village to another. At present that luxury was reserved only for the Luor family and their counterparts. It came to no surprise that the other village chiefs were in control of their villages, but only Luor had turned into a petty tyrant.

“Yeah,” Dallion let out a clumsy laugh. “Leave some food for me? I might have another bite when I come back?”

“Of course,” Dallion’s mother nodded. “Just… take care of yourself, okay? It’s after dark. I don’t want you to come back too late.”

You suspect something, don’t you? “Sure thing, mom.” Dallion got up from the table. “Lin, I promise to tell you more stories tomorrow. Okay?”

“Yay! Thanks, brother! You’re the best!”

“That’s what big brothers are for.”

With a smile and a wave, Dallion quickly left the room. Once outside, he could finally let out a sigh of relief. At least he didn’t have to pretend anymore, and if all went well by tomorrow evening no one else would have to pretend either.

Making sure that no one was watching him, Dallion made his way out of the village and to the river. From there he sprinted to the cave of the awakening shrine. All the way, he wondered if he’d find Gloria there. The girl was good at sneaking out of her home just as much as he was. Unfortunately, when Dallion entered the chamber, he found that he was the only one.

Maybe it’s better this way, Dallion thought, and placed his hand on the altar.

You are in a small Awakening shrine.

Complete the trial to improve your destiny.

“I’m back,” Dallion said out loud. He had no idea what would happen, but he just felt like doing it.

The awakened space of the shrine felt simplistic compared to the gyms he had been training at. The difference was more than apparent. This was a low-level awakening shrine that didn’t even reach double digits. Even so, there were a few levels to be obtained here.

Dallion took the dartbow out from his holster, then turned around and walked towards the pair of columns in front of him. A very familiar archway with the roman number four appeared.

Time to see how much I’ve improved, Dallion stepped through.

Shrine trial 4 chosen!

Prepare for combat!

Sand dunes formed around him as far as the eye could see. All that remained was for the sand dragon to appear.

“Darude sandstorm dragon,” Dallion chuckled to himself. Back when he had helped Gloria defeat it, it had seemed like such a vast achievement. Since then he had made many attempts to best the guardian on his own, none of them successful.

SHRINE GUARDIAN

Species: DRAGON

Class: SAND

Statistics: UNKNOWN

Skills:

SANDSTORM SANDSWIM SANDWAVE

Weak Spots: EYES

A white rectangle appeared over a sand dune. Moments later, the massive form of the sandstorm dragon emerged. The monster glared at Dallion, massive eyes gleaming with the confidence of one who had remained undefeated.

“It’s me again.” Dallion smiled. “Fancy another attempt?”

The sand dragon roared, filling the surrounding air with fine dust.

COMBAT INITIATED

Dallion didn’t waste time with poses. Following the ranged attack marker, he aimed at the dragon’s eye and squeezed the trigger, then again, and again. Three bolts shot hitting their target with deadly accuracy.

CRITICAL STRIKE

Dealt damage was increased by 150%

CRITICAL STRIKE

Dealt damage was increased by 150%

CRITICAL STRIKE

Dealt damage was increased by 150%

You didn’t block or evade? Dallion wondered. His initial shots were only meant to provoke the guardian so that Dallion gained an advantage for his following attack. Instead, he had actually dealt damage? Well, he definitely wasn’t going to put this to waste. Without hesitation, he aimed at the other eye and shot three times more.

CRITICAL STRIKE

Dealt damage was increased by 150%

CRITICAL STRIKE

Dealt damage was increased by 150%

CRITICAL STRIKE

Dealt damage was increased by 150%

The dragon let out another roar. Dallion quickly shielded his upper torso with his buckler. Instead of attacking, however, the guardian dropped to the ground like a giant sack of potatoes.

You have broken through your fourth barrier.

A blue rectangle appeared.

“Err, okay?” This is ridiculous!

The dragon that had seemed like a brick wall, the same that had stressed out Dallion for days, had been killed with six shots just like that? How could this happen?

“I guess this might take less time than I thought…”