Meeting

'Mom… I'm finally an adventurer."

"Huh?"

Cole's thoughts were interrupted by a small swarm of adventurers who had been spectating. The applause of the guild members gradually drew a small swarm of adventurers that surrounded him after witnessing Cole's spectacle.

"Ace moves, my guy! You handled those fire spells like they were a summer's breeze!"

Compliments flowed in a clichéd manner, praising his skills with the blade and noting the impressive display during the spar with Gideon.

"Good with your hands, ain't ya? Need a partner for the next quest?"

For Cole, this sudden attention was overwhelming. 

'This feels rather… uncomfortable.'

Accustomed to solitude and the shadows, he found the praise awkward and something he wasn't used to. 

The words of admiration felt foreign to him, and his response was a mix of awkward nods and mumbled thanks.

"How did you get such physical abilities?" 

A question came that got Cole's attention and he couldn't help but scratch the back of his head nervously, his cheeks slightly flushed. 

"Uh, well, I try my best, I guess."

Aeliana, on the other hand, reveled in the attention bestowed upon her party member.

"Isn't he incredible? Our newest party member!"

The more she celebrated, the more the swarm of adventurers joined in, creating an impromptu celebration that spread life through the guild arena.

Amidst the cheerful chaos, Aeliana and Cole made their way back inside the building and to the reception desk, where a young and pretty receptionist awaited them. 

Her smile was warm and welcoming as she extended a congratulations to Cole.

"Cole Deimos, congratulations on becoming a fully-fledged adventurer," she said, presenting him with an Adventurer ID card.

Cole's eyes couldn't help but shine as he marveled at the small piece of plastic in his hands.

As he lifted the card to the sky, Aeliana's eyes widened, and she gasped in shock.

"C-Rank Adventurer?!"

 Aeliana exclaimed, her voice carrying a mix of disbelief and excitement.

Cole, taken aback by the revelation, could only whisper a short, "Whoa..."

And instead, Aeliana's celebration reached new heights as she jumped around, exclaiming "Yay, yay, yay!" repeatedly. 

Her excitement seemed to overshadow the accomplishment itself, but Cole couldn't help but crack a small smile at her infectious energy.

"Haha…"

'Maybe having someone to be happy for you isn't half-bad…'

Cole thought, storing the card in his bag safely as a small feeling of warmth gurgled within the pit of his stomach.

Not wasting any time and leaving the guild as the day began to near its end, they made their way to the renovated inn her party had reserved. 

The setting sun cast a warm glow over the streets as they walked. 

Cole, feeling a sense of accomplishment, looked at Aeliana.

"Thank you, Aeliana. If it weren't for you, I would've remained the same."

'It's the truth. I probably would've just wandered off aimlessly if I didn't meet her and that party in Elyndor.'

Aeliana grinned, waving off his gratitude nonchalantly with a sigh of his lips in a comical matter. 

"Meh, meh, don't mind it. Just helping out a fellow aspiring adventurer."

'Aspiring adventurer…? I shouldn't bother too much with the small details.'

The term 'aspiring adventurer' triggered a question in Cole's mind, but he decided not to pursue it further. 

As they approached the inn, its name, "Twilight Haven," shimmered in the fading daylight.

Entering the inn, they gathered information from the desk lady and navigated through the halls. 

Aeliana nonchalantly provided Cole with the details of his room.

"Then, Cole, your room's number is sixteen. We've already reserved it, so no need to worry about anything."

"I see, sorry for being such a burden--"

"No, you're no burden whatsoever. I just want to help you..."

Aeliana's voice trailed off, and Cole sensed an unspoken sentiment. 

A bitter realization hit him – she was doing it out of pity. 

"I see. Thank you."

"Good night."

With stiff words, the conversation came to an abrupt end, and they departed to their respective rooms without wasting any time.

Taking hold of the room key properly, he inserted it into the lock and turned it towards the left.

Clack!

The lock cracked and pushing down the handle, Cole entered the reserved chamber.

In his room, Cole took in the simplicity– wooden furniture, a bed, a small drawer, and a chair. 

'Quite simple, but considering the world should've ended a few months ago, this can be considered quite the luxury.'

Taking into consideration the current state of the world, political, economic, and whatnot, Cole entered the bed, relishing the softness as if it were the first time he had slept on one throughout his life.

'Blah, it feels like it's been years since I last rested my body on something as soft as this…' 

He trailed off in his mind, disregarding the fact that the seats they had in their carriages were quite comfortable and plushy to rest on.

With his arms behind his back and his body covered by the blankets, Cole began to recall the events of the day, or rather, since the moment he regained his consciousness back in the forest next to Elyndor.

'Where was I? I couldn't have simply disappeared for two to three months with a blank mind and suddenly have reappeared here…'

'There's too much I don't know and a whole other bunch of stuff that doesn't make sense.'

As he lay there, his final thoughts of the day drifting in, the room dissolved into darkness, and Cole felt a disconnect from his physical body. 

Finally, he was asleep, swallowed by the sweet darkness of slumber.

Or so it should've felt like that until he noticed that he was still aware, in darkness.

'What exactly…'

Not even finishing his thoughts, he attempted to touch his skin, although, it was a futile attempt as his hand passed right through his body as if he were a mere specter. 

Then, it happened again.

A mysterious voice echoed.

"Ya there, Angel of Destruction... We finally meet."

The voice sent goosebumps down Cole's spine, such a shiver that he could never mistake that presence for another.