The Dudu Bird

Limon did not demur and entered the fitting room with the mage robe in his embrace.

Since the mage robe was one-piece, it was not intricate to don. Merely ascertain the correct orientation and put it on.

Clad in the black mage robe, within the small fitting room, regarding himself in the mirror, Limon suddenly felt somewhat dashing.

The black mage robe was exceedingly smooth and supple, with some elaborate patterns engraved upon it, and a pointed wide-brimmed mage hat atop his head. The entire ensemble resembled a wizard from a novel.

When he donned the mage robe, Limon also sensed something rather peculiar emanating from it.

It was a perception of an invisible current, and the mage hat on his head also rendered Limon's spirits considerably more lucid.

"It's truly excellent..."

When Limon emerged from the fitting room and beheld Limon in his new attire, the proprietor's eyes immediately brightened and he extolled with a smile.

Praise notwithstanding, the proprietor did not overlook what he held in his hand.

While Limon was trying on the garments, the proprietor retrieved a staff from the weapon rack and grasped it.

"Hey, this is the sole variety of staff in our establishment."

The shopkeeper proffered the staff in his hand to Limon.

After accepting the staff from the shopkeeper, Limon gazed down at it.

The staff was approximately 1.2 meters in length and entirely brown, much like a polished branch.

"Arizela is situated within an oasis in the desert. There are no potent tree-shaped demons in the vicinity. The dearth of enchantment materials has resulted in the absence of high-level staffs in Arizela, only the most rudimentary brown wood staffs. Although the materials are inexpensive, the staff is engraved with 'focus' and 'listening' runes, making it a highly practical implement worth twenty gold coins."

Grasping the staff in his hand, Limon brandished it a few times.

Although it did not appear particularly impressive, the length was apt and it was rather convenient to wield.

Limon declared, "This will suffice."

There was but a single type of staff in the entire store, and Limon had no alternative for selection.

With a faint smile, the shopkeeper murmured, "A total of forty gold coins, thank you for your patronage." Forty gold coins...

When the final gold coin was extracted from the cloth bag, Limon exhaled a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, the funds were adequate to avert an unnecessary awkwardness.

With the shop owner observing, Limon, attired in a black robe, a pointed hat, and clutching a staff, exited the clothing store.

En route to the practice area, Limon fingered the now deflated cloth bag and emitted a faint sigh.

There was scant money remaining. If he did not promptly devise a means of generating income, it would be arduous for him to subsist in this trading city.

Limon was not overly perturbed. He was presently an adventurer and had a method of amassing wealth.

Dismissing his pecuniary concerns, Limon regarded some individuals in the rest area.

Level 13, level 15, level 16, level 19...

The information gleaned was circumscribed. He was ignorant of their names, only their levels and occupations.

There were a total of 13 people in the rest area, partitioned into 3 teams, of which three were solitary. Their levels were also the highest, 21, 24, and 26 respectively. There were four occupational classifications, namely warrior, magician, wind runner, and priest.

As for race...

Limon was unaware. Judging from appearances, there were three racial varieties.

The diminutive ones were, of course, elves. Arizela was the elves' native land. In this city, they were naturally the most plentiful. Among the thirteen people, four were elves, two priests and two mages. Their levels were not exceptionally elevated, the highest being 19 and the lowest 14. Then there were humans. They were all warriors, and their levels hovered around 20. There were also elvenkind. They had pointed ears and comely countenances. The males were handsome and the females beautiful. There were two professions, wind runners and mages.

Gazing at the counter, Limon discerned that Lalasa was a civilian, and her level was a mere 2.

This brought to mind Rhine. Rhine's level was only 3, and he was still a priest apprentice. His prospects were cause for concern.

However, this also reminded Limon of his own level. Although his vocation was a demon warlock, his level was a paltry 0.

Contemplating this, Limon realized he was the individual with the lowest level.

As if she had detected Limon's gaze, Lalasa waved to Limon, looking guileless and charming.

Nodding in response to the endearing Lalasa, Limon averted his gaze and hastened his steps towards the practice area.

For Limon, the most crucial task at present was to acquaint himself with his own capabilities.

That is, the two skills of the demon warlock, one being dark energy control and the other dark energy impact.

The so-called practice area was merely a spacious expanse, segregated by fences, forming one practice area after another.

Perhaps due to the hour, Limon did not espy anyone in the practice area.

The absence of others was preferable. Limon arbitrarily selected a practice area.

Arriving at the practice area, Limon stood in repose, a pensive expression gracing his face.

Although Limon had gradually acclimated to this world, magic remained overly alien to him.

Without comprehension, how could one speak of utilization?

However, since magic existed, there must be a means of employment.

With this in mind, Limon closed his eyes. Although he was uncertain of the procedure, Limon knew he ought to concentrate.

Listen...

feel...

What was there to listen for?

Limon was ignorant, but he could sense a power surging within his body.

It had always been present, as if awaiting Limon's summons, only he had not discovered the method of utilization.

After an extended interval, Limon opened his eyes, disappointment evident therein.

Although he could sense the existence of a particular power within his body, Limon could not ascertain the means of its employment.

With a thought, Limon opened the panel and perused the information thereon.

Gazing at the two skills in the skill bar, Limon's countenance assumed a contemplative mien.

Perhaps it was unnecessary to be so convoluted; he had overthought the matter...

With this realization, Limon focused his mind and silently intoned "dark energy control" in his heart.

Sure enough, when those four words were mentally recited, the power within his body abruptly surged forth and moved in accordance with his will.

Limon extended his right hand forward, and in the next instant, a dark power billowed out and instantaneously enveloped his entire hand.

It was black, like roiling fog, extremely dense. Although this power belonged to him, Limon also perceived darkness and malevolence, as well as corrupt thoughts from it.

It was as if there was some sort of voice murmuring in his ear, enticing him and endeavoring to make him succumb.

Confronted with the allurement, Limon was astonishingly rational, as if he were an onlooker and devoid of sentiment.

Limon grasped the staff in his left hand and waved it nonchalantly, mentally intoning "Dark Energy Impact".

The brown wooden staff flashed with a black radiance, and a sphere of black magic shot forth from its tip, resembling a roaring tempest. With a "whoosh", it traversed a distance of several dozen meters and struck the puppet in the distance.

"Crack!"

Upon contact, the puppet was instantaneously rent asunder. Then a green luminance flickered, and a green flame abruptly surged, accompanied by a violent detonation.

The potent shockwave swept in all directions, and the puppet fragments were strewn about.

When the explosion's flames engulfed the scattered debris, at the moment of contact, the puppet remnants burned with green flames and were reduced to ashes in an instant.

The fierce gale swept over an area with a radius of more than ten meters. When it buffeted the fence, the sturdy enclosure trembled.

Gazing blankly at the vacant and charred spot, Limon was greatly astonished.

Is it so formidable?

Limon promptly summoned the panel. Upon seeing it, he smiled wryly. It turned out that he had not managed it well. The initial 300 MP was now only 120.

In other words, he could only employ the dark energy impact with this potency once.

It shouldn't be difficult to control, Limon felt.

Without attempting again, Limon regained his composure and exited the practice area.

The clamor caused by the explosion might have drawn the attention of those outside.

Before being noticed, Limon had to depart the scene of the "crime" expeditiously. Limon didn't have much money left in his cloth bag. If Lalasa demanded compensation, he couldn't afford it.

In the hall outside, Limon approached the counter.

"It's you, hum, you look far more dashing in your new attire."

Beholding Limon in front of the counter, Lalasa's eyes brightened slightly. She cocked her head to regard Limon, whose bearing had altered significantly.

After observing for a while, she smiled and fluttered her small hand, saying, "Don't misunderstand. Lalasa adores gazing at handsome lads like you. If I don't look now, I fear I'll only be able to view tombstones in the future."

Limon regarded Lalasa with a furrowed brow.

She appeared so charming, yet her words left one at a loss for retort.

Lalasa didn't consider herself in the wrong. She waved her hand and said, "Alright, go outside the city to find Mr. Laradoa. He always has vexations. It shouldn't be overly arduous. It's highly suitable for you new adventurers."

"Mr. Laradoa is the proprietor of the Sandy Fishery. After exiting the city via the East Gate, proceed south along the post railway. There's a sentry tower on the edge of the oasis. You'll be able to spot the Sandy Fishery nearby."

At this juncture, Lalasa tilted her head in thought for a moment, then extended her small hand and retrieved a picture book from beneath the counter and handed it to Limon.

"Here, you're likely unfamiliar with Arizela. This atlas should prove useful to you."

Of course it was useful, and it arrived just in time.

Limon swiftly accepted the map from Lalasa and expressed his gratitude, "Thank you most sincerely."

Waving her hand, Lalasa smiled and said, "Don't be so ceremonious. If you can't locate Mr. Laradoa, I'll be rather perplexed. After all, the Adventurer's Guild is merely an intermediary. If the client is dissatisfied, I'll be extremely troubled. Hurry along, but you must arrive before nightfall."

Without further ado, Limon took the atlas and pivoted to depart.

"By the way, there's a bird stable adjacent to the Adventurer's Guild. You can rent one for travel."

Behind Limon, Lalasa reminded him considerately.

After leaving the Adventurer's Guild, the din outside intensified.

On the steps before the entrance, Limon opened the atlas in his hand.

This was a map of Arizela City, with each district clearly demarcated.

The large square in front of the Adventurer's Guild was termed the Golden Square. To the right was the market district, and in front was East City Avenue, which led directly to the East Gate. It was the principal entrance and exit for itinerant merchants and adventurers. To the left was the Chamber of Commerce area, the abode of various merchant guilds.

The atlas's contents were not solely a map. When Limon turned to the second page, he beheld some descriptions of Arizela.

Arizela was a trading metropolis situated in the southern desert of the Avenir continent. It was a gathering place for caravans. Owing to its amassed wealth, it was also dubbed the "Golden City".

Arizela's antecedent was a mining town. It had developed into a city-state with the assistance of merchant consortiums. Hence, in Arizela, merchants held an exalted status.

In the upper echelons of the regime, the Kingdom of Taklama was jointly administered by the Merchant Council and the Regodas royal family.

"No wonder it's a city where wealth reigns supreme." Observing this, Limon muttered.

There being no other valuable information, Limon stowed away the atlas.

This atlas was still highly serviceable. It chronicled many locations in the Star Wasteland. For any future travels, it could serve as a reference.

After pocketing the atlas, Limon descended the stairs and entered an alley beside the Adventurer's Guild as per Lalasa's instructions.

In the alley, Limon discovered the Dudu Bird Stable mentioned by Lalasa.

Before reaching the bird stable, Limon detected a noisome stench from afar.

Limon grasped why the Dudu Bird Stable was in such a secluded spot.

If situated on the thoroughfare, it would be an unpleasant experience for pedestrians.

The proprietor of the bird stable was a young man, attired in cloth, quite youthful, with pointed, furry ears, a melon-seed face, and sharp pupils resembling those of an animal.

Beholding Limon in a black robe, he greeted him with a smile.

He inquired deferentially, "So it's the adventurer. Are you here to rent a Dudu bird?"

Limon nodded. The reason he had come to this remote place was, of course, to make a purchase.

Perceiving that Limon was there to spend, the young man seemed overjoyed and said promptly, "Very well, adventurer. Wait a moment. I'll select a robust bird for you."

With that, the young man entered the bird stable, and his entry immediately elicited a chorus of "gurgling" bird calls.

After a brief tumult, the young man led a bird to Limon.

Is this the bird?

Gazing at the bird beside the young man, Limon exhibited curiosity.

It was approximately two meters in height, with yellow plumage and a relatively clean body. Its size also imparted an impression of great strength.

But its eyes seemed dull and witless.

There was a bird saddle on its back, and mounting it shouldn't prove difficult.

After paying a deposit of one gold coin, Limon received the bird from the young man.

Regarding the large creature before him, Limon reached out and stroked its head.

The response was rather docile. Uh... it should be said that there was no reaction whatsoever.