[74] There's always something VI

Upon reaching the mainland, specifically at West Port, Levi and Alex headed straight to the guild to sell the parts of the Coral Serpent they had successfully defeated. The process of handing over evidence and verification was swift, given their reputation as skilled fighters. Once everything was done, they received a significant sum of money as a reward for completing the quest. The amount was substantial, reflecting the level of difficulty they had faced on the open sea.

After receiving the money, a representative of the ship's captain approached them at the guild. His face was filled with deep gratitude. "The captain invites both of you to come to the bar near the guild. He wants to treat you as a token of thanks for saving our ship with minimal loss," he said with a broad smile.

Levi and Alex exchanged glances. Alex, with an irrepressible enthusiasm, immediately agreed. "Of course! Who could refuse a treat after such a great battle?" he said, urging Levi out of the guild.

At the bar, the atmosphere was warm and lively. The sailors they had saved were gathered there, and the room was filled with laughter and tales of battle. When Levi and Alex entered, they were met with applause and cheers. The ship's captain, a middle-aged man with a thick beard and eyes full of respect, stood from his seat and greeted them with a warm embrace.

"Hahaha~ Impressive! This is the first time I've fought alongside a Water God practitioner, and it was truly remarkable!" Alex said excitedly, raising his glass of beer. His face beamed with the enthusiasm that only a fresh battle could bring. "I always thought most of them only knew how to defend, but you were able to adapt to my sword techniques and create a fantastic combo! I must admit, you're different from most Water God practitioners. In fact, the technique you modified seemed more effective and sharp than what I've usually seen."

Levi, who preferred to keep himself composed and not get carried away by the moment, only sighed softly as he listened to Alex's praise. Nevertheless, he couldn't hide a slight hint of satisfaction at the corner of his lips. It wasn't the praise itself that pleased him, but rather the fact that his hard work and dedication in developing the modified technique had proven successful in real combat.

The ship's captain poured drinks for both of them. "You two are the saviours of our ship, and I can't thank you enough," he said, raising his glass. "Here's to you, and to the Coral Serpent that will no longer plague these seas!"

Cheers erupted once again, and everyone in the bar raised their glasses, toasting to their victory. That night, under the dim lights of the bar, Levi and Alex celebrated their triumph in the simplest yet most meaningful way—by sharing stories, laughter, and a sense of camaraderie that only comes from facing danger together.

Since that incident, Levi found himself constantly involved with Alex. They were inseparable for a full two months, embarking on various adventures and facing dangers together. Although Levi was initially reluctant, their relationship developed into an unspoken friendship. However, everything had to change when Alex received a summons to return to the Northern God headquarters in the Dragon King Kingdom. Duty and responsibility called him home.

Curiously, Levi decided to join him. However, his decision wasn't driven by a desire to stay with Alex, but rather by a letter he had unexpectedly received.

Levi opened the letter again, his eyes carefully scanning every word:

"Greetings, Levi! I'm Raphael, the acting CEO of Costatine. I've heard much about you from Ash, and finally, we're able to connect. I apologise if this is sudden, but could I ask for your help? Of course, I'll pay you accordingly. You just need to go to the Dragon King Kingdom and meet Billy at the following location. Tell him that you were sent by me. That's all from me."

The letter was very formal, the tone typically used in business collaborations. Levi sat in an inn at East Port, holding the letter in both hands, pondering the decision he was about to make. All this time, Levi knew that Costatine was a rapidly growing company in the Asura Kingdom. The company was founded by Ash, his mentor who had been guiding and training him. Raphael, mentioned in the letter, was one of Ash's closest friends and the person entrusted to manage the company.

Levi took a deep breath, reflecting on everything he had been through. Helping Costatine meant helping Ash, someone who had given him so much knowledge and opportunity. Levi had no strong reason to remain in East Port, especially after all he had experienced. Perhaps it was time to move on, take on new challenges, and find out what Raphael and Ash really wanted to convey through this letter.

"Besides, I have nothing left in this place. It's time for me to move elsewhere," he thought to himself, his eyes still fixed on the letter. The decision began to form in his mind, and he knew that the journey to the Dragon King Kingdom would be a new chapter in his life.

---

At the entrance of the fortress stood Alex, casually dressed in his usual attire. He wore light leather armour designed for high mobility, allowing him to move freely without sacrificing protection. The armour was a deep brown, with an oily sheen that made it appear darker under the sunlight. Small metal plates adorned the shoulders and chest, giving the impression that, despite its lightness, the armour was strong enough to withstand light attacks. A pair of leather gloves lined with thin metal protected his hands, while dusty leather boots added to the image of a seasoned adventurer. Alex's dark brown hair flowed loosely over his shoulders, swaying gently with every breeze. A cheerful smile adorned his face, his eyes sparkling with the enthusiasm of a young man ready to face any challenge.

Beside him, Levi stood with a calmer and more calculated stance. His appearance was vastly different from Alex's. He wore all-black clothing made of strong yet flexible fabric, allowing him to move freely without drawing attention. His coat, which extended to his knees, fluttered gently in the wind passing through the fortress. Beneath the coat, a large belt encircled his waist, where a dark-coloured sword scabbard hung, blending seamlessly with his overall appearance. Levi's face was serious, with sharp eyes that constantly surveyed his surroundings. His dark blue hair was neatly combed back, revealing a slender yet determined face. Although his frame was smaller and slimmer than Alex's, an aura of confidence and calm radiated from him.

"I'm flattered you decided to follow me. I thought you were the type to act indifferent when a friend leaves," Alex teased, nudging Levi's arm with his elbow, a wide grin spread across his face.

Levi stopped in his tracks for a moment, giving Alex a sharp, cynical look. "Tch, this isn't for you. I happened to get a job in the Dragon King Kingdom, and it's in the same place as your destination. Don't get too full of yourself," he replied coldly.

Alex chuckled softly, unfazed by Levi's sharp gaze. "Oops, I didn't know you were such a tsundere," he said playfully, trying to catch a glimpse of Levi's perpetually serious expression.

But as soon as the words left his mouth, Alex felt a different kind of pressure. Levi's usually calm gaze turned into a sharp knife that stabbed directly into his heart, causing him to take a small step back.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry," Alex said, raising his hands in surrender, still trying to smile despite the slight awkwardness. "Haah, could you at least appreciate my humour a little?"

Levi merely snorted softly, his face showing no signs of softening. "No," he answered curtly, then resumed walking without looking back.

"Well, that's just how he is," Alex muttered to himself, scratching his head in mild frustration. He quickly chased after Levi, who had already started walking ahead. "Hey, wait up!" he called out in a slightly panicked voice, afraid of being left behind by his notoriously impatient friend.