The Inn

A while later, Kayden stepped out of the room and found himself standing in a dimly lit corridor. The flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows along the walls.

Taking in his surroundings, his eyes scanned both ends of the corridor. He saw that it had only one way out, the other side leading to a dead end where a wall stood.

Curiosity tugging at him, he arrived at a landing where stairs led down. Before starting to descend the flight of worn steps. The steps creaked under his weight, echoing in the narrow stairwell. As he finally reached the bottom, a wooden door appeared before him.

Kayden pushed the door open, revealing a bustling scene that engulfed him. The door swung wide, allowing the lively sounds and aromas to flood his senses.

Before him stretched a spacious dining area, alive with activity. Rough-hewn wooden tables were scattered across the room, filled with patrons engrossed in their conversations and merriment.

Laughter echoed through the air, punctuated by the clinking of mugs and the merry toasts of men. The room was alive with the energy of camaraderie and revelry, and the scent of hearty food wafted from the kitchen.

'Where the hell am I?' Momentarily taken aback by the vibrant atmosphere, Kayden's eyes searched for a moment of respite.

"Do you need anything, sir?" A voice, friendly and welcoming, cut through the din and drew his attention.

He turned toward the source, finding a slightly chubby, middle-aged man approaching him. The man, who seemed to be the innkeeper, held a rag in his hands, which he used to wipe a mug with practiced ease.

Kayden shook his head, his gaze flickering with curiosity. "No, thanks. I'm just going for a walk."

"Great," the innkeeper responded with a nod, placing the now dry mug on a shelf behind him. "Enjoy your stroll. And remember not to lose your room key."

"The key?" Kayden's brow furrowed, perplexed by the mention of a key.

Picking up on his confusion, the innkeeper chuckled softly. "Yes, sir, the room key you paid for yesterday for a seven-day stay. Surely you remember?"

Kayden's thoughts raced, connecting the dots. 'Seven days…That's how long the Trial will last, could this be an arrangement for the participants to have accommodation during it?'

He pondered this revelation, his gaze narrowed on the innkeeper's hands. No engravings adorned them, indicating that he was not one of the participants.

As to whether he was a real person or not, it was not important to Kayden at that moment.

"Oh, sure, I'll make sure I keep it safe," Kayden said, before heading for the exit.

While he made his way through the crowded room toward the door, Kayden felt eyes upon him. Hostile glances bore into his back several times, tinged with challenge.

Observing those who were looking at him with malicious intent, he noticed the red engraving on their hands, discovering that they were participants too.

Undeterred, he cast a defiant look over his shoulder, an unspoken invitation for confrontation.

The participants who had regarded him with animosity seethed with anger, but their resolve faltered, unwilling to risk failure on the very first day of the Trial.

After leaving the inn, Kayden surveyed the view in front of him.

He was on a cobblestone street in an unsophisticated manner. Various stalls, with different people selling their products, filled it.

Kayden began walking down the street as he looked at the surroundings curiously.

He was once again fascinated by the mystical powers that cultivation could have.

A few minutes ago, he was at the Stardust base and now, here he was, in what looked like a small medieval town in a fantasy world.

'I shouldn't waste more time,' he thought, after walking for some minutes.

He needed to find a task in order to start improving his engraving as soon as possible.

Even though he could also fight other participants to improve the engraving, Kayden did not want to get involved in a fight when there were so many participants in the Trial.

The only thing he would achieve by fighting now would be to risk being attacked by surprise.

"Excuse me, sir," a high-pitched voice caught Kayden's attention.

A girl that appeared to be around twelve years old looked at him with pitiful eyes. The disheveled blond hair cascaded over her shoulders, dulled by dirt and neglect. Her fragile hands bore scars and calluses, signs of a harsh life unbecoming in such a young girl.

"Could you help me, please?" She pleaded, a glimmer of hope in her voice.

Although Kayden could see that the girl definitely needed help, he was unwilling to help her. He had sworn that he was going to live only for himself, and helping the girl would hinder his progress on the Trial.

"Sorry…"

The girl's face became even paler than it already was when she heard Kayden's response.

'Wait, doesn't this sound like a task?' Kayden thought, realizing that the wooden board did not mention at any point how the tasks would be obtained.

After a moment of hesitation, he decided to take the risk.

Seeing the downhearted girl already walking away, he quickly closed the gap between them.

"Sorry, I had my mind on other things. What do you need help with?" Kayden said, causing her expression to change to one of joy as she hurried to answer him, fearing he would change his mind.

"Thank you, sir!" She exclaimed. "I need your help to hunt a few animals so me and my brother can eat."

"All right," Kayden answered before remembering something. "But I don't have a weapon, how will I hunt?"

"Don't worry, sir. We have a sword at our house," she reassured, clutching his shirt tightly, afraid that Kayden would refuse.

'What kind of sword could a girl who doesn't even have money to buy food have?' Kayden thought wryly.

Taking a sigh, he replied, "Okay, lead the way."

"Thanks, sir!" She uttered in excitement, as she started to walk down the street.

Kayden followed her, hoping he had not made the wrong decision, and that this was indeed a task.