A New Route

Zeo took in his surroundings with anguish after burying his mother close to the debris of his house. Although he had laid three stones as a tribute to her, all he felt was a horrible feeling of emptiness.

Hearing his hometown's victory cries brought back terrible memories of what he had been forced to give up. He was so sad that he didn't even attempt to celebrate his motherland's triumph.

Instead, he remained silently beside his mother's grave, mourning her death.

The only thing he'd eaten lately was a piece of bread, which prompted his stomach to grumble. This was before he went food shopping this morning. The food strewn around from the damaged home has either gone bad or been consumed by the crow.

"Mother will withdraw money from the stockpile to refill the kitchen when we don't have enough food," Zeo reasoned.

Zeo felt a surge of despair rush over him as he looked through the remains of his house. He knew he would need money to survive since he was hungry.

Zeo prayed that his late mother had kept part of the money she had gotten from his father and that it would be sufficient to support his daily costs. They would get the monies monthly.

Working his way through the debris one by one until both of his hands were covered in cuts and blood, he located the stockpile.

Zeo opened the hoard with shaky hands and counted the gold coins within. There were a total of 173 coins.

He complimented his mother for having the wisdom to preserve the money, even though he had no clue how long it would last him. He was fully aware that he would have been in an even more perilous position if he hadn't been able to secure these monies.

Because they have only been in town for a few months, his family has few acquaintances among the locals. He recalled his mother's comments to him, which were always the same: "Zeo, in this time of war, it's difficult to trust other people."

"People are eager to murder each other for more money and food. As a consequence, it is a wise financial practice to save any excess funds. Any hint of money will simply make you a target, jeopardizing your life."

"Because jealous eyes are constantly on the lookout, it is vital to be cautious about where and how one chooses to show their money."

"It is vital to constantly be aware of your surroundings and use extra care while dealing with money. People will go to tremendous lengths to steal from individuals with more money than they should."

"Even the most trustworthy people may become victims in these situations. If you have more money than you should, a little error in the wrong location might have significant ramifications."

His mother recalls him and warns him that he shouldn't show off to other street kids the coins he obtained from grocery shopping that he used to purchase sweets.

Just now, his mother appeared happy. He was requested to go to the grocery shop alone since she was too preoccupied cooking enormous dinners. Why was his mother cheerful in the morning? He, too, is unable to answer.

Despite his stomach grumbling and thunder booming, he strolled toward town.

Zeo was disheveled and clad in damp clothes as he approached the bar. As soon as he stepped inside the pub, he sat at the counter and asked the bartender for spaghetti meatballs and milk.

The bartender's query, "Where are your parents?" caught him off guard.

"Dead," Zeo murmured, with his sad voice.

The bartender invited Zeo behind the counter since he felt sorry for him.

He gave him complimentary spaghetti and milk.

When the bartender inquired about Zeo's family in the region, he answered with a mournful face that he did not have any other family in the town.

His sole family was his mother, and he hadn't seen his father since he was two years old .

He hadn't spoken to him since. He had no clue where his father was; therefore, he was alone with his mother.

The bartender questioned Zeo's future intentions since he felt sorry for him.

Zeo's voice was wrathful as he stated his plan to assassinate Commander Fang.

The bartender was shocked hearing it. After all, Commander Fang had just liberated their town from the enemy's clutches; why would anybody desire vengeance on him?

Fortunately, the bartender had already taken Zeo out of the establishment before the discussion started, keeping him away from the other customers celebrating their triumph.

Zeo then informed the bartender about everything that had occurred to him. Even in this scenario, the bartender could only listen; he had no idea who was right or wrong.

Finally, Zeo approached the bartender and inquired if any competent fighters in the region might teach him how to become strong enough to carry out his revenge. It's astonishing to find that this individual desired retaliation against a hero!

The bartender chuckled and shook his head as he considered the boy's request.

"How much do you charge, kind sir, for the knowledge and the meal?" Zeo tore open the gold packet and handed it to the bartender.

When the bartender saw the gold bundle Zeo had brought with him, he was taken aback.

But, just when his drive for fortune was about to overpower him, he recalled the youngster in front of him.

"Okay, young fellow, it will only cost you one gold, but the lunch is free, as I already mentioned. However, the next time you do this, don't show your money in public. You're too fragile right now boy to defend anybody or anything around you; luckily, you've met me."

"Turn right down the alley behind my bar and keep going until you see a tent. There is a wasteful guy who lives there. Nobody believed him when he claimed to be the strongest of his generation. He'd already fought 20 street goons on his own. Nobody since has had the guts to piss on him. I wouldn't let him be in debt to me if it wasn't for his strength and the fact that he comes here once a day every week to drink without paying."

"Because he owes me, please inform him that Bartender Dyson sends his compliments if you see him again. I'm still curious about what other abilities he has other than battle. However, having known him for a few months, he is a nice young lad."

Zeo sat upright and fell into deep concentration as he overheard the bartender make a joke about the man. He considered the possibility that it was a hoax to take money from him. Simultaneously, he was segregated from the rest of the populace.

On the other hand, Zeo realized that this was the only way he could pursue retribution, so he opted to gamble on it. If the bartender was speaking the truth, Zeo understood he didn't have an option but to follow his destiny.

But if it wasn't, he didn't see why he should remain here. He considered every possible result. But, in the end, Zeo had to choose between getting closer to his objective and ending up in the worst predicament conceivable.

"The bartender brought me some tasty meal and a milk drink, entirely ignorant that I was holding gold coins. As a consequence, he had a better probability of speaking the truth. Let us place a bet on it ".

Zeo thanked the bartender and swiftly proceeded in the direction indicated.