Chapter 147: Back to the city (2/2)

”You mean this black-haired boy?”

”Haha, then he really wasn't a ghost! I really did see him!” Robert laughed out with joy. He started to think he was seeing things. However, in the next moment, a thought came to mind, that didn't let him rest.

”How did he appear here? I swear, he was at that spot a moment ago, then he just vanished, Joyce! Simply vanished into the air!”

---

Aiden noticed as the chubby, balding middle-aged man pointed at him, discussing his sudden appearance at the end of the line, but he didn't really mind. In his opinion, he didn't do anything outrageous. Why would he be bothered by them? Besides, they looked good-natured, reminding him of the Nortons.

Thinking about them, Aiden's expression soured. How are they now? Did they manage to leave the temple, and got back to their lives? Maybe they left the city? Or, perhaps, they are still recuperating? He made a mental note about it, promising himself to visit them when he gets the chance.

Eventually, after a painfully long time it was finally Aiden's turn to pay the entry fee and after a short round of questioning, gained entrance to the city. Thinking back, he could have entered much quicker, using the same route that his master, Number 3 used. However, the reason he didn't, was that he didn't know if that was a special entrance and could be tracked by the group behind her. She did say that he should be careful, hinting about the group she was also a part of.

Stepping into the city, Aiden's first thought was to take a look at his system's map and use his [Dark Sense] to scan his surroundings. He walked to the side, so he wouldn't bother the people streaming in, and closed his eyes as he inhaled some air. Keeping it in for a moment, he exhaled, calming his nerves, and released a wave of an enhanced strand of energy to surge a large radius around him and check everything that he could in great detail.

As the information came flowing back to his mind, he smiled, as most of the things stayed the same as they were all those years ago when he first visited. He could also see the cart of the couple that entered before him was slowly waddled forward, towards the direction of the marketplace.

However, his first stop would be the building that Lily talked a lot about, the city's Adventurer's Guild, to register as a newbie. That was the best way to find clues about this mysterious Grotto that his main quest was about.

Since he didn't know where the place was, he decided that, for the time being, follow along with the couple, and see if he can ask someone or find some markers that would point him in the right direction. After all, the Guild Hall should be an important building in the city, easy to reach.

Slowly pacing forward, his thoughts once went back to the quest he received. Why is it that there's always a punishment added? Who and why is forcing him to play as they so desired? Why would he be even punished with death upon failure? These questions were sadly left unanswered, at least for the time being. He could only follow the whims of the system, he had no choice in the matter.

His thoughts were interrupted by a loud noise coming from a bit further ahead. Shaking his head, he looked at the commotion, and amidst the crowd, he saw the top of a familiar cart peeking through. His face turned serious, he sent out an empowered pulse of energy scanning all the life signs ahead.

Just as he thought the two familiar signals, the couple seemed to be in a quarrel with a larger group of signals. Equipping his white faceless mask, he moved ahead, listening in to what could have happened.

As he pushed forward in the crowd, he focused on their conversation as the situation slowly enfolded in front of his eyes. The cart was stopped, and a pudgy looking man with a group of mercenaries around him blocked the way and stopped the cart.

”Robert, I told you to not come back to this city anymore. You are not welcome here, especially after you tried to cheat on our poor citizens!” The pudgy, mustached guy sneered as he loudly, theatrically exclaimed more to the crowd than to the couple sitting on the cart.

”What are you talking about, Mr. Fallow? What are you accusing us of? You tried to coerce us to sell our wares to you for almost nothing! Now, you come and block our way with your thugs in broad daylight? Have you no shame?” Instead of Robert, his wife, Joyce shouted angrily at the man ahead.

The cruel smirk not fading from his face, the pudgy guy, Mr. Fallow pointed towards the couple.

”We, the good citizens of Higrove will not listen to your lies anymore! You might as well have some stolen or illegal wares in your cart. My men and I will take on the responsibility and assist the guards!”