Eternal Rest

Silva anticipated that someone would eventually discover the tunnels and investigate them, so when he realized the necromancer couldn't hold his own, he promptly had Tivaara booby-trap the tunnels with the remaining mana bombs. The outcome was devastating—or fantastic, as Silva saw it.

Bones was taken aback to hear about the explosion, especially since he had been in Westbrook just days before it happened. He was even more surprised to learn that Rayne had beaten the branch guild leader Roselyn to within an inch of her life the next day. However, he wasn't the least bit shocked to hear that Rayne had been expelled from the adventurer guild. It was almost expected, but Silva... he really was a bastard. Bones would know, since he was one as well.

The Defiant Hounds of today functioned more like a mercenary group, carrying out tasks for whoever had the deepest pockets. The puppet master behind The Hounds this time held a high position within the adventurer's guild. Of that, Bones was certain, and if he could discern it, so could the others—assuming they hadn't already.

Bones rose from his seat as the casino floor emptied, making his way back to his room. The advancement of his Meditation skill was imminent, only a few days away at most. He had long planned how he would reshape the skill. Settling beside the bed, he entered into meditation.

The following morning, sensing activity stirring, Bones emerged from his room and joined the others at the bar table. Solin maintained his usual demeanor, while Clover seemed to be nursing a hangover. "Morning. Had a bit too much to drink?" Bones jested. Solin chuckled, but Clover winced, urging him to lower his voice. With a smile, Bones settled in, ready for his morning coffee, the routine already ingrained.

"You can take off the mask here, Bones," Solin remarked, prompting Bones to remove his hood. Chuckling, Bones revealed the pristine white top of his head. "Not a mask," he casually tossed, to the surprise of the both. His mask had been destroyed during a scuffle with a bandit in the mountains, and he no longer needed it. His bone-shaping abilities had progressed to the point where he could make subtle changes to his bones, particularly the smaller and lighter ones.

The reason Bones' face resembled that of a masked figure was mostly due to the bone armor, which formed a thin protective layer across his face, concealing its natural contours and giving the appearance of a mask. Only narrow slits for his eyes and a small opening for his mouth remained visible. It was an unusual sight, especially considering Bones could now express emotions thanks to his advancements in bone manipulation and shaping skills.

"Wow," was the best response he received from Solin while Clover promptly dozed off soon after. Engaging in small talk, the two made plans for the day. They agreed to attend the match, with Solin intending to register for a match and Bones planning to apply for the dungeon. Since Bones lacked a team, Solin offered him a spot in his own small team, comprised of members closely associated with the Hounds. Until they departed, Bones spent his time practicing shaping small bones into peculiar figurines and engraving some of the larger bones he had on hand.

As evening approached, the two made their way to the tower. Solin handled the registration for the dungeon, returning with a ticket in hand. Bones was puzzled by the ticket's existence. It resembled an entry pass for an amusement park, featuring logos of both the adventurer guild and the kingdom's crest on one side, and the dungeon's date and rank, along with the party members' names stamped on the other. The entry fee was twenty mana stones per party member, which Bones found a bit steep.

Glancing at the date on the ticket, set two months from now, Bones grunted in displeasure. Solin chuckled at his reaction, explaining that such waiting periods were standard for adventurers like them. Near the tower stood an ostentatiously adorned palace, adorned with motifs depicting battles between various figures, both human and monsters. Inside the palace was a grand hall where the user matches took place. The atmosphere was electric, with people cheering, shouting, and placing bets.

"And this is considered a legitimate arena?" Bones mused aloud. Solin nodded, gesturing for him to follow. They managed to find free seats at the far end of the hall and settled in.

"This arena is legitimate, sponsored by both the royal palace and the adventurer guild, alongside numerous small business owners. There's a significant amount of wealth changing hands here through bets. However, not much of it trickles down to the fighters. That's why many of us also participate in the Underground arena to earn some extra coin. Of course, the Underground arena operates under its own set of rules and is considerably more perilous."

Bones nodded attentively as he listened to Solin. Unable to resist, he interrupted with a question, "Solin, how did you end up with the Hounds? A young man of your talent could find better opportunities elsewhere! It's not that I dislike the others; they simply seem like a better fit for me than for you."

Solin fell silent for a moment, clearly taken aback by the unexpected question. "Well, Bones, that's quite the question you've thrown at me. Alright, I'll share. You might already know, but I'm an orphan. Not exactly a rarity, considering how many have lost their parents and more, but do you know how I lost mine?" Bones shook his head, prompting Solin to continue.

"Both of my parents were adventurers, bronze rankers. They weren't reckless; they loved what they did and were content with their lives. I was just thirteen and attending the academy, eager to follow in their footsteps. That year, a special event was announced as part of the festival to improve relations between the two kingdoms: an exhibition match between ascendants, Domino from the Wezar Kingdom, and Kidllams from the Aphiton Kingdom."

He paused, his attention shifting away from the present to a memory from ten years ago. "Imagine witnessing an exhibition match between two ascendants! Who wouldn't want to be there? But let me tell you, a regular match between ascendants was nothing short of devastating," Solin exclaimed, his voice cracking slightly. He took a deep breath, collecting himself before continuing. "Their 'light spar' demolished the arena, shockwaves tearing through the surroundings with each blow they exchanged. They were completely absorbed in the fight, oblivious to everyone else..."

"My parents died trying to save me. My mother was torn apart instantly by one of the shockwaves. My father grabbed me and fled, but he was struck by debris and lost his footing. He pushed me through the window of a nearby building just before another shockwave hit him too."

"I'll never forget the expressions of those ascendants as I looked up through the window. There was nothing there, Bones. The two ascendants were indifferent about the whole thing, as if it had nothing to do with them! Those bastards..." Solin's voice rose with anger, and he stood up, his outburst drowned out by the ongoing fight and cheering. He sank back down, adding bitterly, "They compensated me for my loss. A pension for my parents' services as adventurers. Since then, we've been relegated to watching gold rankers flaunt their skills during the festival, from behind reinforced barriers."

Bones was left speechless, trying to process the weight of Solin's story. "Damn," he finally managed to say. I expected something tragic, but this... this is bordering on ridiculous.

"How did Silva come into your life?" he asked, needing to shift the focus from the overwhelming emotions.

Solin leaned back, reflecting on his past. "I was in a dark place back then. I had money to survive, but a lot of unresolved anger simmering inside me. After finishing the academy, I did legitimate adventurer work for a while before drifting into odd jobs. Eventually, I found myself running with the wrong crowd in the Underground, taking on contracts to kill. Silva was one of those targets I was assigned to eliminate. My boss discovered I had more than enough money stashed away and tried to have me killed for it."

"Guess it didn't quite go as planned," Bones remarked dryly.

Solin chuckled, a hint of lightness returning to his demeanor. "No, it definitely did not go according to plan. Silva knocked some sense into me, wiped out the whole gang, and took me under his wing, vowing to help me seek revenge. I owe him a debt, Bones, a big one. I might not be directly involved in all of the Hounds' operations, but I'm not oblivious either. When the time comes, I'll do everything in my power to support him."

"Even if it means risking your life?" Bones inquired, his tone serious. Solin hesitated briefly before replying with unwavering determination, "Absolutely."

Sensing the heaviness of the conversation, Bones attempted to lighten the mood. "Looks like the action down there is heating up," he remarked, gesturing toward the arena. Solin glanced at the stage before turning back to Bones with a snort. "That was dreadful," he agreed, though a small smile played at the corners of his lips.

The ongoing match featured two silver-ranked fire mages, each with a distinct approach to their elemental powers. One mage emphasized the sheer destructive force of fire, channeling raw power in their spells, while the other prioritized control and finesse. Despite starting from the same foundation, their contrasting strategies led to a captivating duel.

In the end, it was the mage focused on control who emerged victorious. His emphasis on defense and precise manipulation of the fire element, even within his opponent's spells, proved to be the deciding factor. By maintaining a tight rein on the flames, he was able to outmaneuver his adversary and secure the win.

"Did you know that different places and cultures have different beliefs about the system?" Solin asked, his tone thoughtful. "We all understand that the system adapts to both society and individuals. It's meant to guide us, but who's to say that the path it sets is fixed and unchangeable? There are people and societies that learn and progress without relying on the system."

"Without? How is that possible?" Bones questioned.

"It's not that they completely rid themselves of the system," Solin clarified, "but rather, they've learned to tune it out. They rely on experience, hard work, and the wisdom passed down by their ancestors over centuries. They've chosen the more challenging path, but their progress is remarkable. Take a skill like a fireball, for example. When used by them, it feels entirely different because, without the system's interference, they've been free to modify the skill to better suit them."

"But Solin," Bones began, attempting to interject, but Solin waved him off. "I know, Bones. The system already does that, right? Well, to some extent. But it doesn't show us all the options available when advancing a skill, does it?"

"True," Bones agreed. "So, where does that leave us?"

"Nowhere, really!" Solin replied cheekily, a smirk playing on his lips. "I just thought we were having a casual chat, trying to change the subject!" Bones turned to him, mouth agape in surprise. "You cheeky little..."

"Seriously though, we should watch the next match!" Solin's tone shifted to seriousness as he directed Bones' attention to the female mage stepping up on the podium. "She's the one, Bones... Uh, not like that!" Solin quickly corrected himself, noticing Bones' expression. "I mean, she's the one I couldn't defeat!"

Bones followed Solin's gaze and observed the young woman, not much older than Solin himself, as she entered the stage with a bow in her hands. "A bow?" Bones mused aloud. "A mage with a bow and not an archer? Now, that's interesting..."

"Watch this match, and you'll witness the difference between talent and fucking prodigies!" Solin declared, his expectations high for the female mage-archer. Bones focused intently on the match unfolding before him. Both combatants were bronze rank, with the woman holding a slight edge in level. As the match commenced, the man surged forward with remarkable speed, aiming a powerful punch at the woman. However, the woman effortlessly dodged his attack, her movements seemingly effortless as her hair fluttered in the wind caused by the punch. With a graceful touch to her opponent's extended arm, vines sprouted and ensnared him, immobilizing him in place. Stepping back, she raised her arm, summoning roots that bound the man even tighter.

Taking a few steps back, the woman summoned a needle-like root, she swiftly nocked and drew her bowstring. Bones watched in fascination as she maintained complete control of the fight. Suddenly, he heard a disgruntled sound and turned to see Solin frowning and rubbing his chin.

"Damn, she's gotten faster! No doubt my defeat fueled her fire," Solin grumbled in annoyance.

"What's your win-loss ratio against her?" Bones inquired, recalling Solin's frequent visits to both arenas and his recent encounter with the mage-archer.

Solin grumbled softly, admitting to just one win and seven losses. "Anyway," he continued, "that wind mage is good, but she's just on another level."

Bones nodded, his attention fixed on the ongoing match. The woman maintained her distance, unleashing a barrage of roots while the wind mage attempted to fend them off with a summoned whirlwind barrier. Despite his agility and speed, he couldn't evade her attacks entirely, eventually succumbing to the thorny vines that ensnared him. As the match concluded, the wind mage lay pinned in place, blood staining his body.

"She's a dual-class, a variant of a magic archer and a druid," Solin explained as they prepared to leave. "High nature affinity. She's already been scouted by the major guild and found herself a sponsor. sigh Come on, let's go."

As the match concluded, they both rose from their seats and turned to leave. However, as Solin moved to register for the arena, he was abruptly stopped when someone grabbed him by the collar and pulled him to the side.

"What the hell, Solin? Where have you been?" the newcomer demanded.

"Hi, Morem..." Solin groaned in response.

Bones watched with amusement as the female mage from the recent match began to chastise Solin. "Not like that, huh?" He teased, earning a scornful look from Solin in return.