Chapter 11 Back Home

Alex moved forward and stared at the shining core. He first picked up his swords before picking the core. It left a warm sensation in his hand as he took hold of it. He could feel that its weight wasn't more than two hundred grams. He stared at it intently before deciding to look at it after leaving the room. After all, he still held several injuries from the fight that just took place. He looked around and saw a door that led to the next room and a teleportation stone that would take him back to where Simon was. Of course, he couldn't even try heading to the next room as it would be a death wish. If just a single rank 1 monster gave him a lot of trouble, what of two? Could he handle them? Of course he couldn't even dare to think about it. He knew he wasn't strong enough to survive two martial monsters attacking him at the same time. There are always two monsters of the same species in a room. Otherwise, they would kill each other. Even though this is the case, there were some situations where two or more monster species are clustered in one room. Although this is a rare occurrence, it does happen due to the dungeon's influence. Alex moved to the pink stone and placed his palm on top of it. Five seconds later, light wrapped around his figure and he was teleported outside. When Simon saw him, he went to where he was and gave him a tonic to heal from his injuries. It was like he already expected the results because when Alex appeared, he was already holding it in his hand. Alex received the tonic and thanked Simon before using it. Thirty seconds later, his wounds began healing and his dislocated shoulder was put back into position before the effect of the tonic took effect. After five minutes, he was as good as new apart from fatigue from the extended period of his fight with the bull. "I see you have gotten a taste of what it means to face a ranked monster. This should tell you that each ranked monster is dangerous when not taken seriously. Just like your case, you might be strong but when it comes to monsters, most have strong defense. So the next time you face one, you've got to be serious and utilize every chance to the maximum possible," Simon said when Alex was done healing. Alex nodded in response. He couldn't dare to take the ranked monsters lightly at all as the experience he got when the monster went berserk. He took out the core and handed it to Simon who in response told him to keep it as he might need it sometimes in the future to come. They then left the dungeon and went back to the inn. Simon went to the stables and brought with him the carriage they used to travel when they were coming to Kravon town. It has been three years and two months since they left home and Alex had now become a full fledged teenager. His body was now well toned with muscles and his height had also increased to 1.5 meters. When comparing him to the previous twelve year old Alex, it was akin to comparing night and day. When Alex got into the inn, he looked around before sitting on his bed. He had been here for the past three years and it wasn't wrong to say that he enjoyed staying in this place compared to his own home where he was like a lost sheep. He had memories of how he came back to the room when he was on the brink of collapsing due to the harsh training or when he came back in a good mood having mastered a technique. He went to where he placed his bag and started packing up his belongings. He knew he had to go now even though he wished to stay. This wasn't his home after all. During packing, he took the dagger he was given by Kana and stared at it intently. He thought about his friend back at home and the time he began training in Maza forest. At least, there was someone whom he could wish to see. After packing, he went into the bathroom and took a shower to cool himself down. Getting out of it, he found Simon waiting for him. After changing into one pair of the few casual clothes he had gotten since he got into his town, he left the room not after giving a last glance to the room. Well, he was going back to hell after experiencing heaven, who wouldn't be sad about it? When the receptionist who had received them when they arrived saw them leaving, she was quite sad because she was acquainted with them having stayed here for over three years. "So, you're heading out," Jane said with a smile. "Yes, he has been away from home for quite a long time," Simon replied. "Well, have a safe journey. I hope when you come back to this town you will come back here," Jane said getting out of the counter to send them off. "Sure," Alex replied with a smile. They got out of the inn and Alex and Simon got into the carriage. After bidding Jane good by, they set off the town. They reached the town's gate and left after five minutes of waiting. The journey would take the normal four days. They went at the fastest speed the carriage could move. The bandits or any monsters they encountered were taken care of easily. Four days later, Alex saw his home town from a far. He couldn't help but think of his friend Kana. Well, his only friend to be precise. After about thirty minutes, the carriage arrived in the town and it headed straight to their home. When those working around saw the carriage, they knew that Alex had finally returned from wherever he went to. The only information they had was that he left with elder Simon but nothing else. Not even his step mother or step brothers knew of whereabouts. "Hey I think Alex is back," "Do you know where he went?" "If even madam doesn't know, how do you expect me to know," Some of the servants began talking to themselves about Alex. When Alex got out of the carriage, they were dumbstruck when they saw his appearance. He was a handsome young man with his dark hair still maintained at a medium length. He now had a sense of maturity compared to the when he was twelve. His body build was great that even when compared to some of the servants, his body was way better. Alex decided to head back to his room as usual. Wherever he passed, the servants kept staring at him and in response, he only smiled at them. When he got to where he used to live three years ago, he couldn't help but reminisce about his past. After a few seconds, he finally entered the room. The room was small as usual. A table, a chair and a mat where he used to sleep. As for his clothes, he always kept them in the bag which in turn he hung on the nail on the wall. The house was dusty and so, Alex decided to do some cleaning. After he was done, he sat on the mat and decided to have some rest. While Alex was still in his room, Simon went to the Partriach's study room. When he arrived, he knocked, he was given permission to enter. "How was your trip?" Jake asked just as Simon entered the room. "It was bountiful," replied Simon. "Where is he now?'" asked Jake. "He is in his room currently," Simon replied. "Well, you can have a rest, I am sure you are tired, we'll talk later," Jake said as he noticed the fatigue in Simon's eyes. Of course, he fought several bandits throughout the journey thus he was indeed tired. "Yes Partriach," replied Simon as he gave a slight bow before he left the room. Back to Alex, after getting a good rest, he decided to pay his old friend a visit. It had been a long time indeed. He left the room and left the compound and went towards Kana's home. Many people in town still couldn't recognize him as he had truly changed. When he arrived at Kana's parents' mansion, he found people he wasn't familiar with. He wondered what happened that too many people he didn't know were present in the compound. "Excuse me sir, is Kana around?" Alex decided to ask to get some answers. "Kana? Oh, you mean that boy? Well, he left with all his family. Nobody knows why or where they went to but they left three years ago," replied the man. He wore a butler's suit. He had brown hair, blue eyes, well shaven chin and glasses. "Three years ago?" asked Alex in surprise. "Yes, three years," replied the butler repeating the words making sure Alex heard him well and clear. Now Alex had to think what happened but he had no answers. He didn't know how he got into his room but he got there. He sat on his mat while wondering, why didn't Kana inform him that he was going to leave. That's when he remembered one thing clearly, when Kana told him goodbye, it was like they'll never see each other soon. Now he understood that the feeling he got during his departure was on spot but too late. While he was seated there, he didn't notice that time had moved and it was already evening. "Look who's back, can't you at least come and greet your mom and brothers and tell them that you are back?"