Firefly Journey

"If you mind, I'll just leave. It's no big deal."

The crocodile and lizard were taken aback by these words. This didn't seem right. Shouldn't you be furious and flip the table?

As it turns out, temperament and appearance have nothing to do with each other. Jonathan, holding a wine glass, found a small stool next to the counter, moved it to Lin Yuanran's table, and greeted everyone.

"Will it be okay if we squeeze in?" Jonathan asked.

Worstin and his associates were delighted with these wealthy out-of-town clients and readily agreed to make room for Jonathan.

“The people who have come to town recently are all superhumans. Are you... like them?” Worstin asked.

Now that things had come to this, there was no point in hiding it, so he openly admitted, "Yes, I am an extraordinary being from Radiant City."

Lin Yuanran wouldn't remember the backgrounds of ordinary people, but this person was an extraordinary individual. The emphasis on Radiant City in the conversation—did that signify something?

Lin Yuanran didn't want to pry, so he kept the matter to himself.

It was clear that Jonathan was a talkative werewolf, and he quickly became one of the group of Lin Yuanran and his friends, perfectly integrating into the local group of drunkards.

In the past, Lin Yuanran would usually only order one glass of pear wine each time he came, and that was it. Now, with enough rent money in his pocket, he could splurge a little, but he still didn't order anything more.

He came to gather information and seek the path to transcendence, not to actually become an alcoholic.

As night deepened, no one left the tavern; after all, it was one of the few places of entertainment in the town.

Another group of guests walked in from outside, and their arrival made everyone tense, including the superhumans.

There was no other reason than that Curry Ward, dressed in his administrative uniform, walked at the front. His attire represented the majesty of the Principality of Bema. Anyone who dared to disregard it would be showing contempt for the Principality, with serious consequences.

"I'm just here for a routine inspection, please make yourselves at home." Curry Ward briefly showed himself before pushing open the door and leaving, but the people he brought with him did not leave.

The group consisted of six people, among whom was a familiar face to Lin Yuanran—it was the tenant, Feng Ling.

These must be her companions.

Feng Ling also noticed Lin Yuanran, but after a quick glance, she looked away. Fei Wei went to the counter to order drinks, and the remaining five, seeing that there was nowhere to sit, went to the long table where the orc brothers were sitting.

“I see no one is sitting here, could we share?” Cassius Bello asked in a gentle tone, his voice always so soothing and unassuming.

This time, unlike their hostile attitude towards Jonathan, the orc brothers were quite attentive. They had come with the administrator, and if they continued to be arrogant, they wouldn't stand a chance; they'd be locked up for a few days. Who would want to oppose the duchy?

“Of course, sir. When you’re traveling, everyone is a friend,” the crocodile man said.

"Thank you." Cassius led the students to sit down.

Jonathan witnessed what was happening here, and his face darkened. "That's not what you said earlier."

Being on someone else's turf, cowering and timid is a must, and he silently endured it. But if they were in Radiant City, those two would definitely be in jail.

“Friend, may I ask you something?” Cassius said.

At this moment, Fei Wei brought over all the drinks, and Lin Yuanran noticed that a glass of peach wine was placed in front of Feng Ling.

This wine could hardly be called a beverage; it has a lower alcohol content than pear wine, so she probably doesn't drink often.

As a woman herself, the dragon girl Paninger was much more unrestrained, raising a glass of strong liquor to toast Hauglis.

The crocodile man asked doubtfully, "You're willing to tell me everything you know, but I'm a stranger here and I'm not familiar with things here."

"The Butcher Brothers were born in Bergod, which borders the Rhine Province. By the way, they use the same weapons as you," Cassius said casually, revealing their background.

Nel the Crocodile was startled and made a mental assessment. Since they had come with the sheriff, they were most likely officials of the duchy, so it was not surprising that they knew his brother's background.

He was scared.

He couldn't help but be afraid, because they were fugitives.

“What…what do you want us to do?” Nell said, his brother, the lizardman Nem, standing beside him, also looking nervous.

"Don't be nervous, I'm neither a judge nor a policeman, I won't arrest you." Cassius pinched a small clod of dirt between his fingers, completely blocking out the sound from the table to ensure no one would stick their ears out.

"To rise up in rebellion against the oppression of a local viscount and commit manslaughter would be a legendary story in any country," Cassius said, still smiling. "You chose the 'Berserker' and 'Pious' paths in the Arena, right?"

Nell said, "Yes, sir, my brother and I awakened by accident that year and learned about the extraordinary path of the Ancient Battle Arena from an ancient book in the Viscount's house."

Cassius pointed at Hauglis: "You and my student might have something in common. I want you to do something for me, with payment, but you can no longer covet the ruins of the ancient gods."

Given that you've only just woken up, I'm protecting you.

"As you wish."

"No rush, just relax and stay here. I'll contact you when you need anything." Cassius gently removed his monocle and took out a special white cloth from his pocket to wipe it.

"May I ask, how many times have you awakened?"

Before giving a complete consent, you should always consider your own resources.

Before Cassius could speak, Five said, "My companion Hauglis is on the same path as you, but he is not a 'Berserker,' he is a 'Berserker.'"

“I understand.” Nell was completely convinced.

Berserker is one of the common extraordinary paths announced by the Ancient Battle Arena. It is considered a relatively "common" awakening "class" on the market. The name of this class after the "second awakening" is "Berserker".

Even an ordinary student under this person is a superhuman who has undergone the second awakening. With the two brothers having undergone this awakening, what can they possibly resist?

“We’re staying at the shoemaker Thomas’s house, so we can move around anytime.” Nem didn’t even ask about the payment; he knew that such a man wouldn’t renege on his debts.

Cassius nodded in satisfaction: "My initial sequence is 'Earth Mage'. The means to contact you might pop up from underground, so don't be surprised."

"No, we look forward to your arrival."

"Go," Cassius Bello said, removing the silencing barrier and dismissing him.

The orc brothers, carrying their giant axes, disappeared into the tavern.

After a long silence, Fengling suddenly said, "Their strength is only slightly stronger than that of ordinary people. I don't think they will be of any help to us."

Cassius said, "Everyone has their strengths, and when used in the right place, they often have surprisingly good results."

"Senior Fengling, are you really not going to live with us? I'm so scared to be alone at night!" Dragon Girl Paninger said dramatically, crossing her arms.

"No, but even if I move into the mayor's house, I won't share a bed with you."

"Why? Are you disgusted with me?"

"No, you dragon people like to spread your wings when you sleep, which takes up the whole bed."

“Then you still find it unacceptable…” Paninger said slowly.

Feway and Hauglis couldn't help but laugh out loud. This daughter of the Duke of Xu often used seemingly normal words to infuriate people, yet they seemed to make perfect sense and were impossible to fault.

The face under the hood relaxed, because it was genuinely kind of funny.

……

……

P.S.: These chapters will introduce some settings, power systems, faction divisions, etc.