Chapter 6 – Rejuvenation

One giant spider standing on top of a bell tower.

One human rising against the monstrosity.

One quick Rising Crescent slash to slice off a leg.

One desperate dash to the side.

One solid lunge through the misty air.

One sword aimed at the open eye.

One miss.

One crunch.

One death.

"Ah...FUCK!"

A couple of days passed, and the nightmare haunted me whenever I fell asleep. Even in dream, I'm still restless. It looks like there is no escape unless I end it myself... I had always been forced to wake up as soon as I was crushed by the monster.

Man vs giant spider eh? Heh. I have certainly been improving during each dream battle. I am now capable to move freely inside my dream, after waking up and falling asleep bunches of times. I am also lasting longer against the spider...at least that's how I feel. I'm still being crushed every time before virtually dying. The setback to this training is...the improper rest. Although I've only been in bed for the past few days, but I don't feel rested at all! I'm mentally exhausted every time I'm forced awake from my death in dream.

Tieve also came over the few days and spoon fed me while still refusing to answer any of my questions regarding the other merc.

Why won't she tell me what happened to that guy? The playful way she refused to answer has made me assume that the guy is definitely not dead.

Oh well. If it doesn't seem like he's dead, then everything is fine. I'm sure I will meet him again soon.

My wounds have healed tremendously over the duration. Pain have disappeared and only soreness remains. I am now able to get up, stretch, and move around... but... moving around in reality feels sluggish compared to my dreams. I've gotten too familiar with dream than reality. This is what happens when you stay in bed for a few days. Healing magic truly is convenient. I bet the other merc got healed the same way. Seriously though, that was stupid of him to take a large spider head on. I'm surprised that he's even alive.

Currently, the sun is shining bright in the clear blue sky. I should probably get out and move around. And to get something to eat. I can't keep relying on the oracle now can I?

I find a spare shirt of mine in the closet and I am already wearing pants. I toss my shirt on. The fabric covers up my bandaged upper body. It's a bit loose. Just how I like it.

I stretch first, interlocking my fingers and push my palms towards the ceiling.

"Hrrrrnnnngggghhh."

My body trembles in response. A flow of stinging pain rushes through.

"Haaa..."

I exhale after the exhaustive stretch. It looks like I will take some time to readjust to my own body. Although it does feel good to be up on my feet after being bound to a bed for the past few days.

I put on my leather boots before walking towards my door. The door creaks as I pull it open.

In front of me on the other side is a female in her with a cast around her left arm facing me with her door open as well. Her cotton white inners covered all of her curves nicely... Nice.

Wow. What a total bombshell. Her sandy blonde hair, the same as the oracle's, is tied up in a ponytail. She is just a bit shorter than me, at a five foot eleven. If I'm comparing this girl to the oracle, the oracle would be cute and friendly, while this girl in front of me is hot with an unapproachable aloofness atmosphere. Her white figure is truly something. She has milky white skin and her face is mature and sexy. And I can just get lost looking in her deep blue eyes...

"..."

"..."

And sh-she just gazes at me... Was I staring for too long? ...Shit, I probably was.

"Uh... Hi...?"

I tried to greet her in order to break that awkward silence.

But that failed. She continues to stare, not even bothering to reply.

Still feeling awkward, I close my door while maintaining eye contact and quietly walks down the hall to the pub below, scratching my messy dark grey hair along the way.

As I walk down, I can feel her eyes burning a hole at my back. And I am glad to escape that...situation.

Getting near to the stairs, I hear loud chattering noises down below. The bar is always crowded no matter where you go. It was a place where the soldiers and mercenaries could get a drink before going off to the next battle. They boast about having fought with no regret and to unfold tensions.

The pubs had become the most attended spots for those to release their experiences.

I descend down the stairs to the bar packed full with customers when suddenly someone calls out to me.

"Hey rookie! Over here!"

I turn my head to the direction where the gruff voice originated from and walk closer towards the round wooden table.

"Have a seat with us. It's an honor for us to have you company."

I take my seat beside him and among four others. They seem to be veteran mercenaries from the way they're dressed and geared; a dark cloak that conceals any weaponry may be hidden underneath but occasionally you can still catch a glimpse of the light iron armor under that cloak. You know, the standard setup for an experienced merc, allowing a lot more mobility than a soldier on the battlefield due to the sacrifice of armor and weight difference.

"Well if it isn't the rumored rookie of the bell tower. Your story has been spread across the town already. They say that you took down the town guardian single-handedly yourself and then pissed on it in triumph. Not any one of us can repeat what you have done. Everybody is impressed with your accomplishment."

"Oh. Uh... I think that story is very far stretched. That's not exactly what happened."

"Ernmass, send one ale my way! Drinks on me today, friend."

"Thanks but no thanks. I can't drink."

"What? You don't want to drink? Who the hell doesn't want to drink?!"

"Sorry, I'm underaged."

"You're what?"

"Underaged."

"Well how old are you then?"

"17."

"YOU'RE 17?"

"Yeah..."

"AND YOU WERE ABLE TO TAKE DOWN THAT MONSTER?"

I merely shrug in response.

"GUYS! DID YOU HEAR THAT?"

"WHAT DID HE SAY?"

"THE BOY'S 17!"

"THE BOY'S WHAT?"

"17!"

"YOU'RE KIDDIN'!"

"HEY GUYS! DID YOU HEAR THAT?"

"WHAT'S GOING ON?"

"17!"

"WHAT?"

"THE BOY'S 17!"

"WHAT BOY?"

"WHO'S 17?"

"17 IS BOY?"

"I WANT MORE DRINKS!"

"LOUD NOISES!"

Like a wild fire, the conversation has already spread across the bar by the time I realized what was happening. Now my age and name are on the tip of everyone's tongue. How embarrassing.

Unable to handle all that shouting, I quietly slip away back into my room, where it's actually peaceful. The other merc are quite a rowdy bunch. I can't blame them though. When you're fighting with your life on the line all the time, you have got to at least live your life to the fullest. What better way to do that than to drink with friends at the pub?

Once back in the peaceful serenity that is my room, I return to the desperately needed rest that I still required on my fatigued body. The trip downstairs have worn me out already. It looks like I'll need to keep relying on the oracle until I recover.

The next few days were rather quiet. There has been nothing of interest. I still can't conquer the spider and I am always being forced awake from my deaths. My body has been gradually getting better. My strength has fully returned. I have never felt better. To think about it, I have not rested properly for the past weeks...ever since the destruction of my village.

On the last day of my bed rest, Tieve hurriedly came in to bring me food. She explained that the mercenaries are beginning to move and she is needed for tasks around the village. Right before she leaves, she turned around.

Tieve: "I almost forgot! You're also wanted at the mercenary post. You can find Marrec at the mercenary outpost. He is... He is a sub-captain or assistant leader or veteran or-"

She looks overwhelmed as she tries to remember. I look at her humorously as I finish my meal.

Tieve: "In any case, he is a member of the Crimson Blade mercenaries. Please, go find him."

Right on cue, I hand her my plate of finished utensils.

"Thank you for the food. It was delicious as always."

I then grab my gears and turn to leave.

Tieve: "Leth... Whatever happens, stay safe. Please..."

"No worries, oracle."

With that said, I dash out of the inn and towards the Mercenary post.

Tieve: "IT'S TIEVE!"