A large wall towered high into the sky, even taller than a single-story house. The wall protected the city from any outside attack, though it wasn't enchanted. However, it was incredibly sturdy.
Unless someone used advanced magic to attack the wall, it would likely still be destroyed.
This was also where the gate between the city and the outside world was located.
The people queuing up long enough were those seeking to leave the city, not out of dislike. Rather, they were on a mission, such as adventurers or people from outside the city visiting and returning.
They were queuing because they had to undergo a security check on those entering and leaving. Guards were on hand to monitor for any irregularities.
Infori now had everything he needed: a sword, a belt with a pouch containing several useful artifacts, and a backpack.
He was waiting in line to leave the city. He noticed the check on one person in front of him: their right hand had to touch a ball on the table.
After his hand touched the glowing ball, it seemed to emit a thin magic board displaying the person's status.
This included name, age, occupation, and reason for leaving or entering.
The guard standing behind the counter checked the man's status, his eyes fixed on his status. He was declared safe.
"Clear. You may leave, sir."
"Thank you," the man said, stepping forward, and Infori stepped forward as the next person.
The guard standing there was slightly surprised to see Infori Atziluth, the owner of the Atziluth Artifacts shop in this city, clearly visible before him.
"Wow, wow. It's Infori, it's so rare for him not to be in the shop," he said.
"Hehe," Infori couldn't help but chuckle.
"Then, touch this ball for a moment."
Infori touched the ball, and it glowed and emitted a thin magic board displaying Infori's status.
NAME: INFORI ATZILUTH
AGE: 16
OCCUPATION: SHOP GUARDIAN AtzilutH Artifacts (AHAS)
RACE: NEPHILIM
REASON FOR LEAVING/ENTERING: SEARCHING FOR A RARE ARTIFACT THAT WENT OUT OF HIS SHOP
"Oh, you lost the artifact again? Was it stolen again?" asked the guard.
"Well, the usual. They come with the pretense of having a task to do, but in reality, it's just a statement with no substance," Infori replied, complaining, but speaking truthfully. "Then, can I pass?"
"Of course, Infori. You can leave."
Hearing that, Infori immediately felt relieved. Then, he thanked the guard as he walked out of the premises.
"Thank you, Mr. Harith. See you later."
"Yes," he said, watching Infori walk out the gate, leaving his daily life behind and embarking on a new adventure. "He hasn't changed since then, has he?"
The guard then asked the next person to check.
"Next."
On the other side, Infori was walking on a long bridge made of neatly arranged, sturdy stones. It served as a pathway and connection between the city and the outside world.
He paused for a moment at the edge of the bridge, gazing at the river below. Its clear water flowed calmly beneath it.
Then, Infori returned to the beginning. He walked back until he left the bridge and finally reached the other side.
There, he was faced with three branching routes, and his attention was now drawn to a wooden sign that looked almost worn with time. The sign clearly displayed the route—left to Cloud Beach, about 200 meters from here; right to Storm Queen City, about 350 meters from here; and straight ahead to the forest, about 100 meters from here. There was also an additional route back to the city, namely to Awania Sudo.
"Okay, I guess I should head to Storm Queen City first. I'm definitely not sure I'll be safe in the forest," he muttered.
Therefore, he then walked to the right, heading to a city called Storm Queen City to the east, still located in the Awania region.
He walked along a path lined with lush green grass, with a few trees still standing firmly on the roadside to Infori's left, providing a cool atmosphere beneath.
Meanwhile, Infori looked to the right, the clear river still seemed to be watching him calmly.
He continued walking until he almost left the bridge, which was now out of sight, but as he walked, he calmed his thoughts.
His instincts seemed to be telling him something—to step back. Trusting his instincts, Infori stepped back from where he had been standing. And sure enough, just before Infori could take a step back, an arrow with a small, pointed tip shot with terrifying precision. The arrow stuck in the ground, missing Infori completely.
"...?!"
Reflexively turning to the right, he saw a group of short, furry monsters with masks.
One of them was carrying a crossbow.
"Morak...? Why are they in a place like this?" Infori asked.
They had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, which clearly confused Infori. Left with no other choice, Infori drew his sword from its sheath. He stared intently at the Morak, trying to count their number.
"1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Okay, there are only six of them. I'm sure I can defeat them!" he muttered.
Without further ado, Infori ran toward the Morak. In one powerful movement, he swung the sword in his right hand, its large blade slicing through the air and aiming directly at the Morak's body without hesitation.
In an instant, the blade sliced through its body, disintegrating it. It vanished like burning paper.
One down, five more to go.
Morak leaped with his sword and was about to attack Infori from behind. Unfortunately, Infori was skilled with swordsmanship. So, he turned around and slashed at his body, instantly obliterating him.
Seeing this, Morak, seemingly aware they'd picked the wrong opponent, tried anyway. The remaining four charged forward in unison, attacking simultaneously.
This surprised Infori a little, but he tried to remain calm in the situation.
"...?!"
Infori gripped his sword tightly and swung it in a circular motion.
CLING! WHOOSH!
The four Morak, who had been attacking in a surrounding manner, now turned around. They were all knocked back, their swords only scraping against each other, ultimately resulting in Infori's one artifact that could channel wind magic into its blade.
Now, all that was left was to finish.
Infori moved, swinging his sword at the still-standing Morak, until his body was severed and vanished—without any resistance.
One of them didn't stay still, swinging his sword at Infori. However, Infori parried it with his sword.
CLANG!
Infori pushed his sword, knocking the Morak away. Before it hit the ground, he slashed it, making it disappear.
"Two more," he muttered.
He turned toward the Morak, who seemed about to attack him, but he heard the voice of another Morak behind him. So, they both attacked Infori simultaneously.
"I won't let you!" Infori shouted.
The Morak in front of him thrust its sword forward, intending to stab, but instead of dodging, Infori advanced as if to receive the blow. However, when he felt the right moment, Infori moved his feet to the left. Morak's stab ended up piercing the Morak who had been behind him.
"Grrh!"
"Chance!"
Intri slashed the bodies of the two Morak, detaching them from their bodies and vanishing into thin air.
He then breathed a sigh of relief, having defeated the Morak who had suddenly appeared.
"Haah... finally done."