Chapter 143: BACK FOR ANOTHER

“Damn it. How will I get back?”

Logan muttered to himself, standing under the bright midday sun, just outside the forest. There wasn’t a single carriage in sight. The road stretched far in both directions, and the silence was broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves.

He let out a sigh. “Maybe I have to walk the whole way.”

But just as he was about to start walking aimlessly, he paused.

Ttok-tkok… Ttok-tkok…

The sound of hooves. Multiple horses were coming in his direction. Fast.

Logan turned his head sharply toward the noise.

One…two….three…six! Total six of them.

As the group came closer, Logan narrowed his eyes, trying to see past the dust kicked up by the horses. After they got a bit closer, he could finally see their faces. And that….

Stunned him. Because he recognized them.

The man in front with the muscular build. Then an attractive looking woman with a small bow, a few meters back. The black-haired girl with her tied-up hair riding at the back. One with a large hammer at his back.

It was them.

The same group who helped during the dungeon break at the central market a few days ago….when he, Rowan, and Daliah went out shopping.

Logan instinctively reached for his mask, checking it.

“Still secured. Good.”

He lowered his hand just as the group spotted him and began slowing down. The horses came to a stop a few steps in front of him.

The man in front, Leo, was the first to speak.

“Kid? What are you doing out here?” His voice carried a mix of concern and disbelief. “This is a dangerous area. Are you lost?”

Before Logan could answer, the others began gathering around, each scanning the road, expecting to see someone else.

“I’m not lost,” Logan replied calmly. “I’m a hunter. I came for a dungeon raid.”

“What?!” Everybody had this exact same reaction in their mind. A kid who looked only twelve or thirteen was a hunter?!

Then a voice from behind piped up.

“Where is your party?” It was Jasmine—the black-haired girl who fried up the monsters with her fire magic last time.

Logan looked at her and simply replied, “I came alone.”

That made all of them stop.

“You what?” The man with brown beard, Kyle asked, blinking in disbelief. “You raided a dungeon. Alone?”

Everyone was dumbfounded.

“What rank are you, kid?” Lily who was normally always quiet, couldn’t control her shock.

Instead of answering immediately, Logan reached into his cloak and pulled out his hunter license. He handed it forward without a word.

Leo took it and examined the contents. His eyes widened in disbelief. “C-Class?” He looked up.

That question froze everybody else.

“Is this real?” Hervy the one with the hammer, asked from the side, peering over Leo’s shoulder.

“Yes,” Logan replied casually, taking the license back.

Silence. No one spoke for a good ten seconds.

Then suddenly some memories flashed before Leo’s eyes. A few days ago, during the dungeon break…when they arrived there, they found many things unexplainable. And one hunter claimed that a boy who came along with the third prince, saved all of them with unimaginable strength and skills.

Logan Smith! The name instantly clicked in his mind. “But wait. Isn’t he dead?” Leo asked himself.

Looking at Logan, Leo quickly asked, “What’s your name?”

Logan paused for just a second. Then replied, “Aiden Ferith.”

“You sure?” Leo asked again. He didn’t know why, but felt something missing.

Logan’s face remained calm. “Yes. I’m sure. Why would I have doubts with my own name?” he replied.

Leo held his gaze for a moment longer. He still had doubts, but he didn’t press further.

In the end, he gave a small nod. “Well, Aiden or not, you’re a hunter. Since you seem to be missing your ride, we will give you a lift. Hop on.”

Logan gave a small nod. “Thanks.”

One of the riders, Duke, moved slightly and offered a hand. Logan climbed up onto the back of his horse, sitting behind him.

“I hope they all bought my words.” Logan thought to himself.

On the other hand, though everyone didn’t say anything else, they all had their suspicions. But they didn’t pry further. For the moment at least.

They rode back toward Solvane.

By the time they reached the city, the sun had started dipping westward.

Logan stepped off the horse near the hunter guild and gave a brief nod of thanks to the group.

He entered the building and walked straight to the front counter.

Elizabeth was there, flipping through some papers.

When she looked up and saw him, her eyes widened.

“Back already?”

Logan placed a broken armour he had brought along. It belonged to the dungeon boss.

Elizabeth took it and quickly scanned it.

“You completed the dungeon this fast? And alone?”

Logan nodded once.

She looked at him for a second longer, then slowly smiled. “Impressive. I’ll mark it completed.”

With that settled, Logan turned and walked toward a table near the window and sat down. Then ordered a simple lunch…roasted chicken, bread, and a jug of cold water.

As he ate quietly, the buzz of conversations filled the hall. But he didn’t bother about them. He quickly finished within fifteen minutes.

Then walked back to Elizabeth’s counter.

“I want to buy a horse,” Logan said.

Elizabeth blinked. “A horse?”

“Yes. I need a ride of my own.”

She thought for a moment, then nodded.

“There’s a stable on the east side of town—Silverhoof Ranch. They train the best quality horses. Tell them the guild sent you, and they’ll treat you fairly.”

“Thanks.”

Logan left the guild and followed the directions.

By the time he arrived at the stable, the sun was almost touching the horizon.

He checked a few horses, observed their posture, breathing, and discipline. In the end, he picked a dark brown one with black markings around its eyes. It looked strong.

After paying the price and collecting the ownership slip, he returned to his rented room for the night.

That day passed quickly.

As night fell, Logan sat down on the floor of his room and resumed his cultivation.

Logan stayed like that for nearly an hour.

Then slowly opened his eyes. He then quickly hit the bed. He didn’t continue for the whole night like yesterday. Rest was also required between training sessions. Soon he fell asleep.

The next morning,….

Logan stood again in front of a dungeon gate.

His cloak fluttered lightly in the breeze. His new horse was tied to a nearby post, chewing calmly on hay.

He looked at the gate.

He took a step forward.

And disappeared into the mist.

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