Time slipped away quietly, much like sand falling through fingers, and before Gregor knew it, the sun was gradually sinking behind the far-off trees.

The sky shifted from a soft golden hue to a rich, molten orange, enveloping Greyvale City in a warm, glowing embrace.

As Gregor strolled along the cobblestone streets, shadows stretched and grew longer. A sturdy leather sack hung heavily on his back, its weight pulling at his shoulders with each step.

Inside were two Silver Grade swords and a complete suit of Windforged Argent armor, valuable assets for his journey. Yet, despite the load, he felt a lightness in his walk, an energizing sensation that made the weight seem less burdensome.

As he reflected on the day's events, Gregor replayed every choice, risk taken, and reward earned that had brought him to this point.

Greyvale in the evening possessed its own unique atmosphere, distinct from the bustling daytime energy. Lanterns flickered on either side of the main street, illuminating the cobbled path with golden halos that danced against the stone buildings of inns, blacksmiths, taverns, and market stalls.

Vendors called out their last appeals for the day, their shouts mingling with laughter, the clinking of dishes, and the rhythmic sound of horses' hooves as carriages rolled by.

Children dashed through the streets, playing spontaneous games, weaving between adults with the fearless abandon of youth. Couples meandered under the lantern light, sharing quiet whispers as if the night inspired softer exchanges.

Taking it all in, Gregor felt a comforting familiarity wash over him. Greyvale had been his home for many years,sometimes stifling, sometimes reassuring,but never had it felt brimming with possibility.

Maybe it was the understanding that his world was finally widening. Perhaps it was the realization that he finally had the resources to alter his life.

Or maybe it was the simple fact that one mission had the power to change everything. Whatever the reason, the city appeared more vibrant this evening, its colors richer, its inhabitants more animated, as if Greyvale were celebrating the beginning of a new chapter in his life.

Turning onto a narrower street that branched off the main road, his thoughts wandered back to earlier that evening. After leaving Heph's smithy, he had made his way to Old Willem's Alchemy Shop. The memory brought a soft sigh of both awe and disbelief.

Old Willem's shop was a well-established name in Greyvale. Being an Alchemist was highly admired,perhaps even more than being a Warrior.

When Gregor poured out the blood essence of Phantom Wind Wolves from his waterskins onto the counter, he half-anticipated Willem to haggle, or even make a low offer.

Instead, the old man's eyes widened in surprise before he regained his composure, stroked his beard thoughtfully, and instantly made a generous offer for the entire stock.

It was natural, blood essence from magical beasts was a crucial ingredient for various potions, especially those that enhanced mana circulation or fortified internal energy pathways.

The essence harvested from these creatures concentrated their inherent properties. For instance, Wind Wolf essence was especially sought after by Alchemist for its link to movement arts and its ability to bolster mana flow within the body.

When mixed with other catalysts and herbs, it could be refined into potions that improved agility, stamina, or heightened senses.

Alchemists like Willem relied on a continuous supply of these materials to create high-demand potions for Knights and Mages, making the essence extremely valuable.

Gregor sold the blood essence for exactly 1,000 Gold Coins. The enormity of that sum felt almost surreal to him,one thousand gold coins earned just from that essence.

After completing the sale, he spent a significant portion on potions, beginning with a Tier 3 Mana Recovery Potion, a vital elixir that replenished a Warrior's mana reserves during fierce battles or unexpected emergencies.

He selected it not for the sake of luxury, but for its practicality. While the wind-affinity Knights relied heavily on physical speed and skill, having an ample supply of mana at one's disposal could mean the difference between survival and demise when advanced techniques were required.

Next on his list was the Tier 3 Mana Veins Expansion Potion, famous for its ability to expand internal mana pathways through controlled stimulation.

Although the experience was both painful and exhausting, the rewards were substantial: a smoother mana flow, better absorption, and an increased overall capacity. Every Knight committed to their development would eventually need this.

Lastly, he considered the Moonwell Elixir. A comforting warmth spread through Gregor's chest at the thought. This elixir was not just another potion; it was a miraculous remedy in a bottle.

Made with lunar herbs and purified during three full moons, it held formidable restorative powers that could finally heal the chronic illness that had troubled his sister for years. It was the priciest item he'd ever bought, yet it was the first purchase he made without a second thought.

Envisioning her smile,or the joy of seeing her smile once more,prompted Gregor to slow down, his footsteps becoming softer and gentler, as if he were treading through a cherished memory.

As he moved along the dimly lit path, the numbers began to coalesce in his mind. He calculated each figure carefully, double-checking to ensure he hadn't miscounted; losing even a single coin in this world could drastically alter his plans for the month.

He had earned 1,695 Gold Coins from selling beast cores, bones, fangs, and claws to Heph. After deducting the 500 Gold Coins spent on the Gale Edge swords and the Windforged Argent Set, he was left with 1,195 Gold Coins.

Adding the 1,000 Gold Coins he received from Old Willem for the blood essence brought Gregor's total to 2,195 Gold Coins. However, his recent potion purchases, especially the Moonwell Elixir, cost him 900 Gold Coins, leaving him with 1,295 Gold Coins.

It was a respectable amount,more than he had ever anticipated. Yet, he couldn't help but feel a pang of regret over losing more than half his earnings in just two short hours.

Gregor let out a quiet, exasperated chuckle, shaking his head as he tightened his grip on his leather sack. The wind tousled his hair as he thought bitterly, "Money seems to slip through my fingers faster than I can hold on to it."

Yet this time, he felt no regret, no self-blame or bitterness. Instead, a sense of clarity washed over him. He hadn't squandered a single coin that day.

Every purchase was a deliberate investment,in his strength, his future, and most crucially, in his sister's well-being. Money left sitting idle wouldn't change anything; converting it into power was what genuinely mattered.

As he exhaled deeply, he let the evening breeze lift the tension from his shoulders.

His gaze shifted to the side pocket of his pack, where a stack of freshly printed flyers rested, Sage's flyers. A small smile crept onto his lips.

"Starting tomorrow," Gregor muttered silently to himself, "I'll traverse every street in Greyvale and distribute these. Afterwards, I'll drag those idiots in to register as Adventurers."

His determination echoed along the quiet cobblestone lane as he stepped onto a broader avenue lit by lampposts shaped like crescent moons.

People moved past him, their faces aglow in the gentle light. Greyvale buzzed with the energy of the evening: laughter and chatter spilled from inns, music poured from taverns into the streets, and street vendors ignited their pans with bursts of flame, the crackling blending with the night air.

By the time Gregor reached the last stretch toward his home, darkness had fully enveloped the city. Three moons,a large blue, a smaller violet, and a pale silver one, hung majestically above Greyvale, casting a magical glow over the rooftops.

The stone streets gleamed under the celestial lights.

Gregor took a moment to stop and look up at the three moons shining down on him, their cool yet soothing light embracing him.

It had been a long, tiring day, one full of challenges and change. He had given his all in so many ways, from working hard to daydreaming, as if he had packed a week's worth of experiences into just one day. Still, a quiet sense of fulfillment swelled inside him.

He shifted the weight of the heavy leather bag on his back, inhaled the crisp night air deeply, and set off on his last journey home.

Tonight, he would reunite with his sister, hearts brimming with hope.

And tomorrow… tomorrow would mark the beginning of an entirely new adventure, one not just for him, but for all the Adventurers yet to come.

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