The Ancients World

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~~~(POV: Cera Adamo)~~~

~~~(Location: Desert, The Continent of Alforza)~~~

~~~(Time: 9:42 AM)~~~

We've been flying since 7:00 AM, and we're coming up on a new town. It's not large. Not many buildings that are higher than 3 floors from up here. I dive down without warning and at great speed.

"You jackass!"

Sally lets out a joyful scream as we descend to the ground at full speed, only to level out over the streets of the town. People below watch us pass. There is an opening for a nice town square ahead. I spread my wings out as I break and gently land.

People all around us stare as Sally gets off my back. There are young and old slowly making their way over. Not believing what they're seeing. I can tell by the looks of some that they're sick, weak, some looking for help.

"Things might get a little crowded."

The whisper leaves my lips and reaches Sally. She stands close while looking around. Out hoods are off for a change. This town probably has a population of about 10,000. No more than that. I doubt any Players are here. But it's completely possible.

My wings are still spread out. On the other side, it'd look powerful. That's probably why people are moving slowly. We won't be staying here long, so I might as well get this moving.

"Does anyone know where I can buy a tent for two?"

The sudden question directed to everyone takes more than most by surprise. They all stop in their footsteps, and the crowd slowly parts. What I see is an older lady walking with a cane. She slowly makes her approach and stops in front of me. Looking me up and down.

Some are nervous at the sight of both of us. It's certainly strange. I can only guess why they have such looks. I'm not going to go through them now. No point.

"I find it hard to believe you've come all the way to our little town for a tent, Angel Zern. However, if that is why you're here, I'll be sure to take you to where they're sold."

She lifts her right hand, and you can see the age as she takes her time and shakes at the simple action. The twirling of her finger is a sign for everyone here to disperse. The crowd is gone in no time, and it's just Sally, the old lady, and me.

"That's a weird first thing to say to someone. Regardless of who they are. I take it you're people, as well as you, are worried that I'm here for something more sinister."

Which would mean they've done something to warrant it.

"We're a weird town. I assure you, we don't mean any disrespect. But we're often the victims of powerful individuals and bandit groups. They raid the town regularly. Most people see outsiders here as a potential threat, Angel or not."

That's hard to believe, but there is nothing I can do to prove that. What happens here shouldn't be my concern. But all of this is rubbing me the wrong way.

"Are you the leader of this town?"

Sally asks the question I was going to ask. Sending an elderly woman instead of someone else is even more strange. She obviously has some power here since she sent away the gathering crowd with no issues.

"Something like that."

She turns and starts to walk. Motioning for us to follow. We're moving at a very slow pace, and we decide to walk next to the old woman.

"What is this place?"

I'd like to know that very much. Having a name for the place would be nice.

"You walking the fair towns of Modest. Not much goes on here. We're far out from any of the big cities. And most merchants don't use the trade routes around here anymore."

Modest for a name, huh... I suppose it works as well as any. It could use something to follow it up.

"I've never been in a town or city that's named so... Normal. Who came up with it?"

At this point, asking questions about the town is the only way to pass the time as we walk slowly. What's strange is there is no one on the roads anymore. I'm looking at the buildings, and most people are looking out their windows.

"The founding of the town. A bunch of refugees from the last war built this place. Most who came here wanted a modest life. So they named it that."

This all sounds so reasonable. So perfect. I don't like it. It's setting off alarms in my brain.

"When will we reach where the tents are sold? I'm in a hurry."

I don't want the problems of this place becoming mine. The sooner we're out of here, the better.

"Ahh, for someone who can travel faster than anyone else. You seem to be out of time. The young don't have any patience for everyday things."

That's a low blow. Making me seem like a little kid wanting to do something while disregarding everything else.

"Worry not, Angel Zern. The shop you're looking for is right ahead. They'll help you with everything you need."

She reaches out and points at a shop that's at the end of the current road. We eventually reach it, and Sally enters first. I stand for a second and stare at the old woman.

"Why not enter the shop as well, Angel Zern? You have seemed on edge since we started talking."

She knows what she's doing.

"I don't trust you or this place. A town in the absolute middle of nowhere and no source of water whatsoever. Not to mention no guards."

That's what's been most strange. If they're having a bandit problem, why not have guards? But from what I've seen, there are no guards.

"Everyone doesn't trust this place when they first come here. Most people think this place is too out of the way for anything to be something ordinary."

She's had this conversation a lot, and I can see that they're not telling me everything. Some trouble will appear. This much I know.

I turn away from her now that I've gotten everything I can out of her. Some are too stubborn to let anything else go. I'm one of those people. I enter the shop and see Sally looking at the available tents.

"These ones seem pretty good, don't they?"

She points at two different ones. I see the benefit of having extra tents. I wish I thought of that sooner than later. We wouldn't be in this situation if I did.

"Yeah, get them if you want."

I'll be honest. My mind isn't here. It's been thinking about everything happening in this town called Modest.

"You feel and see it too, huh..."

Sally pulls me from my thoughts as I feel her hand on my arm. I look at her, and she's waiting for a response.

"Yeah, I don't like this place. It's not normal."

The reactions to the people here when I arrived aren't something I'm used to. Most swarm me hoping that I'll help them with their sick. In this town, that didn't happen. It's another reason to call it an outliner.

"Let's get out of here, then."

We get the tents and pay for them. I place them in my inventory. As we leave the shop. I look up to the sky and spread my wings open. Sally gets on my back, and I launch off the ground.

Soon, the little town called Modest is behind us. I'm glad to be out of there. It's not something I feel a lot, but that place was strange. Powerful, even. I think it's better that we didn't stick around. One more thing I noticed about the place has me concerned.

Every village, town, city, or capital. No matter how big or small. It has a Player Cathedral. So Players can respawn nearby. But that place didn't have one.

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A/N: Below this line, I'll be keeping Cera's player information. That way, I won't have to place it into the story above anymore. It takes about 180 words up.

[Slayer (Zern) Lvl.237][Tier-4]

[Exp: 72/100%]

[Title: The Son of Arch-Angel Michael (Hidden)]

[Stats] [Strength - 7095][Endurance - 7045][Dexterity - 7215][Speed - 8240][Focus - 19,660]

[Mana aura control: 6/100%]

[Health: 76,560,000,000/76,560,000,000] [Mana: 216,600,000,000/216,600,000,000]

[Stat Points: 440] [Armor rating: 500]

[Inventory] [Dice of Wayland (Divine)] [The Witness (Legendary Sword)] [Fenrir's Whistle (Divine)] [Camping gear] [Fishing poles 2x] [Festival Garbs 2x] [4x EXP Boosts] [Princess Saliandra's Panties (Black Lace)] [Desert Warrior Nomad Set (Rare)]

[Passive Perks]

[Inheritor of the Sword] [Son of Heaven] [Slayer of Evil] [Holy Willow Trees Savior] [Finder of Legends] [The Divine who has Legend] [Destined for Greatness] [Dungeon Diver] [An Overachiever]

[Active Skills]

[Heavens light Lvl.74 325/7400] [Protected by Heaven Lvl.74 225/7400] [Slash Lvl.92 4600/21000] [Parry Lvl.68 85/6800] [Double Strike N/A] [Kingslayer N/A] [Raging Machine N/A] [Winged Glory] [Angelic Flight] [Divine Pressure Exertion] [Divinity Pulse] [Controlled Fun] [Aspect of Transportation (Legendary)]