Chapter 16: The anticipated duel
The three then found a nice little restaurant to dine in after Hael collected his compensation.
Since he was now the ultimate warrior, they received even more looks wherever they went. They were even able to dine in the restaurant free of charge because of Hael.
With their bellies full from a satisfying meal, the trio made their way to Anthanasia's home to rest for the night. As a skilled huntress who earned a good income from both her guild work and freelance hunts, her home was well-kept and comfortable. She had three available rooms: one for guests, another that had remained empty for some time, and a third that she used herself. The unused room contained only a single bed, but it was large and took up much of the space. Still, it was more than adequate for Hael, who wasn't particular about room size.
Though the bed was a bit small for his large frame, Hael made do with it. He slept soundly through the night, and that was all that mattered.
The following day, after a quick breakfast, the trio headed out to hunt. Hael, not having had much time for his usual exercises, felt somewhat restless. He longed for the freedom to move his body as he did back home. Aside from the Aphthonia Forest, there were plenty of other hunting grounds available, some even in distant countries where huntsmen traveled to capture divine beasts. It took Hael a while to adjust to hunting in this new land, but as the day wore on, he grew more comfortable with the process. He made sure to avoid harming the animals, catching them only to release them back into the wild unharmed.
Anthanasia watched with amusement as he worked. His character seriously doesn't match his appearance at all, she thought with a quiet smile.
They spent the morning and afternoon demonstrating their skills before heading back to town for a meal. Afterward, Anthanasia took on the role of tour guide, showing Hael and Loki some of the city's quieter, lesser-known spots, still stunning in their beauty. As they explored, she shared stories of her life and upbringing.
Hael listened intently, absorbing every word she spoke. He expressed his desire to learn everything about the land—the geography, its customs, and its rules. Anthanasia, with plenty of time to spare, was more than happy to share her knowledge, especially since Hael absorbed it so quickly.
They spent the rest of the day exploring, learning, and growing closer. Meanwhile, Loki could only watch from the sidelines as their bond deepened with each passing moment.