Chapter 21: (CH20)FEATHERS AND REVELRY
The village buzzed with music and laughter. After the fall of the Rampaging Agmorant, the people of Luis’s hometown threw a raucous celebration—torches flickered, ale flowed, and the scent of roasting meat drifted through the air like a promise.
In the center of the square, Icon jerked rhythmically in something that could generously be called dancing. Its metal limbs twitched and flailed, mimicking the villagers with unsettling enthusiasm.
"MASTER," it declared, mid-spin. "DANCING IS ILLOGICAL BUT PLEASING."
It nearly tripped over its talons.
Zyx howled with laughter nearby. "Look at him go! Like a drunk scarecrow on stilts!"
Luis leaned against a wooden post, sipping water and letting the sound wash over him. He thumbed open his Soul Forge tab, eyes scanning his stats.
SOUL ESSENCE: 10,920
That fight gave me enough for something decent...
Zyx hovered at his shoulder. "Still rocking that junkyard hammer and starter boots? Pathetic. Even Pim’s exploding potions are higher-tier."
Luis sighed. "I need better gear. Maybe armor."
Zyx gasped, mock-scandalized. "Armor? You mean you don’t like nearly dying every fight?"