Chương 99: Chapter 97 – Leaving Town.

The merchant adjusted his hat, squinting against the early morning sun as he watched the last of his cargo being loaded onto the wagon. Thick rolls of fabric - prized imports from the southern provinces - lay neatly stacked, their vibrant patterns hidden under protective canvas. He ran a hand over the edge of the wagon, ensuring the ropes were securely tied, his fingers brushed against the coarse texture of the covering to check for any oddities.

"... Did that part always stick out like that?" He noticed an oddity there, a little bit of the white fabric was sticking out. He leaned over in an attempt to check but right as he did, a voice from behind him resounded.

"Are you finished? We need to leave, we are already behind schedule."

"Ahh… yeah, everything is fine…" The man nodded and leaned away from the wagon where the fabric rolls were packed. With one last glance at the odd protrusion, he decided it wasn't worth delaying further inspection. Satisfied that the cargo was secure, he adjusted his hat once more and waved to the coachman.

"Alright, let's get moving!" The convoy began to rumble forward, the heavy wagons creaking as they rolled onto the cobblestone streets. Everything seemed in order, yet a persistent unease gnawed at him. The city had been in chaos since the battle with the cultists last night. Word spread fast, even among those who kept their heads down. Now that a strange cult had been exposed in this city, the merchants wished to do nothing more than to get out.

They knew that once the Ghelene believers entered the city, it was bad for business.

"Do you think they will let us through?"

"I hope so, we should still make it … but it might be close." Two of the merchants had a discussion as their wagons filled with wares rolled forward. They knew that these paladins would start searching every store and every part of the city for signs of this cult. The marketplace would probably be closed and some of their wares could be confiscated due to these zealots, some of them who were corrupt. It was best to quickly leave the city and return later once things had settled and these people had left.

"Then we should hurry, do you have it?"

"Yeah…" The man nodded, showing off a large sack to the other merchant. The clang of coins resonated as he shook it. Unbeknownst to them, the fabrics in the rear wagon began to shift. Nestled safely beneath the rolls of fabric was a silvery-white ant. She was not alone; beside her lay a small metal helmet and a darkened orb of light.

"Lady Gleam, it would be better if you stayed still," Rusty whispered.

"(>﹏<)""Is it that uncomfortable? Sorry, Gleam, but we have to stay quiet for now. Once we're outside the gates, we'll have a chance to flee!"

"(ง '̀ - '́)ง""That's my Gleam!" Rusty encouraged his companion, who was clearly struggling with the bumpy ride. The streets were paved with rough stones, making the wagon lurch and rattle as it moved. It was far from a smooth journey. Despite the discomfort, they needed to remain calm. If anyone discovered they were hiding among the merchant's wares, it would spell disaster. Rusty, now without a proper adventurer's body to inhabit, relied entirely on this escape plan.

The plan was simple: stay concealed within the merchants' goods and wait for the right moment to make their move. If all went well, they would escape together once they were safely beyond the city gates. The merchants' convoy trundled along the cobbled streets, making its way toward the towering city gates. The sunlight was climbing higher, casting long shadows across the bustling thoroughfare. Around them, the city seemed tense, with citizens speaking in hushed tones and guards patrolling in pairs.

Word of the cultist battle had spread like wildfire, and the looming presence of the Paladins of Ghelene only added to the unease. Rusty, snugly nestled alongside Gleam beneath the tightly packed rolls of fabric, activated his Life Detection skill once more. It was faint at this distance, but it allowed him to sense movement outside their wagon - a subtle precaution as they neared the gates. The convoy slowed, and the distinct clink of armor grew louder.

The guards stationed at the city gates were stopping each wagon for inspection. Their stern voices carried through the air as they ordered the merchants to halt.

"All vehicles are subject to inspection." Barked one of the guards, his hand resting on the pommel of his sword. Inside their wagon, Rusty felt Gleam twitch nervously. Her tiny antennae brushed against the fabric surrounding them, conveying her unease. He didn't understand fear too much as he was still only a piece of armor but after using the possession skill and interacting with humans, he was quickly learning. Rusty's attention was divided between the people bustling around the gate and his SP count.

Enough time had passed since their arrival for him to switch to a new loadout, if necessary. While he could fight if it came to that, he knew it wouldn't be the best idea. The priority was to remain unnoticed. If worst came to worst, perhaps Gleam could escape on her own while he pretended to be nothing more than a small, ant-shaped helmet.

"Stay calm, Gleam. Everything will be fine…" Rusty whispered reassuringly but he wondered if they would truly be fine.

"(ó﹏ò)""Listen to Rusty, Lady Gleam, even if they discover you, they're unlikely to associate you with those madmen. You're just an ant, and Rusty's just a helmet. They might even assume you're part of the merchant's wares!" Aburdon's tone was oddly gentle. Rusty suspected it was more out of self-preservation than genuine concern. If Gleam started trembling and drew attention, they'd all be discovered - and Aburdon would share in their fate.

Rusty knew the demon king was only on his side because their lives were bound together. If Gleam were caught, Rusty would have no choice but to fight, and that was the last thing Aburdon wanted. For now, staying hidden and calm was the only path to survival. Rusty could hear the murmurs of other merchants as they nervously handed over documents and coins, hoping to expedite the process. The clinking of armor drew closer, and Rusty activated his Life Detection skill again.

One guard lingered near their wagon longer than the others.

"What's in here?" The guard asked, his voice gruff and filled with suspicion. Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

"Just textiles, sir." The merchant replied, trying to keep his tone even.

"High-quality imports from the south. See for yourself." Rusty's metaphorical heart sank as he felt the guard's weight press against the side of the wagon. The canvas covering rustled as the guard untied a corner to peek inside. Gleam froze, her tiny body pressing deeper into the folds of fabric.

"(>﹏<)..."

"Don't move, Gleam. Humans require their eyes to see, even if they touch you, just stay still!" Rusty called out softly in a way only Gleam could hear. Meanwhile, the guard's hand reached into the wagon, brushing against the fabric rolls. His fingers lingered dangerously close to Gleam's hiding spot, and for an agonizing moment, Rusty braced for the worst. If the guard pulled her out, their entire plan would crumble. Rusty's mind raced, formulating contingencies.

If the man grabbed Gleam, he would immediately activate his loadout. Appearing in his largest form would likely stun the guards, giving him just enough time to grab Gleam and run. He already knew the layout as this gate led to the F-rank dungeon where he had first emerged from. The city was encircled by a moat, meaning he would have to cross the bridge. He doubted the guards would let him escape without a chase, but he had a plan.

In the chaos, he could launch Gleam into the safety of nearby bushes along with his helmet. From there, he would use his headless body as a decoy while his core and Gleam made their escape. It was a simple, desperate plan, but it was all he had. Thankfully, it didn't come to that. After a tense moment, the guard withdrew his hand, leaving Gleam untouched. Rusty allowed himself a silent sigh of relief, knowing they had narrowly avoided disaster, at least, for now.

"Looks fine to me." The guard muttered while stepping back.

"Move along." The merchant exhaled and lowered his head at the guard.

"Thank you, officer. Safe travels to you." As the wagon began to roll forward again, Rusty felt a wave of relief wash over him. Gleam let out a tiny chirp of joy, her antennae quivering with excitement.

"(˶ᵔᵕᵔ˶)!"

"Well done, Lady Gleam." Aburdon murmured.

"You've nerves of steel for such a small creature."

"(¬_¬')""Why, you hurt me lady Gleam, that you would accuse me of sarcasm!" Gleam seemed perceptive enough to sense Aburdon's true inclinations, but now wasn't the time to dwell on it. The convoy creaked onwards, its wheels groaning under the weight of merchant goods. Rusty remained vigilant, relying on his limited-range life detection skill to keep track of everyone nearby. The caravan comprised three carts filled with merchant goods, along with several other carriages.

While there were plenty of people present, most of them didn't appear battle-ready. This was a truth Rusty had only recently begun to grasp. Previously, he had assumed that the people of this world were more like adventurers: strong and willing to risk their lives in combat. However, the reality was different. Most of the population wasn't much stronger than an average F-rank monster. Many were part of the civilian class, with roles such as villager or farmer - classes seemingly assigned to them at random.

Around the age of ten, people in this world could visit a nearby shrine where they would be assigned a class that would shape their future. Unlike monsters, who were inherently born for battle, these people had other purposes. Some were suited for crafting items, while others focused on farming or producing goods to trade and sell. Rusty still didn't fully understand the intricacies of this system, but one thing was clear: the majority of these people posed no threat to him or Gleam.

While this knowledge offered a small measure of reassurance, it didn't lessen Rusty's vigilance. His focus remained on the convoy, ever-watchful for any signs of danger. For now, at least, their presence went unnoticed. The convoy finally passed through the city gates, and the bustling noise of the city began to fade. Beyond the walls lay the open road, flanked by fields and sparse clusters of trees.

The merchants sighed in relief, their conversations shifting to lighter topics now that they were out of the guards' reach.

"The harvest has been thinning lately. I wonder if the gods are angry?"

"Perhaps, but luckily there are other ways we can earn our keep!"

"That's true. Not every city has three dungeons nearby! We can upsell all these monster materials and even those textiles!" Rusty overheard the two merchants discussing business and started to wonder when the best time would be to make his move. While he couldn't see much around him except for Gleam and the fabric rolls, it was clear they were moving farther and farther from the city. The wagon he was in remained empty of other living beings, so he decided it was time to summon his second guide, Alexander.

The familiar white orb of light appeared beside him, and with it, they could finally discuss their next steps.

"Why isn't it the useless hero?" Aburdon sneered.

"Shut it." Aburdon wasted no time mocking Alexander for his absence during the fight with the cultists.

"Why should I? But perhaps it's for the best. Some of your friends showed up… That Priestess of Ghelene was there, wasn't she?"

"..." Alexander fell silent, as if unwilling to answer the question. Rusty wasn't sure what was going on there, but it didn't seem important. What mattered now was figuring out what he should do next. He had escaped the dungeon of his birth and left the city behind. The world was starting to open up to him, but he wasn't sure how to survive in it. He needed to focus on his options, and he hoped that Alexander and Aburdon might have some ideas.

"(•̀ - •́)""Yeah, they still argue the same as they did before… I've gotten used to it…" Rusty answered Gleam while the two listened to the two bicker like an old married couple again.

"Quiet down you two, I need your help!" He finally gave the order, and the two guides fell silent immediately. Rusty had accomplished several of his goals so far. The first was breaking free from the dungeon, which he had managed over a month ago. The second was rescuing Gleam, which was now nearly complete. They just needed to escape the merchant convoy, and then they would be in the clear. But that was where things stalled as he wasn't sure what his next goal should be.

"Where should I go? What should I do?"

"Oh, quite the existential question there, Rusty." Aburdon answered in the usual mocking tone. Rusty sighed metaphorically, wishing he could roll his nonexistent eyes.

"I'm serious. We're out of the city, and for now, we're safe. But…" Rusty tried to continue but Alexander quickly interrupted him.

"But you are afraid that something bad will happen in the future if you just aimlessly set out into the wide open world?"

"Uh… something like that…" He had been born a monster, something that should have remained in a dungeon, bound to its dark confines. But now he was free, and the world seemed to be his oyster - a very terrifying oyster. Rusty had believed himself to be relatively strong compared to the average adventurer. He had aced the tests and even managed to kill monsters like orcs. However, after encountering that one mage - and later, the High Priest - he wasn't so sure he was ready to face the great unknown.

There were forces in this world that could crush him like a bug. If he and Gleam were to survive and thrive, they needed to grow stronger before challenging such powerful beings. And yet, despite the fear, a part of him yearned for those battles.

"Or perhaps he's contemplating his life?" Abrudon asked, breaking the silence.

"My life?"

"Why, yes! You are now free of the shackles that once bound you. Ready to set out and conquer the world!" Abrudon declared with an almost theatrical flourish.

"Conquer the world?"

"Indeed! You must set your sights high, my dear Rusty. Why not aspire to become the next Demon King? With my help, you could easily bring the Demonic Dukes under your control. And this time…" Abrudon began cackling like the villain he once was. Despite the grandiosity of his words, there was an undeniable truth to them. Rusty felt it too - an unquenchable yearning to experience all that this world had to offer.

He wanted to push himself, to use every ounce of his skill, and to challenge the truly powerful forces that roamed this land. There was so much he longed to do, so much he ached to see, that the fear of the open world that had once gripped him began to fade. In its place, a growing sense of excitement and hunger took root - a yearning for the boundless possibilities ahead.