Chương 96: (B2) Chapter 23 - Homecoming

The journey back to Nexus had been considerably less exciting than his trip to Conevil. Which, considering how that particular adventure had ended, was probably for the best. His leg still ached despite the healers assuring him it would recover fully, and every now and then his pathways would flare with discomfort whenever he moved too fast or circulated his mana. The ship gently rocked beneath him as he began to walk down the plank. The city dominated the horizon.

Massive towers rose into the sky while countless ships moved in and out of the harbor around him. In his previous life he had spent so much time focused on survival that he rarely stopped to appreciate places like Nexus. Now though, with the benefit of hindsight, he could admit the city was impressive. His gaze drifted across the docks. Then immediately narrowed. Ethan activated [Keen Sense], his awareness expanding across the harbor. The skill immediately highlighted a familiar smell standing amongst the crowds.

A small smile tugged at his lips despite himself. Bella stood near the bar on the corner, her dark clothing helping her blend into the crowd despite making absolutely no effort to hide. She had her arms folded across her chest while she watched the ship approach. Ethan wasn't entirely sure how long she'd been standing there, but judging by the bored expression on her face, it had probably been a while. The harbor was as busy as ever. Merchants shouted. Dock workers moved cargo between ships.

Adventurers rushed in every direction. Yet despite the chaos, Bella remained exactly where she was, her short dark hair fluttering slightly in the wind. She watched him approach, her expression unchanging.

"Took you long enough," she said as soon as he got close. Ethan snorted.

"Good to see you too."

"Mmm. I haven't heard from you in weeks."

"I thought you were still on the first level." Bella tilted her head.

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"Nothing I guess." Ethan said with a shrug.

"So what are you doing here? I wasn't expecting to see you for quite a while." Bella pushed herself off the table she had been leaning back against.

"It was time to move on. Fortunately I have other matters here on Nexus to attend to. Just turns out you're also here." She paused for a moment.

"Why are you limping?" He looked down at his armor, that currently had a slash through it where his leg had been cut.

"I guess you could say I've been having some fun." For a moment they simply stared at each other. Then Bella smiled. A real smile. Not one of her smug ones. Ethan found himself returning it. It was strange. They hadn't known each other for particularly long compared to some of the people from his previous life. Yet there was something comforting about seeing a familiar face after spending the last week getting stabbed, nearly bleeding out and setting forests on fire.

"Yes, I've heard all about the fun you've been having." She said, while turning to walk with the flow of traffic and towards the train. Ethan snorted and moved after her.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Bella looked entirely too pleased by the question.

"You're famous." Ethan groaned.

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't play coy. The challenge dungeon is all anyone talks about."

"How do you know?" Bella ignored him.

"Tomas wants to see you."

"Tomas? As in Broken Dawns Tomas?" She nodded.

"I may have spent some time looking around the guilds. Had to see what I was in for." Ethan frowned.

"Define looking around." Bella's smile widened.

"I was thorough."

"That's not reassuring."

"Don't worry. I didn't find anything on you."

"You were looking?" Bella paused, looking at him for a moment before carrying on. Ethan frowned.

"So what, you're my escort now?"

"Please. I just had to make sure we were on the same page. Besides, I also have some things to go over with you." She said, coming to a stop on the platform, as the train doors opened and people began funneling out. Ethan sighed and stepped onto the train after her. The doors slid closed and the pair moved inside before finding a pair of seats near one of the windows. Moments later the train began moving, carrying them away from the harbor district and deeper into Nexus.

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Bella spent the next several minutes filling him in on everything that had happened while he was away. Ethan listened while occasionally looking out the window. The city rolled past in a blur of towering buildings and crowded streets. She hadn't been lying when she said she had her own reasons to be in Nexus. Apparently the woman they had been tracking had got away.

So her group had split up, each member going to a large port to see if they could find her. She also filled him in on the details. Apparently the woman they had been searching for back on the first level was none other than Roy's fiancée. Bella had reason to believe her going missing was something to do with the necromancer and his group. And so she had come to talk options with Ethan and see his opinion, considering he knew the most about the group. Her words not his.

He had agreed to talk about it more but right now the scenery was beginning to change. The skyscrapers became less common. The buildings grew shorter and more dense, until finally they entered the housing district. Home. Or at least as close to one as Ethan currently had. He stood as the train began slowing. Bella followed suit. Neither of them spoke as the station approached. It seemed like Bella had a lot to deal with, so instead Ethan found himself thinking about Leah.

The last time she had seen him he'd been heading off toward Conevil to clear a dungeon. Now he was returning after first-clearing it, unlocking a Primordial Affinity and nearly dying at least once. Somehow he doubted she was going to be impressed by any of that. The train came to a stop and the doors slid open. Together, Ethan and Bella stepped out onto the platform. The walk from the station wasn't particularly long, though Ethan still found himself appreciating that fact.

His leg had healed enough that he could move properly again, but every now and then a dull ache would remind him of the giant's axe and all the poor decisions that had followed. Beside him, Bella appeared entirely unaffected by the pace. She moved with her usual casual grace, occasionally glancing around at the people occupying the housing district. Compared to the harbor the area felt peaceful. Children ran between buildings.

Adventurers moved towards the station carrying packs and weapons while others returned from whatever dungeon or expedition had occupied their day. Eventually the apartment building came into view. Ethan slowed ever so slightly as he looked up at it. During his previous life he had never appreciated things like this. A roof over his head. A safe place to sleep. Familiar people waiting behind a door. Back then everything had been about survival. About reaching the next day.

Now though, he found himself enjoying moments like this far more than he once would have. Apparently Bella noticed because she glanced sideways at him before smirking.

"You're soft." Ethan snorted.

"Shut up." Her smile only widened. The pair made their way upstairs. Even before reaching the apartment Ethan could hear movement inside. [Keen Sense] picked up the faint sound of footsteps moving back and forth, along with the occasional scrape of furniture. He frowned.

"What's she doing?" Bella followed his gaze.

"No idea." Ethan opened the door and immediately found himself staring at Leah. She must have been pacing because she was already halfway across the room when the door opened. For a brief moment neither of them said anything. Then Leah's eyes traveled over him from head to toe. They paused on his leg. Her expression immediately darkened.

"What happened?" Ethan blinked.

"Hello to you too."

"No." She pointed directly at him.

"What happened?" Bella immediately lost whatever sympathy she may have possessed and snorted, while looking around the tiny apartment. Ethan shot her a look while Leah continued staring at him with growing suspicion. Unfortunately he already knew there was no escaping this conversation.

"It was a giant."

"A giant?"

"A really big giant." Leah continued staring. Bella walked over to the sofa and lay on it like this was her own.

"To be fair, he told me he also got bitten. And crushed." Leah slowly turned toward her brother.

"He got what?"

"It worked out."

"It worked out?" Leah repeated.

"Ethan, you disappeared for over a week. You know we have Farscribe books so you can keep me up to date."

"I did keep you up to date!"

"The armor on your leg is shredded. Almost detached!"

"That's not even the most painful part."

"What?"

"Nothing." Leah looked moments away from strangling him. Unfortunately for Ethan, things only became worse from there. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she seemed to notice something.

"Wait." Ethan immediately knew where this was going.

"What?"

"How much stronger did you get?" The room became quiet. Ethan glanced toward Bella. He reached up and removed his helmet.

"Let's just say I cleared the level thirty five dungeon." For a moment Leah simply stared. Then she grabbed the nearest cushion and threw it at his head. Ethan managed to catch it, though the sudden movement immediately pulled at his pathways and made him regret the decision. Leah pointed accusingly at him.

"How am I meant to catch you!" Ethan looked down at the cushion in his hands, is that really what this was about. He thought she was happy to split up for the time being.

"I'll take you on the next run."

"It's not about that." She sighed, deflating a little.

"Look, I'm glad you're okay." Ethan moved toward her, dropping his helmet on the ground.

"I've already told you, you don't need to worry about me anymore." He said, throwing the pillow at Bella and wrapping Leah in a hug.

"Did you really fight a giant?" Ethan nodded with a smirk as he watched Bella bounce like a cat from the fright. The rest of the evening passed surprisingly quickly after that. Food was acquired. Stories were exchanged. Leah alternated between being impressed, annoyed and concerned while also letting him know how her dungeon runs had been going. For his part, Ethan found himself relaxing more than he had expected. It had been a long time since he had simply sat down and talked with people he trusted. No fighting.

No dungeon. No near-death experience. Just an ordinary evening. Which was perhaps why the knock on the door felt so abrupt when it finally came. The room fell silent as Ethan pushed himself to his feet and crossed the apartment, while donning his helmet. He opened the door revealing a guild messenger standing outside. The man immediately straightened upon seeing him.

"Ethan?" He nodded. The messenger handed over a folded letter.

"Guildmaster Tomas requests your presence tomorrow morning." Ethan accepted the letter and watched as the man departed without another word. Once the door closed he unfolded the message and quickly scanned its contents before folding it closed and placing it on the table.

"Tomas?" Leah asked. Ethan nodded.

"It seems news travels fast. Just as well I have a few things to go over with him as well." He said pointedly, while looking at Leah. She had told him a few choice stories he was eager to bring up. Bella looked entirely unsurprised.

"Told you." Ethan glanced at the letter one final time before leaning back into his chair. Whatever Tomas wanted, it could wait until tomorrow. Tonight he planned on enjoying the rare luxury of doing absolutely nothing, so he moved to his room, took his armor off and returned to the table, ready to truly relax.