Chương 48: Carnia

As I crest over a particularly large hill, it comes into view. Carnia, The Sixtieth Great City of Humanity. The early morning light bathes the walls that stretch beyond the horizon, making them almost blend in with the sandy desertish terrain around the city. By whatever mechanism, it seems the mere presence of the place drives off vegetation. That's probably a good thing though. They wouldn't want to end up with an invasion of sentient shrubs that call lightning down from the sky.

Though, that could be quite interesting…

"Betcha I can beat you down there, slowpoke." Dovey says and then darts off ahead of me. The wind wraps around his tiny form. This damn bird is such a cheat, good thing I can cheat just as good–if not better. Not to be shown up by a stupid bird, I take off running. Poor Luma holds on for dear life as I chain Plane Steps back to back. Kilometers evaporate under my feet, and I quickly catch up to Dovey. But that foolish bird challenged me. So I just keep going.

Somehow, it is like all that has been weighing on me just ceases to exist. I just run, and at some point a laugh escapes me. My hood falls down, and I can feel the wind running through my hair. Damn, I should've done this the whole way here. Though i probably couldn't have, running is far easier now that I can easily use stamina. Turns out, my hammer isn't the only thing I can infuse with stamina. As I think this, a ding sounds in my mind.

'Ding', New skill learned, [Fundamental Muscular Boost (Common)] The skill does exactly what it says, allowing me to boost my muscles with stamina. I make good use of that as I race towards the city, its walls quickly starting to dwarf me. Screeching to a halt just at the edge of the road, I am shocked to see not many people staring at me. Guess people randomly racing in from the wilderness is quite common, I am not much different than the people casually flying over the crowds.

Slipping into the crowd, I follow the flow as it moves relatively quickly towards the city. Before I know it, I am going under the gates, and the system is welcoming me inside. You have now entered the Great City Carnia (Level 69) | Danger: None-Absurd The wilderness was nice, but damn I don't think I can ever get tired of these cities. I walk along the main road, buildings towering either side and high into the sky. The designs are similar to Loder, but there are more splashes of color around, I think.

Blackharbor was still grand, of course. But the great cities are just, well, greater. Then again, it isn't like I ever got to see much of Loder, before being kidnapped and all. So really, this is my first time in a great city. This time though, getting kidnapped is not on my to-do list. I double and triple check to make sure my cloak is set to invisible. Part of me thinks I should just take it off, but somehow that feels wrong. Plus, I doubt anyone could see through the divine magic keeping it hidden.

"YIP!" Luma shouts and abruptly jumps off my shoulder. I nearly lose her as she gets absorbed into the crowd. But then I notice a tug on my pant leg, and look down to see her trying to pull me. Dovey and I both sigh, and let Luma pull us off the main road. Now, of all the places in this vast city, where could a cute little spirit fox be dragging us towards? The bakery district, of course! I did promise her a treat, and I am not one to break promises. Especially not to such a cute fox.

Sweet smells fill the air as we enter a quieter area. The shopfronts are laden with more desserts than I can count. This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Which when one thinks about it, makes sense. In a world where many people don't need to eat as much, nor ever gain weight from excessive food, desserts would be quite popular. Luma seems to have her sights on one shop in particular and drags me through the door.

I feel an odd bit of magic pass over me as I enter inside. But all questions are forgotten when a friendly woman greets me with a smile.

"Welcome, traveller! Might I interest you in some desserts? We've got everything you could ever want, from scones, to donuts, to pies and even our specialty seventy-two layer wedding cakes!" I fail to see how such a large cake is even physically possible. But if she says it is, who am I to question it? Magic can do a whole ton of crazy shit combat-wise, so why not for baking? My choice of dessert is made for me though, as Luma hops onto the counter and peers into the display case.

She stares right at a package of very colorful scones, and I swear I can see her drooling just a bit. Taking the advice of the all knowing and very cute fox, I purchase a dozen scones for what I at first think is far too little. But the shopkeeper just says I must be from the minor cities, and assures me that it is right. Whatever that means, I leave with the scones in-storage and a very excited fox bouncing on my shoulder.

Though as I exit, a man runs right into my back–which should be impossible, as that shop was empty aside from me.

"Whoops, sorry 'bout that, lad. Always forget to check if there is someone already outside of the instance…"

"Instance?" I ask, not really bothered about the whole collision thing. This smells magic-y, and that is far more interesting. The man stares at me from a moment and squints his eyes.

"Ah, you must be fresh from a minor city. Instance magic is pretty common nowadays, the last hero of knowledge somehow ripped it straight from the dungeons. Bloody genius, they were. Anyways, have a great day!" The man doesn't stick around long and proceeds to skip down the street. Must just be a busy guy, I guess. Instancing magic does sound cool. I guess that the magic somehow creates an illusion of a place? Mixed with spatial magic, allowing for multiple people to experience it at once.

Dungeons are sure going to be interesting. I bet this city has one inside, or at least nearby. Calder said I should wait until level twenty five… but I have blown far past that.

"Yip." Ah right, first we need to find an inn. A nice place to settle down and enjoy these scones! — After asking a random passerby, I found a nearby inn. Or rather, a hotel, as they call it. Not sure what the difference is, I think it either has to do with the size or just a simple naming convention. A short vertical journey in a moving metal box called an elevator later, I find myself standing in front of a door.

I pull out a strange metal card the receptionist gave me and tap it against a similar plate on the door. My energy sense lets me witness a brief flash of mana get exchanged. Then with some clicking sounds, the door slides open. Damn, guess these great cities really are just different than minor ones. The hotel room is pretty normal, though. Aside from the fact that it comes with a full bathtub, one with running water even!

A simple runic circle on the wall allows me to heat the entire tub with ease, and keep it at the perfect temperature too! Not that I have a chance to test it out, as Luma quickly drags me to the table and I open up the bag of scones. Grabbing a pink one, I hand it to Luma and she very cutely takes it in her mouth. A part of my mind does question how a technically incorporeal spirit is eating a scone right now, but I just file it in my mental drawer full of questions.

After all, Luma's face is really cute as she munches away at her scone. I take one of my own and the instant I bite into it, flavor consumes me. It is like it fills every fiber of my being, suffusing me with some sort of baking magic for sure. If magic tastes this good, then it is a damn good thing that I won't gain weight from eating too much.

"Mhm, what is this magical substance?" Dovey says, crumbs of scone still sticking to his beak.

"Right? This world may have its horrors and terrible parts. But it sure does try to make it up for it. Though personally, I don't know if these scones are worth the sky just randomly splitting open and disgorging an apocalypse."

"Right with ya, master." Dovey says while fighting with Luma over a blue scone that looks particularly delicious.

"It would take some truly divine sweets to be worth all the shit that incursion brought."

"Well then, guess we better figure out how to get stronger. That way we can save the world and let people have the time to make such sweets."

"Damn right!" The stupid bird says.