Two days had passed. At sunrise, a cold breeze drifted through the orphanage, and birds chirped cheerfully. Phoebe, Kanna, the children of the orphanage, and Director Alfred stood outside, ready to bid farewell as Phoebe prepared to travel east toward the Middle Continent.
Kanna spoke first, her voice trembling slightly. "Keep safe, okay? If you encounter any weird person, punch them in the stomach and then run."
Alfred raised an eyebrow. "What if Phoebe starts punching anyone who comes near her because of your advice?"
"That's not what I… I mean, I'm talking about the bad guys… Phoebe, you understand, right?" Kanna said quickly.
"Yes, I understand, Kanna. I'll run if I see one," Phoebe replied, shouldering her travel backpack with her rapier, Uriel hiding within it.
"Alright, children, say your farewells. Phoebe needs to leave now, or we might miss the ship. Oh, and Kanna, Trish—please keep an eye on the orphanage while I accompany Phoebe to the docks. We'll be riding a wagon through the village, so everyone behave" Alfred instructed.
"Okay, Director! Goodbye, Mr. Alfred! Goodbye, Phoebe! Have a safe trip!" the children chorused.
"Phoebe, take care! Wait for me—I'll definitely come to the Middle Continent. I'll see you soon, just you wait!" Kanna said, tears welling in her eyes.
"I'll wait for you, Kanna. I'll miss you… and everyone" Phoebe replied, her own eyes brimming with tears.
Phoebe raised her hand in farewell. She and Alfred then began walking toward the village and the waiting carriage.
Suddenly, a faint blue flame drifted along the wind, and a voice reached Phoebe's ears:
"Why… why? How did everything turn out like this… I wish I hadn't left the orphanage. Now everyone's gone… Kanna… the children… Director… they all left me. I'm alone…"
Phoebe's eyes darted around, cold sweat forming on her forehead, her heart racing. Then she heard it again:
"I…I wish I hadn't been childish… I wish I hadn't gone to see the world… If I hadn't… everyone would still be here. Someone… anyone… please… help me… Kanna… don't leave me behind…"
Phoebe froze as she look around. The voice sounded so real, yet there was no one around—just her and Alfred.
"Director… did you hear someone talking?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"No… it's just the two of us. What's wrong?" Alfred replied.
"Oh… never mind then," Phoebe said softly, her heart aching a little.
"Uriel… did you hear it? The voice?" Phoebe asked, glancing at the rapier.
"Are you daydreaming? It's just the two of you. How could someone be talking?" Uriel replied, sounding unbothered.
"But I could have sworn I…" Phoebe murmured, confused.
"Are you okay, Phoebe?" Alfred asked, concern in his eyes.
"N-No… maybe I was just daydreaming," she admitted.
"Alright then, let's head to the wagon."
"Yes…" Phoebe said, puzzled, her gaze lingering on the orphanage for a brief moment before following Alfred toward the village.
The village was alive with activity. Women chattered, men laughed, children played, and fishermen worked along the lakeside. They reached the wagon, where Alfred paid the fee and climbed aboard. Phoebe followed, joining three other passengers: a male goblin, a female goblin, and a human woman.
The goblins were small, with pointed ears, green zigzag markings across their bodies, and arms twice the size of a regular human's. They were known for detecting minerals in their surroundings and for their greed.
The wagon ride was quiet. Everyone kept to themselves as the village gradually disappeared behind them. Soon, Phoebe spotted a kingdom perched atop a hill: the Kingdom of Freedom. Its tall white brick walls enclosed a grand castle with three red spires, each topped with a flag depicting a dove carrying a leaf. The streets below bustled with merchants, bards, nobles, and children selling newspapers. A branch of the Adventure Association guild stood prominently nearby.
Phoebe's eyes widened in awe. "Director… what's that enormous structure in the distance of the kingdom?"
"That" Alfred said, "is a Genesis Tower. It houses artifacts, powerful monsters, and treasures. Rankers often enter these towers to maintain order, keeping monster populations in check, or to stop criminals chasing artifacts."
"Oh! So that's the Genesis Tower I read about in books!" Phoebe exclaimed.
"Yes. And your bird companion… I heard it has been there too," Alfred added.
"Really? Uriel, is that true?" Phoebe asked.
"Yes. That's where I was imprisoned for a long time… until I met you," Uriel said calmly from within the rapier.
"Good thing you're free now," Phoebe said softly.
"Yes" Uriel replied, uninterested.
Inside the kingdom, Phoebe saw a large sign: Welcome to the Kingdom of Freedom. They disembarked from the wagon along with the other passengers. As they walked toward the docks, Phoebe observed her surroundings curiously. Her eyes caught a capsule inn, bustling with adventurers.
"Director! Those are capsule inns, right? The ones the Hydro Sovereign invented herself?" she asked excitedly.
Alfred nodded warmly. "Yes. A gift from the Sovereign to every weary traveler."
On cue, two adventurers approached an empty capsule on the ground floor: a tall human woman in worn leather armor, her brown hair tied in a messy ponytail, and a slender male elf with long silver hair and a bow slung across his back.
The woman pulled a mid-grade mana crystal from her belt pouch, glowing icy blue, and slid it into the capsule's side slot.
Click.
A thin blue line ran down the front and flashed once.
Shhhhk.
The doors split perfectly in half, sliding into the walls and vanishing. Inside was a small, luxurious bedroom: thick snow-white cushions, pillows soft as clouds, and lighting that smelled faintly of winter pine.
The woman kicked off her boots and stretched out with a long, happy groan. The elf followed gracefully, lying beside her, shoulders brushing.
She pressed the large crystal button marked CLOSE.
Clack.
The doors slid shut silently. A ring of soft blue light pulsed three times, and cool swirling mist poured from vents along the ceiling. Phoebe watched through the frost-tinted front glass as ribbons of cold wind curled around the elf's hair, leaving tiny ice crystals on the woman's eyelashes. Within seconds, both were asleep, peaceful.
Nearby, another capsule hissed open. A drowsy dwarf tumbled out, beard covered in frost, looking ten years younger. Phoebe clutched her tiny pouch, staring at the capsules like they were treasure chests.
"When I'm a great ranker, I'm definitely sleeping in one of these every night… maybe even with Kanna when she comes to find me!"
Alfred ruffled her hair. "Then you'd better take high-rank missions. One night here costs more than our whole orphanage spends in a week."
Phoebe grinned. "Challenge accepted!"
With that, they continued walking toward the docks, Phoebe buzzing with excitement at the vibrant kingdom around her.