Anthesis of Sadness
Chapter 40: The Birth of the Monster

Chapter 40: The Birth of the Monster

There, I saw her. Lysara was waiting for me, her eyes fixed on mine. She clung to my sleeve, still soaked with the creature’s blood, and gently pulled me along.

That simple gesture said more than a thousand words. She could have left, gone her own way, ignored me. But she didn’t. She waited for me. She recognized me. Maybe that was the real reward.

I followed her without hesitation. After all, it was the first time she’d done something like this, and it was obvious she wanted to show me something.

Then, she made a gesture, and I saw her new ability unfold before my eyes. She could create an excess of herself and split it off.

It was a birth. An act of pure will.

Not a skill, not magic. A silent manifesto.

She was no longer waiting to be given a shape. She was forging one herself.

One of her arms detached from her body, walking beside her like a perfect extension of her will.

A living arm. An extension of herself, completely obedient. It was no longer magic. It was a birth. Proof that this world didn’t just want to break her... but reinvent her.

Shock washed over me. Shapeshifter? That race offered so many possibilities, it felt almost unreal. But after the astonishment came pride. I was genuinely happy to see her evolving. And, even through her usually so empty gaze, I could tell she was proud too. Her behavior was different than usual — more alive, more animated.

— That’s quite a skill, I said, my voice sincere.

But I wasn’t going to miss a chance to tease her.

— But be careful, the student shouldn’t surpass the master just yet, huh! Wait at least another ten years for that.

She briefly turned her eyes toward me.

— Ten years is a long time.

Her voice was neutral, but I thought I caught a quiet hint of provocation. She was learning fast. Too fast.

I ruffled her hair, as usual, a mischievous smile on my lips.

— Come on, let’s go. Here, take this bag, I’ll carry the other one.

Without protesting, she grabbed the bag I handed her.

It was time to hit the road again.

That night, she stayed awake longer than I did.

I pretended to sleep, eyes half-open, watching the shadows dance across her face.

And that’s when I saw her.

Sitting, knees drawn to her chest, she was breathing slowly. Too slowly.

Then, without a word, a single tear rolled down her cheek.

Just one.

She didn’t cry.

She didn’t whimper.

But that single moment — that tiny collapse — pierced me more surely than any wound.

She was no longer a tool.

No longer a weapon.

She was a child.

And this world was breaking her, bit by bit.

Two days passed, during which I did my best to open up more and more to Lysara. Gradually, I grew attached to her. I’d never been immune to cute things, after all! A big cat lover back on Earth, it was a weakness I struggled to resist. But beyond that, something about her drew me in, tied me to her in a deeper way.

But it wasn’t just that. It wasn’t just tenderness. There was something else, something larger, deeper. A sense of belonging. As if this empty-eyed kid tethered me to the little humanity I had left.

The road was mostly uneventful. A few Gorvaks crossed our path, but Lysara was chasing them off faster and faster. The gaps in her bag were now well filled — a sign of our progress.

The only real issue was our appearance. We looked like demons, covered in dried blood, our clothes and bags soaked in the same scarlet hue. The worst was me. My whole body was covered in cracked blood, forming fissures on my skin. Water, too precious in this region, was a luxury I couldn’t afford just to wash.

At one point, I paused, brushing a lock of hair aside, thinking about the situation we were in. It felt like everything here was meant to remind us how brutal and uncompromising this world was.

But hey, that’s how it was. We finally reached the city gates. The guards, seemingly indifferent to our appearance, let us pass without a word. Blood-covered adventurers must’ve been the norm here, I thought with an inward smile.

Once at the guild, I pushed open the door. This time, I could feel it: there were far stronger people here. The atmosphere was thicker, more intense, as if the energy of warriors filled the air. But without paying it too much mind, I headed with Lysara toward the counter. There, the same receptionist was waiting for us, her eyes used to seeing questionable adventurers.

The receptionist looked up from her papers, her gaze briefly scanning our bloodied appearances. She didn’t seem particularly surprised, as if this was just another day for her.

— So, did you complete the quest?

I smiled, a little proud of us.

— Of course, and as you can see, I’ve got a few extras to sell you too, I said, showing the bags full of trophies.

She nodded, a slight smirk on her lips, as if she expected that kind of answer. She reached out for the bags, ready to inspect the loot.

— Alright. So, you’ve got eight Gorvak tusks, right?

I confirmed, waiting for her response. She seemed to have anticipated it.

— Like last time, the guildmaster had me buy your materials at the sale price. That won’t be the case this time, she clarified politely.

— Of course, don’t worry, I replied, slightly amused.

She took a pen and began noting the details in her register.

— Six Krag per tusk, so that’s 48 Krag for the tusks, she said as she kept writing.

She flipped a few pages, then handed me another document.

— Twelve Krag per howling gland, which makes 72 Krag.

She placed the quest sheet on the counter and stamped it, marking the end of that transaction.

— Since it was an urgent mission, the reward was high. It’s 2 Zarn — normally a beast of that level would fetch around 1 Zarn, she said with a slight smile.

I nodded, happy that the reward was so generous.

I then emptied the last bag onto the counter, showing all the loot we had gathered.

For the first time since I’d known her, a shocked expression appeared on her face. She examined the creature parts with great care.

— How did you collect this? she asked, visibly surprised.

I answered casually, seeing no reason to hide anything.

— I came across a swarm of about a thousand of those creatures. I killed them all. Sadly, I couldn’t carry all their carcasses.

She stared at the counter for a moment, thinking. Then she spoke again.

— I’ll send investigators, and a team to retrieve the materials. If what you say is true, you’ll receive 20% of the recovered materials, and the quest reward for exterminating the swarm. Does that work for you?

Surprised by the bonus, I nodded cheerfully.

— Yes, that works perfectly. You’ll find the remains about a day from here, near the path.

She wrote in her register again, then looked up at me.

— We’ll handle it all. In the meantime, how about staying in town for a few days? We’ll do our best to be quick.

I smiled, satisfied with the offer.

— Sounds good to me, as long as it’s only a few days.

She made another note, then looked at me more seriously.

— I’ll give you the full rewards related to the Zar’Kha once it’s been verified and processed.

I nodded, totally fine with that.

— Perfect, I said.

She handed me a pouch full of coins, which I took with a slight sigh of satisfaction.

— Here are your 2 Zarn, 12 Drek, and 10 Krag.

I looked at the pouch, impressed by the sum. Then, one detail came to mind.

— Could you recommend a good restaurant and a nice inn, please?

She smiled, seeming pleased to answer that question.

— Yes, of course. For the inn, I recommend the "Golden Wind Inn," a little further north in the city, near the main square. It’s quiet and clean. You’ll find comfortable rooms and a warm atmosphere.

She paused, then continued.

— For the restaurant, "The Iron Feast" is one of the best. It’s on the east side of town, not far from the forges. The meals are hearty, perfect for an adventurer. There’s also a wide variety of meats — it’s an ideal place to recharge after a long quest.

I thanked her, noting the directions.

— Thank you very much. That’ll help a lot.

She nodded, pleased to be of service.

— I’ll send someone to fetch you at the inn once everything is settled, she said politely.

I smiled in return, pleased with how things were going.

— Perfect, I said.

I left the counter, my pockets heavier... and my heart, a bit too.

I’d started this journey alone. She had been just a shadow. A burden.

And now? Now, she walked beside me.

Not as a protégé.

As a future equal.

Reaching the inn, I gazed at it for a moment. The building, majestic, was made of finely polished stone blocks — smooth and sturdy — with refined architectural details. The large, elegant windows were framed with carved wood, and heavy velvet curtains softened the light within, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The well-maintained facade exuded an old charm while remaining imposing and respectable. The sign, made of solid wood and finely engraved with a beer mug and a roasted meat, swayed gently in the breeze, adding a touch of sophistication to the whole.

The counter, made of polished hardwood, stood at the back of the room, adorned with delicate carvings that seemed to tell stories of past travelers. Behind the counter, an old man with silver hair served drinks with calm ease, while shelves filled with colored glass bottles and clay jars added a touch of authenticity.

The dark wooden tables were well spaced, each decorated with lit candles casting dancing shadows on the walls. The chairs, comfortable and covered with thick cushions, seemed ready to welcome tired travelers. The air was filled with the mouthwatering scent of stewed meats and fresh bread, while the fire in the hearth crackled gently, spreading a pleasant warmth through the room.

The walls, decorated with fine tapestries and paintings of hunting scenes or landscapes, added a touch of elegance. The high ceiling, adorned with wooden moldings, gave a subtle impression of grandeur. A few stained-glass windows let in soft light, bringing a special serenity to the atmosphere.

The delicious smell of food from the kitchen grew stronger as I walked deeper into the inn. It reminded me that, yes, they did serve meals here. However, one more pressing question came to mind:

Were there showers?

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.