Tech Hero in Another World
Chapter 118: [117] Continue The Adventure

Chapter 118: [117] Continue The Adventure

Farid gave a slight nod as he saw Ren in the grand throne hall. "So, you’re really leaving?"

"Yeah. It’s been almost half a month since the chaos happened," Ren replied without hesitation as he walked across the marble hall of the palace.

Farid shifted his gaze toward the aides standing in line, then straightened his posture. "Do you need me to send someone with you?"

Ren shot him a confident glance. "No need. I know the path to the Penal Plains."

Farid narrowed his eyes, looking at Ren with seriousness. "Everyone knows the way. The issue is... you’ll have to pass through the beastmen of the Eks..."

The moment he said "Eks," Diana—Farid’s mother—tensed up, as if the weight of her bloodline’s past bore down on her shoulders too.

Ren turned, glancing between Diana and Farid. "Yeah, that’s exactly why I’m going the proper route instead of sneaking in... I’m not walking into that lizard’s mouth again."

Diana exhaled slowly and lowered her head slightly. "Nico, the Eks aren’t as welcoming to outsiders as Samsara is. They have their own hierarchy. If you want recognition, your way in must follow their traditions."

Ren nodded. "What Farid said earlier—fighting... I need to defeat at least ten of their warriors to enter the city, right?"

Farid gave a small smile and nodded. "Yeah. That’s their trial."

Ren’s face went flat. "Are they barbarians or what?"

Farid shot a glance at Diana before turning back to Ren. "Haaah... You know most of the beastmen there are from wild tribes—unlike Nea, from the desert rabbit clan, who’s still relatively friendly... if a bit odd."

Ren gave a quiet nod. "It’s fine." He wasn’t in the mood to talk too much—choosing instead to trust his own path.

Farid rested a hand on his knee and looked at Ren again. "Haaah, alright then... Anything else you need from me?"

Ren smiled lightly. "Eh, I thought the gift from yesterday was more than enough?"

Farid returned the smile. "Doesn’t matter—you can ask again. Think of it as a parting gift."

Ren pressed a finger to his cheek and grinned. "Well then..." he paused for a moment, though his expression remained warm.

---

A few hours later, the palace courtyard had grown quiet. Ren was saying his goodbyes to Derek, Denon, Nea, and the other members of the Band of Massiah.

Heavy footsteps echoed across the stone as Ren approached his vehicle, parked neatly in the shadow of the palace walls. Farid stood beside Diana, silent, yet watching Ren with a gaze full of meaning.

"Huh, I thought I already said goodbye to you?" Ren offered with a light tone and a faint smile.

Farid shifted his gaze to his mother. Diana seemed to be holding something back—then, silently, she removed a ring engraved with a wolf from her finger.

Ren caught the ring as it was tossed gently into his palm. He stared at it with respect. "This must mean a lot to you... I can’t accept it."

Diana took a deep breath. Her voice was soft, but resolute. "I know. It was a gift from him," she said, glancing at Farid in silence. "But I also want you to deliver it to him... Tell him I’ll always be waiting—and tell him that Farid is just like him now."

Farid looked a little embarrassed, but a gentle smile crept onto his lips. He scratched the back of his head, avoiding his mother’s eyes, still haunted by old memories. "Ahem... Mother’s made up her mind, clearly."

Ren nodded seriously, accepting the responsibility—not just as a messenger, but as the bearer of a hope left unspoken. With careful hands, he tucked the ring into the pocket of his cloak, feeling the invisible weight of its meaning settle on him."Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of it."

Farid looked at him with calm eyes. "That ring... it’ll help you. Just like the pendant I once gave Ryul."

Ren chuckled softly. "I know. Maybe when I return to the elf kingdom, Alfheimr, I’ll have a new story to tell him."

"Hah, don’t say things like that," Farid muttered with a half-worried, half-amused look—like an older brother watching his reckless sibling jump into another wild venture.

Ren made his way to the van, and with a single touch, activated the control panel. The engine started with a soft hum, like a deep breath in the evening quiet."Who knows... maybe this will reach the great desert wolf, Khan," he said with a meaningful smile, stepping on the pedal.

From inside the van’s cabin, two large heads peeked through the rear window—Alfred and Bella, the exotic tiger cats that had become his loyal companions. One of their cubs even raised a paw, as if waving farewell to Farid and Diana.

"Haah... of course," Farid murmured with a smile, folding his arms as he watched the vehicle fade into the golden dusk, its wheels kicking up a spiral of sand in its wake. Ren’s figure disappeared around the bend, but his spirit still seemed to echo in the air of Samsara.

And so, the journey continued—toward the borders of the realm, into the harsh traditions of the Eks, and toward possibilities that could only be answered by the steps yet to come.

---

In the Western Kingdom of Eldoria—specifically, within the mining district owned by Viscount Vermout—Ren had once stopped by and accepted a mission: to deliver Mrs. Elanor’s beloved pet to the Penal Plains. Now, the atmosphere was livelier than usual, all thanks to a local food craze sweeping the region. Wendy’s Pizza Shop was buzzing, even as the evening settled in. Warm amber light glowed over racks of cheese, and the scent of freshly baked dough filled the air.

Wendy stood behind the long counter, her apron patterned with tomatoes and basil clinging to her clothes. She sliced a piece of pizza with practiced hands and slid it toward a customer with a smile.

"Extra cheese on top?" she asked a burly man in a mine inspector’s coat.

"Yeah, add five more slices, Wendy. This cold weather’s got me craving something that melts on the tongue," the man replied, patting the dust from his coat.

Wendy nodded cheerfully. "You got it! Five slices of extra just for our loyal inspector." She handed him the hot pizza with care, slipping a small coupon beneath the box. "Here’s a little bonus from me. Hope it powers you through the shift!"

The man laughed and gave her a respectful nod. "You always know how to keep your customers happy, Wendy."

At the other end of the shop, her two helpers—Joran and Mira—were busy assisting the line of customers. Joran stirred tomato sauce in a massive bowl, adding the shop’s secret spices, while Mira stoked the wood-fired oven. The flames hissed and cast orange light that danced against the wooden walls.

"Wendy, we’re out of mushrooms!" Joran called, waving a wooden spoon. "Should I grab more from the back?"

"Villa’s closed, right?" Mira chimed in, glancing at the oven.

Wendy raised her eyebrows. "Yeah, grab mushrooms and bell peppers. We’re gonna be busy till nightfall."

Joran rushed off, and Mira focused on flipping dough that had begun to rise. A new customer entered—a young woman in a thick coat, eyes sparkling.

"Two mushroom supremes, one regular," she said softly.

"Coming right up, miss!" Wendy replied, wiping her hands on her apron. "Feel free to have a seat. We’ll call you when it’s ready."

As she scribbled the order on the large chalkboard, Wendy smiled and glanced at the front door—almost as if hoping to see Ren walk in again, like he used to after completing missions. She missed their casual talks, the peace he brought to this place... before things changed and new adventures pulled him away.

The little pizza shop thrived with warmth: laughter from her crew, chatter from the mining locals, the rich smell of simmering sauce, and memories of old friends coming and going. In one corner, a tiny scroll peeked out—a mysterious invitation left behind by Ren. And Wendy, her eyes full of longing, waited for that one name to reappear.

The hinges of the front door creaked softly, the metal sound gentle yet catching the room’s attention. Through the opening stepped a silhouette. His hair was black, tousled as if swept by long travel winds. His stride was firm, but his eyes scanned the room with open curiosity—clearly, this young man wasn’t from around the Eldoria mines.

"Welcome," said Mira, the friendly pizza shop assistant. She wiped her hands on her apron and approached. "Can I help you with something?"

The man glanced at the menu board hanging on the wall. "Yeah," he said casually. "I heard this place sells... pizza? That true?"

Mira beamed. "Of course! We’ve got all kinds—veggie, meat, combo, even sweet ones. All original recipes by our owner."

The man gave a slight nod, eyes locking onto the chalk lettering: ’Beastfire Special – Smoked cheese, dry sausage, special herbs’

"I’ll take one. That one up top. The most popular one," he said, pointing to the menu.

Mira jotted it down quickly. "One Beastfire Special, got it! Please have a seat at table seven, over there."

He gave a brief nod and made his way to the corner table. His eyes roamed the room, taking it all in. The red brick walls, the scent of fresh dough, and the cozy warmth from the wood oven—all of it felt foreign, but comforting. Nearby, he could hear whispers from other customers talking about how this "pizza" was the new food obsession shaking up their palates.

Behind the kitchen curtain, Wendy peeked out, a hot spatula still in hand. Her eyes landed on the young man who had just placed his order. There was something about him—something familiar, a feeling she couldn’t explain.

When the order was ready—fresh and steaming—Mira brought it to his table with a bright smile. "One Beastfire for you!" she announced, carefully placing the round wooden plate in front of him.

"Ah yeah, thanks," the young man replied with a grateful tone, though something in his voice trembled—like he was holding back more than just hunger.

Mira gave a polite nod and returned to her other customers. But the man didn’t eat right away. He stared at the pizza for a moment, like someone staring at a long-lost treasure from childhood. He lifted a slice, steam curling into the air, the aroma of cheese and herbs wrapping around him. The first bite touched his tongue—and his eyes widened. Then trembled.

"Uuh... This really is... pizza..." he whispered, voice nearly breaking. A tear rolled slowly down his cheek, surprising even him. He quickly wiped it away, but couldn’t hide the fact that something deep inside had been stirred.

From the kitchen, Wendy watched him silently. The spatula in her hand nearly slipped. Who is this man, really? she thought. That look, that expression—there was more to this customer than just a hungry traveler.