Silence and Relief

"Agh!"

Noir's body convulsed, a searing pain shooting through him like bolts of lightning. He crumpled to the ground, covering his mouth to stifle his screams to avoid alerting nearby monsters, but the agony threatened to consume him. The source of this torment eluded him, an enigma that struck without warning after he had taken a moment to rest.

He frantically examined the spot where he had sat, searching for any signs of an attack or a hidden trap, but there was nothing amiss, no visible cause for his suffering. 

He could feel his very cells being peeled away, torn apart and then inexplicably reassembled, only to be torn apart again. The process continued, a relentless cycle of pain and healing that left him bewildered and disoriented.

'How did this fucking happen?'

Through the haze of anguish, he strained to identify the origin of his torment. Could it be the vengeful aftermath of a defeated boss monster, determined to inflict one last act of cruelty? Or perhaps a lurking creature nearby orchestrated this relentless assault? His surroundings offered no clues, appearing mundane and innocuous, devoid of any obvious threat.

'Dammit.' 

Immobile, Noir clenched his teeth, his body wracked with torment. Desperate to maintain consciousness, he fought against the consuming darkness that threatened to engulf him. But the pain grew unbearable, and he succumbed, surrendering to a brief respite in unconsciousness. Yet, even in those fleeting moments of peace, the pain resurfaced, jolting him back into a cruel cycle of agony and inexplicable regeneration.

At some point, the anguish reached a crescendo, surpassing the limits of his endurance. Unbeknownst to Noir, he could no longer contain his torment as an ear-splitting scream erupted from his throat, joining his cacophony of suffering as his other senses were numbed by the overwhelming torment. It was a guttural cry, akin to being impaled a thousand times over. And then, mercifully, it ceased.

"..."

Silence enveloped the dungeon as Noir lay sprawled on the ground, his eyes vacant, his body in a euphoric state infused with energy but his consciousness wasn't there. He remained detached from reality, unable to comprehend the ordeal he had just endured or articulate the indescribable sensations coursing through him. In that moment of recovery, he did what every Brit would do.

"WHAT THE HOLY FUCK WAS THAT?!" 

He got up and yelled at the top of his lungs, his voice reverberating through the dungeon. The torment he had endured surpassed anything he had ever experienced, dwarfing even the pain he felt when he lost his legs. It was as if he had been pummeled simultaneously by a horde of Giant Rock Slimes

Yet, as he rose to his feet, he noticed something amiss.

"Huh? I don't feel any pain," he muttered incredulously.

His body pulsated with renewed vigour, a surge of strength that seemed almost otherworldly. He stretched his limbs, revelling in the newfound ease of movement, yet he couldn't decide if it was the aftermath of enduring the torture or if it stemmed from the unsettling absence of pain and restriction.

When he examined his body for any signs of damage, he made a startling discovery. Every bruise, every cut that had marred his skin only moments ago had miraculously vanished. He distinctly remembered blood gushing from a deep wound on his leg, but now there was no trace of it. The only reminder of his ordeal was the dried stain of blood on his trousers.

"Was that pain a part of a level-up or something?" Noir pondered to himself, trying to make sense of the bizarre situation, "Maybe that Slime had a ton of exp? But whenever I've levelled up before, there's a calming feeling followed by a wave of healing that gets rid of some of my fatigue... Was it the Slime Kings' way of getting revenge or was it because I had an exp overload that caused it?"

He couldn't pinpoint the exact answer. Vague memories of stories describing discomfort during levelling flickered through his mind, but none of them came close to the sheer torment he had just endured. A part of him leaned toward blaming the Slime King, but he couldn't fathom how a creature like that could inflict such excruciating agony.

"Well, whatever the hell it was, I'll be damn sure to ask the Great Sage about it once I get out of this shithole," Noir resolved with a mix of relief and determination. "I just hope something like this isn't common. Thank fuck there's no slimes nearby to witness that."

He didn't have a clue how he managed to avoid drawing any attention, but for the time being, he decided not to question it. Instead, his focus shifted to the heap of rubble that once was the formidable Rock Slime King. 'This better have been worth it,' He thought, rummaging through the debris, searching for any rewards or a possible key. And there, amidst the shattered stones, he spotted a rough-hewn key with visible cracks along its sides and a glimmering stone.

"Sweet, is that its mana core?"  Noir's eyes widened with anticipation as he picked up both items, feeling a surge of excitement coursing through him. He examined the rock closely, captivated by its deep, chestnut brown hue and the soft, alluring orange glow it emitted. Upon closer inspection, he noticed Intricate runic patterns adorned its surface, adding to its mystique.

The rock felt weightier than any he had encountered of the same size before, and as he touched it, a potent surge of mana flowed into him. There was an inexplicable quality to the stone, something he couldn't quite discern or put into words.

'Would be awesome if this was some kind of enchantment item.' He mused, a spark of curiosity dancing in his weary eyes as he tossed the stone in his hand. Yet, mental exhaustion prevented him from further exploration at that moment. He resolved to seek the guidance of the Great Sage if needed. Instead, he redirected his attention to the other item in his grasp.

"At least I have an earth key now. Just three more to find," Noir's voice was tinged with both excitement and concern as he gazed at the earth key in his hand. He knew that obtaining the remaining keys would entail facing even more formidable Slimes, but the prospect of acquiring new means to enhance himself, such as learning fire or heat resistance skills, offered a glimmer of solace.

"I'll probably go for the Water Slime next," Noir deliberated, mapping out his strategy. "I think I have a decent amount of damage to handle its slipperiness and potential healing abilities." According to the elemental chart, the next element after Earth is Water. From Noir's encounters, he found that using Earth cores was effective against Water Slimes, making them the logical next target.

"Alright, time to make my way back," he declared, the thrill of completing his first challenge beginning to wane. He wanted to relax and savour the evening. After hours spent navigating the labyrinthine dungeon, the monotony had started to wear him down.

"Oh yeah... My clothes..."

But before departing, he needed to address the bloodstains that adorned his attire.

>\/<

There were some challenges in removing the blood stains from Noir's trousers and shirt, but he was able to use the properties of the water core to dampen the fabric and clean the stains, followed by the wind core to swiftly dry it. To add the finishing touch, he utilised the earth and fire cores, fashioning a makeshift handheld iron to smooth out the wrinkles.

'I can't believe I'm using magical items for laundry,' Noir thought to himself as he cleaned the blood stains off his clothes. Despite the challenges of using magic in this way, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the versatility and power of these items. However, a part of him couldn't shake off the feeling that it was a bit of a waste to use such powerful resources for something as mundane as laundry.

But not everything about it was bad. He recognized that there were many individuals out there who would gladly pay for a swift and effective method to clean their garments. Slowly, he began to formulate a plan in his mind for how he could turn this idea into a reality.

"To make it work, I'd need a better understanding of the commoners' cleaning methods in this world," Noir pondered. "And then I'd have to secure funding, but once I overcome that hurdle, it could be a promising venture. I should be able to pique the interest of nobles, considering they rely on servants with cleaning skills rather than expensive magic items."

He remembered his previous outing with Emma and her[clean up ]skill. Normally, commoners seeking employment in a noble's household would take the effort to learn the skill, but from what he recalled from Alice, it was a tedious and frustrating experience to acquire even the basic level of the skill.

It was a long shot, but with the right team to manufacture the items and adequate resources, it could potentially blossom into a profitable business venture.

"But that's a project for another time," Noir decided, setting his entrepreneurial thoughts aside for now. The sun still had a few hours before it would set, and he eagerly anticipated returning to the kingdom. Despite the recent battle, he felt a surge of revitalization, ready to embark on the journey ahead. What would normally have been a two-hour walk now seemed to take only one hour, and any lingering fatigue had mysteriously dissipated.

>\/<

As Noir approached the entrance of the kingdom, he estimated that the sun had approximately two hours left before darkness enveloped the sky. The vibrant hues of orange and pink adorned the horizon as the day gradually neared its end. Two guards stood stationed at the entrance, one on each side, and there was no queue to contend with at the moment. As Noir approached, he recognized one of the guards as an elderly man he had briefly conversed with in the past. The other guard was a familiar face as well, although they had never exchanged words.

Drawing closer, Noir noticed a spark of recognition light up Malcolm's face, and the guard greeted him warmly, "Good to see you again, young sir."

"Hello, Mr Malcolm," Noir replied with a smile, "How's everything going today?"

"Oh, you know, just another day of guarding the entrance," Malcolm chuckled. "It's peaceful for now, which is always a good sign. How was your day? Any new adventures?"

Noir chuckled in response, appreciating Malcolm's interest. "Oh, you know, the usual. Exploring the mountains, searching for something interesting, and honing my skills. It's been quite an eventful day."

Upon hearing Noir's words, the guard nodded with genuine enthusiasm. "That's great to hear. Not many young folks venture up to the mountains these days. Most prefer to stay within the city."

"I suppose so. But I find it peaceful up there." Noir remarked.

A warm smile formed on the guard's face. "I understand. It's a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Every young person should follow their dreams and explore the world. Just remember, the mountains and forests can be treacherous for the unwary."

Noir felt a sense of contentment, seeing the genuine care expressed by the seasoned guard. He nodded in agreement, saying, "I know, I've experienced it firsthand. But I've learned a lot and gained some skills that will help me in the future."

He then flashed a confident smile and continued, "But thank you for the warning, Malcolm. I'll make sure to keep my guard up."

Malcolm let out a warm, grandfatherly chuckle. "That's wonderful to hear, my boy. Every young person should pursue their dreams and explore the world. Just remember to prioritise your safety. It's getting late now, so I won't keep you any longer. Remember, rest is just as important as physical activity!"

"Will do. Have fun with the rest of your shift. See you tomorrow."

With those parting words, they bid each other farewell and went about their respective tasks. As Noir strolled through the winding streets of the commoners' district, the sun gradually descended, casting elongated shadows along the alleyways. Despite the fading light, he felt a desire to celebrate his progress and commemorate his achievements in some meaningful way.

He could hang out with Emma, but her curfew was getting close. So instead, Noir set his sights on finding a street stall where he could indulge in local delicacies he had yet to taste. He had some spare cash on hand, and considering his future plans to join the adventurers guild, he felt a bit of fun wouldn't hurt.

'But even then there's hardly anything that looks interesting. I think I had that thing before and got food poisoning.'

In spite of Noir having never tasted anything personally, he recalled his previous host's memories that served as a warning about what he had eaten before and what was not good. Thanks to that insight, nothing stood out as enticing, as most of the reputable stalls had already closed for the night.

He had already wandered for half an hour and there was still nothing good.

'I guess I gotta take the risk or just call it a day, huh?'

He was beginning to lose hope, and since he didn't want to risk being bedridden before the main plot, However, just as he was about to give up, a tantalising aroma of spices and grilled meats tickled his nose, emanating from one of the dimly lit alleyways. It was a narrow alley, devoid of any illumination, but at the end stood a small and unassuming stall tucked away in the corner.

Noir's gaze shifted to the signboard above the vendor's stall, and a small chuckle escaped his lips as he read the name "Phat Phuk's Kebab," accompanied by the shoddy design of the board. He couldn't help but find the name amusing, yet his growling stomach reminded him of his primary objective.

As Noir made his way through the short, dimly-lit alleyway, the tantalising scent of grilled meats and spices grew stronger with each step. As he emerged into a small, open square, the vendor's face lit up at the sight of a potential customer as Noir got a better look at the man who looked to be of Asian descent.

The vendor noticed Noir and his face immediately lit up with a smile. "Good evening, sir! Would you like to try a Phat Phuk's Kebab?" he asked eagerly, holding up a skewer of sizzling meat.

Noir felt a pang of sympathy for the vendor, who seemed to be struggling to attract customers despite his delicious-smelling food. 'Is he foreign?' Noir wondered silently to himself.

'Welp, let's try it,'  Shrugging off his thoughts, he decided to give the kebab a try. His hunger won out over any doubts he had about the vendor's ethnicity, name or the quality of the food.

"Yup, I'll have a serving please."

"Coming up!"

With much gusto and skilled hands, the vendor threaded chunks of marinated meat onto skewers and placed them on the hot grill. The sight and aroma heightened Noir's anticipation as he watched the meat sizzle and the spices release their fragrant essence into the air.

Once the skewers were cooked to perfection, the vendor presented Noir with a piece to taste with a smile. Eagerly biting into it, Noir relished the tender and flavorful meat, tinged with a delightful hint of smokiness.

"Mmm, this is delicious," Noir exclaimed, his expression brimming with satisfaction as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

The vendor beamed with pride, pleased to have satisfied Noir's hunger. "I'm glad you like it, sir. Would you like another?"

"I'll have three more," Noir replied without hesitation and handed over some more coins. He realised it would be a great treat for his mother and sister. Not to mention he felt like he could eat an entire cow with how hungry he was.

As for his father... He needed to lose weight anyway so he didn't want to interfere with his diet.

'I'll be back here for more if the stall's still around.' As Noir indulged in the delectable flavours of his first kebab, he couldn't help but savour each bite, relishing the perfect combination of succulent meat and aromatic spices. He knew this wasn't going to be his only visit to the stall.

Not only did the stall serve exquisite kebabs, but they also had an assortment of refreshing beverages that Noir's never heard of. He had a "Mitange", which the vendor recommended with his meal. As he took a sip, the cool, crisp liquid danced across his taste buds, providing a refreshing contrast to the rich flavours of the kebab. Pleased with his choice, Noir continued to enjoy his meal, strolling through the streets with a satisfied smile on his face with some sauce still on the side of his lips and fingers, licking them clean as he went.

But while he was walking home, his ears perked at a random conversation nearby.

"Excuse me, do you know where Odin's adventurers' guild is?"

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