I split up from Drain and headed straight to Chen's smithy. He was still pounding the hammer and forging a weapon. He was always sweating and it was beautiful.

"I brought the gnoll claws and the Aiolia."

"Ohh! Thank you, Jackson. Really, thank you."

[Sheila and Aiolia has been completed.]

[Experience has been acquired.]

[Your level has risen!]

[$1,000 have been acquired.]

[Your reputation has risen by 200.]

Chen questioned, "How can I repay this favor?"

"It's fine." 

"No. Do you have any weapons you want? If you want to take anything from here then just say so. A hero like you can handle any weapon."

"What hero? Do you have any good kitchen knives?"

"Kitchen knives...?"

"You don't know? I guess I haven't mentioned it. I'm a chef."

"What?" Chen's eyes widened. Was this so surprising? "Didn't you wipe out the goblin village?"

"I did."

"Yet you are a chef?"

"Yes."

"......" Chen shook his head with a dazed expression. "I can't believe it. The villagers will faint if they find out about this."

"Don't tell them. I will be tired to death."

"...I understand. By the way, you really don't need anything? I want to repay you. These rewards are too small."

"Hrmm." If I kept refusing then it wouldn't be polite. I touched my beard and thought about it.

...What was good? In fact, Zalmergus had given me cooking utensils so there was no need yet. It was the same for weapons. I just got a nice piece of clothing and didn't need armor. I continued to think about it but had a headache because I couldn't think of anything.

[The first apostle, 'Prometheus,' recommends getting a mask.]

Yes, there was this. This guy, sometimes he said useful things.

"Can you make me another mask? The one you previously gave me can't be used anymore."

"Keke. Of course. It is a very simple thing. I need fur to make it..."

"Will this work?"

I handed the remaining gnoll fur leather to Chen. Chen seemed surprised by the sheer volume but quickly smiled.

"It is enough. Kekekeke."

* * *

Time pa.s.sed smoothly. A week had pa.s.sed. I stayed in Mulan in the meantime and did many things. Hunting wasn't the only thing to do in Arcstar. There were simple errands or part-time jobs that paid money. After getting a taste of money, I was able to dispose of the equipment I acquired and opened a stall to do business. It was painful because I discovered too late that there was a system called the auction house where I could sell items for a more expensive price... well, there would be another chance.

One day, Philos came to me while I was wearing a gnoll mask and enjoying my daily life. "The chief is calling you."

"Me?"

"That's right."

What was he saying all of a sudden? Did something happen? I hurried to Mount Smir. I was soon able to meet Chen.

"Welcome. This friend urgently needed to see you."

"...?"

I turned my head and saw someone sitting at the window. He was wearing a military-colored hood and his face couldn't be seen. Then he greeted me. "It has been a while, Elder." 

"You...?" It was Kerenos. He had lost a lot of weight but his unique eyes were still s.h.i.+ning. I shook hands with him and asked about Flora. "It has been a while. Is your mother well?"

"I actually came because of that."

"Huh...?"

"My mother pa.s.sed away."

"......"

[The first apostle, 'Prometheus,' closed his eyes and sighed.]

My shoulders trembled as I thought of the day of my wife's death. I hurried controlled my expression and comforted him, "My condolences. Did she go easily...?"

"...Yes. It is all thanks to you. She asked me to pa.s.s this on to you before she pa.s.sed away."

He pulled out a small letter and handed it to me. I read the letter straight away.

[To Jackson.]

-If you're reading this letter, I am probably happily meeting Aiolos. I hope you don't grieve for me.

The day I met Aiolos, I had a dream. In my dream, Aiolos told me we would meet in three days.

I woke up and knew it was true. I could feel the clock of life in my body squirming.

I spent a happy time with my son. However, I am worried about my son being left alone. He isn't a kid who will go and scream so I think Jackson will be a great help to him.

Please take my son away.

I hope Jackson's future will be blessed by the stars - Flora.

"......"

I dropped the letter with red eyes. She really did seem happy. I felt fortunate that she saw Aiolos before she died. "Your mother would've been very happy."

"...Yes. It was like that. Once she died, she became a light like Aiolos and disappeared into Heaven."

[The first apostle, 'Prometheus,' is nodding.]

I told him, "Your mother asked me to look after you."

"I know."

"Then I have to ask you, Kerenos." 

* * *

A horse snorted as it appeared at Mulan's north gate. Behind the horse was a fairly s.p.a.cious carriage with a flat roof.

"Thank you, Chen. This is very useful."

"No. I should do this much for a friend."

Today, I would be leaving Mulan. I actually wanted to leave a little earlier but I was slow getting used to the game. I wasn't a young man so I was forced to be a bit slower than others. Still, this was enough.

I turned my head and saw many people. They were all residents of Mulan and they came out to escort me. Philos approached. "Will there be another day when we can drink together?"

"Yes. At that time, I'll win. Haha." 

I was joking politely when Zalmergus and Masis approached. Their faces looked good. On the day of the celebration, they were able to explain and clear themselves of the stigma. Now they got along with the villagers.

"I hope you'll be able to collect all the Weather Cooking secret techniques."

"Thank you, Zalmergus. Please be healthy."

Masis told me, "I am going to become a great chef, Jackson." 

"Yes, Masis. You can do it. Please look after Zalmergus."

Masis was said to have run the store after his grandfather. He recently had regular customers. Based on his smile, business seemed to be good. It was a bit disappointing since I wanted to try some of the dishes he made before I left. Well, I would come back next time.

I greeted so many people and it was time for my appointment. Now it was time to separate. I looked at the north gate entrance.

"Who is that person?" 

"Why are the village people flocking?"

"I don't know but it seems to be a great event?"

"Who is it?"

s.h.i.+t, we were already attracting users. They should come soon... In fact, before I left, there were two people who wanted to go to Windia with me. The first person was...

"Father! I'm here!"

She came. Fortunately, she arrived before the group swarmed. If she had been a bit late then I might've had to leave her.

"You came, Sujeong." 

"I'm sorry. Am I late?" She gasped after running for a long time. I called her this morning while she was on a break and she accepted my suggestion to go to Windia together without a moment of hesitation.

"No, you came just in time. Go ahead and get on the carriage."

"Yes. Oh my, who is this?"

Kim Sujeong looked at Kerenos and Cer in an embarra.s.sed manner. It was the first time she had seen the two of them.

"They are companions who will be with me in the future."

"Wow, when did you make these companions?"

"Just before."

"Huh...?" Her eyes widened. She blinked a few times and asked Kerenos like she wanted to confirm the facts. "Are Father's words correct?"

Kerenos nodded.

"Oh my G.o.d... Father is really great. An NPC..." She was feeling surprised when Kerenos stepped out of the carriage and climbed onto the s.p.a.cious roof. Kim Sujeong looked surprised by the sight. "You don't have to do that if you're uncomfortable."

"No, I'm much more comfortable like this. You don't have to worry."

...It was still awkward. It was indeed fair to say that men and women didn't share the same place after they were seven years old. Still, they were around the same age... well, they would get to know each other. The days when men and women were separated were long gone.

"Just let it go." Kim Sujeong looked displeased but she entered the carriage after snorting at Kerenos. Shortly thereafter, I heard a mischievous sound.

"Kyaaak! Don't lick me!"

"Kwal!"

Cer was playing well. The promised time to meet had pa.s.sed. The other person hadn't come. I shook my head and sat in front of the carriage. I shook the horse's reins. "Let's go!"

"Depart!"

Multiple voices called out from behind me.

"Be healthy, Jackson!" 

"I won't forget Mulan's hero!"

"I'm going to be a great adventurer like Jackson!"

"Be healthy!"

"I'll follow you soon!"

Smile.

There were voices that I knew and some I didn't know. Nevertheless, it didn't matter. Mulan. Many things had happened and it was like the hometown where I made memories. I was upset at the thought of leaving and going to a new place.

A voice could be heard from behind as I soaked up the farewells.

"Mister Choi~!! Stopu! Stop~!"

It looked like he was here.

"Father, who is chasing behind you?"

I could see someone in a white robe running. It was Drain. The second person to head to Windia with me was the designer Drain.

"Mister Chooooi~!"

Drain was gasping for breath as he ran. I thought it was a rejection when he didn't come on time but that wasn't the case. However...

"There should be punishment for being late. Keke."

I continued to pretend that I didn't hear as I controlled the horse. It took a while but Drain was able to join.

"Pant, pant. I'm sorry, Mister Choi. I was late because I had to ask my son to look after the store in Mulan."

Ah, I see. His son also seemed to have inherited his father's business. He was already so big. The years pa.s.sed quickly. I held the reins again. "Now, we're going to move quickly. Hold on tight~!"

"Kwal!"

"Wow! So exciting! Kyaaak!"

"Mister Choi! Wait, I get motion sickness...!"

Thus, we took a strong step toward Windia. Kerenos lay on the roof and looked at the sky as he muttered with a smile, "Mother, I'll check with my own eyes if he can really make a world full of laughter as you wished. Please watch."

The wind blew. The fresh wind wrapped around the group like a blessing. It tickled and ran alarm bells like the sign of another departure. Parting was like a journey to another meeting. We were now full of the regret of separating, but one day, we would face each other with an even greater welcome.

I would smile for that day. Today. Tomorrow too. Additionally, the future.