Chapter 117: Preparations for the raid...
As he washed, he couldn't help but reflect on the system's earlier reprimand. It had been a harsh reminder of how much he still had to learn about this world and his own abilities.
The truth was, despite all the power he had gained, he was still just scratching the surface.
There was so much more to discover, so many more obstacles to overcome. And if he was going to survive and thrive in this world, he couldn't afford to be careless.
But for now, Leon decided to let go of those worries.The warm water enveloped him as he sank into it, instantly soothing his muscles. He let out a long, contented sigh as the warmth worked its way through his body. It felt good to finally relax after everything he'd been through.
The tension from the battle with the bandit monkeys, the registration process, and the strain of his cultivation breakthrough seemed to melt away in the water.
Leon leaned back against the edge of the tub, closing his eyes for a moment. He allowed his mind to wander as the water gently lapped at his skin. Thoughts of Amelia, Seraphina, and the journey ahead filled his mind. He knew that the road was long and full of challenges, but right now, he wanted to enjoy this peaceful moment.
After a while, Leon reached for the bar of soap the innkeeper had provided, lathering it between his hands before scrubbing away the dirt and sweat that clung to him. The scent of herbs filled the air, soothing his senses even further.
He rinsed the soap from his body, letting the water carry away the remnants of his earlier struggles. He felt clean, both physically and mentally.
After finishing his bath, Leon stepped out of the tub and dried himself off with a towel. He dressed in fresh clothes, feeling much lighter and more comfortable.
As the evening settled in and the village grew quieter, Leon felt ready for the challenges that lay ahead. Tomorrow would bring the dungeon raid and possibly a confrontation with the Deathbringer Mercenary Squad. But tonight, he would rest and gather his strength.
Leon lay down on the bed, closing his eyes. His mind wandered briefly to the dungeon he would face tomorrow.
And with that thought, Leon allowed himself to drift into a deep, peaceful sleep, ready for the next day's trials...
Leon woke up to the soft light of dawn filtering through the small window in his room at the inn. He blinked, adjusting to the dim glow, and stretched his limbs, feeling the residual effects of the previous day's cultivation. His body felt lighter, more powerful, and as he took a deep breath, the energy coursing through him felt more stable.
It seemed that his late-night efforts at circulating mana and breaking through had paid off.
Sitting up in bed, Leon allowed himself a moment to gather his thoughts. The raid on the dungeon was today, and that meant dealing with the Deathbringer Mercenary Squad, something he wasn't exactly looking forward to. But there was no backing out now. The allure of the dungeon and the potential treasures within it were too tempting to ignore.
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Besides, the system had hinted at the importance of this dungeon, and Leon wasn't one to pass up on an opportunity for growth.
After a quick wash, he dressed in his usual black attire, fastening his katana to his side. The blade felt natural in his hand now, an extension of his will. He had been honing his skills, and today would be another chance to prove his strength.
As Leon stepped out of his room, the inn was already coming to life. The innkeeper, an elderly man with a kind smile, was setting up for breakfast. The scent of freshly baked bread and brewed tea filled the air.
"Good morning, sir," the innkeeper greeted as Leon approached. "Breakfast is ready if you'd like some before you head out."
Leon nodded in appreciation. "Thank you. I'll have some tea before I go."
He sat at one of the wooden tables near the entrance, sipping on the hot tea as he watched the morning activity of the village through the inn's open doorway. The village of Silverveil was modest but lively, with villagers bustling about, setting up their market stalls, and preparing for another day.
As he finished his tea and stood to leave, the innkeeper approached him. "Heading to the raid today, are you?"
Leon glanced at the man, surprised. "How did you know?"
The innkeeper chuckled softly. "This village isn't that big, son. Word gets around fast. Just be careful. That dungeon's been causing trouble for a while now, and the Deathbringer Mercenary Squad is not a group to be taken lightly."
Leon's eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of the mercenary squad. "I'll keep that in mind."
With a final nod of thanks, Leon stepped out of the inn and made his way toward the merchant guild hall. The streets of Silverveil were already filling up with activity. Merchants called out their wares, children ran through the streets laughing, and the occasional cultivator could be seen moving purposefully through the crowds.
As he approached the guild hall, Leon's sharp eyes caught sight of a familiar figure standing near the entrance. It was one of the mercenaries from the Deathbringer Squad, a tall man with a menacing scar running across his face. The man noticed Leon as well and smirked, clearly recognizing him.
Leon ignored the mercenary's gaze, pushing open the doors of the guild hall and stepping inside. The interior was bustling with activity as merchants and adventurers alike prepared for the raid. The air was filled with the hum of conversation, deals being made, and plans being discussed.
Leon made his way to the registration desk, where a merchant representative was busy organizing the raid teams. The representative was a middle-aged woman with sharp eyes and a no-nonsense demeanor. She looked up as Leon approached, her gaze assessing him.
"Here to join the raid?" she asked curtly.
Leon nodded. "I'm a lone fighter, looking to participate."
She raised an eyebrow but didn't question him further. "Name?"
"Leon."
She scribbled his name down on the registration scroll his name was already registered but she did this anyways. "Cultivation level?"
"Peak of Qi Refining realm."
She looked up again, her gaze more calculating this time. "We're not accepting weaklings for this raid. You better be able to hold your own, or you'll be more of a liability than an asset."
Leon's expression remained calm. "I can handle myself."
She studied him for a moment longer, then nodded. "Fine. You're in. Report to the main courtyard in an hour. The Deathbringer Mercenary Squad is leading the raid. Don't cause any trouble."
As Leon made his way out of the guild hall, he couldn't shake the uneasy feeling in his gut. The Deathbringer Squad had wanted to kill him before, and now he would be fighting alongside them. It was a dangerous situation, one that could easily escalate into something more if he wasn't careful.
But Leon wasn't one to back down from a challenge. He had faced worse before and come out on top. He would do the same here.
With renewed determination, Leon made his way to the main courtyard, ready for whatever lay ahead. The dungeon awaited, and with it, the chance to grow even stronger.
Leon walked through the crowded streets of Silverveil Village, making his way toward the gathering point for the dungeon raid. As he approached the square, he saw a large group of cultivators already gathered, their firm and sharp auras a testament to their strength. The crowd was diverse: some wielded long swords, others carried heavy axes, spears, or bows.
A few even had exotic weapons like chain blades and iron fans, each cultivator displaying their preferred fighting style.
The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. Cultivators exchanged whispers and glanced around, sizing each other up. Leon noticed that many of them were seasoned fighters, their battle-hardened faces reflecting years of experience. These were no mere amateurs; they had come for the dungeon, knowing full well the dangers that awaited inside.
Leon was awed by what he saw, with all these preparations, he knew that the dungeon they were about to raid was definitely not an ordinary dungeon compared to the goblun dungeon he raided back then, it definitely won't be of thesame rank...