Casimir, activating his Intimidating Gaze, caused the weaker bandits to faint instantly under the crushing weight of his aura. The remaining bandits, trembling with fear, could barely move. Casimir skillfully used his Geokinesis, summoning stone chains from the ground to bind the criminals without effort.
The merchant, still shaken, approached hesitantly."You've saved my life… How could I ever repay you?" he asked gratefully.
Casimir replied simply:"Take me to the village of Sunveil."
The merchant, visibly relieved, answered enthusiastically:"Sunveil? That's perfect—it's where I'm heading as well."
With their destination aligned, they set off together. Along the way, the merchant couldn't stop thanking his savior, still marveling at the power and presence Casimir had displayed.
Arrival at Sunveil
As they entered the village of Sunveil, Casimir was struck by the familiarity of the place. But he quickly noticed the attention he was attracting. People stared openly—some with curiosity, others with admiration. The men whispered among themselves, while the women gazed at him with wide eyes. Some blushed and tried to approach him but hesitated.
Confused, Casimir thought to himself:"Why is everyone looking at me like this?"
The voice in his head chuckled lightly and explained:"It's your appearance. Thanks to your evolution, you've not only become powerful but also impossibly handsome."
Understanding the situation, Casimir let out a small sigh, a mix of amusement and exasperation crossing his face. He quickly made his way to his old home. Upon opening the door, he was greeted by a dusty and abandoned room. Despite its state, a smile spread across his face."Finally… home."
He began tidying up and then treated himself to a long, refreshing shower. The sensation of water running over his skin after so long in the dungeon was blissful. However, as he cleaned himself, his thoughts drifted back to his ultimate goal: vengeance.
Joining the Guild
The next day, dressed sharply, Casimir made his way to the adventurer's guild to register under a new identity. As he stepped inside, the lively atmosphere came to a halt. All eyes turned to him. The whispers began:"Who is that guy?""He's insanely handsome…"
Casimir walked confidently to the reception desk. The receptionist, a young woman with a shy demeanor, flushed bright red as he approached."I'd like to register as an adventurer," he said calmly.
The receptionist, flustered, handed him the registration form with trembling hands. Casimir, determined to conceal his identity and true abilities, wrote down a new name: Zephyr Frostvale. For the elements he controlled, he chose only fire and earth, leaving the rest hidden.
When the receptionist read the form, she gasped aloud:"Two elements?!"
Her exclamation drew immediate attention."Two elements? This guy must be a genius!" someone murmured.
The women, already captivated by his looks, seemed even more intrigued.
Unbothered, Casimir casually asked if there were any F-rank quests available. Embarrassed by her outburst, the receptionist quickly handed him a mission: to defeat four goblins for a reward of 40 silver coins. Casimir, finding the task laughably easy, accepted and set out for the dungeon to complete it.
Overachieving the Quest
A few hours later, Casimir returned to the guild, carrying a bag filled with goblin ears. The receptionist, surprised by his quick return, asked:"You've already finished?"
Casimir placed the bag on the counter and replied nonchalantly:"I stumbled upon a goblin village. I wiped them all out."
The receptionist opened the bag and began counting the ears."One hundred… You defeated one hundred goblins?!" she exclaimed.
Shocked that an F-rank adventurer could achieve such a feat, she rushed off to inform the guild master. Moments later, she returned and asked Casimir to follow her to the guild master's office.
Meeting Morgrath
Casimir entered the office of the guild master, a towering man with a piercing gaze."I'm Morgrath, a former S-rank adventurer. And who might you be?" he asked, scrutinizing Casimir closely.
With an air of confidence, Casimir replied:"Zephyr Frostvale, F-rank adventurer."
Morgrath laughed heartily."F-rank? Don't kid me. Your actions speak otherwise. I propose a test to determine your true rank."
Casimir, a faint, knowing smile playing on his lips, responded:"With pleasure."
End of the Chapter
Thus, Casimir stood ready, prepared to prove his worth and ascend the ranks of the guild. Every step he took brought him closer to his ultimate goal: revenge. For now, though, it was time to show the world just how powerful he truly was.