Looking outside, I could see the train moving at a fast speed. The trees passed by one by one as the scenery outside constantly changed.


    "Sigh." Sitting beside the window, I sighed once again. Thinking about the ruins, my heart felt heavy.


    The things we found in the ruins were not valuable artifacts or ancient scriptures, but rather leftover items from long ago and dens of monsters.


    The money we earned from the raid came mostly from the monsters we hunted and was divided equally among us.


    The only good thing that came from it was my new ability, which I had used quite cleverly, if I must say so myself.


    A smirk played on my lips as I looked again at my ability.


    ? Rank 2: Kairosflow – Acceleration and deceleration of anything with respect to time.


    To tell the truth, this ability was even more versatile and amazing than ''Static.'' Unlike ''Static,'' which stopped an opponent''s time entirely, ''Kairosflow'' could slow down or increase the time needed for any action up to five times faster or slower.


    This was how I managed to move at such a fast pace—by accelerating my speed, reducing the time needed to cover a distance to less than half of the original time.


    Not only that, but attacks and objects could also be affected by ''Kairosflow.'' That was how I managed to speed up the storage bracelet.


    One of my latest discoveries was the increase in my Origin reserves, as well as the strengthening of ''Static'' along with its radius.


    My Origin reserves were now almost twice, if not more, than what they were before.


    Looking outside one last time, I closed my eyes, hoping tomorrow would be better than today.


    ****


    The loud screech of the train''s brakes pierced the air as it came to an abrupt halt, jolting everyone inside. The doors slid open with a hiss, and a cacophony of voices and shuffling feet filled the station. I stepped off the train, feeling the cool metal of the platform beneath my boots, and was immediately swept into the river of people flowing toward the exit.


    ''Finally here,'' I thought as I looked around and simply walked outside the station.


    It had taken almost five days to reach this place. If I had taken a carriage, I would have needed to switch at every city. That would have been too much of a hassle, even for me.


    Walking further, I took in the sight before me—Atlas, also known as the Free State.


    ''But it''s too normal.'' I stopped myself from saying it aloud.


    I received occasional glances as I walked down the streets. The only thing different from Sefron City was the number of beggars roaming here. People walked almost corpse-like, their eyes devoid of life, as if they had already given up on it.


    The sky looked dark, thick black clouds covering the area above the railway station.


    ''Why are there so many dark clouds?'' I wondered. The answer soon came into sight—a tall building with pipes attached to it released large amounts of smoke, almost as if it were on fire.


    The smell of burning coal and rotten eggs filled my nostrils. It was unbearable. I walked past shops displaying various food items, their scents clashing in the air. The smell of freshly baked bread and grilled meat wafted toward me, drawing my attention.


    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Walking towards the stall, I looked at the shopkeeper and gave a polite smile before asking, "How much for these?" I pointed at the bread lined up alongside the roasted chicken.


    "2 R. You won''t get a better price than this," he declared proudly, receiving glares from other shopkeepers nearby.


    Seeing them glare at him, he laughed out loud, seemingly proud of it.


    "Give me a sandwich, then." I sighed as I pointed at the grilled pieces. ''All business owners are the same everywhere,'' I thought.


    "Here, take it." Handing me a bag, he gave a smile of his own, his cheeks puffing up.


    "Thanks. Do you know where I can get a room?"


    "New here?" The shopkeeper asked.


    I simply nodded. "Yes, just arrived today."


    His eyes lit up with curiosity as he leaned closer. "Look, I know a place. Not too expensive and safe enough for a traveler like you. It''s called ''The Cozy Inn.'' Just down the street, you can''t miss it. Tell ''em Marcus sent ya, they''ll give you a good deal."


    I nodded my thanks and took the sandwich, the aroma making my stomach growl. I had barely taken a bite when the sound of clattering metal echoed through the street, followed by a group of children, their eyes gleaming with excitement as they chased something unseen. My curiosity piqued, I followed the commotion.


    The children led me to a narrow alley where a metallic sphere the size of a melon rolled to a stop. It was covered in dust, blending into its surroundings. As I approached, I could see the gears and cogs inside spinning rapidly, a soft glow emanating from its core.


    One of the children, a girl with matted brown hair and dirt-smudged cheeks, stepped forward. "Hey, mister, you wanna go?" she asked, holding out a stick with a piece of cloth tied around the end. "It''s a time game. You can make it go fast or slow. Just poke it with this."


    I raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself. "What happens if I poke it?"


    The girl giggled. "You''ll see."


    With a shrug, I took the stick and gently poked the sphere. To my astonishment, the glow intensified, and the sphere shot down the alley, the children shrieking and laughing as they chased after it. It was like watching a scene from a children''s chase sequence in a story, except it was happening right in front of me in a place that had seen better days.


    Shaking my head in amusement, I walked towards the inn the shopkeeper had mentioned.


    ''It really can''t be missed.'' I looked at the ridiculously large board hanging outside the building. ''Cozy Inn.'' It was so eye-catching that I felt embarrassed just standing beside it.


    Pushing open the door, I stepped into a warm, dimly lit space. The scent of freshly brewed ale and the crackling fireplace welcomed me.


    The Cozy Inn was smaller than it appeared from the outside, but its atmosphere was inviting. The walls were adorned with hunting trophies and faded tapestries, each telling tales of battles and adventures long past. A few patrons glanced up from their drinks, their expressions a mix of curiosity and wariness before returning to their conversations.


    Behind the counter, a man in his late fifties polished glasses while pouring drinks. His eyes lit up as he saw me, a grin forming on his lips.


    "How can I help you?" he asked.


    "Hello, I''m looking for a room."


    "Oh? How long do you plan to stay?"


    I thought for a moment before answering. "Maybe a month, but it could be more."


    "That''s long. It''ll be 15 R per day, including breakfast and lunch. A month would be 450 R in total."


    Before I could respond, he continued, "But I''ll make it 425 R as a discount."


    I hesitated, debating whether to use Marcus'' name for a better deal.


    "Actually, Marcus sent me. He told me to mention his name."


    The innkeeper''s grin widened unnervingly. "Oh, Marcus sent you? Then I should give you a better price. How about 600 R for the month?"


    ''How is that a fair price?'' I almost shouted.


    "So do you know Marcus." He asked his lips curling up even more then before.


    ''This guy is a devil, how can a person smile looks so evil. No is it possible to grin that much in the first place.''


    Shuddering, I quickly backpedaled. "No, never heard of him. Did I mention him? Must be a mistake."


    The grin remained. "Ah, then my ears must be failing me. 450 R it is."


    I sighed. "Fine."


    "Name''s Greth. What''s yours, lad?"


    "Asher." I said with a look of dejection. ''I will have my revenge, you just wait.'' I promised myself to remember this moment.


    Greth chuckled, clearly enjoying my discomfort. "Alright, Asher. Let me show you to your room."


    Greth, smile remained as he took my backpack and led me to a small but clean room with a single bed and a wooden table. I paid him the required amount, feeling a bit cheated but also amused by the playful banter. After placing my bag beside the bed, I looked at Greth who still kept looking at me.


    "Is there anything else you need?" He asked with his grin still not fading.


    "No, thank you Greth." I said, trying to match his cheerfulness. He nodded and left the room, his laugh echoing down the hallway.


    "Let''s sleep for today, I will explore the city tomorrow."


    As I lay down, I thought, ''This time, I''ll do what I came here to do. No more waiting.''