While steering the horses, I thought about lord Damarion. Initially, I thought he was after me because he discovered that the ritual wouldn’t work for him. But it turned out that he wanted Rue to be his familiar. And that was my mistake. When writing the information, I trated oual and all its stages and fot to mention that if the master dies, the familiar dies as well. Now, I o devise a way to tell him about it. Otherwise, I suspected he wouldn’t stop.

  I always had the option to return to Earth, wait for Mahya and Al to finish their business, and then find anate. The world information sounded more iing aing than the pces I had visited so far, but I still hoped the other pces mentioned wouldn’t disappoint. After thinking about it for hours, I still had no solution.

  Oher hand, the wagon gave me an idea. I opehe Archive a Mahya a message.

  Tr. JR

  “Clueless, Versailles, Prince”

  Buy an RV you vert. Let me know when you buy and vert it. I have a great idea, but it esting with our toy.

  I scrolled down the message about the s and ughed. Travelers were a bored bunetimes.

  T. JR

  “Clueless, Versailles, Prince”

  Fet buying all kinds of things to sell. Buy more s from eBay. Many, many more s from eBay. I’ve already used two hundred kilograms.

  Tr. MN

  “Versailles, Alchemist, Clueless”

  Will do.

  Tr. NO

  If he spends them, he should buy them. Don’t be a sucker.

  Tr. PL

  What is eBay, and where is it? I want s, too.

  Tr. NN

  Useless s from tech worlds are the best. I stopped buying merdise, only s. Now I’m stuck with a huge empty Ste. Don’t repeat my mistake—you ’t vert the Ste points back to Ability Points. I tried.

  Tr. TP

  What are you talking about?

  Tr. NN

  Read the message, you idiot, and you will uand.

  Tr. TP

  I wasn’t asking you; you digested pulikn carcass. I asked JR.

  Tr. NN

  So, put the initials in the message. And you are a rotten hutan carcass left in the sun.

  It went on like that for almost two pages. At least they got a ugh out of me.

  After a few hours of riding, we exited the forested area and arrived at the vast pin that tinues all the way to the sea in the west and halfway to Azureas. From the information I gathered from various versations, this pin was one of two “bread baskets” that fed all of Crystalholm. It had one major city in the ter of the pin, and the rest were small agricultural towns.

  After sidering it for a while, I decided to ght to Azureas and not detour to the city in the west.

  For the hree weeks, we leisurely traveled from town to town, headed in an almost straight lio Azureas. There was a Gate on the way I wao add to my t, so we drifted a bit to the west in its dire.

  The towns in this area were simir, but not the same. All the towns covered a wide area, with houses in the ter of the nd owned by the inhabitants. As far as the eye could see, it was mostly farmnd with a home here and there. The only differences were the towns’ ters. They all had service establishments, like an inn, general store, smithy, and various shops. The difference was in the architecture and style.

  In Bridgetown, the residents structed buildings with weathered wood, refleg the b forests. They covered the roofs with thatch, giving the town a traditional, almost pastoral feel. Farms stretched further out, and the chief crops here were various grains that grew well in the fertile soil. The town square was simple, but the delicious smell of baked goods wafting from the bakery made it feel cozy and weling.

  The town of Greenshade had a more refimosphere because of the homes and shops structed from stone quarried from the nearby hills. The fields surrounding the town teemed with vegetables, and their abundance created a vibrant green color in the fields. Greenshade roud of its amazing produce markets, where farmers sold everything from fresh raak to juicy flimo. Of course, I bought a huge stock of both and many more iiables. The streets were narrow, but with the tall trees giving shade, it felt peaceful.

  Silverhill had a bigger tower with huge stockyards. A patchwork of various crops adorhe farmnds here, but the chief trade thrived in livesto abundance of cattle and sheep. Well, sort of cattle and sheep—one was big, and the other was woolly, so that was how I categorized them. The town builders structed Silverhill from sturdy brick, with a few windmills turning zily in the distahe bcksmith’s shop served as the heart of the town, and everyone could hear the g of iron at all hours. I finally sold the st of the horses in Silverhill a only the two pulling the wagon.

  Rue went bad forth about his decisiarding the horses and wagon. Whe o me, he pined about the horses’ speed and even tried to growl at them a few times so they’d go faster. He stopped doing it because every time he’d growl at them, they’d shit themselves from fear. And sihey were running in fright at the time, some of the shit flew at us.

  When he went “home” into the wagon to nap on his beanbag or watch television, he couldn’t shut up about how great the wagon was. I was worried my dog would suffer from a split personality at some point—he was that preoccupied with this specific question.

  As its name suggests, Bluewater was by a river that ran through the pin. The specialization of the farmnds here was in rice paddies and various water-intensive crops. What surprised me the most in this town was that the rice was identical to basmati ri Earth: shape and taste. The town had wooden walkways and bridges over the paddies, and all the buildings were painted blue, refleg the sky and water. With vibrant flower boxes in the windows, the pce took on a postcard-like look, plete with a spsh of color. The docks were a hub of activity, as small boats stantly arrived aed, transp goods and supplies.

  Finally, there was Redrock, set he reddish cliffs almost at the end of the pin. The farms here grew sturdy crops primarily used to feed the livestock, and the wind from the cliffs opped. The town’s architecture mirrored the cliffs, with red stone buildings that were squat and solid. Even the shops appeared rough, as if someone had built them to withstand everything. It felt more isoted, with fewer travelers passing through, but the unity here was tight-knit, friendly, and weling.

  During all this travel, I would stop in a town, present myself as a traveling mert and healer, sell some things, heal some people, stay two to three days in a town, and tinue. In the endless hours monit the horses, I slowly inscribed the Durability rune on all the tableware I bought from the bankrupt pany in the UK and sold it iowns—mainly to the inns. However, some residents purchased some, too. I also sold all the fabric I had from Vegas and a, most of the linen and towels, and all the cigarettes and tobacco products from Vegas. My total earnings from this trading were over 300 gold and some silver, but sadly, there were no levels in Mert or Healer.

  During all this time, I didn’t meet another detat from lord Damarion. I didn’t think he gave up—the vibes I got from him made me believe he wouldn’t give up so easily. Either the wagon and horses threw him off or because Rue didn’t ve of the wagon in some towns. I didn’t know why, but was happy to travel leisurely in pead enjoy the journey.

  We finally arrived at the Gate area. I unhooked the horses, gave them water, and tied them he gate so they could graze. After the core shrank into its backpack disguise, Rue and I approached the Gate.

  Travelers Gate #768222231Destination: ZindorStatus: IedMana level: 38Threat level: High

  The threat level was too high pared to the mana level—I already uand the corretioween mana and threat level.

  Maybe the World’s Info has the answer?

  Summer, 21 PMS—Traveler Kun Solut

  Before you read my repo to the previous report to get an idea of ??what was here before. Otherwise, some parts of my report will not make seo you…

  I opehe earlier information and read.

  06.06.9658—Traveler Joni Pan

  Hello, fellow Traveler,

  My travels in this world have been limited. I discovered more fasating realms from a teological and social perspective, so there was no point in enduring a mana-deprived world with little appeal.

  heless, this world might pique the i of a ic historian or a fan of teological advas.

  Acc to The Gate, this world’s teology level is rated as low-medium, though it leans more towards low than medium. The discovery of gravitational waves at the poles has led to advas in using them for atmospheric flight. Despite this, they have not yet figured out how to utilize them for space travel and tio depend on fossil fuels for propulsion. The fact that they are already engaged in early-stage asteroid mining is a clear indication of their potential. Following their exploration of innovative metals, they will embark on a more advanced space age brimming with promise.

  The unique development of this world makes it an iing subject for a ic historian. During the shift from agriculture to industry, industrial and financial tys frequently usurped power from the aristocra other aristocratic societies. The transition is underway in this world, but it’s at a slower pace, which is a distinctive element of their societal adva. The aristocracy has mao hold on to power with a tight grip, even as they transitioned into the industrial age over two turies ago.

  In aristocracy-trolled areas, they have plete trol over finance, industry, and agriculture, with everyone else being serfs. Industrial tys are establishierritories known as the free cities, which are rapidly expanding across the globe. These areas were once sidered frontier due to the scarcity of arable nd. The rapid growth of industrial cities in that region resembles mushrooms sprouting after rain, gradually eroding aristocratiihis world serves as a tangible illustration of this process, which I believe will pique the i of many.

  I have traveled here for less than a month. The scarcity of mana poses a signifit hardship for me, and I don’t see any purpose in enduring a world that doesn’t pique my personal i. I ied in a siderable stoass-produced products and some fasatials, but nothing else was worth mentioning.

  I:

  the historical development of a society.Metals from asteroids.Enormous sele of mass-produced goods.ives:

  One must exercise caution in cities trolled by the aristocracy. Their as involve capturing people and imposing serfdom upon them, with ation.In the absenoney, starvation is a gehreat for people in the free cities. The tys’ ck of i in maintaining order has led to high crime levels, as their primary focus is on profits.Money:

  In many pces, including cities under aristocratic rule, the traditional method of currency exge through iron, copper, silver, and gold s is still in practi the free cities, they have transitioo a credit system, but finding a trustworthy exge is crucial. The exge rate range from one credit for an iron to tes fold .I am at a loss for any additional information to provide.

  Goodbye, dear Traveler.

  Hoping your journey is delightful and filled with awe-inspiring sights.

  That was depressing, in a way. Now that I had the background, I returo the st information.

  Summer, 21 PMS—Traveler Kun Solut

  Before you read my repo to the previous report to get an idea of ??what was here before. Otherwise, some parts of my report will not make seo you.

  This world was ied 21 years ago. I believe the letters PMS o the date indicate Post Mana Surge or Saturation.

  The aristocracy took advantage of the iion tain the power they were slowly losing, and the tys did the same to seize more power. In both cases, they prevehe popution from fighting, and only their guards fought and protected the people. This caused the entire popution to bee depe on them and ied to them. In some pces, the guards used their advanced levels to elimihe nobility or tys and seize power for themselves, but not everywhere.

  To maintain their firm hold on power, both groups do nothing to make the world safer. No one kills monsters or mas in the wild. As a result, traveling in this world is very dangerous. There are tons of monsters and mas everywhere. At least the beasts kill the monsters in their areas, so you only have to deal with ohreat, not both.

  In the past, tries divided this world. Today, city-states behind high walls divide this world, each ruled by a y, or warlord. It is very difficult to gairy to one of these cities, and even more difficult to leave. They try to capture whoever they and ehem to serve them. The only ones who move retively freely are traders, but there aren’t many of them. The traders usually travel in caravans with a huge number of guards who prevent them from being taken prisoner. But with the dangers on the way, many of them do not reach their destination. They perish along the way.

  Why is this world worth visiting?

  They have dohing to make the world safe, including not clearing the dungeons that popped up everywhere during the iion.

  There are a lot of dungeons here!

  In one ruined city, I cleared over forty dungeons and took the cores. I didn’t evehem all, just the weaker ones. I travel alone, and I saw no reason to endanger myself. A strroup could colle incredible number of cores here.

  I have little to say about the cities themselves. I mao get in and out of oy and ried to do it again. Also, I didn’t buy or sell anything here.

  Warning:Be especially careful of the flying shey are very fast, attack from ambush, and their bite causes paralysis that takes effect within three blinks. The spell Minor Heal, does not help against the paralysis. Luckily, I had a rge supply of anti-venom potions and have Telekinesis. Otherwise, I’d be snake food.

  I am currently standing in front of the Gate to Charyne, a world with 48 mana and a low-medium level of Magitech. (Marker added to the Gate.) I will make much money from my cores and tio travel in less dangerous worlds. Maybe I’ll be back here for another round of core colleg. Who knows? It depends on how much I profit from the cores I collect.

  May peace be upon you, my fellow Traveler, and may your road be filled with excitement.

  Hmm, that’s iing.

  I stood there, scratched my head for a few minutes, and made up my mind. I opehe Archive and wrote a message to the gang.

  Tr. JR

  “Clueless, Versailles, Prince”

  I found our world to travel, and it’s AWESOME!!

  Listen to this—it’s from the world info:“Why is this world worth visiting?

  They have dohing to make the world safe, including not clearing the dungeons that popped up everywhere during the iion.

  There are a lot of dungeons here!

  In one ruined city, I cleared over forty dungeons and took the cores. I didn’t evehem all, just the weaker ones. I travel alone, and I saw no reason to endanger myself. A strroup could colle incredible number of cores here.”

  After closing the Archive, I cast invisibility and tried to cross the Gate to add it to my t. Tried being the operating word. No matter what I did, I couldn’t cross the Gate.

  I told Rue. “Rue, buddy. See if you cross the Gate. Don’t linger; just check if you .”

  “Yes boss!”

  A sed ter, I couldn’t feel him anymore. I waited with bated breath, aurned ihan a minute.

  “Rue back,” he informed me. “No problem.”

  I tried again with the same results. No matter what I tried, I couldn’t cross. After standing there dumbfounded for over five minutes, I facepalmed. Of course!

  I took off the backpack with the core and told Rue, “Guard the core.”

  This time, I crossed with no issues. As always, the other side of the Gate was between two enormous boulders. What was new was the location: it was in the middle of an enormous junkyard or dump. Everywhere I turned, I saw massive mounds of garbage. It mainly was rusted metal that looked like it could crumble to dust if I touched it, wood that looked even worse, and a lot of rubber. Some of the rubber was tires that were quite simir to the tires oh. They were wider and smaller, but the design was simir. I rubbed my hands in anticipation.

  My core feast here for days!

  I sidered staying there for a few days to feed my core with all those riches, but then imagined Mahya’s face if I did it without her and shook my head, sighing. I returo Lumis, and we tinued our jouro Azureas.