Year 5, Sumr, Third Month, First Week
Mason stared anxiously at the misty lake. For the first ti, he felt sothing that wasnt pure wonder while looking at the mysterious fog that protected AP from prying eyes. Breakfast shifted uncomfortably inside his stomach as he saw a dot coming through the mist. Soon, the image beca clearer, and a boats form appeared.
The operator stood at the front, confident that they would reach AP without any problems. Behind him, Mason counted a dozen or so Adventurers. Most sat quietly, but a handful of them looked scared, probably newcors. However, what he really wanted to see was the middle-aged couple shivering at the back seat of the boat.
Countless mories flooded his mind as he rembered how unhealthy his parents were. His dad could barely stand for a few hours and his mother, though she tried to hide, had severe back pains. For a mont, Mason regretted making them suffer the hurdles of crossing the forest. Even with the potions and transportation that he arranged through Keller, their journey would weigh heavy on their frail bodies.
But then, he rembered the new life they could build together in here. A few days ago, he rented a private hut with two bedrooms, which he had clean spotless, and bought a few things to make it more comfortable. He even spent most of the night working to take this morning off to receive his parents, and now it was finally ti.
The couples fears instantly disappeared when they saw him. After living a tougher life than most, they didnt believe in half of what Keller told them, but they decided to take a chance on their son either way. But now, even without seeing everything, they knew Mason was living a good life here. They had never seen the boy so healthy and handsoly happy.
When it was their ti to exit the boat, they could barely contain the excitent of seeing him. Fortunately, Mason and the operator were used to helping people disembark, or else the couple would probably start their life with an accident.
Mason! You look so
A stream of tears ford on his mothers face as she couldnt find the words to express her relief and happiness. Though she would never admit, even to herself, when he left to work as a porter, she thought he would never co back. His ailing father wasnt much better at expressing his feelings.
Son Thank you!
The warm encounter even got the attention of a few Adventurers. After confirming that his father was good to go, Mason took them to his hut. Although his dad was trying to hide, his tiredness was evident.
Adventurers Point, or as we call it AP, is a place for Adventurers to rest up and organize their hunts. Just like a post village but inside the forest. I have been earning my keep by providing so basic services for the Adventurers, cleaning, organizing, taking care of their equipnt, even passing ssages and getting them food from the pub. APs lodging and food are great, but they dont have servants Everything is very expensive, but that also ans I can charge a lot too
His parents felt overwheld by everything, so they only nodded and tried to morize Masons words. The perfectly built huts also didnt escape their perception. By now, it had beco a landmark of AP.
This is my hut... Our hut.
The couple stared at the small wooden hut with disbelief in their eyes.
I didnt buy it, of course. I just rent it.
However, the shock and sowhat proud look didnt disappear. At least not until his father rembered his words about the cost of APs services.
How much are you paying for it?
Mason laughed awkwardly under their concerned eyes.
Lets talk about prices later But I promise you that the money I earn is enough to pay for food and rent, and I can even save so crystals Oh, AP doesnt deal with coins, only with crystals, mostly energy crystals.
The boy ignored their confusion and urged them to enter the hut. If this much was paralyzing them, he couldnt imagine how they would react once they learned how much he was paying for rent and food.
Theres a water bucket in the corner. The biggest room is yours, so you can rest there. Im gonna get so breakfast at the pub. Ill be back soon.
His mother wanted to say sothing about not spending too much with them, but Mason darted out of the hut before she could. Before he returned, the couple decided to check the room and clean themselves.
Otto went to their room first while Nora picked the bucket. When she entered the room, she almost dropped the bucket in shock. Although it wasnt a big room, the bed was covered with finner fabric that she had ever used, and they even had a small table at the side. They only had so rags and hay mattress on their previous shack, not even a proper bed. Tears escaped her eyes as she stared at the furniture, but her amusent only lasted a few seconds because her husband weakened voice was demanding her attention.
Nora Whats this?
The question attracted her attention to the set of garnts laying at the border of the bed. The clothes looked simple but far more well-made than what they could afford. Of course, her husband knew what the clothes were. The question was obviously directed at what they should do with it.
Suddenly, Nora realized sothing. She looked at her own garnts and Ottos. Though she tried to maintain them clean and reasonably neat, there wasnt more ndings or care that could keep them from becoming rags. If they laid on the bed or even keep walking around the hut, they would dirty everything. So, their son had been thoughtful to the point of getting them new clothes and good ones, from what she could tell. A spike of sha nipped her heart. For a mont, she felt too poor and dirty to live here, to use those clothes and lay on the nice bed.
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