As the day passed, people in the carriage felt closer and closer to each other... except Arlon.
For some reason, he talked only when asked a question, and shortly at that.
They arrived at Morealis one hour before the log-out time. Since it was Friday, they would stay there until Monday.
Arlon had included this in his plans. He needed to change his armor with something better. And that something better was in Morealis.
"We will be staying at this inn for the next two days. Please find us when you come back from the pause time. You can spend the next hour however you wish," Ben informed them.
Since he was in charge of everything, he preferred not to travel with the others even though there were empty spaces.
Unfortunately, the group couldn't go through the portal and arrive directly at Kelta.
Since Kelta was the most important city, it didn't have any portals near it. It was designed that way to prevent enemy attacks.
They would teleport to the closest city to Kelta and spend 7 more days on the road to reach Kelta.
Of course, this was only because they were a big group and players needed to log out. A single person could go between Kelta and Istarra in two days with a fast horse.
---
Morealis was divided into four main districts, each reflecting its unique role as a bustling portal city.
The Merchant District
At the heart of the city, the Merchant District sprawled outward from the massive portal dominating the central plaza.
Stalls, tents, and shops overflowed with exotic wares—vibrant fabrics, enchanted trinkets, rare spices, and handcrafted tools—creating a chaotic yet vibrant atmosphere.
Merchants shouted over one another, their calls blending into a symphony of deals and promises.
Buildings were practical, with shops on the ground floor and warehouses above. The cobbled streets, worn and uneven, bore the marks of countless carts and footsteps.
The Traveler's Quarter
Situated on the city's outskirts, the Traveler's Quarter catered to those passing through the portal.
Taverns, inns, and hostels lined the streets, offering affordable lodging, hearty meals, and warm hearths.
The scent of roasted meat skewers and spiced stew lingered in the air, sold by street vendors to weary travelers.
This was where the rest of the group would stay.
The Portal Plaza
The Morealis Portal stood in the city's center, an imposing arch of steel etched with glowing runes.
Soldiers patrolled the plaza to maintain order as merchants, adventurers, and caravans queued for passage.
Of course, their main objective was to protect the portal.
Surrounding the portal were makeshift markets and service stalls—guides, fortune-tellers, and mapmakers offered their skills to those preparing for the unknown.
A small administrative building nearby managed traffic flow, charged portal fees, and handed out passes for entry and exit.
Despite the military presence, the plaza was always bustling with life, as people, carts, and even livestock queued for their turn to travel.
Guild Row
Guild Row was where adventurers and mercenaries gathered, drawn to its stone halls displaying banners of various guilds.
Here, blacksmiths, potion brewers, and cartographers catered to seasoned fighters and explorers, offering specialized tools, enchanted weapons, and rare supplies.
Bulletin boards posted contracts for hunts, escorts, and treasure expeditions, making it a magnet for thrill-seekers and players alike.
The district buzzed with ambition and rivalry, its every corner alive with the spirit of adventure.
Together, these districts made Morealis a city that never stopped moving—chaotic, vibrant, and alive.
---
Arlon couldn't spend time with the other players that evening; he was assigned to escort Lady Rael alongside the other administrators.
But that was fine—he planned to spend the next day in the Guild Row.
After everyone retired to their rooms, Arlon settled onto his bed.
The inn they were staying at, thanks to Lady Rael, was far more luxurious than most. The bed was soft and inviting, almost enough to let him forget the day's events.
But his mind was elsewhere.
After defeating the Nydra and reaching level 101, something had changed: his Unfair Regressor title.
Unfair Regressor
"The one who regressed and doesn't need to follow the fair play rules of Zeno."
Endless Ascent: The longer you stay logged in, the stronger you become!
Fuse: A new ability can be created by fusing two abilities from different classes. The new ability will incorporate features of both fused abilities.
**** (Locked)
**** (Locked)
Arlon let out an involuntary scream, "Yeees!"
One of the previously locked features of his title had been unlocked.
This new feature, Fuse, allowed him to create entirely new abilities by merging others. For a magic swordsman like him, this was a game-changer. It opened the door to creating abilities that perfectly fit his unique playstyle.
But there was a problem.
Currently, Arlon didn't possess any warrior abilities—only skills. While he had created warrior abilities in the past timeline, his current strength wasn't enough to replicate them yet.
Still, it was a massive advantage. With training in Kelta, he could learn the necessary warrior abilities to use Fuse effectively.
He couldn't help but wonder why the title gave him this feature. Normally, no one could have two classes. Without the magic swordsman class, Fuse would have been useless.
"Did the title adapt to my situation?" Arlon mused aloud. "Would I even have this feature if I weren't a magic swordsman?"
Regardless, it was one more tool for his road to the final boss.
---
The next morning, Arlon prepared for the day and left his room.
The administrators had their own duties, so Arlon would have the next two days to himself.
He didn't even encounter the other administrators since even Lady Rael needed to prepare a report for Zephyrion.
His destination was Guild Row. In Trion, guilds were different from those created by players.
These guilds were official institutions like the Merchants' Guild or the Explorers' Guild, both partially overseen by the government. Explore stories on empire
These guilds served dual purposes: assisting their members while also enforcing regulations. For instance, the Merchants' Guild helped traders establish connections while also ensuring fair trade practices.
They were also great places for the business owners to gather and network.
Today, Arlon's goal was the area surrounding the Blacksmiths' Guild.
As expected, the districts were organized by specialty. Near the Merchants' Guild, traders set up shops. Similarly, blacksmiths clustered around the Blacksmiths' Guild. This arrangement often led to friction between districts, but the authorities kept things under control.
On his way, Arlon was approached by a group of adventurers who mistook him for one of their own. With his sword and armor, it was a fair assumption.
In Trion, before the Keldar attacks, there had been no need for an Adventurers' Guild since there were no monsters.
The Explorers' Guild's members focused on finding relics from the old Heroes. But since the Keldars began their assault, people had started forming parties to hunt them.
The Explorers' Guild was gradually evolving into the Adventurers' Guild.
It is so bothersome, there are a lot of people here. He thought. But he had to force his way through here since the blacksmiths were just ahead.
After 20 minutes of walking, he finally arrived at his destination:
Hot Hammer
Another silly blacksmith shop name, Arlon thought with a sigh.