Chapter 325: Achievement Hunting

Chapter 325: Achievement Hunting

Whats up with you? Hannah asked. I havent seen so much gloom since you failed your trial.

Which one? Dallion asked as he kept on staring at his food. After the dreams he had the previous night, even Aspans cooking wasnt able to improve his mood.

Does it matter? The innkeeper shrugged. Seriously, what happened this time? I warned you that hooking up with that gorgon was a bad idea.

What? Shock made Dallion almost jump up from his seat.

For one thing, Hannah had never told him that, for another, it wasnt any business of hers. Dallion had a mind to tell her just that, but the sneaky feeling of fear and curiosity had gotten the better of him. Did she know something that he didnt?

Shes just busy right now, Dallion said, which sounded like the worst defense one could think of. With the festival and all.

Shes always busy with something, the woman said dismissively. Easy to get infatuated, easy to get bored. Thats why she could never keep a boyfriend.

Err? Dallions interest peaked. He took a bite of his food to try and pretend that he wasnt overly concerned. Even he could tell that his attempt failed. How many did she have? Dallion used a bit of music skill to make his voice sound casual.

Why do you think I made the no-sex rule? the innkeeper grumbled. Things were getting totally out of control.

As bad as that was, Dallion could imagine it. After all, Eury had managed to have her fun even when she was virtually banned from the stepping foot in the inn.

I had trouble sleeping. Dallion chose to change the topic. Bad dreams. Also, a really weird conversation with a table, he thought.

The way youve been stretching yourself thin, no wonder, Hannah grumbled. The expedition, the tournament, that whole business with the overseer. If you ask me, youre not ready for either, but what do I know? Im just an innkeeper whos seen more things for longer than youve been born.

She looks quite well for her age, the armadil shield said. Considering shes human.

In your place, I would have focused to choose a good profession I want to keep doing for the rest of my life and then focus on becoming the best there is, Hannah continued.

Didnt you say that I must be as balanced as possible? Dallion asked, somewhat confused.

You never listen, do you? The innkeeper sighed, rolling her eyes. Balancing is not a goal, its a means. Look at Veil. He doesnt bother leveling up half his stats or skills, but knows exactly what he wants to be. You seem to want to be everything. The truth is that you cannot be everything.

True, and thats precisely the point. Achievements bring flaws, and those flaws gather together. Doing them while leveling up is beneficial since you get rid of them. Stacking them as you do is risky.

Dallion hesitated. So far, his morning wasnt half bad. It was much better than the night, that was for sure. Dallion had already increased his reaction thrice and could boost it a bit more the following day. At least, in theory he could.

Spending another few minutes through the achievements failed to provide anything useful. Either Dallion already had them or the requirements were too unclear for him to try. A surprisingly large number of them were marked as unknown indicating that even the person who achieved them wasnt certain how that had happened.

Ultimately, Dallion found another achievement he found worthwhilethis one increasing his perception. However, after a few hours of trying without result, he decided to call it a day.

Close of a day after he started achievement huntingor three quarters of an hour in real timeDallion was already famished. Normally hed have no issue finding something to eat at the guild, but with everyone preparing for the festival, he had to find something on the stalls outside. The issue was that on the streets, the prices had tripled and there always were large queues.

You can go to the Gremlins Timepiece, Nil suggested. Itll be faster that way.

Maybe later, Dallion replied.

Finding an adequate place to eat turned out to be much more difficult than Dallion expected. The places he used to go were packed, and his perception didnt allow him to eat common food without a strong reaction from his stomach. Ultimately, he had to risk trying out places that he hadnt been to before. Taking note of the orange circlesa sign added to the stalls, indicating that they were suitable for awakenedDallion managed to find a relatively quiet place close to the nobles neighborhood. The prices were abysmally high, ensuring that even with all the people in Nerosal the tavern remained mostly empty.

Just like a high-end caf, Dallion thought as he stepped inside.

A barmaid greeted him with a smile, letting him know that his order was already being prepared. Dallion wasnt in the least surprisedhe had seen her combat split the moment he had stepped inside. No doubt shed already had a conversation with him regarding his order and ability to pay. Now all that Dallion had to do was wait.

Fancy place, he thought. From what it seemed all the staff here were seers, probably skilled enough to defeat Dallion in the real world, if not in the realms as well.

They have to be, considering who theyre serving, Nil replied. So, what now? Leveling up three times in a day? Learning to forge a whip blade while also forging it? Or will you attempt something a bit more difficult?

Very funny. Dallion Narrowed his eyes. Nothing has changed.

Hasnt it? You havent been yourself since last night.

Just stress, Dallion lied.

As much as he had tried to avoid it, he was still thinking about the Aura Sword realm. If what Havoc had said in the dream was true, it would be possible to enter the other temples. Dallion was fully aware that with his present strength he had no chance of defeating any of the guardians, but even so, he felt a strong urge to check it out. And with most people being out of the guildhall, he had the means to try it.

Ill be fine, Dallion thought. Some food at a fancy place will do me good. After that, well return to the guild and continue with the training.