Stress

"Hey bard, sing a sang will ya!" 

In a certain bar within the Town of Velard, the atmosphere was lively and raucous. Drunkards raised their cups in cheers, their voices mingling with the sounds of laughter and chatter. Women with alluring figures and crimson lips flirted shamelessly with any lone patron they could find. Meanwhile, adventurers watched from their tables, their swords resting beside them as they sipped on ale, their eyes scanning the room with a mix of curiosity and vigilance. It was a place teeming with unusual characters, each harboring their own purposes or hidden secrets.

"Alright," said the young man as he entered the bar, his black hair contrasting sharply against his pale skin. His clothes were a symphony of colors and textures, reflecting his eclectic style. Around his waist, a belt of supple leather held an array of pouches and trinkets, while in his hands, he cradled his faithful lute.

The song flowed from the bard's lips like a sweet ale, its melody weaving through the air, captivating all who heard it. It was an intoxicating blend of notes that seemed to wash away the troubles of the world, leaving only joy and merriment in its wake. The bard's voice held a magical quality, like the enchanting spells of a sorcerer, compelling everyone to calmness and contentment. As the patrons listened, they found themselves drawn to the music, their mugs cast aside as they joined in the dance, their laughter mingling with the bard's song. Together, they created a moment of pure bliss, forgetting their worries and woes as they reveled in the magic of music and camaraderie.

"So raise your tankards, sing along,

In this world where shadows belong,

For though the night may seem so long,

We'll find solace in a merry song.

"Oh, the world is dark, my friends,

Where sorrow's grip never truly ends,

But we'll smile in the face of dismay,

For in humor, we'll find our own way." 

The song ended, and everyone clapped. Even someone who was disappointed because the song ended didn't stop them from giving the bard appreciated praise and continuing to bond with their friends.

The bard bowed graciously to the applauding crowd, a warm smile gracing his lips, before making his way to the counter to replenish his parched throat. As he waited for his drink, his eyes wandered to a lone figure in the corner of the bar. There was something intriguing about the man's calm demeanor, something that piqued the bard's curiosity. Like a willow tree standing tall atop a mountain peak, the man exuded a sense of quiet strength and resilience.

What truly caught the bard's attention, however, were the man's facial features and attire. They were unlike anything he had ever seen before, hinting at a story that begged to be told. Intrigued, the bard signaled to the bartender for another drink, eager to approach the mysterious stranger and uncover the secrets hidden behind his enigmatic facade.

"Good evening, my friend. The tale of man, in all its joy and sorrow, is a melody only understood by man himself. I am Elandir, a wandering bard, driven by the urge to compose the grandest anthem of humanity. What say you, lone soul in this tranquil bar?" 

The lone man turned and looked at him. Now Elandir could finally see his face. He appeared to be from the East, but there was a difference. People from the East usually have a resolute and unwavering face, but this man looked more like a stressed worker, similar to those Elandir had seen at a bakery or among guards. Despite losing interest, Elandir felt it would be disrespectful to end the conversation since he had already started it. 

"My name Zhen Qi." 

"Zhen... what?" Elandir was confused, then gasped, "Are you from an ancient clan?"

"Huh?" Zhen Qi frown as he looked at the young man.

"Ah, good sir! Your name, it seems rather... distinct if I may say so." The bard hurriedly said.

Zhen Qi turn face to face with a young man from another world, he was also curios, and asked, "Distinct? Well, I suppose you could say that." 

"Ahem," Elandir fake coughed, "Well, I couldn't help but notice your attire is quite unique, and your countenance unfamiliar yet intriguing. Your accent, it's unlike any I've heard in these parts. It sets you apart from the rest of us, wouldn't you agree?"

"First of all, before I answer your question, is that mine?" Zhen Qi pointed at another mug of ale in the bard's hand. He was already thirsty upon arriving, and he didn't have any money to pay for his food. The bartender didn't believe him when he said he would pay back.

After arriving in this world, the first thing Zhen Qi encountered was this town. Because of his clothes, face, and smooth skin, the guards mistook him for some kind of noble from a distant land, so they let him pass easily. However, this impression didn't seem to work on the bartender of this bar at all. The bartender even cursed him for whatever reason. But Zhen Qi ignored it; after all, this was his turf, and he didn't know this place. Another reason was because he was weak, and it was better to stay low for a while.

After drinking his drink, he wiped his lips and felt satisfied. He glanced at the bard, who was curiously observing him, like an animal in a zoo. "What were we talking about before?" he asked

"You." 

"Uh, I'm not from an ancient clan or a dragon, nor am I a demon or whatever you might have thought. I'm human. And first, the world is large—you never know what may exist out there," Zhen Qi added, blending a lie with some truth. As a God, of course, he wasn't going to reveal himself, especially considering his circumstances. "I'm from a faraway land that I can't tell you about unless you pay me."

"Hmmm," Elandir paused for a while, then continued, "You are right. It's something one of my mentors used to say: the world is vast, like an expanding darkness at night. We may never know what exists out there, and there are still many wonders to explore. But how did someone from a faraway land like you end up here? You seem like it's your first time visiting."

"You're asking too many questions. If you want me to answer that, pay me first. Nothing is free in this world."

"Oh, I apologize for my rude behavior good sir. I'm just after all curious young man who likes to explore the world. And by the way, are you looking for something? You don't have any money, and you're just sitting here looking around as if you're searching for something."

"Hmmm... what are you really? Nevermind..." Zhen Qi sighed, shaking his head. Then he admitted, "I'm looking for someone, but I don't know how to find them.

"Them?" 

"Do you know a hunter who lost his emotion?" He asked.

"A hunter who lost his emotion?" Elandir narrowed his eyes, deep in thought. "The world is vast; many mysteries lurk around—"

"Get to the point." 

"Can you be more specific? How can you find someone who lost their emotions when you don't even know who they are?"

That was the hard part. The quest only left him with one clue. In this world, it's hard to find a hunter who lost his emotions. Even if he found one, how could he be sure that was the right hunter? After all, this was a world he knew little about, and losing emotions might be a normal occurrence here. If he needed to find one, he needed someone's help. 

When he was lost in deep thought, the bartender approached them. Seeing Zhen Qi acting like a normal human rather than an arrogant noble, he sighed with relief and said, "Why don't you go to the Temple of Eternal Eyes? Their god is rumored to be omniscient, although no one can prove it. Nevertheless, they have the best information you can find in the entire world."

"But of course, you need to be more specific. Finding a hunter who lost his emotions is like finding a vampire among humans," the bartender remarked.

"God?" Zhen Qi mumbled, then suddenly slapped the table, shocking both the bartender and the bard.

"I'm stupid," he muttered, massaging his temples as he remembered something, ignoring the bard who was talking about how being stupid doesn't define him. He recalled that the quest didn't give him a time limit to complete it. He had been so stressed about it, but now he had forgotten. Thanks to the bartender, he remembered that he needed faith points to gather to summon his first units, which could help develop his territory and aid him in finding the hunter who lost his emotions.

He thanked the bartender and left the bar, gazing up at the sky. As he sighed, he realized he missed smoking. It dawned on him that he had been working for six hours straight. First, he died and starved, then he became a god, only to die again while trying to enter the Void gate. And now he found himself in this world, starving. It seemed like fate was mocking him. The stress was accumulating; he hadn't even noticed that he still hadn't rested yet.

"I wonder why am I doing this? This doesn't seem any different from my past life."