Infinite Mana Exorcist
Chapter 36: A few years later

Chapter 36: A few years later

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The cold wind of night was unforgiving, stale, and gnawing at the skin. It was the kind of wind that carried whispers of doom, the kind that seeped into bones and left behind an eerie chill. Many would have preferred to spend such a night in the comfort of a warm bed, with a cup of tea and a thick blanket to shield them from the elements.

But in this world, who had that kind of luxury?

Even kings and queens had come to understand the futility of seeking comfort in sleep. Rest was no longer a luxury; it was a weakness. In a world teetering on the edge of chaos, what mattered most was vigilance. Eyes that never closed. Minds that never wandered.

Especially for those who carried the title of adventurer.

A sole party of ten traversed the desolate roads in a wooden carriage, propelled forward by two horses galloping at full throttle. The beasts, despite the weight they bore, moved with unnatural endurance, their speed sustained not by their own strength but by the alchemist among the adventurers—his concoctions ensuring the horses did not succumb to exhaustion.

Within the large thirteen-foot carriage, eight of the party members sat, while two remained outside, guiding the horses through the winding path ahead. Though the ride was far from smooth, the adventurers inside managed to keep the atmosphere lively, refusing to let the stillness of the night dampen their spirits.

One after another, they took turns stepping into the center of the carriage, sharing tales of past exploits, weaving stories that carried a mix of horror and humor. Some exaggerated their feats, turning simple encounters into grand sagas. Others spun dark narratives, painting vivid pictures of blood and carnage. And then there were those who aimed for lightheartedness, their voices rising in exaggerated tones, making the rest chuckle despite their fatigue.

However, not all took part in this unspoken game of camaraderie.

At the far edge of the carriage, three cloaked figures remained motionless, their faces obscured by their hoods. Newcomers to the party, they had only joined for a single job, and when the mission ended, they would part ways without a second thought. They had no interest in idle chatter, nor did they wish to feign amusement at exaggerated tales.

But their silence did not go unnoticed.

A drunken adventurer, reeking of ale, staggered to his feet. His movements were sluggish, his breath thick with the stench of alcohol. He swayed as he walked, his gaze locking onto the trio who had yet to say a word.

"Hey, mates!" His voice was rough, slurred. "What’s with the ragged mood? You think our stories ain’t touching enough for your liking?"

His unsteady steps brought him dangerously close, and without warning, he grabbed one of the cloaked figures by the fabric, his grip clumsy but firm. The foul stench of liquor hit like a wave, almost enough to make a man wretch.

’He smells so awful,’ the hooded individual thought, resisting the urge to recoil. The sensation of the man’s fingers gripping his cloak was repulsive. With a swift motion, he shoved the drunkard’s hands away with ease, his voice laced with irritation.

"I don’t feel like listening," he muttered, his tone calm but edged with exhaustion. "I’m just tired... tired from slaying an entire goblin civilization and only getting thirty bronze coins in return."

The drunken man blinked, momentarily thrown off by the response. His mind, dulled by alcohol, struggled to process the words. And then, like flint striking steel, anger flared in his eyes.

"How dare you talk trash about your pay, you damn exorcist! If you wanted a bigger reward, why didn’t you join the D-rank adventurers and hunt real beasts?"

Beside the cloaked figure, another companion moved slightly, fingers grazing the hilt of his sword. His intent was clear.

"Shall I?" Fey’s deep voice was barely above a whisper, but it carried a dangerous edge.

"No," the first hooded figure replied, his tone firm. "I’m the one at fault here. I should have chosen a better job."

With that, he lifted his hood, revealing a striking face—sharp features, long crimson hair that caught the dim moonlight, and eyes filled with both grit and mischief. His expression, despite the situation, held an undeniable charisma.

"Asher..." The name carried weight among the party.

The drunken vice-captain of the group scowled at the sight of him, his fingers curling into fists. "Damned foreigner..." he spat, stamping his boot hard on the carriage floor. "I don’t need your dried-up sour cream in this boat."

With those final, venom-laced words, he turned away, dropping back onto his seat with a heavy thud. This time, he lay flat, allowing the pull of sleep to claim him, his grumbling fading into incoherent murmurs.

Seeing how Asher handled the situation, Fey exhaled, releasing his grip from his sword.

"I’m exhausted," he murmured, ensuring only Asher and the last cloaked figure beside him could hear. "I’ll get some rest."

With that, he leaned against the carriage wall, closing his eyes. The rhythmic jolting of the carriage as it rolled over uneven stones did little to disturb him. But anyone who had spent time with adventurers knew—no one ever truly slept in an E-rank party.

Trust was a currency few could afford.

Adventurers, like the beasts and spirits they hunted, were divided by ranks. The hierarchy was simple: S, A, B, C, D, and E.

E-rank adventurers were the bottom of the barrel. Their missions were low-risk, their rewards meager. But more than that, E-rank parties were volatile—temporary alliances of desperate individuals scraping by for a few bronze coins. They were riddled with opportunists, liars, and backstabbers. It was common knowledge that one wrong move could turn an E-rank party against itself.

That was why no one slept soundly in this carriage.

Asher sighed, reclining against the uncomfortable wooden frame. It had been years. Long, grueling years.

Life as an adventurer was akin to surviving in a battlefield without armor. It was like going to college without financial backing, struggling to find one’s footing in a world that cared little for weakness.

The first hardship had been food. Gone were the days of three square meals. Some days, they were lucky to eat once. On worse days, they had nothing. And yet, despite the hunger, they never resorted to stealing—reputation was a currency they couldn’t afford to tarnish.

Then came shelter.

Rainy days, both literal and figurative, had forced them to seek solace in alleyways, abandoned barns, anywhere they could rest their heads without paying a copper. It had taken endless struggles, but they had finally found their footing, securing enough coin to afford a place in the adventurers’ inn.

But the true battle had only begun.

Strength. Power. Recognition.

Climbing the ranks wasn’t just about survival. It was about proving oneself. About growing strong enough to carve a place in this brutal world.

Asher’s gaze swept over the group before him—his so-called party. A collection of misfits and drifters. E-rank adventurers with no loyalty, no bonds.

This wasn’t what he wanted.

He needed his own party. His own guild. He had planned to recruit three more members aside from Fey before the Fifth Level of the game arrived.

The Second Level had come two months after the first, a brutal survival challenge in the wilderness. The Third and Fourth had only grown worse. And now, the Fifth was on the horizon.

For many, it was a test of endurance.

For Asher... it was merely the beginning.

His eyelids grew heavy for just a moment—a brief reprieve, a second of rest—

{Eye of Insight: Danger is coming... Prepare yourself for an attack on all sides.}

Asher’s eyes snapped open.

Just when he thought he would have peace... Asher’s eyes widened back in wake, having no traces of him being weary.

He tapped on Fey and the other person still concealed under the hoody.

"Get prepared, something is coming."

***Author’s note***

This is for WSA I need your support to rank well, please support With magic castle, golden gachapon and spacecraft, I can’t win without Your support. please don’t only read and pass by, support!