The Crossroads Inn seemed to possess a life of its own.
As darkness settled over the wilderness, the enormous building only grew livelier. Warm lanterns hung beneath the wide wooden eaves, bathing the courtyard in a golden glow that pushed back the encroaching night. Carriages rolled in one after another, their wheels crunching against the packed earth before coming to a halt beside wagons overflowing with goods. Travelers climbed down, stretching sore muscles after days on the road, while stable hands hurried to guide beasts toward fresh water and feed.
The air itself felt different.
It carried the rich aroma of roasted meat, freshly baked bread, hot soup, wood smoke, horse sweat, and unfamiliar spices Zion had never smelled before. Voices overlapped from every direction as merchants bargained over prices, hunters boasted about dangerous prey, and wandering musicians filled the night with cheerful melodies.
For someone who had never left Blue Star Village...
The place felt like another world.
Zion stood quietly beside Captain Roran, his eyes taking in every detail without missing a thing. The building was nearly as large as several houses combined, built from thick stone blocks and sturdy timber that had clearly endured countless years of travelers passing through its doors.
He had imagined the outside world many times.
Reality was far grander.
Captain Roran adjusted the strap of his travel bag before glancing at the three youths.
"Stay close."
His calm voice wasn't loud, yet it easily reached their ears amidst the surrounding noise.
"Places like this gather people from every corner of Blue Star. Most are honest travelers... but not everyone who smiles has good intentions."
Kellan instinctively pulled his oversized backpack a little closer.
"You make it sound dangerous."
Roran's gaze shifted toward a pair of merchants arguing over several bundles of beast hides.
"Danger doesn't always carry a weapon."
"Sometimes..."
"...it carries a friendly smile."
Zion silently committed those words to memory.
Granny Iya had once told him something similar.
"The dullest blade is easy to spot."
"The sharpest one is often hidden inside an ordinary sheath."
Perhaps...
People were no different.
The four entered the inn together.
The moment the heavy wooden doors swung open, a wave of warmth greeted them.
The dining hall was enormous.
Long rows of polished wooden tables stretched across the room, nearly all of them occupied. Hunters wearing thick beast pelts laughed loudly over mugs of steaming ale. Merchants surrounded maps spread across their tables, discussing tomorrow's trade routes. Families shared meals after long journeys, while adventurers compared fresh scars earned from recent expeditions.
Somewhere near the fireplace, a traveling bard gently plucked the strings of a curious instrument Zion had never seen before.
The cheerful melody blended perfectly with the lively atmosphere.
Nobody paid much attention to the newcomers.
Here...
They were simply four more travelers among hundreds.
Captain Roran led them toward the reception counter.
Behind it stood a broad-shouldered middle-aged man with streaks of gray running through his thick beard. His experienced eyes briefly studied the newcomers before recognizing Captain Roran.
"Captain."
The innkeeper smiled politely.
"Heading for Stone River City?"
"I am."
"The Academy season keeps you busy every year."
"It does."
The innkeeper's gaze shifted toward Zion, Mira and Kellan before he reached beneath the counter and produced two polished brass keys.
"Two rooms."
"The young lady gets one."
"The two boys can share the other."
Captain Roran placed several silver coins onto the counter.
"That'll be enough."
The innkeeper counted them with practiced fingers before sliding the keys across.
"Evening meals are still being served."
"If you're planning to eat..."
"...don't wait too long."
Captain Roran nodded.
"We'll head down shortly."
The exchange lasted barely a minute.
Simple.
Efficient.
Yet Zion watched every movement with quiet curiosity.
Even something as ordinary as checking into an inn followed customs completely unfamiliar to him.
The world beyond Blue Star truly operated by different rules.
After placing their belongings inside their rooms, the four returned to the dining hall.
If anything...
The inn had become even livelier.
Nearly every seat was occupied now. Laughter echoed beneath the high wooden ceiling while serving girls skillfully navigated between tables carrying trays piled high with food.
Kellan slowly turned in a circle.
"I don't even know where to look anymore."
"You've been staring at everything since we arrived," Mira said with an amused smile.
"Can you blame me?"
He pointed toward a hunter carrying a wolf pelt nearly twice his own size.
"I've never seen beasts that big."
Captain Roran chose an empty table near one of the windows.
"Sit."
The three immediately obeyed.
Moments later, a young waitress approached, placing several wooden menus onto the table.
Captain Roran barely glanced at his.
"The usual."
She smiled knowingly before turning toward the others.
"And for you?"
Kellan opened the menu.
His eyebrows slowly rose.
"...I can't even pronounce half of these."
Mira quietly examined the list.
"They use ingredients from different regions..."
She murmured thoughtfully.
"...Interesting."
Then...
The menu reached Zion.
The moment he opened it...
His eyes stopped moving.
Roasted Flame Antelope.
Mountain Honey Ribs.
River Spirit Fish Stew.
Golden Wheat Bread.
Crystal Berry Pie.
Each dish was accompanied by a small illustration.
His stomach growled.
Loudly.
The entire table fell silent.
Kellan slowly turned toward him.
"...Was that you?"
Zion cleared his throat.
"I skipped breakfast."
Captain Roran looked at him without changing his expression.
"You ate three bowls of porridge before we left."
"...I was still hungry."
Silence.
Then Kellan burst into laughter.
"I knew it!"
"So the quiet blacksmith is actually a glutton!"
Mira covered her mouth, trying to hide her smile.
"I never would've guessed."
Zion ignored them completely.
His eyes remained fixed on the menu.
"...Can I order two different stews?"
The waitress blinked.
"...Of course."
Captain Roran chuckled.
"Make that two large bowls."
"And bring another basket of bread."
"Yes, Captain."
As the waitress hurried away, Kellan leaned across the table with a grin.
"I thought I had the biggest appetite."
Without looking up, Zion answered calmly.
"Forging all day burns a lot of energy."
Captain Roran nodded.
"He's right."
"A hungry blacksmith doesn't last very long."
Kellan immediately straightened.
"So that means I'm basically training to become one too."
Captain Roran looked at him for a moment before replying.
"No."
"You're just hungry."
For the first time since leaving Blue Star...
The four of them laughed together, and the unfamiliar inn felt just a little more like home.
The food arrived far sooner than Zion expected.
One after another, the waitresses skillfully placed steaming dishes across the table until there was barely enough room left for the wooden cups. Thick slices of golden bread rested inside woven baskets, while bowls of rich stew released fragrant clouds of steam that filled the air with an irresistible aroma.
The River Spirit Fish Stew shimmered with herbs floating gently across its surface. Beside it sat a generous serving of roasted Flame Antelope glazed with mountain honey, its caramelized edges glistening beneath the lantern light.
Kellan stared at the feast.
"...Captain."
Roran calmly tore off a piece of bread.
"Yes?"
"I think Zion accidentally ordered for all of us."
Without lifting his head, Zion replied,
"No."
"I ordered what I wanted."
Silence.
Then the entire table burst into laughter once again.
Even the nearby diners couldn't help smiling after overhearing the exchange.
Captain Roran chuckled as he pushed one of the baskets toward Zion.
"Eat while it's hot."
"You'll need the energy."
Those simple words were all the permission Zion needed.
He picked up his spoon and tasted the stew.
His movements immediately stopped.
The rich broth carried a freshness unlike anything he had ever eaten. The fish was tender, almost melting apart with each bite, while unfamiliar herbs left behind a pleasant warmth that spread through his body.
He slowly swallowed.
"...It's delicious."
The words escaped almost unconsciously.
Kellan nearly dropped his spoon.
"You actually said it out loud."
Mira smiled faintly.
"I think that's the happiest expression I've seen on your face."
Zion calmly continued eating.
"There was no reason to hide it."
Captain Roran laughed quietly.
"You'll discover that every region has its own specialties."
"The farther you travel..."
"...the more flavors you'll encounter."
Zion gave a small nod.
"So the world isn't only bigger..."
"...it tastes different too."
Captain Roran raised his cup.
"A blacksmith's answer."
---
While they enjoyed their meal, the lively atmosphere of the dining hall continued around them.
At one table, a group of hunters argued loudly over whose spear had landed the killing blow on a giant mountain bear.
Nearby, several merchants debated whether traveling through the eastern mountain pass was worth the risk after rumors of increased beast activity.
Every conversation revealed another piece of the world beyond Blue Star.
Zion listened carefully.
He wasn't trying to eavesdrop.
He simply wanted to learn.
"...The Silverwind Caravan reached Stone River City in only five days."
"...Impossible. The northern bridge collapsed last month."
"...Did you hear? Another Ancient Ruin was discovered near Frost Valley."
"...They say even Earth Realm experts have gone there."
Zion's hand paused for the briefest moment.
Ancient Ruins...
The words stirred something inside him.
He remembered the conversation he and Captain Roran had shared on the road.
Powerful experts.
Lost civilizations.
Trials left behind for future generations.
The outside world truly held countless mysteries.
He silently committed the name Frost Valley to memory.
Not because he planned to visit.
Not yet.
But because one day...
He might.
---
A sudden ripple spread through the hall.
It wasn't loud.
In fact...
The noise barely changed.
Yet experienced travelers instinctively looked toward the entrance.
The heavy wooden doors opened once more.
Three young people stepped inside.
The first wore dark blue robes embroidered with silver clouds that shimmered beneath the lantern light. A finely crafted sword rested at his waist, its polished scabbard decorated with patterns far beyond the craftsmanship Zion had ever seen.
He walked with the calm confidence of someone accustomed to admiration.
Beside him walked a young woman dressed in elegant white robes.
She carried a thick book open in one hand, calmly reading as she walked through the crowded hall.
Remarkably...
She never looked up.
Yet she never bumped into a single person.
Behind them came another youth.
Unlike the first two...
He looked completely ordinary.
His clothes were simple.
His long spear rested casually across his shoulders.
He even yawned as though he had just woken from a pleasant nap.
Several people immediately stood to greet the trio.
Others quietly made room for them without being asked.
Kellan lowered his voice.
"They must be important."
Captain Roran glanced toward the newcomers before calmly taking another sip of his drink.
"They are."
He nodded toward the blue-robed youth.
"Skymist City."
"One of the strongest cities within this region."
His eyes shifted toward the girl in white.
"The Moon Pavilion."
"They produce scholars, array masters, and strategists."
Mira's eyes lit up with curiosity.
"I've heard of them..."
Captain Roran nodded.
"Their libraries contain knowledge collected over hundreds of years."
Finally...
His gaze settled on the relaxed spearman.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"...As for him."
"I don't know."
Kellan blinked.
"Isn't that a bad thing?"
Captain Roran slowly shook his head.
"Not necessarily."
"The people whose backgrounds everyone knows..."
"...are rarely the ones you should fear most."
His gaze lingered for another moment.
"The truly dangerous ones..."
"...often arrive unnoticed."
Zion unconsciously looked toward the young spearman.
Almost at the same moment...
The spearman looked back.
Their eyes met across the crowded hall.
For only a heartbeat.
Then the young man smiled.
Not arrogantly.
Not mockingly.
Simply...
With quiet curiosity.
He gave Zion the smallest nod before following his companions toward another table.
Zion frowned slightly.
He couldn't explain why.
But for some reason...
That brief exchange felt far more meaningful than it should have.
And somewhere deep inside...
His instincts whispered that this was only the beginning.
---
The dining hall gradually became quieter as the evening wore on.
One table after another emptied.
Travelers returned to their rooms to rest before tomorrow's journey.
Even the musicians packed away their instruments, leaving only the crackling fireplace and the occasional clink of dishes being washed behind the counter.
Zion finally leaned back in his chair.
The mountain of empty plates before him had become even larger.
Roasted beast meat.
Fresh river fish.
Honey bread.
Spiced vegetables.
Steaming meat stew.
Several bowls of rice.
Even the fruit that had been placed on the table afterward had mysteriously disappeared.
Kellan stared blankly.
"...You're still hungry?"
Zion thought for a moment.
"...A little."
Kellan nearly fell out of his chair.
"A little?!"
"You've eaten enough for six people!"
Mira rubbed her forehead.
"I think it was closer to eight."
The innkeeper, who had been secretly counting from behind the counter, slowly closed his notebook.
"...Nine."
Everyone turned toward him.
He coughed awkwardly.
"I... became curious."
The dining hall erupted with laughter.
Even Captain Roran couldn't stop the corner of his mouth from lifting.
He had traveled with many Academy candidates over the years.
This...
...was a first.
The innkeeper approached Zion with folded arms.
"I've been running this inn for twenty-three years."
"I've welcomed hunters..."
"Mercenaries..."
"Merchants..."
"And even wandering cultivators."
He looked Zion up and down.
"But I've never seen someone your age eat like a Spirit Devouring Beast."
Kellan immediately pointed at Zion.
"See!"
"I told you he wasn't normal!"
Zion scratched his cheek.
"I've always eaten this much."
Captain Roran nodded calmly.
"After awakening, his body consumes far more energy than before."
"He isn't overeating."
"His body is demanding fuel."
The innkeeper blinked.
"...That actually makes sense."
Then he looked at the empty plates again.
"...I still don't like it."
Another wave of laughter spread through the hall.
For the first time since leaving Blue Star...
The three young travelers felt completely relaxed.
They were no longer thinking about the Academy.
Or the Selection.
Or the unknown future waiting ahead.
For a little while...
They were simply teenagers sharing a meal.
---
After settling the bill, Captain Roran stood.
"We leave at first light."
"No one oversleeps."
His eyes landed on Kellan.
"I'm looking at you."
Kellan immediately protested.
"Why me?"
Captain Roran answered without hesitation.
"Because Zion will wake up when he's hungry."
"Mira will wake up because she's disciplined."
"You..."
"...will continue sleeping even if the inn catches fire."
The dining hall burst into laughter once more.
Kellan slumped dramatically.
"I've been unfairly judged."
"You've been accurately judged," Mira replied.
Even Zion nodded.
"I agree."
"Betrayal!"
Kellan clutched his chest as though struck by an invisible spear.
"I leave my village with my two best friends..."
"...and they immediately side against me."
The three couldn't help laughing together.
It was a simple moment.
---
Later that night...
The inn gradually fell silent.
Moonlight poured through the windows, bathing the wooden corridors in a pale silver glow.
Most travelers had already retired to their rooms.
Only a few guards remained awake outside.
Zion rested both hands against the wooden windowsill as the cool night breeze brushed past him.
The crossroads had grown quiet.
Most of the lanterns below had already been extinguished, leaving only a few pools of warm light scattered across the courtyard.
Somewhere in the distance...
A carriage continued its journey beneath the stars.
Somewhere else...
Another group of Academy candidates hurried toward Stone River City.
Thousands of young cultivators were setting out tonight.
Each believed they were the protagonist of their own story.
Zion slowly rested a hand upon New Dawn.
His own story...
Had only just begun.
He closed the window.
The room fell silent.
Tomorrow...
The road would become even longer.
____
Authors note: If you're enjoying The Chaos Ruler, please add it to your library, vote with your Power Stones, and leave a comment. Every bit of support helps!