Online: Eiodolon Realms – Child of Ruin-Chapter 26 - 25 – The Road Ahead

The village was quiet at this hour, early morning mist flowing around the air of the village. Rai stood at the edge of the central square, arms folded, waiting for Alex and Eron to finish arguing over something.

Eron sighed. "You had one job, Alex."

"I thought you had them," Alex shot back.

Rai finally turned. "You two finished with the drama? Because we’re heading to the elder. Time to get our ticket to Velondar."

That shut them up.

They followed him through the small dirty roads of the village. A few players loitered around the merchant stalls, most probably just low-levels who were just discovering how overpriced beginner gear was. None of them gave Rai’s party more than a glance. Just the way he wanted it.

Thanks to Rai’s instructions they had all kept a low profile. They were forgettable and it was for the best and most importantly they were safe from jealousy.

They reached the elder’s hall—a simple stone and wood building with a curved roof and moss creeping up the sides. The Elder sat behind his usual desk, flanked by old scrolls and an oversized ink quill.

He looked up as they entered.

Rai bowed his head a bit and said, "We have come for travel permits."

The elder looked at them with slight astonishment, "So soon? I remember it was only a few days ago when you all got your first quests from me."

Rai gave a nod. "All three of us are level 15. We’re ready."

The elder didn’t respond immediately. Instead, a soft hum echoed as a small inspection window floated into view.

[Level is being Measured]

[Minimum threshold met: All party members are Level 15]

The elder scanned through it, then looked back.

"You all meet the requirement. Well done."

He handed over three thin silver cards etched with a small rune engraved on each. The moment Rai touched his card, a new icon blinked in his UI:

[City Permit – Velondar] Acquired.

"This allows you to pass through city-bound checkpoints," The elder said. "Keep it on you at all times. Lose it, and the guards won’t hesitate to turn you away."

Alex examined his card like it was made of gold. "So this is our real ticket into the game."

"Into the next stage," Rai corrected. "Where things get complicated."

The elder leaned back in his chair. "Velondar is a place of ambition. People and things are both built and broken there. Watch your steps."

The elder gave no further goodbyes and he simply returned to his scrolls.

Back outside, the village felt different already. The market no longer held interest. The surrounding forests, once brimming with mystery, now seemed... small.

Alex stared at the permit in his hand. "So we’re actually leaving. No more noob zone."

Eron cracked his knuckles. "I’m not gonna miss the wolves, that’s for sure."

Rai stayed quiet for a moment, then said, "There’s one thing I need to tell you both."

They turned to him, attentive.

He continued, "Before you ask, yeah, I did get something weird from that dungeon detour. A questline. But it’s not something we can finish anytime soon. It’s tied to some old betrayal, and the enemies involved are likely levels above us."

Rai told them abit about what happened when he got teleported while hunting.

Alex blinked. "You are saying we have a ghost’s revenge story stuck in your mission log now?"

"Pretty much," Rai replied. "And from what I gathered, it’s something I’ll need to finish solo later. Too dangerous for where we are now."

Eron looked thoughtful. "You think it’s worth it?"

Rai’s lips quirked into a smile. "If I’m right about the rewards? Absolutely. But I’m not suicidal. We’ve go to do smaller things first."

They reached the southern path leading out of the village—an old stone road winding through hills and forests. Just ahead stood two NPC guards stationed at the outpost, their expressions as dull and unreadable as ever.

Rai stepped forward, flashed the permit, and was waved through. The others followed.

They were officially out.

No more beginner restrictions. No more hand-holding. From now on, Eidolon Realm got real.

They traveled in silence for a while. Trees passed by in a blur, birds chirped in the distance, and the occasional low-level creature scurried off the road.

"Feels different now," Alex said, adjusting the sword on his back.

"It is," Rai replied. "Every player who reaches Level 15 and gets to the city starts shaping their own path. For now, most of the other players are far behind us."

Eron looked at him. "Think we’ll be noticed?"

Alex laughed at this. "What? You wanna be popular?."

They hiked for a few hours before setting up camp off the road. It wasn’t dark yet, but none of them wanted to push their luck on day one.

They hunted a few beasts—mid-level forest lurkers and stone boars. The EXP was steady but not overwhelming. Eron used his blacksmith skills to begin sketching a weapon blueprint with charcoal on a flat rock. Alex was fiddling with his skill menu again.

Rai just watched the fire.

He then glanced at his quest log again.

[The Path of the Forlorn Guardian – Active]

Objectives Remaining: Find Vortan. Uncover the full conspiracy. Return to the Tomb with the truth.

And below that—

[Main Objective: Reach Velondar]

Status: In Progress.

Seeing this he began thinking.

’My progress is quite satisfactory for now.’

’Once I stabalize our position in the city I can start doing my real work as The Fallen Shade. I can’t tell them about this. Not yet.’

’They wouldn’t understand what The Fallen Shade truly is. It is not just a name but an idea. A mask. A blade that cuts deeper than any in this game.’

’The gods—those twisted pretenders who think themselves eternal—are pulling strings. In this world, and maybe beyond. That’s where I come in. Rai Kurozawa will be the friendly party leader. The calm strategist. The one who hunts boars and solves mysteries. But The Last Shade? He’ll be the one who moves in silence. Who follows the rot back to its roots. Who finds proof of godly interference. And when the time comes... exposes them. For Aelina. For everyone they’ve lied to. For those they’ve crushed under the weight of their evil.’

"Velondar is just the beginning. Once I reach it, The Fallen Shade rises.