In a completely different place, far away from the Guild yet still within the City of Solara, a massive building stood proudly, its sheer grandeur making every surrounding structure appear insignificant in comparison. Its enormous length stretched for several hundred meters, and right beside that building lay a seemingly narrow dark alley, formed by another equally tall building standing closely opposite to it.
Within that narrow alley, the darkness cast by both towering walls suddenly began to ripple like thick black liquid. The shadows twisted and shifted before a figure slowly emerged from within them, and with just a single glance, anyone could tell it was none other than Atlas.
At first, his entire body remained coated in that dense shadowy substance, but the next moment it peeled away from him like flowing liquid before disappearing back into the darkness beneath his feet. Only then did his senses return. While inside that strange shadow state, he had been unable to see, hear, smell or even sense anything around him, yet the instant the shadows left his body, everything returned to normal as though nothing had happened.
That was exactly what felt strange to him. This was the first time he had ever used Shadow Shift, and although its basic principle resembled Mu-ho by shifting him from one location to another, the way the Ability actually functioned was completely different.
Atlas silently observed his surroundings as thoughts crossed his mind. ’So this is how Shadow Shift works? Hmm...it barely consumed any Spirit Energy. Considering the shifting distance was roughly five hundred meters, this amount of consumption doesn’t make any sense at all.’
The surroundings remained dim, which immediately gave Atlas a rough understanding of one requirement. Shadow Shift seemed to rely on naturally existing shadows to function, something he had already expected from its name. More importantly, he realized something else...he had never selected a precise destination, he had simply started pouring Spirit Energy into activating the Trait while making a rough estimate of how much he needed to shift.
And yet only that had brought him to this dark alley filled with enough shadows for its mechanism to operate.
After thinking for a little longer about why such a powerful Ability consumed so little Spirit Energy, Atlas eventually dismissed the question with a quiet sigh. There was currently no way for him to uncover that answer. The Codex would never explain the underlying mechanics behind its Abilities, and there was no one like Carial beside him now who could analyze and explain something like this.
Leaving those thoughts aside, Atlas turned toward the enormous building on his right whose towering height blocked most of the sunlight, casting this entire alley beneath its shadow. His gaze then shifted toward the building opposite it. Although noticeably smaller than the first one, it was still large enough to block the remaining sunlight and keep the narrow passage almost completely covered in darkness.
Although appearing in a completely random location carried its own risks, Atlas had still chosen to use Shadow Shift because he already knew its approximate range.
However, what he had never expected was what now stood before him. On the side of the massive building hung a large golden emblem, and just beneath it a luxurious banner swayed gently with the breeze. Written across it in elegant golden letters were the words—Celestris Golden Inn, accompanied by the engraved symbol of a finely crafted golden bowl.
’What?...is it a coincidence? Or did the Ability lead me here specifically because this was my next target location?’ Atlas thought as it felt far too strange to dismiss as mere coincidence. He had already planned to come here if Shadow Shift had taken him to another part of the city...but instead, it had brought him directly to the very place he intended to visit.
That level of precision felt unnatural, causing countless possibilities to flash through his mind before he finally dismissed them once again for the same reason.
He had no way of uncovering the answer without using Shadow Shift again and, for now, he had no intention of doing that. He...needed rest.
He had been going through one thing after another without a single break. First came the Null-carrying Monster, then the Cataclysm-rank Ruin, followed by the Attribute increase and Trait Assimilation. After that came the Guildmaster’s appearance, Alberion’s sudden hostility, and finally the overwhelming invisible pressure that had settled over the entire Guild hall.
Even though his spirit energy had barely been consumed, his mind and body had reached their limit, they needed rest before he challenged another Ruin tomorrow. It was still only afternoon, yet he had not eaten anything since morning, nor had he taken a proper bath after everything that had happened throughout the day.
With that thought Atlas stepped out of the narrow alley and turned toward the main street, where countless people could be seen entering and leaving the enormous Inn. While walking, another thought surfaced in his mind and a faint grin appeared beneath his mask. ’Heh...those bastards waiting outside the Guild are probably still expecting me to walk out with the Relic, they might even wait until tomorrow, thinking they can ambush me when I return...keep dreaming, damn bastards.’
The grin deepened slightly under his mask as another plan formed in his mind.
If he truly needed to return to the Guild tomorrow, he could simply use Shadow Shift again and appear directly inside the building, making all their preparations meaningless. With that amusing thought fading away, he lifted his head and realized he had already arrived before the entrance of the Inn. The banner hanging above the massive doorway was far larger than the one he had seen from the alley, the words Celestris Golden Inn embroidered in elegant golden threads beneath the symbol of a finely crafted bowl.
Without wasting any more time, Atlas stepped inside together with the steady stream of customers entering and leaving the establishment. Most of them were Angels, while Humans, Dwarves and only some Elves could also be seen scattered among the crowd. He paid them little attention, his only objective now was to book a room, recover his strength and prepare for tomorrow.
The moment he entered, Atlas’s eyes swept across the spacious interior. The Inn was no less magnificent than the Guild itself. Polished wooden floors reflected the warm golden light emitted from spirit lamps hanging overhead, while beautifully carved pillars stretched toward the high ceiling decorated with intricate patterns.
Large dining tables filled the central hall, almost every seat occupied by Explorers quietly eating, drinking or discussing their next expedition. The aroma of freshly prepared food drifted through the air, blending with the calm murmur of conversations and the occasional clink of cups and plates.
Several gazes briefly shifted toward Atlas and the transparent spirit bag hanging at his side before quickly returning to their meals or conversations, as though no one wished to draw unnecessary attention.
Atlas calmly observed the surroundings and sensed that the majority of those present possessed S-rank cultivation on average. Only after confirming that did his gaze settle upon the reception counter, where an Angelic receptionist was efficiently helping guests book rooms and settle payments. There were only a handful of people waiting in line, making Atlas conclude that despite the number of people dining, eating and booking rooms here, the enormous inn still had plenty of vacant rooms available.
He quietly walked toward the counter and waited for the people ahead of him to finish their registrations. During that brief wait, he carefully observed the entire booking process, making sure he understood how everything worked before his own turn arrived.
The Angelic receptionist spoke up as only Atlas stood before the counter now. "How may I help you sir?"
Atlas answered without hesitation. "I am here to book a room for about three days, it must be a personal and single person room. How much would it cost?"
His nonchalant voice and calm expression made the receptionist feel slightly awkward before she answered, "If you want to book a single person room for three days, it will cost one platinum coin, sir. We provide the best services with the room, including food for those three days, fresh clothes, Relic-assisted baths and several other facilities."
Atlas nodded as he absorbed the information without interrupting, then slowly took out one platinum coin from his pocket and placed it on the counter before speaking. "Here, now could you register the room under the name Atlas Cr—"
He suddenly paused.
His thoughts returned to the same question that had crossed his mind when he first met Harleks.
Why?
Why had he continued hiding his real name and identity all this time?
The answer had been simple.
Back then he was weak, so weak he had to bury his real surname...the surname which he had come to know since childhood.
But now...
That was no longer the case.
He had already reached S-rank and could stand before most Human nobles and royal families without fearing them. More importantly, he knew he would only continue growing stronger from here, there was no longer any reason to keep hiding behind a false surname or identity.
Seeing him stop midway, the receptionist blinked before asking, "Sir?... You were saying something?"
Atlas came out of his thoughts and answered in the same calm tone.
"Register it under the name..."
He paused for only a brief moment before finishing.
"Atlas Mariorett."
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