Breathing was hard for Evan, his heart beat too fast without any reason. He was even shirtless yet he felt like his skin was too tight. Evan didn't understand why that is happening.

Anxiety? It couldn't be. Not for him. He was always calm, collected and optimistic. His confidence wouldn't let him have different personality.

Fear? What enemy should he be afraid? He has killed raging bears, charging boars and hungry packs of wolves. Evan was confident he would stand in front of a roaring dragon.

The only difference is that he was alone now. Is loneliness source of his erratic heartbeat? It's possible. But what was that about? Why did his mother act like she won't ever again see him again? This is just temporary problem, right?

Evan pondered on what was this unfamiliar feeling while riding beautiful brown horse covered in white spots towards southern town. In the sea of stuff he didn't know, one of the things was clear - he should avoid direct route. Ember was filling his head with all kind of knowledge, repeating stuff over and over, no matter if it was related to hunting methods or stuff which was on the verge of underground.

Therefore he decided to take ship from Plupe to Teardrop and then hopefully to Lucro which is closest northern town to capital. Plupe is a small southern port town and four days away from Orphid town he lived.

He was aware that that travel should take him a month in the least. Ships aren't considered fast means of travel on Rublom continent. Many summoners focus on being drivers.

Summoners use imagination to draw their contracted monsters in a special book. By making mana burst in the surrounding, a monster is called from other worlds which fits what summoner has drawn. Depending on monster, summoner has to pass some kind of trial which will determine whether contract is formed.

Monsters used for transportation usually have easy trials thus they are widely spread, which doesn't mean they aren't used in battles.

A day has already passed since Evan started his journey. His stomach growled continuously for past two hours. He forgot to take food with himself, failing Ember there. Water was easy, southern regions were as blue from flowing rivers and lakes as it was green from forests. Unfortunately, those forests are usually inhabited by small monsters which eat everything before humans can collect them. Due to his hunger, Evan has forgot what was occupying his mind yesterday.

"Aaah, I'm going to starve.." He muttered weakly while loosely hugging neck of a horse he rode. Time slowed down. "Where is nearest place with some inn or some restaurant?"

"Kiddo, luck is on your side."

"Great, now I even hear voices."

"Rejoice at that kiddo, for the voice you hear can sate your hunger."

Evan turned around as his left side of face got uncomfortable while resting on head of his horse. Yelping in surprise, he scared the horse which has thrown him off. What scared Evan was a person, taller than average with a long face that would scare even small monsters. Not that the height of person was any less intimidating.

"Easy kiddo. This is just a mask. See?" The person placed its hand on the chin and pulled forward. However, mask wouldn't let its hold. "Umm... Can I get bit of help. This mask occasionally gets stuck. It is a pain to take it off at those times." Tall person awkwardly scratched the top of it's head.

"Why wear it then?" Evan stood up with the help of stranger.

"It is complicated. Once you help me take it off, while we eat, I'll explain. "

"That will do. But, crouch first, you are too tall  for my reach."

Stranger plopped down onto the ground as if it had some soft cushion under itself. Large backpack it carried perhaps served as one.

"Now, you are taller one, hehe." Stranger removed the straps before pushing it away. "If only I were this tall normally... Pull this mask as hard as you can."

Evan silently gazed from every angle at strangers head. The mask didn't have any strap nor it was shaped like helmet. Besides the gruesome design, it appeared it was glued to the face of wearer.

"How is that mask attached? I don't see any string going around your head. It isn't attached by any physical means."

"Nah, I use magic spell to keep it on m... That's it. Just canceling spell will remove it. Thank you kiddo." Suddenly mask just fell off revealing face of a woman. Evan couldn't call her gorgeous, he is too young to feel any attraction from woman that appeared to be in age range of his mother, and her height was a problem as well.

Conversation stopped for a while until Evan's stomach growled. Woman laughed at that and pulled some dry meat out of her bag to share.

"Did I say I'll tell you why I wear the mask? I probably did." She spoke slowly, up to the point one would wonder if she is about to fall asleep.

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Sorry about delay. I have found some books I wanted to read as soon as possible. It seems I read slower than I thought... Or it's quantity that's a problem.