I Received System to Become Dragonborn-Chapter 978: Begin Journey

The group didn’t waste much time.

Since Sylmira had already prepared Arty’s necessity the night before, there was no fussing over supplies.

It was nothing heavy, just a small, well-made leather backpack with a few essentials, perfect for a light outing in the wilderness near the city walls.

When Sylmira handed it over, Arty accepted it eagerly.

"Thank you! I’ll make sure to enjoy every moment," she said, her voice bubbling with excitement.

"I expect you to," Sylmira replied warmly, resting a hand briefly on her shoulder. "Whie outside you must learn what you can, but don’t forget to enjoy the journey too."

With that, Arty practically bounced over to Jan’s party, ready to go.

The adventurers exchanged brief farewells with Sylmira before leading the way out.

From in front of the gate toward the palace area, Sylmira stood watching them go. The sight tugged at something unexpected in her. A quiet, almost maternal warmth.

"So this is what it feels like, she mused, watching your daughter run off with her friends to play."

It was a fleeting but pleasant feeling, even if she had no plans—or interest—in ever having children herself.

Shaking the thought away with a soft chuckle, Sylmira turned back toward the palace and ascended to her tower. There was work to do.

—

The city gates loomed ahead, and soon the group passed through them into the open world beyond.

The change hit Arty instantly. The hum of city life was gone, replaced by the vast stretch of green plains and the scent of open air.

To the left, she saw dark forests sprawled endlessly. To the right, she saw rolling grasslands danced in the wind. Far in the distance, she saw snow-capped mountains cut sharp lines against the blue sky.

Her eyes widened, taking in every detail. She could almost feel the Magic in these places, even from afar.

Annette, walking beside her, noticed her awestruck gaze.

"Is this your first time outside the walls?" she asked gently.

Arty nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! It’s so much bigger than I imagined."

Esther grinned from a few paces ahead. "This is just the beginning. We’ve got a few surprises lined up for you."

That made Arty’s excitement spike even higher. "Really? What kind of surprises?"

"You’ll see," Esther teased.

They start walking through the big dirt road that was used by merchant carts for passing.

Arty’s curiosity shifted. "So... how did you all meet and become a party of adventurers?"

Jan chuckled, glancing over his shoulder.

"That’s a story. I met Hund first. He saved my life from a troll ambush in the Gray Hills."

Hund smirked. "You’d have been fine without me."

"Sure," Jan said with mock seriousness, "because bleeding out is fine."

Esther cut in. "I joined after that. They hired me for a job dealing with a haunted keep. The ghosts nearly drove Jan insane but I handled it. I know just then that ghosts can be burned with fire Magic.

"Barely," Jan muttered.

Arty nodded after gaining the new insight.

Annette smiled faintly. "I came last. We met during a plague outbreak on the border of a village. I stayed to heal the sick, and they stayed to help me finish the job. We’ve been together ever since."

Arty listened with bright eyes, soaking in every word.

Arty tilted her head because her curiosity gleaming in her eyes.

"So have you ever done something really awesome? Or dangerous?"

The question made the four adventurers exchange glances. It was the kind of look that said the answer was complicated.

Jan was the first to speak, his voice carrying a hint of pride.

"Oh, we got plenty. We’ve fought an ice wyvern in the far northern cliffs, tracked a smuggler’s caravan through a sandstorm, even hunted treasure deep inside a cursed cave in the heart of the forest. But..." he paused, his gaze briefly unfocusing, "...the one we’ll never forget happened not long ago. We went up against a forgotten ancient forest god. And we almost didn’t make it out alive."

Arty’s brows shot up. "A god? Like, a real god?"

Hund gave a short nod. "Oh yeah. Real enough to kill us all with just a thought."

Esther shivered at the memory. "It was like the whole forest itself had come alive to crush us. The air was so thick with Magic from another world it felt like drowning us."

"We would have been dead if your brother hadn’t shown up when he did," Annette’s voice was quieter, but steady.

Arty blinked. "Erend?"

"Yeah," Jan confirmed. "We were with Eccar but Eccar was busy that time. and Erend came out of nowhere like he knew exactly where to find us and kill monsters that tried to kill our partner adventurer before."

Arty absorbed that in silence for a moment before speaking, her tone casual but tinged with something else.

"He didn’t say much about it to me. Just that he ’faced an ancient god.’ Nothing else. He... never really talks about what he’s been through." 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Annette tilted her head. "Oh? Maybe he didn’t want you to worry."

Arty gave a small nod. "I guess. But that means I don’t get to hear his amazing stories either."

Hund’s mouth tightened into a grimace. "Maybe that’s for the best, kid. I’d bet most of what he’s been through isn’t the kind of thing you’d want to imagine."

That silenced her. Arty lowered her gaze, mulling over his words, the road crunching softly under her boots.

The group fell into a quieter rhythm after that, their footsteps the only sound for a while. The wide dirt road soon curved toward a thick wall of trees. The forest looming ahead like a deep green ocean.

The moment they stepped inside the forest, the air changed. It becomes cooler, filled with the rich scent of damp earth and leaves.

Shafts of sunlight filtered down through the canopy, scattering golden patches on the moss-covered ground. Birds darted between branches.

Arty feeling was filled with awe once again. She trailed her fingers along the bark of passing trees, feeling the hum of Magic beneath her skin.

After another half-hour’s walk, the trees suddenly opened up revealing a scene that made Arty stop in her tracks.

A lake stretched out before them. Its waters were so still and clear they reflected the sky like a mirror.

Wildflowers dotted the grassy banks and a gentle breeze sent ripples gliding across the surface.

On the far shore, a small waterfall spilled down a cluster of rocks.

Arty’s lips parted in wonder. "This is beautiful."

"Welcome to Moon Lake," Esther said with a faint smile. "Our first stop."

Arty couldn’t help it. She ran ahead to the water’s edge, her reflection chasing her in the glassy surface.

—