Whether the Endless Land was a fabricated legend or truly existed, Ethan still didn't have a clear answer.
After completing his guild membership, Ethan was handed a small, unassuming pointer and directed to a resting area specifically prepared for adventurers.
Though the room was modest, just a private bedroom and a small bathroom, it was a haven compared to life at sea. For adventurers who spent weeks floating in cramped, unstable boats, these basic comforts were a luxury.
A clean bed, fresh water to drink, and food to eat.
"For the guild to provide this for free, they must be far more powerful than I thought," Ethan murmured to himself.
His mind wandered back to the clerk who had handled his registration. The faint mental energy Ethan had sensed when the clerk used the magic stone made one thing clear: the seemingly friendly man was far from ordinary.
"What should I do next?" Ethan muttered, pulling out the fire-attribute magic stone Wood had given him. It was the only valuable resource he had left. The books and clothing gifted by the Ancient One had sentimental value, but they wouldn't fetch much if traded.
"This magic stone is all I have," Ethan thought. Without selling it, his only options were to rely on his water-generation spell for fresh water and catch fish for food while hoping to stumble upon one of the fabled floating islands or better yet, space-time energy.
"Relying on hope... I've already done that once, and it nearly got me killed."
From the materials the guild had provided, Ethan had gained a better understanding of how survival worked in this world. Adventurers collected resources to trade for better tools, sturdier ships, and more provisions. Those improvements, in turn, allowed them to collect more resources, repeating the cycle and gradually increasing their chances of survival.
It was a system of progression, and the guild maintained the balance by ensuring these rules were upheld.
"Exchanging this magic stone for food is the minimum I'll need to do," Ethan reasoned. "I won't need to prepare water thanks to my spell... but it's better not to draw attention. I should still carry water with me."
With a plan in mind, Ethan began working out the details.
"If possible, I should replace my boat. The one I have now is too small. Its storage capacity is terrible, and its stability is worse. A slightly larger wave could tip it over, and even if I survive, I'd lose all my supplies."
The problem was that he had no idea how much ships cost in this world. If a new ship was out of his reach, he'd have to make do and limit how far he ventured out to sea.
Ethan glanced at the pointer he had been given. While it looked unimpressive, the guild-issued pointer had a vital function, it could locate the nearest floating islands within a certain range, making it easier for adventurers to find their targets. Additionally, the pointer had a dial that could guide users back to State Island, ensuring they could always find their way home no matter how far they strayed.
Putting the pointer away, Ethan resumed his daily mental exercises. Although the progress was barely noticeable, he refused to give up. It was the only path he knew to grow stronger, and he needed every edge he could get in this unpredictable world.
"This place might look peaceful, but it's far from safe," Ethan muttered.
He understood the harsh truth: danger lurked everywhere, and being kind didn't mean others would return the favor.
"Let's hope I'm just being paranoid…"
The next morning, feeling rested and ready, Ethan made his way to the guild hall to trade the fire-attribute magic stone. He avoided the bustling market, reasoning that it was safer to conduct his business through the guild. While the guild would take a small cut, it was worth the peace of mind knowing he wouldn't be scammed or worse, targeted.
To his surprise, the process went better than expected. Not only did the guild handle the transaction fairly, but the staff also informed him that the magic stone was a high-quality combat-grade stone. It was valuable enough to exchange for ample supplies and a considerable amount of wealth.
"With this, you could live comfortably on the island for a while," the guild clerk said.
Ethan hesitated before asking, "Could I exchange it for a boat?"
Instead of ridicule, his question earned him a look of approval. The clerk's tone became more respectful, as though Ethan's willingness to reinvest in his survival made him stand out. It seemed the guild truly valued adventurers who aimed to grow stronger, rather than those who simply drifted through life.
"What size boat are you looking for?"
Ethan considered his options. He wasn't planning to recruit a crew, he couldn't risk exposing the secret of the space-time energy or the pointer's true purpose. That meant he'd need a boat small enough to manage alone.
"Something compact, but sturdy enough to handle rough waters," Ethan said.
"A ten-meter, double-deck sloop should fit your needs," the clerk replied, pulling out a notebook to check the inventory. "Would you be open to an older boat? If so, we could include a full load of food and fresh water, plus some additional supplies."
Ethan nodded quickly. "That works. As long as the boat is in good condition, I don't mind if it's used. Honestly, it'll probably just be a temporary solution anyway."
The clerk smiled. "Don't worry. Any boat listed by the guild has been inspected and certified as seaworthy. Older boats with significant issues are dismantled and repurposed for materials."
Hearing this, an idea struck Ethan. "I have a boat of my own. Would you be willing to take it as part of the trade?"
"Of course! Shall we include it in the transaction?"
Ethan agreed without hesitation. The deal had turned out far better than he'd hoped. Not only was he getting a more reliable boat, but he also managed to offload his old one in the process. The value of the magic stone exceeded his expectations.
Still, something about the term "combat magic stone" nagged at him. It hinted at a world far more dangerous than he had initially imagined.
"The world really isn't as peaceful as it seems…" Ethan thought grimly.
After completing the inspection and transaction, Ethan was handed the keys to his new boat. It was a ten-meter-long sloop with two levels, a deck and a lower cabin. While its length was similar to his previous boat, its height and draft made it far more stable in the water.
The design was practical: a single mast and sail, a raised bow and stern, and two small cabins accessible via doors. It was sturdy and well-suited for solo adventuring.
In addition to his new boat and a full load of food and water, Ethan used the remainder of his funds to purchase some basic necessities. One of his more practical acquisitions was a low-quality fire-attribute magic stone stove. With it, he wouldn't have to risk setting his boat on fire just to cook food during his journey.
Once the transaction was complete and the guild staff had finished loading the supplies onto his newly painted boat, the Goddess of Dawn, Ethan wasted no time. He didn't return to the guild's accommodations, nor did he stay on the boat overnight. Instead, he immediately set sail, leaving State Island behind.
While he had been at the port, he'd felt the unmistakable weight of malicious gazes following him more than once. Most came from strangers, but one came from someone familiar.
"Rodney…" Ethan muttered to himself as the boat cut through the water. "I didn't see Wood. Did they part ways? Or is Wood simply better at hiding his intentions?"
Ethan hated to assume the worst of people, but he couldn't afford to be careless. His current lack of strength left no room for error, and the safest course of action was to leave State Island immediately, disappearing before anyone could make a move. On the vast ocean, the likelihood of being found was far lower than it would be on land.
Everything went according to plan. Those watching him hadn't anticipated he'd set out to sea so quickly. By the time some of them realized what was happening and attempted to organize a pursuit, Ethan was already far away.
The few who managed to react in time lacked seaworthy boats to chase him. Most of them were likely part of the group despised by the guild, people scraping by with poorly maintained vessels. While Ethan's new boat wasn't top-of-the-line, it was far sturdier than their rotting ships.
When the shadow of State Island disappeared from view and the ocean stretched empty in all directions, Ethan finally relaxed and let out a long breath.
"For now… I'm safe," he murmured.
Now, his next priority was to pick a direction and begin searching for floating or sinking islands. However, before making his decision, he instinctively summoned his space-time pointer to check if it had located a new target.
The result made his heart leap. The Orb, which had been stuck on Searching… for days, now displayed a clear arrow. Even better, the arrow was pointing nearby, and there was only one arrow displayed this time.
"When I first set out, there were three arrows. If there's only one now, that must mean the space-time energy is close," Ethan whispered, a grin spreading across his face.
His excitement grew, but his luck didn't stop there. Taking out the pointer for floating and sinking islands, he saw it start to spin before locking onto a fixed direction.
"So… constant spinning means no target, and a fixed point means it's found something. My luck just keeps getting better," Ethan said with a wry smile.
As he compared the two pointers, he noticed something surprising, their directions were almost identical.
"Well, that makes things easy. I'll head that way and see which one I find first."
Although he spoke casually, Ethan's true priority was clear. Space-time energy was far more important to him. Being able to travel between planes was a source of immense opportunity and perhaps even survival.
Over the next several days, Ethan adjusted his course repeatedly, always following the space-time pointer.
"The possibilities are endless," he mused to himself. "Even if I can't stay in a new world for long, there are boundless ways to improve my life in this one. Immortality, becoming a higher-level being… it might not even be impossible."
He knew that finding the Endless Land was a distant, uncertain goal, but the allure of immortality was something much closer, much more tangible.
But those thoughts came to an abrupt halt when he finally found the space-time energy.
After activating the teleportation circle, Ethan barely had time to process his arrival before he was surrounded. A group of women in leather armor appeared out of nowhere, their bows drawn and arrows aimed unerringly at his vital points.
The grandeur of his dreams vanished instantly, replaced by the stark reality of his predicament.