Chapter 76: New York New York

  The first morning in New York dawned crisp and golden, sunlight spilling over the fortified walls and bustling streets. The sounds of a city-in-progress filled the air—hammer strikes against steel, merchants calling out their wares, the distant shouts of warriors sparring in the newly constructed training grounds. The scent of fresh-cut wood, metal, and cooking fires mixed in the air, filling the city with an energy that was alive.

  Marcus stood atop the main overlook of the keep, arms crossed, surveying it all.

  It was surreal.

  Just weeks ago, this had been a battleground—a place of blood, war, and desperation. Now, it was growing, taking on a shape that wasn’t just a stronghold, but a home.

  Footsteps approached behind him, heavy yet measured.

  Miran.

  The orc chieftain stopped beside him, his golden eyes flicking over the streets below. Even now, with his role shifting from warlord to ruler, his presence was undeniable—a force of nature, just like the city he now led.

  “Not bad, huh?” Miran muttered, arms resting on the railing as he took in the sight.

  Marcus exhaled. “Yeah… kinda crazy to think about.”

  Miran nodded, the corners of his lips tilting slightly. “Three weeks ago, we fought to survive. Now, we fight to build.” His gaze sharpened, turning to Marcus. “And you? What do you plan to fight for next?”

  Marcus hesitated. He’d known this question was coming. He had felt it creeping up on him since the moment he woke up.

  “I don’t think I can stay here forever,” he admitted, running a hand through his hair.

  Miran didn’t look surprised. “I figured as much.”

  Marcus blinked. “You did?”

  Miran chuckled, shaking his head. “Marcus, you are many things, but a politician is not one of them.” He exhaled, his golden eyes gleaming. “When you were blooded into the clan, you gained family and freedom. I never intended to shackle you to this city.”

  Marcus turned to face him fully. “So, you wouldn’t be pissed if I left for a while?”

  Miran clapped a heavy hand on his shoulder. “If anything, I’d be pissed if you didn’t.” His voice carried weight, but there was understanding in it. “You’ve done more for this city than most warriors do in a lifetime. You deserve to carve your own legend.”

  Marcus smirked. “I like the sound of that.”

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  Miran let out a low chuckle, looking back at the city. “Then go. See the world. But don’t forget—you have a home here, always.”

  For the first time since waking up, Marcus felt truly free.

  The market square was the heartbeat of New York.

  Vendors peddled goods—some local, some foreign. Young orcs trained in the open courtyards, while goblins haggled over supply shipments. The city had grown past mere survival. Now, it was thriving.

  Then—

  “Marcus Elder.”

  Marcus turned at the familiar voice and found Fillia and Thalron standing before him.

  Fillia, always composed yet commanding, studied him with a calculating gaze. Thalron, her son and future successor to Xenor’s Adventurers’ Guild, stood at her side with a knowing smirk.

  “You’ve been an adventurer for what—a couple months?” Fillia mused, crossing her arms. “Yet somehow, you’ve won a war and built a city.”

  Marcus scratched his cheek. “I mean, when you put it like that—”

  “With the authority of Xenor’s Adventurers’ Guild Headmaster, I’m officially promoting you from Iron Rank to Steel Rank.”

  Marcus blinked. “Wait, what?”

  Thalron laughed. “You didn’t actually think you were still Iron Rank, did you?”

  Marcus glanced at the new Steel Rank badge in his menu, the polished insignia glinting in the sunlight.

  “Huh. Guess I’m moving up in the world.”

  Fillia smirked. “Use it well. You’ll need it.”

  She turned to leave, but Thalron lingered. “Come on,” he said, nudging Marcus. “Let’s go break the news to your old party.”

  They found Vira, Ragn, and Boruk at the newly constructed Guild Hall, deep in conversation.

  When Marcus approached, Vira’s face lit up—but her expression quickly soured as she glared at Boruk and Ragn.

  “What’s going on?” Marcus asked, sensing tension.

  Vira huffed, crossing her arms. “These two are disbanding the party.”

  Marcus blinked. “Wait, what?”

  Boruk exhaled. “Not because we want to, but our new roles don’t leave much room for adventuring.”

  Ragn smirked. “I’m officially New York’s Spymaster now. Turns out keeping an entire city from getting blindsided is a full-time job.”

  Boruk nodded. “And I’ve been appointed as Headmaster of the New York Adventurers’ Guild Branch. Fillia said I was the right fit—a Gold Rank adventurer on the verge of promotion, with the experience to lead.”

  Marcus processed that. “Damn. That’s… big.”

  Vira clenched her fists. “It just feels wrong. We fought together, survived together. It’s hard to just end it.”

  Boruk met her gaze, steady and resolute. “We aren’t ending anything. We’re just fighting on a different battlefield.”

  Ragn grinned. “Besides, you two are still young. You’ve got a lot of growing left to do.”

  Silence settled between them before—instinctively—they clasped their fists together, reciting their party’s mantra one last time:

  “Life is a fight. Death is a fight. But I fight with my party.”

  Vira exhaled, smiling despite herself. “Alright. I accept it. But I still don’t like it.”

  Boruk chuckled. “Didn’t expect you to.”

  Marcus smirked. “Guess that means we’re recruiting, huh?”

  And then—

  Thalron clapped his hands together. “Well, if it helps, I’m not technically bound by my guild duties.”

  Marcus and Vira blinked.

  Thalron smirked. “Which means I could join your party.”

  Vira’s lips parted. “Wait, seriously?”

  Marcus raised an eyebrow. “You’d leave your training for this?”

  Thalron shrugged. “Not leave. Just… travel a bit. My mother trains me so I can one day take her place, but that doesn’t mean I have to be glued to the Guild all the time.”

  Marcus grinned. “Alright. That’s one down. Now we just need—”

  Vira’s eyes gleamed. “Arixa.”

  Marcus nodded. “Arixa.”

  They turned to Thalron. “Do you know where she is?”

  Thalron chuckled. “She left on personal business before you woke up. But knowing her? She’ll be around.”

  Marcus cracked his knuckles. “Then let’s go find her.”

  Vira smirked. “This is gonna be fun.”

  With a new team forming, Marcus, Vira, and Thalron prepared for their next journey.

  New York was secure.

  But the world awaited them.

  And Marcus was ready.