Ethan studied him carefully. The Founder's memory erasure had been absolute. Dominic's eyes held no recognition beyond their previous conversation about gold level potential. There was no flicker of confusion, no sense that something had been removed. It was as though Ethan had manifested on the ground floor directly after receiving his evaluation.
"I appreciate the assessment," Ethan said, maintaining the seamless flow of their earlier exchange. "But I need to begin hunting immediately. Is there a recommended location for someone at my level?"
Dominic's expression shifted into something resembling approval. "Eager. That's good. Most new recruits waste their first week wandering the castle, too intimidated to step outside." He reached into his robe and produced a small crystalline map, its surface shimmering with topological data. "There are several hunting grounds within the castle's domain. The most suitable for your level would be the Pandora Forest."
