《From Righteous To Villain》


 Chapter 1 – Auriel

    I never believed in second chances¡ªor rather, I never believed I deserved one. Or needed one. If you¡¯d asked me ten years ago whether I was happy with the life I led, I might¡¯ve smiled, certain that doing everything by the book and putting others first was the right way to live, expecting that they would think the same way and help me just the same when I was in a bad spot. But looking back, with the benefit of¡­ well, hindsight is complicated when you¡¯re on death¡¯s doorstep. I see now just how deeply my own kindness set me up for disaster. How blind I was¡­


    That last day, I woke up before the sun even thought about peeking over the horizon. I did so to the same battered alarm clock that had been one of my bitter enemies for years. I was nothing but a creature of habit. I followed the same routine: shower first, toast second, wash it down with coffee, and then I was straight out the door. My modest apartment was left behind as I walked briskly, catching the bus to work. It was a chilly November morning, and I remember the faint twinge in my chest I felt as I climbed onto the bus¡ªnothing major, just a flutter of discomfort. It was troubling me for months, but¡­ Who has time to go and visit a doctor when you work until late? I brushed it aside. It never hurt or made me lose my breath.


    My workplace was in a drab, featureless office cubicle in a mid-tier company. I was never the star performer, but I always believed in working with the team and playing by the rules: do your job, get recognized with the group, and move up the ranks eventually. My manager, a man named Osborne, was always nice to my face, praising me for ¡°dedicated service¡± and ¡°my reliability.¡± That day, while standing in his office, filled with the musty smell of burnt coffee, I discovered just how hollow those compliments really were. His speech went like this, bringing the tinge in my chest a level higher:


    ¡°Auriel, you¡¯ve been a real asset, but¡­ we¡¯re tightening up. Budget cuts. This is a tough decision. I¡¯m sure you understand.¡± Then he gave me a remorseful smile, the sort you might provide a stray dog before shooing it out of your yard.


    At that moment, I felt actually lightheaded. The job was my only real anchor in a life that, in retrospect, was shaky at best. I¡¯d been promised a raise the month before, right after finally becoming brave enough to start asking for it. So, once again, to finally be acknowledged, I asked Osborne about it again. He just shook his head, muttering about ¡°reallocations¡± and ¡°unforeseen circumstances.¡± I wanted to fight back, to stand up for myself, but the way he looked at me¡ªwith that apologetic, gently dismissive gaze¡ªmade me shrink into my old patterns of acceptance. My heart pounded. That squeezing feeling was now stronger¡­ I chalked it up to being furious at being humiliated this way. But I just nodded and collected my final paycheck.


    Walking out of that building felt like stepping off a ledge. I¡¯d lost my job just like that. I don¡¯t think I processed it that time. My savings were almost nonexistent, mainly because I¡¯d lent a good chunk of it to a supposed friend who had never repaid me. He just skipped town after being my friend for ten years. That was me: a stand-up guy, the soft touch with a big heart. Which kept hurting even more¡­


    Then, my phone buzzed just as I reached the sidewalk. It was another friend, Beck, calling in a panic. She¡¯d missed rent¡ªagain¡ªand needed my help. I stared at the phone, the anxiety mounting. Even then, I considered it. Even then, I thought that maybe I should help her. She needs me. I tried to answer, but my chest twinged again, making me fumble the device. It clattered to the ground, the screen shattering on impact as if mirroring my own imminent breakdown. Sorry Beck¡­ I won¡¯t lend you anything now.


    I ended up wandering for hours, avoiding going back to my apartment. The place was a reminder of every obligation and debt I¡¯d accumulated and the fact I could not pay them off, not after today. Kindness had always been my guiding principle, but it felt like the world had found a way to punish me for it¡­ Rain started to fall in cold sheets, and I couldn¡¯t afford a taxi or even an umbrella. I clutched my last paycheck, knowing that I had to live off it until I found a new job. But¡­ how? It was barely enough to pay one month of rent¡­ What about food? I had to do something¡­ So I trudged on, soaking wet, until I finally made it to my building.


    What happened next is a blur of shouting and regret. My landlord was waiting by the door, arms folded, lips pressed tight. He launched into a tirade about my previous late payment and about the noise complaints from my neighbors¨C¨Cwhich I suspected they exaggerated¡ªor deflected onto me, the bastards. Now, he was going on about how he was done giving me any leeway. When did he ever do that? The tension in my chest coiled tighter with each word as I listened... I could barely breathe by now, but I tried to reason with him, to promise I¡¯d pay as soon as I sorted things out. My manager had only just let me go that morning, after all. He wasn¡¯t having any of it. I felt trapped.


    Why is everyone turning on me? Why now? I wondered in desperation, even though a small voice inside my skull whispered it was my own fault for trusting people too much and never looking after myself first.


    Seeing me zoning out, I watched as he stormed off, muttering threats of eviction, leaving me trembling in the lobby. That was when my phone, half-broken but still functioning enough to receive texts, buzzed again. Another message from Beck asked me¡ªno, she was demanding¡ªthat I help her pay rent immediately. I wanted to scream at her, to throw the phone against the wall. My ears started to ring, my chest pounded really loud, and black spots floated in my vision. Then came another text.


    ¡°Help me, Auriel! You promised you wouldn¡¯t let me down!¡± she wrote. This time, a genuine wave of rage and despair crashed through me, so overwhelming it nearly caused me to black out.


    Then, the final blow: a text from a coworker¡ªsomeone I¡¯d thought was a trusted colleague¡ªgloating about a promotion he got using my research and suggestions. He was thanking me for paving the way. I don¡¯t know if he was genuinely thanking me¡­ or he was doing it sarcastically. Whichever it was, something inside me broke.


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    Maybe it was my heart, literally, or perhaps it was a final thread of sanity snapping. I recall the phone slipping from my fingers and the world tilting sideways. My knees hit the tile floor. My breath wouldn¡¯t come properly. The searing pain in my chest felt like being set on fire. I collapsed, feeling my pulse hammer at the edges of my consciousness, threatening my skull to explode.


    They say your life flashes before your eyes in the moment of death. In that haze, I saw a move about betrayals and humiliations. My father told me to be a good person. My mother¡¯s hand was on my cheek when she said to always be kind. While right behind them, Beck took cash from my wallet and told me a sob story. My landlord was looking over their shoulders, sneering that I dare die on his turf because of how much it would cost him. Osborne was somewhere close by because I heard him repeat the word ¡°unfortunately.¡± It was a parade of heartbreak threaded with a single poisonous truth: none of this would have happened if I¡¯d been selfish enough to put myself before others a little more.


    My entire body vibrated with panic. I saw flickers of white light, and then everything faded. I remember thinking¡ªthe last thought in my consciousness: never again. That was the last coherent idea I had in that world.


    ¡­


    ¡­.


    ¡­..


    Suddenly, I was awake¡ªawake, but¡­ somewhere else. My eyes snapped open, and for a moment, I thought my vision was still spotted with black splotches. Only, these weren¡¯t illusions. They were silhouettes of thick, ancient trees, dozens of meters tall, leaning over me like curious aliens. My body felt stiff and heavy, lying on something damp and cold. Then it hit me: the smell of smoke, blood, and wet Earth rushing into my nostrils. My head pounded just the same¡­ but my chest wasn¡¯t squeezing as before.


    I exhaled, coughed hard, and propped myself up on an elbow. That¡¯s when I noticed them: bodies were thrown across a clearing¡ªhuman bodies, not animals. Some of them were wearing battered leather armor; others were clothed in what looked like merchants¡¯ attire from a movie. There were a few wagons, ransacked, half-smashed, wheels shattered, and crates overturned, thrown about around them. The metallic stench of blood made my stomach twist. The entire scene looked like a warzone or the site of a brutal robbery.


    My heart raced again, a wild panic rising in my throat. Where¡­ Where was I? Instinctively, my hand went to my pocket for my phone, but of course, it wasn¡¯t there. Instead, my fingers grazed over something foreign¡ªa bracelet with a small metal plate attached to it. Squinting in the dim light, I made out letters etched in it. ¡°Auriel.¡± Well¡­ that was my name, but it was crafted in an old-fashioned script. Wait? This wasn¡¯t the alphabet I was used to¡­ Huh? Looking closer, beneath it, a smaller engraving was readable: ¡°Bronze-Tier Adventurer.¡± Adventurer? Tier?


    I felt a twinge of confusion while I gathered my strength and stood up, my legs still shaking. My clothes were strange, too: a coarse tunic stained with what might have been blood and mud. Was it¡­ my blood? As I ran a hand through my hair, trying to steady my breathing, a wave of unfamiliar memories crashed into me. Images of sword drills, a wooden training yard, the muffled ring of steel on steel. Faces I couldn¡¯t place¡ªgruff men, stern trainers, a tattered sign reading¡­ A Guild Hall. They fluttered through my mind like half-forgotten dreams. At that moment, I wondered if I was still dying on the cold tiles of my apartment building¡¯s lobby, hallucinating a bizarre fantasy from the last show I watched or what¡­? Or if I had truly passed on and this was some twisted afterlife. Was I sent to hell? Weird. I expected more fire.


    Whichever it was, the smell and touch of the place felt very real. The breeze going past my cheeks, the ground clinging to my boots, and the dull ache radiating through every muscle of my body were all happening. So I had to be here¡­


    I took a step toward the nearest wagon and almost tripped on a corpse. I froze, staring into the vacant eyes of a man around my age¡ªabout forty. There was a crossbow bolt deep in his chest. Blood, looking black in the moonlight, had soaked into his tunic. My insides churned. I almost vomited when another wave of memories rushed in: a group of bandits in the darkness, screams, the clashing screams of weapons¡ªa frantic battle in the midst of a forest trail. I remembered¡­ One of them lunged at me¡ªno, lunged at¡­ at the Auriel I seemed to have become. The recollection vanished as quickly as it had arrived, leaving me trembling and queasy.


    I needed to make sense of this. Or I will go crazy! Maybe I already had. I tried focusing on it, but my thoughts were a disjointed scramble. One thing was clear, though: whoever I was in the last moment of my life¡ªtimid, overworked, and exploited¡ªI was no longer that man. I won¡¯t be. I can¡¯t be. Not in the same sense. This body, these fragmented memories, this¡­ place. If it was real, then I somehow had obtained a second chance. And as horrifying as the thought of it was, something about it thrilled me. I could sense a raw potential in my clenched fists. In that instant, I remembered the final resolution that had blazed in my mind just as everything went black: never again.


    ¡°Yes¡­¡± I whispered to myself, focusing on that feeling, ¡°Never again.¡±


    I knelt by one of the overturned crates, rummaging through the scattered belongings for anything useful. My hands found a chipped short sword, a quiver with only two bolts left, and a small pouch containing a handful of copper and silver coins. My breath was still ragged, probably from how my adrenaline spiked as I surveyed the carnage and how I was surrounded by death. The bandits who had done this might return, or maybe they¡¯d moved on to some other unlucky travelers. Either way, I couldn¡¯t stay here. Staring at that short sword, I felt an odd familiarity. Gripping its hilt, I realized I knew its weight and how it should move in my hand¡ªmemories from that other version of Auriel, who had met his end here, swirling in my mind.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what happened¡­. But thanks, other me.¡± I muttered, looking at the weapon.


    My old life had ended in heartbreak. My new one began in blood. Ironic.


    I stepped away from the bodies after I collected all the scraps from the broken wagons, from the ghosts of my past companions. And form both of my past selves, in a way. There was no time for tears or reflection. If I wanted to survive in this¡­ wherever this place was, be it the afterlife or not, I couldn¡¯t hesitate. While leaving, heading in a random direction, I was telling myself the same thing over and over.


    I couldn¡¯t let pity or indecision slow me down. I¡¯d wasted enough years living by other people¡¯s rules.


    The moon glinted through the thick canopy as I took one last look at the ravaged caravan. Then I started walking into the forest, sword in hand, heart beating like a war drum. I felt alive¡ªmore alive, strangely, than I ever had before. This time, no one would exploit me without consequences.

 Chapter 2 – Reflection

    The night was darker than anything I had ever experienced. I had to realize that I was used to city life, where street lamps always provided enough light, no matter the hour. Here? It was pitch black... and I was in a forest. All those noises, the unknown, the predators lurking in the shadow... as I pressed on, sword in hand, I was trembling. It was terrifying. Worse, I didn''t know where I was or where I was going, and I couldn''t find my way back, even if I wanted to. I was lost. Alone. It was a horrible idea to just leave like this; I should have waited until the sun came up! While I thought about it, looking up when the trees somewhat cleared away around me, I noticed that the massive, reddish moon was dipping beneath the horizon, leaving an uncertain grayness behind. It was hard to tell if dawn was approaching or if the darkness was just shifting shapes around me. Either way, my body ached from cutting through the forest and its dense undershrub, though not with the same punishing tightness I''d felt in my old life whenever I overexerted myself. Maybe this body really was stronger. Or I was weak. Probably both.


    For a time, the only sounds I could hear were the crunch of dead leaves under my boots and my uneven breathing after I continued my trek. I tried not to think about possible animals lurking close by, but then, my mind wandered to the carnage I''d left behind. The scattered corpses, the broken wagons, that lifeless gaze of the man with the crossbow bolt in his chest.


    "Shit..."


    There was no sense in mourning strangers I never knew, but I couldn''t help but feel... off. My chest still panged when my mind flicked back to it¡­ but I forced myself to let it go. I had to keep moving. Focus on that, Auriel.


    Eventually, the distant trickle of water reached my ears. Feeling relieved, I followed it through the undergrowth, brushing aside branches that caught on my tunic, making me hiss as they cut into my body. The bandits who caused the slaughter might still be out there, but a chance to wash off the blood¡ªand confirm more about this bizarre situation I found myself in¡ªfelt worth the risk. I tried not to rush, creeping toward the sound and spotting a narrow stream winding through thick tree roots. The water reflected the light of moonlight, creating a wavering, surprisingly beautiful path. Waiting a little, listening to the sounds of the forest, I heard nothing that would indicate danger so... I stepped out of my hiding place, heading to the water.


    I knelt by the stream, keeping my short sword close at hand because I didn''t trust my assessment. The cold water numbed my fingers as I splashed my face and tried to rub away the blood staining my arms. When I cupped my hands and brought a handful of water near my mouth, I paused, looking down at my feet. A face stared back at me from the rippling surface¡ªmy face, but not the way I remembered it. I mean, not as I remembered how I looked yesterday. No. I was¡­ young. Seventeen, maybe. The lines and creases that had been there from the years of stress were all gone, replaced by sharper cheekbones and smoother features. My hair was darker, the strands falling just a bit longer around my ears than I''d ever worn them since becoming a respected member of society, giving up on my long hair from my youth. Even my eyes seemed brighter, though they held an unsettling wariness, thanks to my current predicament.


    For a moment, I just stared at my reflection. The realization was hard to swallow, and I tried not to think about it. I guessed that I was, indeed, in a different body. It had already crossed my mind back at the caravan site, but seeing it so clearly in the water made my heart flutter. But this was more than that. This was me when I was young. It was my face, not a foreign look at all. It was me... just... younger. I hesitated, half expecting my reflection to flicker and reveal my forty-year-old self. But no¡ªthis younger face looked back with a firm, steady glare, even after I slapped at the water, watching my reflection gradually return.


    "Well... I''m not complaining..." I muttered, shaking my head with a slight smile.


    After my initial surprise, I scrubbed the last of the dried blood off my forearms, cringing at a few cuts I hadn''t noticed or picked up on the way. One was deeper than I''d thought, but it had already clotted, leaving just a faint sting. This body must heal faster than my old one¡ªeither that or adrenaline was doing all the work.


    As I washed, my mind drifted to different fragments of memory bubbling up in me. I knew it wasn''t mine at once. It was like watching someone else''s dreams: a nighttime caravan rolling through dense woods, lanterns swinging on wagons, inaudible conversations. There was a sense of purpose suddenly in my mind¡ªthis other Auriel had been proud to be assigned to guard duty. He was new but determined to prove himself. He was doing things by the book, trusting his teammates and believing that if everyone pitched in, they''d all succeed and defeat any enemy. A soft sigh escaped my mouth as a tinge of empathy shot through me.


    "Naive in both lives, aren''t we?"


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    Then the memories shifted to the attack: men in dark hoods rushing out of the undergrowth, steel clashing, panicked shouts everywhere. The caravaners scrambled to fight, but they were disorganized. Then, someone shouted.


    "They''re here for the cargo!"


    But, then¡ªbetrayal. One of the merchants, a scrawny man with a crooked nose and an even more crooked grin, signaled to the bandits. He must have made some deal because the attackers spared him at first. The caravaners'' confusion was enough for the bandits to overwhelm everyone else, going for the cart the man had signaled for. They were clearly here for whatever it was carrying.


    Watching, feeling, and living through these memories, I felt... sick. Again. My breath was caught in my throat, and my heart rate increased. I saw flashes of the traitor taking over the cart and cutting down the old man, who was its original owner, before climbing up to it. Then, the bandits, having what they wanted, cut the traitor down without hesitation, claiming it for themselves. The memory ended with a burst of pain and darkness¡ªhow this younger alternate self of mine took a blade to the gut or a blow to the head, I wasn''t sure. It came from behind. I touched the back of my head; it did hurt... but there was no injury or blood.


    "A double-cross after a double-cross. Everyone died..." I felt my jaw clench but also felt somewhat happy that the bastard orchestrating this didn''t get to live. "Fitting, I guess. That''s what happens when people use each other."


    I wasn''t in the mood to keep ruminating on what-ifs or deal with my alternate variant''s past. It was done in the past. No longer my problem. Sorry kid. So I splashed water on my face again as if that could wash away the bitterness. But the thought remained.


    Two Auriels¡ªboth of us so certain that if they just played nice, we would be treated fairly. Instead, one of us was exploited by so-called friends and coworkers, while an ally betrayed the other. Both of us had died without ever really fighting back. But not anymore.


    "Never again."


    That mantra pulsed through me like a heartbeat as I stood back up. As if my alternate self agreed with me. Maybe I was no longer one Auriel.


    "Just stop thinking..." I told myself, shaking my head vigorously.


    I felt unsteady, but it was more from anger than exhaustion. I dried my hands on a scrap of cloth I''d salvaged from one of the wagons and took a moment to examine my gear. It didn''t magically change; I still only had the same things that I took. Hardly a fortune, but enough to get me by for a little while¡ªassuming I made it to civilization safely. I hoped that I could make use of my bracelet and the fact that I was an adventurer and part of some organization.


    My eyes tracked upstream, noticing a faint glow in the sky. Dawn was coming. I decided to follow the water''s flow, reasoning that it might lead me to a main road or an inhabited area. Cities were usually established close to a water source, after all. As I walked, the forest around me gradually changed from dense, ominous woods to more open terrain. Sunlight began to filter through the treetops, warming the back of my neck and illuminating the wildflowers underfoot. I never was a botanist or a gardener, but I was pretty sure these types of flowers were not anything like on Earth.


    Eventually, I found a rough trail that paralleled the stream. Boot prints marred the dirt, suggesting travelers used it. I paused, crouching low to inspect the impressions. Some were fresh, but there was no telling if they belonged to friendly adventurers or cutthroats. Still, a road was a road, and if there is any kind of security in these parts, bandits should avoid it... I hope.


    Steeling myself, I continued along the path; my ears pricked for any sign of danger, and my grip tightened on the short sword, the weight comforting in a strange way. Every so often, a stray memory from this body''s past flickered up: an image of that Guild Hall, the day the other Auriel was awarded Bronze-Tier status. I could feel his pride. How thrilled he was to be recognized as a "real" adventurer. It was almost heartbreakingly innocent, reminding me of my younger self, who believed in promotions and fair raises if you just did your job well.


    "A shame," I muttered grimly, "that the world doesn''t care about it."


    The forest began to thin out, and the trail widened. I spotted a slope up ahead, and something told me that a better vantage might be just what I needed. With confident steps, I followed a switchback that zigzagged up the small rise. My legs burned after being on the trail since night¡ªit turns out even a younger body can feel fatigued after enough stress.


    Reaching the top, I paused to catch my breath. The early morning sun cascaded over a vast expanse of farmland and scattered woodland, where the two gradually met. Stretching across a gentle valley before me was a fortified city. Stone walls stood tall in the morning sun, multiple guard towers rising here and there along them. Smoke trails curled from chimneys beyond the city walls, and tiny figures were coming and going at the main gate. Even from this distance, I could sense the bustle of life within those walls. It wasn''t a small city, but it also wasn''t anything like a city in my time.


    For a few heartbeats, I just stood there, staring down at the city like a lost traveler, trying to remember how a map works. This was the first real sign of civilization I''d seen in this world, and although I expected it, it was still... weird.


    I couldn''t help but notice a slight grin tugging at the corner of my lips. My old self would probably worry about signing up for a permit or filling out the proper forms. But that Auriel died in a drab office lobby, and the other Auriel died bleeding in a forest. I was neither, yet both, and I intended to live on my own terms this time. I will manage and think on my feet. It couldn''t be that hard now, could it? Putting it on and touching the adventurer''s bracelet on my wrist, I reminded myself that, no matter what lay ahead, I wouldn''t let anyone else pull my strings.


    "Let''s see what this city has to offer for a new start..."

 Chapter 3 – Recognized

    I reached the city gates early enough in the morning to catch most of the traffic going inside. Listening to the people speaking around me, I also learned its name: Korvar. They were mostly local farmers herding livestock or peddlers of this particular region, dragging their carts into the city. And, of course, the mixture of mercenaries and adventurers. I tried not to look too much, only scanning them, seeing some of them wearing light armor, but not one with bulky plates or a knight-like setup. However, what I did notice was that all of them were loaded with pouches and potions on bandoliers or belts¡ªall of them filing toward the entrance of the city. Above the gate, I noticed the large banner stamped with a black raven, wings spread in a stark silhouette, most likely either the kingdom''s crest or the city''s. Not that it mattered, but it matched the emblem on the guards'' tabards, marking them as the city''s guard force.


    I caught a few curious glances as I fell into line, but most people were too busy to pay attention to a youngster. Good for me, the last thing I wanted was attention, so I waited for my turn. When I stopped before the guards, I was a bit unsure what to do, but thankfully, I didn''t need to stand there like a suspicious idiot, waiting for something to happen. One of them, a stern-faced man with tanned skin, gave me a quick once-over.


    "State your name and business," he ordered, his eyes flicking to the battered short sword at my side.


    "I¨C¨C" My heartbeat fluttered, but I caught myself as my voice cracked. I''m an adventurer, right? That should count to something, so slowly, I held up my left wrist, revealing the small metal plate on my bronze-colored bracelet. "Auriel," I said, forcing confidence into my voice. "Bronze-tier. I''m¡­ returning from a job."


    "Welcome back, Bronze-tier," the guard said in a practiced monotone voice, looking at the bracelet, confirming my name on it, though I didn''t miss the slight eyebrow twitch at my ragged attire. "Guild membership covers your toll. Don''t cause trouble in the city."


    "Sure," I murmured, stepping past. No other questions were asked. They were even ushering me out of the way. The tension in my shoulders eased a little, but a new wave of uncertainty replaced it... now what?


    Inside the walls, Korvar teemed with life, more than I expected. Men and women jostled around market stalls, some of them hawking vegetables or bread, others offering brews or hand-made tools. As I walked the streets, I noticed how smoke rose from a blacksmith''s forge in the Artisan Quarter, the apprentices already at work, forging swords from the looks of it. After taking a few turns, I ended up at the main square; at least, I guess it was the main square. It was already full; street vendors sold skewers of spicy meat, reminding me how little I''d eaten, causing my stomach to growl at me the moment their smell reached my nose. But rather than slow down to sample the local fare, I wandered toward the main square, trying to get my bearings. I had way too little funds on me... I had to be thoughtful about how to spend it. Hell, I don''t even know the prices yet, what is expensive and what isn''t!


    Still, even though I''d never been here¡ªunless I counted the faint half-memories belonging to the other Auriel¡ªI felt an odd sense of familiarity. Probably because of the other cities my previous self did visit. The city''s stone-paved streets and squat, thick-walled buildings were of a familiar style. But for me, when I shook out my other self''s feelings, it was nothing like the modern world I''d left behind. It looked... alien. The juxtaposition between these two feelings made me absent-minded, and probably that is why I failed to pick up on the fact that I was noticed.


    I''d barely made it five steps when a voice called my name.


    "Auriel! Hey!"


    Hearing my name called, I turned to see a tall, lightly armored man with cropped brown hair approaching, his stride quickly closing the distance between us. He wore a light leather jerkin decorated with a small raven crest, and a short sword clattered beside him, strapped to his belt. From the way his gaze flicked across me, I guessed he was assessing injuries or danger¡ªstandard adventurer reflexes...


    "Uh, can I help you?" I asked, a bit guarded, knowing that it was the stupidest thing to say, but it had already left my lips. Damn it. My nerves were getting the better of me!


    "..." The man''s eyes narrowed at once, looking over me once again, now even taking in more details, especially of my face. "Damn, you look rough. You are Auriel... Are you not? I still remember your face... From the caravan that was due yesterday? The one carrying¡­ special cargo?"


    "..." I felt a chill run down my spine. This had to be the contact the other Auriel''s group was supposed to meet. Damn... I managed to find the place we were heading to? Great! Just my luck. "There¡­ was an attack," I said slowly. "Bandits hit us in the forest. Everyone else¡­"


    "Dead?" he demanded, his face hardening, one hand resting on his sword.


    "Y-yes." I nodded, noticing the change instantly. "I''m the only one who got out. And I''m not even sure how."


    "Fuck..." The man cursed under his breath. "They were supposed to check in here, safe and sound! Now you show up alone¡ªno wagons, no cargo, no others?"


    "I was lucky..." I answered while my body tensed, wondering if he was about to accuse me of deserting or theft. Instead, he let out a frustrated sigh.


    "Come on," he said, grabbing me by the arm. "We need to take this to the Guild. You realize the local branch was responsible for coordinating that caravan''s defense?"


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    "I¡­ guessed," I managed to mumble, stumbling as he pulled me along. His grip was painful... and strong.


    Without further discussion, he led me, or in this case, dragged me down a side street to a sturdy two-story building. A wooden sign carved with a simplified raven''s head and a crossed sword marked it as the city''s Adventurers'' Guild. Despite my own misgivings, some part of me relaxed seeing the symbol. A real guild outpost, a half-familiar memory told me. There should be a job board, a clerk, maybe a lounge for adventurers upstairs¡­ The question was, would I be able to use them?


    As we stepped inside, I noticed the interior was all polished wood floors and stone columns. A warm hearth glowed in one corner, and multiple large boards on the left side of it were pinned with stacks of parchment¡ªongoing quests, bounties, and city announcements. The guildhall was filled with commotion and with people in mismatched armor. Some looked like rangers in cloaks, and I managed to spot a pair of dwarves conferring over some mechanical blueprint. So, are there more than humans in this world? Or are the midgets? It''s best not to ask, or I may get a few teeth knocked out, especially with how thick their arms were. A few paused to glance at me but quickly returned to their own chatter.


    My escort guided me to a side chamber behind a heavy, dark wooden door. A broad table stood in the center, ringed with chairs, while various maps, lists, and scrolls littered its surface. Against one wall, a tall man with gray-streaked hair leaned forward, examining a parchment with the official raven seal, probably coming from someone important.


    "This is Guildmaster Reagan," my new acquaintance explained. Then he added to the Guildmaster, "I found him wandering the market. The descriptions of him fit the list we received when we took up the request to guard Zoltan''s caravan. He is one of us from the border town of Lazlow''s Retreat assigned to the mission, Master."


    "I see." Reagan looked up sharply, and his gaze pinned me like a hawk. "So you''re Auriel¡ªthe Bronze tier assigned to guard that caravan." He said, stealing one look at my bracelet.


    I nodded, unsure if I should say more.


    "Report," He snapped, getting angry that he needed to repeat himself.


    I swallowed at once. Well... here goes nothing. I told them about the ambush: the hooded bandits, the chaotic fight, the double-cross by a caravan insider, and how everything ended in blood and death. I kept my personal shock and confusion to a minimum, focusing on the bare facts: Everyone else was slain, the cargo taken, and I survived through some fluke, probably knocked out, and they didn''t bother to check if I was still alive or not. When I finished, silence hung in the room for a little longer than I found comfortable. The man who''d brought me in kept his arms folded, eyes darting over me like he expected me to spontaneously confess, standing precisely in the door''s way. Like I would try to run... Finally, this Guildmaster Reagan let out a low exhale, collecting his thoughts.


    "Quite the story," he said. "You claim not a single other survivor?"


    "No." I dipped my head. "Not that I saw."


    "You didn''t even check, did you? Brave little adventurer." His eyes flicked to the side of my tunic. "You sure don''t look injured for someone who survived a massacre."


    "I got knocked out." I forced myself not to flinch. "But I know. It''s¡­ complicated. I blacked out during the fight. Came to sometime later, alone, there was not much fighting I did."


    "..." Reagan exchanged a meaningful look with the man, speaking without words before he turned back to me. "Auriel, let''s be clear: you''re not under direct suspicion, but this situation is problematic. A full caravan was wiped out, cargo evaporated, and only one man walked away unscathed. Without even coming to me, instead... wandering the city like a lost puppy. Doesn''t look great."


    I wanted to argue, but a part of me realized it was fair. If I were in their position, I''d be suspicious, too.


    "Haaah..." The Guildmaster''s tone was calmer when he continued after a deep and long breath. "We have to investigate this. In the meantime, you''ll stay in Korvar¡ªonly in Korvar¡ªuntil we figure out the truth. Understood?"


    "I..." My stomach twisted, hearing him. "So¡­ I''m stuck here?"


    "Of course you are." He nodded. "You can move about the city freely, for now. But if you try to skip town, the guards will know. We''ll put you up in the Guild''s tavern¡ªa safe place to keep tabs on you. You won''t be locked away or anything, but consider this a probationary measure."


    I swallowed back a retort. A younger me might have pleaded or tried to talk his way out. But I''d learned the hard way that the world doesn''t sympathize with excuses. They don''t trust me¡ªand they''re probably right to be wary. At least, this Guildmaster looks honest on the surface, telling it as is without munching his words. That''s something.


    "All right," I said quietly, trying to project calmness, but I didn''t know how well I succeeded. "I understand."


    "Smart." The man at my back finally relaxed his shoulders, stepping away from the door. "Good. Now come on, I''ll show you to your room."


    He led me to an attached tavern next door, connected to the guild hall by a short corridor. The tavern itself was a cozy place: broad tables, a well-worn bar, and a handful of patrons already nursing their morning ales. Alcoholism is everywhere, huh? In the back, a sturdy wooden staircase led to an upper floor of small lodgings for adventurers passing through.


    I climbed the stairs behind my escort, ignoring the curious stares from a few people below until we disappeared and my guide shoved open a door at the end of the hall. Inside was a spartan space with a single bed, a rickety chair, and a narrow table... At least it was free accommodation, so I can''t complain much. And it wasn''t a medieval prison cell either.


    "You''re not a prisoner, Auriel, but don''t go thinking we won''t keep track of you. The second you try to slip away, we''ll know. Best if you cooperate with the Guild''s investigation."


    "Sure." I managed a stiff nod. "I get it."


    "..." He hesitated, thinking what to say, then sighed, shaking his head. "Look, if you truly had nothing to do with the ambush, that''ll blow over once the facts surface. Let''s hope that we find evidence soon. You are young; I wouldn''t blame you if you escaped, fearing for your life."


    With that, he stepped out, pulling the door shut behind him. I heard no click, so I wasn''t locked in from the outside.


    "Well..." I shrugged, "Alone again."


    I dropped onto the small bed, tension radiating through every muscle I had. So much for quietly exploring the city. Now, I was under a kind of house arrest, stuck in this Korvar until the Guild decided my fate. My instincts screamed for me to run, but I wasn''t sure if that was even possible. Could I sneak away, or would that just confirm their suspicions?


    Pressing my eyes shut, I rubbed the bracelet on my wrist. Great job, Auriel. Two lives, and in both, you''re knee-deep in complications from the get-go.


    Tomorrow, I''d figure out which way I wanted to play this¡ªclear my name or vanish into the city''s underbelly. Today, though, all I wanted to do was rest and eat... Then, wait for whatever came next.

 Chapter 4 – Dreams

    I... I don''t know where really I was. What I knew was that I was wielding a wooden training sword in a dusty courtyard. Around me, the sharp noise of steel hitting steel echoed as a dozen others practiced their drills under the critical eye of an instructor with an aging face and a handful of scars. The tang of sweat and sawdust filled my lungs, making me wrinkle my nose and feel... queasy. My arms burned from repeating the same overhead strike again and again, but some unrelenting part of me refused to quit even when I wanted to stop and look around. I wanted to ask what was happening and where I was, but I couldn''t. I wasn''t in control. As soon as the drill ended, the scene shifted, dissolving into a mixture of colors and shapes.


    Thinking back, it was clear it was a dream, but at that moment, it seemed so real that I had never noticed it.


    Suddenly, I was at a different spot, crouched in the middle of a dense forest, heart pounding while I pressed myself up against a thick, rough tree trunk. A grizzled adventurer¡ªsomeone I recognized as an older mentor¡ªnudged me forward, whispering about stalking our prey quietly, about how my life depended on reading the wind and listening for the slightest crack of twig or brush of leaves. He lectured me to always look for the direction of the wind and not let my scent carry me toward my target, only always away from it. My breath was caught in my throat as we crept toward our target. It was just a wild boar rummaging in the undergrowth... but at that moment, it felt like the greatest enemy I could face in the world. Then that image, too, faded away right when I was about to make my move.


    "Bullshit..." I heard myself cursing that I was being swirled up in my dream again, whisked away to a different memory.


    A blur of cityscapes followed right after. I tried naming them as they flashed by, but I was unable to do so. I saw stone streets appearing under mee, blacksmith shops and potion stalls, and a row of notice boards with pinned job requests. Slipping through this dreamscape, I caught glimpses of words in a script I only half understood. My dream self knew them as bounties or escort missions, but their meaning blurred as if I was trying to look through two sets of eyes at once¡ªmy old and new lives colliding in my subconscious. My heart raced, overwhelmed by the swirl of sudden memories and emotions, including sword forms, campsite cooking tips, and the protocol for haggling in a marketplace for an optimal price without offending the seller. Then, from far away, voices thundered in my head, some of which I had vague recollections of. Teachers, friends, maybe even the screams of the people I''d lost in the caravan ambush.


    "I? It was I who lost them? No... I did not..."


    Then the swirl halted abruptly, snapping into a final, abrupt memory: an older, experienced adventurer awarding me a Bronze-tier bracelet. His pride and happiness were both evident as he clasped it onto my wrist, warning that the path ahead would be dangerous, but he said I could do it. He said that I earned this. I, Auriel, he''d said, his voice tinged with hope, was an excellent student. That... He said that I shouldn''t waste the chance to be something great and grab it by the ankles.


    "Well... good luck with that now..." I thought before wincing.


    A lance of pain shot through me, and the dreamscape collapsed into an all-consuming darkness.


    ...


    ....


    ......


    I bolted upright, drenched in sweat. The dim lamplight of my tavern room revealed the same old rickety furniture, my scant belongings by the bedside, including my damaged sword, just at an arm''s reach. Pressing a shaky hand to my forehead, I tried to sort out the dreams, realizing that they were not dreams. This time, I knew at once that they were the memories of this other Auriel, even if they were rapidly disappearing in a post-dream clarity. The images that were sharp and vivid only a second ago were turning faded and into something I struggled to recall.


    "They weren''t mine," I whispered hoarsely, but that wasn''t entirely true. All of the images, all of the noises, the voices, the faces... Everything that flashed past me felt more personal, as if all of it belonged to me. It was confusing¡­ but I''ll deal with it later.


    "Hungry..." I cursed, feeling weak.


    My stomach growled fiercely, cutting through my tangled thoughts, agreeing with me and telling me that I finally had a proper thought for myself. Well, I could understand why because I remembered that I hadn''t eaten since I munched the ration from the wrecked caravan, traveling to the city. It was... not much. Right then, hunger was the loudest thing in my world. With a resigned sigh, I climbed out of bed, stretched, collected my belongings, and quietly opened the door, intending to find something to eat.


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    Outside, the narrow hall was lit by one rickety lantern, the smell of roasted meat and stale ale drifting up from below. Even at this early hour, the tavern must be serving breakfast for travelers or returning adventurers. It seemed life wasn''t pausing even for a moment in a place like this. To make the least amount of noise for those who were still asleep, I carefully descended the staircase, hoping not to draw too much attention. I didn''t want to get into a conflict right away.


    The main room of the tavern was relatively calm. A few bleary-eyed adventurers sat at the tables, hugging mugs of something hot, likely spiced tea or weak beer, judging by the smell. The barkeep, a stout woman with braided hair, working the night shift, I assumed, lifted her head in silent acknowledgment as I approached the counter.


    "Morning," she said bluntly, voice rough from years of shouting over rowdy patrons. Or smoking. I guess. "Adventurer, right? You lodging with the Guild, if I''m not mistaken?"


    "Yes." I gave a short nod, taking an empty seat at the bar. "I''d like something to eat, if possible." Glancing around, I noticed what looked like a basic breakfast: bread, a thin stew, maybe some dried fruit. Simple, but right now, everything looked like a perfect match for my rumbling stomach.


    "That''ll be five coppers," she said, ladling stew into a wooden bowl. "Three if you''re on the Guild''s discount." She nodded at the Bronze-tier bracelet on my wrist.


    My stomach twisted as I pulled out the small pouch I had. Coins from the caravan¡­ I counted them: a mix of coppers and silvers, far fewer than I''d realized. Probably enough for a day or two of meals¡ªif that. I should be grateful to find even that much because I was sure most of the wealth was taken away by the bandits. After paying for the stew, I''d barely have anything left, but my stomach was not taking no for an answer.


    "Mhm," I forced a smile I didn''t feel when the woman put the meal before me. "Thanks," I mumbled and plunged the coins onto the counter. With a slight raise of her brow, the barkeep checked the total and pocketed them, only paying as much attention to me as necessary. As if she thought anything of my grimace, realizing that my net worth was now near zero... No matter. At least I had something warm to fill my belly with.


    Shaking away my thoughts, I dug into the stew. The salty broth was not something I would find appetizing, but at that moment, it was a gourmet-level culinary experience. Every spoonful reminded me of how precarious my position was, giving it an extra spice: I was stuck in this city of Korvar, short on cash, and effectively under house arrest. If I tried to flee, I''d probably get pegged as guilty of something. Then, I would be pegged differently in the prisons. If anything, I think the local cells would be at the minimum level of medieval rat-infested death traps, while a cold, lightless hole at best. If I stayed, I needed money to survive.


    "And to get out..." I added, barely audible.


    Thinking ahead, I stared at the bowl. Maybe I could pick up a small job from the Guild''s quest board¡ªassuming they''d even let me, given I was under suspicion. For sure, I could only do jobs restricted to the city. Or perhaps there were other ways to earn coin in a city this large, though that might mean stepping into shady territory and raising suspicion towards me. Still, I should keep the option open, especially if they decide I am indeed suspicious. I am not going to take the blame for something I shouldn''t even involve myself in the first place.


    "I am not Auriel after all..." I muttered to myself, catching my thoughts slipping out and glancing up, but nobody was there to listen to my tired rambling. I may have slept a little, but with that weird dream, I didn''t feel that rested yet.


    Deciding to refocus my thoughts, I finished the last bit of stew, my mind already racing about my next step. One thing was certain: I''m not going to starve here like an idiot. The real question was whether I''d do it by playing nice with the Guild or by slipping into the underbelly of Korvar to find some desperate, well-paying gig or someone who would be willing to smuggle me out if here. My best idea was to skip the country, if possible, and get to somewhere where nobody would know this face of mine.


    For now, at least, I had one advantage: a body that felt young and healthy and some scattered knowledge from its training. I was pretty sure I could wield a sword; as for how well, I couldn''t tell, but I was confident enough that I could survive. If not, why bother? No? So I had to believe the feeling. Both could become assets if I used them right.


    After finishing, I pushed the empty bowl aside. The future might bring answers about the caravan attack, or it might bring more scrutiny from the Guild. Either way, I refused to sit idle. Whatever they stole was not my problem. Whatever they will learn by going there was in the past, and I no longer had anything to do with it! If I wanted to survive, I needed to earn enough to keep a roof over my head and, hopefully, find a path away from constant suspicion and then this abysmal starting region.


    "Heh... like in a game, huh?" I looked at my bracelet, "Maybe I should act as if it is one. Then I wouldn''t feel this nervous."


    No more letting life push me around. No matter what it took, I''d carve out a place for myself in this city¡ªor vanish with enough coin to start somewhere else entirely. I heard somewhere that life is a gamble anyway, and I was ready to play.

 Chapter 5 – Crowfoot

    I caught a glimpse of my own reflection in one of the polished windows by the Guild''s lobby as I passed through it. In it, the same youthful face looked back at me, but my eyes looked a bit tired, reminding me of how I always looked. Trying to shake off the feeling, not wanting to return to that life, I made my way to the quest board. The broad wooden structure bore overlapping sheets of parchment of all types of kinds and from different origins, not only from this city. There were job postings, bounty notices, and even some missing pet flyers or guard-for-hire ads. Some pages were crisp and newly written, while others hung askew or curled at the edges, yellow from age. Standing there, I skimmed them, searching for something that required minimal risk yet had a decent payoff. Well, decent in my eyes... With my precarious finances, it wasn''t time for heroics.


    Rat Extermination in the Old Town''s Sewers¡ª5 coppers per tail. Hm. Maybe.


    Escort Varj Merchant''s Goods to Next Town¡ªnegotiable. Hm... But that would mean leaving Korvar, and I wasn''t sure the Guild would approve my departure yet.


    Lost Cat: Grey Tabby. Answers to ''Mookie''¡ª10 coppers if returned alive.


    I suppressed a groan. These wouldn''t get me anywhere near the coin I needed. Some bigger contracts involved subduing wild beasts near farmland or investigating rumored bandit sightings. No thanks¡ªI just walked away from a bandit ambush. Besides, I was still under watch and couldn''t leave the city. Not to mention, I had a guess that The Guild might step in if I took on any larger job or deny me altogether of participating in it.


    "Well, this sucks..." I murmured while scribbling a few notes to keep in mind. "I''ll figure out something eventually," I mumbled to myself, but first, I am going to need to learn my way around the city.


    After leaving the Guild Hall, I moved through the bustling streets of Korvar, this time without anyone recognizing and stopping me. Each district felt like a different world, and I got lost in the feeling of this different yet familiar landscape. The Market Square teemed with color and chatter, while the Artisan Quarter was noisy from the multiple blacksmiths'' constant hammerings. As I walked the cobblestone roads, every so often, I caught the swirl of foreign spices or heard the whistle of someone hawking wares, trying to catch the attention of people passing by.


    I tried to fix the city layout in my head, but it was proving to be hard to do so. It was bigger than I''d imagined from the vantage point of that hill. With each turn, I mentally noted landmarks¡ªa half-collapsed tower by an old gate, a fountain carved with another batch of raven motifs, and a cluster of rickety stalls selling cheap-looking gear. It might be worth remembering where not to buy things¡­ Still, after hours of walking, it was hard to determine the layout of Korvar. It was... chaotic.


    Eventually, I strayed beyond the more polished streets into narrow back alleys, the kind of places that city officials pretend don''t exist. There were parts of my old city too where people only went when there was no other choice... The cobblestones here were cracked and grimy; the air stank of garbage thrown into the side alleys and from spilled stale ale. If there were a place to find the city''s underbelly, this was it.


    Rounding a corner, I managed to stumble onto a shady transaction taking place under a flickering lantern. Just my luck... I knew at once that I had taken a wrong turn, and this wasn''t the best space to be.


    Two figures stood close to each other, speaking in hushed tones. I also noticed multiple small glass vials trading hands. Those had to be potions or something like that, the same thing I saw on some adventurers'' belts. At least, I guessed by the faint glimmer of colored liquid within. It could have been energy drinks... As I stood there, the first figure, slender and twitchy like a drug addict, extended a trembling hand to grab the vials while the second, a broader silhouette in a sharp coat, watched like a hawk.


    As soon as the goods changed hands, the twitchy man jerked back and spun on his heel, making a run for it. Idiot. He clutched the potions tightly to his chest, ignoring the bigger man''s outstretched palm waiting for payment.


    "Oi!" The big man lunged, but the runner twisted free like a cat and dashed down the alley¡ªstraight toward me.


    I reacted on instinct, stepping sideways and hooking a foot out, a reflex from years of half-remembered training. The instant he got caught in my comical move, the thief''s momentum sent him stumbling forward like a sack of dirt. He crashed hard, potions clattering across the cobblestones with a muted rattle, and to my surprise, they proved to be really sturdy as none of them shattered. Before he could regain his balance, I pinned him in place with a knee to the shoulder. If I decide to involve myself, let''s do it thoroughly, I said to myself.


    The bigger man in the coat arrived a moment later, breathing heavily. A couple more tough-looking types emerged from the shadows, all eyes on me and the squirming thief. By their attire¡ªlong coats, crisp collars, some wearing hats with wide brims¡ªthey gave off a typical gangster vibe but with a fantasy spin to it. I almost caught myself smiling at the thought before realizing I was in a fantasy world right now. Each wore a small raven brooch or pin, not quite the same as the city''s official emblem, but... whatever. It seems this city is obsessed with birds. As I looked, I noticed that one of them had a short sword strapped under his coat like a concealed firearm.


    "Kid," the broad-shouldered man rumbled, eyes flicking to my bronze bracelet. "Thanks for stoppin'' our rat." He nudged the thief with a boot, scooping up the potions the guy had tried to steal. "What''s your angle?"


    "Angle?" I asked as I rose carefully, letting the whimpering thief slump against the alley wall. "No angle," I answered warily. "He was about to run me over, so I stopped him. That''s all."


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    "Huh." He smirked as he gave me a once-over. "Well, you did us a favor. C''mon. Let''s talk."


    Part of me wanted to decline and vanish. Another part, though, recognized this might be an opportunity¡ªespecially if these folks had connections that could help a broke adventurer. So I hesitated only for a second, then nodded at the man.


    "Lead the way."


    They guided me through a maze of another set of back alleys until we arrived at a dimly lit cellar entrance beneath a rundown warehouse. The inside was surprisingly clean. Ornate lanterns revealed crates stacked along the walls, a few tables scattered with documents, and overhead beams from which hung various dried herbs. Turning my head to take in all, I saw that one corner boasted shelves crammed with small glass vials. Several men and women, wearing that same mix of old-fashioned suits and leathers, stood guard or idly polished weapons while another group filled the vials with differently colored liquids.


    "Come, boy. My name is Cravik, by the way." My escort introduced himself while leading me forward.


    "Auriel," I answered simply.


    "Boss ain''t here, but I can answer your questions. Or at least, we''ll figure out if we can do business together."


    "Business?" I asked as I was still studying the potions being arranged on a nearby table. Each bottle glimmered with different colors. Reds, blues, greens, some with flecks of gold mix into them. "You guys¡­ deal in drinks?"


    "You could say that." A wiry older woman in a pinstriped vest smirked, hearing me calling it that. "In these parts, we''re the biggest potion dealers you''ll find. At least, if you want the good stuff." She tapped a vial of watery orange fluid. "Name''s Risa. Looks like you''re new to the city?"


    "Hello, I''m Auriel. And... Yes..." I shrugged, not sure how much to reveal. "New enough," I admitted. "I''ve¡­ heard of potions," I lied, playing a kind of country-bumpkin role, "but not how they work exactly. My Pa always called them drinks."


    At that, a few gangsters exchanged amused glances, some even laughing like it was a good joke. Cravik gestured for me to come closer to the table, even pushing some of the vials into my hand to have a good look.


    "These are more than drinks, kiddo! I guess your trainers didn''t let you try them out, right? Stingy bastards." He elbowed me, acting as if we were old friends, "You see, kid, humans ain''t got magic in their bones like them damn elves. They rely on potions to get a taste of it. And that''s where we come in."


    "I see... Now it makes sense why my masters were faster than I ever could be." I added with another lie while my mind was racing and my heart was beating like crazy... Magic. Now we are talking! He picked up a pale blue vial while I was registering all he was saying.


    "Hah! Yeah, exactly! This one here is for Frost Grip. You drink it; you can freeze small amounts of water or ice up your blade for a short time. Good for catchin'' folks off-guard if they think you''ve got no magic up your sleeve." He set it down, grabbing a deep-purple concoction next. "This is Shadowstep¡ªit helps you move quietly in the dark. Actually, muffles your footsteps if you''re careful. Don''t wear heavy armor, though, or it will still make ample noise!"


    "And," Risa stepped in. "Ours are not some amateur shit that only lasts a minute or so. Some of our stuff, the good ones, can go for hours." I started to feel as if they were trying to sell me drugs. Maybe they were. "But... Overuse ''em, and your body''s the one that pays. Headaches, muscle damage¡­ if you push it, you''ll kill yourself. So don''t mix these drinks, boy!"


    "Yeah!" Cravik tapped my chest with a finger. "Ain''t wise to down more than two or three in a row, or you''ll burn out. Some folks don''t care, or they don''t realize how big the risk is." He shot a glance toward the unconscious thief by the door. "That''s how we end up with desperate idiots tryin'' to run off without paying. It fries your brain and makes you an idiot."


    I nodded slowly, absorbing their words. My mind flashed to the earlier dream about haggling at potion stalls. Perhaps the other Auriel had known all this. Me? This was the first time I''d heard it laid out so frankly, and it was already worth it to stop that addict. This was invaluable for me!


    "So¡­ you guys are an organization that sells these under the table?" I ventured, smiling.


    "Hehe! You hear the guy?" A short laugh ran through the group. "We prefer to say we provide a premium service¡ªspecial potions that might not pass the various guilds'' official stamp," Risa explained. "Or sometimes, regular potions for folks with¡­ questionable means. You see, there are people who are banned from getting their hands on it. Criminals who were wrongly accused, of course, can''t buy them. But not all potions are contraband. We do legit sales, too."


    "We ain''t the city guard, obviously, but we got a code." Cravik continued after he crossed his arms. "You helped us out, so we appreciate that. If you ever need potions on short notice¡ªor you''re lookin'' to make some coin without goin'' through the guilds¡ªcome find us." He nodded toward a crate filled with sealed vials. "There''s always a demand for certain ingredients. If you''re the adventurin'' type, that might interest you, yeah?"


    I considered it. They were criminals, or close enough, but they were also a potential lifeline. They could be someone who might pay me under the table and let me skip dealing with official channels. My gaze lingered on the swirling colors within the glass in my hands before putting it back down.


    "Good to know," I said, trying to keep my tone nonchalant. "I''ll keep it in mind; I may need to take up on your offer in the near future."


    "We''ll get along fine, kid." A wry grin spread across Cravik''s face. "By the way, you can call us the Crowfoot Gang. We''re a¡­ family business." He lifted a black leather glove, displaying an emblem with a stylized raven''s foot. "And you¡­ you can let us know if you wanna chat again. Our turf''s not that hard to find once you know where to look.¡± He said, whispering an address into my ears, ¡°Maybe then the Boss will also be back, so we can introduce you."


    After a few more minutes of polite small talk and curious stares from a couple of rough-looking enforcers, I excused myself. They let me leave unimpeded, apparently satisfied with the day''s outcome. Outside, the sunlight had begun its slow retreat, the angles of the shadows growing sharp.


    I took a deep breath after I was back on a street that I remembered, knowing where to go to head back to the Guild. Well, that happened. My heart was still pounding from confronting the would-be thief, from meeting these, well, fantasy gangsters, and from hearing how potions truly worked... And if I wanted an alternative path to money, I might have found it.


    The question was whether I dared stray from the relative rules of the Guild to dabble in the Crowfoot Gang''s under-the-table dealings. Or maybe I can play both sides until I figure out which suits me best. My lips tightened at the thought. Perhaps I''ll do the exploiting in this life if I have to.


    "No." I told myself.


    It was a horrible feeling, and I would only do it to those who try to take advantage of me first. Yes. I don''t want to inflict the same suffering on regular people... But those who try to fuck with me? Well, that suddenly feels as if it would be a perfectly valid response...

 Chapter 6 – Fledgling

    A whole week had limped by since I got myself into Korvar, the days successfully blending into a dull routine, just like my old life... pathetic. I spent most of the days wandering the city''s streets, continuing to map outside alleys and shortcuts in my head, and occasionally checking the Guild''s notice board for jobs that wouldn''t require leaving Korvar. A few times, I thought about picking up a quest, like the lost cat or the vermin extermination gig, but each time, I hesitated. What if they try to pin something else on me if I fail or even succeed too quickly? Or... I was just afraid. That could have been too...


    The Guild had me under watch, but they weren''t hovering over my shoulder every minute of the day. I could sense it, though. A few too many guards seemed to be aware of where I was at all times, or a Guild scout would be loitering near a corner whenever I appeared. It wasn''t a direct threat, more like a constant reminder that I was a suspect. And I hated it.


    Finally, after that long week, they came to find me again. Two adventurers wearing the Guild''s emblem on their cloaks intercepted me as I left a small eatery in the Artisan Quarter.


    "Auriel," one of them said briskly. "Guildmaster Reagan wants to see you."


    Nothing in their tone suggested I had a choice, so I followed them back to the Guild Hall. We took a side corridor into the same meeting room where I''d first been questioned, a broad wooden table at its center. Waiting for me, the Guildmaster himself once again was there, hands folded on the table, flanked by a couple of other senior-looking adventurers. Grim.


    "Take a seat," Reagan said, his voice authoritative, like that of a judge''s. I complied without speaking, taking a spot opposite him. My heart was already in overdrive. I was annoyed that I still felt intimidated around these people, so I told myself I shouldn''t be. At least, I was determined not to show it.


    "We''ve done part of our investigation. It is still ongoing, including a scouting party sent to where the caravan was supposed to pass and to other routes you could have taken. But we have a preliminary idea of what happened." He paused, glancing at a stack of notes. "We also found what''s left of the wagons that were not at the initial spot. Of course, they were also looted. Torched, in part. And... more bodies. Enough to confirm the fate of the caravan."


    A pang hit my chest, but I kept my face neutral. So they really are gone¡­ I guess the feeling came from my second self.


    "We''re piecing together signs that point toward two bandit groups who operate in that area," said one of the other senior adventurers, a middle-aged woman with a scar across her cheek. "Hard to say which one hit the caravan¡ªboth have been unusually active recently. The one is more direct, hitting any traveler for goods and ransom. The other is rumored to be led by an ex-mercenary, pulling off more precise strikes, going for valuable items."


    "And," Reagan held my gaze, drawing my attention. "At first, we considered the possibility that you were simply lucky to survive. Now we''re re-evaluating that.


    "Excuse me?" I finally spoke up, but the man continued, ignoring me.


    "Some evidence suggests the ambush was¡­ orchestrated. Possibly with an informant who fed details about the caravan''s route and timing."


    "Hold on," I said, bracing my hands on the table. "I told you everything I know. That insider was part of the caravan, not me. He turned on us."


    "We''ve heard your account, yes," Reagan continued. "But the entire scenario is suspicious. Your lack of injuries, your uncertain timeline, your convenient reappearance in Korvar. We can''t ignore the possibility that you served as the mole¡ªguiding bandits from the inside."


    "What? And I came to THIS city after? Because I''m retarded?!" Anger flared in my chest. "You think I orchestrated the caravan''s slaughter? For what? A handful of coins? Then waltzed into your arms?! Where is my money then?!"


    "Pipe down, kid!" The woman with the scar pursed her lips, sneering at me. "No one''s accusing you formally¡­ not yet. But the rumor stands! If you had a stake in that cargo, then vanished once things turned bloody, it might explain why you alone survived."


    I forced down a retort, only heaving like a furnace ready to blow. No formal accusation, but you''re sure treating me like a criminal. My nails bit into my palms, the memory of that fight flickering behind my eyelids as if watching a movie scene. Caravaners screaming, bandits closing in¡­ I was as much a victim as anyone. Well... Auriel was.


    "Listen," Reagan sighed, sliding a thin folder across the table. "For now, we''re not arresting you. We don''t have concrete proof linking you to the ambush. But you remain confined to Korvar. The city watch and the Guild''s scouts will be keeping an eye out for you. If there''s any sign you try to skip town before we close this case, we''ll bring you in and hold you for questioning."


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    "..." My stomach twisted into knots, looking at the folder, not even reaching for it. "So¡­ I''m stuck here indefinitely?"


    "Yes." He gave a tight nod. "Until we learn more."


    That was that. They dismissed me, and I marched out, rage simmering under my skin. I''d been hoping that after a week, they''d accept I had nothing to do with the ambush. Instead, they''d doubled down. Now, I was trapped. Handled as a suspicious individual. Also broke as a nail. The combination of my new fate resembling my old one gnawed at me.


    By the time I left the Guild Hall, my blood still boiled just the same. A few passersby glanced my way, probably wondering about the murderous scowl on my face while I felt the corners of my mouth twitch in frustration. There''s no way I''m just waiting around for them to eventually pin some nonsense on me.


    My feet carried me to the shabbier part of town without conscious thought, down winding backstreets and crooked roads. I remembered the path from last time, weaving through narrow alleys until I found a battered door leading into a dimly lit cellar. Part of me was tense... Would they even welcome me?


    I stepped inside. And it was empty. Nothing remained there. I remembered the place, this was it... but they were gone. Thinking about it, it was logical. They brought someone in, someone who could be another mole. I couldn''t blame them for it, only myself for my stupidity. Well, my excuse was that I was too angry to remember they also told me where to find them.


    With a quick turn, I left, heading to the given address that wasn''t so far away, in a two-story building with boarded windows. I stood nervously before its rusty, metal door before knocking. There was no answer, but I could hear that someone was on the other side, so I spoke up.


    "It''s me, Auriel. I was... I was told by Cravik where to come for help."


    When I finished, the door opened, and I was let in. The hushed murmur of voices inside the room died down the moment they shut the door behind me while lanterns revealed the same old crates, the tables with scattered notes and vials of potions stacked in them, ready to be transported. Risa and Cravik were both present, deep in conversation with a few other gang members, probably discussing how they were going to smuggle them to their destination. They all paused to glance my way when I was finally in.


    "Kid," Cravik greeted, raising an eyebrow. "I had a feeling we''d see you again."


    "I told you." I inclined my head. "If you''re still open to... business, I want to talk."


    "We are," Risa smirked, stepping forward. "Trouble with the Guild, I take it? Or maybe you just realized there''s more coin to be made outside official channels?"


    "Both," I muttered, then exhaled. "They''re locking me down. Treating me like a suspect. I can''t leave Korvar, and I can''t make decent money. Not legally, anyway."


    "Ah, I see. Well, as I said that day, we help wrongfully accused individuals!" Cravik chuckled, exchanging a knowing look with Risa. "Well, that''s how the Guild usually does it. They lock you in a cage, watch you starve, and see if you squeal."


    "I''m not squealing," I said flatly. "I need a way forward. I need coin, and I need¡­ freedom. I figured you might have something that fits."


    "Hm, hm." Risa studied me for a moment, then gestured to a corner table. "Sit, Auriel. Let''s see what we can do for each other."


    Nodding my head, I sank into a creaky chair, noticing how my heart still pounded, but this time, it was doing it out of anticipation.


    "Fine," I said, meeting her gaze. "I''m listening."


    The others, curious about our discussion, gathered around like it was the finest show they had a chance to watch. Over the next few minutes, the conversation laid out options for me. Jobs that wouldn''t require leaving the city could skirt around the Guild''s oversight. A bit of smuggling here, discreet guard work there, maybe roughing up a few troublemakers who owed the Crowfoot Gang debts. Risky, yes, but it beat rotting in a tavern room with no future and out of coin, waiting for someone to put me into cuffs and throw me into jail. If it happened after I joined them, at least they would have a valid reason to do so.


    "We''re not asking you to kill innocents or anything." Cravik''s voice was patient but firm. "That is bad for business. But you''ll need to keep your mouth shut about any arrangement between us. If the Guild sniffs out we''re working together, we''ll all be in hot water."


    "We are not about that. We would drop you, just so you know."


    "I understand."


    "Good." Risa smiled as she nudged a small crate of potions. "And if you need a boost on a job¡ªwell, we''ve got the product. Not all of it''s contraband, but enough of it would raise eyebrows among the guards. You keep that on the down-low, and we''ll keep you afloat."


    I nodded slowly, the knot in my gut easing a little. It wasn''t the path I''d have chosen in my old life, but that life was gone anyway. If the Guild wants to see me as a suspect¡­ I might as well find new allies where I can.


    "Hah! Great!" Cravik held out a gloved hand, his grin returning. "Welcome to a bigger world, Auriel. Don''t worry; there''s actual honor among us crows, so long as you remember where your loyalty lies."


    The hush in the cellar pressed in on me. I felt that I may have done something out of spite of my old life by joining a criminal ring, but I had also run out of good alternatives. Steeling my nerves, I reached out and clasped Cravik''s hand, smiling at him.


    "Guess I''m in," I said, voice steady. "At least until the Guild decides to get me because then I''ll need to disappear."


    "Don''t worry about that!" The gangsters exchanged approving nods, and Risa let out a satisfied chuckle. "When you prove to be a good fledgling, we will do that for you. They won''t even know you existed!"


    A wry smile tugged at my lips, hearing her words. So be it. If the crows gave me a place to spread my wings, that might be worth the risk. It''s better than being a chicken waiting to be made into soup.

 Chapter 7 – Fitting In

    The following day, the gang wasted no time putting me to work.


    "Stick with me, kid," Cravik said, patting me on the shoulder as he led me through the twisting streets of Korvar''s southern district, the main operating area of the gang. "Every fledgling needs a proper start."


    Fledgling. That''s what they called me. Not that I had an issue with it; I was new blood and untested. It was fitting, I supposed. The gang''s full name was the Crowfoot Syndicate, and everything about them revolved around birds. When I asked about why, I was simply met with laughs, telling me that it was because of the Kingdom I found myself in. The royal banner had a Black Crow, the saint animal of the ruling bloodline, so they also used it for themselves. They also told me how many times that simple, unsaid connection got them out of the sticky situation with some gullible guards in the region. I wanted to ask if it wasn''t a risky idea, masquerading as someone who has a connection to the royal bloodline... but who was I to ask? They have been at it for much longer than I have arrived in this world. After I finally stopped questioning everything, I just listened to Cravik''s continuing explanation. Their ranks reflected the image of the crow, too.


    Cravik, for example, was a Talon, one of the enforcers who kept people in line. He was one of the muscles of their operation. On the other hand, Risa had casually mentioned her own title, a Wing, making her part of their scouts and smugglers responsible for getting the goods from A to B. Or finding new deals. As for the top of the chain, the one everyone told me about but never named directly, he was the Crown¡ªthe head of this entire operation. The Big Boss. The Don. Whenever I asked, they said I might see him soon, but that was it.


    Not that it mattered. I wasn''t concerned with the Crown. Not yet; I was still being tested anyway. For now, I had to prove I wasn''t a waste of space and then think about how to go about my life from there. My first task was simple enough on paper: deliver a small crate to a tailor''s shop in the Merchant''s Quarter. Cravik handed me the crate, and Risa was assigned to shadow me, keeping an eye on my every move. Of course, I did not know it when I was given the task.


    "What''s in it?" I asked, testing its weight. It wasn''t particularly heavy, but it was sealed tight. If anyone tried to peek into it, the seals would be broken, a telling sign that it had been tampered with.


    "Don''t ask questions you don''t want answers to," Cravik said with a grin. "Just get it there without opening it, and don''t be late."


    "Understood." I nodded, pushing down my curiosity. He was right; sometimes, it is just best to remain silent. I just hoped I wasn''t going to be made into some kind of drug mule and get busted the first time I did something of my own will... so they could push something even better elsewhere...


    But it was too late to think about the possibilities, and it wasn''t going to help.


    The walk to the shop was uneventful enough¡ªat first. About halfway there, a pair of city guards appeared, blocking my path and making my worst thoughts manifest into reality; my heart sank as one of them pointed at me out of the blue.


    "You there! What''s in the crate?" the guard demanded, stepping forward. His partner stayed back, watching for trouble, making me twitch my eyelids. Fucking hell... good job Auriel. You are going to medieval prison, you idiot.


    "Uh, flour," I stammered, trying to keep my voice steady. "For the bakery on Oak Street."


    "Really?" The guard asked while he raised an eyebrow, his suspicion evident on his face. "Let''s take a look."


    "Ah!" Before I could respond, Risa swooped in from nowhere, flashing a disarming smile at the guards. "Good morning, officers," she said, her tone as sweet as honey, laced with a hint of flirtiness. "This one''s new to the city and a little nervous around authority. Isn''t that right, my little birdie?"


    I nodded quickly, gripping the crate tighter, surprised that she showed up from nowhere, but at least it told me I wasn''t being set up by them.


    "Flour, you said?" The guard seemed unconvinced, looking past Risa. "Why''s he taking it all the way to Oak Street when there''s a bakery two blocks over from where we are?"


    "Oh, please!" Risa laughed, her voice light and airy sounding. "Because the baker''s his cousin, of course. Family helps family, don''t they? A bit of extra work is never a bad thing when it concerns family. Now, unless you want to be the reason someone doesn''t get their bread on time¡­"


    The guard hesitated, seeing Risa''s insistence, and in reality, I guess they didn''t have any reason to push further, not when they realized there could be trouble brewing. So, with one last glance, the man pierced into my eyes and then waved us on with a grunt. Once we were out of earshot, Risa turned to me, her smile fading.


    "Next time, keep your story straight," she hissed. "You''re lucky they were lazy enough."


    "Yeah..." I nodded, feeling my heart beating in my throat.


    Finally, we reached the tailor''s shop without further incident, as Risa''s presence helped deter any other guards who may look to shake some people down for extra money. After seeing us, the man behind the counter took the crate without question, sliding a small pouch of coins back in its place. He didn''t even look at me, addressing Risa instead.


    "Tell the Crows it''s all there."


    "We know." She chuckled, making the pouch disappear with one swift movement of her hand and leading me back out. "Don''t worry." She patted my shoulders in the end. "At least you didn''t buckle on the first hurdle or try to run. Just be mindful of the city''s layout when trying to get away with it."


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    "Yeah." I nodded, repeating the same word and movement, thinking I, indeed, should pay more attention to my surroundings. That way, I could have avoided them in the first place.


    ...


    ....


    ......


    My second job was less straightforward. Cravik brought me along to ''chat'' with a merchant who owed the gang money.


    "We''re not here to hurt anyone," he explained as we approached the man''s stall in the bustling marketplace. I hoped so, as it was filled with witnesses. "But Garo needs to remember his priorities. Watch and learn, fledgling."


    The merchant was a thin man with nervous eyes and a patch of hair that was falling out on the left side of his head. Of course, he spotted us immediately. His face paled even more, not something I thought was possible. I watched, trying to look serious while he began fiddling with the trinkets on his stall, pretending not to notice us and getting his stuff away before slinking away.


    "Garo, my friend!" Cravik called out, his voice overly cheerful. "How''s business?"


    "Business? Oh, uh, fine," the man stammered, not meeting Cravik''s gaze. He only looked into mine once, too, probably to memorize my looks.


    "Glad to hear it," Cravik continued, leaning casually on the stall, making the old wood creak under the weight of his whole body. "But, you see, I''m here about a different kind of business. You''re late on your payments."


    "Wah...?" Garo swallowed hard, glancing around as if searching for an escape route. "I¡ªI need... I just need more time."


    "Time?" Cravik''s smile didn''t waver, but his tone grew icy. "My pal. My friend. My dear! We lend out money, not time... and anyway... We''re all out of time, Garo. You know how we operate. Pay up, or things get... complicated. Maybe something goes missing. Maybe it will be a trinket of yours. Maybe it will be your eyes."


    I stood behind Cravik, unsure of what to do, but I put up a stoic front, trying to be intimidating with my best efforts. Standing there, the tension was thick enough to cut with a blade. I thought Cravik would reach out and grab him, but that never happened, and it seemed words alone were enough. Finally, Garo reached under his stall and pulled out a small pouch of coins, his hands trembling.


    "Here. It''s all I have right now. It... it should be enough!"


    "See? I knew you were holding out on me my bestest pal of pals!" Cravik laughed as he took the pouch and weighed it in his hand. "Not bad. You''re lucky I''m feeling generous today. But don''t let this happen again, Garo." He leaned in, and I saw the stall develop a nice little crack over it while he did so. "Next time, I might not be so friendly."


    Then, with a playful slap on the man''s face, Cravik straightened up, and we walked away. I couldn''t help but glance back at the merchant, who looked like he might collapse from relief. Or dread. Or both.


    "See?" Cravik spoke, clapping me on the back, making me stumble. "Easy as pie. Just remember, we don''t make empty threats. We make promises."


    "So... you took others'' eyes already?" I asked, partially joking but also curious.


    "Once." He nodded, "Then sold it back to him."


    ...


    ....


    ......


    My third task involved slipping a bundle of contraband past the city watch. This time, Risa wasn''t hiding and took the lead in the operation. She handed me a stack of actual flour sacks to carry. I don''t know if this was payback for my first debacle, but the grin in her eyes told me I gave her the idea to do it this way. Anyway, hidden within one of them was a bundle wrapped in an oilcloth. This time, I knew enough not to ask questions.


    "Head down, act dumb, and don''t say a word," she instructed as we approached a checkpoint, telling me only what I had to know. "Let me do the talking."


    I didn''t know if I liked going in blind, but oh well... I was already in. I just had to grit my teeth and get to a position where I would be able to make my own decisions. I can''t be ordered around forever; I will make sure of that. Still, thinking about it wasn''t going to do anything as it was further away, and my heart raced as we neared the guards. Two of them stood at the checkpoint, one leaning lazily against a wall while the other scrutinized passersby, and I could swear they were the same guards as before.


    "Evening," Risa said brightly as we approached.


    "What''s your business?" the more attentive guard asked, eyeing the sacks I carried.


    "Just delivering supplies to the bakery," Risa replied smoothly. "It''s been a busy week, and they''re running low. Hey, didn''t we have this talk before?"


    "Maybe." The guard nodded but gestured for me to stop. "Let''s have a look."


    "Again?" Risa stepped between us, her smile never faltering. "Oh, come on. Do you really want to sift through flour? You''ll be coughing up dust for a week!"


    "..." The guard hesitated once again, then sighed, looking at us and then back at his garb. "Fine. Go on."


    Luckily, we passed through without incident, and I let out a breath I hadn''t realized I was holding. Once we were clear, Risa turned to me with a sly grin, winking at me.


    "Not bad, fledgling. You might actually make it in this line of work."


    "What if they did look this time around?" I asked, making her laugh.


    "Nothing. The cloth has nothing in it. I was just messing with you!"


    "What?!" I gasped, almost dropping the heavy flour stacks that were already killing my back.


    "Ahahahaha! You should have seen your face!" She continued, laughing like a maniac, pointing at me. "Aaaah... this was worth all the preparations! Ahahahaha! Come, come, little fledgling! Bwahahaha, you will pay me a beer!"


    "..."


    Damn it. I couldn''t think of anything else, finally dropping the sacks that, of course, burst, painting me white, raising her laughter a whole octave. Not to mention the others when we returned...


    ...


    ....


    ......


    By the end of the second week, I''d gathered enough coins so I could move out of the Guild''s tavern and into a small room above a bakery in the southern district, feeling they were still pulling my leg to get me a room there. It was nothing fancy, just a bed, a chair, and a window that overlooked a tangle of crooked rooftops. But it was mine. For the first time since arriving in this world, I felt... grounded.


    I also enjoyed waking up early to the fresh smell of bread... that was a bonus.


    As I integrated myself into my new life, the gang itself was unlike anything I''d expected. They weren''t simply criminals; they were indeed a family. Dinner was always shared, and nobody was allowed to skip it. There was where stories were swapped, but nothing work-related. That was against the rules. I also learned there that when one of us got into trouble, everyone rallied to help. Even the grizzled guys who held the rank of Talon, who seemed so intimidating at first, had their moments of warmth, laughing and welcoming me into this family, however crooked it was.


    Despite my growing comfort as the week passed and I neared my first month with them, one figure remained an enigma: the Crown. I tried not to listen to the others when they told me their spooky stories, thinking they were simply teasing me, being the new guy and all. I was a bit unsure if I should keep ignoring it or not, though. Going by their stories, the Crown was ruthless; others felt that they were a genius strategist. The two can be true at the same time. Anyway, one thing was clear: meeting him wasn''t something up to me but to him. When he wants to see me, I will see him.


    "Don''t worry about the Crown," Risa said one evening as we sorted through stolen goods after dinner and I offered to stay late and help her out. "He''ll meet you when the time''s right. Until then, focus on proving yourself."


    "Don''t worry." I smiled at her, "I will."

 Chapter 8 – Neighbors

    The streets of Korvar were quieter than usual as I made my way back to the bakery, more precisely, to my home above it. The usual hustle and chaos of the southern district faded into the stillness of the evening as I left it behind after a long day, leaving only the distant murmur of tavern chatter and the occasional bark of a stray dog. I couldn''t help but yawn, looking up at the night sky, thinking it had to be past midnight already. My legs ached, and the weariness from the whole day running errands back and forth clung to me like a second skin. I only wanted my trusty sponge and to wash myself down before sleeping until morning.


    I was fumbling for the spare key in my pocket, walking towards the stairs leading up to the side of the building, when I noticed a faint light spilling out from the bakery''s front windows. There it was, the familiar scent of fresh bread mixed with a faint sweetness in the air, and through the slightly ajar door, I spotted Lira sweeping the floor, humming softly to herself.


    What was she doing here at this late hour? Baking? No way. But the smell was indeed fresh. The family operating it was a small one, and by now, I knew them by name. Lira was their daughter, about sixteen or seventeen. I have never really asked. Of the two, I mean, between the parents and her, she was always the chatty one¡ªthe one with the actual energy and one who could sell the goods. Her father was good at operating the tools and the oven, and her mother was good at coming up with recipes and prices... but when it came to selling them? Yeah, that was Lira''s specialty.


    "Long day?" she called out before I could even step inside to ask if she needed help or something. Her voice was light, teasing as if she already knew the answer or was here, waiting for me.


    "You could say that," I replied, stepping into the glow of the bakery. There wasn''t much inside; everything was put away, and she was finishing packing up for the day. "Didn''t expect anyone to still be here."


    "We had some late orders come in today." She smiled while she set the broom aside and wiped her hands on her apron. "Also, I''m always the last to leave. Someone has to make sure everything''s ready for tomorrow. Besides," she gestured to a tray of small pastries on the counter, "I couldn''t let these go to waste. Want one?"


    "Well..." I hesitated. "I''m not exactly rolling in coin right now."


    "Please!" She laughed, shaking her head. "They''re on the house, Mister Flour. Think of it as neighborly generosity."


    The word ''flour'' made me twitch my lips as she picked up on the nickname the others started to call me when they were about to tease me. Oh well... I can''t blame them for it, so if it was the price for a free second dinner, so be it, and I picked up one of the sweets. It was soft and filled with some kind of fruit preserve that burst with flavor as I bit into it.


    "This is good," I mumbled, my mouth half-full.


    "Good?" she scoffed, feigning offense. "I''ll have you know those are my forte. It isn''t just good. It is excellent!"


    "It is perfect~!" I corrected myself, making her grin.


    "Much better!"


    We ended up sitting on the edge of the counter, munching on the pastries while the conversation flowed easily between us. She asked about how I was settling in upstairs and whether the room was to my liking. I kept my answers vague, steering clear of the details of my real work, and I think she knew it. She never pushed for answers and quickly switched topics when they became sensitive.


    "You don''t talk about yourself much," she noted after a while, tilting her head to study me.


    "Not much to tell," I lied, wiping crumbs from my hands. "Just a guy trying to get by. That''s who I am."


    "Mm-hm," she replied, clearly unconvinced but not pressing the issue. "Well, for what it''s worth, I''m glad you moved in. This place could use someone who''s not afraid of a little hard work."


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    I wasn''t sure what to say to that, so I just nodded, knowing I had just agreed to help them out when I could... for free. Tsk. I am still too easily pulled into things like this, aren''t I? Damn it... I will need to ask for stuff; I can''t let myself return to old habits! Thinking about it, she may have noticed the change in my expression while I was finishing the last of my pastry.


    "You should get some rest," she said eventually, standing and picking up the tray, looking at me apologetically. "You look like you''re about to fall over."


    "Yeah, maybe I am now that my stomach is full!" I admitted, feeling the weight of the day catching up to me. "Thanks for the sweets."


    "Ehehe~!" She smiled, a small, genuine thing that made me feel oddly at ease. "Anytime. Goodnight, Mister Auriel."


    "Goodnight, Lira," I said, heading out with a nod and then up the stairs to my room.


    ...


    ....


    ......


    Lira watched him disappear up the stairs, her heart fluttering a little despite herself. She hurriedly shook her head, scolding herself under her breath for pushing it a bit too far at the end.


    "Get a grip, Lira. He doesn''t even notice you... You will need more than sweets! Maybe a new pair of shoes?" She whispered, looking out the window, watching him disappear.


    Once the door upstairs creaked shut, she locked up the bakery and stepped outside, the cool night air brushing against her fair skin, catching onto her long, auburn hair. Her family''s home was just next door, a modest but comfortable residence with the same smell of bread and sweets seeping through its walls, connected to the bakery. Just as usual, when she opened the door and stepped into a house that should''ve felt like a sanctuary, it felt like she was back in a cage. One that looked nice and inviting from the outside but was stale and sour within.


    Her father was slouched in his usual chair by the hearth, his fingers fidgeting with an empty vial that once held a potion for who knows what this time around. His eyes were glassy, the telltale sign that he''d used another dose earlier. Her mother was at the dining table, sorting through an old pile of maps and gear from her adventuring days, muttering to herself about the good old times and how much her chosen husband had fallen. And how she was now stuck in doing... nothing.


    "You''re late," her father suddenly recovered, hearing Lira coming in, his voice heavy and slightly slurred.


    "I was closing the shop," Lira replied evenly, heading toward the kitchen to grab a drink of water.


    "So late?" Her mother looked up sharply. "And spending time with that ''Flour Man,'' weren''t you?"


    "..." Lira froze, her jaw tightening. "So what if I was?"


    "You..." Hearing her stiff, defiant answer, her father groaned, dragging a hand over his face. "Lira, you don''t understand the kind of people he''s mixed up with. The last thing we need is you getting tangled up in¡ª"


    "In what?" she snapped, turning to face him. "The same people you''re tangled up with? The same people who make sure we don''t lose the bakery because you can''t stop drinking those damn potions?"


    "Don''t you dare talk to me like that!" Her father flinched, and her mother rose to her feet.


    "Lira, that''s enough!"


    "No, it''s not!" She shot back, her voice rising. "You''re both such hypocrites! You take their money, or why are we in such debt they run their shady business through us?! You do their bidding, but the second I talk to someone who works for them, it''s suddenly a problem?"


    "That is different!" Her mother''s face darkened, hearing her daughter speak with so much venom in her voice. "We do what we have to to keep this family afloat. You don''t understand the sacrifices we''ve made¡ª"


    "Oh, I understand perfectly," Lira interrupted her, disgust showing on her face. "I''ve heard the stories, Mom. You weren''t exactly a saint when you were adventuring with your ''teammates.'' And then you try to preach to me?"


    Her mother''s expression twisted with anger, but before she could reply, Lira stormed toward the door, grabbing her cloak on the way.


    "Where are you going?" her father called after her, but he was unable to take two steps before faltering, still feeling dizzy.


    "Out," she said sharply, slamming the door behind her.


    The night air was cool against her flushed skin as Lira stomped down the cobbled street, wiping away the little tears gathering at the edge of her eyes. Her heart pounded, frustration bubbling over into every step. She didn''t know where she was going¡ªjust that she needed to get away, if only for a little while. Auriel''s face flashed in her mind unbidden, forcing her steps to stop, making her sigh deeply. Maybe she didn''t know what she was doing, but at least talking to him felt real¡ªsomething her family hadn''t been in a long time.


    Then, a sudden idea struck her... Taking quick turns, she returned to the bakery, only from the other side, heading up the stairs, trying to make as little noise as possible. While doing so, she could hear her parents arguing nearby and even saw her mother leave the house on her way to search for her.


    "Not that she will find me..." She muttered, reaching the door, and after her mother was off, with a flushed face, she knocked on it.

 Chapter 9 – Frustrated

    The cool water dripped from my hair as I sat on the edge of my bed, rubbing a towel over my damp skin. There wasn''t a bathroom here, really, only a simple ''tub'' that I could stand in and wash myself down with water from a bucket. Still, it was more than nothing. I watched with a tired sigh as the dim glow of the candle on my bedside table flickered, casting simple shadows against the featureless walls of my tiny room. It wasn''t that different from my old apartment, really. Remembering that life, another deep sigh escaped my lips as exhaustion threatened to drag me under, my muscles aching from a long day of running errands and dealing with the Syndicate''s orders.


    The upside was that at least here, even if I now worked for the local mafia, at least I had my nights. I mean, I had time for myself. They were less forceful than my old job, not demanding overtime, and while working with them, they helped out. They treated me as part of their family more and more, and I felt it. So... it wasn''t bad. I didn''t feel I was being used. Which didn''t mean I wasn''t keeping an eye out. I knew the tactics; it could be only a ruse, and if it turned out it was just a honeymoon phase, I would be ready. Thinking about it, I was about to lay down, but...


    There was a knock on my door.


    It was soft at first, hesitant, making me question if I imagined it. My head jerked up, eyes narrowing toward the door, waiting to hear it again. My instincts sharpened instantly, and the sudden images of the bandit attack where my young version died flashed by me. No one should be visiting me this late. Had something happened? Had the Guild caught onto something? Or worse¡ªwas this Syndicate business? Was I right? Reaching for the knife I kept tucked beneath my pillow, I stood cautiously, my bare feet carrying me silently across the wooden floor as I approached the door.


    Then, another knock, just as uncertain.


    Taking a deep breath, I pulled it open, the blade hidden in my palm behind my back, only to find Lira standing there.


    She was flushed, whether from anger or from the cold night air... or something else, I couldn''t tell. Her hair was slightly tousled, her breath a bit uneven, as if she had been running. But more than that, it was the look in her eyes that caught me off guard. I knew those feelings; I saw them in the mirror many times. They were the mix of frustration, hurt, and something else I couldn''t quite place. No... I could remember them. I just never acknowledged them to myself. It was hopelessness.


    "Uh..." she started, clearly realizing how bold a move she had just made by coming up to a man''s home all alone in the middle of the night. I don''t know how things were in this world, but...


    "Lira?" I muttered, lowering my guard. "It''s past midnight. What are you doing here?"


    "I..." She fidgeted slightly, her fingers curling into the fabric of her cloak, raising up one, twirling a strand of her hair. "I¡ª" She hesitated again, then glanced over her shoulder as if checking to see if she was being followed. "I just¡­ needed to get away for a while."


    "Don''t we all...?" I muttered as I exhaled through my nose, already feeling the walls around my heart trying to slam shut. I didn''t want to get involved in someone else''s mess. Not again.


    I had a lifetime''s worth of regret teaching me that kindness was just another way to be taken advantage of. People only came knocking when they wanted something, and when they got it, they''d disappear like it never happened. Maybe that was unfair. Maybe she really did just need a place to breathe. But did that make it my problem?


    "Look, Lira," I said, my voice softer now, measured. "If you''re in trouble, I¡ª"


    "I''m not in trouble," she interrupted, but the way she said it told me she was lying. Or maybe she was lying to herself.


    I clenched my jaw, hearing her tone, debating it for another beat. She was breathing a little too fast and standing a little too stiffly. Then I saw it in her eyes that my tone hurt her. Damn it... I don''t know how to feel about that... She had clearly been arguing with someone¡ªher parents, most likely. I hesitated, still torn between sending her away and giving in to the part of me that still hadn''t learned to shut the door on people who needed help. Then, with a quiet sigh, I stepped aside.


    "Come in," I muttered, stepping aside. But I swore this would be the last time... if it turns out she is about to ask for stuff just because she has a cute smile, I''ll throw her out! But then I realized that I was back to my old habits. Fuck.


    I watched as Lira blinked her eyes in quick succession as if surprised that I''d actually agreed. Then, with a nod, she slipped inside. The moment I shut the door behind her, she let out a long breath, visibly relaxing as she took in the small, dimly lit room. Compared to the chaos of her home, it was probably unnervingly quiet.


    "Sorry," she said softly, still lingering near the door. "I know this is¡­ weird. I shouldn''t have come. I just... had no other idea..."


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    "It''s fine," I said, tossing my towel onto a chair. "Just¡­ sit down, I guess."


    She hesitated before stepping further in, perching herself on the edge of the only chair in the room. Her hands rested in her lap, twisting her fingers together, still nervous. I couldn''t blame her. For a few moments, neither of us spoke, but then, she let out a sharp sigh, probably taking my silence as me waiting for her explanation of what she was doing here.


    "I had another fight with my parents."


    "Mhm." I nodded, and I could have guessed as much. "Bad one?"


    "Yeah..." She let out a dry chuckle. "Aren''t they always bad?"


    "Most of the time, yes." I sat down on the bed, leaning forward, forearms resting on my knees. "What was it about this time? I know that look, this isn''t the first it happened, is it?"


    "No, it isn''t." She nodded and hesitated a little. "You, actually."


    "What?" I raised an eyebrow in honest surprise. "Me?"


    "Uhum." She nodded, rubbing her arms. "They don''t want me getting involved with someone from the... Your group. Too dangerous, they say. Too unpredictable. The usual."


    "They say?" I scoffed, a deep sarcasm laced into my voice. "And yet they work with the Crowfoot Gang."


    "Exactly!" she exclaimed, throwing her hands up, her voice surprisingly loud. "It''s so damn hypocritical! My father has been relying on them for years, thanks to his damn potion addiction. My mother was an adventurer, of all things, running with mercenaries who did the nobles'' dirty work outside of the city walls or inside their bedrooms... But suddenly, I''m the one making bad choices?!"


    "Oh?" I leaned back slightly. "Your mother was an adventurer?" I never heard of that side of the story. I knew that her father was an addict; it was something that the gang was using as leverage, moving goods through them, washing money, the usual.


    "She was a silver-tier one." Lira huffed, crossing her arms. "Yeah. You wouldn''t know it now, looking at her, but she used to be part of a mercenary group. You''ve heard of them, right? The adventurer bands?"


    "I know of the Guild." I nodded, although I no longer wore my bracelet, not since getting into the Crows.


    "Yeah." She nodded her head. "Them. I''m talking about the real mercenary groups¡ªthe ones who aren''t just running errands for the townsfolk, doing the missions on their boards. She was one of the ones who got hired by kings and nobles through the Guild to handle real missions that were off the record."


    "Off the... record?" I frowned. "Like what?"


    "Usually, this is stuff that could be a diplomatic nightmare if done officially. But the Guild and its adventurer groups operate across all the kingdoms. They have no real affiliation, so others can''t. blame one exact kingdom and entice a war." Lira''s expression darkened slightly as she explained.


    "Other kingdoms? Like?" I asked, now really curious.


    "The elves."


    "Oh?" I blinked. "What about them?"


    "Well..." She sighed, leaning forward. "Look, I don''t know much, only what my mother told me here and there. I also don''t know about this kingdom or its history as deeply as a scholar would, but... What I do know is that the elves hate us. They hate all of us¡ªhumans, dwarves, even the beast folk tribes. They think we''re lesser, that we''re little more than vermin scurrying around their lands, taking it from them."


    I stayed quiet, letting her continue. Well, what I gathered was that humans were the most numerous... so if the elves were here before us, we may have taken their land. That would not be surprising.


    "There have been wars," she went on, "but never outright crusades, not for the past 500 years. It''s all done in shadows, through adventurer groups, assassins, and ''deniable assets.'' That''s what my parents, especially my mother, was part of¡ªone of the bands hired to handle ''elven issues,'' so the king''s hands could stay clean."


    "Not bad..." I whistled as it sank in, thinking I was greatly underestimating her... I would have never guessed. "Lira, you''re saying the kingdoms are still fighting, just not openly?" I asked, blinking my eyes. It wasn''t bad to learn a bit about the politics of this world...


    "Exactly," she nodded. "It''s all quiet wars now. Skirmishes in the forests, ambushes in the mountains. The elves have their own warriors¡ªspell-slinging fanatics who think they''re purging the world of filth! I heard they guard their remaining territories, killing anything that isn''t an elf! So the human rulers send people like my mother after them."


    "Why?"


    "Resources. What else?" She chuckled as if I asked a stupid question.


    "Oh... yeah, yeah. Sorry. I''m tired..." I exhaled slowly, scratching my cheeks. Of course, what else? So, to not look like an idiot, I quickly asked another question. "And your father?"


    "He..." Her jaw tightened. "A potions addict. He used to be a decent man... I think... When I was little... but¡­ now? He''s a drunkard. He owes your gang too much, and if it weren''t for the bakery and your friends, we''d have lost everything already."


    Silence stretched between us. Somehow... I expected her to hate me for the fact that I was working for the gang... but no. I felt her anger directed towards her father.


    "Look..." Finally, I said, "That''s a lot to unload at midnight."


    "I... I know!" She let out a soft, dry laugh. "Yeah. Sorry... I shouldn''t have come here."


    "What is done is done." I shook my head. "Don''t be sorry; I let you in after all. I just¡­ didn''t expect to get a history lesson tonight."


    "Ehehe..." She gave me a small, tired smile. "Well, now you know. That''s the world we live in. And I¡ª" She sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I don''t know what I''m supposed to do. I don''t want to be trapped in their mess forever. Especially because it is a mess my parents made, and now it seems like I am inheriting it. It... it is frustrating..." she sniffled.


    I understood that feeling far too well.


    "You should get some sleep," I muttered, remembering how it can feel. "You can stay here if you need to. Just take the chair or the floor."


    "Not the bed?" She blinked, surprised.


    I didn''t respond at first, but then again, I wasn''t going to put myself at a disadvantage, not even if I knew how she felt. I just blew out the candle, letting the room sink into darkness.


    "If you want. But it is my bed."


    I said as I laid back down, closing my eyes.


    Yet, as I drifted into sleep... I heard her climbing up to the bed... right next to me.

 Chapter 10 – A Reminiscent Morning

    The first thing I became aware of was the unusual warmth. Not that my room was cold or anything... but there was... How to say it... A slow, steady heat was pressing lightly against my side, a soft weight that felt... unfamiliar.


    My eyes fluttered open as my brain caught onto the feeling, slowly adjusting to the dim morning light filtering through the wooden slats of my window. My room was quiet, save for the faint rhythm of breathing¡ªone that wasn''t mine. I stiffened slightly, my mind struggling to bridge the gap between last night and now. Was there someone here with me?! An assassin?! A monster?! Then, as my thoughts cleared, thanks to my beating heart pumping adrenaline and blood into my brain, something clicked...


    Lira.


    Turning around, she was curled up beside me, facing toward me, her chest rising and falling in soft, even breaths. Her hair was tousled from sleep and had dropped over part of her face, one stray strand resting lightly across her lips. I swallowed, suddenly aware of how close she was. One scream and I will end up in jail... or... Maybe this world is different, but... Fuck. The small bed I had here didn''t leave much space between us, and despite the chill of the morning air, the warmth from her body was noticeable... and I...


    "..." There was a silent thought creeping up from the depth of my memories, something I didn''t want to remember.


    I carefully moved my arm, only to realize just how tangled we had become in sleep. My thoughts kept creeping to the forefront thanks to it, flashing back to the last time I had woken up beside someone like this. For a moment, I wasn''t in this world anymore¡ªI was back in my old apartment, sunlight streaming in through a half-open curtain and a familiar weight at my side. I could almost smell the faint trace of lavender shampoo and hear the lazy, teasing murmur of the woman I once thought I''d spend my life with.


    Seven years. Is it long? I don''t know... for me, it was. Seven years with someone, and in the end, it hadn''t been enough for her. She had looked at me one day and realized I wasn''t someone she could see a future with. Were there signs it would happen? Looking back now... yeah. There were. But... I don''t know. I didn''t think we wouldn''t even try. Just like that, it had all ended, and I had let her go because what else could I do?


    I thought it was the evolution of a relationship. We had grown up; we were no longer college lovers; we were people with responsibilities and jobs. Even though our lives were no longer about partying or the myriad of opportunities, we should have faced our lives together. At least, that was what I believed. Maybe I was wrong...


    I thought I had buried all of this nonsense, that it didn''t matter anymore. But lying here, feeling the warmth of another person again, I realized how much I had pushed it down, how much I had avoided thinking about it, and how much I missed it. I really did. And I hated being reminded of it...


    A part of me¡ªone that I wasn''t entirely comfortable acknowledging¡ªdidn''t want to move, didn''t want to break this fragile, peaceful moment.


    But that was dangerous. Snap out of it, Auriel!


    With slow, careful movements, I shifted, putting a little more space between us, ensuring there was no misinterpretation when she woke up. I wasn''t about to make this more complicated than it already was. I tried thinking how it was in this world, but the younger Auriel was a virgin... To be honest, thinking about it, I don''t think he ever held a girl''s hand either. Poor bastard... Anyway, I wasn''t going to catch a charge either!


    And then, as if summoned by my thoughts of trying to sneak out like some idiot after a one-night stand, Lira stirred.


    ...


    ....


    ......


    The first thing she noticed was warmth.


    Not the cold draft coming into her room from the other side of the house, blowing through the simple cloth, separating her tiny room. It was also not the uncomfortable stiffness of her own bed... this was... even if just a bit softer. Yet, something solid and steady WAS beside her. Her body, still wrapped in the grogginess of sleep, barely on the trip to gain consciousness, registered it as something comforting. Just at the moment before her mind fully caught up. And when it did¡ª


    Her eyes shot open, her face flaring up with the color of red.


    Auriel.


    Her breath quickened at once, her body freezing as her brain processed where she was, how she had gotten here, and the sheer insanity of it. She was in a man''s bed. Not just any man¡ªAuriel''s. They barely knew each other, well... he barely knew her, although she had been looking at her since he first came into her parents'' bakery. She was in his room... his bed... And he hadn''t thrown her out.


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    Heat flooded her cheeks even stronger, so intensely that she thought she might catch fire. For a moment, she thought she had turned into an oven.


    Her fingers gripped the fabric of the blanket she had curled under as if using it to ground herself in the reality of what had happened last night. Yeah... Did anything happen? She had come here, desperate to escape her home, to flee from her family''s suffocating hypocrisy, and he had let her in. He had let her stay... and she had been the one bold enough to slip into bed next to him when it was time to go to sleep.


    "Hauuuuh..."


    The thought made her head spin.


    What would her parents say? No, what would the entire town say if they found out? This was scandalous. This was just as wrong as her mother''s past! Did... did she inherit her tendencies?! Even though nothing had happened, even though Auriel had treated her with nothing but distant patience, the fact that she had stayed the night next to him was... It was... It... was... exhilarating.


    Her heart pounded so hard she worried he might hear it. Slowly, as cautiously as possible, she turned her head, peeking up at him.


    "...!"


    He was awake! His eyes, which were still heavy with sleep, met hers for the briefest of moments before he exhaled, running a hand through his hair.


    "Morning," he muttered, his voice still tired and a bit groggy.


    "G-good morning," Lira stammered, immediately wanting to kick herself for how ridiculous she sounded, her voice so high-pitched, it made her sound like a mouse.


    She watched as he sat up, stretching his shoulders slightly before looking at her again. There was no anger, no irritation¡ªjust a... Something sad... And maybe... maybe a little bit of hesitation. His expression told of something painful... what was it? She didn''t know... but now she wanted to know!


    Without intending it to sound so loud, she swallowed, suddenly hyperaware of everything. The warmth of his presence was still lingering between them. She now recognized the way her hands trembled slightly against the blanket, the way her heart wouldn''t stop racing... This was bad.


    "I should¡ª" she started, voice still embarrassingly shaky, "I should go."


    He didn''t argue. He just gave a small nod, and somehow, that was both reassuring and disappointing at the same time. Without looking at him for long, Lira quickly swung her legs over the side of the bed, adjusting the clothes she kept on while sleeping. She pulled up her cloak from the chair, laying it around her shoulders, trying desperately to get her emotions under control and hide behind it. As she moved toward the door, she finally dared one last glance back at him.


    He was still watching her, his expression forlorn and distant. In her eyes, he looked like a sad, abandoned puppy. Thinking about it, her heart skipped again. And then she was gone, slipping out before she could do something incredibly stupid like thank him again or ask if this meant anything.


    The cool morning air hit her like a splash of water as she stepped outside, helping her calm down. She slapped her cheeks twice, and then she pressed a hand to her chest, trying to steady her breath. But before she could take another step, a familiar voice nearly made her jump out of her skin.


    "Ohoho, what''s this?"


    Lira whipped around to find Cravik standing at the bottom of the stairs, arms crossed, a knowing smirk tugging at her lips.


    "You look a little flustered there, sweetie."


    "...!" Lira''s entire face turned red once again, feeling that in the cold morning air, her head was steaming like a chimney. "I¡ªI¡ªIt''s not what you think!"


    Cravik leaned in slightly after he walked up the steps at the side of the building, his eyes twinkling with mischief.


    "Oh? So you just happened to spend the night in my youngest brother Auriel''s own room, and now you''re scurrying off all pink-cheeked and breathless? Do tell." He said, teasing, his grin like that of a ruthless jokester.


    Lira opened her mouth, closed it, and opened it again, but nothing intelligent came out. Just a strangled sound of frustration, knowing there was nothing she could say to prove him otherwise.


    "Ahaha~!" Cravik chuckled, patting her shoulder. "Relax, sweetheart. I''m just teasing. But¡ª" she shot a glance toward Auriel''s room, "¡ªthis is interesting. Just don''t mix work and fun, girlie."


    Lira groaned, pulling her cloak over her face. She decided there was nothing more to say, so without saying a word, she hurried away. Cravik, after watching her disappear, turned back toward the building with an amused grin.


    "Oh, Auriel is never hearing the end of this."


    ...


    ....


    ......


    I barely had time to process what had just happened, the look Lira gave me while she left before my door creaked open again. This time, it was Cravik who strolled in, grinning ear to ear. Ah. I know that look. He saw her leave... great. It was time for a new round of misunderstanding monopoly. Just what I needed for a morning exercise.


    "So," he smiled like a lecherous bastard, leaning against the doorframe, "How was your night, oh honorable and virtuous Auriel?"


    "Stop sniffing the air; you are not a hound."


    "My nose can be just as sharp, kid!" He winked, posing like a gigolo from some lousy porn movie, "And true, I can''t smell anything. What, you were too nervous? Don''t worry, it happens! I have a private potion if you need it; it helps you go at it for hours; the wenches love it in the Red Nest!"


    "One, I am not impotent. Two, I had never used a potion before. Third, I am not into prostitutes."


    "They are a good source of income, though. Plus, they are the best information brokers."


    "Whatever!" I sighed, pinching the ridge of my nose. "Cravik¡ª"


    "Okay, okay! Topic dropped, kiddo!"


    "Thanks..."


    "So?" He came closer, sitting down on my chair, making it creak under his bulky weight, "Did you sleep well? Rest peacefully? Have any... cozy dreams?" he continued, waggling her eyebrows.


    "Dropped, my ass..." I exhaled sharply. "Do you have a point?"


    "Actually? I do." Cravik''s grin faded slightly, replaced with something more serious. "You''d better wake up fully. We''ve got a job, and it''s not the usual kind."

 Chapter 11 – Searching For Clues

    When Cravik''s face got really serious, mine followed suit. I wanted to ask what it was, but he didn''t say. Not here, at least. So, getting myself together, I followed him to the gang''s current headquarters, where we knew we wouldn''t be eavesdropped.


    The air in the backroom of the Crow''s Nest was thick with the scent of burnt tobacco and the stale beer that was left behind by the previous group occupying it when we arrived. It was still early morning, so the usual rowdy atmosphere was still missing, leaving us with only the whisper of the few gang members who were coming in early. Finding a cleaner chair, I sat across from Cravik at one of the worn wooden tables, my fingers tracing the rim of a half-empty tankard left there, waiting for him to start.


    "Well..." He shrugged as he leaned back, bringing out a cigarette and lighting it up. With a pause, he took a long drag from it, exhaling a slow stream of smoke from his nose. "We''ve got a job, and it''s not the usual kind," he repeated what he told me in my room, his voice betraying some annoyance.


    "Something bad, I assume?" I asked while I raised a brow. "How bad?"


    "Medium bad," Cravik answered as he took another drag, keeping it down a little before exhaling it away from my face, knowing I was not a fan of smoking. "One of our shipments got hit on the way in¡ªhigh-value potions, stuff that ain''t easy to come by nor to make. We certainly can''t, so it wasn''t painless to procure them. The boys at the drop-off point were supposed to send word two hours ago, but they never did."


    "Delays?" I asked, but he shook his head.


    "No. We don''t delay in deals like this. So, we sent someone to check." He paused, his lips curling into something between a smirk and a snarl. "They found corpses, Auriel. Our people were slaughtered, five dead, and the shipment was gone. The courier we sent didn''t bother the scene; he bolted straight back to us to alert the Boss."


    "..." I didn''t react immediately. Instead, I swirled the leftover liquid in the tankard before me, watching the ripples distort and clash against each other as I ran his words through my brain once again. "And you want me to help track down the ones responsible?"


    "Yep." Cravik let out a low chuckle. "Smart lad. That''s exactly what I, no, what we want. Don''t worry, you won''t be sent alone! We''re heading out as soon as we are ready. You, me, and a couple of the experienced boys. This isn''t just about getting our stuff back, kid¡ªwe are about to send a message. This is our turf."


    Continue to listen, I leaned back, considering his words. I do owe the gang; they had taken me in and given me a place when I had nothing. And even though I didn''t like the idea, I did sign up for this... Plus, loyalty was something I valued above all else. And more than that, I had no qualms about what needed to be done. He was right; if someone else had pushed into the Crows'' territory, something had to be done. If we let others walk over us, it would mean certain death.


    "Fine. I''ll be ready." I said, not that I had any option to say no anyway.


    ...


    ....


    ......


    By noon, we were off, and I watched as the city gates loomed ahead of us, flanked by guards clad in leather and some plate armor over vital parts of their bodies. Officially, the Guild had decreed that I was not to leave the city, but that rule was easily bent when the right pockets were lined with gold. Not even they could counter one of the greatest vices... Greed. Heh!


    As we walked, my attention turned to the air around the city. It was surprisingly chilly, making me wonder if winter was coming. I never really asked the date, not that it mattered. When my eyes moved from the sky, locking on this mission''s leader, Cravik, I watched as he walked with visible intent, his reinforced boots clicking against the cobbled street. It was as loud as if he was wearing a high heel. I may have even joked about it, but his face made me decide against the sudden impulsive idea. So, I followed closely behind him, alongside two others¡ªJared, a thin man with a perpetual smirk and brown cigarette between his lips, and Dren, a brute built like an ox, with even bigger shoulders than Cravik, which was a mean feat to pull off.


    "Let me handle it," Jared said as he peeled off from the group, sauntering toward the guards with a pouch in hand. "Evening, gentlemen," he said smoothly, tipping the brim of his hat. "We''re just a few honest men on their way to settle some business outside of town. There is no need to fuss about it, no? We are not bringing in anything, after all!"


    "Well," said one of the guards, an older man with a crooked nose. He eyed the pouch before plucking it from Jared''s hand with surprising quickness. I watched as he weighed it carefully before he nodded, smiling. "Honest men with honest gold. Be on your way, good fellows!"


    The gates groaned open at once, and we slipped through without another word, without them ever questioning who we were and where we were going, acting as if we weren''t even there. It was that easy... hah... It seems that corruption is part of our nature as humans.


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    Thinking about it, I suppressed the instinct to look over my shoulder. I didn''t need them to recognize me if they had any dealings with the Guild. But it also made me confirm that the gang I joined up with probably ran deeper than I initially thought. I began noticing it when I was let into some better-paying assignments. We weren''t just street thugs¡ªwe had our fingers in almost every part of the city where money could be made. Potions, gambling, hookers, protection, smuggling, money laundering, loans, and brokering information between different parties. I was slowly being allowed to see and hear more and more, although never invited into the pool too deeply. Not yet... just enough to see we were more than a simple gang... But now? They were pulling me in, along with them, into the deep part of it. It was probably my actual initiation. I suddenly had the thought that if I fail this, I may... die.


    "No..." I told myself. "I won''t."


    ...


    ....


    ......


    The journey took us westward, following a winding, serpentine dirt road that cut through the thick expanse of the forested hills behind the city. It was uneven and hard to travel through. Well, it was hard for my current mindset; I was still used to smooth pavements and driving cars on highways. The Auriel in this world would find this a routine experience, and I was trying my best to do so, too. Looking through the tree canopies, I saw that the midday sun bled over the treetops, painting the world in more color than I was used to in my old life, casting golden hues against the ground. It was... nice. Clean. I walked in silence along the rest, thinking about how different it was here. And that I never really paid attention to it, being stuck in the city.


    It was as if I were inside one of those stories or movies I liked to read and watch. Maybe I would find a magic ring that I would need to bring to a faraway land and drop into a volcano. Heh, probably not. Or... Who knows? It could be fun. Or not... as the weight of my sword against my hip suddenly reminded me of the situation and the danger we were heading to face head-on.


    "Say," Cravik, ever the one to fill the silence, hating when there wasn''t any talk being made, clicked his tongue. "You have ever seen a proper bandit hit before, Auriel?"


    "Except the one I die¨CI almost died in?" I shook my head, quickly correcting myself. "Not one that wasn''t already cleaned up."


    "Ah yeah, I forgot. Well... That doesn''t matter anymore; you were knocked out fast, right? Brace yourself," He muttered. "You''re about to get a real good look."


    "Can''t be much worse than what I woke up to," I answered in a low voice, recalling the scene in my mind. Luckily, back then, it was night and somewhat dark. I may have missed a lot of things... But right now, it was bright. Very bright.


    When we arrived at the drop-off point, the scene was worse than I expected. The clearing was littered with the bodies of our people, some slumped against broken barrels, others half-buried in the dirt. No... they weren''t. It was just that their bodies were torn to shreds, looking like their other half was under overturned earth. It wasn''t; it was lying meters away in the tall grass. The air was thick with the stench of blood and decay, and it made my stomach scrunch and shrink to the size of a coffee bean.


    "Damn..." Dren let out a low whistle. "Damn." He repeated.


    "The attackers weren''t human." Jared crouched beside one of the corpses that was disemboweled, and his throat ripped open. He was pressing two fingers against the wounds, tracing their shape, examining them without flinching. "Claw marks. These are not from a blade."


    Hearing him, I narrowed my eyes, scanning the ground. Was this not even a man''s doing? Maybe some beast? A monster? There were deep gashes in the earth, footprints that were too wide and misshapen to be human.


    "This wasn''t a simple ambush," Dren shrugged, also examining the surroundings and watching the same footprints. "They didn''t just take the cargo and run. The best way to stick us up would be to leave our guys unharmed and take the cargo. Killing them all? That is nothing but a message. They made a point to slaughter them. It tells us that they want us gone."


    "This is a declaration of war." Cravik exhaled sharply. "That''s what I was afraid of." He motioned to the surrounding area. "Start looking for tracks! We''re not leaving until we know where these bastards had run off to."


    We searched in silence, our boots crunching against the disturbed dirt, broken planks, and fallen branches. My pulse quickened as I spotted a trail leading deeper into the forest, up towards the north. There were heavy imprints and clawed steps¡ªa bunch of them. Some ran on both two and four legs, by the looks of it. By now, even I was able to understand who our attackers were.


    "Found it," I called the others, who quickly walked up to me, one of them patting my back.


    "Good eyes!" Jared whispered under his breath. "No doubt about it: Beast-folk. Has to be."


    If not for the brutality left behind me, the green grass wouldn''t have turned into a rusted hue from the dried-up blood splashing over it. Then, I would have been excited to hear the news. Maybe even have the thought of meeting a cat-girl or something... Instead, I just felt a chill creep down my spine. Beast-folk. The name now sounded appropriate. To enact such carnage, they were indeed beasts. By reflex, my hand wandered down to my weapon, hanging on my side as I automatically tightened my grip on my sword''s hilt. Somehow... I felt afraid. Well, I wasn''t surprised I did... I never was the guy for confrontations, but... I had a hunch that this world''s Auriel would also feel fear for some reason. I tried searching my mixed memories, but... I had no knowledge or meetings with their kind. Wherever my younger version grew up, they were not present.


    "Could be worse." Cravik clapped a hand on my shoulder, encouraging me. He probably noticed the look on my face. "It could have been Undead. Or Elves..."


    "Um... what?" I flinched, but he just chuckled, squeezing my shoulder.


    "Looks like we''ve got our trail. You ready for a hunt?"


    I quickly looked down at the bloodstained ground once more, then at the deep gouges in the trees ahead. This was it... Come on, Auriel. New world, new me... Yes. This is all new... But so am I.


    "Let''s find them," I said, nodding my head, my voice steady.


    "Good..." Cravik grinned. "That''s the spirit!"

 Chapter 12 – First Kill

    The trail was fresh.


    I kept my gaze low, following the heavy imprints in the dirt and the multitude of deep gouges left behind by the owner of these particularly massive, clawed feet. Some of the tracks showed signs of movement on all fours; others were visibly upright. Their owners were clearly fast, determined by the distance between the imprints. They would surely be faster than any of us... and that realization sent an involuntary shiver up my spine, though I kept his expression neutral. Still, just as some animals would trump us humans... this had to be just as valid to these beast folk.


    Yet the others seemed unbothered. So I didn''t ask.


    Keeping our pace up, the forest closed in around us more the deeper we went, the last hints of the open road fading behind us, no longer visible between the thick wall of trees. The dirt beneath my boots softened, damp with moisture, and the canopy above us thickened and blocked much of the sunlight, throwing dark shadows across our path. We were in uncharted territory. It wasn''t a road anymore, not even a proper trail¡ªjust disturbed earth and snapped twigs marking the way they cut through the forest.


    Cravik moved ahead of me with a clear purpose. Watching him from behind, his posture looked relaxed, but his eyes were sharp, scanning every detail of their surroundings. Flanking us, Jared and Dren followed at a more cautious pace, their hands never straying far from their weapons, same as me. Without talking about tactics, it became evident that I was the one who brought up the rear, becoming the guard, watching their backs.


    Surprisingly, it seemed to be a familiar arrangement for my body.


    Without conscious effort, I knew how to get there. It wasn''t my old instincts, that is for sure, as my past life would have had me stumbling through the underbrush like a lost, blind idiot. But this body, this version of the younger Auriel, had spent years learning how to navigate the wild. Thanks... me. The knowledge came to me naturally after the realization. I knew how to place my steps, how to distribute my weight over uneven terrain, and how to avoid stepping on loose foliage that might make a sound. It just felt... right.


    It was a strange sensation, as if two versions of myself were finally beginning to sync up.


    My rebirthed self, who had walked only on paved streets and concrete sidewalks though whished, was back in civilization, though. The sheer untamed nature of the forest and the fact we were hunting bandits, beast-like ones at that, was not something that gave me much peace.


    Relax. You know this. Trust your instincts.


    At least, that is what I was repeating in my head. I can''t lose my nerves, not right now, or I could die. I don''t think I would be lucky enough to get a third chance at life. And I wasn''t about to find out.


    We moved forward in near silence, stopping only when Cravik raised a hand, signaling us to slow down. Whenever that happened, my breathing steadied as I adjusted to the movement of the others, keeping it fluid, controlled, and without unnecessary noise. The more I followed my instincts ingrained in this body, the more natural it became, no longer needing to even think about it. It was then I noticed it...


    A flicker of movement ahead.


    Cravik dropped low just then, motioning for the rest of us to do the same. Of course, I followed suit, pressing myself against the rough bark of a nearby tree, leaning over cautiously, my eyes scanning the trees ahead of us. The tracks led further into the thicket, but now there was something new, a kind of fresh disturbance followed by a rustling sound. It was faint but unmistakable if you knew what to listen for.


    "..." Jared tensed close by, mouthing without making a noise. "Scouts."


    I saw them a second later.


    Two figures moved between the trees, crouched low, sniffing the air. Luckily, Cravik had to be paying attention to it, because we were facing the direction of the wind... Our scent was being blown in the other direction, missing their noses. Their forms were inhuman but eerily similar nonetheless. It was a mix of bestial and humanoid features. The first was wolf-like, standing on two, its fur dark and matted, only covering his clawed feet and arm; the remaining of his body was human alright. A bit taller and more muscular than normal humans... with a larger head, its animalistic ears flicking toward every small noise. The second was serpentine, its elongated body partially covered in sleek, dark scales. She had no legs to speak of, but her torso was also like a human woman''s. Yet, her head was not. It was that of a snake, just like her lower body. Its slit-pupil eyes scanned the area around them, making me quickly pull back to the tree before it caught me somehow.


    Beast-folk... now I understood the name and its indication.


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    "We can''t let them report back," Cravik whispered. "Quick and quiet."


    Quick... and quiet? I wanted to ask, but there was no chance I could, so I simply swallowed once and nodded, my heart pounding in my throat. This was it, my first real fight. I could only hope to rely on my younger version''s training instincts, the memories where he sparred and learned from proper instructors. Just keep an eye out for being knocked out again...


    The moment I thought about that, the younger Auriel''s instincts surged to the surface, guiding my movements as if protesting against the blunder. The modern part of me, though, screamed at the absurdity of it all¡ªI have never fought for my life before; how can I even think about this?¡ªbut it was too late to hesitate. Cravik gave the signal while I was thinking, and I watched as they all downed a flask of red potion the size of a tiny vial.


    Dren moved first, stepping on a branch deliberately and snapping it with enough force to echo far and wide.


    Of course, the wolf-folk''s head jerked toward the sound in an instant¡ªjust in time for Jared to launch his dagger straight into its throat. His move was lightning fast, faster than any human should be able to move. I couldn''t really follow him with my eyes. The potion... now it made sense...


    The creature let out a strangled snarl but barely had time to react before Dren rushed forward, swinging his axe in a brutal arc. When his weapon''s edge cut into the flesh, I expected it to bounce back or something... But no. The wolf''s head barely stayed on its shoulders, blood spraying the underbrush, making the forest echo from the butchering, wet sound that accompanied it, right as the body collapsed. Dead. It was dead already.


    The serpent-folk hissed in surprise, twisting her body away from the attack, moving faster than any of us anticipated. Even with the potions reinforcing us, it was still quicker. I watched as it lunged toward Cravik, its mouth opening grotesquely, its jaw being unhinged, its poisoned teeth flashing¡ª


    My body was already moving, an empty vial falling at the same spot I was behind a moment ago. I felt incredible in that moment. I was light, I was filled with vitality, with unbridled energy... I was... I felt like I could take on the world. No wonder people get hooked on potions!


    My sword was drawn before I even realized my movement. I watched myself in detached awe as the potion took over, and I moved totally on instinct. My feet were then planted firmly, my balance perfect¡ªright when I met the serpent''s attack head-on.


    The creature struck fast, teeth slicing through the air toward Cravik''s throat. But with me there, it couldn''t sink them into his skin. I barely felt the hit, withstanding the inhuman force behind it as I deflected her with my blade, twisting my body just enough to avoid the follow-up swipe of its tail. The movement was flawless, like second nature.


    The serpent, switching her aim from Cravik to me, came again, hissing, its fangs bared at me. Yet, I just stepped into the attack instead of retreating. My sword found flesh, carving through her abdomen and muscle in one smooth stroke, where there was no hardened scale covering it. The serpent''s eyes widened in shock as its body faltered, probably not expecting that I would be so quick. If I could, I would have mocked it a little... because I didn''t expect it either. But there was no time for that; this was a death battle, and I didn''t let it recover. With a quick, clean motion, I slashed once again, this time aiming higher, severing her throat in one decisive stroke.


    I felt my sword reaching its target, cutting through its windpipe as blood squirted onto the dirt. The moment my blade cut into it, I felt it¡ªher body seizing up, the way her muscles twitched as the light drained from her eyes. It was over in seconds, but I felt every moment of it. I killed someone. It was a realization, that was hard to put anywhere¡­ so I just pushed it down. This was what it meant to fight, I can¡¯t freeze up right now! So, burying the thought, I managed to step to the side at the last moment, or I would have been drenched in its blood, something I wasn''t keen on doing right now. As the serpent-woman crumpled, its body twitching before falling still, I just stood there, my breathing even, not even feeling tired... or feeling anything besides a sudden wave of exhilaration.


    The fight was over in seconds.


    Yet, even when the two were dead, I just stood there, sword still held in my grip, finally starting to recover as my breathing became hard all of a sudden. Then I started feeling it... My heart pounded so fast I was afraid I would get a heart attack. Its drumming was echoing in my ears, adrenaline flooding every vein in my body, from my toes to the tip of my hair. We had fought. We had won.


    "Nice save!" Cravik clapped me on the back, chuckling. "Not bad, kid. I was wondering if you''d freeze up; luckily for me, you did not!"


    "That was too close..." I slowly exhaled, lowering the blade in my hand, realizing how sweaty I was. "But now I also get why potions are so expensive."


    "What we use now is just low-level trash. Wait until you get some long-lasting variant, oh boy, those are the good stuff!" Jared said while he nudged the wolf-folk''s corpse with his boot. "Still, for scraps like these bastards, it is enough. They''re dead, and that''s what matters. But running into scouts means we''re close to their main camp."


    "Yeah, and we need to move because they will realize that these two are not reporting back." Cravik nodded, already glancing toward the trees ahead of us. "So, let''s not waste more time. We move fast before the wind changes and carries the smell of their blood back to their pack."


    Seeing the logic, I nodded while I wiped the blood off my blade, sheathing it with practiced ease. The others followed suit, making sure we didn''t carry their scent with us. I felt that I was still shaken, but deep down, something in me felt right. This was normal. This was something that I would get used to...


    Well... I hope so. Because after this, I wasn''t just a survivor anymore. I was a fighter.


    Okay... I am a fighter who used speed and strength-enhancing drugs, so I may be disqualified, but... Fuck it. As I see it, this is pretty normal in this world. Now, I couldn''t help but think about what else these potions could do... Maybe after we are back, I ought to look more into them. Maybe ask Lira, as questioning her would be easier than getting information out of the gang. Also, less suspicious. I wonder... how hard could it be to make them?

 Chapter 13 – Tiger

    As we headed further in, the forest had gone deathly silent, as if the trees themselves were trying to stay as quiet as possible. The only sound I heard was the crackling of a fire coming from the distance, its glow visible as a faint, golden light. It was just a flickering light, sometimes flashing between the dense thicket surrounding us. There we were, hidden among the knotty, thick roots and the dark underbrush, crouching low, our breaths as low and as noiseless as we could force them to be. All three of our bodies were tensed, ready for action as we were sneaking into the beast-folk''s campsite. They built it from crude planks and logs, the latter fencing them off from the forest, their sharpened ends jutting out from the ground like the broken teeth of a buried monster. Beyond their hastily built barricades, I could see shadows cross by the fire, shuffling around. For now, I didn''t know what type they were, but it didn''t matter... they were about to be killed, at least, that was the plan.


    "Okay..." Cravik exhaled slowly, his voice barely a whisper next to my ears. "We do this as swiftly as we can and stay quiet. Stick to the plan. Got it?"


    "Sure," Jared smirked, his eyes glinting nefariously in the dark as he twirled a dagger between his fingers. "Fast and quiet. Not my first rodeo."


    "Understood, Boss." Dren cracked his knuckles, the sound like the snapping of dry twigs making me flinch as I nudged him. The last thing we needed was for him to give us away with such foolishness! His massive frame shifted, realizing his mistakes, smiling sheepishly, "Sorry. But they ought to discover us after a few kills... Then we just hit ''em hard and be done with it."


    "Dren..." Cravik shot him a glare, his voice restrained, having a bit of edge to it. "Stick. To. The. Plan."


    There was no time for an argument anyway, so he nodded without making any more noise. Then, with a wave of Cravik''s hand, we moved, slipping between the trees like shadows within shadows. I kept my breathing even to the best of my abilities, letting the instinctive training of my younger version guide me. To my own surprise, my steps remained light and soundless, placing them at the exact spots Cravik did, following him like a cat would walk in another''s trail. It was like that when we reached the wall, pressing against the rough wood, and I could already tell that this would be easier than expected.


    Or so I thought until I glanced inside.


    Jared scaled the walls first, his body pulling itself up quickly, disappearing at the other side. It only took him a heartbeat, and he was over, landing with barely any noise. Dren followed suit, his upper body strength pulling him up with ease, making the climb look effortless. Cravik went next, and he, too, almost hopped the two-meter-tall log wall over without issue. Finally, it was my turn. Glancing at it, my fingers gripped the rough bark, splinters digging into my palms as I hoisted myself up. I should have worn a glove... Ignoring the feeling, my body moved as though it had done this before¡ªbecause, in a way, it had.


    Dropping down into the camp, I landed silently, crouched low between two tattered tents. Then... the smell hit me first. Ugh. It was sweat, dirt, and something rotten, like spoiled meat, left too long in the sun. Fuck. Were all of the beast-folk filthy creatures, or was it just these savages? That was a question for the future because the air was also thick with the stench of unwashed fur and blood, reminding me of why we were here.


    Following the plan, we spread out, staying in the shadows as best as we could. Jared was already moving toward his first target. His dagger flashed, holding and aiming it in a way that the campfire''s light, in the middle of the encampment, wouldn''t reflect off of it as he slit the throat of a wolf-folk standing near a stack of crates. The half-human''s eyes widened for a moment, a gurgling sound escaping its throat as Jared caught the body before it could fall, lowering it gently to the ground, already heading for his next kill. I swallowed, nodding to myself. Okay, Auriel, keep your cool. This was working. We could do this.


    Then, it all went to shit.


    Nature is a hell of a jokester because a gust of wind rolled through the camp. It was a slight shift, so meaningless in any other circumstance. I would have ignored it if I had not seen Cravik flinch. Yeah... It was not unimportant... Not here. Not now.


    The moment that bastardly breeze passed us, a low growl rumbled through the camp. It was deep and resonant, reverberating my insides like the sound of bass coming from an industrial speaker. My entire body went still, knowing that they had smelled the blood. And that I heard that kind of low roar... in a zoo.


    A tiger. I knew because I watched him appear, already looking directly at Cravik and me.


    This one stood taller than any man I had seen in both of my lives, his frame rippling with muscle. On his arms and legs, there was a thick, orange, and black fur, unable to hide the tone of his muscles. His eyes, atop his mixed human-looking yet furred head, were almost glowing as he locked onto us. His nostrils flared as he inhaled deeply, growling once more, showing a savage grin, raising an arm, pointing at us.


    "Humans¡­" he rumbled, his voice coming between two guttural growls that sent a shiver down my spine. "I smell you. And I see you. Time to die!"


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    A second later, he roared once more, but this time, he gave it his all. It was a deafening, primal sound that shattered every other noise... And then all hell broke loose. Beast-folk scrambled awake from their makeshift tents, their claws unsheathing or their weapons drawn, whichever they were more used to handle. We had lost the element of surprise¡ªbig time.


    "Fuck it!" Cravik snapped, pulling a small potion from his belt and popping the cork with one hand while the tiger was still roaring. He downed it in a single motion, and I saw his veins bulging the moment the liquid rolled down his throat. Jared and Dren followed suit, their bodies already glowing from the same potions'' effects. Cravik didn''t even turn to me, tossing a fourth in my direction.


    "Drink. Now."


    I didn''t hesitate. How could I? The moment the liquid hit my tongue, I felt it. Stronger than before.


    This time, the rush, this elemental surge, a fire that burned through my veins, was like nothing I had ever felt before. My pulse drummed deep within in my ears as my vision sharpened, and all the colors in the night became painfully vivid, making me squint. Every sound coming towards me was crystal clear. I could hear and count all the shuffling the others were making, the sharp hiss of a panicked beast-folk, the tearing of fabric as someone hurriedly clawed his way out from being entangled in his sleeping bag. Everything was going on at once, in a slow motion, and in that instant...


    I felt unstoppable.


    Dren and Jared were already moving, only a blur, cutting through the camp. Dren grabbed an axe that was left next to the chopped firewood, and he cleaved through flesh and bone alike as he swung it. He was like a whirlwind, dicing up anybody who was at arm''s reach. A boar-folk charged him on all fours, his tusks having nails sticking through them, but Dren simply sidestepped and brought his axe down in a vicious arc, splitting the beast''s skull with a sickening crunch, spraying grey matter in every direction. At the same time, Jared slipped between his opponents, his daggers flashing once or twice before disappearing in his hand. He was like a shifty magician. Another wolf-folk lunged at him, only to have its throat opened the same way his compatriot, ending up in a spray of crimson shower, falling face first into the campfire. Then, Jared spun, his movements perfectly countering as another beast-folk tried to claw at him, yet he just fell to Jared''s blades.


    But I did not have much time to watch, as their chief was already upon us.


    He was fast¡ªfaster than any human, and I felt it, even as enhanced as we were at that moment. His claws came for my throat, signaling me out as the easier target, I guess. But I was expecting it, my body already moving, dodging, bringing up my sword to parry. The impact shook me down to my bones, the force behind his strike sending a jolt of pain through my arms, but I held firm. I had to. Cravik, at the same time, went low, his own sword slicing toward the tiger''s ribs, but the beast twisted like a snake, catching the attack on his forearm. The blade, with the force behind Cravik''s enhanced attack, bit deeply, but the tiger barely flinched.


    No. He grinned, his fangs glistening with saliva.


    "Good," he thundered. "You''ll make this interesting."


    Then he attacked again.


    He was relentless. A machine. Every movement was raw, powerful, and terrifyingly fast. His claws slashed toward my gut next. This time, I was the one who twisted, barely escaping, the tips grazing my clothes and leaving deep gouges in the leather, drawing a thin line of blood under it. Seeing my ''escape,'' he lunged for Cravik next. Unlike me, he blocked, redirecting his clawed hands, retaliating with a flurry of strikes that, for the first time, forced the beast back. But the tiger was indeed savage. He decided to literally tank Cravik''s blades, just so he could regain the position to dictate the battle''s tempo and put him on the back foot.


    I couldn''t dally... I joined in to keep pushing the tiger back and bring it down. Somehow.


    For every attack we landed, he traded with one of his own. My shoulder burned where his claws had grazed me again, the wound searing like hell as though I was dipped in fire. I saw Cravik take a solid hit to the ribs, the impact sending him stumbling, making him spit out some blood, but he kept fighting like it was nothing, his face grim. Concentrating only on our fight.


    I was the same. I could feel the potion coursing through me, heightening everything¡ªmy reflexes, my speed, my focus¡ªwhile it also made me tougher. It was intoxicating. It was terrifying.


    But thanks to it, I wasn''t losing.


    Cravik and I moved together, getting into sync more and more as we pressed the tiger, forcing him to defend from both sides. He was strong, but he wasn''t invincible. Finally, getting the upper hand, a mist of blood sprayed as Cravik''s blade eventually ran deep into his thigh, impeding his speed. The bastard felt it because he snarled, stumbling back, his movements slowing just enough for me to catch an opening.


    I didn''t let him recover. It was my moment, and I took it.


    With a burst of speed, I closed the gap, my sword flashing toward his exposed throat. His eyes widened in shock, the first flicker of fear breaking through his uncaring, vicious gaze.


    "Die already!" I yelled, putting everything behind my attack.


    When I got there, my sword cut deep, slicing through his orange fur and underlying flesh with a wet, ripping sound. Something I would not forget for a while. Then, he staggered, choking, clutching his throat as hot, steaming blood spilled between his fingers. He tried to keep it in and push it back into his body, but it was a futile effort. Then... his body swayed, his legs buckling beneath him.


    With a final, gurgling breath, he looked at me, holding his throat, eyes burning, memorizing the last image, my visage, before he collapsed for good.


    Then... Silence.


    For a moment, the campsite stood still around me, my lungs filled with a burning sensation and the smell of death. Then, behind me, the last dying screams of the remaining beast-folk echoed through the camp...


    And it was over.


    Even then, I just stood there, the blade of my sword dripping blood, my chest heaving, my heart pounding like a war drum. The effects of the potion were already fading, and I felt the world slightly tilting as reality came rushing back, robbing me of the feeling of invincibility. My hands were slick with blood, and I felt some of it flowing from the injuries on my body, making my arms tremble from the strain that I was suddenly very aware of.


    "Heh!" Cravik wiped his blade clean on the fur of a fallen tiger-folk, exhaling slowly. Then he grinned, his teeth stained red, his gums still bleeding into his mouth. "Not bad, kid!"


    I swallowed, trying to steady my breath and answer him, but my entire body was now shaking, the adrenaline slowly ebbing away, making me dizzy and weak.


    But at least... I didn''t die.

 Chapter 14 – Aftermath

    The only sound that remained around me was the crackling of the dying fires. The intense orange hue from them, illuminating the campsite, seemed washed out, and I had to blink my eyes multiple times, adjusting to the feeling to the best of my abilities. When I asked, Cravik simply patted my back, saying it was the aftereffect of the potion and that I would be back to normal after a good rest. Which... I really looked forward to it now that the battle was over and all of the beast-folk were dead.


    It was still a bit discomforting, standing amidst the carnage that I took part in, my breathing feeling heavy now that the effect of the potion left my veins. But at least I knew I still felt something, and it didn''t override my brain with the ecstasy it gave me. I could tell that the ground beneath my feet was slick with blood, and I could register with my eyes that the once crude camp was now nothing more than a ruin of bodies, torn tents, and scattered supplies.


    "Ugh..." I flinched, shaking my body.


    The stench of death was thick, clinging to everything, and I wasn''t used to it. The only time I saw something like this was in a video game, not in real life. It filled my nostrils, smelling bitter and metallic, and I fought the urge to gag. I raised my arms and watched as my hands trembled; either the adrenaline was still coursing through me, or it was something else. Get a grip, Auriel. I have to get used to it fast... So, pushing my fears down, I stared at the blade I used for the killing blow, its edge darkened with the blood of the tiger folk, and I wondered how long it would take to get somewhat desensitized of this feeling.


    "Alright, boys," Cravik yelled, drawing my attention, stretching his neck with a loud crack, "loot everything! Don''t just stand there!" He smiled at me, "We will take it all, not just our goods they stole¡ªeverything. If it looks valuable, it''s ours now."


    "Finally!" Dren dropped the axe he was gripping, sinking it into one of the fallen beast-folk''s furred shoulders, nodding. "Damn right, Boss! They stole from us first. Now we take double. The usual rules?"


    "The usual." He nodded and continued after seeing my expression, "You can take something for yourself, Auriel. It is how the gang pays for your services. No questions asked!"


    "Oh..." I blinked my eyes in surprise.


    Jared was already moving, his fingers quicker than when he fought as he rifled through the bodies, stripping them of weapons, coin pouches, and anything else that looked useful, sometimes slipping something into his pockets. I watched as the others moved through the camp, gathering whatever they could carry before finally joining them. Soon, the locked chests were broken open; their crates pried apart to have a look at what was in them. One... Well, one had a chopped-up human body. I somehow didn''t want to see that, yet it happened...


    "Wait..." I flinched before Cravik could reseal it.


    "What?" He asked.


    "I think... I knew the guy." I muttered, but I wasn''t sure.


    "Really?" He hummed, looking at me.


    "Maybe." I looked away in the end, trying to search my thoughts. Then it clicked. It was in my younger variant''s memories that he was with the guy in the caravan who sold us out. It was his partner or something... I think.


    "Auriel?" Cravik asked, his voice concerned, squeezing my shoulder.


    "Sorry."


    "No need." He smiled, bringing me away from the barrel. "I know this can be much. You are still a young man and green behind the ears! Or white, Young Flour Boy!"


    "Ha. Ha." I chuckled, genuinely appreciating the way he was trying to ease the mood.


    "Come, let''s find something good for you that you can sell to us!"


    "Wait, what?" I stumbled, making him laugh.


    "Duh. Most stuff we pocket, we sell to the gang anyway. We give ourselves a good price~!"


    Well, damn. That is insider trading if I have ever seen one. Anyway... It did help divert my thoughts.


    Only a few minutes later, we did find the stolen shipment of potions near the largest tent, stacked haphazardly as if the beasts didn''t even understand their worth. The sight of the potions made my stomach churn. I could once again feel the unnatural surge of strength they had given him during the fight, the way my body had moved faster and hit harder as if it belonged to a literal god¡ªsomeone much better, someone who didn''t hesitate. Fuck... I had to keep myself in check; the last thing I wanted to get addicted to it.


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    "Here they are," Jared called out, lifting a wooden crate on the top of the stack. "Looks like most of the haul is still intact."


    "Finally, some good news," Cravik nodded. "But don''t stop there. Check it all."


    I quickly moved to help, my hands grabbing another, going through it, counting the number of flasks, noting that we had it all. Then, I found myself a bag and began stuffing it with anything of value¡ªdaggers, small trinkets, even a few old scrolls and parchment that were left scattered inside the main tent. Documents. I wasn''t sure if they were important; maybe it wasn''t even the beast folks who wrote them at all. But anything written down might hold some kind of lead that I was too inexperienced to realize yet. But not the others. Maybe it''s something Cravik or the unknown Big Boss would care about.


    A few minutes later, the camp was stripped bare of anything useful we could find. What we couldn''t carry away was thrown into the fire and burned. The remaining tents, splintered carts, and even the wooden palisades were also set alight, turning the encampment into a funeral pyre for the fallen beast-folk. And to mask our presence. I watched as the black smoke curled into the night sky, blotting out the stars above us. It was going wildly as we turned away from the destruction, heading back towards the city. Behind us, the flames roared like that tiger, its heat pressing against my back as I walked farther and farther away. I didn''t look back. I couldn''t. It was done; that was what mattered.


    No survivors. No evidence. No loose ends.


    ...


    ....


    ......


    The walk back to the city was long, but it felt shorter than before. Maybe it was because we had succeeded, or maybe it was the numb exhaustion settling into my bones, driving me forward on autopilot. The night air was cool, a welcomed contrast to the heat of the burning camp. It carried with it the faint scent of pine and damp earth that helped wash out the smell of blood from my nostrils. The forest around us was eerily quiet, making me think that I was still smelling of that stench, and I just got too used to it. On the other hand, animals would know and avoid us by instinct alone.


    No one amongst us spoke for the first stretch of the journey. There was nothing to say. The only thing I heard was coming from the loot we were all holding, stuffed into a sack over our shoulders, jingling as if we were some kind of bloody Santa Claus imitators. Well, it also gave me a new pouch, as I took one for myself. I wasn''t sure of the value of the items we gathered, so I went with what I knew: Money. Instead of gambling on grabbing something that was worth a lot, I collected a handful of coins that were shining in a golden color. I only caught Cravik smiling once, seemingly approving that I took that instead of something else, probably a pitfall that many fledglings fall into.


    It also made me think. I had killed, actually killed, another being and then took its possessions. Maybe the worst of it was that it felt¡­ normal. And that thought unsettled me more than anything. Of course, my brain was in overdrive, telling me it was unavoidable, the right thing to do, and honestly? I believed it. I was just afraid that later on, there would be a situation where it repeats itself.... The only difference would be that they would be humans. Simple people who stole from the wrong gang... What would I do then?


    "Hey," Cravik broke the silence as I was lost in my thoughts. "You did well today, Auriel."


    I didn''t respond immediately. My mind was still catching up to everything¡ªmaking me flinch when I heard his voice, finally making me answer out loud.


    "Yeah," I muttered after a pause, not sure what else to say. "Thanks. It was... My first actual fight."


    "If that''s indeed true, my boy... You have natural talent." He smirked, sensing something. "You''ll get used to it."


    Will I? Maybe I already am. I didn''t answer; I just smiled and nodded at him.


    After that, we were back into silent walking as we trudged on, and by the time we reached the city outskirts, dawn was beginning to creep over the horizon. The city gates were still manned, no matter the hour, but just like before, a well-placed pouch of gold ensured no questions were asked about where we were and what we were bringing in. The guards barely glanced at us as we slipped back inside the city, walking the crooked streets toward our headquarters. The city was in the middle of waking, the first rays of sunlight painting the cobblestones in hues of gold and amber, reflected in the puddles here and there. I watched as shopkeepers opened their doors, and the smell of fresh bread wafted through the air, making my stomach grumble. I just realized... I was starving.


    Once at the Crow''s Nest, we offloaded everything, taking inventory. First, there were the potions, then weapons, then the stolen riches, and finally, the documents I had found. The Boss wasn''t there yet, so I didn''t meet him once again. Not that I expected to. After I handed over the bag with the documents without a word, my mind was too tired to care what they might contain, already forgetting that I also saw a familiar face at the bottom of a barrel. Instead, I felt drained, like a vessel emptied of everything, leaving me with hunger and exhaustion.


    "Come on, guys!" Jared stretched his arms. "Drinks? Wenches? We earned it."


    "Maybe tomorrow," Cravik yawned. "Get some rest first. You lot look like you''re about to fall over." He chuckled, elbowing me, "It is the potion. It was an actual battle-grade one."


    "I see... I''ll head home... Sorry, Jared," I muttered, and he didn''t argue, also slapping my back. My body felt heavy, my muscles aching.


    Honestly, I don''t even know how I got back home in the end. My vision was blurry, and I saw double sometimes when I tried to focus. I thought I would stop by the bakery, asking Lira to give me something fresh, but nah. My exhaustion won over my stomach. I wanted only one thing: my room. That''s all I desired¡ªjust a bed. Just to sleep.


    By the time I reached my door, my limbs felt like lead. It was a chore stepping up the steps, dragging my body inside. The moment I wobbled inside, shutting the door behind me, my body recognized I was in a safe place. It didn''t even wait; it just pressed the ''off button'' in my head, and everything went blank. I collapsed onto my bed, face first, boots still on, sword still strapped to my waist.


    Sleep took me before I could even think.


    And I didn''t even dream. Which was only weird the next time I woke up because I expected some nightmares... but nothing. I slept like a baby. Although... I did wake up to someone shaking my body. That? That gave me a startle...

 Chapter 15 – Relax

    My mind stirred at the sensation of unknown hands shaking me, my body sluggishly dragging itself out of the depths of the exhaustion that was still plaguing me. My senses were slow to process the voice calling my name, but it sounded soft yet urgent. Hearing it was like listening to a distant echo breaking through the fog of my loosened consciousness. Every muscle in my body protested against moving again as I tried to wake up, my limbs heavy and unresponsive, my muscles aching and stiffening. It was a feeling that I wasn''t in my own body... Which then reminded me of many things, jolting me enough to drift back to reality.


    "Auriel... Auriel, wake up!"


    The voice was closer now, more insistent, and finally, I recognized it¡ªLira. It was her. Funnily enough, her tone was laced with worry, a sharp contrast to the usual warmth and playfulness I had associated with her since living above her family''s bakery. Finally, I forced my eyes to crack open, the faint light of a flickering candle stinging my vision as if I looked directly into the sun. It was... unpleasant. Squinting, moving my neck with a groan, and looking away, the room before me swam in and out of focus. My vision was blurred, shadows dancing on the walls, suddenly making me think they were beat-folk lurking around me, but then I quickly told myself that couldn''t be true. I would be dead if it happened. Turning to my back above me, I watched as Lira''s face came into focus, her features etched with obvious concern. Her eyes were now clouded with fear, and her brows were knit together in a way that made my chest tighten for a moment. Was I... dying? No. I remember how that felt. I was simply tired. Too tired.


    "Lira...?" My voice came out hoarse, barely more than a whisper, as though it had been scraped raw by some throat goblin looking for gold down there. Sleep was still trying to hold me down like invisible chains, dragging me back into the void that I had to fend off with great effort. "What... what time is it?"


    "It''s late¡ªreally late," she said, her voice wavering slightly. She knelt beside my bed, her hands trembling as they hovered over my shoulders, unsure whether to touch me or pull away. "I saw you come home in the morning... you looked strange. Pale, like you''d seen a ghost! I called out, but you ignored me..."


    "You did?" I muttered, not remembering it at all. "I''m sorry. I probably zoned out."


    "I''m not surprised now. And you never answered the door, so I¡ª" she hesitated, her gaze dropping to the floor for a moment before she met my eyes again. "I was worried. I... I used the spare key."


    Spare key? I wanted to ask, but I dropped it. Of course, they had one, but it was good to know. I should not keep anything valuable here in the future, then. Not because of her, but because of her parents... Those I won''t trust. Thinking back... The last thing I remembered was stumbling through the door, my body giving out as I collapsed onto the bed. The battle with the tiger folk had drained me completely, leaving me hollow and aching by the time I got back home. Oh... And I didn''t eat, did I? No wonder that my stomach twisted painfully, a gnawing hunger rising from within. My body demanded to refill my energies. Finally, looking back up again, I was surprised at the expression on Lira''s face. She was terrified. But why? For me? No... There''s no reason for her to be... Still, her hands were balled into fists, her knuckles white, and her lip trembled as she fought to keep her composure.


    No one had ever looked at me like that before.


    It was strange to be the recipient of such genuine concern. I had lived two lives now, and yet, never once had someone looked at me with such honest worry. In my past life, people had used me, tolerated me, and even pretended to care.


    No. I am being dramatic. It wasn''t always like that.


    There was one time that someone had ever honestly looked at me this way¡ªmy ex-girlfriend before she left me, of course. Before she discarded me after multiple years of empty promises that only meant something for me.


    Enough. The past is the past; I can''t expect pity for things that don''t matter anymore.


    The thought sobered me up instantly, leaving a bitter taste rising in my throat. I clenched my jaw, pushing the thought away, focusing on the moment. That was then. This was now. Lira wasn''t her. Lira was... probably different. But the thought of letting someone in again, of allowing myself to be vulnerable, made my chest constrict with uncertainty. Because I think... I would let it happen... Tsk.


    "I''m fine," I said finally, though the dryness in my throat made the words sound hollow, even to my own ears. It was untrue.


    "No," Lira answered and didn''t seem to believe me either. Her eyes swept over my body, narrowing as they caught the faint traces of blood staining my shirt, something that I wasn''t aware of yet. "No, you''re not." Her voice was firmer now, a spark of determination cutting through her fear, replacing it. "You''re hurt."


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    "Huh?" I frowned, my instincts kicking in, trying to check myself. "I''m not¡ª"


    Before I could finish, her small hands were already tugging at my shirt. I barely had the strength to resist as she lifted the fabric, her breath catching in her throat when she saw the injuries. I was also stunned because I had never felt them until now. Claw marks were lining my torso where the tiger had nearly caught me in his attack, thin scratches and bruises painting my skin, showing me that the battle was indeed real. And dangerous. Watching it with surprise, I suddenly realized how close that bastard got to disemboweling me. Luckily, the potion worked, and I was faster... So the wounds were shallow, but they were there, and the sight of them made Lira''s stomach churn.


    "Auriel! This¡ªthis isn''t fine!" Her voice cracked, and she quickly looked away as though the sight of my injuries was too much to bear. Or... was she shy? I couldn''t tell, but then she steeled herself, her muscles tightening as she turned back to face me. "Sit up. I''m cleaning this! No need to get sick from some nasty... nastiness!" She stood with sudden purpose, grabbing a basin from the small washstand nearby. "And don''t argue. You''re letting me do this!"


    "Sure..." I sighed, knowing I didn''t have the energy to fight her on it. Nor to really do it myself. So, I just sat up slowly, wincing slightly as my sore muscles protested against the movement. The cool air of the room hit my now naked skin, raising goosebumps as Lira dampened the cloth and began carefully wiping away the dried blood that was stuck to me. Her touch was gentle yet firm enough to scrap it off, dabbing at the wounds with careful gestures. The water was chilly against my skin, a soothing contrast to the heat of his injuries that I began to feel now that I was conscious of them.


    Looking at her, she was so focused, biting her lower lip in concentration as she worked¡ªkind of cute. I kept watching her, feeling oddly detached from the moment. Shouldn''t this be embarrassing? It should be awkward, right? But I couldn''t find it in me to feel self-conscious. Not that I could, but I thought she may, considering how things are in this world. I guess, at least. No matter. This was nice because there was a strange sense of comfort in her presence, a quiet reassurance.


    As I relaxed, letting her take care of me, I noticed that I was right in my thoughts. Lira, by the time her worry subsided, realized that I wasn''t really injured. Thanks to that, she was gradually going red in the face, her ears burning, yet she continued touching me, caring for me. The fact that I hadn''t resisted was probably why she hadn''t stopped or shown discomfort doing it, making her heart race, something that I could almost hear. I guess in this society, this kind of thing wasn''t normal unless... unless there was something deeper.


    Did... Did I make a mistake? Well, it was too late to say no to her. What I didn''t know were the thoughts swirling in her mind:


    "He trusts me this much?" she thought, swallowing hard as she tried to steady her trembling hands. The thought alone had sent a warm flutter through her chest, but it was quickly overshadowed by the worry that still gnawed at her. "What had happened to him? What could have caused these injuries?" She wanted to ask, but the words were caught in her throat. It had to be related to the Crows. And if it was... he wouldn''t answer her anyway. He couldn''t. So, for now, she focused on tending to his wounds, her touch as gentle as she could make it.


    "Um..." She suddenly muttered, her eyes meeting mine, drawing her hands away. When she finally finished, she sighed in relief, setting the cloth aside. "There. That should help."


    "It''s already better." I nodded as I flexed my shoulders slightly, testing the soreness. "Thanks, Lira."


    "Anytime..." She smiled, but then, as if remembering something, she perked up. "Oh! Wait here!"


    Before I could ask what she meant, she darted out of the room. Did her shyness finally get a hold of her? Well, I barely had time to lean back against the headboard before she returned, carrying a small cloth-wrapped bundle. I already knew what it was; my thoughts were confirmed the moment she opened it. The scent of freshly baked bread filled the room, warm and inviting. My stomach growled loudly the moment the sweet smell hit my nose, my body betraying my hunger.


    "Hungry?" she giggled, the sudden melody from her throat light and pleasant, like a balm against my tiredness. "I figured you''d be hungry, so I baked extra before closing!"


    "You shouldn''t have," I said as she sat beside me, my hand already reaching out, but she was faster. She tore off a piece of soft, warm bread and, without hesitation, held it up to my lips. I simply stared at her, blinking, now feeling I was the one getting flustered. "Lira... I can feed myself."


    "Hush," she said with a little pout, her cheeks flushing slightly. "You''re exhausted. Just let me do it... properly. You already let me bathe you!"


    Bathe me? That is a bit of a stretch... but true. This was nothing then... So I gave in. She pressed the piece of bread against my mouth, and with an exasperated sigh, I finally took a bite. The taste of the warm dough and slight butter melted on my tongue, and for the first time since the battle, well, I guess since yesterday, I felt a sense of normalcy return to my life. What was happening now... It was a small thing, but it was lovely. I enjoyed it. I really appreciated it... I never knew I was so starved for the feeling we were sharing at that moment.


    I think it made the food taste even better.


    "Yummy?" Lira beamed, breaking off another piece. "See? Better, right?"


    "It is tasty." I chewed slowly, nodding my head. "And yeah... I do feel better."


    She smiled even more brightly as she kept feeding me in small bites, humming happily as if playing the role of a devoted little wife. It was odd¡ªno, it was ridiculous¡ªbut for at least that night, I didn''t mind. For once, I wasn''t alone. For once, someone cared enough to check on me, and hell... She didn''t ask for a favor. Maybe she will in the future; we will see... But, for now, I decided... that I would worry about it then, not now.


    The now was for relaxing.

 Chapter 16 – Crown

    Lira lingered for a bit longer, fidgeting as if unsure whether to leave for the night or not. Her fingers twisted the edge of her sleeve, betraying her thoughts at first look, but I acted as if I didn''t notice it. Well, I didn''t mind it either. She kept glancing at me, maybe waiting for me to ask her to stay or something. The dim light of the room softened her features, and my thoughts began traveling in a particular direction, but in the end, I shooed them away. This was neither the time nor the moment to do anything rash. I barely know her anyway. Maybe she noticed it on my face because eventually, she sighed, her shoulders slumping as if surrendering to a decision she hadn''t entirely made herself. She offered me a soft smile, one that didn''t quite reach her eyes.


    "Get some more rest, okay? I''ll check on you later," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Before I could respond, she slipped out my door, back into the night, pulling it shut behind her, making me feel... I don''t know what. Disappointment? In myself? Hard to say.


    With Lira gone, I stretched, standing up, now taken care of, fed, and somewhat rested. I found that I had regained just enough strength to keep myself from falling back into the suffocating embrace of a tired coma, which made me think about what to do next. Yes, my body still ached, a dull, persistent throb pricking me from under, something that seemed to emanate from my spine. It made my limbs kind of heavy and my thoughts sluggish, as though my body was wading through a pool, dragging concrete behind me. Hopefully, there won''t be a fight that I need to get into in the immediate future. Chuckling, I stared at the ceiling for a moment, the rough-hewn beams above me already a familiar sight, and wondered if this was how my future would be from now on. Because if it will be, I will need to start climbing the ladder. I need a better place to stay, and I need to start training, both costing money and no matter what kind of world I am in. If this is how I feel after only one fight, I will die sooner or later... I must get stronger so it doesn''t exhaust me so thoroughly and allows me to survive whatever fate has for me in store.


    Determined to shake the feeling off, I forced myself to start walking, wincing as my muscles protested the sudden movement. I dressed back up, each motion hurting, but I just ignored it. I took it to test the limits of my body. The fabric of my clothes felt coarse against my now sensitive skin, probably because Lira did such a good job that I was now wholly conscious that I was injured.


    "Big deal, Auriel..." I told myself, "It is a cat''s scratch. Stop being a baby."


    While scolding myself, I stepped outside, enjoying the cool wind and the clean air, something that was unknown in my old city. One thing this world for sure has over that is the quality of the air... No smog, no pollution. Walking down the stairs, I listened as the city was quieter at this hour than it was throughout the day, but it wasn''t silent. Somewhere in the distance, a dog barked, and the occasional shouts of voices drifted from a house or two that I walked past by. Not every family has a peaceful night, huh? Typical. While walking, I kept my hood up, my hands buried in my pockets, forcing my body to move swiftly through the crooked alleys that led to the Crow''s Nest. It turns out that a bit of active moving after the initial pain began alleviating it, helping me to move more fluidly. Or it was the aftereffect of forcing myself to a brisk pace. No matter, it worked.


    By the time I arrived, the Crow''s Nest was as lively as ever. The warmth of the place had spilled out into the street, telling me that the others were probably having some kind of party. Maybe celebrating our success. I could clearly hear Cravik''s loud laughter and then the clinking of metal mugs against each other. Arriving, I paused at the door, entering the door, my eyes scanning the room until they landed on Cravik. The burly man leaned against the bar, a tankard in hand, looking as though he had never been injured at all, retelling our fight with the beast-folk with exaggerated movements, joking about stepping on a cat''s tail or something. Seeing me approach, he just grinned, his teeth flashing in the dim light.


    "Finally, I was worried you died in your sleep, but look at you, still walking!" He laughed, his voice booming over the noise of the others. "But you look a bit pale. Don''t worry, kiddo; the potions hit differently for everyone. You''ll bounce back soon enough."


    "Is it that obvious?" I shrugged while the others all came up to me, patting my shoulders and congratulating me, which... felt really good. After a while, with my own mug in my left hand, I rubbed my temple, the ache in my head a slight reminder of the potion''s effects. "It''s not that bad, though. I am used to feeling like shit." I muttered, my voice low.


    "Nothing that a good drink can''t solve." Cravik chuckled. "You''re not built for the strong stuff. Yet. You ought to start working out more and build some muscle! The stronger your body, the better it''ll take the strain."


    "I thought about it, but..." I shot him a wary look, my lips twitching in a half-smile. "Yeah... I am not really looking to turn into a jacked bull like you."


    "Moooo!" Cravik laughed heartily, playing into it, his sound drawing a few glances from nearby patrons, bursting into laughter. "Suit yourself," he continued, taking a swig from his tankard. "But remember, strength ain''t just about lifting crates or dames with each hand. It keeps you alive. Fertile! You might be quick, but one wrong hit, and you''re done, kid."


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    "Then I just need to be fast enough not to get hit."


    I exhaled, crossing my arms over my chest. The idea of becoming stronger wasn''t unappealing, but the thought of bulking up like Cravik wasn''t exactly my life-long goal. I preferred speed and precision over raw power. I believed in a type of balance that I had never strived for in my old life. Now I can try to. Still, Cravik had a point. My body had struggled to handle the strain of the potion, which only became evident after the battle was over. In a later fight, that kind of weakness could mean death if it overcomes me at the wrong moment. The thought lingered for a little more, a quiet unease settling in the pit of my stomach.


    "Anyway," Before I could mull over it a bit more, Cravik''s grin widened, a glint of mischief in his eyes as he bumped my chest with his fist. "It''s time."


    "Huh?" I frowned, putting down my mug but taking a big sip from it first. "Time for what?"


    "You''ll see." Cravik clapped a heavy hand on my shoulder, its force nearly knocking me off balance. He is so touchy now; what the... "From now on, you''re counted as a real member of the gang. And that means it''s time for you to meet the Crown."


    My body tensed slightly, a flicker of apprehension coursing through my mind. I had been working with the gang for a while now, but I had never met the person at the top¡ªthis shadowy figure who pulled the strings and made it all happen. Huh... This was a step deeper into the world I had already started to entangle myself in. If there was a sign of no point of return, this was it.


    Still, I just nodded. Fuck it. This is my life now.


    So, I followed Cravik through the city, leaving the nest and walking the streets in silence with him. The more neglected alleys around our hideout soon gave way to more roads covered in polished cobblestones and well-maintained buildings, a stark contrast to the Crowfoot gang''s usual operating area. Finally, the house we had stopped at was, although unremarkable, it gave me a feeling that it was intentionally so. It was the kind of place that blended into the background. There were no guards, no signs of danger, just a simple home with a warm glow spilling from its windows.


    From within, the sound of laughter echoed... Listening, I was sure that it was a child. Bright and carefree. The kind of giggle that only innocence can create, which then was followed by a man''s soothing voice. Cravik knocked and waited politely, patiently. When the door swung open, I was met with a surprising sight, making me blink my eyes multiple times, making sure I wasn''t just seeing things. It was Risa who stood there, holding a small, four-year-old girl in her arms. The child''s eyes sparkled with curiosity as she peered at me, her tiny fingers clutching a sewn little doll. Because she didn''t recognize me, she took a bit longer time, her gaze lingering on my features before turning to Cravik.


    "Eh!" She grunted, happy to see Cravik, who just beamed like an idiot. Which fitted him well, and I couldn''t help but chuckle the same way. Right before my shock returned, looking at Risa, a thousand questions emerged from within my mind.


    "Welcome, Auriel," Risa said warmly, her smile genuine. "Come in, have dinner. Let''s talk about your future in my gang."


    Hiding in plain sight... huh? I shrugged, smiling, shaking my head. I wouldn''t have guessed.


    ...


    ....


    ......


    Meanwhile, across the city, the atmosphere in the Guild''s main chamber was far less welcoming than what Auriel was going through. The room was dimly lit; the flickering light of a single lantern wasn''t enough to light up all the faces of the men gathered around the one table they sat at. Their expressions were grim, clearly debating something they were not too happy about. Something that gave them a slight headache.


    "He slipped out of the city against orders," one of them muttered, his voice tense. "And now he''s back like nothing happened. He defied our direct order. He is guilty."


    "..." The Guildmaster, Reagan, tapped his fingers against the table in a slow, deliberate rhythm, stopping his colleague from continuing. "The real problem is who he was with. The Crowfoot."


    "Yeah..." Another man shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his gaze darting to the leader before settling back on the table. "We can''t afford to act too harshly. The gang supplies us with valuable intel and goods, and our partnership is going back a decade now. If we push too hard, we risk losing their cooperation."


    "And?" A younger member of the gathering frowned, his hands clenched into fists on the table. "If we do nothing, we set a precedent. Auriel isn''t just some foot soldier; he is a registered member of the Guild. To remind you all, the Guild spans over the continent! If he starts aligning himself too closely with them, he could become a liability! He¨C¨C"


    "Enough!" Ira, the scarred woman who was there when Auriel was first brought before Reagan, shouted, silencing everyone. "If you think you can lecture us about the Guild, you are twenty years too late, kid. You were sucking your momma''s tits when I was already killing people, so shut the fuck up."


    Silence settled over the room quickly, thick and suffocating, before Reagan finally spoke again. His voice was serene, but there was an edge to it, a warning that sent a chill through the air, reinforcing his righthand woman''s words.


    "For now, we wait. We watch. But make no mistake¡ªif Auriel continues down this path, we will have to act. And when we do, it will be decisive. A gang is a gang. They won''t choose a new member over the profit they gain from us. Lazlow will return soon, and he will bring back enough information to determine if the boy is innocent or not. Until then, keep your egos in check."


    "..." Another pause followed his words before one of the men added in a questioning voice, "What if the Crowfoot decides they want him fully on their side? Would he still be a guild member or not?"


    "..." Reagan''s eyes darkened, his gaze sharpening like the edge of a blade that was half drawn out. "That depends on where his loyalties lie. And whether or not he makes the right choice. The Guild doesn''t harbor criminals. Our reputation is better than that. He will then be expelled, and all of the Guild''s resources will be cut from him. Everywhere."

 Chapter 17 – Artifact

    The guildmaster''s main office was sealed off from everybody the moment Lazlow returned, coming to report to Reagan about his findings, sending word that it was most important to do so as soon as possible. The room was silent save for the rhythmic tapping of Reagan''s fingers against the polished surface of his dark, wooden table. Each tap echoed faintly as if it were a metronome, marking the passage of time along with his thought process. He had been waiting for Lazlow''s return since their last meeting, knowing that the man was the best tracker he had ever known, a gold-level adventurer and someone who could find anything. When the news arrived, he quickly excused himself from a meeting between the City Lord and a foreign group of merchants there to arbitrate between the two as an independent agent from the Adventurers'' Guild. The fact that he was able to do this without resulting in any punishment and that the leader of a city and a wealthy organization allowed it showed the influence the Adventure Guild had over the continent.


    He was just about to stand up, going to ask where he was if he was so adamant about calling him back yet not waiting in his office when the man in question finally entered the room. Looking at him, Lazlow was a man of quiet efficiency, his presence as unassuming, easily missable if you didn''t know who you were looking for. His clothes were still dusted with the filth of travel; his boots were scuffed and worn from the road, traveling through unmarked lands, always finding shortcuts, no matter where he was. A faint sheen of sweat glistened on his brow, evidence of his haste to deliver his report, making Reagan raise an eyebrow in surprise.


    "Sorry, Guildmaster. I had a feeling as if I was monitored, so while you returned, I... walked a little." This could only mean he tried to shake off whoever was tailing him. If Lazlow felt someone was following him, Reagan believed him without question.


    "I see. Good work." Reagan nodded, "So...?"


    Lazlow wasted no time in stepping forward and placing a stuffed folder on the table, pulling it out from the inner pocket of his long coat. The wax seal, stamped with the Guild''s insignia, was unbroken, making sure that it showed that nobody had seen it yet, marked with Lazlow''s own emblem of a padlock.


    Still seated at his table, Reagan leaned forward slightly, his eyes flicking over Lazlow before gesturing for him to speak, deciding to look over the documents after he heard everything from him first. Reagan was a man of calculated actions, and every gesture was deliberate. In his mind, if he read the documents first, it could create a preconceived notion of what he was going to hear. It would have been best if he had let Lazlow retell his findings and then taken the documents as proof of it all.


    "I traced everything, Guildmaster," Lazlow began, his voice calm, betraying no emotion, speaking with a measured pace. "Started at the caravan where Auriel was found. It was traveling through no ordinary trade route. The fact that they took multiple detours and chose the less charted routes coming here was way too obvious.


    "They were smuggling something valuable." Reagan agreed, watching Lazlow nod.


    "An ancient elven artifact."


    "What?!" The Guildmaster flinched, his voice suddenly rising. "What kind of artifact are we talking about?"


    "From the description, a palm-sized disc. As for its effects, we don''t know. It is made out of some kind of bone with elven inscriptions running in it in concentric circles."


    "An elven artifact..." Reagan whispered, his eyes flashing once.


    "I didn''t know it at first. You will see it in my report." He nodded at the documents. "I traced them back to their origin, contacted the local Guild, and made sure to use them to track down everybody or everything connected to the caravan. In my search, I finally found a proper link. After capturing the man, a quick torture was enough to make him spill everything. The way the ambush played out was that the artifact was the true target. The rest of the cargo? Just a cover."


    "What about him?" Reagan asked, but Lazlow simply tapped the table once, a clear indication between them that the person in question was no longer an issue. "Good. Did anyone else know about it?"


    "I made sure to leave no stone unturned." Lazlow shook his head, "Only those who were in the caravan... but they are dead."


    "Except the kid..."


    "Yes." Lazlow nodded, his expression unchanging. "After piecing things together, I tracked down those who ambushed them and found the beast-folk''s camp. Or what was left of it." He paused, knowing Reagan was about to speak.


    "Auriel..."


    "Your instincts are right. The camp was hit hard. It wasn''t a raid by another faction; it bore the usual mark of the Crowfoot gang''s retaliation signature. Cravik and his crew wiped them out. But I was able to reconstruct what happened."


    "In your opinion, was the kid behind the initial ambush, too? Did he orchestrate it, but then the beast-folk betrayed him, too?" Reagan asked in the end, his voice solemn and low.


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    "Hard to tell. That possibility is not zero, though."


    "I want your opinion." Reagan pressed on.


    "I..." He considered, for the first time, he furrowed his brows, mulling over it. "I don''t think so. Mostly because of his upbringing."


    "Oh? Because?" Reagan asked in surprise.


    "The boy himself is an orphan, but he was raised in Mithranil''s school."


    "He was taught by the old man?" The Guildmaster whistled, watching Lazlow nod his head, confirming it. "Yeah... If it is true, and he comes from his school, he wouldn''t be the one who sold them out. Which complicates things..."


    "Guildmaster?" Lazlow asked, now feeling a bit confused.


    "So... they have the artifact now?" Reagan continued, ignoring his question, his voice sharp and urgent.


    "Well..." Lazlow hesitated for only a fraction of a second. "That''s the logical assumption. I can''t prove it, though. If they hit the beast-folk camp, they must have taken everything of value, including the artifact."


    "..." Reagan leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly through his nose. His fingers steepled in front of him, the tips pressing together as if in prayer, thinking, watching the still untouched documents. "And yet, we don''t know for certain."


    "Aye." Lazlow nodded. "But given their efficiency, it''s highly unlikely they left it behind."


    "We still have an opportunity to get it for ourselves," he said at last, his voice cutting through the forming stillness.


    "The boy?" Lazlow asked.


    "Yes. Auriel is already close to them."


    "You want to use him?"


    "Yes," Reagan answered, his tone measured, a smile hanging on his face. "Anyone coming from Mithranil''s school has to live up to the old man''s expectations. Meaning they have to be loyal and adhere to his ideals. The boy is a bronze-ranked adventurer, which means he swore an oath to us. He found himself in the gang because we limited his freedom, but now, we can reinstate him, even reward him! So his loyalty should drive him back to us. First, we appeal to his better nature. Make him believe that securing the artifact for us will reward him beyond his wildest expectations: wealth, security, and power. Whatever he wants. Raise him to be a gold-ranker. I don''t care what it takes. If that doesn''t work¡­" He let the words hang in the air, the implication clear. "We will switch up the tactics. That artifact must not leave the city, and it must not get into local authorities'' hands! We must have it."


    "Understood," Lazlow agreed with a knowing nod, his fingers idly traveling to the hilt of the dagger on his hip.


    "Good," Reagan said. "But that is for a last effort. For now, we plan. We wait for the right moment. I will gather the trusted ones from the Guild and share your findings with the inner circle." He continued, grabbing the documents and finally opening them.


    ...


    ....


    ......


    Across the city, in the warmth of her simple, humble-looking home, Risa sat at her desk, pouring over the documents Auriel had retrieved. Her husband and her daughter were already asleep, and Cravik and the boy had left an hour before. For now, she was alone in her private office in the basement. The room she had set up there was small but cozy, the walls lined with shelves filled with books, scrolls, and trinkets collected over the years since she turned her childhood thieving gang into an actual criminal syndicate. At that moment, a single candle burned on the desk she sat at, its flickering light casting just enough light for her to read the letters between her fingers.


    Her keen eyes scanned the slightly smudged parchment before her, focusing on those parts where the ink was still dark and readable. Her fingers moved slowly, tracing the lines of text, piecing together the puzzle that lay before her because it wasn''t written in the human language. That alone sparked great excitement because it wasn''t beast-folk scribbles nor dwarven rune writing either. It was elvish. She was a woman of sharp intellect and even sharper instincts, her mind always working, constantly analyzing. Her parents always hoped she would become a scholar¡ªan inventor. Someone important... yet she found that her ideas were the best when they were utilized to outplay the law. The law that protected those who were already wealthy...


    "Maybe our young little flour-loving fledgling is the next evolutionary step for my family... I was always lucky to find new ways to move forward." She muttered, using a thick book to translate the contents of the letters. Proving that she was indeed lucky, it was simplified elven. Something the sharp-eared bastards used to communicate with the so-called lower-lifeforms. Aimed at the beat-folk in this case. After finishing the translations, the documents became a treasure trove of information, with each page revealing another layer of elven mystery.


    She had already learned from them that the beast-folk had attacked Auriel''s caravan for a reason. It wasn''t random¡ªit was deliberate. They had been after something specific, something valuable. And now, reading between the lines, Risa knew exactly what it was.


    "An elven artifact," she murmured, her fingers tapping against the parchment. Her words were barely audible, but they carried the weight of revelation, and her body shook once or twice from excitement.


    The documents hinted at more than just the attack. They provided traces of correspondence and coded exchanges that suggested the beast-folk had been hired to retrieve the artifact for the elves, using them just as kingdoms use the Adventurer Guild everywhere to fight a proxy war with them.


    "The elves," she muttered, the realization settling in like a stone dropped into still water. The implications alone were staggering. If the elves were involved, it meant the artifact was more than just a trinket¡ªit was a piece of their history, their power. Something they would stop at nothing to reclaim. Which also meant that this relic had great value. Power.


    She continued reading, her brow furrowing in concentration. The papers revealed one more piece of crucial information. Maybe the most important one: the artifact hadn''t been delivered. The beast-folk never handed it over. Instead, they had hidden it somewhere, securing it for themselves, wanting to haggle for more than what was promised to them. That meant it was still out there, waiting to be found.


    Her mind raced with possibilities. She knew the Adventurer Guild would sniff it out. And if the Guild believed the Crowfoot had it, they would come for it soon. But the truth was, the artifact was elsewhere. A bit of a conundrum... Still, if she could find it first, then the gang¡ªher gang¡ªwould hold all the power. She leaned back in her chair, exhaling slowly. This changed things. The game had just become much more interesting.


    "We''re going after it," she decided aloud, reaching for a fresh piece of parchment. Her hand moved quickly, the quill scratching against the paper as she began to outline her plan. "Whatever it is, it''s ours now."

 Chapter 18 – Anger

    It had been a few days since we cleared the beast-folk camp, and I had returned to my usual routine¡ªor so I tried to convince myself. My body had healed, and my strength was restored, but there was a nagging feeling constantly bothering me. And I couldn''t put it where it was coming from. It couldn''t be the battle as I slept well, with no nightmares or waking up feeling drenched in sweat. It was more of a strange feeling sensation, as if something was happening, something that wasn''t good for me, but I didn''t know what. Or when. Or why. Maybe it was nothing, and I was just being paranoid.


    So, over the days, I tried ignoring it and focusing on my life, which within the gang had resumed its normal flow, and I was back to being assigned to different tasks. My latest one was being tried out as an enforcer, just like Cravik. It didn''t mean I would become a ''talon'' for the group, but they wanted to see how I handled it and if that was my future with them.


    The job was simple: collect payment from a brothel that had fallen behind on its dues to the gang. Nothing that should be difficult. The establishment was tucked in a side street, a few streets down to the north, its location marked by the flickering lanterns from a glass case that was painted red. Somehow, it seems even here, the term of a red-light-district was present. I would have started musing about it, but that annoying, nagging feeling had returned once again. Now, with the extra caveat that I was being followed.


    "Could it be the Guild?" I asked myself, but I saw nobody... no matter how many times I looked.


    Shaking my head, I turned back to the brothel''s entrance, my attention refocused on the task at hand. The air outside was thick with the scent of rain that had only stopped an hour ago, which I was longing for only a second later. The reason was simple: it was replaced by a suffocating mix of perfume, alcohol, and... other fluids the moment I entered the building. It was... Not pleasant. Best if I spend as little time in here because, apparently, my senses are not really the fan of smelling others'' naughty odor permeating the air, masked by... whatever the whores were using here instead of a simple soap.


    The brothel''s owner was easy to identify after I walked past the reception, heading straight to the backrooms. He was a middle-aged man with greased-back, black hair and a slimy smile who stood behind a cluttered desk in an office, only hiding behind a flap of sheet hanging from the ceiling. His fingers twitched as he wrung his hands, and his eyes darted around the room as if searching for an escape the moment I entered. I didn''t know my face was already known... At least I didn''t need to guess to see the man was already trying to worm his way out of paying before I even said anything.


    "You see, the business hasn''t been great," the sleazy pimp, for lack of better terms, stammered, his voice cracking the moment I arrived at his desk, crossing my arms and just looking at him with one raised eyebrow. "If you could just give me a few more days, I swear I''ll have the money."


    "I didn''t even say anything yet." I exhaled slowly, the sound sharp and deliberate. I was trying to imitate the voice and look I saw in old gangster movies, wondering if I was doing it well or not. Anyway, it was worth a try.


    "Oh, no need to!" He smiled, trying to look amicable in his pompous-looking, crimson-colored suit. "I perfectly know you are from the great and magnanimous¨C¨C"


    "We aren''t. magnanimous." I cut in, feeling icky from his ass-kissing, and my patience is already frayed, thinned to a thread just by being in here. "And not paying your dues is unfortunate," I continued, the edge of my lousy mood showing on my face. "But you know how things work. We provide protection and a slight immunity against the city''s laws, and you pay on time. Or¡­ things start getting messy. We both know your clientele are not the local nobles. This is not exactly a place they would visit, so if you don''t have someone up there to protect you after we withdraw..."


    Knowingly, I let the words linger, watching as the owner''s throat bobbed with a hard swallow. The man''s earlier smile faltered, and his hands trembled even more as he reached for a ledger on the desk. Oh? Something to hide? Why did this scenario feel like when I was trying my best to help out my team leader in the office, only for him to take all my work and present it as his? His body language and face reminded me of him already... No wonder my hands were faster. I snatched the book before he could do anything, flipping it open with a practiced ease that betrayed my familiarity with such records. I handled enough of the company''s business, working overtime every day to know what to look for.


    "H-Hey, you can''t just¡ª!" the little snake protested, his voice rising in panic, but I just ignored him.


    My eyes were scanning the neatly written numbers, letting myself smile a little. The biggest mistake of his was the fact that he notoriously kept track of everything in this shithole. If you want to be sly and indeed slimy, keep two ledgers, one for the officials and one with the truth in it. Idiot... Reading, I could see everything: profits from drinks, services rendered, and bribes paid to others. He even had all the girls he had, their cost, meaning their food, clothes, and things he listed as maintenance, right up against the money they were bringing in. The bastard was lying¡ªhe had more than enough to cover what he owed. Twice over. But then, something caught my eye. Flipping to the ''ongoing'' label in his ledger, there was a draft of a deal with a fresh date, written up only yesterday. It was an entry waiting only for final confirmation after finalizing the price of the newest product... Reading it through, I barely noticed that my left hand slipped to the hilt of my shortsword.


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    What I noticed was that my blood had run cold. This was not a typical sale for something. It was a ''deed'' for a girl. A young girl. A human. An individual... A virgin. The price was still being negotiated... And the seller¡­


    My hands clenched the edges of the ledger so tightly that the paper crinkled under my fingers. I knew that fucker. The name written under the seller''s section made my stomach lurch... It was Lira''s father.


    Suddenly, the weight in my chest was unbearable, a crushing pressure that stole my breath and made my vision swim, seeing a tinge of red. Like hell, I will let this sale go through! I have no issues with girls choosing to be entertainers in their own right, but buying someone like this?! Are you insane?! A sharp, searing pain shot through my chest, not physical but a visceral reaction to a fact that I totally missed until now. I never knew if this was even legal in this world... wait. I was working for a gang... Even if it was legal or not, that could mean jack shit now. For a moment, I thought I was dying again, just like in my old life, my body seizing under the force of my sudden rage. I heard how my heart pounded in my ears, becoming a deafening drumbeat that drowned out everything else.


    "You okay¡ª?"


    The piece of shit''s voice was distant, barely audible over the roar in my mind, but loud enough to bring me out of my stupor. With a flinch, I slowly lifted my gaze, probably looking awfully grim as the man snapped his mouth close, stiffening. I didn''t say anything; I just stared, and the silence became suffocating. I wanted to speak, but I was so angry; the words were fighting against each other in my throat, unable to decide what type of curse I should put on his head. At least, the bastard, despite his years of experience dealing with criminals, indeed paled, all of his supposed bravado crumbling under the weight of my boiling, visible fury.


    "I''ll pay! I''ll pay double!" he blurted out, his voice shaking, probably thinking I was angry because he had the money. He scrambled to gather it at once, shoving it into a pouch and pressing it into my hands without hesitation. "Here! Just take it and go. I even put in some extra... for being so late with it!"


    At first, I didn''t react. I simply hung it up on my belt and then walked out, ignoring his shouts, trying to say that I should tell the others it won''t happen again. By then, the rain had started to fall once again, but only as a light drizzle that still managed to soak into his clothes and cling to his skin. It felt nice. It calmed down the rage I was feeling. Still, my breath came in uneven gasps, my mind racing with a torrent of thoughts that I couldn''t control.


    "What now...?" I asked nobody but myself.


    Did the gang know this was happening? Did Risa know? If they did¡­ would they even care? The questions burned strongly, coming up over and over in my mind, each time becoming more infuriating than the last. I had no answers, but one thing was clear¡ªthe deal didn''t go through yet. So it shouldn''t be in effect... I needed to get Lira away from her father before the man went through with his vile idea. Wait. Even if it is possible to hold it up in this world''s laws... Fuck that. Didn''t I say I won''t care about those anymore? My thoughts were a blur, but my body had already moved on its own, driven by a simple need to act. And act fast.


    So, I made my way to the bakery and their home without hesitation. When I arrived, the bakery was dark, and the scent of flour and baked goods still lingering in the air told me that they had only recently closed. For starters, I knocked on their door only once. But it was loud, sharp, and forceful. No answer. Okay, then I knocked again, even harder this time.


    "Y-y-yes?" After a pause, the door creaked open, and Lira stood there, blinking nervously, relief shining from her eyes when he realized it was me. "Auriel? What are you¡ª?"


    "Come with me," I said, my voice lower than I intended and probably scarier than it should be if I wanted to make her trust me. No wonder that Lira hesitated, taking a step back, clearly startled by the intensity of my expression. But then, she saw something... I don''t know what it was. Maybe it was anger. Fear? Maybe. I also didn''t know what I was feeling... But it wasn''t good. I watched as she swallowed and then nodded, stepping out of the house without another word. She trusted me. I could tell.


    "I will explain it later¨C¨C" I said as we turned to leave, but a voice rang out behind us.


    "Where do you think you''re taking my daughter?!" Lira''s mother appeared in the doorway, her presence filling the narrow entrance, her eyes blazing with fury. "Get back inside, Lira! Now!"


    I didn''t let Lira''s hand go, but I stopped when she flinched, torn between her mother''s demand and the apparent urgency in my grip.


    "Auriel¡ª" She tried to ask, wholly confused, but then...


    Her mother lunged at me, trying to grab her back, but I moved before she could reach us. Without realizing it, my body reacted, shifting, countering, just as I did with the tiger I fought, finding her much slower. By reflex, I grabbed her wrist and twisted it, forcing her away with ease. The woman stumbled, gasping in shock at the sudden display of quickness, something that also surprised me, but I wasn''t going to question it now.


    Lira''s breath hitched when it happened, her fingers tightening around my arm, but she didn''t pull away. She still trusted me, it seemed.


    Without another word, I led Lira through the streets. The rain was falling harder now, soaking us both, but I barely noticed as my mind was filled with an unfocused rage and fear, fear from the idea that we were dealing with selling humans. With how my life was previously, I may have been paid, but it was only enough to keep living... In all but name, I was simply a slave with no outlook for any improvements. For Lira, this would be even worse... I won''t stand for that.


    Tonight, I will get answers. I am going to speak to Risa directly and ask it all with Lira next to me. If she can lie into our faces... Well, I don''t know what I will do, but I will think of something.

 Chapter 19 – Broken

    Lira sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers digging into the old fabric of her skirt, the material rough after going through years of washing and drying as there was not much she could spend on herself, having to do with what she had. The house was quiet, but not because it was a peaceful night. Quite the opposite, she just had an argument with her mother, thanks to her father, who has been gone for a day and a half already. As for where? Who knows. Why? That was a more straightforward question. In times like this, it was because he was under the influence of his addiction and put into a mindset that he would do anything to get his next fix. It wasn''t the first time that her father had been missing for a while. It happened more and more lately, always finding him somewhere in the city after another potion-fueled relapse. The issue was that every time the potion left his body, he would be even worse than a drunk. She should have been used to it by now, but it never got easier... Each time, it felt... worse than before.


    It didn''t make it easier that her mother was also on the verge of exploding. Her angry voice still echoed in her ears from their argument just minutes ago. It had started like every other fight, with a passive-aggressive remark from her mother followed by a bitter response from Lira. Then it escalated into accusations and sharp words neither of them meant but couldn''t take back the moment they left their mouths. But... Her mother''s words had cut deep this time.


    "You''re just like him, you know. Always running away from your problems."


    Lira had wanted to scream at her, to throw something, to make her mother understand how much those words hurt. But instead, she''d just stood there, fists clenched, until her mother stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.


    Now, sitting alone in her room, Lira felt like she had also reached a point where it was dangerously close to exploding, ready to snap. Her chest ached, and her throat burned with unshed tears she had been holding back over and over again. She was tired. Exhausted, really. Today had been an awful day, and she wanted nothing more than for it to end one way or another. She really... gave up. On her family.


    So when she heard the sharp, forceful knock at the door, she nearly jumped out of her skin. Her heart pounded in her chest as she hesitated before moving to answer it. She was afraid it was her father...


    When she finally opened the door, she saw Auriel standing there, soaking wet from the rain, and something inside her steadied. Him? Here? Now? Was... Was this like in the fables? But...


    He looked different, more intense than usual, his hair plastered to his forehead and his eyes sharp with urgency. Something happened. Something bad. When he told her to come with him, she didn''t argue. It was exactly what she wanted a few minutes ago, anyway. She was already too emotionally drained to fight against the idea. Instead, she just nodded and stepped outside, leaving behind the place she had called home for years without looking back, ready to go wherever he would take her.


    ...


    ....


    ......


    The rain was getting heavier and heavier, but I kept dragging Lira along the street, explaining nothing. I didn''t know what to say... and she didn''t ask. When coming to a halt before the home she had never visited before, Risa opened the door before I even had the chance to knock, her eyes flicking between me and the girl I had brought with me. She looked... angry, which I can understand, but I wasn''t in the mood to consider the consequences.


    For a moment, she said nothing, simply watching us, her expression becoming unreadable. I don''t really know what she was thinking of, but maybe it would have been best if I hadn''t asked. Just looking at her eyes, it wasn''t anything pleasant; still, she stepped aside to let us in, her movements smooth and measured, acting professionally.


    As we entered, she closed the door behind us, and finally, my hearing, which had been muffled by the rain until now, became clear. The same was true of my mind, realizing both Lira and I were drenched like lost puppies. Before I could speak up, Risa did so. Her voice was exceptionally firm, cutting through the silence like a blade.


    "Auriel, I believe I told you when you were last here¡ªbusiness does not come to my home unless I invite it in."


    Her tone was not audibly angry, just a cold reminder of the boundaries I had overstepped, so the weight of her words was unmistakable. It was my first and last mistake she would tolerate. I understood that, so I exhaled heavily, nodding once.


    "I know. But this is something you need to hear. It can''t wait."


    "Everything can wait, " she reprimanded me, looking into my eyes. "But... you do look like someone who has seen a ghost." Risa studied me for a moment longer, her gaze then moving away, lingering on Lira, who stood silently behind me, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. "Both of you need a warm towel."


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    Finally, she motioned for us to follow while leading us downstairs to the basement, where she gave us towels and even sent Lira behind a divider where she could undress and clean herself.


    "Take these." Risa added, throwing a few clothes over them, "Yours are too soaked to put back on. And you," She glanced at me, "My hubby''s clothes are too big for you, so suck it up and deal with it."


    "Sure." I nodded, and the fact I didn''t react to her short jab told her I was indeed taking this way too seriously to start fooling around.


    I didn''t count how many minutes passed silently between us, but since my reaction, Risa has also been waiting patiently but with a stony expression. The room was well-lit, and the air was warm and faintly scented with old paper and ink, providing a bit of calm on my nerves.


    "Sit," she said in a monotone voice after I was dry enough, leaning against her desk as she crossed her arms, waiting for an explanation. "And speak. I need details." She instructed me, glancing once at the divider, watching Lira appear in her new clothes, and also curious about what was going on. Why did I ''abduct'' her so suddenly?


    "It concerns Lira." I wasted no time, starting directly, looking into my boss''s eyes, never leaving her gaze. "I found something today at the brothel I was sent to shakedown. Something I couldn''t ignore." Then I pulled out the letter I had taken from the brothel''s ledger and held it up to Risa to see. "There was a deal being made. A girl was about to be sold off... And the seller? Lira''s father."


    "...?!"


    Silence fell over the room like a hammer. It was as if the absence of sound was like an explosion. It was broken by Lira, who inhaled sharply, her entire body going stiff where she stood. For a moment, she didn''t move, didn''t breathe, as if the words hadn''t fully registered. Then, as realization crashed over her that this girl was her, her legs gave out, and she sank to the floor with an actual crash. By then, her breath came in short, shallow gasps as she stared ahead blankly, unseeing, no longer registering what was happening around her.


    "No," she whispered, shaking her head. "No, he wouldn''t¡­ He couldn''t¡­ Even if... Wha... no... no?"


    Her voice broke, and the sound was so small, so fragile, that it made my chest tighten. I was afraid she would experience the same thing that sent me into this world. Without realizing it, I clenched my fists, my anger once again resurfacing, but seeing Lira like this, completely shattered, made me bite down on it. It won''t help. Not right now.


    First, while Risa was reading it, I pulled Lira up from the ground, at least to make her sit in one of the chairs, not really knowing what to say. So, to do something, I turned my attention back to Risa, my voice cold as I asked.


    "Did you know about this? Is this something the Crowfoot allows? Is this a business we dabble in?"


    "We do dabble in prostitutes." Risa''s expression hardened when answering, looking up above the edge of the document and finishing scanning the pages carefully. "But no," she stated with absolute confidence. "We do not deal in people. Nor in drugs. Those who do¡­ do not last long in this city."


    "Because...?" I asked, wanting to get the full picture from Risa.


    "Because dealing in people is dangerous!" She scoffed as if I was asking stupid questions. "It is the most used reason for wars between nations, especially between species! There are empires that are strong enough to withstand it, but Korvinate? This kingdom is not. So, it is outlawed."


    "But¨C¨C" I opened my mouth, but she cut me off.


    "There are limits, Auriel." She said sternly, "There are many things I can smooth over, but if I start dabbling in trading people and drugs, all my connections will amount to nothing. It would be a liability that anyone can use to crush us. No. We had nothing to do with this and trust me; we will rectify this before it spreads... The last thing my gang needs is others smearing us with this info! To spread that, the Crows deal with slaves..." She grimaced, crumpling the unfinished document.


    While speaking, I studied her, searching for any sign of deception, but I found none. She was telling the truth. At least... as far as I could tell.


    "Go." She sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Take the girl with you. I''ll send it for you later. For now, stay out of it."


    I didn''t argue or ask questions. Instead, I held Lira''s hand, leading her out, but she barely reacted to anything, be it my voice or my touch. I didn''t bring her back home. That would be... unwise, so I aimed at one of our safehouses. By the time we reached the hideout, the rain had turned into a full-blown storm, soaking us both to the bone once again. The house was rundown from the outside, but inside, it was patched up nicely and used for storing some goods we were dealing in. Right now, it was empty, so nobody was there. It was the perfect place to be alone and sort our thoughts out. Locking the door behind us, I brought Lira to one of the empty rooms in the hideout, crouching down before a small furnace, making a fire for us to warm up a little.


    When the orange fire lit up the small room, I looked at Lira, who looked... hollow. I quickly grabbed a towel from a nearby shelf and kneeled beside her, starting to wipe her face and hair from the rain. She was still silent and unmoving as I began to dry her off carefully and cautiously.


    "You need to change," I muttered, draping the towel over her shoulders in the end. "You''ll get sick if you stay like this."


    Still, no response.


    "Lira..." I sighed, running a hand through her damp hair. "I know this is¡­ a lot. I know it hurts. But I need you to stay with me, Lira. You''re not alone in this. Alright? Can you hear me?"


    "..."


    She finally moved just a little, turning her head to look at me. Her eyes were glossy and red-rimmed, and there was barely any light in them, but she nodded faintly. Then, without a word, she leaned forward, pressing her forehead against my chest.


    I froze for a moment, caught off guard, but then there was nothing to do... So I exhaled, resting my hand lightly on her back.


    We stayed like that for a long time, the sound of the rain against the boarded window hammering like stampeding horses. At least... Lira''s heart was stronger than mine was... She will get out of this quagmire. I had to believe that because I felt sorry for her and somewhat understood how betrayal felt. Although I didn''t know if even I would be able to say I experienced the kind of betrayal she did now.

 Chapter 20 – Missing Pieces

    The fire I had made crackled in the dimly lit room, casting flickering shadows against its worn wooden walls, making us feel alone in the world. It has been a day since I brought her here. I had sat down on a rickety chair across from Lira, watching her but saying nothing, simply bringing her some fruits to eat. What could I say? I had no idea... Nothing came to mind.


    In turn, she hadn''t spoken much since learning the devastating news, either, only reaching out and silently munching on the sliced apple.


    Finishing the small breakfast, she just sat on the edge of her cot, knees drawn to her chest, her still damp hair sticking to her skin as she woke up from a nightmare last night, drenched in sweat. However, after I calmed her down, she had changed into a dryer set of clothes after being soaked again; watching her, she looked smaller than ever. It was as if the weight of what she''d learned had physically shrunk her down. I felt bad... I couldn''t help it. Her arms wrapped tightly around herself, her fingers pressing into her arm, eyes looking dim, almost empty. What was a bit more worrying is... Well, she hadn''t cried. Not yet.


    "Auriel."


    I turned my head toward the new voice, and to my surprise, it belonged to Cravik, who I hadn''t even heard coming in. He was leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed, shaking his head. His expression was compassionate, and his voice was low enough not to startle Lira.


    "Go get some rest yourself. I''ll watch her so she does nothing stupid."


    I hesitated a little, glancing back at Lira, but I was indeed tired. I didn''t sleep since finding that unsigned bill for sale. What worried me once more was that she hadn''t moved and hadn''t even acknowledged us. Finally, my fingers twitched, wanting to say something¡ªanything¡ªbut I knew there was nothing I could do right now. She had to open up first...


    "¡­Yeah," I muttered, pushing myself up. "I''ll check in later."


    ...


    ....


    ......


    By the third dawn, the Crowfoot had already put their ears to the ground everywhere in the city.


    Risa wasted no time, sending out informants and contacts across the streets the moment we left her home. Lira''s father was a well-known wreck of a man¡ªtracking him down shouldn''t have been difficult. It shouldn''t have been...


    And yet, by the second day, they had nothing. By the third? Not even a sighting of the fucker.


    It made me nervous and restless, so I took matters into my own hands. I didn''t fully trust that the Crows were telling me everything, that Risa wouldn''t lie about something so serious. I was still... new. I didn''t have any contacts or networks, but I did make some brief connections and knew which tongue I could loosen with a few coins I had earned so far.


    My first success was with an old drunkard who had seen Lira''s father the night before stumbling around near the eastern markets. Not dead. Not missing. He''s just¡­ gone after getting a fix that sent him reeling for ten minutes or so.


    It wasn''t much, but it was something.


    So, I followed the lead, heading toward the lower district''s eastern bars¡ªplaces where people like Lira''s dad could turn up, alive or dead. Holes that were cheap and dangerous, not only because of the people frequenting them but because they may serve you so bad of a drink that it could kill. I didn''t expect what would come next... As I rounded the corner of an alley, a familiar figure stood waiting for me right there and then as if knowing I was coming.


    I had stopped immediately, my pulse quickening as someone wearing the Adventurer''s Guild Insignia leaned against the wall, arms crossed, measuring me.


    I hadn''t seen the man before, nor any other members, not since I walked away from the Guild. Glancing at his wrist, there it was, hanging from it like a decorative chain... his bracelet. Shining in gold. Damn it. I had no genuine concept of what each rank meant or what the requirements were to be promoted besides experience or fame... But I could easily see that being a bronze-ranked one and him a golden boy, I did not have much chance if I wanted to run.


    Reflexively, my hands curled into loose fists as I spoke up.


    "Didn''t expect to see you," I said, keeping my tone casual, trying to be unreadable. "You lost?"


    "We never met before."


    "I meant you, as in the Guild members." I rolled my eyes, not wanting to give him the impression I was afraid.


    "Lazlow," he smirked, pushing off the wall and introducing himself. "I was waiting for you."


    "Yeah?" I tensed. "Why?"


    "Well," Lazlow shrugged, stepping forward at a leisurely pace but in a way that blocked my route forward, and I had a nagging feeling backing out would simply put me in the sight of another group hiding somewhere. "I bring good news, actually. The Guild has decided to clear you, Auriel. More than that, if you had any past offenses? Forgotten. All of ''em."


    I couldn''t help but narrow my eyes. This was a trap. Why now? Why say it like this? Why not invite me into their headquarters? Something didn''t add up.


    "I don''t have any past offenses," I said slowly. Well, at least, if my memories as the young Auriel held up well enough.


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    "None that we know about." Lazlow chuckled. "So... No, you don''t. But let''s be honest, we were pissed you joined with a bandit group. Especially with how sudden of a switch it was." His gaze flickered over my shoulder, making me flinch, but I did not turn around. I felt how dangerous he was... I was not going to take my eyes off his hands if I could help it. What if he stabs me? "You even disappeared for a while. Then left the city. We know that, by the way."


    "I guessed as much," I muttered while keeping my face blank, but my gut twisted. Fuck. Lazlow was telling me something without saying it outright. They had been watching, and they knew where I had been. I thought the boys paid off everyone who had to be paid off...


    Well, so much for secrecy. And if they knew that¡­ What else did they know about the Crows? As if reading my thoughts, Lazlow sighed, giving a mock, disappointed shake of his head.


    "Honestly, Auriel, we weren''t even mad about you joining up with Risa. Gangs change hands all the time. It happens."


    I said nothing, waiting... but damn, this means they also know Risa is the head of the organization. I wonder if she knows they know...


    "But we figured," Lazlow continued, his voice lowering just slightly, "that after a few months in the mud, you''d come back¡ªa prodigal son of sorts. And you know what? We''re making it easy for you. You can return to us and keep yourself as a bronze-ranked adventurer. No penalties. No grudges."


    My jaw tightened, holding back myself from expressing anything on my face. I had expected a threat. I expected veiled warnings. This was worse... They weren''t demanding anything. Were they inviting me back? Just like this? I had faced so many sweet-talking opportunities before that this one was stinking from a mile away. And not because Lazlow''s hygiene was terrible.


    "Think about it," He smiled, seeing my silence. "No rush, of course. Just think about it."


    "Maybe," I answered as I shifted my weight, crossing my arms. "And if I don''t?"


    To that... Lazlow gave a slow, knowing nod.


    "Well¡­ nothing, really." He sighed dramatically. "But you know how things are, Auriel. People talk. Trust is fragile. If you''re working with the Crows, you should know that better than anyone."


    What was he speaking about...? Could they...?! The thought alone made my fingers twitch.


    "There''s something I don''t understand," Lazlow continued, observing me. "You seem to trust them quite a bit. I mean, they''re still criminals, aren''t they? No matter how noble they act. They sweeten their deals, praying for the vulnerable. You were vulnerable, weren''t you? I know it was our fault, but we had to be careful, Auriel. You can see that, no?"


    That... may be right. But I didn''t get enough time to think as Lazlow wasn''t done speaking.


    "And you know," he added, stepping closer, his tone even quieter now, more intimate, "if there was someone the Crows didn''t want you to find¡­ they''d make sure you never did."


    Hearing that, my pulse suddenly pounded in my ears. Lazlow watched me for a beat longer before clapping me lightly on the shoulder, starting to head out from the alley we were standing in.


    "Just something to think about," he said with a lazy smile. "See you around."


    And then, just like that, he walked away, leaving behind a carefully planted seed of doubt right in my own mind. As I turned to look at his back, I stood still for a long moment, watching Lazlow disappear down the street.


    My heart was still hammering, but not from fear. It was more from frustration. From uncertainty. I knew what Lazlow was doing. It was a game I was a victim of in the past. A test to see if I''d break. To turn me. To make me doubt. And yet¡­ There was also truth in what he said. Why hadn''t they found Lira''s father yet?


    The Crows should be efficient¡ªRisa wouldn''t waste time. She did not. If that bastard was still missing after two days, was someone keeping him hidden? Reaching that thought, I exhaled, running a hand through my hair.


    It was nonsense. It had to be.


    But as I turned back toward the shady streets I was about to visit, the unease remained, coiling around my thoughts like a viper. If we can''t find him in the same circles, we operate in...


    "Fuck..."


    For the first time since joining the Crows¡­ I wasn''t sure who I could actually trust.


    ...


    ....


    ......


    In the end, I ended up wandering the streets aimlessly, my mind racing. Lazlow''s words echoed in my ears every time I tried to find a reason why nobody had seen Lira''s father.


    "If there was someone the Crows didn''t want you to find¡­ they''d make sure you never did."


    Trying to chase it out of my mind, I shook my head, trying to dispel the thought, almost giving myself a concussion. Risa had been nothing but upfront with me since I joined. She had no reason to hide Lira''s father¡ªunless there was something more at play.


    Did she lie to me about knowing about it?


    As I passed a group of working men unloading crates for a blacksmith, a thought surfaced in my head. What if the Guild has him? But... if that was the case, why wouldn''t they be using him already to crack down on us? Wait... why should they crack down on us? Ugh... I was missing pieces of a puzzle, and it was driving me mad. But I knew something didn''t add up. Maybe it wasn''t a good idea to join a group. There are too many secrets and too many threads that could end up entangling me and causing me pain. To avoid it... Maybe I should start my own business.


    Maybe.


    Maybe after everything is straightened out, I''ll leave. Maybe not. One thing was sure: suddenly, I felt trapped, and it wasn''t a good feeling. It was starting to be the same as in my old life. Didn''t I say it won''t be like that again? Tsk... come on Auriel. Get a grip; nobody but I can dictate my life.


    ...


    ....


    ......


    When I returned to the safe house, Lira was still sitting on the cot, her gaze fixed on the floor. Cravik had left, leaving her alone with her thoughts, which I wasn''t happy about. Didn''t he say he would watch him? Damn it. Still, she was still there... and I hesitated, standing in the doorway, unsure if I should disturb her. But then she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper, compelling me to come in and sit next to her.


    "Did you find him?"


    "Well..." I muttered, closing the door behind me, remaining silent until I was sitting, holding her hand. "Not yet. But we''re close."


    She didn''t respond, her fingers tightening around mine.


    "Hey..." I moved closer, trying to look at her face, hiding behind her hair, "Lira, we''re going to find him. I promise."


    "I just don''t know if I want you to find him." She finally looked at me, her eyes tired but with more light than before. It seems... she had time to think. "I don''t know if I want to meet him anymore."


    "I get that." I nodded firmly. "And it''s not your fault. None of this is."


    "No, it isn''t." She shook her head, tears finally spilling over. "I know that. But it... still hurts."


    "I know... it hurts a lot." I reached out, hesitating for only a moment before placing a hand on her shoulder and pulling her into a hug. I know there were times when I wanted to be hugged, but there was nobody who would do so... "But we stopped it before it could happen."


    "You stopped it..." She muttered, and she didn''t pull away. For a moment, the weight of her grief seemed to lift just a little.


    As I sat beside her, my mind drifted back to Lazlow''s words. If the Crows had her father, he would probably already be dead and would never have turned up. If the Guild had her father, they were using him as leverage to build something against the Crows. Against us. But for what? Haaah... This is a mess.

 Chapter 21 – Briefing

    The hideout felt different now.


    It wasn''t the place itself. It was the same wooden walls, the same dim candlelight flickering on their wall-mounted slots, and the same rickety chairs that creaked under my weight when I sat down on them. It was the atmosphere and my thoughts that made it feel... different.


    And Lira.


    She had changed, and I wasn''t sure if it was for the better. However, I couldn''t blame her for it.


    Five days had passed since we learned the truth about her father and what he planned to do. Then, another five days since, the man had vanished into thin air, leaving behind only the stench of his act. We just couldn''t find him. What was a second shock for her was the news that her mother, too, was gone. But, this time, we had news and proof of her, and she didn''t just disappear into thin air. Instead, she fled without a word, abandoning her daughter and the crumbling remnants of their life, emptying their home of everything.


    When I told Lira the news, I had expected tears, anger, a reaction, something. But she had taken the news with a chilling calmness, her face remaining passive while listening to me. She didn''t cry. She didn''t scream. She just nodded once and then went back to whatever she was doing¡ªwhich, more often than not, was staying close to me and watching me silently.


    Sometimes, it was too close.


    She followed me everywhere now, becoming a silent shadow trailing my every move. Not even a puppy was this clingy... If I sat, she sat nearby. If I walked, she walked a step behind me. She barely spoke to anyone else, not even to Cravik or the others who tried to engage with her. Any time someone talked to her, Lira''s answers were clipped, her tone flat, her eyes constantly darting back to me as if to make sure I was still there.


    She only trusted me now... And I didn''t know what to do or how to handle this new and weird development. It was unnatural.


    I knew it wasn''t healthy. It wasn''t normal. But how could I tell her to act differently when I barely knew what to do myself? I wasn''t her father. I wasn''t even her friend, not really. I was just¡­ someone who had been there when the world had crumbled around her. Haaaah... And now, she clung to me like I was the only solid thing left in her life.


    "Maybe I am..." I thought to myself one day, watching her sleep.


    For now, I let her stay close. What else could I do? I did fear that if I told her to leave, she would do so... and do something stupid. So, I kept myself composed as best as I could and adapted.


    Even though this all happened, the real problem wasn''t Lira. It was her father.


    Five days, and still no sign of him. If the man had skipped town, someone should have seen him. The Crows had eyes everywhere¡ªin the taverns, the markets, the docks. Yet there was nothing. No sightings, no whispers in the underground, no trail to follow. Just¡­ the void. As if he didn''t exist.


    And that didn''t sit right with me more and more.


    I had seen enough of this and my previous world to know that people didn''t just vanish. Not unless someone wanted them to. And if someone had gone into trouble to hide Lira''s father, it wasn''t out of kindness. And I was part of the gang that had a reason to make him go away...


    Whenever I thought of that, my gut churned at the idea. I had to admit, I didn''t trust the Crows anymore, but I trusted the Guild even less. If they were behind this, if they were holding Lira''s father in reserve as some kind of pawn¡­ Then, a storm was brewing around me.


    I shook my head, forcing the thought aside. Speculation wouldn''t help me. I needed a plan to ensure I wouldn''t be swept away when the storm hit. But for now, all I could do was wait.


    I needed more information.


    ...


    ....


    .....


    Risa''s office was packed to the brim when I arrived. This time, even Lira understood she couldn''t come, so I managed to leave her back home, promising I was going to return soon. Hahaha... Once again, I was burdened to take care of someone instead of myself. Was I... cursed?


    For some reason, the weekly meeting had drawn a large crowd of lieutenants, enforcers, and trusted members of the Crows¡ªmore than I had ever known was part of the Syndicate. I stood near the back, and I could feel the tension in some of the other''s eyes. Something big was going on, that was for sure...


    "First order of business," Risa began, clapping once, silencing the murmur amongst us all. She surveyed the gathered criminals, including me, speaking in a serious tone. "The brothel situation."


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    Of course, murmurs rippled through the room while I kept my composure, waiting for her to resume.


    "It was handled," Risa continued, making me blink my eyes in surprise. What? Just like that? "The previous owner has¡­ skipped town. To a faraway land. The place is under new management, one of ours. No loose ends."


    Some of the others chuckled darkly. But I didn''t... So... we just offed him? The Crows had killed him without thinking about it, huh? Fine... I didn''t give a damn about that bastard, but what she said next did set off alarm bells in my mind.


    "As for Lira''s father¡ª"


    Here it came... Without thinking about it, my body tensed.


    "¡ªhe probably got spooked. He ran. Same as the mother." She sighed, leaning forward on her desk, fingers interlaced. "Whatever. Good riddance. Not our problem anymore."


    It''s not our problem anymore. The case was closed just like that.


    My fists curled at my sides, drawing it behind my back to hide it from view. This wasn''t right. They didn''t just ''lose'' people in this city. If Lira''s father was still breathing, someone had seen him. But instead, the Crows had nothing. No, giving up so easily without finding him had to mean we did... and Risa lied to me because we probably made sure he was gone. Otherwise, would she give up so easily? Maybe. Maybe not... my guess was on the latter.


    Still, I said nothing. This wasn''t the time to push it right before everybody. But then again, Lazlow''s words echoed in my mind all of a sudden:


    "If there was someone the Crows who didn''t want you to find him¡­ they''d make sure you never did."


    Had Risa made him disappear? Or was it the Guild?


    Either way, I decided then and there that I was done being strung along. But before he could think on it further, Risa continued. And then came the real bombshell for the night.


    ...


    ....


    ......


    "This next part is for our inner circle only."


    Risa''s tone shifted, taking on a more serious weight when it was only a few of us in her inner room. I wasn''t supposed to be here, but as the one who had made it possible, I was invited as a reward. It felt weird... What did I do? Still, seeing the seriousness of Risa''s expression, all the usual chuckles died down, and the posture of everyone present subtly stiffened. It was clear we weren''t talking about petty crimes anymore. This was something dangerous.


    "I''ve been going over the documents Auriel found," Risa began, pulling out a stack of papers and a folded parchment and tapping them against her desk. "And I''ve finally confirmed it."


    "Of what?" Cravik asked.


    "There''s an elven artifact hidden in this region. And we are going to get it."


    For the first time in my life, I saw real shock on the faces of everyone present. Probably, I was the only one who couldn''t assess the seriousness of the news. An elven artifact? And? So? Huh... Seeing how they all got so fidgety, I almost felt as if they said there was a bomb, ready to go off at any moment, hidden in the city. What I did know was that we didn''t deal with artifacts, not just because they were rare and valuable beyond reason but because anything elven always came with a curse¡ªeither literal or political.


    I remember hearing Cravik say that the last known artifact, falling into human hands, caused a 200-year war.


    "Gods smack me..." Someone muttered under their breath while I heard others shift uncomfortably. I looked at Cravik, who also ran a hand over his shaved head, whistling.


    Then it hit me, and my blood ran cold. It was as if the pieces snapped into place so fast it nearly made me sick.


    The Guild also knew!


    That was why Lazlow had approached me. That was why they''d suddenly offered me a free return with no penalties and no grudges! They were after the same thing... And they thought we had it. Or... they suspected us of having it. And if I didn''t join them willingly, they would use Lira''s father to frame the Crows as slavers¡ªto turn the entire city against them, ensuring the Guild could wipe them out completely without anyone complaining...


    A perfect play. Fuck... Too perfect. An actual hostile takeover. Suddenly, I felt sick. This whole time, I had thought that I still had time, that I could figure things out and navigate my way through this mess. But now?


    I had no time.


    Fucking hell... can''t I catch a break? Must I always end up in an organization where things go south?! Thinking about it, my instincts screamed at me louder than they ever had in either of my lives. They were repeating over and over: You need to leave. Now.


    To force my face to keep my true thoughts hidden from Risa, I clenched my jaw, staring down at the candlelit table where she laid out her plans to acquire it. The others were talking over each other now, speculating and wondering what kind of artifact it was and how much it could be worth.


    None of them realized what I saw in Risa''s eyes for a fleeting moment before our gazes met, and she managed to hide it away. She wasn''t going to sell it... she wanted it. Double fuck... I had seen how these kinds of fights ended. The Guild wasn''t just going to let the Crows have this artifact.


    And if it wasn''t the Guild, who would get it? It would be worse. Even if we do obtain it, or more precisely, if Risa gets it, she may leave no witnesses to the fact.


    If I stayed to see this through, I would be caught in a war. And I was the newest guy here, the least important and the most easily sacrificed pawn.


    I had to leave.


    But how?


    I couldn''t just run now. Risa would know instantly. She might even take it as a betrayal or as a danger to her plans. She needed us to get it, but if she smelled that any of us tried to run or go for it... I would bet my life on the fact she would end us before getting to the city''s gates.


    No¡ªI had to do this carefully.


    First, I would need to gather supplies and find a route out of the city without alerting them, one that neither the Guild nor the Crows controlled. And yes... I should go and get Lira prepared without tipping off anyone. I can''t leave her behind; who knows what they would do to her just out of spite? Okay... I still had days, at most, before things spiraled out of control.


    To collect my focus, I exhaled slowly, forcing myself to stay still. To pretend like everything was fine, and I was just nervous about the fact that an elven artifact popped up from nowhere.


    "Relax!" Cravik grinned, patting my back. "It will be a piece of cake."


    "Sure." I muttered, forcing a smile, "I can already taste it. Yum."

 Chapter 22 – Planning

    Risa had gone through her plan, or at least some part of it. She never shared with us where we would go, but we knew enough. She gave us two days to prepare, so I had no time to waste. By the time I exited the meeting, I was already formulating a plan that would end up in me, and... well, Lira to disappear. This got way too dangerous, and even if I couldn''t really comprehend what an elven artifact would do, by the simple reaction of anyone who knew about it, I understood that I wanted out. I am not going to stay here and get killed because of someone else''s greed.


    It took me a few hours to put things together, and I knew my plan was shaky at best, but... It was the best I could do in such a short time. When I explained everything to Lira, she listened silently, saying nothing, and when I was about to begin convincing her, she simply nodded.


    "I''ll do as you say."


    It was the only thing she said. It felt weird. I wasn''t used to it. Usually, people didn''t listen to my requests or plans, or if they did, they presented them as their own. But she didn''t ask questions; she simply showed that she trusted my decision and followed my instructions.


    Which meant she left the city before even the following morning had arrived. We made sure that even if I was being tracked or watched, it would seem like it was her idea to simply go away. Slipping out of our current room in the middle of the night. If anyone would ask... I would say she merely left. With how she was in the past few days, nobody would ask questions. Maybe Cravik would feel bad, thinking we were a pair or something... But. This was the best way. I couldn''t leave her behind, and I didn''t want to put her in danger either, and she understood that.


    It was she who suggested the place we should meet, showing it to me on a map that I had memorized, promising that I would be there in three or four days. At most. I hoped... Because my next step was to visit the Adventurer''s Guild.


    ...


    ....


    ......


    The moment I stepped into the Guild''s headquarters, I already knew how this conversation would go.


    It wasn''t because of my arrogance or because I knew it by reading people like a mentalist. It was a certainty because they were waiting for me to do precisely this. So, I had played my part well, giving them just enough reason to believe I was a young man in over his head, desperate for a way out. And if there was one thing powerful men loved, it was thinking they held all the control. I experienced that part a lot with the type of bosses I served, climbing the pointless corporate ladder.


    Reagan, the Guildmaster, welcomed me into his office, sending everyone else out except the same man who found me a few days ago... Lazlow. Reagan himself sat in his usual spot; his fingers were interlocked as he studied me with an indifferent gaze at first that quickly gave way to a warmer, more welcoming smile. Still, not fast enough. I knew he was simply playing his part. My eyes quickly moved from him, not wanting to make him think I was brave enough to pull a trick on him. Instead, I looked over him, watching the massive tapestry on the wall at his back, depicting the Guild''s founding, its threads shimmering with gold and silver. It was blocked from my view when Lazlow stood behind him, leaning against the wall, arms crossed, watching me with a slow blink. He gave me the usual smirk as if he already knew everything that would come out of my mouth.


    Well...He didn''t. Because I was about to play them both. I stood with my hands clasped behind my back, hiding my trembling, keeping my voice steady but not enough so the cracks in my voice wouldn''t be noticeable. Luckily, I didn''t need to act... I was close to pissing myself for real. So, it WAS an authentic performance.


    "I''m done with the Crows. I want out."


    "I see." Reagan''s brow lifted slightly, but there was no suspicion¡ªjust mild curiosity. "And why is that?" he asked with his tone even, acting as if he wasn''t the one who sent Lazlow to find me.


    "They''re getting reckless," I said, letting my honest frustration seep into my words. "And I don''t want to be there when they eventually burn."


    "They are over their head." Lazlow let out a low chuckle, pushing off the wall and walking forward to stand beside the Guildmaster. "Smart boy. But you know leaving them won''t be easy. They don''t take kindly to deserters."


    "You told me to consider it, no?" I forced a wry smile, my fingers tightening behind my back. "That''s why I''m here. We all know that we know... So... Do you want the artifact? I can lead you to it. But I need something in return."


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    "True, let us be honest here." Reagan leaned forward slightly, the light catching the silver streaks in his otherwise jet-black hair. "Go on. We are listening."


    "My adventurer rank stays. My name remains clear, not just here but everywhere on the continent. I don''t want to be blacklisted, marked, mentioned, or in any way, shape, or form considered as an unwanted element."


    "..." There was a brief pause, and then Reagan gave a slow nod, his smile widening. "That''s reasonable. But how do we know you''re not leading us into a trap?"


    "A trap?" I snorted, and I didn''t hesitate to continue. "Because I want nothing to do with the Crows or any elven artifact anymore. I never wanted it in the first place. Risa''s already suspicious of me¡ªif I stay, I''m dead. I am not stupid enough to miss the fact that a gang leader will make those in the know disappear. I need an out. And you need the artifact. I''m offering you both."


    And... well, it wasn''t a lie, per se. They do say that the best lies are built upon half-truths.


    "..." Reagan remained silent as he studied me for a moment longer, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly. The silence stretched on, broken only by the distant clatter of footsteps echoing through the hall, but instead of knocking, they slowly died as they walked on. Finally, he nodded. "Very well." With that, he pulled out a letter, filled it out before me, stamped it with a wax seal, and gave it to me. "This will prove that you are clear as a hot summer day. When and where?"


    "Tomorrow. Just before dusk. A day''s travel outside the city. The Crows will be moving the artifact to a hiding place, and they''ll have only a handful of people guarding it. All of those who know about it." Another carefully planted lie¡ªwe weren''t planting it. We were going to get it.


    "We will be there," Lazlow said, his smirk widening. He adjusted the dagger at his belt, its hilt gleaming in the light. "This should be fun."


    I gave them both a sharp nod and turned to leave. The sound of my boots against the floor echoed in the Guild, making me nervous, but nobody stopped me. Neither of them suspected anything, it seems. They saw me as a useful tool, nothing more... and that was their mistake.


    Step One: Complete. Step Two: Risa...


    ...


    ....


    ......


    I returned to the Crows'' hideout just before midnight. The moon was out, more prominent than anything, taking up much of the night sky. I hope it is a sign that things will go my way. I wasn''t stopped at all while entering, as not many of us were there anyway. Although surprised I came back so soon when I should have been preparing, when I told them I must speak with Risa, I think they had picked up on the urgency in my voice.


    Risa was alone in her office, leaning over a stack of documents, her candle flickering low. She was probably looking into how to keep the artifact safe and hidden. Whatever it was... It didn''t matter to me. Hearing me enter, she barely glanced up from her work, but the second she saw my face, her expression sharpened.


    "What is it?" she asked, her voice calm but alert, with a tinge of warning that I should choose my words carefully.


    "Problem," I said as I took a slow breath, ready to start tonight''s second performance. I should get an award for this... Well, my escape with my life intact should be the award in itself. "The Guild is coming," I stated clearly. "They''re planning to ambush us when we retrieve the artifact. They think they can take it. I thought you should know."


    "What?" Risa''s eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing through me as she assessed my expression. Then, surprisingly, she let out a low laugh. "Hah¡­ I was wondering when those bastards would finally make their move. I was afraid they already knew because of you... So? You''re telling me this because...?"


    "Because I''m not an idiot," I said bluntly, meeting her gaze without flinching. "I know if they take us by surprise, we''re dead. I''d rather stay on the winning side."


    "Good." She leaned back in her chair, the wood creaking, its aged frame moaning loudly. Her fingers drummed lightly on the armrest, a habit she had when she was thinking, and I wasn''t about to interrupt her. "I wasn''t expecting you to be so honest, Auriel. If you hadn''t come to me with this¡­" Her smile was small but dangerous. "It would have been deadly."


    I guess they knew I visited the Guild, huh? I expected as much. I wonder if they would have come for me if I hadn''t come straight here but gone somewhere else.


    "I know." I met her gaze evenly. "That''s why I came."


    "I like you." She said after another pause. Then, with a slow exhale, she nodded. "We''ll be ready. You should be, too."


    I gave her one last look before turning to leave. Yes... She believed me. And why wouldn''t she? For now, things have been going smoothly. But I can''t get complacent. The dangerous part is still waiting for me.


    Step Two: Complete. Step Three: The Escape. The part that I either screwed up and died... or pulled off and lived. Fuck... why do I feel so excited? Is this how it feels to actually live? I never knew this feeling, but... I didn''t want to become an adrenaline junkie, either.


    I walked out of the office and into the night air, inhaling deeply and calming my nerves. The cool breeze carried the faint scent of drizzle, a storm brewing on the horizon, clouds covering half of the massive moon in the sky. I had set everything in motion, and there was no stepping back from here. Only forward. The Guild would come. The Crows would be waiting. Blood would spill, and lives would be lost... And in the chaos, I would slip away.


    Finally, I wasn''t a pawn anymore. No one will decide my fate besides me. Not the Guild, not the Crows. If something happens, I will be in control, and I will make the decisions from now on. After I managed to leave and head to... wherever the road took me, I knew I would not join anybody. I will only trust my own decisions, which means I will have to make my own group. If I make one... Maybe I will forge my own syndicate. Or my own guild.


    "Stop it..." I told myself, holding back my rampant imagination. First, I had to survive. But... If I had to bend reality itself to my will to do so, then so be it.

 Chapter 23 – Escape

    Risa wasted no time after my warning. The moment I informed her about the Guild''s plan and who would most likely attend, the gears within the Crows began turning at full speed, sweeping me up quickly. Orders were sent out, potions and weapons distributed, and I even got a complete set of new padded armor, a new sword, and a bandolier with multiple potions. Nothing was spared... And the others, especially Cravik in his half-plate armor, looked way more dangerous than we went for the beast-folk''s camp. After leaving while it was still dark, the air cold and humid, dark clouds rumbling but without starting to pour water on us. Somehow, even after knowing that this was way too dangerous... I didn''t feel the type of fear I was expecting. It was there, yes, but... but I was also excited. Equally so.


    It was a scary thought if I lingered on the feeling. Was I always like this in the past? Only I was unable to act on it... Who knows?


    Chasing the thought away, I moved among them, pretending to be just another fighter, another piece in Risa''s grand game, ready for the grand finale. Even though my final preparations were different, I was hoping that there would be a perfect chance to disappear amidst the chaos. Preferably in a way that would make them think I died. And for that, I was delighted the ambush would happen close to a river. It was my best chance...


    "Relax." Cravik chuckled, probably noticing my nervousness, mistaking the reason for it. "You are a lucky one, kid. I have a good feeling about you!"


    "Thanks..." I smiled weakly. "Take care of yourself, okay?" I looked at him, watching him nod with a grin. I wasn''t afraid that he would die, but I would feel bad if he died because of Risa. She... I just didn''t trust her. Since the news of the artifact, her aura had been... foul.


    Getting to the chosen scene, the two dozen Crows and I, who were selected for the ambush, took our spot, hiding after Risa made sure we had all of the required potions. Strength, speed, endurance¡ªthe three different ones we were supposed to drink right before engaging. I was told that each bottle on my bandolier was packing enough magical enhancement to allow me to tear a regular person apart when combining them. Holy hell... This also meant that the two from the Guild were probably packing something similar, weren''t they?


    I need to keep reminding myself in the future that I wasn''t going up against regular people. Potions in this world are really the table-flipping solutions. Risa stood at the head of the gathered fighters, her presence hidden, crouching on a thick branch of a massive tree, hidden amongst the leaves. When she spoke, her voice was akin to a whisper next to my ears.


    "We wait. Don''t move, not until we attack. They are dangerous, so we hit them hard. No hesitation. No holding back. They die, or we do."


    A low, guttural chorus of agreement rippled through the air like a beast''s growl. I nodded along, keeping my breathing steady, my face slightly pale and my hand trembling. Inside, though, my mind suddenly flashed back to something that didn''t belong to me.


    "Calm down, Auriel! Overexcited adventurers get to die first." An old voice told me from nowhere, pushing me into a trance-like state. "You have the talent, but if you let your rampant emotions overtake you, making you hesitate or jump into action before thinking... you will die. To the most simple bandits, this land can throw at you. Never forget my words, kid. Calm. Remain calm... In every situation."


    ...


    ....


    .....


    Reagan didn''t trust many people. Not if it was about an elven artifact. That''s why, when it came to securing the prize of his life, he told no one. Not the other adventurers. Not even his inner circle. Not the brass at other headquarters. Only Lazlow. That way, they wouldn''t need to share it with anyone... and the Guild wouldn''t get their grubby hands on it.


    The two of them rode out of the city under the cover of darkness, slipping out unnoticed. Their destination: the supposed location where the Crows were transporting it. The moon was hidden away behind dark clouds, only the occasional lightning strike casting elongated shadows across the forested landscape. The only sounds were the rhythmic crunch of hooves against dirt and the occasional rustle of wind through the trees as they rode their horses.


    "I assume you''re looking forward to this," Reagan murmured as he rode beside Lazlow, his voice barely audible over the night''s stillness.


    "A bit," Lazlow smirked, his teeth glinting in a sudden flash of blue light. "A bunch of street rats thinking they can challenge us? It''ll be good exercise. It was a long time since I had a proper fight."


    "Same." The Guildmaster chuckled, his expression unreadable beneath the brim of his hat. "Still, we should be cautious. The Crows are still a well-organized gang, even if they are... a gang. Risa''s father was still a gold-ranked adventurer."


    "I heard. Too bad the old man died before I would have a chance to test his skills." Lazlow flexed his fingers, the leather of his gloves creaking softly. "I know they are dangerous. That''s why we kill them before they even know they''re dead."


    Smiling, it was clear that the two men''s confidence was unshaken. However... it wouldn''t hold long because they had no idea what was waiting for them.


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    ...


    ....


    .....


    I watched from my hiding spot as the two men arrived, here to set an ambush for us... Reagan and Lazlow dismounted and moved through the pitch-black night, coming towards the spot that would be perfect for an ambush. Not knowing, we were already there. While moving through the forest, they were fast and efficient, setting themselves up in prime ambush positions that would hide them well, almost making me smile because they were painfully visible from where we stood. My smile disappeared when Reagan''s eyes scanned the shadows, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, making me think he already noticed us... Or me. Luckily, his gaze didn''t stop on my body, glancing at Lazlow, who also crouched low, his dagger already in hand and his body coiled like a spring.


    Then they heard it¡ªthe shuffle of feet in the darkness. One of us was making the first move.


    "...?" Reagan''s eyes narrowed, his ears picking up the noise. "Wait¡ª"


    Too late.


    From the shadows, the first few Crows descended like specters of a midnight haunting. Their movements were unnaturally fast, their eyes glowing faintly from the potions coursing through their veins. Their blades flashed, and some crossbow bolts flew out from a different location. The first wave hit them hard, prompting me to drink my own potions. It was no time to think about keeping them for the future!


    I witnessed as Reagan twisted away from the first strike like he had no spine, a dagger slicing his coat instead of his throat. Lazlow was already moving, his own blade deflecting a fatal blow aimed at his ribs. The two gold-ranked adventurers moved with masterful precision, their instincts honed by years of survival, and even without potions, they managed to deflect the first wave.


    "Tch¡ªthey knew!" Reagan hissed, his posture shifting, his aura of calm replaced with deadly focus.


    "I''ll kill the boy, too." Lazlow snorted as the two stood in the way; they blocked attacks against their backside, proving they knew how to work together. They knew it well.


    Still, we had the element of surprise, but Reagan and Lazlow were gold-ranked for a reason. Their movements were lethal; the precision of every move their bodies made was unreal, and I watched as they dodged, deflected with one hand, and then drank their own potions with the other. Right after it, they counterattacked with terrifying speed, cutting through the first attackers as if they were nothing, slicing bodies apart with ease.


    Another Crow lunged at them. Lazlow, on the other hand, simply sidestepped, severed his hamstring, and kicked him into another fight, coming straight at him from his left side. Then... Another came from behind, just so that Reagan ducked low and drove a dagger into his heart before pushing the body aside like discarded meat, defending Lazlow''s blind spot.


    The first bodies hit the ground in a span of seconds of our supposed surprise attack.


    But we weren''t done. We knew that we outnumbered them. Once again, I saw how Reagan parried a strike, but this time, because Lazlow was dealing with two others, he was unable to be there for him. With an audible moan, Reagan took a knife across the shoulder. Just then, an arrow, coming from Risa''s position, grazed Lazlow''s cheek because he still managed to tilt his head at the last moment.


    With a roar belonging to Cravik, it was time that I also joined in the attack... And then, the real massacre began.


    Lazlow and Reagan both downed their second potions, and suddenly, the fight shifted. We were now facing two unstoppable monsters.


    Lazlow moved like a blur, his dagger looking like he held four at once as he tore through the nearest of his enemies, carving deep into flesh, slicing tendons and arteries with surgical precision. Somehow, he found the tiniest gaps between the joints of the armors... It was almost unfair. One of the Crows screamed as his arm was severed completely; another collapsed with a hole in his throat, blood spilling onto the dirt, making me see, hear, and smell everything in... well... high definition.


    Reagan wasn''t any less brutal. With a powerful backswing, he crushed a skull, his movements like a bulldozer, crashing through the battlefield. A Crow to my left stumbled away, his gut spilling onto the ground, and another to my right fell with his head twisted unnaturally backward before I managed to somehow dodge the Guildmaster''s crazed attack. The thing that saved my hide was the fact that Cravik rammed into him from the left, finally making him stumble out of his deadly rhythm.


    For a moment, it still seemed like Reagan and Lazlow would turn the tide entirely by themselves. But the rest of our group kept coming. Injuries began piling up, especially as Risa''s arrows were precise, finally hitting them either in the arm or the leg. Even if they shrugged it off... their speed did diminish¡ªenough for the others to start defending or dodging them.


    Defense became their only option.


    As the battle raged, I stayed close to the edge, feinting a few attacks before backing out, waiting, watching. I needed the perfect moment.


    Then, that moment finally came, but not in the way I had expected.


    Realizing they were losing ground, Lazlow suddenly shifted tactics. With a flick of his wrist, he revealed a hidden repeater crossbow mounted to his forearm. His target? Risa. Right on the tree, a few steps behind me.


    The bolt shot toward her in the blink of an eye. She dodged¡ªbut not everyone did. Especially because Lazlow''s weapon sent seven bolts forth in a wide arc, predicting where Risa may choose to dodge, hoping to get her. I saw the bolts fly... heard them woosh by... and...


    Pain exploded in my chest. It was a burning, piercing agony near my collarbone. I immediately knew I had been hit, but... It was time to act. I staggered back, groaning, leaving a bloody trail. Then, the world tilted as my body fell backward¡ª


    Into the river.


    The cold swallowed me whole... but at that moment, I didn''t mind. The bolt in my body was making me burn up, and it helped alleviate it. I could hear the muffled roars of battle above the surface, but not for long, as it carried me away quickly. My limbs went numb as the current dragged me away, blood leaking from my wound, mingling with the dark water.


    Not good...


    I hadn''t planned for the pain.


    I was actually hurt...


    And the river was carrying me somewhere unknown. I had to remain conscious...


    I don''t know how far I got, but using the last vestige of the potions coursing in my body, I forced myself to somehow, almost in a daze, get myself onto the shore. Just at the right time because when I was out, their effects were gone, and I simply lay there. Injured... tired... But at least living.


    "Next time..." I coughed up water, doing my best to keep myself awake. "I need a better plan... No improvisation..."

 Chapter 24 – New Goals

    I woke to the taste of iron in my mouth and the sluggish weight of my limbs, refusing to obey me. The world swayed, bobbing up and down, my vision flickering between the blurred trees and the dark smear of the river stretching behind my back. I didn''t remember washing up on the bank at all. Maybe I was doing it out of reflex... What I could recall was the cold currents carrying me forward, throwing me around. As I began to regain more of my mind, the sound of the distant hooting of owls came to me. Hopefully, it was really the sound of an owl and not that of wolves... When I tried breathing in, instead, it prompted me to cough and throw up a good amount of water before I managed to draw in some air. My fingers twitched, I wanted to fall back to sleep, but I couldn''t. It would be tantamount to suicide.


    Then came the pain. The bolt still jutted in my body, reminding me of the close call and keeping my consciousness at bay. Well... for now. Every breath burned my lungs as if they were filled with shards of glass. This was probably bad. I wasn''t even feeling cold, which further worried me because this wasn''t a pleasant swim.


    "Got to... move..." I grunted, groaningly compelling my mind to obey.


    With great effort, I forced myself up, one trembling hand gripping the damp soil beneath me, sinking into the mud. Then, ignoring the jolting pain in my torso, I kept pushing, standing up in the end. I looked around, and my sword was lost in the river''s depths... Damn it. It was new, I wanted to keep¨C¨C


    "Ah."


    It seemed like some luck was on my side because I had spotted it close to the shore. I don''t know how or why, but I didn''t ask. I simply grabbed it and began walking. We had our plan. With a grunt of effort, I staggered forward, each step a battle against the weakness trying to pull me down. It didn''t help that the forest around me seemed to close in within the darkness, the trees towering around me like giants.


    "South..." I muttered, pulling out one small compass the size of a pocketwatch and following Lira''s directions. She did tell me that all roads were conveyed into one big one, as there was only one pass through the southern border. No matter where I was going, as long as I was going South, I would have to end up at the Sleepy Squirrel Inn.


    So, without thinking, I just kept walking, following the compass. If he could reach the tavern¡ªif Lira was still waiting for me¡ªthen it would all be worth it. After what felt like a long time, I managed to stumble onto a road-like path wide enough to be used by horse carriages. That was a good sign...


    Still, being dark, there was nobody traveling alongside it. By now, I didn''t care; my body and mind were moving on autopilot, a bolt still lodged into my shoulder. Hours bled away into pain and exhaustion, but no matter how much my senses cried to rest, I did not stop. Not until I saw the slanted roof of a roadside inn in the distance. Was this it? I didn''t know, but the moment my body saw it, it simply took at the ultimate goal of mine. I don''t even know if I noticed its name or if there was light in its windows.


    By then, I didn''t even care if Lira was there. I just wanted to lay down and rest¡ªfor a long time.


    ...


    ....


    ......


    Lira was nervously staying at the Inn, hoping that all would go as planned. However rickety that planning was. She felt helpless because she knew it had too many points that could lead to failure. Still... she hadn''t got any better idea.


    "Maybe I should have waited closer to him..." She thought Auriel might not even find his way to her. The thought made her squeazy and fidgety, which was quickly noticed by the kind old pair running the Sleepy Squirrel.


    Of course, they asked what the matter was because a young maiden, arriving alone and looking so flustered, was already alarming enough. She couldn''t tell them much, just by virtue, so she made up half-lies. She told them that her parents abandoned them and that she was separated from her only relative, her brother. She told them that they had spoken about how if that ever happened, they would meet here... but...


    The door to the Inn suddenly pushed open, and Lira spotted him before he could call out, her eyes widening in horror as she rushed to him.


    "Auriel!"


    Her hands were on him before he could protest. They were warm and shaking, trying to steady him as his knees finally buckled, collapsing onto her. The bolt, which was quickly noticeable in his shoulder, shifted, and he let out a sharp, choked gasp.


    "That is lodged in deep!" The old man, twice the size of Auriel, hurried over, throwing his towel over his shoulders, which he used to wipe the mugs, and quickly took Auriel from Lira. His touch was firm but gentle so as not to hurt Auriel more, being careful not to worsen the unseen wounds, which were, for now, maybe unseen.


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    "Gods," Lira cursed, her voice tight with worry. "You''re burning up! What the hell happened?!"


    Auriel tried to answer, but the words caught in his throat, which was too dry and cracked to answer. Being held and feeling himself safe, the world tilted violently, black creeping in at the edges of his sight, finally blacking out.


    "Inside," another voice said¡ªa bit more high-pitched. She was the innkeeper''s wife, awoken by the noise, and noticed the scene the moment she appeared from their private adobe. "Get him to one of the rooms, now!"


    The next few hours were lost in a haze for Lira as she followed them, white as the snow from worry. She could only watch as the innkeeper''s hands pulled at Auriel''s armor, revealing the injury, luckily the only injury he suffered. Lira couldn''t hear what the two were talking about, her mind drawing sudden blanks, only registering their voices as muttered gibberish, spoken in urgency. Which was not good. Then, she watched as they broke off the bolt and then, carefully opening the wound up, removed the arrowhead lodged into Auriel''s body.


    He looked... weak. What if she loses him? What would she do? Lira couldn''t help herself; she couldn''t stop thinking about it. She was... useless. Wasn''t she... Watching the two hurry around him, visibly proficient in handling such injuries, she suddenly realized she had to step up. Had to learn. She had to earn her place at Auriel''s side; otherwise... there may be no sides to stand on. And she would be abandoned...


    "No..." She muttered to herself.


    She won''t be discarded because she would make herself valuable and not a hindrance. First, starting from that point, she would learn how to take care of injuries and how to take care of him.


    ...


    ....


    ......


    When I woke up again, I was in a bed, a familiar warmth pressing against him instead of cold. No, it wasn''t someone else¡ªit was sunlight. At first, I thought I woke from a nightmare, but no. This wasn''t my old apartment. This was a different type of room. Well, at least I live. It seems...


    "Ugh..." I flinched as I began moving, checking out myself. I was still injured, alright, and this kind of pain was reminding me of the fact that I wasn''t dead yet.


    Looking down, tight and precise bandages were wrapped around my torso, and the sharp edge of the pain I felt had slowly dulled to a distant ache. Something was in those bandages that was making it bearable. I could tell because the room smelled of herbs¡ªI don''t know what kind of medicine¡ªmixed with the faint tang of burnt firewood. Licking my lips, I realized that it and my throat were dry, my body impossibly heavy, but... not cold. Nor burning up. Which was a good sign. A superb sign.


    "Success..." I muttered, eliciting a soft moan and muttering from my right, making me turn my head towards the sound.


    Lira was sitting beside the bed, her arms crossed, dark circles beneath her closed eyes. Her hair was tied back in a loose braid, a few strands escaping to frame her face. She stirred as I made more noises, and then, her eyes slowly opened, and she looked as though she hadn''t slept in days.


    "You''re an idiot. A reckless idiot..."


    "No arguments there..." I let out a weak, breathy chuckle. "You sound relieved, though."


    "I am. But I''m also furious. But not with you..."


    "Then...?" I asked, surprised, but she ignored my question.


    "What matters is that you are safe!" she leaned forward, her voice dropping to a whisper. She climbed onto my bed, checked my temperature, and gently stroked my head. It felt nice¡ªreally nice. For a moment, I closed my eyes, enjoying the feeling, before opening them again and hearing her question. "What happened in the end?"


    "Chaos," I murmured, my voice barely above a rasp. "The plan worked. Kinda. They never saw it coming. I mean, both sides. When the moment came, I slipped away in the fighting." I swallowed, my throat as dry as sandpaper. Before I could say more, she helped me sit up and gently held up a bottle, assisting me all the way to take a few sips. "I don''t know who made it out in the and. And I don''t care." I continued, "With how they got me, they will think I''m dead. We are free to leave."


    "Hopefully..." She studied me for a long moment, her gaze still worried, searching my face for reassurance that I was indeed feeling fine. "You will need rest... From all the money you gave me, I barely spent any."


    Oh yeah... Money. It wasn''t much anyway, but I did take a risk, sending her out with everything I had gathered in the few months since coming here. It seems my gamble paid out. She didn''t run away and kept waiting for me... keeping my stuff safe. By now, I was sure... She I can trust.


    "We will now," I muttered, flinching. "I don''t remember much, but we will need to pay for the two who helped us¡ªfor fixing me up."


    "Um... we do..." She smiled and continued stroking my head. Then, a comfortable silence stretched between us. Then suddenly, Lira sighed, her shoulders slumping as if the weight of the world had settled on them from nowhere. "So¡­ what now?"


    I had no answer just yet. Instead, I stared at the ceiling. I had no actual plans yet. I barely knew the world at all, but that didn''t mean I couldn''t have any.


    "First... Recovery." I said half-jokingly, "Then, travel. Preferably to a different country."


    "That may not be easy," she muttered, but then again, we will get there when we get there¡ªno use in worrying ahead of time.


    "If we want to survive," I said slowly, each word chosen before I spoke them, "we can''t keep running."


    "No, we can''t." Lira agreed as she raised an eyebrow, her lips quirking in a faint, curious smile. "What are you suggesting?"


    "We start our group."


    "Huh?" She blinked her eyes, then laughed, shaking her head. The sound was soft, almost disbelieving. "We? And from what? We are poor, and I have no skills, Auriel... Nobody would take you seriously with me around. I''m just a baker..."


    "So what?" I fidgeted, pushing myself to sit straight while I also managed a smirk despite the pain. "It''s better than being someone else''s pawn. What do you say? You and me, starting our fresh? Sounds fun."


    I wasn''t lying to her. It did sound fun, and, for some reason, I was feeling myself more and more motivated. Yeah, that will do nicely¡ªmy own little enterprise with my rules.

 Chapter 25 – Heading South

    Even after being cared for, for the next few days, I drifted in and out of consciousness, my body refusing to obey me at first, making me stuck in bed, slowly recovering. Maybe because it felt as if the world around me was warm and safe¡ªunreasonably so. And I couldn''t really tell why. It just did, and it made me start thinking about whether it was the effect of something. An artifact? A spell? Although I didn''t see any sign of mages existing yet, I couldn''t throw the idea away. Something was... different here. Yet, as much as my instincts told me to stay alert, my body demanded to drop it and enjoy its rest.


    When I finally managed to pry my eyes open one morning, I found myself eerily refreshed. I mean, all the pain was gone, and I felt like I was back to normal. Even when I moved, my bones didn''t hurt, my muscles reacted as they should, and my mind was out of its groggy state. All in all, I knew I was healed. And just like that, the feeling of wanting to rest was gone, too, my body prompting me to get back up and start walking.


    "You''re awake, then," came a gruff but amused voice from the doorway, making me flinch for a moment.


    After I turned my head, I watched as an old man leaned against the doorframe, a small smile visible behind his short, silvery beard. He was broad-shouldered and tall, but more than that, he had a presence that was commanding. Even despite his weathered age, I somehow felt as if he could mop the floor with me if he wanted. Weird... but I trusted my instincts. His white beard and hair were well-kept, contrasted by the deep lines on his face, telling a different story than what should fit an innkeeper. There was a deep scar cut across his left cheek, and somehow, I didn''t think it was from a barfight or a misjudged swing of a breadknife.


    "Thank¨C"


    "No need." Before I could finish, the old man cut me off as he stepped inside, carrying a wooden tray with a steaming bowl of stew and a cup of what smelled like spiced tea. "Reckon, you should eat before you start asking questions."


    "Thanks..." I muttered, finishing my original sentence and sitting up. The moment he put the tray in my lap, I realized how hungry I was, beginning to wolf the whole meal down without holding anything back. The old man clicked his tongue, watching me eat without reservation. "Easy there, lad, nobody will take it away!" He laughed before his eyes moved to the scar I will now have, reminding me of the close call I just had. "That bolt was buried deep¡ªwould''ve lost that arm if you''d wandered the forest much longer. You were lucky."


    "I am lucky..." I exhaled, knowing the man was right and that it was my second go at life. I was indeed one lucky bastard, weren''t I? "Lira¡­?"


    "She is helping my wife with the Sleepy Squirrel," the old man replied, sitting down on a chair next to my bed, pulling out a pipe from his vest''s inner pocket and lighting it up. "Name''s Garron, by the way. My wife, Mirra, is the one who patched you up. Mostly. So next time, thank her."


    Just as if summoned, the old woman entered the room carrying fresh linens in her hand. Her presence was much softer than Garron''s, but there was something in her gaze I couldn''t really read. It was a type of quiet strength, a hidden sharpness that could only originate from experience. As for what kind of experience? Probably a killer one. Her similarly gray hair was streaked with some black, holding onto her lost youth, pulled back into a practical braid. Moving my eyes, though her hands looked delicate, I could tell they had the type of calluses that showed she wasn''t used to delicate work... that is for sure.


    "You were half-dead when you stumbled in," Mirra said without allowing me to speak up, setting the linens down. "Poor little Lira nearly had a heart attack."


    "Thank you..." I let out a breathless chuckle, shaking my head. "She worries too much."


    "She worries exactly the right amount," She corrected me with a snap, giving me a pointed look. "I take it this isn''t the first time you''ve come close to dying?"


    "Err..." I hesitated, choosing to be honest. I had the feeling they would know if I tried to lie. "Not exactly."


    "Kids." Garron chuckled, handing me the tea, seeing that I was finished with my meal. "Then you''re either very unlucky or very stubborn."


    "Bit of both," I admitted, taking a careful sip, feeling how hot the cup was. The warmth spread through my body instantly, easing the remaining tightness in my muscles... damn. This was more than good. This was superb. I wondered... how much will this cost me?


    ...


    ....


    ......


    Over the next few days, I found myself recovering faster than I expected. I mean, my body was fine already, but I found some issues with my thoughts and my mind. I felt a bit harder to keep up with my recovered fitness, knocking things over and dropping utensils without wanting to. Garron said I simply needed some time to adjust and regain my reflexes, telling me that my mind still thought I should be injured, yet my body was healed, causing a mismatch between my perception and reality. This indeed seemed to be the case as I began improving as the days went by.


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    It also made me think... That was thanks to our caretakers. I mean, there was something more than just patching me up. Mirra''s cooking was more than just food. Honestly, it felt infused with something more, something that helped my mind recover just as fast as my body did. I wasn''t foolish enough to think it was pure magic, but there was an unmistakable quality to the way she and Garron prepared our meals. Could this be related to potions? A type of alchemy? I was getting sure of it, but I wouldn''t be rude enough to ask it. But I was crude enough to suggest to Lira to keep an eye out and try to see if there is more to it... maybe she can pick something up while shadowing Mirra in the kitchen.


    Doing the same thing, I started spending my time downstairs in the common area, watching as Garron served drinks and swapped stories with travelers while Mirra prepared meals with practiced efficiency. Of course, I wasn''t just sitting around; I was helping out with everything, from cutting firewood, exercising my muscles, feeling no pain at all, or just cleaning up the inn before night. Every time we returned to our rooms, Lira always stayed close, constantly watching me with a mixture of relief and exasperation, even if I told her that I was fine.


    Then... one evening, I couldn''t hold the question down.


    "Excuse my bluntness..." I spoke up as I nursed a drink by the fire, there being only the four of us there. Maybe it was the slightly alcoholic drink that loosened my tongue. "You two aren''t just innkeepers, are you?"


    "Hm?" Garron raised an eyebrow while Mirra merely smiled knowingly. "What makes you say that, kid?"


    "Well," I gestured at them vaguely. "The way you move. The way you talk. The way Mirra treats wounds like she''s done it a hundred times before. And the way you both handle knives in the kitchen. Or the quality of the food you make. Or the drinks. Or both of your auras. Everything."


    "Took you longer than I expected! I mean, asking the question, that is." Garron let out a hearty laugh, flipping a gold coin over to his wife, making me twitch an eye... Did they bet on me? Seems like it. "Sharp eyes, lad."


    "I told you a good drink would prompt it out of him," Mirra smirked, setting down a plate of roasted meat and bread in front of her husband. "We''ve been around, yeah. But that''s all you need to know."


    "I see..." I didn''t press. If they wanted to keep their past a mystery, I wouldn''t push them. I am curious but not stupid. So, instead, I shifted the conversation to something else, wanting to use their experience to our advantage. "We''ll be heading south soon. What should we expect?"


    "Heading out? Hm. True, you are more than good to back into the fray that adventuring is. The South... huh?" At that, Garron''s expression grew more serious. "South of here, you''re heading into the Federation of Free Cities."


    "Federation...?" I frowned, glancing at Lira, but she just shook her head. I already knew that she wasn''t sure of the overall politics of the land, only living within the one city she had ever known. And some of its surroundings... but that was all. "I''ve heard the name before, but not much beyond that," I muttered, hoping that my white lie wouldn''t be taken as an offense.


    "It is different." Mirra sat down across from us, looking at me. "The Federation isn''t like the kingdoms around us. It''s made up of seven city-states, each one ruling itself, though they have a loose alliance when it benefits them. Usually against external dangers. Their laws change from city to city, and the only real rule that applies to all of them is that money and power talk."


    "So it''s lawless?" Lira asked from beside me, her arms crossed, tapping nervously with her fingers.


    "Not lawless," Garron corrected, swallowing a big bite. "Just¡­ selective. If you''ve got coin or influence, you''ll find protection. If you don''t, justice can be hard to come by."


    "Doesn''t sound that much different... only more open about it," I muttered as I absorbed the information. "And the cities themselves?"


    "They have everything." Mirra nodded. "Also, they aren''t all human-dominated like the northern kingdoms. The Federation is diverse¡ªhumans, dwarves, beastfolk, and even some rebellious orcs and goblins have their own places among them. Some cities are known for their mercantile wealth, others for their mercenary guilds. But make no mistake¡ªwhile there''s opportunity, there''s also danger. You''ll want to keep your wits about you. Everything can be legal there, with the proper backing."


    "I see..." I muttered as I leaned back in my chair, considering their words. "Sounds like our kind of place."


    "Maybe..." Mirra sighed. "That''s what I''m afraid of. Kids like you can be reckless..."


    ...


    ....


    ......


    "Kid," As Lira and I prepared to leave, Garron handed me a small, intricately carved wooden token. "If you find yourself in Silverhaven, look for a man named Kael. He''s an old friend. Show him this, and he''ll help you."


    "Silverhaven?" I asked as I turned the token over in my hands, noting the symbol of a coiled serpent etched into the wood. "What''s this for?"


    "You''ll see." Garron chuckled. "You may not need it, but it is better to have it than not when it is needed."


    "Thank you... But why...?" I asked, thinking about it for a while. Why are they helping us? I even asked what the price was for all they did for us, but they said there was none.


    "Just." Mirran smiled at both of us. "We are old. It is all that is left for us to do for the new generation. That''s all. Stay safe, kids... Okay? If you want to pay back anything, don''t waste the life we saved. That is all... Really."


    After that, there was nothing much to say. I thanked them once again before heading out. As we trotted towards the South, Lira broke the silence first.


    "What are we really looking for after we cross the border, Auriel?"


    "I don''t know yet," I answered honestly. "We will find a place and then go from there. See what opportunities we can grab and... well, start building a new life."


    "A new life does sound good..." She smiled and, nervously, reached out, holding my hand.

 Chapter 26 – The Federation of Free Cities

    The road southward stretched longer than I expected, taking us more than a week''s worth of travel as Lira and I made our way toward the border. Leaving the mostly forested areas behind us, the landscape had gradually shifted, the dense foliage and drees giving way to more grassy, rolling hills and sparse groves of cypress trees. The scent of the world had also changed, something that I noticed with how clear the air was here. The earthy smell that was previously tinged with pine and fresh grass was gradually replaced by a different one. It had the faint aroma of something more... warmer. It is hard to put it into words, but it was different. The air simply felt warmer and drier, giving me less of the sense that winter would be upon us at any time.


    Arriving at our first goal, the Federation of Free Cities'' border station stood at the crest of a shallow hill in the form of a sturdy checkpoint of stone and wood. I noticed multiple crossing points, all of them reinforced with iron gates and guards standing at attention. Scanning the fields, soldiers patrolled the area, clad in a mix of steel and leather armor, bearing the crest of the Federation, deciding on who they were letting into their country. I noticed a banner above the crossing point with a seven-pointed star, each tip probably representing one of the city-states within this loose alliance. Traders, travelers, and adventurers alike lined up in multiple queues, each awaiting their turn to be inspected so as not to stick out from the crowd; we did so, too, waiting patiently. Standing there, I was listening to the others, noticing that the language was still the same, not even accented, relieving me a little. I was afraid that different countries would speak different languages, but so far, that hasn''t seemed to be the case.


    "Auriel..." Lira tensed beside me, her hands curling into the folds of her cloak, leaning close to whisper. "Are you sure this will work?" she murmured, eyes scanning the guards not that far from us. Her eyes moved around warily, noticing that soon it would be our turn. "You know how border officials are... No? I heard my... my... p-parents... talk about it..." She grimaced, bringing them up, feeling weird to call them that. But she quickly pushed the thoughts away, continuing. "They''re as likely to turn us away as let us through or simply take everything we have... or worse."


    "It''ll be fine," I assured her, though I couldn''t completely ignore the small flicker of doubt gnawing at me too. Corruption is everywhere, especially where there is no quick or instant retaliation. Who would be able to prove anything here in a world where there are no cameras or fingerprints? Anyway... I had to remain calm, so I answered with a smile. "Adventurers have free passage between nations. The bracelet and the letter from Reagan should be enough." Saying it, I also adjusted the strap of my pack, getting ready to pull out the payment I asked for in advance. This was also the point where I would test if my plan worked... Let''s hope it did, and I wasn''t backlisted.


    To ease her nervousness, she got closer, holding onto my hand, turning her head back and forth, watching us take another step forward. We stood in the lane that only had individuals, without carts or big packs, which was why ours moved slightly faster than the merchant ones, sometimes needing to look over two or three carriages at once. Leaning to the side to take a better look, the guards here looked accustomed to dealing with armed travelers, probably mercenaries or other adventurers. Looking at their gazes, they were sharp but less suspicious if they saw weapons hangin'' from people''s waists. One of them, a woman with a thick braid of auburn hair and a chainmail vest, suddenly gestured me forward. It seems it was time... While walking up, I looked at her eyes, which were a piercing green, and noticed that a scar ran from her temple to her jawline, marking her as someone who wasn''t afraid to look death in the eye.


    "Name and rank?" she asked, her tone bored but polite enough not to be offensive.


    "Auriel. Bronze rank adventurer." I raised my wrist, showing the simple yet unmistakable adventurer''s bracelet I put on before coming here. The sigil of the Adventurer''s Guild was etched into the metal along with my details, marking me as an official member... I just hoped if they checked it, I would still show up as an official member.


    "I see." The guard took my wrist, inspecting it for signs of presumably tampering or something, then gave a nod at me, letting my hand go. "Any papers of identity?"


    "Papers..." I muttered, trying to remember, but the original Auriel had nothing like that... I think. So, instead of that, I pulled out the parchment bearing the seal and the insignia of Reagan, the probably already dead guildmaster. Although, I can''t be sure he went down... whatever. If I get through, that should be it! Keeping my nerves under control, I watched as the woman scanned the document quickly, her eyes flicking over the details of my ''papers.'' Her expression remained neutral, but I noticed the slight tightening of her lips when she reached the bottom of the page.


    "Well?" I asked, but she just looked at me once before folding it up and handing it back to me.


    "Everything checks out. And her?" The guard nodded toward Lira.


    "She''s with me," I replied simply, holding her hand. "The Guild knows she''s my companion."


    "Sure." The guard studied Lira briefly, her gaze lingering on her face, studying her features and her hand, before smirking a little, probably thinking something... improper. I think Lira also felt the same way as she blushed, trying to look away, but then the guard''s voice prevented it from happening. "Not an adventurer yourself, huh?"


    "N-no... I am just a baker... or... was..." Lira shook her head but didn''t offer more explanation. I listened as the guard exhaled through her nose, then shrugged, probably deeming us as runaway lovebirds. Or as stupid teens. Works for me if that''s the case!


    "Fine. Just know that the Federation isn''t like the northern holds that you are used to. The law is looser here. Adventurers are somewhat in their own group but don''t cause trouble, or not even the Guild can protect your asses. The city-states have their own rules, and the Guild''s influence only goes so far as their willingness to reach into their pockets for their members! It is too easy to lose your freedom in a card game... Or your wife to a gang you crossed."


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    "...!" Lira flinched, but I just shrugged as if knowing what she meant. But in reality, I was taken aback. Fucking hell... this is wild.


    Still, after getting the green light, I dipped my head in thanks as she waved us through. As we stepped past the iron gates, a subtle shift filled the air. It was probably just my imagination, something that my mind concocted because we really left everything behind, entering a new world. Kinda. Ahead of us, as far as we knew, there lay one of the seven cities, Velgrada. It was our current target, hopefully, a place where we could find our footing and start... building. As for what? I think a personal organization sounds nice. Something that can bring in money and allow me to kick back later on and just enjoy a new life.


    ...


    ....


    .....


    It took us two days to get to the city. As we descended from the hills, Velgrada came into view, painting a beautiful picture, something out of a movie. Unlike the rigid, more grey-colored stone cities of what I had seen so far, this one was a vibrant sprawl of warm, ochre-colored buildings with red-tiled roofs and tall arched windows. The only similarity was the twisting alleyways paved with cobblestones. But... not everywhere. I noticed as grand plazas opened at intersections where fountains sculpted in marble spewed crystal-clear water into wide basins. From our vantage point, we saw how the local markets bustled with life, their stalls, their canopies bright with dyed cloth. After entering the city, I could see that they were offering goods ranging from silks to spices, next to exotic fruits and intricate-looking clockwork devices. The city seemed to be filled with a specific energy, being much more alive than... well, anything I saw so far in both of my lives.


    The first impression was great¡ªreally. And I think Lira was relieved, too, because she was like a child, amazed by the colors and smell, walking with me, exploring the city.


    In our first hour, we walked over a bridge built across a river that cut through the heart of the city. It was crossed by elegantly arched bridges at multiple intervals, adorned with statues of heroic-looking figures. It made me think of Mediterranean cities after seeing the gondola-like boats floating along its surface, ferrying people from one district to another. The air was thick with the scent of fresh bread, roasting meat, and the unmistakable sweetness of sugared almonds sold by street vendors.


    Were we warned for no reason? This city didn''t seem that dangerous.


    It was hard to imagine it when minstrels played soft melodies on the street corners, their music mixing with the din of bartering voices and trotting hooves when horsed people, probably local nobles, passed by us.


    Of course, the warning was not to scare us¡ªit was a warning. I knew that colorful animals usually meant they were venomous. The same could apply here... the more colorful this city is, the more dangerous it could be under the surface, lulling us into a false sense of security.


    "Woah..." Lira turned in a slow circle, taking in the sight with wide eyes, bringing me out of my loosening thoughts. "I''ve never seen anything like this," she admitted, her voice almost breathless. "It''s so... alive! And beautiful!"


    "Yeah, it is," I shared the sentiment, though I masked my wonder behind a more composed expression. "It''s different, that''s for sure. But keep your wits about you. Places like this have a way of swallowing people whole, got it?"


    "Y-Yes!" She nodded, but then I smiled a little, not wanting to rob her of the happiness she felt, especially after all that had happened.


    As we made our way deeper into the city, we found ourselves within one of its grand squares. A towering clock tower stood at its center, gilded with golden filigree and inscribed with the same type of numerals I would see in my own world. Heh, are we back to Roman times or something? Chasing the thoughts away, I kept inspecting our surroundings, which were more buildings adorned with frescoes depicting heroes, mythical beasts, and the founding of the Federation itself, as far as I could guess.


    My first impression was that Velgrada felt like a city that thrived on trade and culture rather than conquest¡ªits wealth was not built on killing others but on the movement of goods, ideas, and possibly art. Yet the frescoes also warned me that there were people here who would stab you through the heart if must.


    "Let''s go," I said, pulling on Lira. "It''s best if we find a place to stay for now."


    We passed through a narrow street lined with artisan shops as we walked, their windows displaying beautifully crafted wares of glasswork, jewelry, and fancy masks that seemed to be part of some local festival tradition. These masks were particularly striking, their expressions ranging from serene to grotesque, even vicious, their colors vivid and unsettling, making the hair stand up on my back. The sight of them made, for some reason, made me uneasy. The city was breathtaking, but who knows... maybe the nobles here were the type of decadents that I heard in horror stories.


    Sure enough, as we walked, a well-dressed man in a velvet tunic strolled past us, twirling a cane, his boots polished to perfection. I could tell from one glance that he strutted along the street as if he owned it. Maybe he did. Just to our left, from a side street, someone was coming out without looking... colliding with the man. What followed the simple ''incident'' was that the man began beating the other with his cane without anyone batting an eye, steering clear from the scene.


    "It''s not our place," I murmured, pulling Lira along. I interfered with something like this once, ending up with the Crows. This time... I simply won''t.


    She exhaled sharply but said nothing, though her fingers twitched as if itching to reach out, trying to stop the beating. No... that could lead us to die in a ditch. So, with increased steps, I kept pulling on her and continued to walk.


    Eventually, we reached an inn at the edge of a bit quieter and less opulent district, its wooden sign creaking as it swayed in the breeze.


    "The Starlit Roost," I muttered, reading it, watching the engraving of a perched owl beneath it.


    The building was smaller than the others but still well-kept, with flower boxes on its windows and a warm glow spilling out to the streets from within it. Entering, the first thing that hit me was the scent of roasted lamb and spiced cider, along with the gentle hum of chatter of the local patrons. The innkeeper was a middle-aged woman with salt-and-pepper-colored hair who glanced up from behind the counter, offering a nod.


    "Two rooms?" she asked, getting to the business side of things from the get-go.


    "One," I answered. "We''ll take whatever is available."


    "Sure. Five silver a night." She arched a brow but said nothing as she handed us a key with a knowing smile. "Second floor, last door on the left. If you need a meal, we serve dinner until sundown. Otherwise, you will have to eat somewhere else if you run out of time."


    "Understood." I smiled, paying for a week in advance that she pocketed at once. She smiled even more now and gave me a signed receipt, showing us the stairway, being much more friendly all of a sudden.


    As I took them and led Lira upstairs, I couldn''t help but let out a slow breath. The city of Velgrada was dazzling, but something about it made me uneasy. I remembered the masks in the shop windows... I wondered, how many of the people here wear them? Well... Probably all of them.

 Chapter 27 – Velgrada

    The city of Velgrada reminded me of an old Mediterranean town with its terracotta rooftops, bustling marketplaces, and loosely placed spires. It was a city unlike any I had ever seen in both of my lives, and I couldn''t help but pause at one of the marketplaces to take it all in. It would be even more beautiful if you ignored all the shady stuff behind the curtain.


    I watched as sunlight bathed the smooth stone buildings, their fronts adorned with intricate carvings of different animals and vibrant banners that fluttered in the breeze, signaling either a shop or the family owning the place. Walking forward, I continued on the tightly packed houses and narrow streets, passing by shaded alleys while making sure I wouldn''t run into another local group of mafioso. Once was enough; for now, I just wanted to settle down and gather my bearings before making a move.


    Strolling past a bakery, the scent of fresh bread and roasting meat drifted in the air, making Lira next to me flinch, probably reminded of the life that she now left behind. I couldn''t blame her because my thoughts were also drawn back to it, being one of the first memories I made in this world. Still, this city felt much more alive than Korvar ever did, something that I only realized after I had finally enough to compare with. Of course, Lira felt the same way as she stuck close to me as we passed through the crowded streets, her wide eyes darting from merchant stalls to street performers juggling knives. She seemed more overwhelmed than me, probably because I had more experience dealing with a crowded city. My old home had millions living in it... This was nothing in comparison.


    "It''s so¡­ big," she murmured, her voice barely audible over the din of hawkers calling out their wares and the clatter of cart wheels on cobblestones as they passed by us, forcing people like me to stand to the side while they passed by.


    "Yeah," I agreed, my gaze scanning the crowd for any signs of trouble, but so far, it seemed nobody was even interested in our presence. Still, I just couldn''t help keeping alert... Maybe I was becoming paranoid. "Let''s find a place to eat first. Then, I need to visit the guild."


    Turns out, we overslept. It was already past early morning, so there was no chance to have breakfast at where we were staying. So, it took us some time, but we managed to find an affordable-looking restaurant on the quieter side of town, a place called The Copper Hearth. The building was modest, its wooden sign creaking softly in the wind. It was Lira who spotted it, probably because it had a warm, inviting atmosphere. Suddenly, I felt like I was on vacation, sitting on a terrace, ordering eggs on toast, coffee, and some baked goods, eating them in peace. No, not just in peace, but with company. Huh... Maybe this was all I needed. I don''t know, but I could get used to it.


    "I think I can copy this." She spoke up halfway through her portion, making me raise an eyebrow.


    "You were a good baker, after all," I muttered, sipping one of the best coffees I had ever had, and that probably showed on my face because she giggled, looking into my eyes.


    "I am good indeed." She said proudly, "Maybe one day I can have a shop again."


    "It is not out of the question." I nodded, but she didn''t harpoon on it, knowing we were far away from the chance to buy property here. True... but thinking about it... it could be a start.


    After finishing our late meal, enjoying the sunlight, and a second serving of coffee, it was time to head towards the Adventurer''s Guild, which turned out to take an hour to do so. The streets of Velgrada were a literal maze, making us wander and get lost two times. However, I don''t think I would make the same mistake the next time, as the guild hall was impossible to miss when you knew where to look for it.


    It stood at the edge of one of the city''s market-oriented plazas, which were a dime a dozen. It was an imposing gray stone structure with a peaked roof and a banner bearing the local guild''s emblem¡ªa crossed sword and shield¡ªfluttering above the entrance, embroiled in actual gold, giving it a bright shine. Wide stone steps led up to a massive wooden door reinforced with iron bands. When I say massive, I mean it, as they were about ten meters high, having smaller, actual human-sized cutouts on them, open, letting the noise within spill out to the market square.


    Stepping inside, the air was much more energetic than in Korvar. I could see adventurers of various ranks gathering in differently sized groups, some drinking and laughing while others huddling over maps and mission postings or just haggling about fares with local customers, wanting to hire them. The walls to the left of the entrance were lined with notice boards covered in hundreds of parchments, listing bounties, escort jobs, and monster extermination requests. At least from the few, I caught a glimpse of.


    Turning my head forward, I saw that a large counter at the back was staffed by clerks handling paperwork and distributing assignments that the others took down from the wall on our left. If anything, this one was much more busy than the one in Korvar. And with more members. There are way many more members! Luckily, nobody really bothered to ask what we were doing here; one glance at my bronze bracelet was enough to tell them I was part of the guild and not a customer.


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    "Come. Don''t stray far." I nudged Lira before I approached the desk at the far end, presenting my adventurer''s bracelet and deciding to register myself with the guild. The clerk, a tired-looking man with ink-stained fingers, glanced at it before flipping through a thick ledger. "Bronze rank, huh? New arrival?"


    "Just traveled in," I confirmed, keeping my tone as casual as possible. "Figured I''d check in and register. And see if there''s any news from Korvar. I came from that way."


    "I know, your clothes are a dead giveaway." His fingers paused briefly over the page before he resumed writing. "You both are luck to leave that shithole."


    "Why?" Lira asked, her surprise masking her shock, while I was thinking we indeed need new clothes to blend in better.


    "We just got the news ourselves. Yesterday, in fact," he said, voice lowering slightly, but I caught that the man was a gossip machine. Good. Free information is something I love to get. "The Guildmaster of the Korvar branch? A fellow named Reagan? Yeah, he was found dead."


    "Really?" Even expecting it, hearing the confirmation sent a strange feeling jolt through me. "Found dead?"


    "Just like that." He nodded, chuckling, "Probably assassinated."


    "No details?" Lira asked, making me nudge her with my leg a little so as not to go too far.


    "No one''s saying anything," the clerk said with a shrug. "Word is, he disappeared for a while, then someone found him dead in the middle of nowhere. No witnesses, no suspects, and his bestie was also missing. That man''s name I don''t know but... The whole thing''s a mess."


    "Ouch... That sucks; I bet there is chaos over there, huh?" I leaned on the counter, feigning nonchalance. "What about the adventurers that were in Korvar around that time? Does anyone stand out?"


    "Now that you mention." The man eyed me warily, making Lira nudge me back, and she was right. Now, I was taking it too far... "Why the curiosity?"


    "Because of my friends, I had back home." I offered a small, practiced smile. "Just wondering if they are okay. Thought about heading back eventually, but if things are unstable¡­"


    "Oh, you know something?" He asked, suddenly his eyes lighting up.


    "Not much." I shrugged, getting to whispering. It was time to make some connections anyway if I was going to stay here. "There was a guy there named Lazlow. He was doing something shady, connected to a local underground group... He wanted to rope me in, so... We," I nodded towards Lira with a knowing smile, "bailed before that could happen, and we would be in trouble. It just felt wrong. I warned others, but you know how it is."


    "Smart choice." He accepted my reasoning easily enough, nodding approvingly. "Korvar''s guild is still running, but it''s going to be under new management. Can''t say if things are stable, but the city hasn''t burned down, so that''s something. But for sure, the branch over there will have a few hard years ahead of them because the top branch will for sure send people to investigate it."


    "I bet it has something to do with that Lazlow guy." I moaned, shaking my head, "The Guildmaster was also a good man," I continued, showing the letter from him that the clerk scanned quickly and handing it back.


    "That''s valuable information, kid." The clerk smiled at me. "You have a good head on your shoulders. I''ll take care of your local registration and papers. For both of you."


    "Thanks." I chuckled, knowing he would relay my information to the higher-ups.


    If Reagen is dead, he can''t talk about our private deal, and if Lazlow is missing... He is probably also dead. Risa and the others had clearly won¡ªthey wouldn''t let one get away. It could have been Lazlow who won... But the Crows'' complete absence from any reports told me it was Risa who came out on top. Or maybe not. Who knows! With our new, stamped, and completed identities here, we were now clear, even if the guards came and asked who we were.


    "Thanks again," I forced myself to nod casually, watching as I was registered to the local guild as a new member while Lira was appointed as my companion and underling on the papers. Seemingly, this was pretty normal. "We''ll be looking for work, then."


    "Sure." The clerk smiled back at us. "Come to me after you find something! I''ll handle the paperwork."


    With another nod, we left to stand before the long and crowded left wall for the next ten to fifteen minutes. After browsing the fourth notice board, I picked out a few simple tasks¡ªmostly local work that wouldn''t draw too much attention and give us enough money to get by. A few deliveries, some minor beast control in the sewers, and one job escorting a merchant through a less-than-reputable district. It was nothing flashy, but it was enough to get me moving through the city and maybe meeting the right people while doing so. I needed to learn the lay of the land, figure out who held power in Velgrada, and, most importantly, avoid stepping on any toes. At last, for now. The last thing we needed was to draw the attention of the city''s established factions right onto us.


    "That sewer job sounds... nasty." She frowned, seeing me take it down. "That''s¡­ not... safe."


    "No," I agreed, reading it through and confirming the details of the work. "But for now, we focus on settling in, and this is one that pays pretty well. Also, by the description, others are also working on it, so I don''t think this is unique."


    "I know..." Lira let out a small sigh, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "Still. You need to be careful, Auriel."


    "I know," I said, looking out the open door at the front of the guild, gazing at the vibrant city beyond. "We''ll figure this place out one step at a time."


    "I will¨C¨C"


    "You will stay put." I countered her, "You can help with some of the jobs but not with all of them."


    "But¨C!"


    "I don''t think you are good at fighting, hm?" I knocked on her forehead, "Neither are you someone who would need to get lost in the city that we know nothing about. Stay put, at least for now. Okay?"


    "..." She wanted to say something, but in the end, she sighed, lowering her head, "Um. I just don''t want to be useless..."


    "Maybe we can find you a place at one of the bakeries." I patted her head, knowing how she must be feeling. "Come, let us ask our new clerk friend. Maybe he has the connections."

 Chapter 28 – Underground

    When the day arrived when I descended down to the sewers of Velgrada, I expected it to be not my favorite job... But it was worse than I expected. Yes, I knew by the way the task was worded that it was a typical job for Bronze-ranked adventurers, something tedious and dirty but necessary and easy to gain some combat experience. But the smell... That was what I wasn''t prepared for. As for the rats? I mean, rat-kin? Not that bad. These creatures weren''t fully sapient, but they were more cunning than simple vermin, often forming territorial nests in the city''s underground tunnels. That part I discovered from Isak, the clerk we managed to befriend a little. Thanks to him, I learned that they bred quickly, scavenged aggressively, and occasionally attacked sewer workers or even ventured topside to snatch food or anything ''shiny.'' The city didn''t take kindly to that, especially if they found their way into the local banks, so adventurers were regularly sent to the sewers to take care of their population.


    The entrance to the sewers, at least the one I took, was near one of the quieter canals, a rusted iron grate that groaned loudly as I pried it open, alerting anybody and anything nearby for sure. Not that I had any mind to pay attention to it, as the stench hit me immediately.


    "Fuck..." I muttered, covering my face with my scarf.


    Stagnant water, mold, rot, and something faintly metallic made its way up my nostrils, forcing my stomach to churn. Still... I had no other choice, so I just sighed, adjusting the scarf now wrapped around my nose and mouth before descending into the darkness.


    Of course, I didn''t come unprepared. I had a small cranking lamp, a strange little torch that I could stick on the bandolier I was wearing, leaving my hands free. Heading in, giving it a few cranks, its dim, yellow light flickered against the damp stone walls, casting shifting shadows, matching the rhythm of my walk. The deeper I got, sword in hand, the air was getting thick and humid, getting past the scarf and clinging to my skin like a second layer of grime. Geez... I will stink even the day after tomorrow! After about a minute or two of walking, I arrived at a junction, stopping and trying to listen to which direction I should head. And, of course, memorizing my way, leaving a small mark on the stone wall with the tip of my sword.


    In the end, I followed the path that was going toward the right as I remembered that the left was heading under the canals. And I wasn''t keen on that. While walking, I was constantly looking for signs of the rat-folk''s movements. Claw marks in the slime, gnawed bones discarded in corners, scattered tufts of greasy fur, everything that Isak mentioned to keep an eye out for. However, there was something else bothering me than the threat of a ratman appearing and trying to bite my ankles. The deeper I went, the more the walls seemed to close in, the ceiling low enough that I had to stoop occasionally to avoid scraping my head. Or... was I simply getting claustrophobic? I didn''t know I had an issue like that...


    "Get yourself in order Auriel..." I told myself, shaking my head, continuing my trek without running into anything so far. Which was good and bad at the same time because without bringing back some cut of tails as proof, I wouldn''t get paid.


    However, as I navigated deeper into the tunnels, something suddenly caught my eye¡ªsomething unrelated to the job.


    There was a section of the sewer that should have been abandoned and shouldn''t have had signs of recent activity. But it had. Shining my light on the clues, getting a bit closer, the stone floor was cleaner than the surrounding muck, as if someone had deliberately swept it. Or the thing that was coming through wiped it off. It had to be... something heavy because I noticed that faint bootprints were marking the damp ground, leading toward a recessed alcove hidden behind a crumbling wall. It was as if one, no... two? Three people... Yes, three people were pushing something in here. I immediately slowed my steps, keeping my heart rate steady, but my mind was already racing. If someone brought something down here... they weren''t exactly law-abiding, were they? Quickly, I extinguished my torch, plunging myself into near-total darkness, and waited a little. I was trying to hear if there was anybody here... hiding after hearing I was coming. There could be... Still, the faint sound of dripping water was the only noise I could pick up on. I should be... safe.


    After a moment of hesitation, I edged closer and peered inside the alcove, right where the clues were pointing... and, well, bingo.


    Crates. At least four of them, but more could be hiding behind the ones I could see. They were all stacked neatly, too dry and intact to have been down here long. Maybe not even a day... Their surfaces bore markings, one that I couldn''t recognize. But it was an insignia that was pressed into the wood, a symbol of some groups, probably. Smugglers? Bandits? Or something more official? I will have to check after I return to the surface, so I quickly memorized it. Looking around once more, I turned my little torch back on, checking them briefly. Apparently, the crates were sealed tightly, and I was not about to try and force them open to see what was inside. That would give away too much, and I should leave; it was too dangerous to linger for this long here...


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    I had a job to finish, after all.


    ...


    ....


    ......


    Dealing with the rat-folk took time. Not much, but at least it was better than I expected. When I found another, more prominent junction connecting five different routes, I decided to set up a trap. I baited them out with chunks of salted meat, hiding in the dark and striking with precision and speed as they emerged from the shadows. They were actually more rat-like than human-like. Hairy, about the size of a well-fed hog, many times standing on their hind legs, their front pair showing the ability to grab things as they squeaked against each other.


    Of course, when I struck the first few, killing them swiftly, my sword entering their unprotected bodies with ease, the creatures fought back. Their beady eyes glinted in my suddenly blinding torchlight, claws slashing at nothing but the air. I should thank Isak for the tip, telling me they are not used to sudden, bright lights, using it to my advantage to dispose of the group before me quickly. Information... is king.


    "Well..." I stood amongst five dead rat-kin, "That''s fine for today... I am not going to risk more." I exhaled, not wanting to risk it. If I get cocky... that would benefit nobody. It was time to collect some rat tails and get out of here.


    By the time I had reported back to the guild and collected my payment, there was only one thought that kept bothering me... those darned crates hadn''t left my mind, not for a moment. Curiosity gnawed at me since returning to the surface, so later that evening, I did what any careful ''detective'' would do¡ªI started digging for answers.


    My first stop was one of the merchant districts closest to the inn where we were staying. Even now, streets here were bustling as the sun dipped below the horizon, lanterns were already lit on the top of street lamps, locals were walking around, lighting them, and... well, grimacing when they passed by me. Well, shit. I did just get out of the sewers; that''s true. Haaah... Anyway, ignoring the fact that I was looking not for people but for merchants as they called out their wares, their voices blending with the clatter of carts and the hum of conversation. I wasn''t interested in what they were selling; I wanted to hear their organizations'' names and see their logos. I wanted to know if the things I found were stolen goods or stuff from smugglers.


    Luckily for me, it didn''t take long to find a trade office bearing the same insignia I had seen on the crates. According to the plaque next to the entrance, the building belonged to Veren & Sons Trading. I couldn''t tell if they were a well-established merchant operation or not, but the fact they had a sizeable place for themselves told me they had money. No wonder because apparently, thanks to one of their merchants shouting at a nearby stall, they specialized in ''the best'' alchemical goods and rare imports. That alone set off alarm bells in my mind... Because this meant potions, and potions were valuable. Now... did they lose a shipment, or was that just the type of goods that were not for sale hm? Interesting.


    Spending another hour of casual observation at a nearby tavern filled in the rest of the picture. The tavern of my choice was called The Rusty Anchor, and it was a dimly lit establishment, apparently frequented by the workers maintaining the canals in the city, stinking just the same way I did. Blending in, I sat in a corner, nursing a tankard of ale and keeping my ears open, hoping to hear some news. I also kept an eye on the trading company and tried to count how many people came and went from their building. How busy they looked.


    It was half an hour later that my ears caught something. A hushed conversation between two gondola drives confirmed what I already suspected: Veren & Sons had been robbed two days ago. One of their colleagues was ferrying goods when he had been hit, and a shipment of potions had vanished. There were no arrests and no leads, yet just a frustrating silence from the city guard, who likely had bigger problems to deal with than a ''simple'' robbery.


    "Interesting... Still, it could be an inside job..." I thought to myself while I leaned back in my seat, considering what to do.


    Those crates in the sewer weren''t abandoned, that is for sure¡ªthey were stashed. If the situation was legit, the thieves hadn''t moved the goods yet, likely waiting for the heat to die down before transporting them. And that, in turn, meant that Veren & Sons would be very interested in any information regarding their whereabouts if they wanted to get them back. Maybe they even had an angry buyer waiting for it. Hm...


    For the first time, I entertained a thought I hadn''t considered before: Information was indeed valuable¡ªpossibly more valuable than labor or the potions. And it seems I have a knack for finding information, including the documents that led Risa to an elven artifact.


    I had a piece of knowledge that others would pay for, and if I handled it correctly, this could be the first step toward getting a good amount of money by literally doing... nothing.


    But I couldn''t just march up to Veren & Sons and sell them the location. That would be foolish and probably suicidal. I needed a cover, an approach that wouldn''t make me seem like the thief or, worse, put me on the wrong side of the actual gang who stole the goods. Plus, if the bandits realized someone had uncovered their hiding spot, they''d move the stash. Then, they would try to eliminate the loose end¡ªme.


    "Tsk... I need to prepare, and do it well... and quick." I thought as I tapped my fingers on the table, thinking through hundreds of ideas.


    I needed a persona and a method of feeding information to those who needed it without revealing who I was or even offering anonymity to those who wanted to buy information. If I wanted to do this, I wouldn''t be some common informant or snitch¡ªno, I need to be untouchable, hidden, someone whose identity remained unknown but whose information was always reliable.


    Suddenly, it was a thrilling, dangerous feeling, an idea, but one that had great potential. If I played my cards right, this could be the foundation of something much bigger than adventuring for coins or, shaking down brothel owners or smuggling... flour. Tsk.


    But first, I had to prepare. As for how... First, I had to take a bath. Then, I had to have something to eat. And a good night''s sleep. With a fresh mind, the ideas will come too!