I stepped away from her as she screamed for me to come back, but she didn't follow. She let me go, and I ran toward the children. When I reached the front of that store, there were three kids and a couple of adults sitting on the ground, all with their heads bowed. The rain had just begun to fall, yet none of them moved. They were all emaciated, nearly lifeless, as if they'd never eaten, their clothes filthy. My heart ached seeing them like that. I tried talking to one of the children, but he didn't respond. The chain binding them was thick, linking them together like prisoners or monsters. I wondered, Who could have done this to these people? I grabbed the chain in my hands and heated it until it melted. But once I freed each of them, I shouted over and over for them to run—none listened. Two of the kids locked eyes with me; they looked alike, but what I saw in their gaze was horrifying. Desperate, I tried forcing one of the adults to stand. He just… didn't even glance at me. He took three steps back and calmly sat down again. An old man among them stared at me and said:
"Kid, I see the fire of innocence in your eyes. I don't know what you believe, I don't know what they told you, but everyone here is here by choice. And no one's gonna follow your stupid bullshit."
…
Suddenly, through the silence and pounding rain, his words echoed in my head: And I'll warn you again, kid: never try to play the hero. You're not one, and you never will be. But I refused.
"What's all this noise? Why're you rats yappin' so much?" said a dwarf with gold teeth and the same smug look all the nobles in Dusk City wore.
"Who are you?" I asked flatly, shivering in the cold rain.
"You the one botherin' my slaves? Want one? Why're you starin' like that?"
"What did you do to them? Why are they chained?"
"These things?" he snorted.
"Watch your mouth! They're people! Let them go—now!"
"Heh, heh, heh. I see," he said, grinning wildly. He walked up to one of the twins. "Want me to free this blue-haired brat? Or this girl—a real pretty-eyed specimen? Tell me, what'll it be, monsieur?" He yanked their hair, forcing them to look at me.
"I'm not playing! You're gonna—! Free them all! This isn't right!"
"Oh yeah? You think I'm playin'? What a waste!… I'll choose for you: how 'bout the girl?"
In seconds, I heard a slice—cutting through raindrops, splitting the thick air into perfect fragments. So flawless it made no sound, yet the sheer force of it paralyzed me with fear. I froze. Felt nothing… until an overwhelming power surged—but not from him. Was someone else here? Where was all this ether coming from?
I glanced at the kids. They seemed fine, unharmed… until—
"Well, what a waste. You wanted the girl? Here." He hurled her head at my feet while clutching her hair. The body trembled, blood gushing.
"Just leave, kid. Stop causin' trouble."
I stood frozen from the moment I saw her head. I looked at the old man—tears spilled. I looked at the dwarf—his eyes laughed, relishing my panic. He stared me down, cynical and sharp. But that power… it lingered nearby. Someone else—hidden, monstrous, maybe stronger than my master. I stepped back. I wanted to gut him, but staying meant death. I retreated slowly, but he barked:
"Kill him."
The instant I tried to run, I slipped on the water. A buzz tore through the air—a thin sound slicing everything. Three people split in half over 200 meters away. My breathing spiraled; all I wanted was to escape. As I struggled to stand, a vibration shuddered through my veins. I felt thousands of hollow, icy eyes judging me, blaming me. I couldn't move—couldn't try. Fear swallowed me. I felt death. How did this happen? How did I end up here? Then—nothing.
My head throbbed; I could barely open my eyes. Miriel knelt nearby, head bowed like she was apologizing. For a moment, I thought it was a nightmare. But when I turned, I saw the girl's head again—flies crawling in and out of her mouth. I lurched up and vomited.
"Seems your buddy's still alive."
"Don! Hey! You okay?" But I kept retching. When I finally steadied myself, I choked out:
"He killed her, Miriel. He killed that girl."
She stared at me, then shrugged.
"Let's go. Get up—we're leaving."
"No."
"What?"
"I have to make him pay. I have to protect them…"
She slapped me, then hissed in my ear:
"Look at you, you stupid human. Your back's ripped open, and I barely patched you up. And you feel it, don't you? That… thing's ether beside him. I saved you before they shredded you to pieces. Don't screw this up. My life's on the line too."
Tears of helplessness fell as the dwarf laughed. Rage burned in my veins. Unconsciously, my eyes shifted back to normal, and I saw it in the shadows—a gray-cloaked man, fully covered. He noticed me staring and lunged—
"Wait—what'd your boyfriend do?" the dwarf sneered.
"We're leaving."
"No one leaves."
"You really want this, Jonas?"
"Tch…"
"We're. Leaving."
As we left, activating my true eyes, I didn't just see the gray man—I saw the murdered girl's brother's gaze. He stared at me, terrified. Images flooded me: a carriage… a cage with other kids… three men, one draped in a cloak like my master's… Another slap snapped me back.
[...]
Don was too overwhelmed to process anything. He stared blankly until Miriel snapped him awake.
"Gods, Don. Where'd you go? Let's move."
"R-right," Don muttered. He stood; his eye had normalized, and his mortal back wound was slowly healing. His strength—though feeble—was returning. All automatically.
But the shadow man understood everything after seeing those eyes. He whispered to the slaver:
"He's a supaiba."
"Well, well. Heh, heh. Business circles back. This brat's my golden ticket. Why's Mei Wei want him?" He shouted: "Hey, Miriel!"
She turned, glaring, as he jeered:
"Safe travels, mademoiselle!"
Miriel ignored him, walking ahead with Don. He kept glancing back at the boy until she yanked him forward.
On the way to the smithy, Don asked:
"Can we stop for a drink?"
"We've done enough today. You can walk alone now. You're heavy."
Hearing that, Don started doubting her. At first, she'd seemed eager to team up, but now she felt cold, distant. Questions gnawed at him: Why did she act familiar with the slaver? He side-eyed her the rest of the way.
"We're here. Decent smith ahead. Let's go in."
"Yeah."
[Don]
Inside, the forge's heat warmed me despite the rainy chill outside.
"Welcome. Rough day?" a voice greeted.
"Yeah. It was," Miriel replied.
"Miriel! Surprise seein' you here!"
"Long time, Rognar."
"Sure is. Missed you, you insufferable elf."
"Respect your elders, kid."
"Whatever. So—armor, weapons, potions, rare metals?"
"We need molten obsidian crystal," I said.
"Hmm… Got some left. Rare metals're scarce lately—battle at the forest front."
"Any news?" I asked.
"Heard criminals breached the forest barrier. Third-tier knights handled it. That's all I know."
"Oh… Okay."
"Back in twenty with your order."
"Hey, Don," Miriel whispered.
"What?"
"Why melt obsidian? Couldn't you use it as a booster?"
"Most fire or light users do, but it's inefficient. My master says it's only 0.5% as effective as a real booster."
"Huh. Then why bother?"
"Obsidian's layers reflect and absorb light. Could be useful."
"Useful for what?"
I stared, then said:
"Dunno. Ask my master. He sent me."
"Hey, kid," Rognar cut in, "you know you're with the ugliest, least talented elf in her tribe? No wonder she's a guide." He laughed.
"Why say that? You're lying!" Miriel snapped.
"I know the hell of travelin' with her. Doin' you a favor, kid. Next time she pisses you off, call her ugly."
He tossed me the molten obsidian vial—flawlessly pure.
"Heh… Yeah. You're good."
"Aw, flattery? I'm already the best here. Soon, the best in all Montesis Kingdom."
"No doubt. Let's go, Don."
"Hey, kid: don't judge her too quick. 'Kay?"
"Move. It's a long way."
"Yeah."
«Economy: 85 gold coins».
And that was that. One item off the list. Now we needed the mystic alloy—no clue what or where it was. I was running low on cash, so I skimped. Miriel insisted on an inn, but I refused to pay. She booked a room for two. Since I didn't chip in, I'd sleep on the floor and owe her.
Back in Dusk, we found an inn. The receptionist side-eyed our "one room" request and led us up. Exhausted, I missed my bed after four days—but there was only one.
"Payer's rules," Miriel said. "Sleep on the floor. Don't even think about sharing. You're a man, I'm a woman, blah, blah…" I didn't care. I just wanted this over—to return to my master.
Clenching my fist, I thought: I got cocky and almost died. My fire control failed… What's wrong with me?
"Hey, Don," Miriel broke the silence. "Aren't you curious about what attacked you?"
"Yeah."
"You hate me for not helping. Don't save the unlucky. You freed them, and none listened, right?"
"My fault… Do you think the kids survived?"
"Maybe."
"Who was that man? And the gray thing?"
She glared, avoiding the question. After minutes, she snapped:
"Forget it. He's a lunatic who thinks he owns everything. Don't give him a reason to chase you… I made him overlook you stealing his merchandise."
"How dare you call people 'merchandise'?!"
"Gods, you're a child! Goodnight, Don."
Rage-tears welled as the girl's murder replayed. You're not a hero… not a hero…
A buzz erupted in my skull.
"You okay?" Miriel asked.
"Fine!" I grunted—then pain exploded. I screamed.
She cast healing spells—none worked. The innkeeper banged on the door. Everything stopped like a snapped branch.
"Now talk! You dying?!"
"Was that magic earlier?"
"Yes. All spells were nulled. That doesn't happen with humans."
"Don't look at me! I don't get it either!"
"I'll run a scan. And shut up."
"That's not real—plus, magic's illegal."
"You gonna stop me?" She clasped her hands, ignoring my protests.