Sunlight fell over the town. This small town, nestled in the forest, had never known slavery — too insignificant for anyone to bother conquering. Adventurers were scattered through the forest outside, still searching for Silia. Little did they know Jhed had already made her his ally.
"What are all these people looking for?" Shine said, looking around. Flowering trees surrounded him. Nain stood behind him, taking it all in.
The ground beneath Shine's feet was damp. The fragrance of flowers spread in every direction. For Nain, this was her first time here. She looked around quietly. Even the flowers were new to her.
Some adventurers noticed Shine and came over.
"You're the S-Class adventurer, aren't you," one of them said.
Nain ducked behind Shine's back, pulling her coverings tighter around herself.
"What are you all searching for?" Shine asked. His armor was on, only his face exposed.
"We're looking for a thief. She stole your companion's teleportation card and ran." the adventurer said.
"The teleportation card? How is that possible. Jhed—"
His eyes went wide.
"That idiot couldn't keep one card safe. How did someone even steal it." Nain muttered to herself.
"Do you know who took it?" Shine asked quickly.
"You may have seen her — she was at the guild counter two nights ago. Her name is Silia. That's who we're after."
"Jhed must be so worried. I need to get to him fast." Shine thought.
"Let's go, Nain." He broke into a run toward town. Nain followed close behind.
"Who was that? A new visitor?" one of the adventurers said, watching them go.
They entered the town. People stared — Nain had herself covered in such an unusual way that eyes naturally went to her.
On the other side of town, Jhed and Silia stood in front of the guild.
"What do I even say to Daichi? He's going to scold me. Maybe worse. Because of me, he stayed up all night searching." Jhed's thoughts kept spinning.
"Come on then—" Silia looked at him. They were right at the guild door. Jhed had his hand on it. But he wasn't pushing it open.
"Do you have any idea how many people are out there looking for you? And you're telling me to just walk in?" Jhed said.
His heart was pounding. He'd taken a small thing and made it enormous in his head.
Silia's fair skin caught the sunlight. A breeze moved through her hair. No one looking at her would ever guess — she was a Blood Demon.
The door opened from inside.
"Found her—" It was the same hot-headed adventurer who'd nearly fought Maruls. He'd pushed the door open from inside, and Jhed's hand on it sent him stumbling.
"We searched the entire town. And here you are."
"Guild Master — the thief's here!" he shouted. Daichi came out from his room. Nearby adventurers gathered at the sound.
Daichi came downstairs fast.
"Seize her." He told the adventurers around him immediately. He moved quickly. Every adventurer surrounded Silia. She stood calm, watching them. Jhed was terrified — he had no idea how to handle this. He kept trying to stop them, but no one was listening. These were people who'd given up a night's sleep to find her. They were closing in slowly. Daichi was getting closer too.