The sun was rising over Vel'Kara. Nagi walked through the worker's district. His boots were covered in dry mud. The East Road had been rough terrain. He had slept only three hours. His body felt heavy and stiff. He needed to reach the Broken Cog. Maret would have breakfast ready.
He turned a corner onto Main Worker Street. A crowd had gathered ahead. People were standing on their toes. They were whispering among themselves. Nagi stopped at the edge of the group. He looked past the shoulders of the workers. A scene was unfolding near a tenement building.
A man in a fine velvet coat stood there. He held a scroll in his hand. Two men stood behind him. They wore leather armor and carried clubs. They were hired swords for intimidation. A family stood opposite the man. A woman held a child tightly. A man stood in front of them protectively. He looked defeated and weary.
Landlord said, "The rent is due."
Father said, "We paid last week."
Landlord said, "That was for last month."
He waved the scroll in the air.
Landlord said, "Prices have increased."
Mother said, "We cannot afford more."
Landlord said, "Then you must leave."
He pointed to the street behind them.
Landlord said, "Now."
The family did not move. The hired swords stepped forward. They raised their clubs slightly. The crowd gasped softly. No one intervened to help. Fear kept them silent. Then a voice cut through the tension.
Woman said, "I do not think so."
Nagi shifted his gaze to the speaker. A girl stood between the family and the swords. She had long pink hair braided down her back. Her eyes were a warm green color. She wore simple travel clothes. A massive greatsword was strapped to her back. It was larger than her entire torso. She smiled brightly at the landlord. It was a smile of pure sunshine. It did not fit the situation at all.
Landlord said, "Who are you?"
Woman said, "I am Yui."
Landlord said, "This is private business."
Yui said, "It looks like bullying."
She placed a hand on her hip. She did not reach for her weapon.
Landlord said, "Move aside."
Yui said, "No."
The hired swords looked at each other. They stepped toward her together.
Sword One said, "Get lost, girl."
Yui said, "Make me."
Her smile did not fade. It remained fixed and calm.
Nagi watched from across the street. He analyzed her stance carefully. Her feet were shoulder-width apart. Her weight was evenly distributed. Her shoulders were relaxed completely. This was not a bluff. She was ready to move instantly. The greatsword on her back was not decoration. It was balanced for quick drawing. Her center of gravity was low. She could pivot faster than them.
Nagi counted the seconds. Ten seconds passed. Twenty seconds passed. The hired swords hesitated. They sensed the danger radiating from her. It was not visible energy. It was intent.
Sword Two said, "She is trouble."
Landlord said, "Do your job."
Yui said, "Try it."
She shifted her weight slightly. Her hand moved to the sword hilt. It was a fluid and natural motion. The hired swords stopped advancing. They looked at the landlord. They knew they would lose. They might not walk away.
Landlord said, "Fine."
He rolled up the scroll tightly.
Landlord said, "They have one week."
He turned on his heel. The hired swords followed him. They walked away quickly. The crowd exhaled together. The family bowed to Yui deeply.
Father said, "Thank you."
Yui said, "Do not worry."
She patted the child on the head.
Yui said, "They will not come back."
She turned to leave the scene. Nagi stepped back into the shadows. He did not want to be seen. He watched her walk away. She carried the greatsword easily. It did not bounce or weigh her down.
Nagi said, "That was not luck."
He had seen players fake confidence. They bluffed until they won. This was different. She knew she could kill them. She chose not to. That was true skill. Control was harder than violence. He walked toward the Broken Cog. His mind was processing the encounter. Yui was a variable he had not counted on. She was strong but kind. That was a dangerous combination. In this world, kindness got you killed. Unless you were strong enough to protect it.
He reached the inn door. He pushed it open slowly. Maret was sweeping the floor. She looked up at him.
Maret said, "You look tired."
Nagi said, "It was a long night."
Maret said, "Soup is ready."
Nagi sat at his usual table. He placed his head in his hands. He thought about the pink-haired girl. She was an NPC or a player. He could not tell the difference anymore. If she was a player, where was her interface? If she was an NPC, why was she so alive? He remembered the note in his pocket. "You opened the seventh door. They are watching." Was she one of "them"? Or was she another victim?
He lifted his head. Maret placed a bowl in front of him. Steam rose from the broth.
Maret said, "Eat."
Nagi said, "Thank you."
He picked up the spoon. He ate mechanically without taste. His mind was still on the street.
He said, "Did you see her?"
Maret said, "Who?"
Nagi said, "The girl with the sword."
Maret said, "Yui?"
Nagi said, "You know her?"
Maret said, "Everyone knows Yui."
She stopped sweeping for a moment.
Maret said, "She helps people."
Nagi said, "For free?"
Maret said, "Always."
Nagi said, "Where is she from?"
Maret said, "No one knows."
She resumed sweeping the floor.
Maret said, "She just appears."
Nagi put the spoon down. He was full enough. He stood up from the table.
Nagi said, "I am going to sleep."
Maret said, "Rest well."
Nagi walked up the stairs. The wood creaked under his feet. He reached room six. He locked the door behind him. He walked to the window. He looked out at the street below. It was empty now. The crowd had dispersed. The family was safe inside. Yui was gone.
Nagi said, "I will see you again."
He did not know why he was sure. But he knew their paths would cross. In a world without logout, allies were rare. He needed to know if she was one. He lay down on the bed. He closed his eyes tightly. Sleep came quickly this time. He dreamed of stone wolves. And a girl with a pink braid. She was smiling at the monsters. They did not attack her. They bowed instead.
Nagi woke up sweating. The sun was setting outside. He had slept for hours. He sat up on the bed. He checked his knife. It was still under the pillow. He stood up and stretched. His muscles felt looser. He was ready for the next day. The Grey Wanderer rumor was growing. Yui was now a known entity. The Guild was hunting him. The monsters were evolving.
He said, "Too many moves."
He needed to simplify the board. He walked to the door. He opened it and stepped out. The inn was quiet tonight. Maret was at the counter. She was counting coins.
Nagi said, "I am going out."
Maret said, "Be safe."
Nagi said, "I will try."
He walked into the night. The city lights flickered above. He needed to find more information. About Yui. About the stalls. About the exit. He merged into the shadows. He was a ghost again. But the world was getting crowded. And ghosts were hard to hide in a crowd. He walked toward the Grey Dome. It stood dark against the sky. The cameras were still watching. He smiled slightly. Let them watch. He had nothing to hide anymore. Except his true strength. And that was his ace. He turned into an alley. He disappeared from sight. The night belonged to him. For now.
A/N: Thank you for reading Chapter 8. Yui has entered the story. What do you think of her? Please add this to your library and leave a review. Your support keeps the story alive!