It had been eight days since the explosion, but tension still hung in the air like a storm waiting to break. Within the courtyard behind the inn, Frank ducked under Elias's punch, sweat glistening on his brow. His breath came hard and fast as he pivoted, attempting a jab of his own.
Elias blocked and smirked. "You're faster than before. Guess hitting level 7 comes with perks."
Frank panted, stepping back to reset. "Don't remind me… I feel like a walking contradiction."
Just two days ago, Frank had visited the kingdom's central library. Among the musty scrolls and ancient tomes, he discovered a fascinating truth—this world had its own religions and pantheons. The goddess of death, Velmora, whose followers believed in purification through loss. The goddess of life, Yuleen, revered for fertility, healing, and natural rebirth. There was even the god of war, Grohlak, the mythical origin of combat skills and battle-borne gifts. He noticed the system differed wildly from city to city—some kingdoms worshipped exclusively, others had mixed practices. It reminded him too much of how fragmented religion had been back on Earth.
That knowledge disturbed him, but also helped him understand that whatever had happened to him… might be divine.
A flash of green broke his focus.
A glowing arrow darted from Tayla's bow, striking a nearby training dummy in the chest. Frank blinked.
"Hey Tayla," he called, "how're you slinging support magic like that and still fighting on the front?"
Tayla turned, chuckling. "It's elf magic. We're attuned to light—support doesn't mean I can't pierce a skull."
Joel, lounging on a barrel nearby, added with a grin, "Skills and magic attributes can coexist. Elves have strong affinity with light, and at night? We're even stronger."
Frank nodded slowly. "So the race and time of day affect output?"
"Exactly," Tayla said. "And magic's broader than just flashy attacks. It's a part of us."
From the training yard's edge, Kaido scowled. "So why the hell hasn't the council given us a mission yet?"
Raymond, arms crossed, answered calmly. "We wait. I've scouted the area for four days. No oddities. Maybe that's part of their plan—keep us on edge."
Kaido sighed. "Or they're baiting us."
"We'll know soon enough. Let's restock supplies." Raymond motioned, and the two headed toward the bustling market street.
The city at noon shimmered with life—floating neon signs, vehicles zipping above magnetic rails, holograms advertising relics and beast hunts. Children chased automaton dogs while drones buzzed overhead.
Frank's eyes met Tayla's for a second. She smiled, but something about her gaze pulled at him.
"You okay?" he asked.
She hesitated. "We're fine, but… you feel it too, right? Like we're being pulled toward something?"
Frank looked down. "Yeah."
He turned and trudged up the inn stairs. Elias watched him go, then shifted his gaze out the window. "Come on… where are you hiding?"
Upstairs, Frank tossed his shirt onto the floor, flopping onto his bed. He stared at the ceiling crystal, glowing faintly.
Why hasn't she contacted me?
The Lady in White. Silent since the explosion.
They're after me, he thought. The Vance cults… they know something about my future self. And I'm here to stop it?
He opened his Appraisal Board.
[Level: 7] [Skill: Reciprocate]
Frank sighed. "How the hell is someone like me gonna pull this off… I'm goddamn lazy."
Across the street, in a second-floor room of another inn, a man peered through a tech-enhanced spyglass.
"Just give it a rest, Doug. They ain't budging," said a demi-human woman with yellow skin and spiked hair.
Doug, pony-tailed silver-and-black hair tied back, lowered the scope. "I damn well know that, Grace. But we keep eyes till the pay dries up." His cowboy drawl was thick.
Grace rolled her eyes. "We could be cookin' right now. You promised me mom's recipe."
"I ain't no chef. That's why you're around."
She smirked. "Flattery won't cut it."
Doug yawned and turned to a monitor. "Radar's pingin'. Geeks finally set foot in town."
Grace tapped the screen. "Tanned-skin assassins. Train station, northeast exit."
Doug's lips curled. "Vance-prayin' bastards. They ain't takin' our bounty. Cameras were a good call, hon."
Inside his room, Frank sat up with a shiver. "That was weird…"
In a dimly lit room elsewhere, General Augustus lounged, pristine in his white suit and regal purple cloak.
"You saw them? Raymond… and Kaido?" asked a voice from across the desk.
Augustus swirled his drink. "Raymond. That man… he was once under my command."
"Then you know the risk," the other man—Randall—pressed.
"They exposed our base. They must be silenced."
Augustus stood slowly. "You're forgetting one thing. Your attacks drew attention. Nobles, generals, they noticed."
Randall adjusted his glasses. "Already sent someone after them."
Augustus placed his cup down hard. "I said... leave the primary problems. Focus on the distractions."
Randall smirked. "What are you gonna do, White Knight?"
A purple glow shimmered around him.
"I'll stop the origin." Golden light burst from Augustus, drowning the room.
Randall fell to one knee, sweat beading. "Your pressure… still terrifying."
As the light faded, Augustus moved to the door. "There is no we. You were hired because you're expendable."
Randall chuckled darkly. "Yet they kept my essential parts…"
Meanwhile—
"Kaido, did you feel that?" Raymond asked.
"Feel what?"
"Like we were watched. Grocery store rooftop."
Kaido glanced. Empty.
"They're gone," Raymond said. "Maybe pulled back."
"Creepy city." Kaido shuddered.
Elsewhere in the city, Bill stretched, wide-eyed. "Damn. I love this place."
"Ugh, I hate it," Spike grunted.
"That 'cause a guy beat your ass?" Astrid teased, her massive blade clinking.
"Piss off," Spike growled.
"Still can't believe Leader Jack made Bill our escort," another man muttered.
"Brain guy, remember?" Spike grinned, clapping Bill's shoulder.
Bill winked. "You just like my charm."
"Yeah right," she scoffed, but smiled faintly.
"Let's grab that bastard and drag him home," Spike muttered.
"Leader said one piece, remember?" Bill grinned.
Astrid rolled her eyes. "Still hate you're in charge."
"Deal with it," Spike retorted.
The group disappeared into the crowd, the city's neon glare casting shadows beneath their feet.