I stood at the entrance of Kazanora City, staring at the towering walls surrounding it. They were massive—far larger than anything I had ever seen—built from dark stone that radiated an imposing presence. Armed guards stood at the gate, carefully watching everyone who entered and left.
I took a deep breath. This is my first step beyond my village… there's no room for hesitation now.
I walked forward with steady steps, observing everything around me cautiously. People moved in and out—merchants, adventurers, wagons loaded with goods. The place was crowded and noisy, completely different from the quiet of Nirava.
As I approached, one of the guards stopped me.
"Stop. What is your reason for entering the city?"
I looked at him calmly and replied,
"I'm a traveler. I came to stay for a while and look for work."
The guard exchanged a quick glance with his companion before asking,
"Are you carrying any weapons or suspicious items?"
I hesitated for a moment, then remembered Arthos' warning.
"No. I'm not carrying anything."
A slight discomfort crept into me from lying, but I knew revealing Arthos wouldn't be a good idea.
The guard stepped closer, looked me up and down, then sighed.
"Fine… you don't look like trouble. Go ahead."
I passed through the gate.
The moment I stepped inside, it felt like I had entered a completely different world.
The sounds. The smells. The movement… everything felt alive.
Shops lined both sides of the road, vendors shouted to promote their goods, the scent of food filled the air, and people wore clothes unlike anything I had seen before. Even the auras I could sense were different… stronger, heavier.
Arthos spoke in a low voice,
"Don't be too amazed… this is just the beginning."
I smiled faintly. If this is just the beginning… then what lies ahead?
I walked slowly, observing everything, trying to memorize the paths and understand the city. I didn't want to look like a lost villager.
After wandering for a while, I started to feel tired. I hadn't slept well the night before.
"We should find a place to stay first," I said.
Arthos replied dryly,
"Finally, something sensible."
Ignoring his tone, I searched for an inn. It didn't take long before I found a medium-sized building with an old wooden sign hanging above it.
I stepped inside.
A middle-aged woman looked at me briefly and said,
"A room?"
I nodded.
"Yes. For one night."
She told me the price—it was slightly higher than I expected, but I paid without arguing. I didn't want to waste time.
She handed me a key.
"Second floor. Third room on the right."
I walked up the stairs and entered the room, closing the door behind me with a quiet sigh of relief.
The room was simple… a bed, a table, and a window overlooking the street.
But for me, it was enough.
I sat on the bed and looked at my hands.
I killed someone today…
I didn't feel what I expected. There was no overwhelming guilt… no relief either. Just a strange heaviness.
Arthos spoke, his tone unusually calm.
"If you start thinking like that, you won't survive long."
I lifted my head.
"I'm not regretting it… I'm just trying to understand."
He replied,
"Don't try to understand the world… just learn how to live in it."
I stayed silent for a moment, then lay down on the bed.
"Tomorrow… I'll begin."
"Begin what?" Arthos asked.
I closed my eyes.
"Becoming stronger."
Silence filled the room.
It didn't take long before sleep took me.
But somewhere within Kazanora City…
There were already eyes watching