Some time earlier, at a modest inn not far from the heart of Leymora, Erik had just finished his bath. His hair still dripped, steam from the washroom lingering in the air as he stepped into the dining area, adjusting the loose shirt clinging to his damp skin.
But before he could taste the toasted bread and vegetable soup in front of him, his ears caught murmurs from two middle-aged men at the next table.
"You hear? Alice Marakhat—the Golem Master—came back to Leymora this morning," one of them whispered.
Erik jerked his head toward them, eyes widening.
"W-What did you say?" He stood up and grabbed the man's collar. "Say it again! Are you sure? Alice's back?!"
The man flinched. "I-It's true! A lot of people saw her at the city gates! She entered with three others…"
"Where are they now?!"
"I-I don't know… maybe the Adventurer's Guild?"
No further explanation was needed.
Erik dashed out of the inn, not bothering to grab his jacket or belt. He raced across Leymora's cobbled streets, weaving through the bustling morning market. His chest thundered with a storm of dread and hope.
"Alice... you're still alive?"
From a distance, he saw four figures walking into the Guild. One wore oversized robes and a deep hood that covered nearly everything. But Erik recognized her gait. The subtle shoulder twitch, the way she slightly bowed her head while walking… it was Alice.
Without thinking, Erik bolted forward and shoved open the Guild doors with a loud bang, drawing everyone's attention.
"Aliceeee!" he shouted, nearly a roar. "You're back! You… you're alive!"
The Guild froze. Some stared in shock. Others murmured in confusion or curiosity.
Alice slowly turned. Her eyes met Erik's—and her heart raced. But not from longing.
She didn't know how to respond.
Calmly, she lowered her hood.
Gasps erupted like fireworks.
"That's Alice!"
"Alice Marakhat!"
"I can't believe it! She's really alive!"
The murmurs swelled into a buzz of awe and disbelief.
But amid the noise, one voice rang out—sharp and cruel.
"She's a hero… She sacrificed herself for her team and still survived. Isn't that amazing?"
Alice stiffened.
She raised a hand sharply, stopping Erik mid-step.
Her face turned cold, eyes cutting like lightning.
"What do you mean… 'sacrificed herself'?" Her voice was barely above a whisper, yet it silenced the entire room.
All eyes shifted to Erik.
Some glared. Some leaned in, expecting a show.
Erik chuckled nervously. "Ah, well… I-I didn't mean it like that. I—I can explain—"
Alice's expression didn't change.
Zeo observed silently. Ravyn narrowed her eyes at Erik. Fael just sighed.
Erik lowered his gaze. "Let's sit. I'll explain everything."
Alice finally gave a slow nod.
The five of them sat at a corner table, away from the noise. But the tension clung thick in the air. Guild members still peeked over, pretending not to listen.
Erik inhaled deeply.
"I don't know what really happened to you, Alice… But we had to report back. To honor your memory, we… made up that story." His voice dropped to a hush, trying not to be overheard.
Alice clenched her fists beneath the table. With a flick of her finger, she cast a soundproofing spell.
No one would hear what came next.
"We… we all thought you were dead. Everyone did," Erik continued.
Zeo noticed the shift in Alice's expression—this wasn't something she could brush off.
Erik looked down. "I know it was wrong… but what else could I do? I was the weakest of the group. They asked me to protect our party's image…"
Alice said nothing. Her eyes held no rage. But no forgiveness either.
She could understand the reasoning. But it didn't erase the pain. The fear. The betrayal. The feeling of being abandoned in that cursed forest, the terror of facing death alone… those memories still carved deep scars inside her.
---
The five of them sat at a simple table now, bowls of hot soup and roasted meat laid before them. The comforting aroma drifted through the air.
As usual, Ravyn devoured her meal with gusto, ears twitching under the cloth wrapped around them.
Fael stood by silently, hands behind his back, eyes lowered.
He didn't dare sit.
"Sit down," Zeo ordered, glancing his way.
Fael shook his head. "Forgive me, master. I… I don't deserve—"
"Sit. That's an order." Zeo's voice was calm, but it offered no room for argument.
Fael hesitated, then finally sat, tense and awkward. His hands balled into fists on his lap.
Alice still hadn't touched her food.
Erik sighed heavily.
Alice looked up, eyes narrowing. "You left me. Alone. Not even a glance back. And you never told anyone? Pathetic."
Erik bowed his head further. "I'm sorry. That was… the only way we knew how to deal with the guilt."
Alice bit her lip, refusing to cry. She wouldn't show weakness—not here.
Suddenly—
"Ho! So you really are alive, Alice!"
A loud, cocky voice rang out from the entrance. A man in expensive adventurer gear strode in, arm draped around a voluptuous woman, laughing loudly.
Derek.
"Tch, I thought you got eaten by those disgusting beasts."
Everyone stared at him coldly. Even Ravyn stopped chewing.
Zeo didn't react. His eyes remained shut.
Derek strolled closer, sneering. "And who are these people? You save them too? What a hero. Hahaha."
He laughed and walked off.
Alice lowered her head, fists clenched.
"I'm sorry… He's always like that. His words are cruel. I'm sorry you had to hear it because of me."
Zeo opened his eyes. He looked at Alice briefly, then shook his head. "It doesn't matter."
Just as calm returned, Derek's voice echoed again from the door—full of mockery.
"Oh yeah, I heard Prince Elion's coming to the city. Didn't he once offer to make you his concubine? Is that why you came back, Alice? Maybe I should start calling you Royal Concubine Alice! Hahaha!"
The door slammed. Silence fell.
Derek was gone. He'd come just to provoke.
Alice stared at the floor, trying not to let her emotions take over.
Ravyn fidgeted but kept still.
Zeo straightened up.
"Let's end this. We still need money for tonight's stay. Let's find a job."
But Erik quickly spoke up, "You need a place to stay? I—I can lend you some coin for the night."
Zeo turned, his gaze sharp.
"Oh right. You guys earned a lot of beast cores back then, didn't you? So… don't say 'lend.' That money isn't a loan."
"What do you mean, sir?" Erik asked, blinking.
"Didn't Alice still have a share from that loot you sold from the Forbidden Forest? It hasn't even been a month. You all should still have her share."
Erik froze. His face drained of color. The truth slammed into him.
He'd never paid her. Never looked for her. Never even contacted her family. They'd split the earnings for themselves.
"I… I see…" Erik muttered.
He glanced at Alice, searching for any sign of forgiveness.
But Alice looked away.
Erik exhaled, then stood. "I'll get it sorted. You'll have your share. I promise."
They parted ways soon after.
Erik asked if he could speak to Alice again another time. She said nothing.
But as Erik walked away and glanced over his shoulder, he saw Alice smiling… not at him.
She smiled at Zeo.
And something in Erik twisted.
Jealousy burned like poison in his chest.
"Who is he…?" he thought bitterly. "That man… he needs to disappear."
---