Yuto dragged his heavy feet, traversing the dusty path with every step.
His gaze remained downwards, unable to suppress the surge of emotion boiling in his heart.
On what grounds was he treated like a criminal?
All he wanted was peace and rest after a hard battle, but reality was the opposite of his desire.
As for the stirred crimson Qi in his dantian, it calmed down.
His steps halted when he kicked a severed monster's body. A clean wound from a sword slash; beside it was a goblin with a hole in its head, still dripping blue blood from its wound.
Yuto looked up and saw the knights standing rigidly, some holding monster carcasses, and others shifting to make way for him.
He looked up and glanced to his side, seeing one of the knights salute him with a pale face and trembling hands.
'What's wrong with them?'
The boy turned and accidentally met the gaze of another knight, who immediately gave a similar response.
Instantly, the hot emotion in his heart subsided.
Yuto let out a long sigh and walked past the scattered piles of corpses.
His footsteps squelched as he walked on blood-soaked ground, and even the surrounding grass was tainted by it.
The pungent smell wafted in the air, somehow bringing absolute calm to his mind.
Yuto inhaled the remaining miasma to replenish his red sun. Since the tension had passed, he planned to take it easy, ensuring his condition fully recovered.
His pace slowed, and when he arrived at the northern gate, he saw countless eyes flooding the area.
Not only from commoners but also from adventurers, too, who were biting their fingers, regretting not having the courage to stand on the front lines.
'Full of greed as usual.'
Yuto scoffed when he saw drool dripping on the adventurers' lips as they looked at the piles of monster corpses.
His brow twitched under the weight of their sharp gazes. A wave of murmurs spread like wildfire, laced with malice and jealousy.
'Hmph!'
He didn't bother commenting and walked straight into the city, which was crowded with people curious about the war's outcome.
The boy weaved through the crowds, entering the city that looked brighter than usual.
He wasn't surprised, because this city had just survived a disaster.
Smiles of relief and echoing laughter from children, who shouted their dreams of becoming knights.
Time seemed to slow down until Yuto's feet carried him to the luxurious area where the elites resided.
This area was still the same as usual; although it was full of dazzling wealth, he didn't feel the slightest warmth from it.
Except for one place, he was looking at.
Right in front of him stood a small mansion with a spacious yard, guarded by an iron gate that prevented anyone from breaking in.
'I've arrived.'
Yuto's trembling hand reached for the iron fence but halted halfway.
His head immediately replayed the events earlier. The unfair treatment he received from that group, especially the two who chained and shot arrows at him.
Also, the golden man showed his sincerity by apologizing for his comrade's mistake.
But was that his true nature?
'What if they find out I live here?'
The home that gave him warmth seemed out of reach.
Unbeknownst to him, his body turned on its own and walked away with a drop of blood trickling from his lips.
'It's time for me...'
As he thought that, the rumbling sound of horse hooves drew his attention. From a distance, he saw a carriage being driven by a pale-faced coachman.
"Thomas?"
Yuto wiped the blood on his lips.
As if recognizing the boy, the man pulled the reins in his hand, making the carriage stop right by the side of the road.
"Yuto, what are you doing here? Aren't you on a business trip...? Where's the boss?"
Thomas jumped from his seat, then glanced right and left.
Seeing the man's restless behavior, Yuto smiled.
"I heard a horde of monsters attacked this place, but it's already over when I arrived."
"How can you do that? Because the distance is"
Yuto shrugged his shoulders and answered his question.
"I've swift legs."
"I see."
The man before him nodded, then crossed his arms with a sullen expression.
"Where are you going with such a pale face?"
"Oh? Right, I still have work from the Madam regarding a report."
Thomas snapped out of his daze, and his expression turned white, sweat dripping from his forehead.
The man immediately leapt onto the coachman's seat, holding the reins.
Before leaving, Yuto pulled Thomas closer.
"Are Mrs. Marni and Shery okay?"
Unintentionally, his tone was heavy enough to make the man's face turn blue from the strength he exerted.
"Ouch! C-calm down, Yuto. They're both in a very safe place. Don't worry."
Hearing that, the tension in his body eased, and Yuto let out a long sigh.
"I'm relieved."
"Yuto, what's going on?"
The boy shook his head and turned to leave, but his steps stopped midway.
"Thomas, don't tell anyone I'm here, okay? And if you meet Gonzo later, tell him I'm really thankful for all the help. I promise to pay him later. See you."
Without waiting for an answer, his body vanished like smoke, causing Thomas's scream to echo in the empty space.
After reaching the main road, the situation was a bit chaotic, but many stalls had already begun to open, even knowing that an attack had just occurred.
Yuto didn't know whether to be amazed or laugh at their boldness.
He began to visit several stalls; colorful fruits lined the counters, bright vegetables with a hint of dew, and dangling red meat.
Also, he bought a pinch of salt, which caused his eyes to widen at the price of a small pouch.
The sun began to shift westward, nearing the end of the day. Soon, what was once warm and full of life changed into a quiet, cold night.
After spending a lot of money on some of his living necessities for a few weeks, Yuto stored everything in his ring and strode over the North Gate.
Initially, he hesitated to go back there, but time was not on his side.
When Yuto arrived, things were a lot more conducive.
'Looks like they've finished cleaning up.'
The boy approached one of the knights, then took out his adventurer guild card.
"Eh, White Demon?"
Yuto froze, hearing the guard's high-pitched voice. Moreover, the name that came out of his mouth caught him off guard.
'White Demon?'
"What did you just call me?"
The man's expression tightened, draining the guard's face of colour.
"M-My apologies, sir! You're cleared to leave the city, and please don't be late for the closing..."
"I know."
He cut off the knight's words and began to pass through the gate, which fell eerily silent with his arrival.
People gasped, their mouths agape, unable to meet Yuto's eyes directly.
Yuto ignored them and moved on, treading the ground and grass that was stained with foul-smelling blue marks.
His feet continued to carry him away, entering the Verdant Hollow alone.
Darkness began to reign, sending chills down his spine. Thanks to the Demonic power in his body, the intimidation felt like nothing but a breeze.
"This should be the way."
Relying on memory alone, Yuto traversed the dense thickets and maze of trees until he found an open space.
A small old wooden cabin stood in the middle. It was still strong despite its age.
His lips curled into a smirk, a warm excitement bubbling in his chest.
Yuto opened the creaking door, echoing, but to him, it sounded melodious in his ears.
"Feels like it's been ages."
He approached the wooden bed and sat on it, gazing at the small and quiet cabin, which reflected his mood.
Free from responsibility and far from everything, even the warmth from that family.
Regardless, Yuto's decision was firm. He wanted to isolate himself for a while, because he didn't want to trouble the people who took care of him.
A gust of cold wind entered through the cracks in the cabin, raising goosebumps on his skin.
"I guess it's time to start a fire."
Yuto went outside, leaving the small cabin that housed his deepest loneliness.
He was still unaware, because deep down, the warmth of a family and the laughter at that dinner table continued to echo, even now.
It widened the hole in his heart, then chains of darkness began wrapping around it, creating a strong seal that couldn't be broken for a while... Or perhaps forever.