At the south gate of Flower Field Village.The night set high, clouds covering the shining moon.
The traders who were banned from the marketplace used this gate. Even though it was the best place to hear a rumor or make a cheap trade, it could only be done here. During the daytime, it was somewhat of a heaven for poor villagers such as Lila, who made a living out of it.
But at night, it changed drastically. No villagers even thought about going to that cursed place.Not because it was the only gateway that led directly to the Dark Forest.
It was quite the opposite — the soldiers did a decent job protecting the villagers, but they couldn't prevent illegal traders and unknown forces that walked only when night embraced the earth.Many illegal traders who were constantly running from the law would, at night, guard this place as if it were their own kingdom.
These illegal traders, also known as smugglers, were relentless to take first place in what they liked to call "Rulers of the Black Market."Even such a peaceful and blessed land like Flower Field Village had its flaws. This was one of them.There's a saying among the royals: "Every rising star has its own shadow rising behind it."
At a corner of the small street near the south gate,both Damien and Lila hid, curled up in a tight place. The unusual sight was that they were still wearing black and gray silk-like clothes from head to toe. But Damien's silver sword was the only thing that stood out among them.
"Why again are we dressed like smugglers?" Damien asked with a frustrated expression on his face.On top of that, they were very close, curled up together — her smooth body pressing against his. Her soft but rather large chest pressed against his, giving a forbidden kind of pleasure.
"Hehe, Damien, do you think it's easy to get in contact with a trader? We have to look the part," Lila said playfully, still clinging to Damien.
As a proper lady, one would normally smack a man if he tried something so uncalled for — pressing his body and taking advantage. But Lila didn't seem to mind at all.
Damien remembered the slap that once sent a soldier flying just for touching her hand. But now, she was the one pressing against him, almost devouring him with her closeness.Yes — it wasn't Damien who took advantage. It was Lila from the very beginning.
Just as they were lost in their thoughts, a man wearing worn-out clothes like theirs appeared before them.His appearance was like a beggar's, but he gave off an unsettling, mysterious aura.
Damien suddenly remembered the man John had described. "Maybe it's just a coincidence… how in the world can fate intertwine like this?" he thought, quickly shaking the thought away.
As the man approached, his dark, torn clothes rubbed against the ground, tearing further. His eyes were dark — not because of the night, but as if he had been born with them. His shabby appearance, mixed with those eyes, made Damien feel somewhat uncomfortable.
"Are you the one who seeks guidance to Dark Frost?"He questioned not Damien, but Lila.
"Yes. You said you could get us there," she replied, stepping forward. The sweet expression she had minutes ago vanished, replaced by something unsettling.
"Yes, I can take you there," he said."Hmmm… girl, you're brave, I'll give you that. Brave enough to get involved with me — but don't get ahead of yourself. Everything has a price." The old beggar spoke with a mocking tone.
Lila turned and stared at Damien. Her playful eyes were gone, replaced by something serious — like she was burdened with guilt. She looked back at the old figure again."Yes, I know."
"Heh, you kids really don't know what you're getting yourselves into," he laughed loudly, his smile slowly fading away. The surrounding darkness seemed to swallow the streets.Then his gaze turned toward Damien.
"Is this the one who will accompany you to your demise?"
Before Damien could answer, Lila suddenly stepped beside him and held his hand.
"That sword — where did you get it?""Huh, doesn't matter, kid. If you think you can survive with just a sword in that cursed place, you must be dreaming."The old beggar's eyes gleamed as he stared at the sword tied to Damien's waist.
Damien had no intention of revealing how he got the sword in the first place, but being underestimated and mocked — that was something he couldn't ignore.He took a step forward, his hand reaching for his sword, his hunting instinct rushing through his veins, his eyes turning predatory.
But Lila rushed in,"Hey, that's our problem… Know your place. Are you going to guide us or what?"
Her eyes darkened for a moment, her voice sharp like a blade piercing his neck. Her aura was unsettling, like the night itself.Even the old figure and Damien were surprised and backed away slightly.
Did I misunderstand her? She seemed so innocent, but now her presence is dominating… even my instincts are warning me, Damien thought.
"Quite an interesting girl," the beggar muttered, stunned by her sudden change."Okay, come with me. At least you brats wore suitable outfits that don't stand out.You kids are smart, I'll give you that. But stupid enough to go to that cursed place together — quite the lovers, hehe."
Damien and Lila unintentionally locked eyes. Lila was still beautiful, but her eyes were filled with determination.Damien's gaze softened — thinking that this girl was willing to come without even asking him for a reason.Without realizing it, an unreasonable emotion began to take root in Damien's heart.They both knew this was it. There was no turning back now.
…
They followed the old man for a while, and soon they found themselves standing before the south gate.A small lamp sat on top of a barrel, giving off a dim glow — just enough to faintly light the surroundings.Both soldiers Damien had once faced were there, unmoving.But strangely, both were staring straight ahead without blinking. Their pupils had turned dark purple — once dominant and terrifying, now lifeless, staring into nothingness.
Damien, puzzled by the sight, tried to ask the old beggar,"What happened to them?"
"Ah, it's nothing. Just hypnotic magic. We can't have other soldiers on our heads, can we?" the old man answered as he stepped closer to the soldiers.
Magic… h-he can use magic?! I tried to threaten a man who can use magic?! A drop of sweat ran down Damien's forehead.He looked at Lila, expecting her to be frightened, but her face showed no fear — only confidence, her eyes focused on the old man before them.
"I'll be taking this," the beggar said, grabbing the only source of light — the rusty lamp from in front of the soldiers. It gave off a dim, flickering glow as he began walking toward the south.
"You brats coming or what?" he yelled without looking back.
Damien, still in disbelief, tried to protest and demand an explanation, but then Lila held his hand tightly and began to walk forward.
"Let's go, shall we?"