The morning sun stretched its golden fingers across the rooftops of the small city. The air was fresher than usual, touched with the scent of roasted beans and boiling broths drifting from nearby food stalls. Merchants were setting up their tables, voices rising as the streets slowly filled with the rhythm of daily life.
Inside the quiet inn, Laine stood near the window, tightening the strap of his cloak. His mask hid his expression, but his eyes followed the crowd below with silent calculation. Even here, in what looked like an ordinary town, threats lurked in every corner.
Behind him, Airi fumbled with the ribbon of her new dress. It was soft blue with simple white linings—a gift from yesterday's shopping. She spun awkwardly, tugging at the waistline. "Brother… is it straight? I think I tied it wrong…"
Laine turned, his sharp gaze softening for just a moment. He crouched and fixed the knot with careful fingers. "There. Now it won't come loose."
Airi's face lit up with pride. "So… do I look alright?"
Laine's eyes swept over her—innocent smile, bright eyes, and a dress that fit her far too well compared to the rags she had worn days ago. "You look… like someone who belongs to this world." His voice was quiet, but firm. "Now keep it clean. Clothes don't make you strong, but they remind you of who you want to be."
She nodded, clutching the hem. "I'll remember, Brother."
They left the inn together, weaving into the heartbeat of the market. The noise of vendors calling for customers mixed with the clatter of hooves and wheels. Bright fabrics hung from stalls, fruits gleamed in baskets, and the smell of spices tickled their senses.
Airi's eyes darted around in awe. Everything was new, vivid, alive. Then, suddenly, her nose caught something richer—the warm, savory scent of broth. She tugged at Laine's cloak. "Brother… look!" She pointed at a stall where an elderly woman stirred a steaming pot of noodles. The broth bubbled, carrying the smell of garlic and herbs. "Can we… can we eat that? Just once? Please?"
Laine followed her gaze. The woman was frail, her hands trembling as she poured soup into chipped bowls. Her stall was small, her clothes faded. But her smile as she served customers was genuine. Laine exhaled slowly. He wasn't hungry, but Airi's wide-eyed plea made his decision for him. "Alright. Just this once."
Airi beamed. "Thank you, Brother!"
They approached the stall. The old woman bowed slightly, her voice quivering but kind. "Two bowls? It will fill your stomach well, young ones."
Laine placed coins on the counter. "Two."
The woman's hands shook as she accepted them, then quickly ladled steaming noodles into clay bowls. Airi's eyes sparkled as she blew on the broth, taking a careful sip. "Mmm! Brother, it's so good!"
Laine didn't reply. He sat beside her, lifting the bowl beneath his mask. The taste was plain but hearty, the warmth spreading through his chest. For a fleeting moment, it felt almost normal—like they were simply two travelers enjoying a meal.
But peace never lasted long.
Three rough-looking men swaggered into the stall's shade. Their clothes were ragged, but their eyes gleamed with arrogance. One of them slammed a boot onto the edge of the old woman's counter. "Oi, Granny. You know the rule. Pay up."
The woman froze, ladle slipping slightly. "P-please… I don't have enough this week. Business has been slow…"
The thug leaned closer, sneering. "Not my problem. Pay, or we break your little stall."
The other two laughed, one shoving a stack of bowls to the ground. Clay shattered, soup splattering across the dirt. The old woman gasped, hands trembling. "Please! Just give me time—next week, I swear—"
One thug shoved her back roughly. She stumbled, nearly falling over. "Next week? You'll be lucky to have bones by next week if you don't pay."
Laine set his bowl down, his eyes narrowing behind the mask. His hand twitched toward his sword—but before he could move, Airi stood up.
Her small voice shook, but it carried weight. "That's wrong! Hurting someone poor… just because they can't pay—it's wrong!" She stomped her foot, glaring at the thugs. "You should be ashamed!"
The men turned, their laughter booming. "Oh? And who's this little mouse squeaking at us?"
One reached forward, his shadow falling over her. "Careful, girl. You don't want to stick your nose where it doesn't belong."
Airi's courage wavered. She stumbled back, clutching Laine's cloak, her voice trembling. "B-Brother… h-he's scary…"
The market seemed to hush in that moment. Laine rose slowly, towering over the thugs. His presence shifted—the calm mask of a traveler peeling away to reveal the predator beneath. His voice was low, sharp, each word laced with steel.
"…Step away. Now."
The thug laughed nervously, but tried to stand his ground. "And what if we don't, masked freak?"
Laine raised his hand. Chains erupted from the ground with a metallic hiss, wrapping around the thug's wrist before he could blink. The man's eyes widened in terror as the iron tightened, biting into his flesh.
Laine leaned forward, voice like a blade scraping stone. "If I see you here again… if you ever touch her, or anyone like her—" His eyes glowed faintly red beneath the mask. "—I'll bury you alive in chains so deep you'll beg for death."
The thug's face drained of color. His companions, suddenly pale, pulled at his arm. The chains dissolved as quickly as they had appeared, but the threat lingered in the air like poison. Without another word, the three men stumbled back, tripping over themselves as they fled into the crowd.
Silence hung heavy. The old woman collapsed to her knees, tears glistening in her eyes. She bowed deeply, voice cracking. "T-thank you… thank you, young man. I… I don't know what they would have done…"
Laine turned his gaze on her, then glanced at Airi, who still clung to his cloak. "Be careful," he said simply. "Weakness attracts wolves. But today… you were lucky."
Airi peeked up at him, her small hands still trembling. "…Brother… you scared them away…"
Laine looked down at her, his expression unreadable behind the mask. "…No. I reminded them what fear is."
The old woman, still shaken, placed another small bowl of noodles on the counter, pushing it toward Airi. "For you, little one. No charge. Thank you for standing up for me."
Airi's eyes lit up. She looked to Laine for permission. He gave a small nod, and she accepted the bowl with both hands, bowing slightly. "Thank you, Granny…"
As they finished the meal in silence, Laine's senses stretched outward. Something about this encounter unsettled him. Thugs like those didn't act alone. They were tools, sent by someone else. And tools always reported back.
He rose, tightening his cloak. "We're leaving."
Airi looked up, confused. "But… we just ate—"
"Laine's voice cut through, sharp but calm. "We can't stay here. Those men will run back to whoever owns them. And when they do… stronger wolves will come."
Airi's face paled, but she nodded, trusting his words. She grabbed his hand tightly as they melted back into the crowd, disappearing into the noise of the marketplace.
Far behind them, in a shadowed alley, another figure watched. His lips curled into a thin smile as he whispered to himself:
"So… the masked one shows his fangs."