The sun was already rising on the horizon, painting the sky in shades of gold and orange. Behind us, the cave lay in ruins—black stones still releasing smoke from the explosion. We walked along the packed-earth trail that led to the city.
I walked ahead of Oud, feeling every muscle protest with each step. My body was numb, but the tension in my shoulders and chest was something else entirely: the kind of nervousness that doesn't fade even when there are no monsters in sight.
The cave smoldered as if exhaling its final breath after the blast. I walked in pain and exhaustion—every muscle taut, every step reminding me how much I was just… me.
Varkis trailed behind, complaining, dragging his feet as if he'd fought an entire mountain.
— Never thought I'd be attacked by rocks… from behind — he grumbled. — That should be illegal.
I let out a short laugh.
— The bomb was yours — I commented, trying to sound less dead inside than I actually felt.
— I didn't make it, I just bought it. And it was expensive — Varkis replied, without turning around. — Financially… and after the explosion… physically.
That at least managed to pull a small smile out of me. The kind of laugh that comes only because your brain is too exhausted to stop it.
When the village appeared at the end of the trail, Varkis stopped short. His eyes locked onto the intact shop—of course. It was the only thing I think he truly cared about at that moment.
— Time to return to my comfort zone — he announced, crossing his arms. — You two were about to bankrupt me if I kept going.
— Thanks for everything, Varkis — I said. — Without you, that would've been worse.
— See you around, blue kid. Try not to blow anything else up — he said, with an ironic smile. — And remember: every forgotten debt comes back with interest.
He waved with that half-mocking grin and vanished into the dust, as if blowing up caves were just part of his daily routine.
Oud passed by me in silence—as always. I had to speed up to catch him.
— Hey! Wait! — I complained, my lungs burning. — I need to sleep. And eat. And sleep again. And we still have to find this Cindi's house…
— I'm just hungry — he replied, as if that were the most important thing in the world.
Of course. Oud and his priorities.
We followed the trail climbing the mountain. The air there was colder and cleaner, but my thoughts were a mess—foreign. A huge group of elderly people walked together in the opposite direction.
— Wow… — I murmured. — I've never seen so many old people together. Does this place have something really good?
My hope died the very second I read the sign planted beside the road:
[Level 01]
What joy. Starting from zero all over again. As always.
The city gate appeared soon after, massive and reinforced. The two guards from before were there: the bulky pale one with his honorable rust, and the bald one holding that technological cube that gave me the impression it knew far too much about people.
I lifted my chin and said:
— It's done.
The bulky guard laughed. At me? At the mission? Probably at me. It was always me.
The bald guard sighed and fiddled with the cube like someone already expecting trouble.
— Let's see if you're not making things up…
The screen lit up, revealing Varkis's scorched face.
— So, Varkis… confirm it? — the bald guard asked.
— I confirm — he said. — They blew up the Ulzors… and almost blew me up too.
That part didn't need emphasis.
The bulky guard raised his eyebrows, surprised.
— Wow… there were a lot of Ulzors in that cave. I'm impressed.
The guards looked genuinely impressed. Maybe it was the first time someone believed that I—I—had done something useful.
— So? Are you paying us what was agreed? — I asked, trying not to sound insecure.
The bald guard hesitated for a moment.
— Look… since you really want to get in, we won't pay in money.
— What?! What do you mean?! — I protested, indignant.
Oud interrupted me, calm:
— We don't have a choice.
I took a deep breath. He was right.
The bald guard made a short gesture with his hand.
The short guard appeared, carrying a backpack full of red fruits glowing as if they had an electric field inside. She handed it to me.
— Here. Take one.
I held the fruit, suspicious.
— Just… eat it? Seems too simple.
The bulky guard burst out laughing as if it were the best joke ever told.
— If you stare at it, maybe that works too!
I ignored him. I was too tired to react.
The guard handed us two gray necklaces.
— After you eat it, press the red button. It'll start the timer. When the fruit's effect begins to fade, the necklace makes an annoying sound. Then you eat another.
Beeping necklaces. Perfect. Exactly the kind of thing that would make me lose my mind later.
The bald guard explained:
— This is necessary because of the Ancient Stone.
Of course. Another stupid rule.
Oud nodded with that absurd calm of his.
— Makes sense.
I, on the other hand, was lost.
— I thought it was like the other stones we've used…
The bulky guard's laughter almost knocked me over.
— Hahahaha!
I frowned. Nothing is more irritating than being the only one in the conversation who doesn't understand what's going on.
Then the bald guard spoke with that seriousness that makes anyone freeze:
— Because you still don't understand the real risk, kid. This isn't an ordinary stone.
The hair on my neck stood up. Something was wrong. Something no one was saying out loud.
As I was about to pass through the gate, the bald guard called out to me:
— Hey, blue kid! How old are you?
I took a deep breath.
— Nineteen. Why?
The bulky guard laughed again.
— So young. You'll learn… maybe the hard way.
A chill ran down my spine.
The perfect sentence to make someone feel at ease.
My stomach churned—and it wasn't hunger.
Always like this: new world, new dangers, and me—still the same.
The great doors opened with a deep metallic groan.
And that was how our new journey began.
And I stepped inside… even knowing I wasn't ready. I never am.
But that's never stopped anything before.