The forest did not end abruptly. Instead, it gradually thinned, the dense canopy giving way to open space as the ground leveled beneath their feet. A worn path emerged, suggesting regular travel between the forest and whatever lay beyond it.
Kael noticed the change immediately.
"This is where civilization starts, right?"
Lyra did not respond, but she did not need to.
The wall came into view shortly after.
It rose high above the ground, built from thick stone that had clearly been reinforced over time. There was nothing decorative about it. Every part of its structure served a purpose.
Guard towers lined the top, each one occupied.
"…Yeah," Kael muttered, slowing slightly. "Definitely not a casual village."
Two guards dropped from the wall as they approached, landing with practiced precision.
Their attention moved to Lyra first.
Then to Kael.
And remained there.
"Contract," one of them said.
Lyra raised her hand slightly, allowing the faint connection between them to become visible.
The guards relaxed, though only slightly.
"State your rank," the second one said.
"D-rank Beastkin," Lyra replied.
The guard nodded, then looked at Kael again.
"…Human?"
Kael raised his hand awkwardly. "Hi."
The guards exchanged a brief glance.
"Uncommon," one of them muttered.
Lyra stepped forward. "Entry."
They moved aside.
No further questions were asked.
But as Kael passed through the gate, he could feel it.
Attention.
From above.
From the walls.
From inside the city.
"…Yeah," he muttered quietly, "I'm not blending in here."
"Yes," Lyra said.
"That was quick."
The city was larger than he expected.
It was not massive, but it was structured. Buildings lined the streets with intention, and the people moved with purpose rather than wandering aimlessly.
All of them were Beastkin.
Their appearances varied widely. Some looked nearly human, while others clearly carried more distinct traits.
Kael slowed slightly as he took it all in.
"…I am definitely the odd one out," he said quietly.
"Yes."
"That's going to take some getting used to."
They stopped in front of a larger building near the center of the city. It was reinforced, busier than anything else around it, and clearly important.
"What is this?" Kael asked.
"Guild."
He nodded slowly.
"…Of course it is."
Lyra stepped inside.
Kael followed.
The noise hit immediately.
Voices overlapped, metal clinked, and movement filled the space in a way that made it clear this place never truly slowed down.
The room was packed.
Beastkin filled the space, with humans beside them, each clearly part of a system Kael did not yet understand.
And the moment he stepped inside—
People noticed.
Not loudly.
Not dramatically.
But enough.
Kael exhaled slowly.
"I already don't like this," he said under his breath.