As we managed to slip away from the prying eyes in the city, the day was drawing to a close. We made our way to an inn owned by a dwarf. The sign above the door was cracked and grimy, but the place looked sturdy enough to trust for the night—a rare haven in a city that reeked of vice and danger.

Both of us had our cloaks pulled tightly around us, hiding our faces and blending into the dim, flickering glow of lanterns lining the narrow, shadowy streets. This was no ordinary city; it was a place where darkness thrived. The air was heavy with the mingled scents of smoke, spilled ale, and the faint metallic tang of blood. Whispered deals echoed from alleyways, while sharp eyes followed us from behind corners and windows.

The dwarf behind the counter was stout and rugged, his thick beard stained with ale and crumbs. His sharp eyes swept over us as we stepped inside, lingering for a moment too long, as if measuring whether we were prey or predator. When he saw we weren't trouble—at least, not immediately—his expression softened slightly.

"You two look like you've had a rough day," he said in a gruff voice, leaning casually on the counter. The light from the fireplace cast long shadows across the scarred wood of his desk. "You here for a room or just to warm up by the fire? Either way, don't bring trouble to my doorstep. This ain't the kind of place where people get second chances."

"We need a room for the night," I replied firmly, keeping my tone polite but guarded.

The dwarf's eyes narrowed, flicking from me to Aria, who kept her hood low, her face hidden in shadow. His gaze lingered as if trying to pierce through the fabric of our cloaks before he finally nodded.

"One room, eh? I'm not one to ask questions," he muttered. "But keep to yourselves. This city's crawling with scum who wouldn't think twice about making you disappear."

"Understood," I said, my voice steady, knowing that already. "We'll be gone by morning."

The dwarf grunted, reached behind the counter, and pulled out a key. The tarnished metal glinted faintly as he slid it toward me. "Top of the stairs, last door on the left. Don't mind the creaks—it's just the wood settling, or so I tell my guests. Don't go poking around in other rooms, and don't leave your valuables lying around if you want to keep 'em."

I handed him a few coins that had been given to me by the villagers, careful not to reveal too much under my cloak. His fingers curled around the money with a satisfied grunt.

As we turned to head upstairs, his voice stopped us.

"Word of advice," he said, lowering his tone as his eyes darted to the door. "If you're planning to leave tomorrow, do it before sunrise. Streets get... hungrier as the night fades."

I gave him a slight nod in acknowledgment, noting the hint of warning in his voice. Without another word, I led Aria upstairs.

The room wasn't much—small, with worn furniture and the lingering scent of mildew—but it was enough. The dim light of a single candle illuminated the cracked walls and a bed that creaked ominously under the slightest touch.

"We'll stay here for tonight and head out tomorrow. Or... are you uncomfortable here?" I asked Aria, keeping my hood up for a moment longer, still wary of the dangers this place might hide.

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"No, I'm fine," she replied softly, though her voice betrayed a flicker of unease.

"Alright, then."

As I settled down, I pulled out the bread the villagers had given me before we left. It was rough and stale, but it would do. I tore it in half and handed a piece to her.

"You hungry?" I asked.

"Yes, thanks," she murmured, her hands still partially hidden under her cloak as she took it hesitantly.

We ate in silence, the tension in the air thick and unspoken. Even in the relative safety of the room, the faint sounds of laughter, shouting, and the occasional scuffle outside reminded us that danger was never far.

Later, we lay on the same bed, facing opposite directions. Even though her back was turned to me, I could sense her unease. She was still shaken by what had happened earlier—or perhaps this city's oppressive atmosphere weighed on her more than she let on.

Tomorrow, I would ask her where she was headed and make sure to escort her safely maybe i might fi d clue to where she is heading about the human king. Because one thing was clear: this city wasn't where I needed to be. I hadn't spotted any humans here—just members of other races, all busy with their own corrupt dealings. If I wanted to find the human king, I'd need to leave this place and continue my search elsewhere.

Outside, the city pulsed with life, but it wasn't the kind of life that brought comfort. The streets teemed with thieves, gamblers, and people desperate to survive another night. Lanterns flickered ominously in the distance, casting jagged shadows that made the alleys seem like gaping maws.

This city was alive in the worst way, and it would chew up anyone who wasn't careful. For now, I closed my eyes, forcing myself to ignore the chaos outside, and prepared for whatever awaited us at dawn.

The next day, we both woke up ready to leave the city. As we stepped outside,"Hey Aria, so where were you headed? I'd like to escort you, if that's fine," I asked, but she seemed uncertain, hesitating.

"Ethan, something is approaching" Mira's voice echoed in my mind.

"Who is it? Could it be the elves with backup?"

"I'm not sure, and I don't think they're elves," Mira replied. "And they're coming fast. I can detect their speed—they'll be upon you in any minute."

"Aria, stay back," I told her, scanning the path the two enemies were taking. And there they were—both cloaked, but one of them threw off their hood to reveal themselves: a monkey, his staff slung across his back, standing with another figure by his side. But I'd never seen any monkeys in the city. This world had a lot of races, and that only made things more complicated.

I took my stance, preparing to summon Kirito's blades.

The monkey stood tall, his fur a sleek, light brown that shimmered faintly in the sunlight. Unlike the rough and wild demeanor one might expect from his kind, he had an air of discipline about him. His lean, muscular frame was wrapped in a simple yet functional martial artist’s robe, tied neatly with a sash. His movements were fluid, almost effortless, yet carried a sharp precision that spoke of years of training.

His eyes were sharp and observant, constantly scanning his surroundings with a calm yet vigilant gaze. His face, though distinctly simian, held a refined handsomeness, with a strong jawline and a confident expression. Every step he took exuded a quiet strength, and his posture conveyed both humility and unshakable focus.

Despite his seemingly ordinary appearance, there was an undeniable aura of skill and purpose around him. The way he held himself suggested he was not just any fighter but a master of his craft, ready to protect and strike with unmatched precision if needed.

Beside him, the other figure remained cloaked, his hood drawn low over his face, letting the guard take the spotlight. Yet, even in his hidden state, there was a quiet authority to him—a presence that made it clear he was no ordinary

They were here for a reason, and I had a feeling that reason wasn't going to be pleasant.

The tension hung heavy in the air as the two figures closed in. I braced myself for the confrontation. What were their intentions? Why had they been following us? were they sent by the elves to kill me and aria?Could I stand against them?

The answers were yet to come, but one thing was certain: this encounter was only the beginning of something far bigger.

END OF CHAPTER.