I looked at her, surprised by the perceptiveness in her words.

She wasn't pushing, just observing, offering a small hand of understanding in a way that only a child could.

"It's... complicated," I replied, not sure how much to reveal. "But thank you."

Lila, in her simple, threadbare dress, smiled with a bright and warm expression that contrasted with the heaviness I felt.

"My father says that, too," she said as her voice gained a bit more confidence. "But he also says that sometimes, just knowing someone cares can make things a little better."

She didn't linger on the thought, as if sensing that was all I needed to hear.

With a small, shy wave, she turned to head back inside, leaving me alone with my thoughts once more. But her words stayed with me, offering a sliver of comfort in the quiet night.

As Lila disappeared back into the inn, her words lingered in my mind.

I remained seated on the bench as my mind raced with everything that had happened since I arrived in Hallowford.

The decisions I needed to make pressed heavily on my shoulders. Lila's innocent words had stirred something within me, something I'd been trying to ignore.

I stared up at the night sky as the stars twinkled faintly above.

The silence of the garden allowed my thoughts to settle, and for the first time in days, I felt a strange sense of clarity.

Lila's words echoed in my mind—"just knowing someone cares can make things a little better."

It was a simple truth, one I hadn't allowed myself to fully accept.

The thought of confronting those who had wronged me, who had ended the life of the body I now inhabited, loomed large in my mind.

But it wasn't just about revenge anymore.

It was about something more—about protecting those who had shown me kindness, about ensuring that no one else would suffer the way I had.

Gregor's advice, Lila's quiet support—they were pushing me toward a decision I'd been avoiding.

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The choice to act, to finally take control of my fate in this new world. I couldn't afford to hesitate any longer.

The Ironbrand Guild, the bullies who had taken so much from me—they were a threat not just to me, but to those around me.

Lorian had sent someone after me, and if not for Gregor, I was unsure if I'd still be alive at this point.

I stood as the cool breeze brushed against my skin while I made my way back toward the inn.

My resolve hardened with each step.

I knew what I had to do.

The time for hesitation was over.

Tomorrow, I would begin to take back what was mine.

No more running, no more hiding.

I had a mission now, one that went beyond mere survival.

It was time to face my enemies, to confront the dangers head-on.

As I reached the door of The Restful Boar, I paused, taking one last look at the quiet garden.

The decision I had made tonight would set the course for everything that was to come.

And with that, I stepped inside, ready to face whatever lay ahead.

----------------------------------------

The inn's surroundings were quiet, almost too quiet.

I kept my pace steady, wearing my new gifted blue shirt as my eyes scanned the faces of the few townsfolk who wandered the streets.

The early morning light cast long shadows, making the narrow lanes seem even more claustrophobic.

This area was familiar—I'd walked these paths before, trying to make sense of my new reality.

I needed to find her.

Marla.

The woman who had unwittingly offered me a glimpse into the life this body had lived before I took over. If anyone could help me now, it was her.

Last time, she had been near the inn, where I last saw her, and that's where I hoped to find her again.

Each step echoed in the stillness as I turned another corner, the inn still within sight.

The tension in my chest tightened as I walked past a group of people, nodding slightly in acknowledgment.

They paid me little mind, too wrapped up in their morning routines. But I couldn't afford to let my guard down.

Marla was my only lead, and the more I thought about it, the more urgent it became. I needed to know more about my immediate opponents—Tomas, Luca, and Derek.

I needed to see their faces, understand who they were, and prepare myself for the inevitable confrontation.

I pushed forward, my mind racing with the possibilities.

I was close.

I could feel it.

As I rounded the corner near the market square, a familiar voice reached my ears—light, friendly, and unmistakably Marla's.

Relief washed over me as I spotted her standing by a small stall, exchanging pleasantries with a vendor.

She was just as I remembered. Her warm demeanor made her a comforting presence amid the town's gray morning.

I approached cautiously, careful to keep my expression neutral.

I couldn't afford to arouse any suspicion, not when I needed information so desperately.

Marla, dressed in a worn but vibrant green cloak, noticed me as I neared and her face lit up with a welcoming smile.

"Ethan! Good to see you again," she called out, waving me over. Her voice held the same warmth as before, completely oblivious to the storm brewing within me.

I forced a smile, trying to match her friendliness. "Good morning, Marla. I was hoping to run into you."

She beamed, clearly pleased. "Well, here I am! What can I do for you, dear?"