The First Step Away

Neo didn't wait any longer.

The moment Lena let go of the dough, he grabbed her hand and walked forward.

For a brief second, he felt a resistance—an instinctive hesitation.

But then, almost just as quickly, she stepped forward with him.

Neo didn't look back.

"Thanks for accompanying me," he said casually, giving her a small smile as they walked. "I'm actually a traveler and barely new here. So having someone to roam with is nice."

Lena didn't respond immediately.

Maybe she was still trying to process the fact that she was walking away from the bakery for the first time.

But she didn't resist.

And that was enough.

Through the Streets of Dawnstead

They walked through the town's familiar streets, moving past familiar places—but this time, with Lena as a spectator rather than someone stuck in the cycle.

They passed by a young boy practicing with his wooden sword.

Neo glanced at Lena, noticing how she briefly looked at the boy, then quickly looked away.

They walked through the bustling marketplace, where merchants called out their wares, knights patrolled, and workers carried crates.

They walked past the inn, where the scent of cooked food wafted in the air.

They passed by the town guards, stationed at their usual posts, watching over the streets.

Through all of it, Lena walked silently beside him.

It wasn't until they reached the town's outskirts that she finally hesitated.

Neo felt it in the way her steps slowed slightly.

He turned to her, already knowing what she was thinking.

"Don't worry," he said before she could speak. "We're just going to a spot I like since coming here."

Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

He pointed ahead, toward a small uphill grassy area, shaded by a lone tree.

"From there, you can see everyone in the town."

Lena's eyes flickered between him and the hill.

After a moment, she sighed quietly and followed.

A Traveler's Story

When they reached the tree, Neo stretched his arms and let himself drop onto the grass.

The wind was gentle.

The town below looked peaceful from a distance, as if nothing was wrong in the world.

Lena remained standing for a moment before finally sitting beside him, though still a bit stiffly.

Neo leaned back against the tree and let out a small exhale.

Then, casually, he began to talk.

About his journey.

About the things he had seen.

About the struggles he had faced.

He even told her about his near-death experience—the moment he had miscalculated his own limits and almost paid for it.

Lena's expression finally began to shift.

She wasn't just listening anymore—she was reacting.

A slight widening of the eyes at the dangerous parts.

A barely noticeable frown when he mentioned his mistakes.

A small, almost amused scoff when he described some of his more reckless moments.

And then—they laughed.

It wasn't a loud, carefree laugh.

But it was real.

And for the first time, Lena was no longer thinking about baking.

A Question About Purpose

After a brief moment of quiet, Neo tilted his head toward the town.

His eyes landed on the young boy they had passed earlier—still swinging his wooden sword, still training in the same spot.

"Do you know that kid?" he asked.

Lena followed his gaze, then shook her head.

"No."

Neo nodded.

"What do you think his goal is?"

Lena hesitated for a moment before answering.

"Maybe... to become a knight?"

Neo smirked slightly.

"Yeah, that's right. But do you know his purpose?"

Lena blinked.

She opened her mouth slightly—then closed it.

A pause.

Then, finally, she answered.

"No."

Neo leaned back, crossing his arms behind his head.

He let the silence stretch for a moment before giving a simple response.

"Same here."

A small breeze passed between them.

Then, Neo chuckled lightly.

"But isn't that fine?" he added. "I bet that kid doesn't care about my purpose either."

Lena glanced at him but didn't say anything.

Neo looked up toward the sky, arms still resting behind his head.

"If you think about it, no one really cares about our purpose—because only we carry it ourselves."

Lena lowered her gaze toward the town but remained silent.

Neo shifted the topic slightly.

"How about the marketplace? Was it lively?"

Lena nodded but answered quietly. "Yes."

Neo tilted his head toward her.

"Did you see their products? Would you say they were perfect?"

Lena hesitated before answering.

"I... I don't know."

Neo gave a slight smirk.

"Same here. And it was fine, right?" He turned back toward the town. "It's not like I'd buy their product just because they keep shouting about it. I'd buy it if I needed it."

Lena blinked at him.

"That means that product is 'perfect' for me—because I needed it."

Lena stayed silent, looking back at the town.

Neo then pointed toward the inn.

"That's where I was saved."

Lena turned her gaze toward the building.

Neo continued, his voice quieter this time.

"I was starving. The food the inn lady made wasn't world-class, but it was one of the most delicious meals I've eaten."

A brief silence followed.

The wind rustled the leaves above them.

Then, Neo turned his head slightly toward her.

"Lena."

Lena hesitantly looked at him.

Neo's expression was relaxed, yet his eyes held a depth that made her feel unsteady.

"Like the kid... I don't know your purpose."

Neo then glanced back toward the boy practicing below.

"And like us outsiders, we can pretty much just guess what his goal is."

He looked at Lena again.

"Looking at you, I can feel that your goal is for your bakery to be successful."

Lena flinched slightly but remained silent.

"Which is good," Neo continued. "But without purpose… is that enough?"

Lena's hands curled slightly against her lap.

Neo gestured toward the boy below.

"Will the kid continue to swing his sword just because he wants to be a knight?"

Then, he turned his gaze back to her.

"Can you keep making bread just because you want to be successful...want to be perfect?"

Lena's breath hitched.

Neo leaned forward slightly, his tone softer but no less firm.

"Then if you reach that goal... what will you do next?"

Lena didn't answer.

She just stared at the town below.