The streets were bustling with merchants hawking their wares and villagers weaving through the crowd, creating a symphony of chatter and clinking coins. Miles adjusted his coin pouch nervously. He needed supplies—more potions, better equipment, and maybe even some food rations.

Lancy strode beside him, her eyes sharp and calculating as they scanned the marketplace. Miles felt her presence like a shadow hovering just over his shoulder. She hadn’t left his side since they returned to town, which only deepened his unease.

“I need to stock up,” he said, trying to keep his tone casual.

Lancy nodded. “Makes sense. Lead the way.”

Miles suppressed a sigh. He had hoped she would split off by now, but it was clear she had no intention of leaving him alone. As they approached the first stall—a vendor selling what looked like enchanted herbs—Miles hesitated. The system hadn’t alerted him about potential scams recently, but he knew it would if he rolled. The issue was doing so without drawing Lancy’s attention.

“Interested in something?” Lancy asked, watching him closely.

“Just browsing,” he mumbled, reaching for his coin pouch.

The merchant offered him a bundle of herbs with a glowing sheen and promised they would boost his stamina. Without rolling, Miles had no idea if the claim was genuine. Awkward under Lancy’s scrutiny, he bought the herbs, handing over a hefty portion of his remaining coins.

The system chimed as they walked away: “Warning: Item is faulty and unusable. You have been scammed.”

Miles clenched his teeth. He couldn’t afford to keep losing money like this.

They continued through the market, stopping at other stalls for more goods. Miles purchased what he thought was a sturdy rope but later found it frayed at the ends. A small knife he bought turned out to have a dull blade. Each time, the system informed him of his mistakes after the purchase.

By the time they reached the inn, Miles was nearly out of coins. He looked at the innkeeper, a gruff man with a suspicious glint in his eyes, and decided he couldn’t afford another misstep.

“I’ll take a room,” Miles said, forcing himself to roll discreetly. The system responded with a number indicating the innkeeper’s price was far too high.

“Two silver for the night,” the man said.

“Two silver?” Miles echoed. “That’s outrageous! I’ll give you one.”

The innkeeper frowned but relented. “Fine. One silver.”

Satisfied with his negotiation, Miles handed over the coin and turned to find Lancy still standing behind him.

“You staying here too?” he asked, surprised.

She nodded, smirking slightly. “You’re not the only one who needs rest. Besides, it’s better to keep the team close.”

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Miles’s stomach sank. He wasn’t sure if it was her words or the way she said them, but something about Lancy’s insistence on proximity was unsettling.

The next morning, Miles descended to the inn’s diner, hoping for a quiet meal. To his dismay, Lancy was already waiting for him, sitting at a corner table with a steaming cup of tea.

“Morning,” she said, her sharp eyes locking onto him. “Thought I’d wait for you.”

Miles hesitated before sitting down, forcing a smile. “That’s...thoughtful.”

As he ate, Lancy didn’t stop watching him. Miles felt as though he were under a magnifying glass, every movement scrutinized.

“So,” she began, leaning forward, “what’s next for you?”

Miles poked at his plate. “The same plan as before. We clear Faelwen’s dungeon, and I help the villagers.”

“Hmm.” Lancy sipped her tea, her expression unreadable. “You’ve got an unusual set of skills, Miles. Luck isn’t something people think about much, but it’s clearly working in your favor.”

He tensed. “It’s not just luck,” he said defensively.

Lancy’s smirk returned. “Of course not. I didn’t mean to downplay your talents. It’s just...interesting.”

Miles decided to finish his breakfast quickly, uncomfortable with her probing gaze. Whatever her motives, he needed to keep his guard up.

“You ready to head out?” Lancy asked as he stood to leave.

“Yeah,” he said, trying to sound nonchalant.

But as they left the diner together, Miles couldn’t shake the feeling that Lancy wasn’t just a teammate anymore—she was watching, waiting, and calculating. And he had no idea what her endgame was.

After breakfast, the party gathered once again. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting golden hues over the village as Miles made his way toward the inn’s common room. The familiar smell of freshly baked bread and brewing coffee filled the air. As he stepped inside, he spotted Lancy leaning against the doorway, her sharp eyes scanning the room. Her eyes softened as soon as they landed on his form.

Nancy and John were already seated at one of the tables, engaged in light conversation. Nancy waved him over with an enthusiastic smile. “Miles! Over here!”

Miles joined them, nodding to everyone. “Morning.”

“Morning,” John said, stifling a yawn. “You ready to head out to the Village of Faelwen? Feels like we’ve got a long day ahead of us.”

“Actually,” Nancy interjected, her tone unusually tentative, “I was hoping we could make a quick stop before we leave.”

Lancy raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable. “A stop? Where to?”

Nancy hesitated, glancing down at her hands. “It’s a clearing a little ways from here. It’s... important to me.”

John leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “Important how? Is this something related to our quest?”

“Not directly,” Nancy admitted, her voice soft but firm. “It’s a special place that grows medicinal herbs once a year, and the timing is right. I’d like to cast some buffs to make the flowers bloom early, but I need some help.”

Miles exchanged a glance with Lancy, who looked thoughtful but didn’t immediately object.

John frowned. “So, this is a detour for potions?”

Nancy’s cheeks flushed slightly. “It’s more than that. These herbs are rare and incredibly useful. If we can harvest them, it’ll help us in the long run—especially in the Village of Faelwen’s dungeon.”

Lancy tilted her head, studying Nancy. “You sound nervous. Is there something you’re not telling us?”

Nancy hesitated, but then shook her head. “No, it’s just... I’ve tried this before, and it didn’t work. I don’t want to fail again. That’s why I’m asking for your support.”

Miles felt a pang of sympathy for Nancy’s vulnerability. He turned to the group. “It doesn’t sound like a bad idea. If it helps us later, it’s worth a quick stop, right?”

John sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Fine. If it means stronger potions and better supplies, I’m in.”

Lancy nodded, pushing off the wall. “We’ll make it quick. Lead the way, Nancy.”

Nancy’s face lit up with relief and gratitude. “Thank you, everyone. I promise it won’t take long.”

The party gathered their belongings and followed Nancy out of the village, the cool morning air brushing against their faces. As they walked, Miles couldn’t help but notice the slight spring in Nancy’s step, her earlier nervousness giving way to quiet determination.

He wasn’t sure what to expect from this detour, but something about Nancy’s earnestness made him want to see it through.