Bahmos just stared at me, disbelief written across his face.

He asked, “Is that some trick?”

Let’s see how much stronger I am after those level-ups.

I grabbed him and pulled him toward me swiftly, then tossed him into the air. His body felt like a heavy backpack as I lifted him. He didn’t go very high—maybe two meters at best—but I was still surprised when he didn’t scream. His fear was palpable, though. As I caught him, I buckled under the weight slightly.

“Put me down!” he demanded.

I did, and he nearly dropped onto his backside, but he used his hands to steady himself, scrambling to regain his footing.

His chest heaved as he gasped for air, and he swallowed hard. “Since when have you been one of them?”

“A week ago,” I lied.

“Oh. That doesn’t sound too bad…”

“Don’t worry. I wouldn’t have killed you in your sleep.”

“I find that hard to believe, but thanks.”

“I thought you weren’t afraid of vlandos, since you hire them.”

“If a vlandos hates me, of course I’m going to be afraid.”

“What do you need the money for?” he asked

“You already know, or at least have guessed.”

“I can borrow from your mother—”

“No.”

He stared at me for a few moments, then replied, “Too much debt is always a bad thing. Anyway, do you even have a monster?”

“Yes.”

“Your level?”

“Currently, 10.” I was lying, of course—divided by two.

“No way. I felt the strength you used to throw me. You’re maybe level four or six. But there’s no way you’re level ten.”

“How would you know?”

“I have a lot of experience with vlandos. Don’t bother lying, but... if you actually are level 10, I’ll hire you.”

“But I have a monster.”

“So do the people I do business with. Most likely stronger ones.”

“I don’t have time for it. I’m strong enough.”

“Level 10 or nothing.”

“Where... would I meet you once I’m done?”

“Back at that house of relief, most likely.”

I had to fight monsters. I wanted to avoid them as much as possible.

I felt my back, tracing the wounds where it had been torn apart. My fingers trembled, and I bit down on my lip to stop myself from remembering how close I had come to dying.

I walked away and approached a random person, asking, “Where’s the nearest monster zone?”

The old woman, leaning on her cane, turned toward me with mild surprise. “Oh dear child, why do you want to know? Shouldn't you be with your parents?”

“I just want to know for a geography map assignment I was given by my teacher. I’m supposed to go around asking people questions and build a map of Terrafall based on the information I get.”

“Oh... Hm. Then maybe the Great Monster Forest. It’s...” She pointed ahead. “A couple miles into the Bellot Forest.”

Asking random people didn’t seem like the best option anymore. I needed the precise details, so I could find the place with 99% accuracy instead of risking getting lost.

I walked away. Maybe I should just hunt animals to level up.

But monsters would obviously give me more experience. To reach level 10, I’d need to take on powerful beasts in large quantities.

I guessed monsters far outclassed animals, and the last monster I killed had only given me two level-ups. Animals like wild lizards would probably give me a tenth of a level at my current strength.

Not bad, but not good enough.

A few adventurers passed by, walking up and down the street. I could ask them about the monster zone and see if they’d be willing to team up.

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Except, it was illegal to enter monster zones without working for a defense government agency—Knights, Vanquishers, or Adventurers.

Out of the corner of my eye, something caught my attention.

A child, much taller than me, but still with a child’s face, was armored and walking alongside a much bigger adventurer.

So adventurers don’t need to be adults? That shouldn’t surprise me. Whatever, it didn’t change anything for me.

Who can I get to help me out?

I tried calling Ju’lus through the system, but got the same response. The bastard was asleep.

Who else could I rely on?

Oh...

Ferzan. I had no idea where he was, but someone like him probably lived on an estate.

Hopefully, he hadn’t left the city yet.

I took a deep breath and made my way toward a likely place. I just had to hope it would be soon—not next week.

And, of course, I had to hope he had a white-knighting bone in his body.

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

POV: Ferzan

I stared into nothing, waiting for the girl to pick her earrings.

I shouldn’t be here, but here I was.

It’s not like I even knew her. She was just persistent about me taking her out on a date.

I didn’t want to be an asshole, so I went along with it.

But now it felt like this was happening every damn moment I was in this city, and it was annoying.

One of the workers at this jewelry shop had been staring at me anxiously for a while now.

I turned and waved at him. “How’s your day?”

“G-good. And you? See anything you like for yourself?”

He wasn’t the only one looking at me like I was royalty—basically, the entire shop was.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the shop owner was on his way over.

“I think this one’s perfect,” the lady said, holding up gold earrings shaped like two small swords, forming a ‘t’.

“Looks nice on you,” I said before walking out, practically escaping.

I came to this city to get some caffeine since the stock at home was gone.

I was honestly shocked when I checked the cabinets and the warehouse, which contained enough supplies to sustain us for years.

My sister was always experimenting and studying, so she was probably the one responsible for this.

“Hey, Young Star!” A random construction worker waved at me. As his crew turned to face me, they all smiled and waved.

“How’s your day?” one of them asked.

It wasn’t unusual for them to try and get me to meet their daughters, no matter their age. Even those with only sons tried the same.

“Young God, can I take a picture with you for my daughter?”

I quickly muttered that I was busy and speed-walked away.

I used to hide my identity, but my grandmother absolutely hated it.

I still remembered that one dinner in Yellowbrim Country, the land of the Starlights. When she found out that every time I left my dad’s estate, I dyed my hair and wore a mask, she looked at me as though I had killed my sister in cold blood.

My grandmother, a beautiful blonde woman who looked no older than thirty, sat at the end of the long black table. A plate of green ice cream, so cold it chilled the air around it, sat in front of her. She set down her spoon, which was filled with ice cream, and said firmly:

“You will not hide from others. You will allow yourself to be seen, heard, loved, desired, and hated by all.”

If it had been anyone else telling me such an absurd thing, I would’ve scoffed. (Except for my grandfather, parents, and trainer.)

I had already gotten what I wanted, so all I needed now was to hit my level-up quota for the day.

I started running, hoping to avoid anyone trying to stop me for greetings.

When I reached the gates, to my surprise, the brown-haired little girl was standing there, seemingly waiting for someone. Or maybe for me.

She went from calmly looking around to locking eyes with me, sighing in relief.

Is she lost?

I walked up to her. “Waiting for someone?”

“Yeah, you.”

...

Eh?

“Oh, why’s that?”

“Can we talk in private?”

I placed a hand on her shoulder and spoke with sympathy. “Did your parents tell you to do this? Or someone who's taking care of you?”

She looked confused, almost offended. “My mother doesn’t believe in child marriage, and I’m not being trafficked.”

...Oh.

I pulled my hand back and assessed her. “So... what do you want?”

“Private— Oh wait. I know something. I want to tell you something, but I need you to guarantee you won’t tell anyone.”

“Yeah, sure.”

She balled her hand into a fist, her voice strong. “Because if you do tell anyone, me and my family will be skinned alive, tortured, then killed.”

What the hell?

I quickly scanned the area. “Are they watching right now?”

“I’m not sure.”

I wanted to just finish my quota, but things had changed.

To make matters worse, she was coming to me with this, despite not seeming to know who I was.

She probably recognized me because of my hair and eye color. I was from Starlight and the Starworth family, after all.

“Okay, maybe you can just whisper it to me.”

She met my eyes, and then a sudden, alien thought popped into my mind.

Vernisha Holinestone is trying to connect to you.

Oh. “You are short for a—”

“Don’t say that.”

Vlandos? So that’s what she was trying to keep secret.

I accepted the connection.

'You are short for a vlandos.' I sent telepathically.

‘Damn me for not getting the giant genes.’

'Giant genes...? You haven’t tried modifying your growth rates?'

‘No? Am I supposed to?’

“Basically, yeah. Haha. Ever seen a regular height vlandos?”

‘I didn’t know there were regular-sized ones. Wait, why would anyone get bigger if it would just out them as a vlandos? That doesn’t make sense. Are you messing with me?’

I couldn’t help but smile. 'Somewhat. It’s complicated. But let’s focus on the important stuff. Did you only want to tell me you’re a vlandos?'

’It’s related to it. Basically, I want to level up so I can protect myself.’

‘That could be troublesome. Killing animals and leaving their carcasses is very illegal.’

’Killing monsters should be fine then.’

‘Are you an adventurer?’

‘I mean this respectfully, and not sarcastically at all: what do you think?’

‘No. That’s why you came to me?’

‘Yes.’

This was getting stressful.

I looked at her hard, my thoughts a tangled mess.

‘What about those who threaten you? I could just kill them. That would be easier.’

She looked surprised as if struck by something unexpected.

Was it because I was willing to put myself at risk?

I elaborated. ‘I’m strong, very strong, so I wouldn’t be at risk.’

‘Oh. I… just want to learn to protect myself. I don’t want to grow up relying on others.’

‘But this is different. Your family’s life is at risk.’

‘You’re right, but what happens when you kill them, and their families and friends come after you—or me—for revenge, thinking I did something to provoke it?’

She had a point.

I clicked my tongue. “You must follow my rules, though.”

‘Telepathy, please. I don’t want you to say something wrong. But, thank you! And yes, I will do my best to not get you in trouble for your generosity.’

‘Of course.’