Nyx's eyes squinted into thin lines as she glared up at the blazing sun that was slowly crossing the clear, blue sky above. It had been a few hours since Dimi had disappeared into the ever-flowing crowd, towards the two imposing towers that marred the town's somewhat scenic skyline in the distance, yet Nyx was still sitting in the tightly packed cafe.

After a few moments, Nyx released a light sigh as her gaze returned to those walking past. However, unlike earlier, it seemed like she had lost interest as the slight smile she had been displaying had vanished. In its place, was the cold, emotionless expression that so many had seen before. As time continued to pass, her eyes became somewhat glazed.

"Who would have thought..." Revealing a bitter smile, her eyes flickering to the place where Dimi had been sitting earlier, Nyx let the two front legs of her chair return to the ground. Swallowing her mouth full of meat, she placed the partially eaten skewer that she had been aimlessly holding in front of her mouth for the last couple of minutes back onto its plate before stifling a yawn. "It seems things really are better when in enjoyable company."

Grasping her left wrist with her right hand, Nyx pushed her arms out and twisted her back, stretching the muscles in her body generating light popping sounds. As she did, a small smile flickered across her face. "Seems like my metabolism and regenerative ability has sped up a bit."

"What a shame. If this were the prime continent, the food's quality would help me solidify my core without having to do anything." Nyx mumbled as her gaze fell upon the table as she chewed the bottom left corner of her lip.

["...plea...e... dar... so..."]

Frowning, Nyx casually looked around the room, searching for the strange, incoherent mumbling that she had occasionally been hearing all morning.

Since Dimi had left with the massive pile of animal skin bags, even though she was looking around, no one seemed to pay her any attention. As those that knew she was a Twilight disciple departed and those who were ignorant to her status arrived, Nyx had quietly merged into the background and become forgotten. Not only was this aided by her small figure and dull, grey robe but the area in which she sat, even with the bright light coming through the slits in the veranda, appeared to be much dimmer than its surroundings.

The only person who was paying Nyx any attention, her eyes never leaving her for more than a few minutes if she was asked to do a task, was a waitress standing against a nearby wall. Even now, she was watching Nyx with a polite smile on her face as she subtly shifted her weight from one foot to another.

Nyx shook her head and returned her gaze to her table, her sight lingering on where Dimi had been sitting for a few moments. "I guess I should find another distraction..."

Though Nyx said this, she didn't move as she stared at the table, her star-like eyes becoming unfocused as she fell deep into thought. As she did, a desolate, lonely yet majestic air began to concentrate around her.

While it was unnoticeable at first, those nearby soon began to feel as if a heavy weight was placed against their chests. This sensation continued to grow, those that had adventured or served in the army had the subtle impression that they were standing beside a deadly but noble existence, similar to a king of beasts. Others, without the experience if similar situations, only felt extraordinarily anxious and out of breath.

Feeling so uneasy, most of those sitting nearby quickly departed from the small cafe, deep frowns etched on their faces. However, there were a few, no more than five, that actually moved closer. Those that had sat at closer tables, almost encircling Nyx, all shared similar traits. They all wore dark clothing and appeared to either be depressed, violent in nature, or live in the shadier recesses of society.

The waitress that had been standing nearby had become increasingly pale. After taking a deep breath, she looked around cautiously before moving further away, only stopping when she felt a warm, comforting streak of light fall onto her back from one of the many slits in the canvas veranda.

"I never learn do I?" After finishing the many green drinks in front of her, grimacing slightly as she downed the last, Nyx shook her head and stood up.

Slinging her leather bag over her shoulder, Nyx picked up the three remaining meat skewers. "Ow well, I can't fight my nature. If I get burned, I'll burn. Life is more fun this way."

The few people who had been sitting at the tables nearby turned their heads as they overheard Nyx's quiet mumbling, something that shouldn't have been possible over the buzzing din of the street and other customers nearby.

A man and woman frowned, confusion dancing in their eyes while one of the other men tilted his head as he stared at Nyx as he absentmindedly picked his fingernails with a cocktail stick.

Without looking at them or the waitress that had started walking over, Nyx took a silver coin form the pouch Dimi had given her and flicked it towards the waitress. While the coin wasn't fast enough to generate an audible sound, it flew with incredible power causing many to flinch as it passed over their heads.

With a loud slap, the waitress managed to catch the flying coin, her arm forced back a couple of inches. Looking at the coin and back to Nyx, the waitress' eyes widened as a surprised gasp escaped her throat.

Seeing the waitress catch the coin without much effort, the small layer of light brown energy hovering over her outstretched hand, Nyx revealed a slight smirk as her right eyebrow raised provocatively. However, before the waitress could respond or walk over, Nyx turned and walked out from under the veranda and into the bustling, mid-afternoon crowd.

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The waitress, still circulating her essence to alleviate the stinging pain on her palm watched Nyx go with a reluctant expression before sighing loudly and turning towards the counter. "Well, maybe she will be one of the disciples at the recruitment exposition and remember my face..."

----

At this time, even though Nyx's figure was much smaller than the average person walking the street, she was cutting through the bustling crowd like a hot knife through butter. Under the bright sun, her grey robe stood out in stark contrast to the light coloured clothes of the surrounding shoppers, making it incredibly easy for them to spot her.

As people and beasts in their human forms made way for Nyx, pulling or poking their companions to follow if they hadn't spotted her, they revealed respectful gazes and would often nod or cup their hands in greeting. However, even though they welcomed Nyx from a distance, they would never call out or attempt to approach.

Nyx's footsteps became slower as her gaze scanned those surrounding her cautiously. "Seems like it wasn't because Dimi was with me."

After shaking her head, the pulses from her core slightly increasing, Nyx tried to approach some of the larger groups as she zig-zagged across the street in a slow, passive manner. As soon as she got close to any, they would quickly disperse after showing some form of respect.

Four attempts later, Nyx's top lip curled up slightly as she clenched her fists. Halting at the side of the dusty pedestrian street, Nyx looked down at her grey robe as she ground her teeth.

The dead space around her seemed to grow as people noticed Nyx's mood.

["Dar... me... he..."] The strange voice that she couldn't identify the source, sounding slightly different from the last, caused her mood to plummet even further.

Sensing someone's lingering gaze, Nyx lifted her head and turned to the side where a street vendor was currently operating a stall. The two made eye contact yet the middle-aged man continued to stare at Nyx with a bright smile.

Nyx's slow footsteps moved towards the small stall, set in front of a larger store that sold cooking appliances. Having come as close as she could, Nyx stopped and glared at the man. "You know me?"

"No Miss." The man shook his head, his smile twitching.

Nyx's eyes narrowed. "Then... are you tired of being able to see?"

The man flinched before looking at the ground, a light sheen of sweat glistening on his forehead. Those that had been close enough to hear all averted the gazes, looking anywhere but Nyx's direction.

"Well?" Nyx's tone caused those nearby to shiver and take a few steps back.

"No Miss, I... I..."

Nyx didn't say anything else, continuing to glare at the man for a few seconds longer before proceeding further down the street. She moved at an incredibly slow pace, her hands clasped behind her back as she focused on every stall and shop window she passed. However, every so often she would glare at any that stared too long in her direction, a flash of killing intent flashing past her eyes.

As she walked, occasionally Nyx would stop and examine some of the items on sale, mostly herbs or beast cores. However, there were many times Nyx revealed a surprised expression as she picked up mundane everyday objects.

One such item was a mixed talisman for generating wind while rotating, another was to absorb heat essence, converting it to ice.

"It seems that even here, things that are invented for war will eventually trickle down and change into something that can be sold." The frown that had been etched on Nyx's face since she started walking along the streets slowly faded as she revealed a small smile.

"It's a shame she is so thin, I think she would be quiet the looker otherwise."

Nyx's eye twitched as she overheard a comment coming from the crowd. Though the youth had whispered to his friend, the noise from others quickly masking it, Nyx's keen senses easily picked it up.

"Urg, really. She might be a sect disciple but looking at her skeletal features makes me feel somewhat nauseous. She reminds me of those mummies from the dead dungeon."

Nyx's frowned, her gaze travelling to her clenched fists as she took a deep breath. "Strange, since when have I cared what others think?"

Putting down the talisman that released a pleasant smell at regular intervals, Nyx was about to move away when she was abruptly knocked forward. However, instead of tripping, Nyx's figure seemed to flicker as her body rotated at a speed that most couldn't see.

Nyx's eyes locked onto a teenager, looking no older than eighteen, as he stumbled backwards and attempted to regain his balance. His forehead was covered in sweat and was gasping for air.

As he managed to stop himself falling, the man's hazel-brown eyes turned towards Nyx, or more accurately her robe, and widened as his jaw dropped. After a few seconds of standing here with a horrified expression, the surrounding crowd and vendors having gone entirely silent, the young man fell to his knees. "I'm sorry. I really am sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going, and I was in a rush. I..."

"Whatever." Nyx's single word caused the eyes of those nearby to widen, barely blinking as they watched her turn and walk away.

Standing up, the man revealed a dazzling smile as he lightly cupped his hands, even though it would be impossible for Nyx to see, before turning and rushing through the crowd in the opposite direction.

After passing a few dozen shops, Nyx tilted her head to the side as she released a sigh. The sound of two dull thuds as two small orbs hitting the floor resonating from below her feet. At the same time, a small piece of rectangular paper flittered away. "Two refined cores and a water blast talisman..."

"Hardly worth a life... even if it was an accident." Looking down at her right hand that was still holding the skewers, long devoid of any meat, she saw that one of their tips was tinged with a red liquid. Sighing again, Nyx released a black mist from her hand, crawling up the skewer before dissolving the red colour. "Suppose it's my fault for being distracted."

"Not everyone is an enemy now..." Flicking the newly cleaned skewer into a small, side alley, Nyx frowned. Her eyes scanned those nearby, most watching her back out of the corner of their eyes. "I guess I need to work on my social skills. It's been a long time since I have moved amongst such weak... beings. "

Nyx's quiet mumblings caused those nearby to look at her with a raised eyebrow, but no one said anything, each carrying on with their own tasks.

Within a few minutes, Nyx had reached the end of the street. She was about to turn left towards the shops that had blacksmithing and leatherworking signs hanging outside when a feminine scream, followed by shouts of alarm, erupted behind her.

"Hmm... seems my skills have become rusty." Slightly frowning, Nyx turned and walked down the new street. Before she had got more than halfway, two groups of leather armoured guards had already rushed past her.

Glancing over her shoulder, Nyx turned and walked into a side alley. When she appeared at the exit on the adjoining street, she was wearing her black robe, white mask and had the silver badge pinned to the right side of her chest.

As she moved down the sparsely populated street, those that saw her would pale, quickly enter a nearby shop, or turn around and walk away at the fastest speed that wouldn't attract attention.

Heading towards the northern gate, Nyx continued to walk at a slow pace, ignoring the guards that seemed to flood the streets or the shouts that were gradually fading into the distance.

["protect... m... other... da..."]

"Oh, fuck off will you!" Nyx's shout caused those brave enough to walk past her to jump and scattered, their hearts racing as they quickly fled.