When I reached the bazaar on the second floor, the sight that met my eyes stopped me in my tracks. Klericho’s house was gone, replaced by a lively tavern with a crooked wooden sign swinging above its entrance. The sign read The Fiddler in the Soup, the letters painted in bright, uneven strokes. Laughter and the clink of mugs spilled out from its open windows, the warm glow of lanterns illuminating the polished oak doors.

The square itself pulsed with life. Merchants hawked their wares from colorful stalls, shouting over one another to attract customers. Children darted between legs, their laughter ringing out like music. The air smelled of fresh bread and roasted meat. The guards—who once looked like they’d scavenged their armor from battlefield corpses—now stood tall in polished steel, their helmets gleaming as they surveyed the crowd.

As I moved deeper into the square, something strange caught my eye—tiny Crystals hovering above certain people’s heads, glowing faintly. They shimmered in soft blues and greens, their light faintly pulsating like a heartbeat.

I frowned. Crystal companions weren’t uncommon, but this was different. The people below them weren’t moving. I didn’t think much of it at first; maybe they were meditating or using some kind of magic to interact with their Crystals. But the way their heads hung, and how their bodies didn’t sway, sent a prickle of unease down my spine.

Still, the sight stirred something inside me. Crystals, real penitents, bustling life—this was what I’d expected from Penance. My mind raced with the possibilities. Maybe I wouldn’t have to waste ten lives grinding after all. Maybe this place held the key to everything.

Then I saw them.

They weren’t meditating. They weren’t interacting with magic. They were trapped.

Along the edge of the square, penitents were locked in pillories, their heads and hands forced through thick wooden beams. The Crystals hovered above their bowed heads like twisted halos, pulsing faintly as if mocking their helplessness. Their faces were gaunt, their eyes sunken and hollow, staring into nothing.

A jeering crowd surrounded them, laughing and throwing scraps of food or small stones. Behind the pillories, guards stood with axes resting against their shoulders, their faces cold and impassive. The gleaming blades caught the light, sharp and waiting.

The hope I’d felt moments ago curdled, twisting into something cold and sharp.

What was this place?

The crowd’s laughter echoed in my ears as I stepped away, retreating into the shadows of an alley. My chest tightened with unease as I tried to make sense of what I’d just seen. A dozen thoughts raced through my head, but none of them offered answers.

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It took me a full day to gather information about the new situation. I moved quietly through the bustling square, blending into the crowds, listening to whispers, and piecing together rumors. Merchants shouted from colorful stalls, their voices competing over the clamor of haggling customers. The aroma of spiced meats and fresh bread wafted through the air, mingling with the scent of burning incense from nearby shrines. Children laughed as they chased one another around the vibrant fountain at the center of the square, where water cascaded over intricately carved stone figures, casting shimmering patterns on the cobblestones.

Yet beneath the veneer of life and prosperity, something was terribly wrong.

I kept to the edges, watching the guards and studying the penitents locked in their pillories. The penitents were scattered along the perimeter of the square, each one confined within heavy wooden stocks. Above their bowed heads hovered faintly glowing Crystals, pulsating with a soft, eerie light that cast shadows over their gaunt faces. Their eyes were hollow, staring into the distance as if all hope had drained from them. A jeering crowd had gathered, throwing scraps of food and shouting insults. Some laughed as they tossed rotten fruit, while others whispered among themselves, pointing and smirking.

Behind the pillories, guards stood with axes resting casually against their shoulders. Their armor was polished to a shine, every piece meticulously maintained. Unlike the ragtag sentinels I remembered, these guards exuded authority and strength. Their faces were stern, eyes scanning the crowd for any signs of trouble. The guard captain was particularly imposing—a towering figure with a crimson plume on his helmet and an ornate breastplate engraved with symbols of power. A large Crystal embedded in his chest piece glowed with an intense light, and I could sense the energy radiating from it even at a distance.

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A knot formed in my stomach. If I wanted to save myself a few runs, I was going to need to find a way to save them.

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I slipped into a shadowed alleyway adjacent to the square, where the noise of the crowd faded to a dull murmur. Sitting on a low stone step, I pulled out Aurentum from my pack. The Crystal orb glowed softly, its light casting a warm hue on my hands.

“Aurentum,” I whispered, ensuring no one was within earshot. “We need to talk.”

The orb pulsed in response. {You’ve observed the situation,} Aurentum said, its voice resonating in my mind like a gentle chime. {What are your thoughts?}

I exhaled slowly, running a hand through my hair. “This place has changed. The bazaar is thriving, but the penitents... they’re suffering more than ever. Locked up, humiliated. The guards are stronger, better equipped. And the captain—he’s got 5000 health, and that Crystal of his feels like bad news.”

Aurentum hummed thoughtfully. {A formidable obstacle, indeed. But obstacles can be overcome.}

“I’ve killed a guard before,” I mused, memories of past encounters flashing through my mind. “Back when I was just an archer with basic skills. Now, with my higher-level class and the new abilities that come with it, I feel more capable. But taking on eleven guards and a captain? That’s a suicide mission.”

{Not if you approach it strategically,} Aurentum suggested. {Raw power isn’t your only asset.}

I raised an eyebrow. “Go on.”

{The guards are confident, perhaps overly so. They rely on their numbers and the intimidation their presence creates. But confidence can be exploited. If you can disrupt their formation or create a diversion, you might be able to isolate them.}

I considered this. “I could create a distraction. Maybe start a fire on the opposite side of the square to draw some of them away.”

{That’s a start,} Aurentum agreed. {Additionally, the environment can be your ally. The maze of alleys and side streets could be used to your advantage. Guerrilla tactics—hit and run—could reduce their numbers without exposing you to the full brunt of their strength.}

“But the captain remains the biggest problem,” I pointed out. “Even if I deal with the guards, he’s still a major threat, especially with that Crystal amplifying his power.”

Aurentum’s glow intensified. {I have sensed that Crystal. It’s a conduit, channeling energy to bolster his abilities. If you can remove or destroy it, his defenses will weaken significantly.}

I frowned. “Getting close enough to do that won’t be easy. He won’t just let me stroll up and pluck it off his armor.”

{True,} Aurentum conceded. {But perhaps there’s another way. The Crystals hovering above the penitents—there’s a connection between them and the captain’s Crystal. If you can disrupt that network, it might create an opportunity.}

I thought back to the glowing Crystals above the penitents. “You think they’re linked?”

{Yes,} Aurentum confirmed. {They appear to siphon energy from the penitents, channeling it to the captain. It’s likely a source of his enhanced strength.}

A surge of determination coursed through me. “So if I free the penitents, not only do I save them, but I weaken the captain as well.”

{Precisely,} Aurentum said. {Moreover, the freed penitents might aid you. There’s strength in numbers.}

I nodded, a plan crystallizing in my mind. "I’ll need to act fast. If I can unlock the pillories and disrupt the Crystals before the guards catch on, we might just pull this off."

{Speed is crucial,} Aurentum agreed. {But remember, the guards will strike the moment they sense danger.}

I rose to my feet, slipping Aurentum back into my pack. "I’ll need some tools—lockpicks, maybe something to interfere with the Crystals' energy flow."

{There’s a merchant on the east side of the square who deals in arcane artifacts,} Aurentum suggested. {He should have what you need.}

I drew in a deep breath, steadying my nerves. "This is going to be risky. But if it means freeing the penitents—and avoiding another ten wasted lives—it’s worth it."

{You’re not alone in this, Rod,} Aurentum said, its voice calm and resolute. {Trust your instincts. Use every advantage you have.}

A small smile tugged at my lips. "Thanks. I needed that."

I stepped out of the alley and rejoined the flow of the crowd. The sun dipped low, casting long, jagged shadows across the square. Lanterns flickered to life, their warm glow dancing on cobblestones and faces alike. Keeping my eyes sharp, I headed toward the east end, searching for the merchant Aurentum had mentioned.