Dusk had yet to fall upon a quaint collection of structures. Made of cloth and wood, these buildings formed a small respite from the wild plains that surrounded them.

At the town’s center, laughter filled the air as children ran circles around an enormous statue. Their playful energy was contagious as elders and passersby secretly chuckled to themselves.

“Heys, come back!”

“Hah! Can’t catches me! Oof-!”

A young girl ran smack into a sturdy object of unknown origins, falling onto her rear.

“Ouchie…”

She rubbed her forehead with a petite hand before looking at the imposing wall before her—a man’s leg.

“Are you okay little one?”

A lethargic voice called down to her, causing her to glance up in curiosity. After a small pause, her eyes brightened with untold energy as she blurted out loud.

“Mister, you’re really pretty!”

In that moment, Sans felt a small part of him die. His face distorted into a grimace.

“What pretty? Nonsense. Straighten up your clothes girl.”

He picked her up by the arms and helped her to her feet. The child’s height barely came to his knees.

She’s just tall enough to get into mischief and just young enough for people to blame it on curiosity.

“But it’s true mister. You have to be the prettiest mister I’ve ever seen.”

“Stop saying that you little demon. If you see a good-looking man, call them handsome.”

“O-Oh… hansoom!”

The girl patted the dirt off her hands and observed the object of Sans’ gaze—a monolithic statue that acted as the crown jewel of the town.

“That’s Marumen. He’s our guardian!”

Towering over the surrounding structures, the statue was masterfully carved with broad shoulders and a hooded cloak that trailed behind. One hand rested on its hip, while the other grasped the handle of a massive stone sword, its blade impaled into the base. The sword’s height was even taller than the figure itself.

“What’s your name?”

“Triss!”

Triss chirped back and joined Sans in observing the statue.

“What’s a guardian?”

“He’s our protector. They say the statue scares away bad people. Don’t you know the legend of Marumen?”

Sans looked away while rubbing his nose. Since when was this tiny girl more knowledgeable than himself?

“I’ve heard… some things. He’s the strongest man, right?”

“Yea! The strongest! But our town even has a secret story.”

Sans glanced at Triss, intrigued.

“Secret story?”

Triss froze, before kneeling onto the ground mournfully.

“Oh no, I want to remember the super-secret story, but I can’t. Ooh nooo.”

She woefully cast her eyes toward a merchant’s cart along the side of the road.

Is this kid really trying to bribe me?

“Alright, alright, let’s go.”

Leading the way, Sans humored the child and arrived before the cart.

“Hoi traveler, might you be interested in some candy?”

A weathered old man twirled his beard with a finger. His wide smile was blessed with rosy cheeks as he squinted.

“Ah, yes just one, uhh-”

“Chocolate! Chocolate!”

Triss saved him the confusion. She jumped up and down by his side, trying to look over the surface of the cart.

“Ho-ho. Here you are!”

“Thanks…”

Sans withdrew a single low-rank spirit shard from his pouch, tossing it to the elder.

“Wha-This is way too much young lad!”

The merchant held the spirit shard in his hands like a hot potato.

“Just keep it.”

Sans waved him off before returning to his spot by the statue, leaving the old man to writhe in joy.

That much reaction for a low-rank spirit shard?

“Mister, you’re rich.”

Triss stood beside him with chocolate smeared over her fingers, cheeks, and lips.

“Am I?”

“Yea! My mom told me about sparkle stones. They can buy everything!”

She licked her fingers while Sans watched her gulp down the rest of her snack.

“So… remember anything about the super-secret story?”

“Yea! Marumen was friends with our founder.”

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Triss exclaimed and wiped her hands on her clothes.

“Your founder? Wouldn’t that make this town thousands of years old?”

“What’s thousands?”

“It’s… old.”

Sans let out a small sigh before continuing.

“What else about Marumen?”

Triss looked to the sky and tapped her chin with a finger.

“Umm… oh! That sword there.”

“The statue’s sword?”

“Un. Marumen once cursed a rotten king with it!”

Sans looked back and forth between the girl and the sword.

I’m so confused, how does the strongest man curse someone with a sword?

“Go on?”

“The king stole the founder away, and Marumen was angry. He goes to the king, but the king isn’t nice.”

“And so, he cursed the king?”

“That’s right mister! He cursed the king!”

Sans glanced at the sword once more.

Perhaps the sword is magic? It does look really cool… I wish I had a sword like that.

“How did he curse the king with a sword?”

“He threw it into the air really hard!”

Sans could almost hear crickets sound in the distance with how empty his brain was.

“I just… what?”

“He threw it into the air!”

Triss repeated the curse with shining eyes.

“Yes, I heard that.”

“Really hard!”

“I see... Let’s move away from the curse.”

Sans palmed his forehead in thought.

“After he threw the sword, where did it land? Who found it? And how close were Marumen and your founder?”

“Um…”

The girl shrugged her shoulders with upturned palms.

“I dunno! What do you mean land? The sword is in the air!”

“Listen, Triss. When people throw things in the air they have to come back down. That’s what landing means—when something comes back down.”

Sans tried explaining but was only met with a blank stare.

Ah, maybe I’ll try asking around about the sword later.

“Well then, what more do you know? Remember the chocolate?”

Triss drooled at the word chocolate. She replied after slurping in her saliva.

“My mommy says that the founder was going to live happy with Marumen, until some stinky girl stole him away.”

Just as the words came out of Triss’ mouth, an unholy aura radiated from behind them. Both Sans and his new partner in crime shivered uncontrollably as if a frigid winter breeze had pierced through the fabric of their clothes.

“Eee! Scary, I gotta go mister!”

Triss sprinted away for dear life, leaving Sans to deal with whatever unspoken fate preyed upon them.

“What in the world…”

The evil aura vanished just as quickly as it had come. Sans spun around in a small circle, finding himself alone. Even the old merchant had moved his cart away, but it seemed like that happened a while back.

“Odd.”

“What’s odd?”

An airy voice came from behind, he recognized it quite well.

“Ugh, it’s you.”

Sans pretended to look off into the distance.

“How can you be so rude to your master?”

Much to his disappointment, Elsie tiptoed into his vision with a beaming smile.

“Do you like it? The nice lady made it for me.”

Sans begrudgingly inspected her as she smoothed out the folds of her dress, displaying its design.

Despite trying to ignore Elsie’s attempt at showcasing her new outfit, Sans was immediately captivated by her glimmering eyes and plush-like cheeks.

Her hair was braided and bundled within a band as it hung over her shoulder. Her delicate and bare collarbone was framed by cloth on either side, an enticing view that was impossible not to notice.

After a few moments, Sans was finally made aware of the snow-white dress that reached just below her knees. His eyes wandered downward and back up for one last glimpse before turning away.

“It’s okay.”

He gave an emotionless response, but his heart was still gushing over her features.

It doesn’t matter what she wears, she’ll always look… impressive.

“Just okay? That’s a shame.”

Elsie mumbled before humming a small song to herself. Sans clicked his tongue at her careless antics before piping up.

“So why did you drag me to this town of nowhere?”

“What do you mean?”

Elsie repositioned herself before him and fluttered her eyes bashfully before continuing.

“It’s a date… isn’t it?”

“No, it’s not.”

Sans repeatedly shifted directions, but each time he came face to face with Elsie.

“I said it’s a date, so it’s a date.”

“You can call it a date, but that doesn’t mean it’s a date. You’re just dragging me anywhere you please, and now we’re in the middle of nowhere.”

Sans retorted in annoyance. He could have been anywhere on the first floor, maybe even completing his trial so that he could meet up with Meya on the second floor, but he was trapped here instead.

“It’s not my fault you lost the duel last week.”

Elsie folded her arms across her chest with a pout.

“You lost, so you have to follow me and do as I say. That’s the agreement.”

Sans grimaced at the reminder and finally faced her with traces of anger.

“Aren’t you somewhat to blame? If anything, you were dishonest about how strong you were.”

“How am I dishonest? I even warned you that I won a local tournament.”

“I… ugh. Why do I have to deal with you?”

Sans palmed his head to ease his frustration.

“Also, it’s getting dark. Let’s continue our date!”

“It’s not a date…”

Elsie grabbed onto his arm, dragging him away from the statue and into a nearby building. Her sing song hums filled the air, despite the constant grumbles coming from her new servant.

“Welcome to Oberon Inn!”

A homely woman called out as they passed through the double doored entrance.

“I’m Innkeep Nala Saed, I’ll be right with you!”

The interior of the inn was earthy, with wooden carvings and logs decorating the walls. A warm fire was stoked and fanned by the innkeeper, whom of which then dusted off her hands to receive her new guests.

“Hi Innkeep Nala, we’re travelers looking for a place to stay.”

Elsie greeted her with a smile.

“Oh what a lovely couple-“

“We’re not a couple, two rooms please-“

“One room please. He’s my servant, don’t worry about him.”

Nala was speechless as the two bickered back and forth, but nonetheless she gave them a key to a single room as commanded by Elsie.

“The third room on the right. It’s nothing fancy, but one night is five silver coins. Or it’ll be one gold coin for the month.”

Elsie procured a low-rank spirit shard and tossed it over. Nala’s eyes widened as she stared at the shard with an open mouth.

“We’ll just be here for the night, we have somewhere to be by the week’s end.”

“My lady, this is much too much. This is worth at least 100 months of stay.”

“Don’t worry about it! Keep it, you’ve worked hard.”

Elsie reassured the frantic woman while Sans rolled his eyes.

Why is this place so poor? And to think I once had multiple peak-rank spirit shards.

“Come along dear servant.”

Elsie beckoned him away and led him to the room.

Creaking wood sounded underfoot, and the smell of dirt filled the room. By the windowsill, a vase of violet flowers caught the fading sunlight, scattering it across the room in the form of a rainbow.

“Isn’t this nice?”

Elsie spun around in the center of the room before facing Sans, who remained unfazed at the door.

“It’s a room.”

“You’re no fun. Okay let’s get some sleep, we have a big day tomorrow.”

Elsie leaped onto the soft bed. At the same time, Sans took a seat on the floor and closed his eyes.

“You’re not going to sleep on this super soft, fluffy, huge bed?”

“And why would I do that?”

A hint of exasperation hung on Sans’ lips as he immersed himself in anything but her.

“Well it’s a date, isn’t this…?”

“No. Go to sleep, as you said we have a big day tomorrow—whatever that means.”

“Hmpf.”

With a pout, Elsie faced the wall. Her pout transformed into a mischievous smile after turning away.

“Goodnight, dear servant.”

“Yes, yes.”

“Say goodnight back.”

“Goodnight.”

A few odd hours passed by, during of which Sans remained seated on the floor. He could hear Elsie’s breathing cadence shift over time.

Seems she’s asleep. Maybe I’ll take a walk.

He stood up as quietly as possible, and like a shadow, left through the door.

Previously, on the way to the room, Sans had memorized the different spots on the wood flooring that would creak and moan when stepped on. With precision and dexterity, he neatly stepped passed these danger zones and silently crept his way to the inn’s lobby.

Upon entering the familiar room, he noticed the fireplace had dimmed considerably. Just as he was about to leave, he noticed a still figure in the dark.

Innkeep Nala was seated at a table, her gaze transfixed on the object before her—the low-grade spirit shard. Moonlight shone through parted curtains, illuminating her hands and arms that rested on the table. One of her fingers tapped impatiently as she was lost in thought.

How long has she been there?

Sans was unsure if he should speak up or leave her be. Eventually, curiosity got the best of him. With a fake cough, he spoke up in a low voice.

“Ahem, Innkeep Nala?”

Her eyes widened and she made a quick gasp after being broken from her reverie.

“Ah, my apologies. How may I help you?”

She flashed a sweet smile and sat up straight, allowing the moon to brighten her complexion.

“Actually, I did have a couple questions, but first… why are you so poor?”