“Gian, so good to see you!”

“Glad I could be here too.”

The roguish adventurer goes through the motions of exchanging formal pleasantries with several individuals he knows a little bit about here and there, but in all honesty, it was just to keep up appearances.

Karth never really enjoyed small talk like this, he preferred to speak on current world events and dungeon related gossip, than politics.

“Why are you following me around anyways, aren’t you and Hendrick connected at the hips?”

“What? Him? No, he prefers to be on his own during events like this.”

Reyah jabs a thumb out towards the dwarven man, offering a drink to a half-giant woman well over three times his height.

It looks like his attempts at flirting aren’t very successful.

“Okay, but why are you following me?”

“I don’t like the attention I get from the men, so I use you as a buffer, to scare away the majority.”

Hendrick just happened to walk by when he overheard this, and he joins in, laughing.

“You’re great with the party jokes. You should become a stand-up comedian.”

“At least I can remain standing after 30 shots.”

“You want to bet?”

“Aww, look at these two, fighting like a little married couple! …It’s gross.”

“Drome…”

A man dressed in a fine suit, approaches from the crowd with his head held high.

At first glance, some would mistake him for a human or an elf, but he was neither.

Under the expensive looking attire is a stiff body held together by magic, an animated mannequin, or a “Manny” for short.

Long ago, people used to question whether or not mannies are people or just intelligent monsters, until it was discovered that they do possess souls and are born without wizard or monster magic.

Their birthing place is a closely held secret, but other than mannies, only few people are allowed to know the location.

Drome Chulemo is one of the independent warriors chosen as a candidate for Lorosta’s Hero.

He retrieves a comb from his chest pocket, fixes his dashing jet black hair, and places it back into his pocket in the same graceful motion.

Reyah groans in annoyance,

“How did you make it in the top 50?”

He gives a teasing smirk looking between the two dwarves.

“Easy. I was just born with the strength and natural talent to overcome any challenge without the need of alcohol.”

Mannies can’t get drunk, age means nothing to them either because once they’re born, they’re stuck with the strength, height, and physique that they’re born with.

Some are born with a child-like appearance, and in order to adapt with the world around them, their minds imitate the same mental maturity as their supposed age.

However, they are ageless.

The dwarves didn’t seem to like the man’s answer.

“Only downside to a body like that, is the inability to grow stronger.”

Karth points out matter-of-factly.

Drome shrugs as though it’s never bothered him before.

“So long as I can level up, I can get stronger than any human.”

“That’s true. How much have you leveled since we last met?”

The elegant manny presses a finger to his lips, and gives Karth a wink.

“That’s a secret.”

Reyah lets out an annoyed groan.

“Did you drop by just to brag?”

“No no, I wanted to see how my competition was doing. I’m just making the rounds, sharing in gossip and rumors.”

A couple of women, who were previously entertained by another guest, approach when they overheard Drome.

“Rumors, you say?”

A tall woman, fashioned in a custom set of silver plate armor, lifts up her helmet visor for a moment as she observes Karth and his friends.

“Gian!”

“Hello, Votz, Benet. Nice seeing you two again.”

Karth moves to meet the approaching women with more respect than the manny displayed.

The knight in silver armor shakes his hand firmly, almost inviting a little competition in their grip strength.

Hannah Votz, an elf from a noble family of high renown, smiles darkly behind her visor.

“I’ve heard plenty of rumors tonight, but the one I’m most curious about is your escape from the mid-level floors.”

“Oh, it wasn’t easy. I’m just glad I have good friends who are always there for me.”

The two dwarves almost seem to glow with pride at the compliment.

Karth shakes the second woman’s hand as well.

Eliza Benet, a human with short auburn hair, who also lives within the same apartment complex as Karth.

She works as a freelance adventurer who has gone on a few missions with him in the past.

Eliza shakes his hand timidly and gives him a slight smile that doesn’t quite reach her amethyst eyes.

“How’s the dog?”

“Hmm? Oh, we’re not taking care of it anymore. Its owner picked it up earlier today.”

Hannah watches the exchange, then adds,

“I also heard someone didn’t make it.”

“What?”

“Your party, there was a sixth member, and they went out in a body bag. Who were they?”

“O-oh… it was just a friend.”

“Did you get them revived?”

“Yes, they’re fine now.”

The conversation piques Eliza’s interest.

“You didn’t let your friend die to save your own skin, did you?”

Her tone is teasing, with a bit of curiosity.

Karth wanted to deny it, but Hendrick spoke before him.

“Karth would never do something like that! His friend was already dead before we got there.”

“I’m even more curious about this ‘friend’ now. To travel into the mid-level floors unnoticed and die alone. Who were they?”

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Reyah grips Hendrick’s hand tightly, as if telling him to keep his mouth shut.

Karth stutters,

“W-well… it’s a personal matter.”

Drome chimes in,

“Come on, Gian. I’m dying to know this friend of yours, whom you’ve been keeping secret from us.”

Eliza elbows the man with a grumpy look on her face.

“He said it was a personal matter. If it was something he could talk about freely, I too would like to press further, but even I have the decency to leave things as they are.”

Hannah clicks her tongue in annoyance, but can’t deny that the human was right.

“Fine, but you’ll have to introduce us sometime.”

“Thank you.”

From his tone, the other candidates felt Karth’s hidden meaning: “I’d like to, but now is not a good time.”

However, Hendrick and Reyah felt a nervous pit in their stomachs at the idea of introducing Alice to these people.

If they were somehow insightful enough to see past the magical artifact, or they pushed hard enough, they might discover Alice’s true identity.

That spelled trouble for them as well, seeing as to how they were also accomplices to Karth’s crimes.

The subject drifted away from the sixth party member and transitioned over to other moments of victory between other adventurers.

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

The group split up as they went on to interact with the other guests at the party.

I went further into the royal garden alone, needing a moment to think to myself.

It felt bad having to fabricate lies to have to cover up for my crimes.

I hope no one grows suspicious or asks to find out more.

I find a carved marble bench with golden accents, and sit to look up at the pinkish clouds.

The noise of the party is muffled and distant, yet the chirping of birds and other critters overpower them and calms my nerves.

“Karth…?”

I nearly jump at the sound of someone’s voice.

Turning to look over my shoulder, I find Eliza casually approaching.

“Ah, it’s you Miss Benet.”

“Please, Karth, it’s just us two. Call me Eliza.”

“Okay, Eliza.”

At hearing her own name, she smiles genuinely.

If it weren’t for the hue of the setting sun, I could have sworn she was blushing.

She moves to sit beside me, and I scoot over to give her plenty of space.

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

Her voice is soft and timid; a stark contrast to the lively, outgoing mask she wears at social events.

“It has been.”

My mind drifts off to a few memories of the past, when we were alone together.

There’s a long awkward pause as she nervously plays with the string hanging from the upper part of her red dress, waiting for me to talk about myself.

When I don’t say anything, Eliza speaks up again.

“I wanted to know… if you were alright.”

“…?”

I gave her a questioning look, hoping she would elaborate.

“Yesterday, I saw you carrying a body bag into your apartment. It wasn’t empty.”

“…”

“It wasn’t a dog that you were babysitting, was it?”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s just something I have to take care of on my own.”

“Oh. … If there’s anything I can do to help, please, let me know.”

“Thank you, Eliza.”

I give her a reassuring smile, and she smiles back slightly, then places her hand in mine.

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

The sun sets behind the castle looming overhead, casting long shadows all around.

King Evain of Lorosta stands atop an elevated platform within his royal courtyard.

The temporary structure is usually only set up when the king holds an announcement for the royal elite.

A great multitude of knights stand before the king, and on either side of his guests.

Gathered before him today, is an audience of 10 knights, 30 adventurers, and 10 independent warriors.

His majesty’s select audience are all individuals pledged to king and country, unbound by guilds or other organizations.

Lorosta’s Hero candidates.

Lorosta has been without a Champion Hero for over 10 years now, and the king has been recruiting candidates based on their morals, courage, dedication, and many other qualities that define a hero.

Each country has different standards for their designated Hero.

Though many have applied to become a candidate for Lorosta’s Hero, only 50 have passed the preliminary requirements.

Karth Gian stands among these numbers, registered as a freelance adventurer.

If it were known that he brought a monster to the surface, endangering the lives of many innocents, he would be removed from the list of candidates and punished.

Even worse, if it was known that he harbors a monster in his very home, he would be exiled, if not executed publicly.

Karth knows the risks better than most, yet he also believes that all good deeds should be repaid.

If he left Alice to the fate of strangers, it would go against his code of honor.

King Evain speaks loud and clear enough for his audience to hear.

“One week from today, is the annual celebration of Lorosta’s Heroes. The event this year is a gladiatorial tournament. The top 10 finalists will receive a reward of silver and gold. It will be held in the town of Denstar.

“It’s a public event where anyone can enter, I expect you all to participate. Though there is no consequence for failure, it will be a grand opportunity to curry favor among the people before we proceed with the Hero’s tests. By the end of the tests, those with the lowest favor among Lorosta’s citizens, will automatically be disqualified.”

The king’s speech continues; listing the rules of the tournament, the expectations he has for his candidates, and the option to bring friends and family.

King Evain values family highly.

In Karth’s mind, he takes mental notes of what he needs to be aware of and what is expected of him.

However, he couldn’t help but worry for his sister and the little girl he remains indebted to.

Outside of the courtyard stands hundreds of guests, all friends or family related to the Hero candidates.

They walk around, talking amongst themselves, sharing gossip, and eating fine food.

Hendrick and Reyah make a point to brag about their friend Karth, exaggerating the exploits of his adventures and dungeon dives.

The current topic is of his accidental descent into the mid-level floors alone, and his grand escape.

Many novice adventurers and the guards at the entrance remember seeing him walk out, battered and bruised, but not a broken bone in his body.

News spread of his successful mission.

Though held in high regard by many, others saw this as the opportunity to brag about the Hero candidates they support.

Friendly competitions were shared all around, with bets made on upcoming events in which the candidates were up against one another.

The guests were all in high spirits, and after the king finished his speech, the Hero candidates rejoined in the festivities.

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

The elevator dings and heavy stone doors slide open.

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay and chat a while longer?”

“Thanksss fer the offer, Garth, but ‘am full – an’ already ‘ad too much tuh drink. I’m sleepin’ with this guy…!”

The red-haired dwarf drags her snoring companion out of the elevator and gives Karth a floppy wave ‘goodbye’, before stumbling down the hall to her apartment.

Shortly after, the elevator opens again and Karth moves to enter his apartment.

A sudden fear crashes over him, as he enters the room.

The air is heavy with the smell of cleaning chemicals, but there’s another underlying scent. Rusty iron– no, blood.

He knows this smell anywhere.

The entire apartment is dark and quiet.

Karth quickly activates the lights and sees that the kitchen has been cleaned. Scrubbed thoroughly.

He ignores all of the red flags and runs straight into his room, fully alert.

Turning the lights on, his gaze snaps towards where Alice liked to sit, curled up and distant.

She’s not there.

Instead, he finds a heavy blood stain in the flooring. The ground was damaged by a bladed weapon.

She’s not in his room or the kitchen or the living room.

In a panic, Karth dashes towards his sister’s room and nearly breaks the handle with how hard he turns and flings the door open.

His eyes go wide with shock and despair.

Leina sits atop her bed in the dark. She stares at her brother with a deep frown plastered on her face.

In her lap, lies Alice’s badly wounded and dying body.

“W-what happened? Who attacked her? Leina…!”

The man’s breaths quickly grow labored.

His sister shuts her eyes and buries her face in her hands.

“Leina, what happened?!”

She thought she had already cried enough; thought she couldn’t cry anymore.

During the hours she spent struggling to save Alice’s life and clean up the mess, she continued to sob even after her throat grew hoarse and dry.

Karth couldn’t see it, but Leina’s bloodshot eyes throbbed and stung.

She knew her brother would be mad with her. She expected it, yet, experiencing it first-hand, hurt more than she thought.

Not because of his yelling, but because of her guilt. She lost all of his trust in one night.

Leina weeps and shudders.

Karth turns on the lights and walks towards his sister with a silent fury.

He clenches his fists so tight; his knuckles go white.

He stares down at the dying girl.

Stares at her blood-soaked hair.

Stares at the knife wounds, made by an amateur.

With a heavy grunt, he runs out of the room and nearly slams into a surprise guest.

“Whoa, you startled me there.”

“How did you–? No, please help me.”

It took a moment for Karth to look past his emotions and see the woman before him.

It’s Adelle Taris, the suspicious life mage from before.

“I didn’t mean to intrude, I–”

“In here.”

Karth grabs the woman by the hand and practically drags her into his sister’s room.

“It’s Alice, she’s dying.”

“Karth…?”

“Not right now Leina, we’ll talk about this later.”

Karth begs the mage with his eyes.

“Please, can you heal her? I can pay you or owe you another favor.”

The woman has an unnatural calmness to her, about the whole situation.

“I can heal her. She’s still alive.”

“Thank goodness!”

“But… in return, I need you to do something for me. Now.”

“A-anything, what is it?”

“I need you to kill someone for me.”