The sun hung high in the cloudless sky as I made my way through the bustling streets of the town, heading towards the market. The aroma of freshly baked bread wafted through the air, enticing me to make a quick stop before continuing my journey.

As I weaved through the crowd, I got to witness how the market was as lively as ever, a spectacle of colors and sounds. Merchants haggled over prices, children played tag amidst the stalls, and the air buzzed with the energy of commerce. My purpose in the market today was to gather provisions that couldn't be found in the woods where I was stationed. A loaf of hearty bread, some herbs to complement my game, and other essentials were on my list.

Finishing my shopping, a group of young girls caught sight of me. They exchanged glances, and one of them, the self-appointed leader, approached with a mischievous grin. "Well, if it isn't Hunter. It’s been a while since we last saw you.”

I nodded.

"You barely ever visit us lately," another of the girls said, half-teased and half-complained.

I nodded again. "I’ve been busy."

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“So… What brings you to our little town today?” The self-appointed leader asked.

Glancing at the basket I held with one hand, I said, lightly bringing it up, "Buying provisions.”

“Buy provisions, huh?”

At that moment, ignoring the musings of the leader, a girl stepped forward and asked, “So where's the little one today?"

"Left him at home," I simply replied in unison.

The girls sighed in unison, their expressions shifting to a mix of concern and disapproval. The leader crossed her arms, giving me a stern look. "He’s only three, you know.”

“I know.”

“Since you know, you shouldn't leave him alone, especially in the woods. What if something happens?" She said in genuine concern.

I knew the girls were genuinely concerned. I’ve had my fair share of experience with taking care of children in this world, but since these “children” couldn’t be conventionally considered “normal,” raising “baby” was more or less my true child-rearing experience. In times where I was left confused on what to do, it would be onto them and the establishment backing that I would be seeking help for. Sure, their line of work wasn’t very “admirable,” but they were of great help when I needed them, so I was very grateful for everything.

"He's fine," I replied, my tone unwavering. Before adding reassuringly, "I wouldn't leave him if I had any doubts."

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They clearly weren't convinced. As they continued to express their concern, the topic veered towards something else. One of the girls spoke up, "You know, it’s about time you give him a proper name. You can't keep calling him 'baby' forever."

Internally, I couldn't deny the truth in their words. Naming him had been a constant struggle, a decision postponed time and again. Yet, when faced with the suggestion, a strange resistance bubbled within me. "He's fine with 'baby,'" I replied, a note of defensiveness in my voice.

Why is it that I did not name him? I couldn’t tell. Actually, I could, it was just that I did not wish to face the answer to that question.

The girls exchanged knowing glances before the leader sighed. "Hunter, you're being stubborn," they trailed, most likely noticing my stiffness.

Before she could finish her sentence, an unsettling feeling gripped me. I felt a disturbance. One of the shadow creatures I had summoned to guard my property had been obliterated. I was still processing what just happened when I felt the abrupt demise of yet another one of the shadow creatures.

Without a second thought, I entrusted my basket to one of the girls and darted towards a secluded area. Ignoring the curious stares and the leader's unfinished scolding, I abandoned all pretense of composure. My only focus was on reaching home.

***

As I rushed over, questions swirled in my mind: Who did it? Who slew the two shadow creatures I spawned to protect the house property? Could it be "them" — the other Dungeon Masters? If so, what would I do? I had no answer to any of those questions, but in that moment as I rushed over, I felt the demise of Owl and Snake, as he called them, the shadow creatures I had spawned with the sole goal of protecting and entertaining. I felt anger surge through, and it became my guiding force when I arrived and saw him coming after "Baby."

In that moment, I let go of reason and simply acted out of anger. I acted as though it were my answer. It was only as I turned toward the one that, in spite of his slightly older appearance compared to the last time we met, I recognized as Dungeon Master 02, that some of my sanity returned to me. As it did, I finally wondered why I was reacting like this. It had been more than three years since I left Theta's side, and I knew this day would come. No doubt they would have assumed that I did something like eloping, but I knew better than anyone that they would eventually find out.

Since I knew they would, I thought over and over about it, and came to the lone conclusion that there was no escaping them for me—for us. Surrendering myself was the logical course of action, so why? Why am I running away?

As I pondered over that question, I heard the sobbing of the little boy in my embrace. Glancing down at him, I felt like staring at the answer to my question. Coming to a realization, I stopped running away and halted at a corner still within the forest.

Perhaps it was the sudden halt or perhaps the fact that my attention was set onto him, but I felt like his sobbings intensified. "Hush, hush, little one," I murmured, resting my right cheek onto his smooth, silky hair.

In that moment, perhaps feeling guilty for what happened, he attempted to explain amidst his sobs, "I opened... opened the door, then they...said I come out...first... at first I didn't want to...but I came out... then they--"

"It's okay now. It's not your fault," I reassured him, albeit hesitantly, and he nodded. "You must have been afraid, didn't you?" Through my right cheek, I felt another nod.

"The one...the one with white hair," he mumbled.

"I see, especially the one with the white hair, huh? He really was scary, wasn't he? But don't worry, I'm here now. He won't hurt you anymore, none of them will."

Running my hand over his hair as I usually do, I thought to myself, "Short as it lasted, I enjoyed your presence."

"Such a shame it has to end here. I wish it could’ve been longer. Even if just a little."

"Oh, the girls were right. I should've done that earlier; I wish I could've at least given you a proper name.”

“Now it's already too late."