Lia donned her full set of gleaming armor, its polished surface catching the light and giving her an imposing presence.

R stood opposite her, clad in his rugged mercenary gear, a patchwork of leather and metal plates. The two faced off, their gazes locked like drawn swords.

Lia, taller and exuding a knightly aura, loomed over him slightly. They stood on a bustling street now transformed into an arena, the crowd gathered in anticipation of the clash.

Excited chatter filled the air as bets were exchanged, coins jingling in hands.

"Alright, kids, the rule is simple. Fight, but don’t kill." the old mercenary barked, his gruff voice cutting through the noise.

"Classic mercenaries rules, huh…" R muttered under his breath, his tone laced with dry amusement.

"Oh, that’s simple. I just need to beat your ass." Lia said with a mocking lilt, a smirk evident even through her helmet.

R’s eyebrow twitched at the remark, his hand reflexively tightening around the hilt of his weapon.

"Wait!" The old man raised a hand, halting them before the fight could begin. His sharp gaze flicked between the two. "Since this is a match between a mercenary and a knight, we should honor knightly traditions too. It'll make this duel all the more proper." His attention turned to Lia, awaiting her response.

Lia stepped forward, raising her chin. Her voice rang out clear and bold. "My name is Lia, and I will kick your ass."

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd, their eyes wide with disbelief. It wasn’t every day a knight broke decorum with such audacity.

"Woahh! Kick his ass, Lia!" a young boy’s voice cut through the shock. It was Zero, cheering her on with fervor.

Beneath her helmet, Lia grinned, a sharp and unyielding expression that made her seem larger than life.

"Woahhh!!!" The crowd began to erupt, their cheers building like a tidal wave.

"Yeah, kick his ass!" More voices joined the uproar, their excitement spilling over in favor of Lia’s fiery boldness.

The old mercenary turned to R, his grizzled face expectant. He gestured with a slight nod.

"Tch!" R clicked his tongue, his annoyance palpable. It was clear he’d rather skip the formalities, but tradition was tradition. His lips twisted as he reluctantly stepped forward.

The old mercenary raised a hand to silence the clamoring spectators. "Alright, ladies and gentlemen, let’s give our other fighter a chance to introduce himself, yeah?"

R rolled his shoulders before speaking, his tone sharp and commanding. "R. Lucius Fidei. I’m gonna beat you up instead."

The name hung in the air for a moment, its weight settling over the crowd.

"That name… sounds familiar." Zero muttered, his brows furrowing as he searched his memory. "Could it be…"

"Alright, now." The old man’s voice cut through the murmurs, bringing everyone’s attention back to the center of the street. "Everyone seems ready." He let the anticipation simmer, the pause pregnant with tension.

"Get in your positions." he ordered, his voice dropping to a gravelly growl. He gave one last glance at both combatants, then raised his hand dramatically.

"Fight!"

* * *

Lia hurled her spear directly at R with a sharp whistle through the air. But R sidestepped effortlessly, his movements fluid and confident.

“Hmph, what a fool.” R smirked, his tone dripping with arrogance.

Before he could finish his thought, another spear came rushing toward him with terrifying speed.

“What?!” he exclaimed, his eyes widening as the second attack narrowly missed.

Another spear followed. And another. One after the other, the projectiles flew at him relentlessly, each faster than the last.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” R muttered under his breath, sprinting in circles to evade the onslaught. His movements became increasingly frantic as the spears kept coming, kicking up a cloud of dust that enveloped him.

Suddenly, the attacks stopped. R skidded to a halt, his breath heavy and ragged, his body cloaked in a haze of dust. Spotting what he thought was an opening, his eyes glows vivid violet as he activated his ability, scanning the area for any trace of Lia.

But she was gone.

The crowd murmured in confusion. Her sudden disappearance left them bewildered.

Out of nowhere, another spear came hurtling through the air. R dodged it instinctively, but before he could fully process what was happening, a powerful kick crashed into his head. The force sent him slamming into the ground face down with a resounding thud.

It was Lia. She had reappeared in an instant, her armored heel delivering the devastating blow that knocked R down.

The crowd froze, stunned into silence. R—the young prodigy mercenary who had defeated seasoned mercenaries—lay sprawled on the ground.

"Woahhh!!!" A lone cheer pierced the stillness. It was Zero. "You did it, Lia!" he shouted with glee, pumping his fist in the air.

Lia turned to him and gave a confident thumbs up, her grin unmistakable even under her helmet.

“Woahhhh!!!” The crowd erupted into cheers, the noise growing like a roaring wave. Lia’s unexpected victory had them in a frenzy.

“Well, I suppose this loss will make him grow.” The old mercenary shrugged, his tone oddly casual despite the shock of the moment.

The guild receptionist sighed heavily, pressing a hand to her forehead as she shook her head in disbelief.

“Who would’ve thought the day R lost would come so soon.” a random mercenary muttered, his voice tinged with awe.

But then, from the ground, the defeated figure began to stir. Slowly, shakily, R pushed himself to his feet.

“Wait… I haven’t lost yet.” he rasped, violet energy flickering brighter in his eyes. In the blink of an eye, his form shimmered and vanished into thin air.

Lia’s stance shifted immediately. Under her helmet, she closed her eyes with a faint white glow, sensing the shift in the air. In a single, fluid motion, she executed a perfect roundhouse kick aimed at nothingness.

“Gah!” A pained cry echoed, though no figure was visible.

“Do you want to continue?” Lia asked, her tone sharp and unyielding, her stance unwavering.

“Tch…” R reappeared, clutching his side as though weighing his options. His expression betrayed his acceptance of defeat.

“She did it, everyone! The undefeated R has been beaten by a young knight!” The crowd roared with approval, though some groaned in disappointment over their lost bets.

Zero, munching peanuts, grinned at the spectacle. His pockets jingled with coins. “Well, that was anti-climactic.” he said, his tone faintly amused but tinged with mock disappointment.

Lia strode toward him, her steps sure and victorious. She didn’t even spare a glance at R. Raising a hand, she gestured for a high five.

“Yay!” Zero responded enthusiastically, their hands meeting with a satisfying slap.

“Hehe ~ how much did we make?” Lia asked, her voice playful, with a cheeky grin.

“About 30% profit.” Zero estimated, glancing at the two hefty bags of coins beside him.

“Not bad.” Lia eyed the growing pouch with satisfaction. “Nice.”

“This match doesn’t count!” R shouted, his voice brimming with frustration. “I want a rematch. I wouldn’t have lost if I’d known you’ve awoken your color too!”

Lia didn’t even look back. “You know, maybe we shouldn’t have tried getting information at the mercenary guild.” she said to Zero, her tone light but deliberate.

“Should we go now?” Zero asked, ready to leave.

The crowd began to disperse, their excitement fading into the usual hubbub of the streets.

“Let’s have a rematch!” R yelled, his voice desperate.

But Lia and Zero were already walking away, paying him no mind.

“Wait, wait, wait! You two.” an old man’s voice called out, halting their steps.

The two turned their heads, glancing back at him.

“Come on, are you leaving already? You still need that information, yeah?” the old mercenary asked, his voice tinged with awkwardness.

“Nope, no thanks,” Lia replied curtly. “What kind of mercenary picks a fight with their employer?” Her dissatisfaction dripped from her words. “Very rude too.” she added, turning her face away in clear frustration.

The old mercenary scratched the back of his head, a sheepish smile spreading across his face. “Come on, R, say sorry to them.” He waved R over, trying to salvage the situation.

“Tch…” R hesitated, his expression unreadable as he stood in thought. “Teleportation, huh…” he muttered under his breath, his gaze distant. “Same age as me…” It was as if pieces of a puzzle were slotting into place in his mind.

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

After a moment, he walked toward them. “I’m sorry.” he said flatly, his face blank and unreadable, leaving them unsure if he even meant it.

Lia felt her irritation spike but managed to hold herself back, her fists clenching for a brief moment. “Let’s go, Zero. We’re just wasting our time.” she said coolly, her tone dismissive.

The old mercenary stood there, looking lost, unsure of what to say or do.

“Can you leave us alone first, uncle?” Zero asked, his voice calm but pointed as he looked at the old man.

“Oh, did you have something you wanted to talk about?” The mercenary blinked, caught off guard. “Okay, but please don’t fight again, alright, R?” he added awkwardly before stepping away.

Curiosity got the better of him, though, and he crouched behind a nearby barrel, his massive frame comically out of place as he tried to spy on them unnoticed.

“You’re a player, aren’t you, R?” Zero asked suddenly, his tone direct.

Lia’s eyes widened in shock. This loser? she thought, her mind struggling to connect R with such a revelation.

“Just as I suspected—you’re players too.” R said, his tone shifting to one of seriousness. The mocking edge from earlier had vanished entirely. “No wonder young kids like you were snooping around for information. Or should I say… adults in young bodies.”

“…” Zero paused, before he finally spoke. “I’m still 12, though…”

Lia couldn’t contain herself. A chuckle slipped through her lips, quickly escalating. “Pff… hahah…”

“Or should I say, adults in young bodies.” she mimicked, pulling an exaggerated serious face to match R’s tone.

Both Zero and Lia burst out laughing, their voices echoing loudly through the street.

“Hahahaha!”

“Pfff… Hahahahaha!”

R’s face flushed slightly as he tried to maintain his composure, but the embarrassment was shown in the way he shifted uncomfortably.

“Enough!” he snapped, his voice sharp and impatient, trying to bring their laughter to an abrupt stop.

“Oh, look, they’re laughing! I guess they’re friends now.” whispered a mercenary from behind the barrel, watching the trio with amusement.

“And idiots behind that barrel—go away, now!” R growled, his temper flaring as he shot a glare in their direction.

“Aw man… seems we’ve been caught.” one of them muttered sheepishly as they retreated back into the guild, their heads low.

Turning his attention back to Zero, R’s expression hardened again. “Alright. I don’t know what your circumstances are, but as long as you’re players…” His voice grew serious. “How did you know I’m a player?”

“R. Lucius Fidei,” Zero said, his voice steady. “I recognized your name.”

R stiffened at the mention of his full name, a realization came across his face. “Don’t tell me…” His tone shifted, an almost smug smirk forming on his lips. “…Are you a fan of mine?”

Of course everyone would know me, R thought to himself, his ego rising.

“Eh… no.” Zero replied flatly, shattering R’s illusion in an instant.

“Pff… hahahaha!” Lia tried—and failed—to suppress her laughter, clutching her sides. “Are you a fan of mine?” She mimicked, pulling an exaggerated face of R.

“Stop that!” R barked at her, his face twisting in irritation.

“Then?” R turned back to Zero, forcing himself to refocus.

“We’ve fought in a ranked match before.” Zero said simply, his voice distant as he recalled the memory.

“What’s your username?” R asked, his curiosity piqued.

“ILoveCat69xxxLordOfTheTycoon,” Zero said, his face completely straight.

R froze, staring at him in disbelief. “What’s with that highly inappropriate username?!” he exclaimed, his voice laced with indignation. Then something clicked in his memory. “Wait—so that’s you!” he blurted, realization dawning on him.

“What’s inappropriate about that?” Zero replied, his eyebrows knitting together as he gave R a confused, almost offended look.

“Grr…” R faltered, his face flushing as he struggled to find the words to explain. Zero’s wide-eyed, innocent expression made it all the more difficult.

“Pervert.” Lia remarked coldly, throwing R a sharp, accusing glare.

“No, I’m not!” R protested, his voice rising in indignation.

“Then explain it.” Zero said, leaning in slightly, his piercing gaze locked onto R’s.

Lia’s look of disgust deepened, her expression sharp enough to cut through steel.

Cornered, R flailed for a way out and abruptly changed the subject. “If you’re that guy, then this girl must’ve been that… uh, ‘John’ something who always played with you.”

“Hey! It’s JoandakinaTheInvincible!” Lia snapped, correcting him with fiery precision.

“Yeah, whatever,” R muttered, rolling his eyes. “Tch… to think the first players I’d meet in this world would be you two cheaters. What awful luck.”

“Shut up, loser.” Lia shot back, her face twisting into a scowl of pure disgust.

“We’re not cheaters.” Zero pouted, crossing his arms defensively. “That’s just how they designed the game.”

“Stream sniping is still cheating.” R retorted, his tone sharp.

“Excuse us!” Lia cut in, her voice brimming with indignation. “We didn’t even know who you were until you accused us in the chat!”

“Oh wow, that’s what most stream snipers say.” R mocked, smirking at her.

“Do you want to go for another beating, you punk?” Lia growled, already shifting her weight as if ready to lunge.

“Bring it on!” R snapped, matching her energy, his fists clenching.

“Sigh… let’s just go, Lia. We’re wasting time here.” Zero said, stepping between them in an effort to diffuse the tension.

“You got lucky, you punk!” Lia barked as Zero pulled her away, her glare locked on R until the last possible moment.

“Tch…” R clicked his tongue in frustration. As they turned to leave, he reached into his pocket and tossed a single coin toward them. “Take this back!” he said curtly.

Zero caught the coin mid-air with ease, giving it a brief glance before pocketing it.

Without another word, R turned on his heel and walk back into the mercenary guild, his shoulders tense, frustration radiating off him in waves.

* * *

“Sigh… to think we’d meet another player with an awful personality.” Lia groaned, her voice heavy with frustration.

“I didn’t expect to run into that professional player here of all places.” Zero added, shaking his head in disbelief.

“That crybaby so-called professional who keeps losing off-stream.” Lia said sarcastically, her tone sharp. “Don’t you remember when his fans harassed us?”

“Well, to think they’d queue up just to find us and spam the chat like that…” Zero trailed off, recalling that chaotic moment. “I guess we shouldn’t underestimate a community’s, uh, dedication.”

“First that red-headed bastard, now this Lose-R.” Lia muttered, recalling her string of bad encounters with players in this world aside from Zero.

“Tommy’s not that bad…” Zero said, trying to defend him.

“Yeah, yeah, what kind of ‘good person’ tries to kill someone the moment they meet?” Lia said, throwing up her hands with a shrug.

“Sorry…” Zero mumbled sheepishly, as if the blame was somehow his.

“Why are you apologizing?” Lia asked, raising an eyebrow. Her gaze softened a little. “…Sorry. I just got a bit emotional.”

“Well, no matter.” she said with a sigh, brushing it off and changing the topic. “Since the mercenaries were useless, what do you think we should do next?”

“Hmm…” Zero paused, his expression thoughtful.

“Let’s just ask around on the streets. I’m sure we can find more clues.” he suggested, though his face showed a twinge of conflict. “It aches my heart a bit, remembering that lady we met at the inn. Losing her child… it must be unbearable.”

His gaze wandered to the bustling streets. The energy of the city seemed dulled. As Zero scanned the crowd, he noticed the subtle signs—adults with restless, shadowed eyes, expressions etched with quiet grief. Some wandered aimlessly, while others stopped passersby, asking if anyone had seen their child.

Lia followed his gaze, her eyes landing on the same somber faces. The difference was striking. Earlier, during their fight, the crowd had been lively, noisy, and carefree. But here, on this side of the city, the air was heavy with sorrow. Regret and desperation seemed to linger in the streets.

“There!” Zero suddenly pointed toward a shop at the corner. “Isn’t that where the lady said her child went missing?”

“Yeah.” Lia agreed with a nod. “Let’s ask around.”

The two made their way into the dress shop. The bell on the door jingled softly as they entered, stirring the old shopkeeper from his light doze at the counter.

“Sorry—hello and welcome.” the man greeted, sitting up straight. His white hair and long beard gave him a grandfatherly appearance, but his sunken eyes show deep sadness and weariness.

“Where are my manners.” he muttered, forcing a weak smile. His tone shifted to a warmer, lighter one. “Do these two little sweethearts want some candy and snacks?” He rummaged in a drawer and pulled out a handful of treats, holding them out to Zero and Lia.

“Thank you.” the two said, taking the candy from him politely.

“Are you looking for anything in particular?” the shopkeeper asked, his smile faint but kind. “We have some stylish clothing designs that would suit a boy and girl like you perfectly.” he added, gesturing toward a section of children’s clothing.

Zero and Lia glanced at the rack. The kids’ section stood apart from the rest of the store, its neatly arranged items appearing untouched, almost forlorn. Unlike the other bustling racks, these clothes clearly weren’t selling.

“Right now, there’s an offer—90% off.” the old man added, his weak smile faltering for a moment.

Zero and Lia exchanged a quick glance and nodded, understanding the silent sorrow beneath his words.

Putting on cheerful faces, the two began picking out outfits, exploring the racks with enthusiasm. The medieval-style clothing immediately caught their attention. Each piece had an elegant, classy design with intricate details and unique cuts.

“This one looks cool.” Zero said, holding up a dark tunic with silver embroidery.

“Not bad.” Lia replied, examining a soft blue dress with laced sleeves.

Though the fabric wasn’t as comfortable as the clothing from their world, the craftsmanship and charm of these outfits made up for it. There was something timeless about the designs—something that reflected the culture and beauty of this world they now found themselves in.

Zero selected both formal and casual clothes in a monochromatic palette of black and white, each piece exuding the elegance of a noble despite his bandit origins. The refined tailoring of a high-collared coat and the subtle embroidery along the edges made him look distinguished, as if he belonged to royalty.

“Woah, you look quite charming, Zero.” Lia remarked, her voice teasing yet genuinely impressed as Zero stepped out wearing a noble-like attire.

“Oh my, are you a prince?” the old store owner asked, his eyes twinkling with curiosity.

“N-no…” Zero stammered, his cheeks flushing at the comment. He glanced at the mirror, and for a moment, even he was taken aback by his appearance. His jet-black hair contrasted sharply against the inky fabric, and as he swept his hair back and struck a mock-regal pose, his reflection radiated the commanding aura of a young king.

Meanwhile, Lia was browsing a variety of elegant dresses. She chose several white and neutral-toned outfits before slipping into a lilac dress that seemed to carry its own ethereal glow. The delicate lacework on the bodice combined with the long flowing skirt gave her a sweet yet mysterious aura of authority.

“Amazing…” Zero said softly, unaccustomed to seeing her like this.

“A princess…” the old store owner murmured in awe.

Lia responded by playfully fluttering her hair, her chin slightly lifted as if she were royalty, adding to her majestic demeanor.

The two spent time selecting outfits, their joy infectious. Lia ended up purchasing nearly every girl’s garment in her size, leaving the kids’ section almost barren. Zero, however, was far more selective, taking only the monochrome clothes that suited his taste. Despite their haul of beautifully crafted garments, the total price barely reached 50 denar.

The shopkeeper busied himself packing the purchases into boxes, but the sheer number of items quickly piled up. He offered to help carry them back to the inn and even considered calling for assistance.

His jaw dropped, however, when Lia casually summoned her dimensional storage space. She opened the shimmering white void, and the owner hesitantly handed the packages over, watching in amazement as they disappeared into the otherworldly space.

Before parting, they chatted with the old man for a while. His demeanor, though kind, grew somber as they spoke.

“Please, stay safe, young travelers…” the shopkeeper said, his voice heavy with worry. “This city… it’s not safe for children anymore.”

“Did something happen?” Zero asked, his brow furrowing.

“As you’ve likely seen… many children have gone missing.” the old man replied with a weary sigh. “The guards and mercenaries are doing their best to find them, but… every day, more disappear.” He clasped his hands together as if in prayer. “Oh, Almighty… please protect these children.”

“Don’t the nobles do anything to solve this case?” Lia asked, her tone laced with skepticism.

The old man’s expression darkened. “Oh… they’ve made their announcements. They caught 21 culprits in the kidnappings.” he said bitterly. “But those men are caught dead—killed by that young mercenary who caused fought earlier.” He gestured vaguely toward the street where the earlier fight had taken place.

He shook his head in frustration. “The nobles enforced new laws restricting travelers from entering the city, but that’s all they’ve done!” His voice grew angrier, his fist slamming onto the counter. “No matter how much we beg, no matter how much we plead for their help… they dismiss us! They tell us it’s our own carelessness, our own fault…”

His voice cracked as he continued. “We’ve scoured every corner of the city, searched every sewer we could enter, hoping—praying—to find even a trace of our loved ones… but it’s all futile.”

His gaze dropped to the counter, his fists trembling. “And those rotten nobles… they stop us. They say it’s too dangerous for us to go further! Dangerous for us?!” His voice rose in anguish. “It’s far more dangerous for a child to be left alone in the darkness!”

The old man’s strength seemed to drain from him as he slumped over the counter. “What can this old man do…?” he whispered weakly, his grief laid bare.

“Where is this place?” Zero asked cautiously, his tone measured.

The shopkeeper’s eyes widened in alarm. “No… don’t go near there,” he said quickly. “Please, just stay safe… stay alive… leave from this city as soon as you can.” His voice broke, and he could say no more.

“We should go.” Lia whispered softly, giving the old man space to collect himself.

Zero nodded, and the two quietly left the shop. Outside, the atmosphere felt heavier, the echoes of the old man’s despair following them as they stepped onto the street.