Chapter 7 – Chains of Fury

The doorway shimmered behind them as Jae-Hyun and Ahri emerged from the labyrinth. The cold night air greeted them, crisp and biting, a stark contrast to the stifling atmosphere of the maze. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Jae-Hyun’s gaze was distant, his expression unreadable, as though he were still processing the trials they had faced. Ahri, however, broke the silence.

“What happened back there?” she asked, her voice steady, but laced with curiosity and concern. “I don’t remember much after we went through the door. I'm sorry I couldn't help...”

Jae-Hyun didn’t respond immediately. His mind was still clouded with thoughts of the final trial, the figure’s offer, and the choices he had made. He finally glanced at Ahri, his eyes colder than before, devoid of the hesitation that once lingered.

“You don’t need to apologize,” he said curtly, cutting off any further explanation from her. “It wasn’t your fault.”

Ahri frowned but didn’t press further. She noticed the shift in his demeanour—his tone carried a finality that discouraged questions. Instead, she turned her attention to their surroundings. The forest stretched before them, the skeletal trees casting long shadows under the pale moonlight. Somewhere in the distance, a faint rustle echoed, carried by the wind.

“We should find shelter,” Ahri suggested, her voice calm but firm. “It’s late, and the forest isn’t exactly safe at night.”

Jae-Hyun gave a slight nod. “Agreed. We need to reach the city, but we’ll rest for now.”

As they walked, the tension between them remained unspoken. Ahri occasionally glanced at Jae-Hyun, noticing the subtle changes in his posture. He moved with purpose, each step measured, his hand never straying far from the hilt of his blade. There was a sharper edge to him now—an unyielding resolve that seemed to radiate from his very being.

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After several minutes of walking, they spotted the faint glow of headlights in the distance. Drawing closer, they saw a truck parked along a makeshift path, its engine idling softly. A man stood beside it, checking a crate of supplies in the truck bed. He was middle-aged, broad-shouldered, with a thick beard and an open, friendly expression.

“Evening,” the man greeted as they approached. “What brings you two out here at this hour?”

Ahri exchanged a glance with Jae-Hyun, who remained silent. She stepped forward, keeping her tone neutral. “We’re headed to the city. Got a bit turned around in the forest. Could you point us in the right direction?”

The man chuckled, wiping his hands on a rag. “Sure thing. You’re on the right path, but it’s a long walk. There’s a village up ahead where you can rest for the night. I’m heading there myself to drop off supplies. If you don’t mind a bit of company, I can give you a lift.”

Jae-Hyun’s eyes narrowed slightly, scrutinizing the man. He didn’t sense any immediate danger, but his trust wasn’t easily given. Ahri, sensing his hesitation, added, “We’d appreciate it.”

With a nod, the man gestured for them to hop into the truck bed. “Name’s Hwan-Soo, by the way. Don’t worry, I’m not in the business of harming travellers. Just a simple trader trying to make a living.”

They climbed into the truck, and as it rumbled forward, Hwan-Soo chatted amicably. He spoke of the village’s modest life, the increased demand for supplies, and rumours of strange occurrences near the city. Jae-Hyun listened in silence, his mind focused on the information that might be useful.

“You two look like you’ve seen some trouble,” Hwan-Soo remarked casually. “If you’re heading to the city, be careful. Word is, things have been getting rough. More gates appearing, and some higher-ranked ones too. Even the big guilds are struggling to keep up.”

Jae-Hyun’s interest piqued at the mention of gates. He glanced at Ahri, who gave a subtle nod, understanding his unspoken thoughts.

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They arrived at the village shortly after midnight. It was a quiet place, small and unassuming, with modest wooden buildings clustered around a central square. The only inn in sight had a dimly lit sign swinging gently in the breeze.

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“This is where I’ll leave you,” Hwan-Soo said, pulling the truck to a stop. “Inn’s got decent rooms. Not much luxury, but it’ll keep the cold out.”

“Thanks,” Ahri said as she hopped down from the truck bed. Jae-Hyun followed silently, offering a brief nod of acknowledgment.

Inside the inn, the owner greeted them with a sleepy smile. “Only got one room left, I’m afraid. Two beds, if that works for you.”

Ahri glanced at Jae-Hyun, who hesitated for a moment before shrugging slightly. Their eyes met briefly, a silent exchange of wariness passing between them. “We’ll take it,” she finally said.

After getting the key, Jae-Hyun turned to Ahri. “I’m going to take a look around,” he said, his voice cold and purposeful. “See if I can learn anything useful about the city.”

Ahri nodded, though she looked slightly concerned. “Be careful.”

Without further words, Jae-Hyun left the inn, his steps deliberate as he headed toward the village’s modest center. He spotted a dimly lit bar at the corner of the square, the muffled sound of voices and laughter seeping into the quiet night

Jae-Hyun’s gaze swept across the dimly lit village as he walked through the quiet streets, the chill of the night biting at his skin. Lanterns flickered in the wind, casting wavering light on the cobbled paths. The village seemed peaceful on the surface, but Jae-Hyun knew better than to take appearances at face value. The rising tension in the world, the increasing frequency of gates—nothing felt truly safe anymore.

As he approached the bar, the sound of muffled conversation and occasional laughter drifted toward him. The faint scent of alcohol and wood smoke lingered in the air. He pushed the door open, the creak of the hinges momentarily silencing the patrons inside. Eyes flicked toward him briefly before returning to their drinks and conversations. Jae-Hyun scanned the room quickly, noting the rough and weathered appearance of the patrons—many of them likely mercenaries or adventurers passing through.

The bar was modest, with wooden beams supporting a low ceiling and a long counter lined with stools. A few tables were scattered around, occupied by groups of men and women clad in leather armor, cloaks, and worn traveling gear. Jae-Hyun made his way to the counter, ordering a simple drink to avoid drawing too much attention. He wasn’t here to drink—he was here to gather information.

His eyes locked on a group of mercenaries seated at a table in the corner. Their weapons leaned against the wall beside them, and their conversation, though hushed, carried a tone of experience. They looked like they had seen their fair share of danger, and if anyone in this bar knew about what was happening in the city, it would be them.

Jae-Hyun approached their table, his expression cold and unreadable. The mercenaries glanced up as he neared, their chatter ceasing as they took in his presence.

“What do you want?” the leader of the group asked, his tone gruff but not immediately hostile. He was a broad-shouldered man with a scar running across his left cheek, his eyes sharp and calculating.

Jae-Hyun placed a few coins on the table. “I have questions. You have answers.”

The mercenaries exchanged glances. One of them chuckled softly, but it wasn’t a friendly sound. “We don’t sell information to just anyone,” the leader said, leaning back in his chair. “And we don’t take kindly to strangers walking in and acting like they own the place.”

Jae-Hyun didn’t react to the provocation. Instead, he reached into his pouch and pulled out a larger handful of bills, placing them on the table with a soft clink. The mercenaries exchanged wary glances, a brief but tense pause hanging in the air before the leader gave a subtle nod. “Consider this payment for your time.”

The leader eyed the coins for a moment before gesturing for Jae-Hyun to sit. “Fine. You’ve bought yourself a few answers. Ask.”

Jae-Hyun sat down, his posture relaxed but his gaze sharp. “What’s the situation in the city?”

The mercenary leader took a sip of his drink before answering. “It’s been getting worse. More gates showing up, and higher-ranked ones too. The guilds are stretched thin trying to keep everything under control. Doesn’t help that the big players are busy with their own problems.”

Jae-Hyun’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Big players?”

The mercenary leaned forward, lowering his voice. “Silver Talon Guild. Their leader’s son died during a recent gate expedition—at least, that’s what they told the public. Word on the street is that something more happened, something they don’t want getting out. And now, there’s talk of an unofficial bounty.”

Jae-Hyun’s grip on his glass tightened imperceptibly. “A bounty?”

The mercenary nodded. “Not public, mind you. Someone’s paying well to see him dead. Most of us aren’t interested—we’re not assassins. But there are always a few desperate or greedy enough to take the job.”

Jae-Hyun’s expression didn’t change, but inside, his mind raced. An unofficial bounty meant more than just danger—it was a declaration that his enemies were no longer content to watch from the shadows. They knew he was alive, and they wanted him silenced quietly. He couldn’t afford to let his guard down, not even for a moment. They know I’m alive. Whoever placed the bounty is either Tae-Jun, my father or someone close to them. They want me gone quietly. He had expected danger, but an unofficial bounty meant things were escalating faster than he’d anticipated.

“Anything else?” Jae-Hyun asked, keeping his tone neutral.

The mercenary leader hesitated before speaking again. “Besides that, only that the gates have been behaving strangely—appearing more frequently and in places they normally don’t. Some of the higher-ranked ones have been very troublesome. No one knows why, but it’s got people nervous.”

Jae-Hyun leaned back slightly, processing the information. Increased gate activity, rising danger in the city, and now mercenaries aware of his existence—it was a lot to take in, but it only reinforced what he already knew: he needed to get stronger, and fast.

He placed another coin on the table. “Thanks for the information. One last thing—if anyone asks, you didn’t see me.”

The mercenary leader pocketed the coin with a nod. “Got it. You were never here.”