After a few days staying at the shop, Ali was given permission to see Ryu. Aok had told Ryu about the kidnapping incident but, when the teenager arrived, the woodcarver said nothing to him. Instead, the man gestured to some drawings and a pile of wood blocks. Understanding what was in store for him during the visit, Ali sat down and went to work. A few minutes in, he felt his body and mind had relaxed from focusing on the task.

I didn’t realize how tense I was. I should definitely work on woodcarving more often.

By noon, the teenager had finished the assignments he was given. He didn’t gain a level but the process made him feel refreshed. As he was about to stand up, Ryu entered the room.

“Stay sitting,” said the man. “I want to discuss something with you.”

Puzzled, Ali did as he was told. He then thanked the man as he was handed a cup of hot chocolate, a luxury in the slums. While he blew on the drink to cool it down, the teenager kept his eyes focused on the man to see what the discussion was about.

“Aok told me that you were kidnapped by cult members and you survived the encounter. Do you feel anything odd?”

“Odd?” muttered Ali as he looked down to see if anything was out of place.

Ryu started explaining that the cult hideout might contain a scentless and invisible miasma. The miasma was a result of certain rituals performed by cult members. Some claimed the miasma granted the cult members more powers but there wasn’t enough evidence to back up that claim. However, there had been enough cases of ordinary individuals becoming monsters after coming in contact with the vapor. At the mention of becoming a monster, Ali quickly put down the hot chocolate to feel his body for anything that didn’t belong.

Why didn't Aok say anything on the matter? I hope I don't have a horn growing out of nowhere.

“How about finishing the hot chocolate first?” suggested Ryu following a chuckle. “I’m sure you’d notice any monster features by now if they existed. I'm only asking as a precaution.”

Still bothered by the idea, Ali took a sip, careful to not burn himself. The sweetness brought a smile to his face but, for some reason, his tongue tasted something bitter briefly. The teenager looked down but couldn’t see anything out of the ordinary in his drink. A few sips later, he no longer tasted the bitterness, making him believe that he was merely imagining things. After he finished the beverage, Ryu took the cup and left the room.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

How is he so calm after telling me all that? Maybe he was just joking? Or does he know something I don't?

The man returned a few minutes later with a big smile.

“Congratulations! You are not becoming a monster. Tell Aok that you won’t be a threat to anything or anyone for the time being!”

“What do you mean?” asked Ali as the man was about to turn around.

“I mixed a special medication with the hot chocolate. I made it personally for the situation I just told you about. If you were becoming a monster, that medication would have sped up the process enough for features to appear.”

While he was relieved about the news, the teenager asked what would have happened if he was a monster.

“Let me show you then!”

After blinking his eyes, Ali watched as Ryu vanished before him. He then looked down to see a blade a few centimeters from his neck. His brain struggled to process how the man managed to move so quickly but he couldn’t deny that he had new respect for the man.

I wonder if Ryu can teach me how to do what he did. I would love to have such speed against my foes.

“That’s enough of a demonstration,” said the man as he sheathed his weapon. “Go back to Aok and take it easy. A storm is coming.”

Ali didn’t need much hint to know that Ryu wasn’t referring to the weather. He had already noticed a change in Aok’s attitude recently. There was something bothering the man but he refused to share what was on his mind. The teenager was about to ask Ryu what the storm was about but the man raised his hand.

“You’ll know soon enough. Sometimes, ignorance is a blessing.”

Seeing that he wasn’t getting any answers from Ryu, Ali did as he was told. On his way back to Aok’s store, he noticed the streets were emptier than usual. Generally, lots of people would be out and about by the afternoon, especially when the sun was out and about. On this warm day, the streets were much emptier and many stores were closed. Having seen this, Ali recalled that Ryu’s store was closed too. He was just too glad to leave Aok’s place to notice initially.

Am I the only one who has no idea what is specifically coming?

Frustrated, Ali sprinted until he reached Aok’s store. He arrived in time to see the man closing his store. As he debated on whether he should ask for what was happening, Aok asked him to help with the closure. When Ali exited with a ladder, Aok spoke up.

“A few important members in the city had just died under mysterious circumstances. Their deaths have escalated the tension within the city and many people are pointing fingers. There are even rumors of the killers fleeing to the slums.”

“Even if they are rumors, they will investigate and the inhabitants of the slums will suffer.”

“Yes, the battle to defend the slums will soon be here. I hope you are accustomed to guerilla warfare because you are about to be involved in one. We have no idea who will be sent to the slums so we must be ready for anything.”

After the store was closed, Aok led everyone to underground tunnels Ali and his companions didn’t know existed. The tunnels looked quite spacious and they could hear voices echoing off the walls.