The smell of freshly baked goods hung tight the surrounding area of a little cake shop by the side of a major road in the City of Tyche.

That day, the small shop was filled with many people. The storefront wasn't big and the shopkeepers were simple folks but goods were expensive because of the location and the shop owner's appeal, and charming face.

Located near the famous writing company, Sweet Haven Company, the newly opened cake shop instantly sold out of its baked goods as most of the shop's customers were of a majority of young and female peers, coming in to fawn over the shop owner's face, and buy what he bakes for the people but since the shop was currently on a lunch break and pans of cakes, and breads are still inside of the only two ovens inside the shop, at the moment, the shop owner was at the backroom, eating his delicious pastries in delight.

"Rafael!"

The doors of the cake shop's backroom was swung open as a man with honey colored orbs, and hazel hair stood by the doorway, earning the attention of a man in white apron, his silver steel eyes sparkling once he sees the other man's figure by the doorway.

"Dennis!"

This young man is the cake shop's owner, Rafael Artesia. Rafael was at the same age of Dennis. His figure was tall but graceful, delicate but lean, and he had a peaceful countenance, as well as a sweet, heart-melting smile. Most of the time, his long white hair was down but right now, his hair was in a low ponytail, exposing more of his exotic beauty.

"You're finally back! What can I do for you—"

Rafael was cut off midway of his sentence when Dennis enters the backroom with a serious look, saying, "The time has come. I'm leaving after dawn so take care of yourself while I'm gone Rafael. Abel is still suspecting you to be the secret son of Kawai Bartel."

Suddenly changing his expression from cheerful to firm, Rafael bobs his head up and down, his snow-white hair bouncing as he does so.

"I understand…Abel won't be able to know my location as long as I wear the nine tailed fox mask that you gave me… I can take care of my own now so don't worry…but even so, since I am weak and unable to help you in any means when you leave, Dennis, please promise me that you'd come back home safe and unharmed after you've reached your goal"

Hearing this, Dennis smiles as he answers Rafael's emotional statement, saying, "Yes I promise you that I would come back with all my limbs attached so don't think about it too much and just focus in tricking Abel."

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

Satisfied with Dennis' response, Rafael trusts his companion's words, as he replies with a smile, saying, "Yes, I will, and Dennis, I wish you luck on your journey and may the heaven's blessings be upon you."

Bowing down his head in return, Dennis waves his hand as he took one of the boxes full of baked goods that Rafael prepared beforehand, responding, "All taboos are off and all evil withdraws!"

I must stop all of this madness and free myself from this never-ending curse...

Once Dennis was outside of the cake shop's backroom, Dennis heads out to the city gates of Tyche. On his way, he meets an old fortuneteller that was telling two young ladies their fate.

"Young lady with brown hair! I see that you have dark brow ridges and a slit mouth! I suggest that you watch out for bad luck and dog feces when going out"

Hearing that, the young lady with brown hair immediately slammed the old fortune teller's little table, exclaiming, "You--!"

At the same time, the other young woman besides the young lady with brown hair also spoke in defense of her friend, retorting, "Stupid fortune teller! What are you trying to pull?!"

Raising her hand to slap the old fortuneteller's face, a strong, manly hand stops the young woman's arm from swinging, as a smoky, appealing voice came from behind the two young women, saying, "It is not pleasant for a fair lady to fight with an elder in public"

Shocked and surprised by the sudden appearance of Dennis behind them, the two young women both looked at his smiling, but also ice cold eyes, as they both stuttered out at the same time, "I-Is that so?"

Dennis nods his head with an indifferent smile, saying, "A true lady knows courtesy"

Sharing a look with each other, the two young women bowed their heads down at the same time as they spoke, "Yes! We are sorry!"

Letting out a light laugh, Dennis makes a remark, saying, "I thank you two for listening to my advice. You two are now acting like a 'true' lady should"

One after another, the two young women lifted their heads up and said, "M-Many thanks for the advice! Then, we'll make our leave now!"

Blinking, Dennis tilts his head to the side, speaking in his usual jaded voice, "So soon? But I guess if you insist then farewell"

Then, as Dennis finished his words, the two young women scrambled off, as the old fortuneteller looked at the direction of Dennis, laughing as she spoke up in pure amusement, saying, "Young man! Thank you for sending those evil creatures away! In return, do you want me to tell you your fate?"

Dennis smiles at the old fortuneteller as he turned his head to look at her and said, "Sure thing, please do so old lady"

Happily taking his hands to read his palm, the old fortuneteller makes a remark, "Your hands are like that of a prince! It reflects your noble self and—"

Suddenly halting midway, the old fortuneteller blinks, mumbling in a confused voice, "Huh?"

At that moment, as the old fortuneteller held Dennis' hands, a sudden chill has run down her spine.

What was that?

Trembling as she slowly looked up at Dennis with a frightened look, the old fortuneteller asks, "You… Who are you?"

Hearing that, Dennis turns his heads up to look at the light-blue sky, smiling as he said, "Me? I'm just a simple man… Who can't have nothing in this world"