Shen left the palace with a guard to guide him. The light breeze coming from the sea immediately rushed into his nostrils. He took a deep breath before slowly exhaling. This sort of fresh air could only be encountered near the coast. It felt different than the mainland, almost mind-calming.
He forgot himself for a moment, staring at the seaport city of Stoneveil, engrossed in his thoughts. The sun shone warmly on his face while the breeze cooled him with its caressing touches. For all its bustle, the scene in front of him was beautiful.
"Master Shen?" The guard tapped his shoulder with concern.
"Um, yes?" Shen blinked, slightly embarrassed.
"Is everything alright?"
"Oh! Yes, everything's fine. I just got lost in my thoughts for a while. Shall we continue?" Shen smiled and resumed walking.
---
As they drew closer to the port, Shen noticed the crowds. Brightly dressed visitors from the mainland had flooded into Stoneveil, filling its streets with pearls, polished stone jewelry, and laughter. Men wore crisp suits trimmed with shell buttons, and women flaunted sundresses and wide sunhats, their necks adorned with polished river pearls and earth-crystal pendants.
But something was strange. The villagers of Stoneveil—those born of the earth—were almost nowhere to be seen. Shen frowned at the imbalance.
"Why is no one leaving the city?" he asked.
The guard hesitated, then answered carefully. "Our hosts have long memories of war, Master Shen. Many keep to themselves when other kingdoms arrive. You'll find few who dare leave their homes during festival weeks."
He pointed down a stone-paved road leading into the woods. "Follow this path and you'll reach the hunting grounds. Here—take this."
He handed Shen a glowing location crystal, faint green veins of earth-element pulsing inside it. "This contains a map of the woods. But beware of the black-marked center. It is the village's sacred ground, protected by their laws. Do not enter lightly."
The guard bowed quickly and returned toward Medtron's banners, leaving Shen at the crossroads.
---
Shen took in the sights of Stoneveil as he walked deeper. At first, it looked almost enchanting: stoneback oxen hauled carts with the strength of boulders, vine hounds sat obediently outside shops as living watch-dogs, and mud sparrows fluttered overhead delivering sealed letters from rooftop to rooftop. Even mundane life seemed steeped in elemental wonder.
But the farther Shen moved from the decorated port, the more the illusion crumbled.
Banners and polished marble gave way to broken cobblestones. The perfume of flowers faded into the stench of mud and refuse. Here, in the slums hidden behind festival streets, gaunt villagers huddled in rags. Children with ribs showing begged at alleys. Families shared scraps of hard bread and muddy water.
Shen clenched his fists. Just like me. Cast aside as less than human.
---
"Ah!"
A small boy tripped in front of him, scraping his knee against the stone road. Mud splattered onto Shen's clothes.
"Are you alright?" Shen knelt, reaching to help.
But the boy scrambled back, eyes wide with terror. "I-I'm sorry, sir! Please don't hurt me!"
Shen froze. "Hurt you? Why would I—"
Before he could finish, a ragged man rushed forward and dropped to his knees, pressing his forehead to the dirt. "Please! Don't punish my son! Take me instead—I'll work, I'll do anything!"
Shen's stomach twisted. What is this? All for a bit of mud on my clothes?
"Listen… it's fine. I just want to heal him," Shen said softly.
The boy and father exchanged a wary glance. Reluctantly, the boy extended his bleeding knee, trembling.
Shen placed a hand over it and cast a minor healing spell. The scrape sealed until only a faint bruise remained.
The man and boy stared, mouths agape, as if unable to comprehend kindness.
---
Inside their crumbling hovel, the man finally spoke. "Forgive us, sir. My name is Victor Hobs, and this is my son, Ben. We… we feared you were one of the port officials."
"Officials?" Shen frowned.
Victor lowered his voice. "The ones who rule here in Stoneveil. They act like nobles, but they are crueler than beasts. If we so much as look at them the wrong way, they beat us. They force us to smile during the festivals to keep up appearances for kingdoms like yours… but in the alleys, we starve."
Shen gritted his teeth. "Does the Water Kingdom know of this?"
Victor shook his head. "They don't care, or they've been blinded by the festival show. My wife believed they would protect us. She tried to reach the port once to tell them the truth… but they caught her."
His voice broke. "They killed her. And to erase her shame, they threw her body into the sacred burial ground. The 'untouchable earth.' No commoner is allowed to enter, and no body may be retrieved once cast inside."
Shen's chest tightened with rage. "What was her crime?"
"She believed we could live better." Victor's eyes were wet, but his face was stone. "That was enough."
---
"Please, Master Shen," Victor said at last, falling to his knees. "You're not like them. If you truly have standing with the Water King… can you bring her back to me? Not alive, but her body. So I can give her peace."
Shen's hands curled into fists. The rage in him boiled like magma under pressure.
"I'll do it," he said, voice sharp.
Victor stared, stunned. "You… will?"
"I'll do it for free."
Victor broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. When he finally composed himself, he pushed a stale piece of bread toward Shen. "Please, stay for dinner. It's all we have."
Shen smiled sadly and shook his head. "No. Keep it. I promise—I'll bring you answers."
As Shen left the hovel, fury still churned in his chest. He could do nothing yet. But power—he would gain it.
I'll get stronger. Strong enough to crush those who prey on the weak.
---
The road carried him to the woods outside Stoneveil. Trees rose tall, their roots thick as walls, their branches tangled like guardians. Birds called, small beasts skittered, and the air thrummed with quiet life.
Shen inhaled, forcing his rage into focus. He stepped into the forest, unaware that fate had already set its eyes upon him.
[Threat nearby.]
[Engage threat analysis? Yes/No]
"Yes." Shen crouched low, scanning.
[Target: Monkeyroo, Middle Mortal Class.]
Shen blinked. Monkeyroo?
[Attack imminent.]