The air in the small inn room grew thick with tension. The moonlight spilling through the open window revealed the intruder—a young woman with deep crimson eyes that gleamed in the darkness. Her lithe frame was clad in dark, form-fitting clothes, and the way she moved—silent, deliberate, controlled—spoke of experience in the art of stealth.
Leon remained still, his golden eyes locked onto her. He sensed no immediate hostility, but there was something beneath the surface—hesitation, caution, curiosity.
This was no common thief.
No assassin.
No wandering mercenary.
She was something else entirely.
A Demihuman.
Leon's mind raced as he observed her. Demihumans were rare in a continent like the Central Continent, where all five great empires were ruled by humans. In places like this, they were often seen as outsiders, either forced into hiding or struggling to survive under human dominance. However, there were continents beyond the Central Continent where Demihuman empires existed—though their names and true power remained a mystery for now.
For one to be here, alone, tracking them across the forest and into Valefort, meant she had a reason.
But what?
The woman's gaze flickered toward Seraphina, who remained asleep, her breathing even. Then, she looked back at Leon, narrowing her eyes slightly.
"…You noticed me," she finally whispered, her voice smooth, edged with restrained curiosity.
Leon didn't react. He merely continued to stare, his infant body limiting his ability to respond.
The Demihuman's expression shifted as if she was reassessing something. Then, to Leon's surprise, she lowered her stance, her body no longer tense like a coiled predator.
"I'm not here to harm you." She kept her voice low, barely above a breath. "But I need answers."
Leon's mind sharpened. Answers? About what?
Who exactly was she looking for?
And more importantly…
Why him?
------
The Demihuman didn't move closer. Instead, she studied him carefully, as if trying to decide whether or not he could understand her.
Leon, of course, understood everything. But showing that too early could raise suspicion.
After a moment of silence, she exhaled softly, seemingly making a decision.
"I saw what you did," she murmured. "Last night. And again today."
Leon remained passive, but inside, his mind focused on her words.
Saw what I did?
She was referring to his mana pulse—a test to reveal her presence. But for her to recognize it…
She was more than just an ordinary Demihuman.
Her eyes lingered on him, searching for something. "No normal child can do that."
Leon inwardly smirked. Of course, they can't.
But he wasn't a normal child.
He had expected his small test to shake her, to make her retreat. Instead, she had approached him directly. That was intriguing.
She wasn't afraid.
No… she was curious.
But why?
Her crimson gaze flickered with something unreadable before she whispered, "What are you?"
Leon almost laughed at the irony.
I should be asking you that.
------
Before Leon could decide on his next move, a shift in the room's atmosphere sent a chill down his spine.
A presence.
Not from the Demihuman.
From Seraphina.
A soft rustle of fabric. A subtle shift in breathing.
Then—
A gleam of silver.
Seraphina moved like lightning, faster than any ordinary human. In a single motion, her dagger was out, its edge pressed against the Demihuman's throat.
"You have exactly three seconds to explain why you're in my room," Seraphina's voice was cold, deadly, final.
The Demihuman froze.
But to Leon's surprise, she didn't panic.
Her crimson eyes flicked downward, meeting Seraphina's sharp gaze. Instead of pleading or trying to escape, she simply… sighed.
"Tch." A slight smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. "You're even faster than I thought."
Seraphina didn't react, her dagger unyielding.
Leon watched carefully.
The Demihuman's body was completely relaxed.
Not the reaction of someone caught in a vulnerable position.
Which meant…
She wasn't afraid.
She had expected this.
Seraphina's grip tightened. "Talk. Now."
A small pause.
Then, the Demihuman finally spoke.
"My name is Rei. I've been tracking you since the forest."
Seraphina's gaze darkened.
Leon narrowed his eyes.
Rei.
A name, finally.
But it didn't answer why.
Seraphina's tone remained firm. "Tracking us for what reason?"
Rei hesitated, her crimson eyes flickering toward Leon before she answered.
"…I needed to confirm something."
Silence filled the room.
Seraphina didn't lower her weapon. "And what, exactly, did you confirm?"
Rei exhaled slowly, then met Seraphina's gaze head-on.
"That you're not just another traveler."
Leon remained quiet. Now we're getting somewhere.
Rei continued, her tone more serious now.
"And that this child," she glanced at Leon, "is no ordinary infant."
Seraphina's expression remained unreadable, but Leon could feel her tension rise.
This was a delicate moment.
Too much aggression, and they could push Rei away—or worse, make her an enemy.
But if she was telling the truth…
Leon finally made a decision.
He shifted slightly in Seraphina's arms, making a soft, deliberate sound.
Seraphina glanced down at him, her expression unreadable. But after a moment, she slowly lowered her dagger.
Not fully.
Just enough to signal she was willing to listen.
Rei exhaled. "Finally."
She rubbed her neck slightly, then straightened.
"I have no intention of harming you," she said. "In fact… I might be the only ally you'll find in this place."
Leon's mind raced.
Ally?
Seraphina's voice was sharp. "And why would we trust you?"
Rei smirked. "You don't have to."
Then, she leaned slightly forward, her crimson eyes gleaming.
"But if you're planning to enter Astralis…"
Her tone dropped.
"…Then you'll want to hear what I have to say."
Leon's golden eyes met hers.
The game had changed.
And now, it was time to learn the rules.