Bell followed the transport convoy into Orario.
The team entered without issue, but Bell was suddenly stopped.
"Hold it."
Just as he was about to step through the gate, a soldier standing guard leveled his long spear at him. Clad in heavy armor and gripping a spear that gleamed with silver light, the guard radiated an overwhelming presence that made Bell's hair stand on end.
Even with all the experience he'd gained on the road, Bell could instinctively tell that this man was far beyond his league. The sense of power rolling off the soldier gave him the unmistakable feeling of being utterly outmatched.
After halting him, the guard gave Bell a good look. The boy seemed unfamiliar—clearly one of those newcomers drawn in by Orario's reputation.
"New here?"
"Yeah."
Bell nodded honestly. In truth, he was a bit socially awkward. His mind was constantly active, but when it came to actually speaking, he often stumbled.
Looking at Bell—who seemed like a rookie, or maybe even worse—the guard shook his head slightly. In a city like Orario, which devoured people alive, this kid probably wouldn't last long. His intimidating aura faded as he reassessed the boy.
"Come on, time to run a test. We need to check if you've received Falna."
Wait—there was a test to get in?
Bell had no idea there was such a process.
"It's to keep lunatics from pretending to be new adventurers and sneaking into Orario."
Seeing Bell's confused expression, the guard became even more convinced this kid didn't have long in the city.
Still, Orario was a magnet for people chasing wealth, power, fame, or women. Most who came ended up swallowed by the city—whether by monsters in the Dungeon or hidden threats lurking within the city itself.
"Alright."
Bell nodded without resistance. He wasn't sure who exactly the "lunatics" were, but there was no harm in taking the test.
He had noticed a faint trace of pity in the guard's eyes and didn't quite understand why. But it reminded him to stay cautious—especially when dealing with the people of Orario from now on.
The testing process was simple enough. The guard led him into a stone hut near the gate, where a translucent green gemstone rested on a pedestal. This was clearly the centerpiece of the test.
"Just place your hand on it. If everything's fine, it'll glow green. If there's a problem, it'll turn red."
Without a word, Bell placed his hand on the gem.
He felt a warm current surge into his body through his palm, circle through him, then exit the same way.
As the sensation faded, the gemstone glowed green.
"All good. You're clear to enter."
With the result confirmed, the guard stepped aside. Orario didn't welcome troublemakers—but as long as you weren't one of them, the city opened its gates.
Of course, most newcomers still ended up as prey in this man-eating city.
The guard looked at Bell's innocent, clueless expression and couldn't help but sigh. Kids this age really had no fear of death. Feeling a bit more sympathy, he lowered his voice and offered a warning.
"Once you're in, head straight for the Guild. Don't go trusting just anyone. This city isn't as nice as you think."
Bell was briefly stunned. The look of pity and concern in the guard's eyes caught him off guard. Was that why he gave him a heads-up?
"Thanks."
Bell wasn't ungrateful. He could recognize sincere advice when he heard it, and he quietly expressed his thanks.
He pulled his hood lower, doing his best to shrink his presence as he stepped into the city of Orario.
Watching Bell's cautious entry, the guard smirked to himself.
"So he's aware after all."
You could tell at a glance whether someone had a sense of caution. Minimizing your presence was one of the best ways to stay hidden. Orario devoured people—but only those with value. The truly worthless wouldn't even be noticed. They weren't worth consuming.
Realizing he had misjudged the boy, the guard shook his head and turned away.
"Only those who know how to hide themselves have the right to survive. This kid might live longer than I thought."
...
Once inside Orario, Bell began surveying his surroundings.
Both sides of the main street were lined with vendors. Most sold snacks and simple goods, while others offered trinkets—possibly enchanted pendants. Still, none of it stood out much to Bell.
There were also weapons and armor being sold at stalls, drawing attention from a few passersby. They looked like low-profile but decent-quality gear—nothing famous, but still usable.
Bell didn't stop to browse. He knew he didn't have the money for anything good. Considering he still had to budget for living expenses, it wasn't worth spending on things he wasn't sure he'd even use.
He made his way straight toward the Guild without hesitation.
There was no need to ask for directions. The towering Babel Tower stretched into the sky, visible from nearly anywhere. The Guild was located directly beneath it. All he had to do was head for the tower, and he'd arrive at his destination.
Of course, along the way, Bell noticed many eyes on him. Amid the street noise, he picked up snippets of conversation from the people watching.
"Another greenhorn, huh? Doesn't look like there's much to squeeze out of him."
"Orario's full of dreamers. Most of these newbies are useless. If they had real skill, they'd already be making a name for themselves."
"True enough. But getting famous in Orario isn't that easy."
"With so many newcomers pouring in every year, how many do you think actually survive this place?"
"Heh, someone like that? They don't even qualify to get eaten. Worthless people are just trash. Newbies are only useful when they start shining. Until then, they're nothing but garbage."
Bell didn't let it bother him. Being an ordinary, talentless person was exactly what would allow him to survive and grow in this city.
To stay alive in a place that devours people, you don't need vague ideals or illusions.
You need something simple. Something absolute.
Power.