The shopkeeper, his face a mask of professional surprise, handed us the prize. I took the small, blue purse and gave it to Lana. She hugged it to her chest, her eyes shining with a light so bright it could have outshone the stars.
Her happy scream, however, had attracted more than just a few curious glances. A small crowd had begun to form around us, their faces a mixture of curiosity and a dawning recognition.
"It's him!" one of the villagers whispered, his voice a low, reverent murmur. "The one who saved us."
And then, the queue began to form. A long, winding line of people, their faces filled with a profound, soul-deep gratitude. They wanted to thank me, to congratulate me, to touch the hand of the monster who had become their hero.
"We can talk later," I said, my voice a low, dismissive murmur as I tried to push my way through the crowd. "Today, I am occupied with some… important business."
