Aron walked toward the outskirts of the city, where the hustle and bustle blended with squalor into one. This was where the simple market for the lower class was located, a place where the marginalized struggled to survive.
As someone without status, Aron was forced to live here as well. Without money and without hope, this place became the last resort for people like him. For years, he had worked at a place known as Sima's Butchery.
The two-story wooden building stood next to the fifty-meter-high city wall that surrounded the City of Clouds. With peeling paint and a mix of fishy odors and other foul smells, this place was a beacon of Aron's life. Although he had grown accustomed to the pungent smell, every time he entered, he still felt an uncomfortable sting in his nose.
With determination, Aron stepped into the warehouse-like building. As he entered, the increasingly strong fishy smell, the howling of animals, and the shouts of workers immediately assaulted his senses. He frowned but quickly made his way to the second floor, ignoring the commotion around him.
Upon reaching a small door, Aron hesitated for a moment. He raised his hand to knock, but doubt made him stop. Finally, with firm resolve, he knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" A heavy, cold voice from inside made his heart race.
"Um... Uncle Kong, it's me," Aron replied, his voice slightly trembling.
"Aron?" The voice sounded surprised.
The door opened, and a middle-aged man appeared. Sima Kong, the owner of the Butchery and the person who had done the most for Aron in his life. With a tall and strong build and slightly dark skin, he looked like an unshakeable figure.
"You little brat! How long has it been since you last visited me? Have you forgotten your uncle?" Sima Kong said in an angry tone, but his warm smile made Aron feel more at ease.
Aron fell silent and felt embarrassed. It had been almost half a year since he last saw Uncle Kong. Although he still worked for him, he had spent most of his time looking for other ways to cover his sister's medical expenses. The shame deepened as he recalled all the kindness Uncle Kong had shown him over the past ten years.
"Uncle Kong, actually I—"
"Do you need money for your sister's expenses?" Sima Kong interrupted, his smile still warm. "I told you, if you need money, just tell me. Why are you still being shy?"
"But—"
"Don't say anything more. Money is just a trivial matter. Come in; there's someone I want to introduce you to." Sima Kong pulled Aron into a small room that was only four square meters in size.
Inside, Aron saw another man who was also around Uncle Kong's age. The man looked strong, even stronger than Sima Kong, but his face was not that of a Chinese person.
"Let me introduce you to Kim Yoon. He is my good friend, whom I haven't had the chance to introduce you to," Sima Kong said, pointing to the man. "You must know, this is Aron Chen, my nephew."
Kim Yoon smiled and nodded. "Of course I know him. I almost forgot how many times you told me about him."
Aron observed Kim Yoon, who appeared more experienced and powerful. Although his build was not very large, there was a confident aura radiating from him.
"Mr. Kim, nice to meet you," Aron greeted politely.
"Mr. Kim? What's that?" Kim Yoon waved his hand. "I've known your uncle for five years, so like Sima Kong, you can also call me Uncle Kim."
"This..." Aron glanced at Sima Kong for approval. After seeing his wide-eyed stare, he hurriedly called him Uncle.
"Uncle Kim."
Kim Yoon nodded slightly and turned to Sima Kong. "So, do you agree to help me?"
As the conversation shifted to business, Sima Kong's smile suddenly faded. "It's not that I can't help you. But today I already have my own schedule."
"Are you really not interested in the yellow deer with red antlers?" Kim Yoon asked, his tone teasing.
"The yellow deer with red antlers?" Aron was taken aback. He knew very well that this deer was a treasure. Its meat could be worth up to 50 Marks per kilogram, and its antlers could reach 1,000 Marks.
"Are you interested?" Kim Yoon asked, noticing the interest on Aron's face.
Interested or not?
Of course, Aron was interested.
If he could hunt just one, the costs for his sister's care would be covered, even for up to three months ahead. However, before he could speak, Sima Kong immediately interrupted him.
"No. Absolutely not. I will not allow Aron to go to such a dangerous place."
"Hey, don't scare him. The place I'm heading to is just a little far from the patrol area of the City of Clouds' soldiers. So everything will be fine," Kim Yoon replied, looking displeased.
"Even so, I still say no. Even though Aron and I have no blood ties at all, I will not let my nephew die out there." Sima Kong remained adamant.
Kim Yoon sighed, realizing that Sima Kong would not be easily swayed. However, Aron, who desperately needed money and did not want to borrow from Uncle Kong again, chose to take the risk.
"Uncle Kim, can you explain where that place is?" Aron asked, trying to convince him.
"Aron, you! Do you know where Kim Yoon is going? That place is outside our human territory, so there are many wild animals and even monsters that are completely beyond your imagination. Even though you've often gone in and out of the city, that's just our human territory. Don't think—" Sima Kong explained with a worried tone.
"I know, Uncle," Aron nodded, understanding Sima Kong's concern. "But I also need the money, so I will check it out. Besides, I've been in and out of the city for five years and have gone to various places to hunt some animals, so I'm not someone who doesn't know the outside world."
"What are you saying?! If you really need money, I will give you as much as you want. Just say—"
"Uncle Kong," Aron quickly interrupted, his face tense. "Please, don't make me more embarrassed to meet you in the future."
Sima Kong fell silent, unable to speak. He knew Aron's character well. After not seeing him for half a year, it was likely that Aron's shame stemmed from not being able to repay a loan of 5,000 Marks. If Aron truly did not need money this time, he probably would not have come to see him.
Thinking about the yellow deer with red antlers that Kim Yoon mentioned, this was also an opportunity for him.
"Haha..." Kim Yoon laughed, lightening the mood. "Old man Kong, you're getting old, so you think too much. Anyway, I won't go out to throw my life away for nothing. Besides, the place I'm sure is safe and not too far from the military zone. I'm bringing three people with peak iron skin strength. Including myself, who is at the stage of meat purification, do you think we are too weak?"
"Meat purification stage?" Aron was surprised, staring at Kim Yoon in awe.