The outskirts weren't exactly welcoming this time of day. As the sun settled, the market noise faded, replaced by the faint sound of crickets and the occasional bark of a stray dog echoing from around.
Anika hugged her arms around herself as they moved past rows of unsheltered stalls. They were already far away from the market after walking around for the past 3 hours.
"Leonard… where are we even going? This place feels… different."
Leonard's eyes were sharp. It continuously darted left and right. He held Anika closer to him, feeling her worry.
"Come closer to me. We're already near." Leonard answered her.
Inside his head, the pulsing light of the tracker guided him. They were blinking faster the more they got closer.
Anika frowned at him.
"You keep saying that, but I don't see anything. Are you sure you're not leading us to some shady—"
"Shh," Leonard quickly cut her off, raising a hand. His tracker blinked brighter and sharper now. His gaze flicked toward the left side of the street.
[Ding!]
That's when he spotted a man.
[First Candidate Spotted!]
A lone man sat slouched against the wall of a crumbling building. His clothes were simple, worn down by time and hardship. A half-empty clay jug rested by his side. He lifted it slowly and then took a sip.
The man's hair was messy, his face was unshaven, and his eyes, though dulled with alcoholic drink, still carried a heavy weight behind them.
Leonard slowed to a stop, his grin fading into something more thoughtful.
"There," he whispered.
Anika followed his gaze, her brow knitting as she took in the man's sorry state.
"Wait… that's who we're looking for?"
Leonard didn't answer immediately. He eyed the man closely, studying him. After a few seconds, he let out a deep breath.
"Yeah," he finally answered, his lips curling to a small smile again. "That's him."
Anika stared at Leonard as if he had gone mad.
"You've got to be kidding me."
But Leonard's eyes didn't waver. If anything, they sharpened more. He looked like a gambler who knew he was about to win with his cards.
"Nope," he said quietly, determination lacing his voice. "That's our first employee."
Leonard held Anika gently by the wrist as he stepped forward. His boots scraped against the uneven ground, drawing the man's sluggish gaze upward.
The drunk man's eyes squinted as he saw them, his lips curling into a sneer.
"The hell do you want?" His voice was rough, hoarse. It was like he hadn't spoken to anyone in days. He hugged the jug closer to his chest, as if protecting it from thieves.
"Easy there. We're not here to steal your drink." Leonard raised his hands in surrender. There was a half-grin tugging at his lips.
"Tch." The man turned his head away, muttering, "Then get lost. I don't need strangers bothering me."
Anika hesitated a step back, her nose wrinkling.
"Leonard… maybe we should leave him alone." She worriedly told him.
However, Leonard only crouched down in front of the man, resting his elbows on his knees. The determination in his eyes didn't waver.
"Nah. I think you're exactly who we're looking for."
The man barked out a humorless laugh, though it quickly devolved into a cough. He spat to the side, glaring.
"You're crazy. Look at me. I can't even stand straight without this." He shook the jug as if to prove his point, "If you need a man to do things for you now, then I can't. Just find someone else."
"We do need you for work." Leonard smiled appreciatively. "Do you want to work for me? A physical job."
The man squinted harder at Leonard, his lips curling in annoyance.
"What physical work? Can't you see I've got a crutch here? You stupid or what?" He lifted the wooden crutch leaning against his leg and thumped it against the ground for emphasis.
"I can't even walk straight without this. You think I can work? Go bother someone else. So stupid." The man's tone was sharp, his words were full of hatred and thorn.
He turned his head away as though the conversation was already over.
"See? He doesn't want to talk. Let's just go…" Anika tugged lightly at Leonard's sleeve.
But Leonard didn't budge. Not at all.
Instead, he tilted his head to the side. He just grinned with that stubborn spark in his eyes.
"You're right. You can't walk properly. But that doesn't mean you can't work. I'm not looking for legs. I'm looking for someone who knows how to hold their ground."
"You're insane. Who even says stuff like that?" The man scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Me." Leonard leaned closer, lowering his voice like he was telling a secret. "The kind of man who sees value where others don't."
The man stared at him for a long second, his glare softening just slightly, but not disappearing. He didn't say anything. He just raised the jug to his lips again. His hand trembled faintly as he drank, but when he lowered it, he muttered under his breath,
"Persistent brat."
"You'll get used to me." The man scoffed, shaking his head.
Anika crossed her arms, watching them like she couldn't decide if Leonard was reckless or just plain stupid. Somehow, though, the air around them turned less dangerous than she initially thought.
The man wasn't as cold anymore.
With a grunt, the man shoved the jug forward.
"Here. If you're so confident, have a drink."
Leonard blinked, then smirked as he accepted it.
"Now we're talking."
"Wait... you're seriously going to drink that? Leonard, do you even know what's in there?" Anika's eyes widened, worry getting into her again.
"Relax. It's just alcohol." Leonard lifted the jug and took a sip confidently.
However, the moment the liquid touched his tongue, his face twisted. He coughed violently, nearly dropping the jug as the burn clawed down his throat.
"What the hell—" he sputtered between coughs. "Why does this alcohol taste like trash!?"