Chapter 51: Entering Brymia Town
The battle still raged far behind them, the sounds of carnage, clashing steel, and elemental detonations echoing across the mist-choked battlefield. Elton, Zoro, and Ramiro sprinted through the shifting terrain, breathing heavy, their bodies covered in sweat, bruises, blood, and grime.
Each step was laced with desperation. Behind them, multiple sets of footsteps closed in. Some light and rapid, others thundering with weight and fury. Magic surged through the air—blasts of fire, lightning bolts, and wind blades sliced at the world around them.
"Left!" Elton shouted, ducking as a bolt of flame slammed into a tree just behind them. It exploded into splinters, but the trio kept moving.
Zoro used his scarf as both shield and deflection tool, twisting and turning to block wind blades and even redirect a fireball that might've burned them alive. Ramiro, with his large sweeping spear, smashed away falling debris and encroaching beast-like creatures emerging from the mist.
The Whispering Expanse didn't rest. The environment itself hunted them.
For fifteen agonizing minutes, they danced with death, zigzagging between attacks, dodging natural hazards, and weaving through the terrain until—finally—silence.
No footsteps. No explosions. Just the sound of their own ragged breathing.
They stumbled upon a partially hidden hut covered in moss and nearly collapsed from the exertion. Without a word, they entered.
The inside was dusty and abandoned. Broken furniture, cracked floors, and cobwebs hung in corners. But it was shelter.
Ramiro fell onto a relatively intact bench and exhaled. "That was insane... One wrong step and we'd be decorating the trees with our guts."
"We got lucky," Elton replied, leaning against a wall, his hand on a deep cut across his side. "We need to be more careful from here on."
Zoro, silent as usual, pulled out two metallic shackles. Both had small hairline cracks in the rune-lined surface, but they weren't destroyed.
"What the—" Ramiro sat up, shocked. "You brought those?! They should've exploded!"
Even Elton looked stunned. "Zoro... how?"
Zoro nodded to his scarf, which coiled like a living snake around his neck.
"It caught them before they dropped. I don't know why they didn't explode."
"That thing is more than just for show," Ramiro muttered.
Elton examined one of the shackles, his expression serious. "If Christy were here, she could probably analyze these in a heartbeat. Her Aka Boshi Tengan would've unraveled this thing's secrets already."
They spent the rest of the evening treating their wounds, applying herbs, binding injuries, and resting. Eventually, they began cultivating in silence. The hut offered a fragile peace they dared not take for granted.
—
The next day, they set off again.
The Whispering Expanse remained a nightmare. Wild beasts attacked sporadically. Some were mindless; others terrifyingly intelligent. The occasional rogue chained warrior or band of exiles tried their luck against the trio. None succeeded.
"They just keep coming," Ramiro groaned after fending off a three-headed beast. "This place is a magnet for everything that wants us dead."
"We keep moving," Elton said, eyes sharp.
Zoro gave a single nod.
Eventually, they reached a high slope and spotted something surprising below—a settlement.
Walls. Actual stone walls, smoke from chimneys, structures of wood and stone and if course People.
They crept closer.
From afar, it looked like a middle-sized town. Most of the people had shackles and many bore features resembling humans, though there were distinct snake-like tails and reptilian eyes among most of the populace.
They approached a man lounging near the gate. He had monkey-like features and watched them with interest.
"You new here?" he asked.
"Yeah," Elton replied cautiously. "We're... From one of the above cities."
The monkey demi-human blinked, then grinned.
"Not that unusual. Shackleless eh? Some come down here from the above cities visiting relatives, checking on enemies, training—you name it. Welcome to Brymia Town."
He pointed behind him. "This place was built by prisoners, but the folks upstairs helped it grow. Still dangerous, but it's one of the safest you'll get in this hellhole."
Guards at the gate—clearly more powerful with strange shackles very different compared to others—scanned them carefully but didn't interfere once they confirmed they wore no shackles. The monkey demi-human got a bit more scrutiny, but eventually was let through.
"Come on," he said, waving. "I'll give you a tour."
Elton exchanged a glance with Zoro and Ramiro before nodding. "Lead the way."
Brymia Town was as gritty and grimy as Elton had expected, yet the air carried a strange buzz of life that couldn't be ignored. The Monkey demi-human leading the trio moved with an energetic gait, chattering with the pride of a local guide who knew every corner.
"It's not too different from some of the lower-class boroughs above ground," Elton remarked, hands casually tucked into his robe sleeves.
Ramiro scoffed. "If anything, this place is a step down. Even the worst noble districts back home had better roads."
Their guide didn't seem offended. He gleefully pointed out various parts of the town:
Cluttered housing districts stacked with makeshift buildings
Dusty training yards filled with malnourished youths practicing basic forms
Markets crammed with stalls selling herbs, roughspun clothes, rusted weapons, questionable food, and cheap brews
Eventually, the Monkey demi-human led them to a plaza near a worn-down statue. Here, they met members of the Longbi Clan.
Humanoid in shape but with snake-like tails and glowing slit-pupiled eyes, the Longbi Clan carried an air of ancient grace despite their beaten forms. These were the Echoing Tribe, exiles after losing a bloody war with the Forest Tribe faction of their own clan. Many had been cast into places like the Whispering Expanse—a brutal, lawless prison-realm.
The Echoing Tribe members spoke in reserved tones, respectful but visibly bitter. Their eyes lingered on Elton's group with admiration—and envy. Shackleless.
They were free. That made them special.
After some time, Elton and his group settled on purchasing a modest residence in one of the higher-quality housing areas. Their Shackleless status and generous coin helped seal the deal. The Monkey demi-human accepted his payment with wide, greedy eyes.
"You kids stay safe, now," he said with a grin.
Zoro watched him walk away, silent, his eyes sharp.
"What is it with you?" Ramiro asked.
Zoro glanced back. "I'll be back later."
Without another word, he walked off.
Ramiro threw up his hands. "Jeez. Always acting so mysterious."
Inside the house, Elton was already unpacking, unmoved.
Meanwhile...
In a quiet alley, the Monkey demi-human spoke in hushed tones with three Forest Tribe members of the Longbi Clan.
These men were older and rough-skinned, their snake eyes gleaming with cruel intent. Tree-bark patterns crept along their arms and necks.
"They're Shackleless," the Monkey whispered.
"Some outsider kids that came from above. Probably carrying some juicy things on them."
The Forest Tribe men exchanged knowing looks. One grinned, baring fangs.
"We'll see what they're worth. Capture if possible. Kill if necessary."
The Monkey received a pouch of coin and strolled off, stuffing it into his cloak. But before he could vanish into the crowd—
Shick!
A blade kissed his neck.
"Didn't take long to reveal your filth," came Zoro's voice, low and deathly calm.
The Monkey froze, sweat pouring down his furred face.
"P-please! I had no choice! They would've killed me if I didn't report! I-I'll give back the money, double it even!"
Zoro said nothing at first. Then, with a soft sigh, he pulled the katana away.
The Monkey exhaled with relief. "Thank y—"
SCHLICK!
His head flew from his shoulders before the words left his lips.
Zoro's scarf coiled around the monkey's fallen neck-shackle, disabling its detonation runes, then wrapped the corpse in black flames, reducing it to ash. The remains were swept into his pouch with the shackle.
"This is The price you pay for selling us out, monkey," Zoro muttered.
He vanished into the shadows.
Elsewhere...
One of the Forest Tribe members stood inside a shack, whip in hand. Before him, a young Echoing Tribe woman cowered, bruised and terrified.
"Stupid wench! You call that a meal? Rats tasted better before you burned 'em!" He lashed her again. Then, panting heavily, his eyes turned hungry.
"Guess you'll have to repay me... another way."
Just as he moved to grab her—
"Schliiinnng..."
Two blades pierced through him.
One through the heart.
One through the throat.
Dark Ki hissed out from the wounds, corroding his flesh.
He gurgled, eyes wide, and collapsed. Dead.
The woman screamed—or tried to. Zoro's blade was at her throat instantly. "Shut up. I just saved you. That filth won't be touching anyone again."
She trembled, nodding quickly. "Th-thank you..."
"Don't thank me yet," Zoro muttered. "Go into hiding. If you're seen near me, you're a corpse."
She ran, not daring to look back.
Zoro turned, adjusting his scarf. His eyes gleamed.
"Two more."
He walked into the dark.