Moon phases:
The moon in this world is a transforming one that changes its shape, size, color, and properties depending on which of the three is present at night.
The Rabbit Moon is the most common phase of the moon, being there for the majority of the month. It's characterized by the various enormous craters that form the shape of a rabbit. With no special properties, the Rabbit Moon is the most normal one in this world.
The Smiling Moon, characterized by its smaller size and its effect on the currents of mana—messing with mana circuits in humans—causes various effects on mages who are under its glow. This moon has been theorized to be alive by the inhabitants of this world, since the moon in this phase has been deformed with various holes that form the appearance of an unsettling smile looking down on earth and its inhabitants.
The Blood Moon is characterized by its huge size and blood-red coloring and glint that paint the sky crimson. This moon makes the monsters under its light stronger and more bloodthirsty. It is said that, in the queen of all monsters' realm, the only moon that rises in the sky is the Blood Moon.
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"Where are you staying at, by the way?" Titiana asked me while placing her merchandise in her rented garage as today finally came to an end.
"I'm sleeping in the cave you had me tied up in," I commented in a calm tone, as if it was nothing interesting.
In truth, two days have passed since I started helping the girl with fire-colored hair at her spot in the street market.
"You're sleeping in that cave!?" Titiana dropped the stuff she was holding as she raised her voice in surprise.
"Where else am I supposed to sleep? I have no money for a place, and I'm working with you for free."
"Don't try to put the blame on me for not paying you! You offered to help me to repay me for taking care of you!" Titiana snapped while stomping her foot on the floor.
That thing she did when she got annoyed was kind of cute, so I couldn't help but chuckle. "Sorry, sorry. I wasn't being serious. I don't really need much to live, and you're a nice boss—buying snacks, fruits, and other stuff for me while we work together."
"Geez… if I had known how much of a bother you were, I wouldn't have agreed to you helping me," she said as she resumed placing the merchandise inside the garage.
Despite what she said, I know she didn't really mean it. Of course, I'm basing that assumption on what that old Taurus told me; she's never been as happy as she's been these last two days.
"I do wish these days could last a little longer, though. But I'll probably leave once next month starts. So… in a week," I said while helping the Vogel girl put the items away.
She didn't answer anything back. At first, that weirded me out. But once I looked at her, I saw her fidgeting with a broken ring. Her side profile was hidden behind the set of wings in her short hair, covering her expression.
Despite the silence, I didn't feel any kind of awkwardness. It made me rethink opening a conversation I felt unprepared to handle.
I hadn't seen any visible bruises on her body yesterday, and when I asked about it, the only answer I got was that her father was a lot more distant now.
"I'll meet you tomorrow, then!" she smiled after closing the rented garage.
When she turned around to meet my eyes, I found myself thinking how thankful I was that it was someone like her who found me on the shore. "On the beach to see if any shipwrecks can give us something."
"We went there yesterday. Shipwrecks aren't that common—and loot washing up on the shore is even rarer. We could try going, but there won't be anything new," she said, spinning the key on her index finger.
"I'll be seeing you tomorrow, then!" I gave Titiana the best smile I could muster while we both walked onto the streets, ready to go sleep for the night.
"Ugh… now I see what the old man talked about," she said with a conflicted expression. "You're smiling, but I don't feel any genuine emotions in you."
"I knew I was a bit unapproachable before, but this is somehow even more hurtful!"
"No, no, no, it's not like that! I don't think it's a bad thing. It's just… kind of unsettling when you force a smile that's not genuine."
"That honestly makes me feel even worse. That only means that I don't take my relationships seriously."
"M-maybe it's just something with your face, yeah! I also have a scary face!"
"You have a cute and soft face… maybe it gets a bit scary when you're selling stuff or when you get angry after we tease you. But it's definitely not a bad."
"C-cute, soft!? S-stop teasing me, will you!" She stomped her foot on the ground, and I really couldn't distinguish her face from her hair due to her intense blush.
"Take that as revenge for saying that about my face." I chuckled.
"Hmph! If you're going to be like that, then I'm leaving." She spun around and started walking home. "Good night, and don't be late!" I heard her irritated voice as she got farther away.
"Bye!" I waved even though she couldn't see me and headed back to the beach where the cave was.
With that, I was left to walk alone through the empty streets of Troteros. Despite being a passing city centered on tourism and the iconic street market—the paradise of merchants—the city itself is noticeably dangerous.
Sure, for a tourist or a merchant passing through for a couple of hours, or those spending a night or two here, most of the problems would go unnoticed. But they definitely don't go unnoticed by those residing here or staying for longer periods.
Streetlights were broken by thrown stones to obscure the streets and make it easier to rob people. I could even see shoes tied to some wires—which could mean a lot of dangerous things, like a gang controlling the street, drugs being sold nearby, and more.
I'm already used to dealing with this kind of stuff from my time searching for a place to stay after being kicked out of the orphanage. Mostly, I had to defend myself whenever I accidentally got involved.
"It doesn't feel like there's any emotion in my smile…" I sighed in a deflated tone. "I do feel them, it's just… Haaa. Now I'm feeling really self-conscious," I muttered, using my fingers to force a smile while looking at my reflection in a shop window.
I guess it is what it is. That's the face I was dealt.
!
After my eye caught a suspicious person on the glass, I suddenly steeled myself. I knew from a couple streets ago that there was someone else, but I hoped it was a coincidence—I didn't want them to be looking for trouble with me.
However, I still pretended I hadn't noticed, to see if they wanted to initiate a conflict.
So I continued walking, focusing and listening for how many there might be following me. If I knew the Body Strengthening technique: Keen Ears, I could figure it out way faster. Oh well. That just means I still need to train and get stronger, especially considering the journey I have to embark on to deliver this crown and find Trudeia's granddaughter.
I continued until I reached the point where the street ended and the beach began. The cold wind flowing and the sound of waves crashing on the shore were the only things that could be heard. Absolute calmness—if it weren't for those following behind me.
Titiana actually bought me a whole set of clothes because the ones I woke up in were more ripped apart and destroyed than usable. The set consisted of a flashy purple shirt with the initials of a popular band and a quote from one of their songs under it, underwear that she definitely grabbed quickly so no one would see her buying men's underwear, a pair of cheap sneakers, and yellow beach shorts that allowed the cold breeze to hit my legs—a nice sensation, honestly.
I was actually really thankful for that since she clearly spent a lot of UBDs on me—money she was saving to escape one day.
"Why don't we settle whatever stuff you have with me now before I go to sleep!" I loudly stated while still facing the sea that expanded into the blackness of the night past the sand. "If you're an angry client I may have messed up with when I worked at the street market, then I have no problem apologizing right now. But if you're here for a different reason, then don't hide—face me!"
I turned around after saying that. Now that they had nowhere to hide, I finally saw who had been following me.
"So you were following me…" I said as I saw the group of men.
Three Vogel men, all with the same pattern of fire-colored hair and feathers on their heads, stood at the front of the small group of eight people—including them. One of them, who I assume to be the older brother, had visible cheekbones, dark circles under his eyes, and a build that left much to be desired. The other brother seemed far more athletic, although he was also the dirtiest looking one. And the father, with a patch over his missing eye and a pissed-off expression.
"We're here to beat you to a bloody pulp, horned monster!"