Four days.
That was how long Kael had been in the village now. Four days of waking up early, checking the guild board, taking whatever low-level work was available, and ending each day tired but steady.
It wasn't glamorous work.
Cleaning out rat nests. Delivering packages between shops. Escorting a merchant's cart for half a day just to make sure nothing went wrong.
Still, it was honest. And it paid.
Kael sat on the edge of a stone well that morning, tightening the straps on his boots. His sword rested against the side, worn but well cared for. He had just come back from a short run outside the village, sweat still clinging to his skin.
Lyria stood a few steps away, holding a bundle of papers.
"You're going to wear the ground down at this rate," she said.
Kael glanced up. "I still haven't."
"That's because the ground is winning."
He smirked faintly. "Not yet."
She walked over and handed him a small sheet. "Two new errands just came in. One is helping an old farmer fix a fence. The other is gathering herbs near the stream."
Kael took the paper. "I'll take the herbs."
"Of course you will."
"Why do you sound disappointed?"
"I'm not," she said quickly, then paused. "Okay, maybe a little. Fence jobs are easier."
"I like walking."
"You like exhausting yourself."
"That too."
They stood there quietly for a moment.
It was strange how natural her presence had become. At first, conversations felt awkward—short answers, long pauses. Now, silence didn't feel heavy anymore.
"Are you eating properly?" Lyria asked suddenly.
Kael blinked. "That came out of nowhere."
"Answer the question."
"Yes."
"You hesitated."
"I was thinking."
"About?"
"What I ate."
She crossed her arms. "What did you eat?"
"Bread. Meat stew. An apple."
She studied his face, then nodded. "Acceptable."
He chuckled under his breath.
After finishing the herb quest and turning it in by noon, Kael didn't head straight back to the guild. Instead, he walked through the market district, letting the noise and movement wash over him.
Vendors shouted prices. Children ran between stalls. The smell of grilled meat mixed with spices and fresh bread.
Kael adjusted the strap of his pouch and slowed his pace.
That's when he noticed it.
A figure near the edge of the crowd.
Hood pulled low. Clothes plain, dark. Moving against the flow instead of with it.
Kael frowned slightly.
*That's odd.*
The figure stopped near a stall, then turned sharply and headed toward a narrow alley between two buildings.
Kael didn't move at first.
"Don't overthink it," he muttered to himself.
Still, something felt… off.
He waited a few seconds, then casually changed direction, keeping his pace slow. He didn't stare. Didn't rush.
The alley was quieter. Shaded. Narrow enough that only one person could walk comfortably through it.
Kael stepped inside.
The hooded figure was already halfway down, walking quickly now.
Kael followed, careful with his footsteps.
*Not a merchant. Not drunk. Not lost,* he thought.
The figure suddenly turned left into another side alley.
Kael reached the corner a moment later and turned—
Empty.
He stopped.
The alley was short. A dead end. No doors. No windows open. No crates to hide behind.
"…What?"
He stepped forward, scanning the walls, the ground, the shadows.
Nothing.
No sound. No movement.
Kael felt a small chill crawl up his spine.
"That doesn't make sense."
He checked behind him. Empty.
Above. Just rooftops and sky.
"Did I imagine it?"
He stood there for a full minute, listening.
Still nothing.
Kael slowly exhaled and backed out of the alley.
His mood had shifted.
Whatever that was—it wasn't normal.
He headed straight for the guild.
---
The guild hall was busy, as usual. Lyria sat at her usual table near the side, sorting papers.
She looked up when Kael entered. "You're back early."
"I need to report something."
Her expression changed immediately. "What happened?"
"Not sure," he said. "That's the problem."
They walked to the counter together. The clerk looked up.
"Another report?"
"Yes," Kael said. "Not a quest-related one."
The clerk leaned back slightly. "Go on."
"I saw a hooded figure in the market. Movements were strange. I followed them into an alley. They disappeared."
Lyria frowned. "Disappeared how?"
"There was nowhere to go."
The clerk tapped the counter thoughtfully. "You're certain?"
"Yes."
"Could it have been someone using magic?"
"Maybe," Kael admitted. "I didn't feel anything, though."
The clerk nodded slowly. "You did the right thing reporting it. We've had a few… odd notes lately."
Lyria turned to him. "Odd how?"
"People seeing things. Feeling watched. Nothing confirmed," the clerk said. "But we'll keep an eye on it."
Kael crossed his arms. "Should I be concerned?"
The clerk met his gaze. "Not yet. But stay alert."
Lyria didn't look convinced.
After stepping away from the counter, she lowered her voice. "You okay?"
"Yes," Kael said. "Just… uneasy."
"That's not like you."
He gave a small smile. "Guess I'm learning."
She hesitated, then said quietly, "Don't go looking for trouble."
"I wasn't."
"I know," she replied. "But promise me you won't chase shadows alone."
Kael thought for a moment, then nodded. "I promise."
She relaxed slightly. "Good."
That night, Kael trained behind the inn until his arms burned and his grip trembled.
The hooded figure stayed in his mind the entire time.
Whoever it was… they hadn't been a coincidence.
And Kael had a feeling—
This village wasn't going to stay quiet for long.
---
GIVE ME SOME POWERSTONES
100 PS = 1 EXTRA CHAPTER