Stygog Town was located on the outskirts of the Kingdom of Fiore.
But unlike most border towns, this one wasn't known for its mages. Instead, it was a gathering ground for mercenaries, hunters, and a mishmash of dubious characters.
The mercenaries and hunters belonged to two different factions: the Mercenary Guild and the Hunter Guild.
Though only briefly mentioned in the original series, these two guilds were far from insignificant. Both wielded substantial influence across the continent.
The Mercenary Guild was home to powerful combat specialists whose strength came from rigorous physical training. Their philosophy was simple: use martial prowess to fight magic.
The Hunter Guild, meanwhile, was more diverse. It had everything from rogue mages to non-magical martial artists—anyone skilled enough to survive in a world teetering on the edge of chaos.
In terms of sheer numbers, the people under these two guilds weren't necessarily fewer than those under the mage guilds.
Ur strolled down the streets of Stygog, drawing more than a few curious, and not always friendly glances.
He didn't exactly blend in.
While most of the locals carried themselves with an air of rugged hostility, many even visibly armed, Ur stood out like a clean-cut noble wandering into a tavern brawl.
Too polished. Too... civil.
Compared to the rough-faced, battle-worn crowd around him, Ur's youthful appearance practically screamed outsider.
To put it bluntly, he looked like a fresh-faced pretty boy.
No, wait. Let's call it what it is: a mage.
Ur could feel the many hostile and curious gazes aimed at him. It didn't take long for him to realize why Jericho had chosen to flee here.
He had seen the man's face on the wanted posters. That man, with his twisted, brutish features, could blend in perfectly among this crowd. In a place like this, he could easily disappear.
But Ur? Not a chance.
In Stygog, good looks were like a lit torch in pitch darkness—blinding, conspicuous, and not particularly welcome.
Ur did notice a few patrolling soldiers on the street, but compared to other cities, they were far less present.
It was clear the Kingdom knew exactly what kind of people gathered here.
Ur figured that as long as there weren't any dead bodies involved, the local soldiers would likely turn a blind eye.
That said, while Stygog felt chaotic, it wasn't completely lawless. There were still boundaries, though thin they might be.
As Ur approached the town's central district, the crowd grew denser. Then…
Smack.
Without hesitation, Ur caught a sneaky hand reaching for his pocket and yanked a scrawny figure out into the open.
It was a skinny, golden-haired kid.
"Well, aren't you bold?" Ur said coldly, staring down at the little thief.
"Let me go! What do you want, huh? Robbing me? Help! Somebody help—he's trying to mug me!" The boy squirmed and shouted at the top of his lungs, playing the victim like a pro.
To the untrained eye, it might've even looked convincing.
But nobody in Stygog was that gullible.
A crowd quickly gathered, but not a single soul tried to intervene. No one even pretended to break it up. Everyone just watched with amused smirks, waiting to see how things played out.
The boy was about the same size as Ur, but didn't match him in strength.
Despite his desperate wriggling, Ur's grip was like an iron vice—completely unmoved.
Eventually, the kid grew desperate and lunged with bared teeth, aiming to bite Ur's arm.
Luckily, Ur saw it coming and jerked away just in time. In one swift motion, he hoisted the boy up and disappeared into a side alley.
Unbeknownst to him, a few shadowy figures peeled off from the crowd and began tailing him quietly.
Thud!
Inside a narrow alley, Ur flung the golden-haired boy to the ground and began coolly, "Alright, kid. I've got a question for—"
"Help! He's mugging me! Somebody help me!"
The boy hit the ground shouting, already scrambling to bolt toward the street.
Ur's expression darkened.
Just as the boy neared him, Ur lashed out with a sharp spinning kick, slamming him back against the alley wall.
"Cough! Cough!"
He hadn't gone full force, but even so, the blow was more than the boy could handle. He collapsed to the ground, clutching his stomach, pale and wheezing in agony.
"My patience is limited," Ur said coldly, towering over him. "Answer my question and I'll let your little pickpocket stunt slide. Stay stubborn, and you can spend the rest of your life as a cripple."
He didn't doubt the kid had lived a hard life. He could see that much.
But that didn't excuse theft. Actions had consequences.
Ur crouched and rolled up a wanted notice, revealing a portrait.
"Do you know this man?"
The boy didn't look up. Still gasping, still writhing, clutching his gut.
Stubborn little bastard.
Ur's eyes narrowed.
"Fine. If you're useless to me, then I've no reason to hold back. Let's see how many bones I have to break to change your mind."
He rose and stepped forward, preparing to deliver a more painful lesson. Several shadows leapt out from behind him, and a young, defiant voice rang through the alley:
"Stop! You're not allowed to hurt Brother Gu Yi!"