By the time Kairo emerged outside the dungeon, his thoughts had begun to unravel.
He had killed humans. Not monsters. Humans.
And yet… in the moment, it hadn't felt any different.
Back in the dungeon, his knife had slid through Modrich's throat as easily as it had through a beast's. No hesitation. No fear. No guilt.
He walked along the stone-paved road toward his inn, Aren't they humans, just like my friends?
"Why didn't I feel anything… when I slit his throat?"
The question hung in the air, unanswered.
"Did something… happen to me?"
No matter how deeply he searched himself, there was no remorse, only a hollow ache where it should have been. The only emotion left alive within him was his determination to bring Mira and the others back. Everything else—the fear, the guilt, the warmth—had gone silent.
The faces of Modrich and his men flickered through his mind, then dissolved like smoke. He couldn't even remember their expressions clearly anymore.
By the time his mind calmed, he had already reached the inn. He climbed the stairs to his room, dropped onto the thin mattress without removing his boots, and stared at the ceiling until exhaustion dragged him under.
He slept for a few hours, dreamless and dark, and returned to the guild once more.
...
The main hall was quieter than yesterday; only a handful of adventurers clustered around the quest board.
Serin was behind the counter, sorting parchment stacks. She smiled faintly as he approached.
"Hey, Kairo. Did you finish your last quest?"
He nodded, handing over the parchment and a small pouch filled with kobold teeth, along with a second pouch that clinked softly, mana crystals.
Serin untied the first pouch and counted the teeth, lips moving silently. Her eyebrows rose slightly. "That's… quite efficient for one night."
She set them aside and opened the second pouch, crystals tumbling onto the counter in a glittering pile.
"Seventy-three crystals." She looked up at him.
Kairo said nothing.
She swept the crystals into a collection box and slid him the coins for it.
Kairo pocketed them without checking.
Serin smiled faintly as she stamped the quest parchment with a red seal—COMPLETED. "You've done well. Are you looking to take another quest? There's one I think might suit you."
Kairo nodded. "What quest?"
She flipped through her papers, "Escort job. A merchant wagon heading to Ashvale Village. Three members required—two are already registered under my supervision. You'd make the third."
Kairo hesitated. Another group…
Images of Modrich and his party flashed behind his eyes, the way Modrich had smiled, the casual cruelty in Shin's voice, the weight of his knife as it punched upward through Darik's jaw.
Even if something like that happens again… do I kill them too?
The thought came easily. Too easily.
He took a slow breath. "What's the reward?"
"Three gold total. You'll split it with the other two."
One gold just for escorting a wagon. The pay was decent, better than harvesting quests or kobold teeth collection.
"I'll join," he said simply.
"Good. I'll notify them that you're part of the team," Serin replied with a satisfied nod. She pulled out a fresh parchment and began writing. "The departure is tomorrow at dawn. Meet at the eastern gate."
Kairo nodded.
She continued, "You look tired."
"I'm fine."
"Get some rest before tomorrow. Dead eyes don't keep merchants safe."
Kairo turned to leave, then stopped. "Is there a cheap weapon shop nearby?"
Serin blinked at the sudden question, then tapped her chin. "Hmm… try Ironhand's Workshop, two streets west from here. Old shop, but decent quality."
"Thanks," he said, turning to leave.
Her voice followed him. "Be careful out there, Kairo."
He didn't answer.
...
The workshop squatted between a cobbler's stall and a shuttered bakery.
Kairo pushed the door open.
A broad, bearded man looked up from the forge, tongs gripping a glowing blade. Sweat dripped down his temples, soaking into his leather apron. "Looking for a blade, boy?"
"Something cheap," Kairo said.
The blacksmith grunted and plunged the blade into a water trough with a violent hiss. He wiped his hands on his apron and gestured toward a rack of short swords near the back wall. "That's the lowest I'll go. All one gold each."
Kairo examined a few. They were old but sturdy, blades nicked from use, hilts wrapped in worn leather. Still functional. Better than the knife he'd been using.
He tested the weight of one, feeling the balance. Decent enough.
But he only had 12 gold coin with him, most of them was from the party he killed in the dungeon.
But he didn't want to spend so money, since his goal was to save money to travel to Aldoria, "Can you reduce the price?"
The man snorted, "No haggling. Finest steel in the district."
Kairo sighed, setting the sword down and turning toward the door.
"Wait!" the smith called, voice rough with annoyance. "How much can you pay?"
Kairo turned back. "Five silver."
The man's face twisted, "At least nine."
"Six."
"Eight."
"Six silver, three copper."
The blacksmith groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "You're robbing me blind! Seven, final offer."
Kairo dropped seven silvers onto the counter, grabbed the sword, and walked out before the man could change his mind.
...
As he stepped through the door, he nearly collided with a broad, muscular man entering.
"Whoa, sorry! Didn't see you there," the man said cheerfully, throwing up his hands.
Kairo stepped back. "No problem."
The stranger had silver hair, a grin too bright for the grimy street, and eyes that seemed to laugh on their own.
Behind him, a smaller figure peeked out shyly before hiding again.
Kairo glanced once at the smaller figure that peeked, but he didn't press.
He slipped past them and walked into the fading light.
...
The next morning, Kairo packed what little he owned and headed for the eastern gate.
The eastern gate loomed ahead, iron-banded wood propped open by morning traffic. Guards leaned against the archway, bored, waving through farmers and travelers without much scrutiny.
A wagon stood near the gate, packed with goods. Crates stacked high, canvas lashed tight over bulging sacks. Three figures stood beside it, chatting.
The merchant spotted him first and waved. "Ah! You must be the one Serin mentioned!"
Kairo nodded.
"I'm Fenric Talden," the man said, gesturing toward the wagon. "Merchant. Your quest is to escort my wagon to Ashvale Village."
He pointed to the other two. "These are your companions."
Kairo turned, eyes widening slightly.
The silver-haired man from yesterday grinned. "Hey! Sorry for bumping into you yesterday."
He extended a hand. "Name's Eric. And this—" he stepped aside, revealing the small figure from before "—is Kaya."
He gestured toward the smaller figure hiding behind him.
"Come on, Kaya, say hello."
Kaya peeked out, her eyes wide and uncertain. "H-hi…"
Kairo froze. Her soft brown hair. The timid smile. For a fleeting second, she looked exactly like Mira.
He felt a sudden sting behind his eyes. Tears slipped down before he could stop them.
Eric frowned. "You okay? Something wrong?"
Kairo wiped his eyes quickly, turning his face away. "Nothing. Let's move."
His voice came out rougher than intended.
Eric studied him for a second, "Alright! Before we go, introductions first. I'm Level 5, Vanguard class. Kaya's Level 1, Druid class."
Kaya added shyly, "I can… use basic healing spells."
Kairo heard them; he didn't want to reveal his Unbound class, even he didn't know what it truly was.
He drew a slow breath, forcing his expression flat. "I'm Level 2, Battlemage class."
Battlemage class adventurers were usually a rare class; common mage classes are water mage, fire mage, lightning mage, etc., but a battlemage can learn and use every skill related to battle.
Eric's eyes widened. "Battlemage? That's rare! You're full of surprises, huh?"
Kaya's gaze lifted slightly, curiosity flickering across her features before she ducked her head again.
Fenric climbed into the driver's seat, "Let's move out! We'll be on the road for five or six days to Ashvale. I hope you've all packed enough."
Kairo sat beside the merchant, taking the front. Eric and Kaya settled at the back of the wagon, guarding the goods.
Eric stretched out, propping his boots against a crate. "So, Kairo, New to Sun City?"
Kairo nodded.
"Not much of a talker, are you?" Eric chuckled, unbothered. "That's fine. Kaya's quiet too. We'll get along great."
Kaya murmured something too soft to hear, face half-hidden behind her knees.
The wagon rattled over uneven stones, passing beneath the gate's shadow. Guards waved them through without inspection.
As the wheels began to turn, Sun City receded behind them.
He didn't know if this journey would bring him closer to his goal, or drag him deeper into the darkness he'd already begun to walk.
But one thought lingered quietly in his mind as the city disappeared over the horizon.
If there's still a chance to bring them back… I'll do whatever it takes.