After running from the two men, a dark shadow swallowed Aziz and the elf girl between two narrow houses. The orange evening sky slowly faded above, painting the walls in warm twilight hues. The air was heavy, the world quiet except for their ragged breathing.
Both of them stood there, exhausted—Aziz wiping the sweat from his forehead with a relieved grin.
"Phew… it feels so good saving someone," he said, letting out a long breath.
The elf girl turned toward him with half-lidded eyes, her pointed ears twitching slightly.
"Saving? You're the most useless man I've ever met," she said flatly, exhaling in pure exasperation.
Aziz crossed his arms, his expression twisting in annoyance.
"Huh?! Girl, you should be grateful you're still alive!"
"Yeah, yeah," the elf girl replied lazily, rolling her eyes.
Aziz muttered under his breath, "Tsk… ungrateful elf."
Her sharp ears caught that instantly. She snapped her head toward him.
"What was that!? I am not ungrateful! You're just a coward!"
She shouted, stepping closer as if ready to punch him in the face.
"Ugh… your mouth runs too much," Aziz grumbled, scratching his ear with a disgusted look.
"Of course not!" she shot back without missing a beat.
"Fine. Just go. Leave me alone, elf," Aziz said, waving a dismissive hand.
"I have a name, idiot! My name is Saya," she snapped, her proud tone matching her glare. "And of course I'll leave. Who would want to stay with a boy like you?"
"Yeah, cool. Now go away," Aziz replied casually, turning his face aside.
Saya puffed her cheeks, glaring at him in frustration before spinning on her heel.
"Hmph! Fine! What a stupid otherworlder!" she muttered, stomping off into the dim street.
Watching her go, Aziz let out a long, theatrical sigh.
"Man, this world is truly unfair to me… no gratitude after saving someone's life," he said, wearing a face of dramatic disappointment.
The sun finally set, and the night spread across the quiet town. The narrow path between the houses grew darker under the pale moonlight.
"Huh… better leave now. If a robber comes, I'm done for," Aziz muttered, stepping out onto the road.
The town was still alive at night. The streets bustled with energy—crowds talking, merchants shouting, adventurers returning from their missions. Men and women in shining armor or flowing robes walked proudly, laughing together as they passed. Carriages rolled by, nobles' houses glittered in lamplight, and the scent of roasted meat filled the air.
Aziz wandered through it all, staring at everything with a strange mix of awe and hopelessness. Eventually, he stopped in front of a large building with a wooden sign that read "Adventurers' Guild." Laughter and clinking glasses spilled out from within.
He stared at the door for a moment, his hand half-raised to push it open—but then stopped.
"I have no home now… no money… and no one who'll accept me," he thought bitterly, his black eyes dim with despair.
Letting his hand drop, Aziz walked over to the wall beside the building and sat down. The ground was cool against his back. He watched the lively adventurers pass by, their faces full of joy and purpose.
"Ah… reality is harsh," he murmured with a tired smile.
His stomach growled loudly, breaking the silence.
"Great. I'm sleepy and hungry. How am I supposed to survive now?" he muttered, pressing a hand to his stomach and closing his eyes.
CRACK!
The guild door suddenly burst open. The sound echoed, reaching Aziz's ears—but he ignored it, too tired to care.
Then a familiar voice rang out.
"What the… you!?"
Aziz's eyes opened instantly. He looked up—and there she was. Saya stood in the doorway, her emerald eyes wide in shock.
"You again? Why are you here?" Aziz asked, blinking in confusion.
"I should be the one asking! I live here—I'm a C-rank adventurer," Saya replied proudly, placing her hands on her hips.
"Oh, I see," Aziz said, nodding casually.
Saya frowned, walking closer with a disgusted look.
"Yeah. But why are you sitting here like a beggar?"
"Oi! I'm not a beggar!" Aziz snapped, his face twisting with rage.
Saya blinked, then sighed.
"Then what are you doing?"
"…Nothing," Aziz replied quietly, staring up at the night sky. His voice tried to sound casual, but the emptiness in his eyes said otherwise.
Saya's expression softened. She studied him for a moment, a hint of pity in her gaze.
"You have no money, right?" she asked gently.
Aziz sighed and lowered his head.
"…Yeah. I have nothing."
Hearing this, Saya crossed her arms and glanced toward the guild.
"I live in the guild. Come inside—no one will stop you if you're with me," she said casually, pretending not to care.
Aziz tilted his head, confusion written all over his face as he looked at her.
"Okay… but why?" he asked.
"Because you're homeless and hungry," Saya replied bluntly, her green eyes meeting his.
"Don't say it like that! Back in my world, I was a middle-class kid with good parents. I miss them too…" Aziz's voice cracked slightly as he snapped back, frustration mixing with the ache in his chest.
"…Oh. I see." Saya's tone softened. "But… since you helped me, I just wanted to help you, that's all," she said, turning her head away shyly.
Hearing that, a faint spark lit in Aziz's eyes. He looked at Saya with a bit of hope and slowly stood up from the cool ground.
"Anyway, then feed me. I'm starving," Aziz said casually, brushing the dust off his clothes.
Saya sighed, her expression caught somewhere between disbelief and amusement.
"Wow, your mood changed so fast. Fine. Come with me," she said with annoyance—but a soft smile tugged at her lips.
"Glad! Finally, I can eat some food," Aziz thought with excitement, his eyes glowing with childlike joy as he followed Saya.