From MC's Perspective:
My mind had been spinning with thoughts for hours, to the point where I could barely keep my eyes open. I hadn't even realized when I had drifted off to sleep, sinking into the cool, crisp sheets of the hotel bed.
Ti seed to slip through my fingers like sand. When I finally opened my eyes, I was t with the soft glow of darkness outside the window.
The sky was ink-black, dotted with the distant glimr of stars. A quick glance at the bedside clock told it was already 8 PM. My heart sank slightly—I'd planned to leave much earlier, soti before twilight. But now the night had crept in, and I was running late.
I didn't waste a second. I pushed off the bed, the mattress groaning beneath as I hurried to get dressed. There wasn't much to gather—just the essentials. After a brisk splash of water on my face, I felt a little more awake, though the sense of urgency gnawed at .
I grabbed my jacket and headed downstairs, my footsteps quick yet silent against the carpeted hallway.
When I reached the lobby, the atmosphere had shifted. A new staff mber stood behind the reception desk, soone unfamiliar. His eyes were glued to a screen, completely unaware of who I was, which worked in my favor.
I handed over the room key with a curt nod. No small talk, no delays—I'd already taken care of the bill earlier, so there was no reason to linger.
Stay tuned to empire
With that, I stepped outside into the cool night air, my breath fogging slightly as it mingled with the breeze. I glanced around, hyper-aware of my surroundings, nerves buzzing under my skin. The thought lingered in the back of my mind like a persistent shadow: The Blaire Clan's wizards could be watching.
I crossed the hotel's entrance, stepping onto the sidewalk, my senses on high alert. My goal was clear—reach the railway station. Pulling up the online map on my watch, I was pleasantly surprised to see the access code still worked.
I had assud it would expire when I checked out, perhaps tied to the hotel's network, but apparently, it was generated using my temporary ID. I let out a quiet sigh of relief. At least sothing was going my way.
With the directions to the station illuminated on my screen, I set off, each step quick but cautious, scanning the path ahead.
anwhile,
The darkened street behind wasn't as empty as it seed.
In the shadows, the Blaire Clan's servants moved silently, stalking their prey. After their young master's furious scolding for failing earlier, they'd brought reinforcents this ti—two additional warriors, their grim expressions hidden beneath the night's cover.
The target was a foreigner, soone they didn't consider a real threat, but they still needed to tread carefully.
They couldn't touch him while he was inside the Kimbler Hotel—its reputation as neutral ground for travelers made it off-limits for such conflicts. But now, outside in the open, the rules have changed.
The four wizards trailed behind, their eyes sharp and focused, waiting for the right mont to close the distance. Their mission was clear—capture the target and deliver him to their young master. Tonight would be the night they corrected their previous mistake, and I was blissfully unaware of just how close they were.
About 10 minutes later,
I reached the nearest railway station. The building stood out starkly against the surrounding structures—its square, modern design was a sharp contrast to the older, more intricate architecture nearby. It had a sterile, almost utilitarian feel, as if it was built for function rather than aesthetics, making it easy to spot even in the dim night light.
As I made my way toward the station entrance, the hum of the city around seed to fade. My steps slowed instinctively when I noticed sothing: people were casually scanning their passes to get inside, moving through the automated gates without a second glance. In contrast, I must have looked out of place—hesitant, unsure, and lacking the proper pass.
Before I could think of a plan, two guards stepped forward, their eyes sharp and suspicious as they approached . The atmosphere tensed. They weren't hostile, but their posture was rigid, signaling they were ready for trouble if needed.
"Pass?" one of them asked, his voice steady but firm.
I tried to keep my expression neutral as I pulled out my temporary ID. "I don't have a regular pass," I explained, trying to keep my voice calm and unhurried. "I'm in a bit of a situation. I need to buy a ticket, and this is the ID I've been issued."
The guards exchanged glances, silently weighing my story, when suddenly—
[Ding! Warning]
[Host, unknown wizards are targeting you.]
The chanical voice rang out in my mind, clear and emotionless, but its ssage made my heart skip a beat. My eyes narrowed, a cold glint flashing briefly in them. So they had followed , after all. I had anticipated this mont, though I hoped it wouldn't co so soon.
But I was here now, at least. The railway station was busy, full of people, and if I could just get inside and blend with the crowd, it would buy so ti.
The guards finished inspecting my temporary ID. Their gazes t briefly, and they seed to reach a silent agreent before they stepped aside. "You can go in," one of them said. "You'll need to buy your ticket at the counter ahead."
I offered a curt nod in thanks, already scanning the station's layout in my mind. I couldn't afford any delays now. Every second outside in the open felt like a mont wasted.
As I approached the ticket counter, a sense of unease began to crawl up my spine. I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, even in this sea of people.
Shortly afterward,
The Blaire Clan wizards arrived at the sa station. Dressed in their distinctive uniforms—black with silver embroideries that shimred under the dim station lights—they were impossible to miss.
The guards tensed imdiately at the sight of them, their hands instinctively moving closer to their weapons. Beads of sweat ford on their brows as the realization of who they were dealing with sank in.
One of the wizards stepped forward, his expression cold and commanding. His voice cut through the tense air like a blade. "Sir, what do you want?" one of the guards stamred, though he tried to maintain composure.
The wizard's gaze was unwavering, and he spoke with quiet authority. "The person who spoke to you just now—what is his destination?"
For a brief mont, the guards hesitated, exchanging nervous glances before realizing they had no choice but to answer. These weren't n to be crossed. "He's heading to the headquarters," one of them blurted out, his voice a whisper of dread.
The Blaire Clan wizards shared a look, their expressions calm but calculated. They had missed their chance here, but their resolve remained unshaken. The ga wasn't over yet.
"Let's go report to our young master," one of the wizards said quietly, his voice laced with confidence. "He won't get far. We'll deal with him within the city limits."
With that, the four wizards turned on their heels and vanished into the night, their long coats trailing behind them like shadows.
The guards let out deep breaths, their hands trembling slightly. For a mont, it felt as though the tension had drained the very life from them. "I swear, I felt like my soul left my body for a second," one of them muttered under his breath, still shaken by the encounter. His partner rely nodded in agreent, both relieved that they had escaped the wizards' wrath—for now.
anwhile,
I arrived at the ticket counter, my heart still pounding from the tension that clung to like a second skin. To my surprise, there weren't many people in line, just a handful of tired travelers with their bags slung over their shoulders, waiting their turn.
I kept my head low, trying to blend in as much as possible, though the uneasy feeling in my gut hadn't quite left.
When it was my turn, the transaction was swift. I slid the temporary ID across the counter, and within monts, the ticket printed with a soft hum. I snatched it up quickly, glancing around as I pocketed it, my eyes scanning for any sign of the Blaire Clan wizards.
Nothing.
They hadn't followed here.
A wave of relief swept over , and I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. For the first ti in what felt like hours, my shoulders loosened, the knot of anxiety easing—if only slightly. The bright station lights buzzed faintly above, casting long shadows across the floor, but for the mont, I felt safe.
"So, the politics here are intense," I thought to myself, watching a few station guards patrol the area. "Even the Blaire Clan can't throw their weight around in certain places." This railway station must be one of those neutral grounds, a place where even the most powerful factions were forced to follow the rules.
It made sense now, why they didn't dare cause a scene or attempt anything here. They were bound by the sa restrictions as everyone else in this particular space, and that worked in my favor.
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