The Last Step Chapter 55: Abandoned

Eve's Perspective:

4/9/2017 - 2:32 AM

The night air was cool, a gentle breeze sweeping across the open road as the stars above were countless. I couldn't help but glance up, lost in the beauty of it all.

The sky looked so vast, and the stars, so far away, almost felt like they could take sowhere far from here, sowhere where I wouldn't feel so... lost.

I sighed softly, feeling a ache in my chest. Not knowing who I really was, what my past held, or why my heart ached so much when I thought about that face in the pendant—it all felt like a puzzle with no pieces to fit. The man in that photo... with the ripped-off face.

I was smiling and being happy around him, but I had no clue who he was now.

I turned my gaze to Lucas, sitting across from . He was staring blankly into the distance, muttering sothing under his breath.

"System... shut up..." he said, sounding so completely lost in his thoughts.

I tilted my head, blinking. He could be so serious and intense, but then he'd suddenly speak to himself like that. It kind of weirded out, but at the sa ti, I found it oddly endearing.

"Hey," I said softly, breaking his train of thought.

He blinked and then glanced at , his eyes a bit distant for a second before a mischievous smirk curled on his lips

"What is it now, Eve? You need sothing?" His voice was teasing, playful.

I shook my head, smiling lightly. "No, I was just... wondering what you're thinking about."

Lucas stretched his arms out, cracking his neck as he did. "I was thinking... how much my legs hurt from all that walking." His grin turned into a smirk, and he gestured to .

"You look like you're about to fall asleep any second now. Are you sure you're not secretly exhausted?"

I blinked, realizing just how heavy my legs felt. They were completely numb from all the walking we had done today.

I hadn't really thought about it until he pointed it out, but it was true. The distance to Rinascita had been longer than I expected, but the ti seed to pass quickly when I was with him.

I couldn't help but giggle softly, a little embarrassed. "I didn't realize I looked that tired..."

"You've been dragging those feet of yours for hours," he teased, raising an eyebrow.

"Don't worry, I noticed. You don't have to be a tough person around ."

I blushed slightly, rubbing the back of my neck. "I wasn't trying to be tough... it's just that I didn't want to slow you down."

Lucas shrugged, his playful tone shifting into sothing more thoughtful. "If you're tired, just sleep. We've got a long day ahead tomorrow, and trust , you'll need the rest."

He patted the empty spot next to him in the carriage, giving a grin. "Go ahead, Eve. I'll keep watch for you."

I hesitated for a mont, but then I smiled at him. He was right. Tomorrow would be another long day, and I knew I needed the energy. Besides, I felt safe with him around

Even though he was a bit... odd sotis, he was still soone I trusted.

"Thanks, Lucas," I said softly, climbing into the carriage and settling down on the plush seat. The motion of the carriage was already beginning to lull .

I pulled my cloak tighter around and laid my head against the side of the carriage. The rhythmic sounds of the horses' hooves and the gentle rocking of the carriage soon had my eyelids growing heavier, despite my racing thoughts.

I let out a small sigh, feeling the exhaustion slowly sink into my bones, and before long, I drifted off into a peaceful sleep, the stars outside still shining brightly, as if watching over .

But what didn't watch over was fate. As I'd see a glimpse of my own past that I never knew existed.

--------

I was only six years old. I didn't really understand a lot of things, but I knew one thing for sure: I was so, so happy.

My mommy and daddy were my world, and I loved them more than anything. They always told I was special, that I had pink eyes and pink hair—sothing that made people look at funny sotis, but I didn't mind.

To , it was just... . I didn't think about it much. I was always busy enjoying my happy, colorful little world.

Mommy and daddy were always with , and every day was like a dream. They took to so many new places!

Towns and villages, places with big skies and tall trees. I liked it, but what I liked most was being with them.

My mommy would brush my hair at night, sitting next to on the bed, and we'd giggle together as she did.

"My little angel," she'd say, and I'd smile so big, like I was the luckiest girl in the world.

Daddy would co ho later, bringing sothing sweet. Most of the ti, it was cake! Chocolate cake, my favorite. It was so yummy, I could eat it all day if they let .

"Hey, sweetie! Don't eat so fast!" Mommy would laugh, all worried, but I just couldn't help it.

"Let her enjoy, dear. It's hers after all," daddy would say with that big smile of his, and I'd giggle because I knew I was daddy's little girl, and he always spoiled .

"You're spoiling her, dear!" Mommy would shake her head, but I knew it was just because she loved so much.

I'd smile and shout, "Mhm! I'm daddy's one and only favorite daughter, so he spoils !" I was so proud of that.

Mommy would pretend to be mad, but she wasn't. "If you eat one more piece of cake, we'll leave you!"

I'd laugh and grab the cake box, running away as fast as my little legs could carry . Mommy would chase , laughing too, and daddy would just smile and laugh as he watched.

Every day felt like a party, a never-ending celebration of how much they loved . How could it get any better?

But that night... that horrible night... everything changed.

I was standing in front of our broken, flipped-over carriage. My knees were hurt, my arms and nose were bleeding, and I couldn't stop crying. I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

My mommy and daddy, the people who loved so much, were gone... taken from .

The monsters... the demons... they were eating them.

I could still see mommy's face, her tears falling down her cheeks as she tried to protect .

"I love you... Please run," she whispered, her voice so soft, so scared.

But I couldn't run. I couldn't do anything.

My daddy... my brave daddy... his stomach was being eaten by two monsters, and he still said, "I'm okay, dear... please don't cry for ."

But I did cry. I couldn't stop. Daddy... mommy... why did they have to go? I wanted to be a good girl for them, I wanted to be their little angel, but now they were gone, and I couldn't make it better.

I couldn't make them wake up.

Tears were blurring my eyes, but I just wanted them to hold , to tell it was okay.

I wanted to hear mommy say it was alright, even though I knew it wasn't.

I wanted daddy to laugh and say, "Mhm, you're my favorite girl," and let eat all the cake I wanted.

But they weren't there.

I was alone. All I could do was cry, kneeling there in the dirt, watching my world crumble.

The monsters, the demons... they looked at with hungry eyes, and I tried to stand, to run, but my legs wouldn't move.

My knees hurt too much, and my tears made it hard to see. I stumbled and fell into a tree branch. I cried harder, too scared to move, too weak to fight.

The monsters got closer, and I was so scared. The night was dark, and I couldn't hear anything but my own heart pounding in my ears. Mommy... daddy... I'm so sorry. I didn't want this.

I didn't want to be alone.

Please... sobody... help .

-----------

It was a warm day, just a few months ago, and I rember the sunlight shining down on as I walked with mommy and daddy.

We were on our way ho, laughing together like we always did. Mommy was holding my hand, her fingers so warm and soft. But then... sothing caught her attention. She gasped, and I followed her gaze. There was a picture on the wall, a big, beautiful picture of a young, handso man.

Mommy's eyes lit up. "Look, sweetie," she said. "A prince." Her voice was all dreamy and soft, like she was imagining sothing far away.

Daddy sighed, but I could see he was smiling a little too. They both looked at the picture, but I didn't really understand why it was so special.

Mommy smiled at and said, "When you grow up, you'll find a prince just like him. Soone who'll love you forever."

I stared at the picture. A prince? Just like in the stories? A prince who always saves the princess, no matter what? That sounded like a fairy tale, like one of my story books.

It made smile. I wondered if that could really happen to ... Would a prince save like that? Would he love like mommy and daddy loved ?

I stepped closer to the picture, my little hands behind my back, looking at the prince with his golden hair and sharp eyes. He was smiling at , and I could almost imagine him reaching out to .

I tilted my head and said, "No, mommy, I don't want a prince."

Mommy and daddy looked at , their faces all confused. "Why not, sweetie?" Mommy asked.

"Because, mommy, I don't know him," I said. "How can I love him? Or him love ?"

Mommy smiled and patted my head. "A prince is soone who will always protect and love you, sweetie. That's why every woman wants one."

I shook my head, frowning a little. "But I want soone else."

Daddy's eyes went wide. "You have soone you like?"

I smiled really big. "Yes!" I said, happy because I finally got to tell them. "I have a friend!"

Mommy knelt down beside , her brow furrowed. "A friend? But sweetie, you don't have any friends to play with. You're always alone because the other kids don't want to play with you."

I pouted a little, but I didn't care. I knew what I knew. "No, mommy," I said, shaking my head. "There's a boy who doesn't ignore ."

Mommy blinked, confused. "Who? You don't play with any boys."

I smiled wider, because mommy was being silly. "He's always with !"

Daddy chuckled, but he looked a little worried too. "Always with you? Who is he?"

I just giggled and put my hand over my heart. "When I get nightmares at night, mommy... I cry a little because I'm scared. But then, I fall asleep again, and everything turns into a fun dream!"

"A fun dream?" Daddy asked, looking concerned.

"Yes, daddy!" I said excitedly. "In that dream, there's a boy. He always plays with and makes smile. He's my best friend!"

Mommy and daddy looked at each other, and then back at . "How long have you been seeing him in your dreams?" mommy asked, a worried tone in her voice.

I smiled and nodded, not really understanding why they looked so concerned. "He always cos to comfort when I cry. He's my best friend."

They laughed, like it was nothing. "Oh, sweetie," mommy said, patting my head. "You have so funny dreams, but no boy can be better than a prince."

I stuck out my tongue and crossed my arms. "Just you watch, mommy! He'll co out of my dream and be my friend!"

I ran ahead, feeling proud. I knew he was real. He was my friend. He was always there, even when everyone else ignored . Even when I was different. He didn't care. He was my best friend.

But now... where was he?

I looked around, my heart sinking as the monsters got closer. As more tears form in my eyes from the fear...

Where are you... friend?

Of course. Here's your scene rewritten in a refined yet emotional style that captures the fragile, broken perspective of a 6-year-old traumatized girl:

As they got closer... I realized sothing horrible.

My friend wasn't coming for .

Neither was mommy.

Nor daddy.

No one was.

Because in this world... I was always left behind.

Ignored.

Forgotten.

All because I had weird, pink hair. And funny pink eyes.

Because I didn't look like the others.

Because I was different.

That's why... that's why I had to watch them—

Mommy...

Daddy...

Get eaten.

By monsters.

My throat burned from screaming. My tears wouldn't stop. I cried and cried, but no one ca. Not even the sky answered .

The monsters didn't care.

They just walked slowly toward , drooling...

Maybe... I really was born to be ignored.

Born to be eaten.

Born to cry alone.

...Maybe—

No.

A sudden, strong hand grabbed mine and yanked up so fast I gasped. My legs moved before I could think, running behind them as they held my hand tightly.

I wiped at my tears with my other hand, trying to see—

Soone was pulling .

A boy.

He wore a black shirt, his hair dark and ssy from behind. He didn't speak, just ran, dragging with him like he knew exactly where to go.

The monsters who had walked toward before?

Now they were chasing.

Running.

But he... he was faster.

His steps were loud, sharp, like thunder on grass. He held my hand tighter—then, suddenly, swung toward him and spun around.

In one motion, he scooped up into his arms.

He was still a kid like —maybe a little older—but he carried like he was an adult.

Like I weighed nothing.

He kept running, turning so quickly the monsters behind us kept slipping, falling over each other.

I couldn't see his face.

My mind was panicked.

I couldn't think clearly.

But... I wasn't crying anymore.

All I could focus on was him—his heartbeat against mine, his arms around , the wind brushing past my face as he ran.

And then—he made a sudden, sharp turn.

We slid across the ground, kicking up dirt. Two trees stood tall on either side of where we stopped.

He didn't run anymore.

Instead... he turned around.

My grip on his shoulder tightened. My chest felt heavy again. The monsters—

They were coming.

I stuttered, my voice shaking.

"P-Please... please go..."

I looked up at him.

His eyes didn't flinch.

The monsters were now charging straight at us.

"I don't wanna get eaten..." I whispered again, my voice cracking. "Please... run..."

They were getting closer. Huge. Fast. Horrible.

"I don't... I don't wanna get hurt..."

That's when he finally looked at .

Really looked at .

His eyes were like steel. Unshakable. But... warm, too.

He smiled.

"Don't worry," he said softly. "I got this."

His voice—

It felt familiar.

So familiar it hurt.

Then—

The monsters lunged.

And in the next instant—

**SLICE.**

Their bodies split in the air.

One after another.

Four of them—cut clean from top to bottom. Blood sprayed through the air like a red fountain. I scread, my eyes squeezed shut—

But when I opened them... the monsters were gone.

Only pieces of them remained.

Torn. Still. Dead.

Four thin, steel wires glistened in the air—stretched between the trees we stopped near, covered in red.

He'd led them straight into a trap.

Monsters three tis his size... gone in an instant.

All... to save ?

He looked down at then, brushing blood from his brow with a sigh.

Still holding , he smiled.

"Looks like I made it just in ti," he said. "You okay?"

He...

He really saved .

I wanted to say thank you. I really did.

But my body felt too heavy. My head, too light.

The last thing I saw... was him.

And then, everything went dark.

When I woke up, it was still night.

My body felt cold, and sothing soft was wrapped around . A cloth... maybe his shirt? I wasn't sure. But I was warm.

There was a fire, small and quiet like it was scared too. The trees around us looked like tall shadows. And beside ... he was sitting there.

That boy... my friend from the dreams. He was real. I didn't know how, but... he really ca.

I watched him in silence. His face had scratches, a bit of dried blood near his lip. His hands were dirty, bruised. His black hair was ssy, like he'd been running forever.

He had saved .

My lips trembled again, the mory flashing behind my eyes—

Mommy's screams.

Daddy's arm stretching toward before—

I hugged my knees, squeezing my eyes shut. I didn't want to cry anymore. I didn't want to see it again.

But...

A small hand gently rested on top of my head.

I opened my eyes.

He was right beside now, kneeling, staring at . His face wasn't smiling like before. It looked... serious. Sad, almost.

"You were crying in your sleep," he said quietly.

I blinked.

I wanted to talk. I wanted to ask how he found . I wanted to say thank you. But the words... they were stuck in my throat like a big stone. My voice wouldn't co out.

He reached into a little pouch tied to his belt and pulled out a small piece of bread. It looked hard and old. But he broke it in half and gave the bigger piece.

"You're safe now," he said. "So eat."

Safe?

Was I?

I held the bread in my hands, staring at it like it would disappear. I didn't feel hungry. I just felt... empty. But he was still watching .

So I took a tiny bite.

He looked away then, poking the fire with a stick, and said after a while, "I'm sorry I couldn't co earlier."

My eyes widened.

He knew?

He looked over his shoulder again. "I had to setup the trap first, I'm sorry. You had to go through it all because I was too slow.."

That's when the tears returned, falling slowly, quietly this ti.

I didn't cry out loud.

I just crawled forward and hugged him. My tiny arms wrapped around his side, and I buried my face into him.

He didn't say anything.

He just sat there, letting cry into him in silence—like he had so many tis in my dreams.

My only friend.

The one who didn't ignore .

The one who found .

Even if the world had monsters.

Even if mommy and daddy were gone.

Even if I was different and alone—

He ca.

So I whispered, my voice cracking as it barely ca out:

"...thank you..."

And for the first ti since everything happened...

I slept without a nightmare.

---------------------------------

When I woke up, I was in a bed.

A real bed.

Soft. Warm. Too warm.

Not near a fire.

Not with him.

The blanket slled clean, like flowers. The room was lit with sunlight slipping through white curtains. It didn't feel like the forest... it felt like a ho.

But not mine.

I looked around, my body still sore, my arm aching.

There were several beds lined up across the room, so empty, so with other kids curled up beneath blankets. To my right, a thin string ran into my arm. It was connected to a bottle hanging beside the bed.

My arm had purple bruises around it.

I sat up slowly. Everything hurt.

But I had to find him.

I tried to move—slipping one leg out of the bed, then the other. My bare feet touched the cold floor. I took one shaky step before I heard a gentle voice behind .

"Sweetheart, wait—"

I turned around.

It was a woman. Kind-looking, with a pale blue robe and soft brown hair tied into a bun. She walked toward with careful steps, holding a small tray of food.

"You shouldn't be moving just yet. You're still healing," she said gently, setting the tray on a nearby table. "Are you in pain?"

I didn't answer.

"Where is he?" I asked, my voice quiet, cracked.

She paused.

"How did I get here?" I asked again, this ti louder. "Where's my friend?"

She knelt beside , brushing so hair from my face. Her eyes were soft.

"Last night," she said, "a boy brought you here. He carried you all the way to the gates of the orphanage. You were unconscious... covered in dirt, bruises, blood."

I stared at her, frozen.

"He didn't say a word. Just laid you down at the doorstep. We brought you in... tried to call after him, but—" she paused, shaking her head, "—by the ti we stepped outside, he was gone."

Gone.

Her words echoed in my head.

Gone...

Just like everyone else.

My chest began to ache. A knot twisted in my stomach.

He left.

He left .

Like mommy did.

Like daddy.

Like the rest of the world.

He said he'd got . He held my hand. He saved .

I thought... I thought he was different.

But I was wrong.

My lip trembled as the tears ca back, slow and heavy this ti. I bit down hard, trying not to cry—but my eyes burned and my throat felt tight.

He left too.

I'm always the one left behind.

Maybe he thought I was too weak.

Maybe he never wanted to stay.

Maybe I was just another burden to carry...

Just like everyone else sees .

I clenched the sheets, curling up slightly.

Why did he smile at like that... if he was just going to disappear?

Why did he save ... just to leave?

Why does everyone go?

The sister tried to comfort —offered food, a warm touch, soft words.

But none of it mattered.

Because the only comfort I wanted... was already gone.

Lucas's Perspective:

The Ride to Rinascita.

「WAKE UP YOU LOAF OF A HUMAN, THE WORLD ISN'T GONNA SAVE ITSELF WHILE YOU SNORE LIKE A DYING COW!」

What the hell—?!

I jolted awake, nearly flipping off the seat. My eyes darted around in pure confusion like I'd been dropped in the middle of an ani filler episode.

Still in the carriage.

Still moving.

Still alive.

"Bro... why do you scream like you're the final boss of my sleep schedule?" I mumbled, rubbing my eyes.

「Because soone has to. If I left it up to you, you'd die of old age in your sleep before ever casting a single spell right.」

"I do cast spells right!"

「You literally burnt your own cloak last ti trying to 'light up the room with style.'」

"That was one ti!"

I glanced out the window while flipping the hood off my face. The sky had llowed into that warm golden-orange hue, soft light leaking through the forest canopy as the trees lazily drifted by. The wheels of the carriage clattered along a cobbled path, each bump sohow tid perfectly with System's roast sessions.

The inside of the carriage was simple. Wooden benches lined with soft maroon cushions, lanterns hanging by the corners with little magical gems inside. There was a scent of old wood mixed with faint lavender... probably Eve's.

「By the way... good evening, useless sorcerer.」

I blinked.

"Evening?"

「Yes, the part of the day where the sun says 'I'm out' and your brain usually wakes up.」

"Oh shit, it actually is evening..."

4/9/2017 - 1:52 PM

I stared out again, just to confirm I wasn't being gaslit by my own AI. Nope, sun was setting, the world was golden, birds were flapping like they were late to sothing important.

The carriage rumbled gently along, the driver up front humming a tune I couldn't quite place. It was peaceful. Calm. And yet, inside this rolling box of wood and sarcasm—

Sniff.

My gaze shifted to the other side.

Eve.

She was curled up in the corner seat, knees pulled close, her face half-hidden by her arms. Her long pink hair cascaded down like threads of soft light, and though her lips weren't moving, her shoulders trembled.

Silent sobs. Her cheeks shimred with streaks of tears.

I slowly shifted over, careful not to startle her, and knelt by her side.

I leaned in, gently nudging her shoulder.

"Eve... hey, are you okay?" My voice dropped to a whisper. "Eve?"

She stirred slightly, then opened her eyes. Her long lashes fluttered, and a tear still clung to the edge of her cheek. Her eyes... they were red, a soft kind of red like soone had been hurting for a while but didn't know how to say it.

"...Lucas?" she whispered, barely audible. She blinked slowly, trying to piece together where she was. "I... sorry... I didn't an to cry..."

「 Wow, crying in your sleep. That's new. Want to play her a lullaby or download emotional damage? 」

Bro, not now, I thought, side-eyeing the empty space like a lunatic.

"It's okay," I said softly, shifting closer and keeping my voice warm. "You don't need to apologize for feeling sothing, Eve."

She looked down, her hands tightening into little fists on her lap. "It was just a dream... I think. But it felt so real..."

Her voice cracked at the end, and I could feel sothing twist in my chest. Not pity... sothing heavier. Familiar, maybe.

"What did you see?" I asked gently.

She hesitated for a long ti, eyes lowering to the floor of the carriage. Then, she spoke, quiet like falling snow.

"...Soone left . Soone important. I don't rember their na... or face. But the pain didn't fade."

"That sounds... painful," I muttered, brushing a hand through my hair. "Having that kind of emptiness with no explanation."

Eve gave the tiniest nod, her pink hair falling over her shoulders like petals. "It's strange... even now, I feel like... I'm still waiting for them."

「 Step one: Don't be a rock. Be a pillow. Comforting. Soft. Emotional support Lucas, let's go. 」

I exhaled through my nose. You're the worst life coach. But he was right.

"...Eve," I said, my tone softening even more, "I can't promise I understand everything you're feeling. But I'm here, alright?

"

She blinked, slowly turning to look at . "But... what if they never return?"

"Then I'll stay until you forget you were waiting," I said without thinking. "And maybe that empty place... doesn't have to stay empty forever."

She stared at . Not with surprise, but like she was studying my soul through my words. Her lips quivered just a little, not from sadness—but relief. Then she lowered her gaze again and nodded gently.

"...Thank you," she murmured, voice barely above a breath.

「 Boom. Nailed it. Emotional support stats increased by 2 points. 10 more and you unlock the Hugging Skill Tree. 」

Please shut up, I smiled to myself.

After a while, Eve wiped her eyes and took in a deep breath. "It was just a nightmare," she said, a bit more certain. "Just... a nightmare."

She sat upright again, a little stronger now. I didn't say anything else. I just stayed next to her in silence.

Then, the carriage driver tapped the side of the wooden wall.

"We've arrived at Rinascita."

I turned toward the window and pulled back the curtain.

"...Whoa."

The city unfolded before us like a living painting. Tall, graceful towers climbed into the sky, their tips catching the golden light of the setting sun. Cobbled streets twisted like veins between rows of stone houses, each roof lined with red tiles and flowering vines that spilled down the sides. The air shimred gently with magic residue, and small glowing orbs floated over the lamp posts, lighting the streets early. People bustled along the roads—traders, knights, kids chasing each other barefoot.

In the middle of the city stood a vast circular plaza with a beautiful crystalline fountain, surrounded by marble benches and a huge tree with soft silver leaves. Rinascita wasn't just a city.

It was alive.

"...This place..." I murmured. "We're really here."

「 Congrats. New location unlocked: City of Fresh Starts. Side quest available: 'Find out why it slls like nobility.' 」

"Shh," I muttered under my breath, not realizing Eve hadn't moved.

She still sat quietly, her gaze fixed on the pendant in her hands. I barely noticed it before—two tiny figures etched into the picture, one of them unmistakably her.

She held it close to her heart, eyes closed.

She wasn't with in that mont. She was sowhere else. With soone else.

But I didn't disturb her.

I just leaned back, rested my head against the carriage wall, and let the breeze of the open city drift in.

"...Guess the journey really does continue from here," I said.

「 Damn right it does. Try not to emotionally break down before lunch, hero. 」

Yeah, easier said than done.

-------------------------------------------

We both got off the carriage.

I paid the driver with a few gold coins I definitely didn't "borrow" from a noble a few nights ago. Totally legal. Totally justified. The man was wearing a fur coat in sumr—he deserved it.

「 And thus, the One-Eyed Trickster scams soone once more! 」

I rolled my eyes and stuffed my coin pouch back into my belt. "Relax. Nobody's poor if everyone's robbed equally," I muttered under my breath.

Eve followed behind , stepping down with her usual grace, pink hair fluttering a bit with the breeze. She adjusted the cloak around her shoulders and looked around the city with quiet wonder.

Rinascita's entrance district was a lively mix of old stone roads and neatly painted shops, voices echoing in all directions as adventurers and nobles crisscrossed the streets like caffeinated ants.

I turned to her, stretching my arms behind my head lazily. "So, where should we head next? You hungry, or wanna check—"

She shook her head.

"Lucas..." she said gently, tilting her head a bit like she was still unsure. "May I ask sothing?"

That caught off guard. She was usually the quiet one. I lowered my hands. "Yeah. Go ahead."

Eve hesitated. Her fingers brushed against the small pendant hanging from her neck—the sa one she clutched in the carriage.

"...May we split our ways for the ti being?" she asked, soft but firm. "I want to stay alone a bit."

My brain stalled for a second. Huh?

Not that I was dying to hang out 24/7, but I didn't expect that from her.

"...Why?" I asked, eyes narrowing.

She looked down, her fingers tightening around the pendant. "You helped reach here safely, and I'm grateful, but..." She paused. "...I have my own goal to complete. So I hope you understand."

I squinted. "This about finding that person?"

She nodded, almost sheepish. "Mhm. I don't want to drag you with everywhere, Lucas. I'll find him from here, don't worry."

There was this silence between us for a second. The kind where you don't really know what to say, so you fill it with a soft exhale.

"...Alright," I nodded eventually. "Take care of yourself, Eve."

She gave a small, soft smile. Her pink eyes weren't puffy anymore—just determined. "Thanks for everything, Lucas. See you again."

With that, she turned around and walked toward the higher district. Her figure got smaller with every step. And then—gone.

「 Wow. That was so emotional I nearly teared up from my nonexistent eyes. Should I play a sad violin or just clap? 」

I sighed. Shut up.

I stood there for a mont, just watching the crowd. Everyone moved around with purpose.

So fast.

Well. I won't stop her, I thought. In this world, everyone leaves eventually. You get carried, then you get dropped.

You only really have yourself. And I'll be strong enough to make sure that's all I ever need.

No ties. No chains.

Just .

「 Now that... 」

「 ...is the mindset of a true sorcerer. Good. I was starting to think you were just a codic sidekick with decent hair. 」

A grin tugged at my lips. "Love you too, system."

I adjusted my robe and turned toward the busy street of Rinascita.

Alright. Ti to explore.

A few steps in. That's all it took.

I passed an old lady screaming at a rchant for selling "fake dragon eggs" (which were clearly painted rocks), then almost tripped over a bard dramatically proposing to a woman who was obviously married to the knight standing next to her.

Rinascita was... wild.

As I weaved through the streets, I noticed a small crowd gathered around a poster board. A new quest notice? Maybe a new dungeon?

Nope.

As I walked through the packed main street of Rinascita, I sidestepped a duo of street perforrs throwing flaming knives at each other like it was a friendly ga of catch. So guy in the background was selling "blessed socks" guaranteed to make you run faster. It was like capitalism had found magic and gone completely feral.

My eyes stayed ahead, but my mind wasn't on the chaos.

"Hey, System," I muttered, hands stuffed in my cloak pockets. "Have you finally figured out the materials for the cure?"

「 Oh, you an the mysterious, complex antidote that could potentially stop the decay eating people alive? Yeah, I did figure out sothing. 」

"Wait... seriously?"

「 It's not a full list. Just a potential component. The Leviathan's Scales. 」

I blinked. "Scales? Like fish scales? From sothing nad Leviathan? Why the hell does every useful thing in this world sound like a final boss?"

「 Because it pretty much is. The Leviathan is a centuries-old creature. Think giant centipede, but on steroids. Razor jags for teeth. And it's bigger than most towns. 」

"Oh great. A nightmare with legs."

I sighed, ducking under a floating fruit stand being pushed by so kid yelling about "aerial apples."

"So what do the scales do exactly?" I asked.

「 The essence of the Leviathan's scales can enhance the immune system of any living being. Not just boost it—restructure it. The cure you're aiming for? This is one of the few components that can stabilize corrupted mana in a dying body. 」

"...Damn."

That was heavy. I didn't speak for a while, just kept walking, watching a hawker trying to sell "love-enhancing potions" to an old man who looked like he was emotionally dead inside.

"So it's strong, huh?"

「 S-Rank Plus. Minimum. Probably stronger. 」

I grunted. "I'm level seven."

「 Exactly. Which ans if you go up to it right now and say hello, you're going to die, respawn, and die again just from the trauma. 」

"Good thing I'm into impossible things," I muttered. "So we go step-by-step. Form a party. Level up. Gather gear. Then we hunt that overgrown sewer bug down."

「 Smart plan. First step though: we need to locate it. It could be in any part of the world. 」

I rolled my neck, shaking my head.

"Even if it's hiding in a volcano guarded by dragons," I said, "I'll drag it out. I don't have the luxury of waiting."

「 Now that's the spirit. Suicidal, but spirited. 」

I chuckled, rounding the corner of the street just past a huge bakery that slled so good it was borderline illegal. I was about to comnt on the scent when—

"Excuse , young man."

I froze.

A tall nobleman with a finely pressed cloak and a crest I didn't recognize stood before . His boots looked shinier than my entire future.

SYSTEM. QUICK. SAY SOTHING PROFESSIONAL.

「 Initiating Fancy Boy Protocol... now. 」

I straightened up, posture perfect, hands lightly folded behind my back, and even gave a slight bow.

"Gentlen," I said, tone smooth as butter. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

The noble smiled faintly. "I was told by a few guild officials that a young sorcerer recently arrived in Rinascita with impressive potential. I believe that is you?"

I paused for the perfect beat, then offered a modest nod. "Word travels quickly, it seems."

He extended a sealed envelope. "I co bearing an invitation. The Mayor of Rinascita is hosting a banquet tonight. An exclusive affair. He values promising talents. You're requested to attend."

My eyes flicked to the seal. Fancy, golden, definitely not the kind of invitation you use to wipe your hands.

"An honor," I said politely, accepting the letter.

The noble bowed his head. "We look forward to your presence."

As he walked off, I relaxed my stance and looked at the envelope.

「 Okay. I have two words: Free. Food. 」

"I have three words," I said. "Connections. Leviathan. Location. Influence."

「 ...That was four words. 」

"Details."

I stared at the envelope a little longer.

I didn't trust nobles. But power? Access? Influence?

If I wanted to find that monster, I'd need all of them.

I tucked the envelope inside my cloak.

"Alright," I said with a slow grin. "Let's go crash a party."