Playing it K(c)ool

Tanuj leaned against the cool stone wall of the alley, heart still racing from the close call at the shop. The town was settling into the evening, the hum of activity winding down, but his mind was still racing.

"This town's a powder keg," Tanuj muttered under his breath, trying to process everything. "One wrong move, and it's over."

Leaving wasn't an option—not with the forest crawling with monsters that could tear him apart in seconds. He had to stay in town, but the stakes were higher than he'd realized. The guards were on alert, and there were rumors about something big stirring in the forest.

He needed information, and fast. But instead of panicking, Tanuj knew he had to play it smart, just like he had when he first arrived. The last thing he wanted was to draw attention to himself, especially now.

Making sure he stayed in the shadows, Tanuj made his way back toward the market. Most of the stalls were closing up for the night, but the shopkeeper he had spoken to earlier was still there, finishing up his day's work.

Tanuj approached cautiously, keeping his voice low. "Hey, what's going on with the guards? I saw them heading toward the forest earlier."

The shopkeeper looked up, recognizing him. "Oh, it's you. The guards found signs of a fight in the forest—some big creatures were involved. Looks like a pack of Shadow Wolves might be getting closer to town."

Tanuj's heart skipped a beat. Shadow Wolves? That sounded too close to what he had encountered earlier. "Shadow Wolves? Are they really that close?"

"Yeah, seems like it," the shopkeeper said, his tone grim. "There were traces of a big one, maybe more. The guards think the wolves might be responsible for the missing pets."

Tanuj swallowed hard, keeping his face neutral. "That's… not good. Did they find anything else?"

The shopkeeper shook his head. "Not sure. But from what I heard, the wolves were definitely involved. It's rare for them to get this close to town. The guards think something must have provoked them."

Tanuj felt a chill run down his spine. He knew exactly what had provoked the wolves—his encounter with that Shadow Wolf in the forest. But there was no way he could tell anyone that. Not without putting himself in even more danger.

He had to play it cool, keep his head down, and stay out of the spotlight. "Wolves coming closer to town… that sounds dangerous."

"It would be if it weren't for the guards," the shopkeeper replied, a hint of pride in his voice. "This town's got some of the strongest people around. Those wolves won't know what hit them if they try anything."

Tanuj nodded, trying to appear unconcerned, but inside he was anything but. The last thing he needed was to get caught up in a fight between the town's elite and a pack of enraged Shadow Wolves. He had enough problems without adding that to the list.

As he was about to leave, something else the shopkeeper said stuck in his mind. "The wolves were involved in the pets going missing?" Tanuj asked, trying to sound casual.

"Yeah, that's what they're saying now," the shopkeeper confirmed. "Looks like the wolves might have been snatching them up. I just hope they find out what's going on before anyone else gets hurt."

Tanuj felt a surge of relief. If the guards thought the Shadow Wolves were responsible for the missing pets, that might just take the heat off him. At least for now.

"Thanks for the update," Tanuj said, nodding to the shopkeeper. "Stay safe."

"You too, small-butt guy," the shopkeeper called back, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Tanuj forced a grin, but inside, he was already planning his next move. He needed to stay out of sight, let the guards handle the wolves, and avoid any more attention. The last thing he wanted was to be caught up in a conflict he had no business being in.

As he slipped back into the shadows, heading toward the quieter parts of town, Tanuj couldn't help but feel the weight of the situation pressing down on him. The town might be strong enough to handle the wolves, but he wasn't sure if he was strong enough to handle what came next.

But despite the seriousness of the situation, Tanuj couldn't help but think about his World Points. The best way to earn them was to get involved—to make an impact. But how could he do that without getting his head handed to him by either the wolves or the town's elite?

A grin slowly spread across his face as an idea began to take shape. "Maybe I can help… indirectly. You know, without actually getting eaten alive."

He made his way to a spot where he could watch the action without getting too close—a place with a good view of the forest's edge but enough distance to keep him safe. He knew that if he played his cards right, he might be able to score some World Points by doing what he did best: surviving and observing.

After all, if the wolves really were attacking, it would be the perfect opportunity to earn some points. He just had to make sure he wasn't the one doing the fighting. And with a little luck, maybe the system would reward him for his ingenuity.

"Okay, Tanuj, time to get those World Points without becoming wolf chow," he muttered to himself as he settled into his hiding spot. "Let's see how this plays out."

As the night grew darker, Tanuj watched the forest's edge, waiting for the inevitable clash between the wolves and the town's guards. He knew he was taking a risk by being so close, but the potential reward was too tempting to pass up.

"Just don't get caught," Tanuj reminded himself, his eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. "And whatever you do, don't let them see you."

The sounds of the town's nightlife began to fade as the night deepened, and Tanuj's heart raced in anticipation. This was his chance—his opportunity to earn some serious World Points without getting directly involved.

As he waited in the darkness, he couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all. "Only I would end up in a situation like this," he thought, shaking his head. "But hey, if it works, it works."

And so, Tanuj waited, ready to make the most of whatever opportunity the night would bring. After all, in a town as strange as this, there was always a way to turn a bad situation into a profitable one.