Chapter 23

Author: Thanks for reading and for supporting me.

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It was a good idea when Yuuki suggested they travel by horses. However, with Live village wiped out, the remaining horses and carriages in the inn (The one an hour away from Live village) sold out and no other village or inn nearby, they had no choice but to travel on foot.

Of course, these weren't the only means of transportation. There were vehicles. But those were expensive and only the rich could afford them. They didn't encounter one either or they would have stolen it.

Seriously, what a world they lived in.

Anyways,

Exhausted and the sun setting down, the three didn't hesitate to make a stop when they noticed the small old house in the woods and now stood in front of it.

How convenient.

Guess Den had the same thoughts. He went ahead, but instead of going in, he went around the house. What was he thinking? They had no idea but when he came back, his eyes harbored a strange feeling he felt.

The exhausted quiet Zil and attentive Yuuki didn't notice.

Though not feeling well himself, Yuuki was more concerned about the kid they were traveling with.

With him in mind, he said to Den "Let's rest here for the night"

But Den knew that was impossible. He noticed the ashes spread at the front door and at the front of the house.

Knowing what it was for, what it could do and the meaning behind it, he checked around the house and sure enough, it was all around it.

There was no way he could stay here. Not to mention enter, but he also couldn't reveal this truth.

It was times like this, that he really wished Mira was with him.

"Den" Yuuki called out to him, drawing him out of his thoughts.

Den looked at him, stared for a few seconds before saying, "Is a home of a magical beast. We can't stay here"

Yuuki was surprised. How come he didn't sense it? Then again, he wasn't feeling well. His senses were literally affected by his current condition.

At this moment, he could only trust Den.

"How come I can't sense it?" And the kid almost revealed his lie.

Smacking Zil on the head, he said, "You're weak like a baby cow and you expect to sense it?"

Zil was shut up but he still didn't forget to roll his eyes in annoyance.

His head hurt.

Thinking about what Den said, Yuuki thought he was right. Why he couldn't sense it was obvious and the kid.......yes, Zil really was weak. His body, mind, and magic power haven't been trained for such cases.

He was weak, and his senses might not be as intense and accurate as Den's. Who seemed to be a master.

"We should leave. We'll rest somewhere in the woods" He (Den) said, leaving.

Hurriedly, Zil followed him while Yuuki still stood. He glanced at the house, before glancing back at Den.

So how come he couldn't shake off the feeling, Den might be hiding something else.

And what kind of magical beast occupied this house?

Why couldn't they get rid of it and take over?

What was Den thinking?

*******️*****️*****

DAYS LATER

THE KINGDOM OF PEACE.

They finally reach. Before them was a huge inn, one Zil has never seen before but Yuuki has.

The only inn in his village was nothing like this. And, he guessed this was one of the biggest inns in town.

So huge,........

Brother Den,.........was he freaking rich?

"This is my place. You're welcome to stay" Den said, smiling.

Well, he (Zil) was going nowhere.

One excited, and the other surprised (Cause he never knew this place belonged to Den), followed Den in.

The rich man, being their guide.

So rich, I wish he'll pay me already.

Den: Please continue.

Author: I don't want to hear that from you.

Inside, in the diner, they noticed the place was overcrowded. People enjoying their meals, liquors, talking and laughing and the workers busy serving.

However, when Den's presence was noticed by the workers, four waiters immediately dropped whatever they were doing and welcomed them. Including the manager (Female) who was hanging around, making sure everything was in order and no mistake was made.

Den then introduced them to each other, and afterwards, they joined him (Den) in his room.

Meeting the five, Yuuki couldn't help but feel something was off.

Their attitude, behavior towards Den, was nothing like that of a worker to a boss. Almost like, they looked at Den like a king.

Weird.

Or could it be just his imagination?

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Getting into his room, Den offered them seats on the table and the two took them, giving their thanks as they did.

"Brother Den, are you rich?" The kid asked the obvious.

A proud Den raised up his head high, saying, "I am. And this is not the only place"

(The nerve of this man! He hasn't paid me and still said that)

Yuuki was curious. Where else did he own an inn?

"By the way brother Den, where's sister Mira? I haven't seen her"

Come to think of it,......Yuuki was curious about her as well.

He did ask about her, but Den only told him she was on a mission and will join them soon.

What was the mission? Such a young girl, all alone, on a certain mission, will she be alright?

"Don't worry, she'll be here soon" Den assured the kid who looked worried for some reason.

Before Mira left, he told her to come back to their inn in peace town after she's done (Cause he planned on coming back for his treasure after checking out Live village)

Not here yet, it means she'll be here soon.

Den was certain. However, he was still a bit worried about that girl.

He hoped she took care of her energy and didn't cause unnecessary trouble for herself.

"Den,......." Yuuki called out to him, getting up and he (Den) looked at him, giving him all his attention.

"Yes?"

"I.......I have somewhere to be. I'll take my leave first"

Somewhere to be? Den was curious.

Where? Did Yu know anyone in town?

"Where........" And before he could add another word, the man disappeared.

As usual.

Was it a bad habit he couldn't change?

"Brother Den,......what just happened?" A surprised Zil asked, staring at him.

*Sigh, guess he (Den) had a lot on his hands as well.

He totally forgot this kid knew nothing about the outside world.

To survive, he had to know who to associate with and who to avoid.

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NIGHTTIME

INN

Now alone.

Den, seated on the bed while leaning against the bedframe held in hand his favorite book "To The End" a novel he loved reading.

However, he couldn't concentrate, worried and curious about Yu's whereabouts.

It's been several hours since he left.

Yu has been gone for far too long. Where did he go?

Come to think of it,......he....he knew nothing about the guy.

Maybe, now onwards, he should be more open.

Then, Yu will be willing to share something about himself as well.

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Somewhere in the very same town, a few men stood on the roof of a particular building.

Belonging to a well known, important man in town.

All were dressed in black. Wearing black masks which revealed their eyes alone.

"Ready?" The leader asked and the six men who stood behind him replied, "Yes"

"We're at your command, master. Tell us what to do" the man who was closest to the leader said.

The guy didn't think of correcting him because he knew it was pointless.

He was no longer their leader yet they still referred to him as one.

The guy who just spoke was the current leader, but even he refused to accept his new position.

They still wanted him back.

And this was something he had no plans of.

He can't come back to the organization.

And this will be his last mission before he leaves the organization completely.

"Make sure none of them leave alive" he ordered and the men replied,

"Yes, master!"

His destiny has already been changed.

After tonight, he'll focus more on his new destiny.

No one can stop him.