Chapter 11: Ugliness of the world

The dirt path ahead was blocked.

Five men stood in their way, dressed in ragged layers of patched leather and tattered cloaks.

The scent of cheap alcohol clung to them, and their leader—a broad-shouldered man with a thick beard—wore a knowing grin.

"Well, well," he drawled, taking a lazy step forward. "Looks like we finally caught up to you."

Kyoryn and Viktor stiffened, their instincts immediately on edge.

Wren, however, remained calm. "We're not looking for trouble."

The leader spread his arms. "Neither are we. Just figured we'd travel together. Strength in numbers, right?"

Kyoryn scoffed. "Right. That's why you've been watching us since we entered the inn."

Viktor crossed his arms. "You're not looking for allies. You're looking for an opportunity."

The bandits exchanged amused glances. "Smart kids," the leader mused, then dropped the act entirely. His gaze settled on Wren.

"You're a practical man, aren't you? You know how the world works. There's no profit in traveling with those two. But selling them?" His smirk widened. "That's a different story."

Kyoryn's fingers twitched. Viktor's eyes darkened.

The man continued. "That girl? She's a kitsune. Rare. Someone would pay a fortune for her. And the boy? An elf? That's easy money. You'd be set for life. You and that wife of yours could go anywhere. Live in luxury."

Then, his voice turned cold. "Or you can refuse. And then, well… accidents happen. To you. To her."

Silence.

Then Wren took a step forward. His movements were slow, deliberate.

The shift in his posture made the bandits hesitate.

"You think money is everything," he said, his voice dangerously quiet. "That people are just commodities to be bought and sold. That threatening someone's family gives you power."

His expression darkened. "But you know what I see? A pack of worms who can't survive on their own. Scum who prey on the weak because they're too afraid to challenge the strong."

The leader's smirk flickered.

Wren rolled his shoulders, loosening his stance. "So let me make this clear. If you or anyone you know so much as looks at Zenith the wrong way, I will hunt every last one of you down. And I won't be merciful."

The air grew thick with unspoken tension.

The leader exhaled through his nose, clicking his tongue. "Damn shame. I thought you'd be smarter than that." He gave a lazy shrug. "Come on, boys. We're done here."

With that, the bandits turned and disappeared into the trees.

Viktor let out a slow breath. "That was… intense."

Kyoryn crossed her arms. "You really meant all of that, didn't you?"

Wren nodded. "I did."

Viktor studied him for a moment before asking, "Why not take the deal? It would've made life easier."

Wren looked at them and said, "Because you're kids."

Kyoryn's ears twitched. "We're not helpless."

"I know," Wren said simply. "But that doesn't mean you should have to deal with the worst parts of this world yet. There's enough ugliness without me adding to it." He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "And more than that… I'd never be able to forgive myself selling children to a group of bandits."

Neither Kyoryn nor Viktor had anything to say to that.

After a moment, Wren turned. "Come on. We've got a beast to slay."

---

The entrance to the cave loomed ahead, the air thick with an earthy, musky scent.

"This is it," Wren said, setting his bag down.

Viktor floated higher what perfect view of the inside. "Alright, I'll flush it out. Once it's in the open, you two go in for the kill."

Kyoryn cracked her knuckles. "Sounds simple enough."

Wren unfastened his satchel and pulled out his weapon—a retractable spear. With a sharp flick, the steel shaft extended, locking into place.

Kyoryn shifted into her hybrid form.

Viktor raised a hand, and a surge of water magic burst from his fingertips, rushing into the cave like a flood.

For a moment, there was nothing.

Then a deep, guttural roar shook the ground.

The beast burst from the cave.

The Primal Ape was massive—its fur thick and matted, its muscles knotted with raw strength. Water dripped from its soaked body, and its yellow eyes blazed with fury.

Kyoryn lunged first, slashing at its flank. Wren struck next, driving his spear toward its chest. The beast roared in pain but didn't fall.

Viktor hovered above, sending blasts of blinding light to disorient it.

It was working. They had the upper hand.

Until the ape changed.

Its body convulsed. A low, guttural growl escaped its throat.

Then flames erupted across its body.

Its head. Its arms. Its tail. Every inch of fur burned, yet it did not burn away. Fire licked its flesh, and with a single, furious roar, an explosion of heat filled the air.

"Uh," Viktor muttered. "I think we have a problem."

Before anyone could react, the transformed ape lunged—its speed now unnatural. It rocketed toward Viktor.

"Shit!"

The beast's massive hand struck him midair. He crashed into the dirt, skidding across the ground.

He barely managed to slow his descent with a burst of wind magic, but the impact still sent pain jolting through his body.

Kyoryn's eyes widened. "Viktor!"

Viktor groaned, coughing. "I'm alive… barely."

Wren stepped beside him, gripping his spear tightly. His sharp gaze locked onto the flaming beast. "This just got a lot harder."

Kyoryn moved in front of Viktor, claws ready.

The Primal Ape watched them, embers crackling around its body. Its breaths came out in heavy, fire-laced huffs.

The real battle had just begun.