Arrival in Shemran

After several minutes of travel, I finally arrived at the city. Its name was Shemran—a bustling town with cobblestone streets and houses that looked like they had been pulled straight from the pages of a fantasy novel. In reality, they were medieval-style homes, complete with timber frames and slanted roofs. The streets were alive with movement—people riding on horse-drawn carriages, merchants hawking their wares, and the distant sound of a blacksmith hammering away at his forge. The scent of freshly baked bread mixed with the occasional whiff of manure, an odd but strangely comforting combination.

I continued walking until I came across a tavern. The truth was, I had never actually eaten food in this world before. Back when I was with Hormizd, he wasn't much of a cook—his idea of preparing a meal was simply tossing raw meat onto an open flame and calling it a day. Now, I had the chance to taste something properly made.

Pushing open the wooden door, I stepped inside. The tavern had a warm and friendly atmosphere, built entirely from wood, with sturdy chairs and long tables scattered throughout. A few elderly men sat in a corner, laughing and sharing stories over drinks, their voices rising and falling in animated conversation.

Behind the counter, a woman and a little girl were busy tending to the customers. Judging by their similar features, they were mother and daughter. The moment I entered, the chatter in the tavern dulled, and for a few seconds, every pair of eyes was on me. Ignoring the stares, I made my way to an empty seat in the corner and sat down.

After a brief moment, the little girl approached me with a bright smile. "Hello, sir! What would you like to eat?"

I smirked. "Bring me your best dish, little lady."

She giggled at my words before hurrying back to her mother. As I waited, I took in the atmosphere—the scent of roasted meat filled the air, mingling with the faint trace of ale. This place felt... comfortable.

Not long after, the mother and daughter returned, placing a plate of food in front of me. I examined it closely, trying to discern the ingredients, but the dish was completely unfamiliar. Still, I wasn't in the mood to ask questions.

I took a bite.

One word could sum up the experience—extraordinary. The flavors burst in my mouth, rich and perfectly seasoned. Then again, it had been a long time since I had eaten a proper meal, so perhaps my standards weren't exactly reliable.

After finishing my food, I approached the mother and daughter with a smile. "Well then, my two young ladies, how much do I owe you for the meal?"

They both chuckled, and the mother replied, "That'll be 80 Rabi."

I paused, realizing something crucial—I had no money.

At that moment, Absolute Insight chimed in, reminding me that I had gathered a significant amount of wealth from the bandits' hideout. Apparently, their den had been overflowing with stolen riches.

"Give me 100 Rabi," I requested.

A split second later, a handful of gold coins materialized in my palm. The mother and daughter gasped in shock, their eyes wide with disbelief.

I handed over the money and struck up a conversation with them. They told me about the city—how it was located at the northernmost part of Turan, ruled by a just and fair lord. However, there was a dark side to the tale. The lord's son was a cruel and wicked man, one who viewed the citizens as nothing more than animals. According to rumors, the lord had tied his own son to a post in the courtyard of his estate, starving him in the hopes of reforming his character.

Bidding them farewell, I stepped out into the streets once more, determined to explore the city. But the story about the lord and his son gnawed at my mind. Something about it didn't sit right. The people spoke highly of their ruler, describing him as a man who upheld the law above all else. If that was true, then why resort to such an extreme punishment? If his son had truly committed a crime, shouldn't he have been judged by the law, not chained up like a wild animal? The more I thought about it, the less sense it made.

Brushing the thought aside, I decided to head toward a clothing shop. My current outfit, as I had been told, resembled that of a nobleman, and I didn't want to attract unnecessary attention. But before I could reach my destination, a piercing scream cut through the air.

Someone was in danger.

Without hesitation, I sprinted toward the source of the sound, my body moving at full speed. Within seconds, I arrived at the scene.

A man was being attacked by grotesque creatures—twisted hybrids of wolves and spiders. Their horrifying forms looked like something ripped from a nightmare, their elongated limbs twitching unnaturally as they surrounded their prey. One of them had already torn off the man's arm, blood pouring freely onto the ground.

Without a second thought, I raised my hand and summoned fire. But not just any fire—an intense, searing blaze, its temperature far beyond what any normal flame should be. With a single burst, the creatures were reduced to nothing but ashes.

The man gasped in relief, clutching his bleeding shoulder as he looked at me with gratitude. "Thank you, sir! You saved my life!"

I examined his wounds. He had already lost a dangerous amount of blood. Without wasting time, I used minor healing magic to stop the bleeding. He bowed his head in thanks once more, and together, we made our way to the hospital.

Upon arrival, the city's healer worked his magic—literally. Before my eyes, the man's severed arm regenerated completely, as if it had never been torn off in the first place.

Once healed, the man turned to me with a hopeful smile. "Please, allow me to repay you. I'm hosting a gathering at my home tonight. It would be an honor to have you as my guest."

I considered his offer. It had been a long time since I had attended any kind of social event. I had no idea what kind of customs or traditions this world followed, but... it might be interesting. After a brief moment of thought, I nodded.

"Very well. I'll come."

A party, huh? I had no idea what to expect, but I had a feeling tonight would be anything but dull. More importantly, I needed to ask about those creatures. What exactly were they? Where had they come from?

But for now, I decided to rest.

The night was still young, and the adventure was just beginning.