A Town Without Laws

The sun dipped low on the horizon when Arlan's group finally reached their destination—a mid-sized trading town far from the reach of the Holy Order.

They had no name, no status, and no allies. Only each other.

For days, they had traveled through forests, across dirt roads, avoiding both the undead horde and the Holy Order's inquisitors. Duskhaven was gone, and with it, their lives as they knew them.

Now, they stood before Ravencross, a town that had no allegiance, no kings, and no laws.

A town for those who wanted to be forgotten.

Welcome to Ravencross

From a distance, Ravencross looked like any other trade hub—stone and wooden buildings clustered around a central square, bustling markets, and tall wooden walls that looked more for show than actual protection.

But as they stepped inside, the true nature of the town revealed itself.

There were no guards at the entrance. No inspection, no questions.

The people inside weren't ordinary merchants or craftsmen. They were sellswords, mercenaries, rogue adventurers, and exiles.

A place where coin was the only law.

Beren let out a low whistle. "Hells, this place reeks of trouble."

Leila adjusted her bow. "We fit right in, then."

Tomas smirked. "As long as the food's good, I don't care."

Mira wasn't smiling. "This town is going to be a problem."

Arlan understood what she meant.

In a town like this, there were no protections. No guards to enforce order.

If they got into trouble, no one would save them.

The Dagger's Rest – A New Home

The group made their way to a two-story inn near the center of town.

The sign above the entrance read "The Dagger's Rest."

The air inside was thick with smoke, ale, and the unmistakable tension of a place that saw its fair share of brawls.

The innkeeper, a grizzled, scarred woman named Vara, barely looked up from behind the counter. Her sharp eyes took them in—assessing them in an instant.

"Rooms are paid upfront," she said flatly. "No fighting inside. You break something, you replace it."

Beren dropped a handful of silver on the counter. "Good enough."

She slid the keys across the counter without another word.

It wasn't much, but it was a roof over their heads.

For now, it would do.

The Guild & A Fresh Start

The adventurer's guild in Ravencross was twice the size of the one in Duskhaven—a fortress-like building reinforced with stone and steel. Unlike the orderly halls of the Holy Order-controlled guilds, this one was run entirely by adventurers.

The moment they stepped inside, the roar of voices hit them.

People gambled at tables, drank loudly, and boasted about their last dungeon run.

There were no paladins, no noble banners.

This place belonged to the strong.

Mira scanned the quest board. "We need something manageable. No reckless jobs."

Beren frowned. "Nothing too easy either."

Leila's gaze settled on a request. "There's a dungeon run. E-rank."

Tomas grinned. "Finally! No more goblins."

Arlan stayed silent.

They needed EXP. They needed loot.

They needed power.

And this was where they'd get it.

Bones vs. Shade – A Spectral Rivalry

Later that night, as the others slept, Arlan sat awake, watching his two summons.

Bones sat on his shoulder, clicking his teeth in irritation.

Shade stood in the shadows, watching Bones with unblinking red eyes.

The tension between them was palpable.

Arlan sighed. "Are you two seriously going to fight?"

Bones hissed.

Shade's mist-like form rippled.

Arlan rubbed his forehead. "I can't believe this. My summons are competing for attention."

Bones clicked faster.

Shade tilted his head.

Then, to Arlan's absolute horror—Shade floated forward and sat directly on top of Bones.

Bones squeaked.

Arlan almost lost it.

"Okay—NO. We are NOT doing this."

Bones wriggled out, hissing like an angry cat.

Shade simply tilted his head again.

Arlan buried his face in his hands.

This was his life now.