Expensive.

The wooden doors of the Rusty Barrel creaked open as Kai and Arthur stepped inside. The bar was dimly lit, filled with the scent of grilled meat, spilled ale, and the faint aroma of smoke from oil lamps hanging from the ceiling. Outlaws crowded the place, their laughter and chatter creating a constant hum that made it feel oddly welcoming despite the danger surrounding them.

Arthur followed Kai to an empty table near the staircase leading to the inn above. A barmaid with dark curls and a rough voice came to take their order.

"Steak and chicken," Kai said, tossing a silver coin onto the table. "And a pitcher of water."

The barmaid scooped up the coin and walked away. Arthur shifted in his seat, eyes darting around the room.

Kai noticed. "What's got you all stiff?"

Arthur hesitated, then sighed. "It's my bounty. When they issue it… they'll put my last name too."

Kai raised an eyebrow. "Yeah? So?"

Arthur looked down at the scratched-up wooden table. "If my name's out, I won't just have bounty hunters after me… my old town will know. My family, my friends… and worst of all, the Laws will come hunting me like I'm some monster."

Kai chuckled. "You're worried over nothing, kid."

Arthur frowned. "How? The second my bounty's out, I'll have every hunter in the region after me!"

Kai leaned back, a confident smirk on his face. "If you stay here, no one will come after you."

Arthur narrowed his eyes. "You're really sure about that?"

Kai nodded. "Drentail's different, kid. Outlaws don't kill fellow outlaws. The city runs on trust, y'know? Everyone's got a price on their head. If people started collecting each other's bounties, this place would turn into a warzone. So, as long as you stay inside the city, you're safe."

Arthur exhaled in relief but still felt a nagging worry in the back of his mind.

Just then, the barmaid returned, setting down their food—a thick, juicy steak and a roasted chicken leg, steaming hot. She placed a small plate of bread next to it and held out her hand.

"One gold, thirteen silver."

Arthur's jaw nearly dropped.

"That's insane! Back in my town, a full meal only costs twenty silver!"

Kai chuckled and tossed the money onto the table. "Welcome to Drentail, where everything's overpriced because no one here follows the law."

Arthur muttered under his breath but took a bite of the steak. The rich, smoky flavor made him forget the price, at least for a moment.

Once they finished eating, Kai pulled out another few coins and handed them to the barmaid. "A room for him. One night."

The barmaid counted the coins. "Twenty-five silver." She tossed Arthur a key. "Upstairs, second door on the left."

Arthur blinked. "Even the rooms are expensive…"

Kai shrugged. "Better than sleeping in the dirt."

Arthur sighed, grabbed the key, and climbed the stairs to his room. The bed was small but clean, with a single oil lamp on the wooden nightstand. As he lay down, exhaustion took over, and he drifted into sleep.

Kai waited in the corner as he scribbled on his small notebook.

***

Meanwhile, back in Arthur's hometown, the Laws were working to clean up the chaos left behind by the outlaws. Buildings had been burned, stores looted, and several people injured or worse. Chief Rellen, a four-star Law, stood in the center of the town square, arms crossed as he watched the soldiers restore order.

His eyes shifted toward William Bethonen, another four-star Law, who stood beside his horse, awaiting instructions.

Rellen turned to him. "Go to the Order's Building in Center City. We need Arthur's bounty issued immediately."

William nodded, mounting his horse without hesitation. The Order's Building was feared by all criminals. Inside, a bounty could be issued with just a few words. The moment Arthur's name was spoken, his bounty would become official—and bounty hunters would come swarming.

But William knew one thing: he could not speak directly to Order himself.

Order, the highest-ranking five-star Law, was a figure of legend and fear. His word alone determined the fate of outlaws, and his decisions were final.

William spurred his horse forward, galloping down the dirt roads leading to Center City. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows over the land as he rode.

After several hours, he arrived at the massive, stone-walled Order's Building. Guards flanked the entrance, armed with rifles and sabers. He dismounted and stepped inside, where a dark-robed clerk sat behind a wooden counter.

The air was stifling, filled with the scent of old parchment and ink. The clerk barely looked up as he spoke.

"State the criminal's name and crime."

William took a deep breath. "Arthur—" he hesitated. "…Arthur. Accused of murder, prison escape, and the killing of two Laws."

"Just Arthur?" The clerk asked.

"Y-yes."

The clerk scribbled on a parchment, then slammed a heavy iron seal onto the paper. The sound echoed through the hall.

"Bounty confirmed."

And just like that, Arthur name was officially marked for death.