A New Beginning

Ren sat in silence, absorbing everything. The flickering lanterns in Kaito's hideout cast long shadows, the air carrying the faint scent of old wood and metal. His body still ached from the fight, but his mind was sharper than ever.

Mahi leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, still watching him.

Mahi: "So? What do you plan to do now, amnesiac?"

Ren glanced at Kaito, who smirked, tossing a small pouch onto the table.

Kaito: "If you're gonna stick around, you need to earn your place. No freeloaders here."

Ren picked up the pouch—it jingled slightly.

Ren: "What is this?"

Kaito: "A little start-up fund. You'll be working under me from now on. Consider it an advance."

Ren furrowed his brow.

Ren: "Working… how?"

Mahi scoffed. "Don't get too excited. You won't be doing anything flashy. Just errands, carrying supplies, watching our backs. We don't need dead weight."

Ren clenched his fists. He didn't like the idea of being some errand boy, but he had no choice. He needed a place to stay, food to eat—and most of all, strength.

Ren: "Fine. I'll do it."

Kaito grinned. "That's the spirit."

Ren shifted slightly. "But before anything else… I need to know something."

Kaito raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

Ren: "When I arrived, I heard people whispering about someone—a scarred man. Who is he?"

The moment the words left his mouth, Kaito's expression darkened. Even Mahi's casual stance stiffened slightly.

Kaito: "That's none of your concern."

Ren frowned. "If he's important enough for the whole town to murmur about, then I should know."

Kaito exhaled sharply, rubbing his neck. "Listen, rookie. Some names carry weight. And some names bring trouble just by speaking them. You're better off staying ignorant."

Ren didn't like that answer. But before he could push further—

Mahi: "Enough about that."

She pushed off the doorframe, stepping closer.

Mahi: "Kaito, where's he sleeping?"

Kaito smirked. "Oh, right. Almost forgot." He jabbed a thumb toward the back room. "We've got an extra cot. Hope you don't mind sharing a space."

Ren sighed. "I'll manage."

Mahi studied him one last time, then turned away.

Mahi: "We'll see if you last, rookie."

With that, she walked out.

Ren exhaled, leaning back. His body ached, his mind buzzed with unanswered questions, but one thing was clear—his new life had begun.

Yet, one thought lingered.

Who was the scarred man?

How was he supposed to survive in this place?

And just what kind of world had he woken up in?

---

Elsewhere…

The dimly lit corridors of a grand estate in the main city of Isamwi echoed with heavy footsteps. A man draped in a tattered cloak knelt before a figure seated in the shadows.

Underling: "Boss, I got word that someone… strange has been seen in the town of Greyhaven. Wearing odd clothes, doesn't seem like he belongs."

The seated figure leaned forward slightly, revealing a deep scar running from his brow down to his jawline.

Scarred Man: "Oh?"

A tense silence hung in the air.

Then, a slow smirk.

Scarred Man: "Watch him."

The underling bowed and disappeared into the darkness, leaving only the faint crackling of a nearby fireplace.

To Be Continued…