Luce-l

Liam finished freshening up, changed into a clean shirt and trousers, and brushed his ash-gray hair into place. When he glanced at the mirror, his reflection made him pause. His eyes… they looked sharper, colder, almost predatory. Even without trying, the faint trace of bloodlust lingered within those crimson pupils.

He let out a quiet sigh and turned away. "...Great. Just what I needed."

He opened the door, and found Ravyn standing there. She had her hands clasped behind her back, a faint blush coloring her pale cheeks.

"Are you ready?" Liam asked.

"Yes," she said softly, then added, "Let's go for breakfast."

Liam nodded and walked beside her toward the stairs.

The moment they stepped into the main hall, the noise died. Conversations stopped mid-sentence, spoons froze halfway to mouths, and every pair of eyes darted toward Liam, only to drop instantly to their plates.

He didn't even flinch. By now, he was used to it.

Ravyn, however, smiled faintly. A sweet, almost innocent smile… that hid thoughts Liam could never imagine. She followed him closely, her steps light, her crimson eyes glinting with something unspoken.

They picked up their breakfast and moved toward an empty table. The two men already sitting there scrambled to their feet and left without a word, their faces pale.

Liam ignored them and sat down. Ravyn joined him, setting her plate quietly.

On the far side, whispers broke out among a few adventurers.

"What the hell… I know he's dangerous, but… just looking into his eyes, my whole body locked up."

"Feels like… staring at a beast that wants you dead."

None of them dared to look his way again.

Liam began eating in silence until his gaze flicked to Ravyn.

"How many days did you book your room for?"

Ravyn swallowed before answering, her voice low. "Today's the last day. I... didn't have much money yesterday, so I only paid for one night."

"Mine was the same,but for two nights" Liam said, setting down his fork. "And now it's over. I'll have to check out after breakfast."

Ravyn blinked, a small crease forming between her brows. "Then... where will you stay?"

Liam glanced around the hall. Every adventurer who'd dared to look at him had buried their face in their food the moment his eyes moved. His voice was calm, almost flat.

"I don't think this inn will let me rebook. And judging by… this-" his gaze swept the hall, where a dozen shoulders stiffened under his glance, "I doubt any other inn in Thornmere will take me in either. My name's already spread after yesterday."

Ravyn's lips parted slightly, her face shifting into a hesitant, almost worried expression. "Then… what are we going to do?"

Liam turned to her. For a moment, his gaze softened as he took in her pale features, the faint dark circles under her crimson eyes, her delicate face framed by long black hair. She looked fragile, almost sickly, yet there was a quiet beauty to her presence.

He exhaled slowly and leaned back in his chair, thinking. They needed a roof over their heads. They needed a plan.

'Luce '

The corner of Liam's lips curved faintly. "Don't worry," he said at last. "I have a solution. And if things go well, we'll make a lot of money."

Ravyn tilted her head slightly. "Money?"

"Not just money," Liam replied, his tone carrying quiet certainty. "If this works, we'll have a ticket straight to Caelthorn."

Ravyn blinked at him in confusion, but the gleam in his eyes made her heart skip. Whatever he was planning, she knew one thing, she wanted to be there when it happened.

Liam glanced at Ravyn's face. Her expression was bright, almost sparkling, like a kitten that had just been offered its first taste of cream. He couldn't help the faint chuckle that left his lips. 'So cute'

Still, his mind returned to the plan ahead. He hadn't intended to meet Luce this soon, but circumstances left him little choice. After all, who told him to carry so many cheats that even the so-called protagonists of manga and anime would bow their heads in shame?

Two weeks. That's all it had been since he arrived in this world. Yet here he stood, with skills and gifts that bent reality in his favor. The last two, though they hadn't come without cost. The pain had been unbearable, the kind that clawed at his sanity and left his body drenched in blood and sweat. But the result? Worth it. His stats had jumped a full rank, and his arsenal now bordered on absurd.

Confidence hummed through his veins. He wasn't arrogant enough to think he could kill Luce. Not yet. But humiliating him, making him choke on his pride? That, Liam could do.

After finishing breakfast, the two returned to their rooms to pack. For Liam, it was effortless, everything he owned sat neatly inside his inventory, ready at a thought. Ravyn, on the other hand, had little more than a single bundle of clothing tied to her back.

He noticed but said nothing. He had no interest in prying into her life and making her uncomfortable.

"Let's head to the market after we're done," Liam said as they stepped out into the hall. "We'll need supplies before leaving for the academy."

Ravyn hesitated for a heartbeat, then nodded silently and followed at his side.

"Where are we going first?" she asked after a while, her voice curious but careful.

Liam's lips curved faintly. "To someone who owes us a lot."

Ravyn tilted her head, confusion flickering in her crimson eyes, but didn't press further. Something about him, the calm weight in his voice, the cold confidence in his bearing, told her she would be safe as long as she stayed close.