"If you don't mind me asking… what is a noble like you doing out here?"
Elsa blinked in surprise, then suddenly burst into laughter—graceful and restrained, but genuine.
"So, you figured it out, huh? That's a first," she said with a soft sigh. "Yeah… I'm from the noble grounds. Vince—my husband—used to work for my uncle. We fell in love, but my family didn't accept him. So I left everything behind and came here with him. We were just starting our life together…"
Her voice cracked. Tears filled her eyes and spilled over.
Erik shifted awkwardly in his seat. "Okay… this is getting awkward."
Elsa quickly wiped her face with a cloth, regaining composure. "Hey… can I ask you something?"
He nodded.
"Do you think there was actually a monster?"
The question caught him off guard. "Why would you ask me that?"
She shook her head. "No… forget I said anything."
Silence settled between them. A heavy one.
After a moment, Erik spoke. "Where do you think I can find his friend?"
"The one who called him out that night died in the forest with him," Elsa said quietly. "But the man who came to my house covered in blood… you'll find him at the bar around this time. His name's Evin."
Erik stood. "I'll take my leave."
Outside, the cool air hit his face as he walked toward the bar. This time, when he glanced over his shoulder, he caught it—someone hiding behind a tree he had just passed.
A silhouette. A woman.
She didn't have much mana, but the way she controlled it was impressive. Skilled at masking her presence. Still, her steps were too careful, too deliberate. No battlefield experience.
Nothing he needed to worry about.
He reached the bar and stepped inside. As expected, it was nearly empty. Word of the monster had clearly done its rounds.
Erik approached the counter and sat on a stool.
"Hey, is there anyone named Evin here?"
The bartender glanced around before replying with a flat "No."
"Will he be coming here?"
The man gave Erik a cold look. "How should I know?"
Before Erik could respond, the person who had been tailing him entered and sat two seats away. He ignored her. Something about this situation kept tugging at his thoughts.
A monster nine grown men couldn't take down… then silence for two months… then chaos again for three weeks straight. Big. Black.
And Elsa's question—"Do you think there was actually a monster?"
Why would she ask that? Is she hiding something? Or does she know the truth?
What if this isn't a monster at all?
Erik ran a hand through his hair. This was giving him a headache.
I'll sleep on it. Hit the forest tomorrow. But first...
He stood up and walked out of the bar. The moment he stepped outside, he leapt to the roof above the entrance.
Seconds later, his stalker rushed out, looking left and right.
He dropped down, grabbed her wrist, and twisted her arm behind her back.
"You've been following me since I got to town. Who are you, and why?"
She gasped and struggled.
"Don't bother resisting," he said, tightening his grip. "Now talk."
"Okay, okay! I'll talk! Just stop!" she cried.
He released her and stepped back.
She turned around, still sitting on the ground. Erik offered a hand, and she hesitantly took it.
"I'm Eri. Eri Volka."
She looked to be around his age. Maybe a year younger.
"So?" Erik asked. "Why were you following me?"
"Well, that's because… I'm here to kill the monster!" she said brightly—like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Erik stared at her. Completely baffled.
Should he ignore her? Tell her to fuck off? Or knock some sense into her?
He took a breath. "Yeah, right," he muttered, turning away.
Eri hurried after him.
"Wait! I'm serious! I really came here for that. You're here to hunt it too, right? I can help!"
Erik stopped and faced her. "This isn't some game. We don't even know what the hell this thing is. What do you think you can do?"
She didn't answer. Instead, she pulled a bow from her back, notched an arrow, and let it fly behind her in a single, fluid motion—without even looking.
Erik blinked.
The arrow whistled through the air and struck a mango mid-fall from a tree behind them. Dead center.
His eyes flicked from the tree to her. She stood there, smug.
"Hah! That's what I can do," she said, arms crossed, waiting for praise like she'd just won a duel.
He didn't respond right away.
"That's a good shot," he admitted at last. "Goodbye."
He turned and continued toward the inn.
She followed anyway.
"I'm not giving up! Tomorrow at dawn, I'll be outside. You will take me with you!" she shouted.
Erik ignored her and stepped inside.
He approached the counter. "Room for the night," he said, placing six copper coins down.
The innkeeper took the coins, grabbed a key, and gestured. "Come with me."
They walked down a hallway. The man stopped at the fourth room and handed Erik the key.
"Goodnight," he said, turning to leave.
"Wait," Erik said. "You know anyone familiar with the forest? I need a guide tomorrow."
The man paused. "Yeah. I'll ask him."
Then he left.
Erik entered the room and locked the door behind him. It was more spacious than expected. He removed his armor and collapsed onto the bed.
"I hope I find something useful in the forest… and I still have to deal with that girl."
He rubbed his eyes. Maybe taking her along wouldn't be such a bad idea. She was fast. Precise. She could back him up from a distance.
Still...
He sighed and shut his eyes.
Elsa's voice echoed in his mind again.
"If there's actually a monster…"
What the hell is going on?
Sleep dragged him under.
Tomorrow was going to be a long day.